Former governor of Osun State, Bisi Akande, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari wasn’t comfortable having his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, go head-to-head with President Bola Tinubu for the sole presidential ticket at the 2022 primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

The pioneer national chairman of the APC disclosed this on a podcast anchored by a popular broadcaster, Edmund Obilo.

Akande recalled that the former VP did not step down for Tinubu, despite efforts to avoid bitterness among Yoruba contenders.

When asked if Buhari opposed Tinubu’s candidacy, Akande shook his head.

“He didn’t tell me so,” he said. “I asked him many questions, including whether he instigated Osinbajo to contest against Tinubu. He said no and explained that, in his culture, when your mentor is interested in a position, you don’t contest with him.”

In the build-up to the 2023 general elections, Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.

The APC national leader defeated 13 other aspirants, including Osinbajo, to emerge as the APC flag-bearer at the end of the Special National Convention of the party in Abuja.

His other opponents included Rotimi Amaechi, ex-governor David Umuahi, Senator Ahmad Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawal, ex-governor Yahaya Bello and the late Ogbonnaya Onu.

Others were  Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich and former Governor Ben Ayade.

The race began with 23 aspirants, but nine withdrew shortly before the commencement of voting at the convention.

They included Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr Felix Nicholas, former Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, Senator Ken Nnamani and Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Akande however concluded by acknowledging Tinubu’s growth as a political strategist.

The former governor also touched on the relationship between Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, revealing that he played a key role in Osinbajo’s nomination as vice president.

He said, “In 2011, Tinubu was discussing with Buhari about replacing Bakare with someone. I told Tinubu, ‘I’m going to recommend Osinbajo, and I did.”

A judge has sentenced Bob Menendez, former New Jersey senator in the United States, to 11 years in prison.

Prosecutors sought at least a 15-year sentence, citing in court documents the “rare gravity” of the ex-senator’s crimes.

Last year, Menendez, 71, was found guilty on 16 counts of accepting gifts, including gold bars, cash, and a Mercedes-Benz, in exchange for helping the Egyptian and Qatari governments.

Menendez pleaded with Sidney Stein, US district judge for mercy, twice breaking down in tears.

“I have lost everything,” he said.

But the former senator’s pleas fell on deaf ears.

His lawyers called for a shorter sentence paired with community service.

“Somewhere along the way, you became, I’m sorry to say, a corrupt politician,” Stein said before handing down the 11-year sentence on Wednesday.

The judge also ordered a forfeiture for all of Menendez’s ill-gotten gains, which totalled $992,188.10, according to the US attorney’s office.

Menendez has vowed to appeal the conviction.

The former senator has also been seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump after failing to get one from former President Joe Biden.

Borrowing Trump’s infamous assertion during his trials before his presidential win, Menendez claimed he was the victim of a “political witch hunt”.

A witness identified as prosecution witness D has testified in the ongoing trial of Tukur Mamu, the publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, at the federal high court in Abuja.

The masked witness was led in evidence on Thursday by David Kaswe, a lawyer to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

Mamu is facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism after he was accused of aiding and negotiating with the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.

Mamu was accused of collecting $120,000 in ransom payments on behalf of Boko Haram terrorists responsible for the train attack.

He was also accused of exchanging voice note communications relating to the hostages with one Baba Adamu, a Boko Haram spokesperson.

However, the Desert Herald publisher pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charges.

THURSDAY’S PROCEEDINGS

Giving his testimony, the witness said he was informed that his mother and sister were among the passengers on board the train during the March 2022 attack. 

The witness said a day after the terrorist attack, he visited the Kaduna hospital where the injured passengers were taken but could not see his mother and sister.

The witness told the court one of the abductors called him two weeks after the attack via telephone and asked him to speak with his sister.

He added that there was regular communication between him and the terrorists for about two weeks before they demanded a ransom of N200 million.

The witness said the terrorists provided him with the names and phone numbers of four journalists who could be contacted for negotiations.

He said out of the four journalists, only Mamu volunteered “to take up the responsibility”.

The witness said while struggling to raise the money for ransom, he received calls from Lucky Irabor, former chief of defence staff (CDS), and Yusuf Bichi, the former director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He said the former defence staff requested a meeting in Abuja.

The witness said he was instructed by Irabor to tell him whatever he discussed with Mamu, adding that the former defence chief connected him with the committee set up by the federal government to facilitate the release of the kidnapped victims.

The witness said after he told the terrorists that Mamu had agreed to negotiate with them, they stopped communicating with him.

“As soon as they contacted Tukur Mamu, they stopped communicating with us. All information is from Tukur Mamu,” he told the court.

“We will go to Tukur Mamu, and he will tell us they have asked us to pay N100 million each.

“When the negotiation was going on, we had to link Tukur Mamu with the CDS committee.”

He added that one day, his sister called him from captivity to go back to Mamu for negotiations.

“After some people started getting their loved ones out, it got to a stage that kidnappers were no longer talking with the CDS committee,” he added.

“It should be noted that Tukur Mamu penciled me as a government agent. So, he never wants to talk to me.”

The witness said Mamu later agreed to communicate after a relation, who was the publisher’s former boss, intervened in the matter.

The witness said he negotiated the ransom from N200 million to N80 million and took the ransom in cash in August 2022 to Mamu in his Kaduna residence.

The witness disclosed that he was asked to convert the money to dollars, adding that the money amounted to $118,750 after the conversion.

He said two weeks later, Mamu called him for additional money to make it up to $120,000.

He added that his mother and sister were released after the ransom was paid.

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has claimed that the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabi’u Kwankwaso, is planning to defect to the APC.

He alleged that Kwankwaso is lobbying President Bola Tinubu to facilitate his defection to the APC in pursuit of his political ambitions.

Speaking to newsmen in Kano on Thursday, the APC chieftain stated that Kwankwaso’s primary objective is to ensure a second term for his political protege, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

He said, “We are fully aware of Kwankwaso’s repeated attempts to gain President Tinubu’s approval to join the APC. His primary objective is to ensure a second term for his political protégé, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in 2027.” 

Iliyasu, a former Commissioner in the state and currently the Executive Director (Finance) at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, urged President Tinubu to reject Kwankwaso’s move to join the APC.

He further stated that all NNPP members in the House of Representatives, elected under the party’s fruit-themed logo, are preparing to align with the APC.

According to him, this shift would significantly weaken the Kwankwasiyya political movement led by Senator Kwankwaso.

“This would be a welcome development for the APC as the party strategizes to reclaim Kano in the 2027 general elections,” Iliyasu added.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the prosecution of former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore and the arrest of a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf.

Atiku in a post via his X handle on Thursday, asserted that Sowore’s prosecution and detention of Yusuf amount to systematic harassment and intimidation aimed at dismantling the opposition parties to establish a one-party system.

Describing Sowore’s prosecution as baseless, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election said Tinubu’s government may soon imprison everyone criticising his administration.

He wrote, “When I made the clarion call that Tinubu and the APC were devoting their energies to the systematic harassment, intimidation, and dismantling of the opposition, all in service of their grand design for a one-party autocracy, I became the target of vicious attacks.

“The arrest and baseless prosecution of @YeleSowore is the latest chapter in this unrelenting campaign. Now, they have seen fit to add Professor Usman Yusuf — an outspoken critic of this administration — into their grim roster. At the pace they are going, it seems they may soon find themselves contending with the incarceration of every one of us.”

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have insisted that they followed due process and procedure in the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of the House.

According to them, the removal of Obasa was done in line with all constitutional provisions.

The lawmakers made the declaration in a statement on Thursday signed by Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode on behalf of the House after their appearance at the Lagos Command of the Department of State Services (DSS).

As earlier reported by Naija News, the DSS invited two lawmakers from the Lagos State House of Assembly over their alleged involvement in the speakership crisis rocking the Assembly.

The invitation follows the crisis surrounding the removal of former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on January 13.

The lawmakers, Lanre Afinni and Sylvester Ogunkelu, were followed by other lawmakers to the DSS office in Lagos in a show of solidarity.

Following the visit to the DSS, the Lagos lawmakers insisted that their decision adhered strictly to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act. They referenced Sections 92 and 96, which outline the procedures for electing and removing a Speaker, stressing that due process was followed.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly, as an independent arm of government, exercised its constitutional duty in the best interest of the people of Lagos. Any attempt to challenge this lawful action undermines the authority granted to us by the Nigerian Constitution,” the lawmakers stated.

They also commended the DSS for its professionalism and for ensuring a smooth and respectful engagement. All detained lawmakers have since been released.

Reiterating their commitment to legislative duties, the Assembly called on all stakeholders, including the executive and the public, to respect the sanctity of legislative processes and avoid undue interference

The ex-husband of Nigerian singer, Tiwa Sage, Tunji Balogun, better known as Teebillz, has slammed media personality, Toke Makinwa, following her interference in the divorce of iconic singer, 2Baba and his wife, Annie Idibia.

Naija News reports that Teebillz took to his Instagram page on Thursday to share photos of his ex-wife and their son, Jamil Balogun.

The talent manager spoke about the importance of family and warned others to learn how to stay away from family issues, noting that love never dies.

Taking a swipe at Toke, who had attacked 2Baba over his social media post announcing his separation from Annie, Teebillz said having a child requires a different type of forgiveness and love that the media personality has yet to attain.

He prayed for Toke to experience motherhood.

Teebillz also reminded Toke that she talked about him during his split from Tiwa Savage and urged her to mind her business regarding 2Baba’s ongoing divorce.

He wrote, “Family Matters…… Learn to stay out of it. I thank God for healing and love…Love never Dies…..TOKE MAKINWA, having a child for a Man is a different type of forgiveness and love that you are yet to attain…… I pray you do sis. I hope you remember the nonsense you talked about me too…Blessings and love to the Idibias during this trying time. Mind your business.”

Brazilian adult content creator Anna Beatriz Pereira Alves, better known as Anna Polly, reportedly plunged to her death from the balcony of the hotel where she filmed a threesome with two men.

Anna, who was found dead in the hotel courtyard, was said to have invited the men to the hotel at Nova Iguaçu, northwest of Rio de Janeiro, to participate in the filming of content for an adult platform.

According to Mirror, police have started a full-scale investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death.

It is believed that the adult actress fell from the balcony while filming, but the men gave conflicting accounts of what led to her death.

While confirming the incident, police investigators described the ongoing investigation as ‘complex,’ adding that the police are keeping an open mind because the tragedy could be an accident or a crime. 

A spokesman for the Baixada Fluminense Homicide Unit leading the investigation said: “We are conducting a thorough investigation to clarify what happened. It’s a complex case, and we don’t rule out any possibility, from an accident to a possible crime.”

The police homicide unit is reportedly analysing the hotel CCTV images as part of its investigation and has also questioned the staff.

Police are also looking at Anna’s mobile as part of the investigation. 

Mirror reported that the results of a post-mortem carried out have not been made public, and it is not yet clear if it showed the presence of drugs in her system or showed her being the victim of sexual violence.

Abosede, mother of the late singer Mohbad, has alleged that her son chose to keep his wedding to Omowunmi and the birth of his son private due to the threats and pressure he faced from his former label boss, Naira Marley. 

“My son lived in fear all his life. It was because of Naira Marley that my son did not publicise his wedding and the birth of his son. Mohbad was a good man. He never trafficked cocaine. I am saying this with conviction,” she said in a recent live TikTok session.

She claimed Joseph Aloba, Mohbad’s father, was responsible for delaying the DNA test to confirm the paternity of Liam, the singer’s son. 

'We aren't just a band of blind musicians; we have journalists, teachers and computer...0:00 / 0:00

Abosede expressed frustration over the ongoing controversy, stating that she and Omowunmi were ready for the test.

“Jossy is the one delaying the DNA. We are ready for DNA. Wunmi must do the DNA because of Liam. I know he is my grandchild. When Mohbad was alive he never mentioned Liam was not his,” she said.   

Abosede recalled how Aloba took pictures with Liam just days before Mohbad’s death, suggesting that he never doubted the child’s paternity. 

She insisted that her son was a good man and denied rumour linking him to drug trafficking. 

Addressing another controversy, Abosede clarified that Adura, Mohbad’s brother, was not the person who contacted actor Yomi Fabiyi with information about the singer’s death. She accused Yomi of attempting to frame Adura based on false claims from Damola, another individual involved in the case. 

Omowunmi, Mohbad’s widow, earlier called out Aloba for avoiding the DNA test, further fueling speculation about his true intentions. 

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances, and his body was exhumed for an autopsy nine days later. However, the case remains unresolved as family tensions continue to dominate headlines

Zimbabwe’s public health crisis has recently come under threat as condom prices are reported to have reached record highs.

A survey by iHarare shows that the cheapest option, Protector Plus, now costs nearly $1.50 per packet, while Fantasy and Carex brands are priced at $3.20 and $3.30, respectively.

The sharp price hike follows the halt in USAID funding, stemming from former US President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid.  

“USAID supports the procurement and distribution of 98% of all condoms in Zimbabwe, both for sale and for free. The halt in funding has severely impacted locally available condom brands, such as PSH’s Protector Plus, which are sold in shops for cost recovery,” the report reads.

Further on the report was the contrast of prices in 2023, with two packets of Protector Plus condoms going for just $1, but prices have since surged by 150%, making them unaffordable for many.

Calls from Population Solutions for Health (PSH) to remove VAT and import duties on condoms remain unanswered.

With Zimbabwe having one of the highest HIV prevalence rates globally, the condom shortage threatens to escalate the spread of HIV and other STIs