He emphasized that he remains the party leader in the state

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has dismissed reports of his suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking through his media aide, Terver Akase, Ortom declared the suspension null and void, emphasizing that he remains the party leader in the state.

“Ortom has not been suspended. He is the leader of the party in the state, and any meeting that is called or going on without his consent is null and void,” Akase stated.

Ortom asserted that Benue PDP Chairman, John Ngbede, who announced his suspension, had himself been suspended for one month and therefore had no authority to convene such a meeting.

However, Ngbede, speaking to journalists at the party’s secretariat in Makurdi, confirmed Ortom’s suspension, accusing the former governor of attempting to hijack the party’s leadership and revert to old practices of malpractice.

Ngbede said, “It’s true that the former governor was suspended by the State Working Committee of the party because we will not allow anyone who thinks he can take the leadership of the party by force. The party belongs to the people, and we should allow people to feel the impact of the congress.”

Ngbede insisted that he remains the Benue PDP Chairman, noting that while his tenure technically expires on August 4, he awaits directives from the national secretariat. “It’s only the state executive committee of the party that can suspend me by virtue of my position as a member of the national executive,” he added.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has said the shooting of unarmed civilians by security operatives, especially soldiers, is a crime against humanity.

He said this in reaction to the shooting and summary execution of some protesters by security operatives during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest across the country.

Atiku told the military hierarchy that those sanctioning the use of excessive force against peaceful civilian protesters would not be shielded or exonerated by the passage of time.

He said those culpable of such abhorrent act would be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity even years after they might have left service.

He noted that the right of the citizens to protest is explicitly enshrined in the constitution and it’s the duty of the government to guarantee such rights.

In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate in the last election said, “I wish to convey a stern caution to the distinguished service chiefs and military commanders of Nigeria’s armed forces that those who authorise the use of lethal force against peaceful civilian protesters will be held responsible for committing crimes against humanity, even in the years following their retirement from service.

“The constitutional right to engage in protest is firmly established within our supreme law and reinforced by the judiciary. It is the solemn duty of the government and security agencies to ensure a safe and protected environment for individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest.”

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) apologised to the All Progressives Congress (APC) for criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on rising hunger and food insecurity without consulting the party.

This comes as the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, announced that another letter would be transmitted to the party’s Senate Caucus, potentially paving the way for Ndume’s reinstatement as Chief Whip.

Recently, Ndume was stripped of his position as Chief Whip after the party’s leadership requested his removal due to his critical views on the APC-led government. Senator Tahir Monguno (Borno North) replaced him and also assumed Ndume’s previous role as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Since then, Ndume’s supporters have been protesting and calling on the Senate and the APC to reinstate him as the Chief Whip.

Addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting at the party’s secretariat, Ndume said, “With what has happened, of which you are all aware, it is not surprising that I am invited to hear my own side. We had family discussions, and I accepted the mistake of not talking to the party as a last point.

“I promised the party that all my observations as a senior member of the family should have terminated or ended with the party. That is something that, moving forward, I would do, but whatever I said or whatever I did was out of patriotism, and those issues may be said strongly, but they are true. But then I should have talked to the party as the last bus stop.”

When asked if he would also apologise to the President and the Senate, Ndume said, “The President and the Senate have nothing to do with this. The president did not take offence. I didn’t insult the President; I didn’t say anything against the party, but I left the party out of reach on issues, and so, please, I think that is all I can say.”

On his part, Ganduje expressed satisfaction with Ndume’s apology.

“We are quite satisfied with his apology. The party is the father of everyone. We are free to invite legislators, members of the executive, and appointed party members in government. It is a family issue; we need to resolve it,” Ganduje stated.

Ganduje added that the party would convey Ndume’s apology to the National Assembly, hoping they would review their position on his removal.

Rena Wakama, head coach of Nigeria’s Senior National Women’s Basketball Team, D’Tigress, has expressed confidence in their quarterfinal match against the United States in the ongoing Paris Olympics.

Speaking virtually from Paris, France, Wakama shared the team’s excitement about facing the nine-time gold medallists in today’s clash.

“We are really excited because we want to play the best of the best. We believe that everything happened for a reason. We met them already in Belgium but did not play our best, so we look forward to meeting them again on Wednesday (today),” Wakama said.

Reflecting on their previous encounter, she noted, “I think the first game we played with them was an eye-opener. We were able to watch the game and break down what we did wrong, what we did well and I think now that our girls have the experience of playing against them, it would help a lot.”

Wakama also highlighted the team’s preparation, stating, “We’ve also played about five games now; we have three friendlies and three matches here, so we are going into the game confidently. We are playing well, and we have a great addition to the team (Ezinne) who brings another level of intensity and experience to us.”

She emphasized that the USA would be facing a different team this time. “So I think the USA has not played against this team before because the team they played against in Belgium differs from this team. So we are looking forward to doing what we do and do it well,” she added.

D’Tigress have already made history in Paris, becoming the first African team, men’s or women’s, to reach the quarterfinals in Olympic basketball. Ending the United States’ 58-match winning streak and seven consecutive gold medals would rank among the greatest upsets in sports history.

The U.S. and Nigeria have met only once at the Olympics in women’s basketball, a group-stage game in Tokyo four years ago, where Team USA won 81-72, despite taking a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. The two sides have also met twice previously at the FIBA World Cup, with the U.S. winning a group-stage game in 2006 and a quarterfinal in 2018.

Four family members have lost their lives after reportedly eating amala, a staple food, in Kwara state.

The food was suspected to have contained poisonous substances.

They were said to have become sick after consuming the staple and were rushed to university of Ilorin where they gave up the ghost.

Dr Amina El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, who made this known during a news conference on Tuesday in Ilorin, said the incident happened in Eruda, a community in Ilorin, the state capital.

According to her, the health team of the ministry visited the community after a report of a family that lost a number of its relatives after consumption of amala.

“On getting there, the claim was that there was an instance of food poisoning where the 70-year-old woman fell ill and died after consuming Amala.

“Unfortunately, her son and grandkids also consumed the same food, fell ill and died. They were taken to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where they passed away,” she said.

El-Imam stated that the amala made from Lafun (cassava) could have been responsible for the death since those who consumed amala made from yam flour were fine.

The commissioner disclosed that several others are recuperating well in the hospitals where they are receiving treatment.

“Some are doing well and hopefully, following intensive medical treatment, they will be able to recover fully. It was observed that the residence was in a location where personal and environmental hygiene was not really optimal,” she said.

El-Imam stated that this is a case of chemical food poisoning, potentially due to underprocessed cassava used in the production of Lafun.

“We have another four cases recovering at the moment, in addition, of course, to the four that we unfortunately lost,” she lamented.

Maverick entertainer, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charly Boy has called on Nigerian youths to intensify the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests across the country.

The popular activist, who made the call on Tuesday in a post on his official X handle, said the fight for good governance is a fight for life.

He said, “My dear Nigerian Youths, I trust that by now you all know what we’re up against. We can never make an omelet without breaking eggs. The powers that be are demonically entrenched.

“We are led by people who are thieves, dishonest, insane, intolerable and don’t give a damn if we live or die. This is the fight of our lives and you guys are my bragging right.

“We can defeat this monster that has befallen us, we need to get louder and go pro max”.

DAILY POST reports that the protest against high cost of living which began on Thursday last week is expected to last for at least ten days.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s appeal in his nationwide broadcast on Sunday, protesters on Monday stormed the streets in many states demanding immediate action to crash price of fuel, food and other essential commodities.

The exercise, however, witnessed a very low turnout across the country on Tuesday after demonstrators were allegedly suppressed by security operatives on Monday.

The Nigeria Police Force says protesters flying the Russian flag have committed a capital offence, stating that over 90 persons have already been arrested in that regard.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians participating in the ongoing EndBadGovernance protests, were caught with Russian flag, calling for military rule in Nigeria.

In viral video clips, the protesters in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States were seen calling on the Nigerian army to take over power from President Bola Tinubu.

However, police in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said such actions are categorized as treasonable felonies under Nigerian law.

Adejobi said investigations reveal that protest organizers in the northern states “are luring innocent children into participating in these unpatriotic and criminal acts.

“Over ninety suspects have been arrested, including tailors who sewed the flags and their sponsors. Efforts are underway to apprehend others who sponsored the production of the flags and fuelled these treasonable acts”.

According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun directed Deputy Inspectors General of Police for the Northwest and Northeast zones, DIGs Bala Ciroma, psc, and Bello Makwashi, to “take charge of operations in the states within the two geo-political zones where subversive campaigns are ongoing under the guise of protests.

“They are tasked with stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence in the affected states”.

Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun has expressed concern about the current economic situation in Nigeria.

In a post on his Instagram page, the Yoruba actor who was a strong supporter of Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, raised questions about the existence and effectiveness of price control and regulatory agencies in the country, seeking clarification on measures to mitigate the impact of inflation

The actor highlights the need for measures to address the rising prices impacting individuals and businesses in the country, stating that the situation is already getting out of control.

“Do we have a functional price control or piece regulatory agency in Nigeria?

How do we cushion the effects of inflation?

Because things are getting out of hand” he wrote

At least sixteen persons have been arrested for financial fraud to the tune of N3.9 billion.

The suspects were apprehended by the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre over the fraud against a leading African digital commerce platform, Interswitch Limited.

The sum of N3.9bn cash and properties had so far been recovered from the suspects, with efforts ongoing to recover more.

The Department of State Services’ spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, announced the development at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, the centre made the arrest and recovery following a petition from Interswitch Limited regarding a glitch on its financial portal.

He added that eight of the suspects had been convicted

Afunanya said, “ The Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre tackled a massive financial fraud case, acting on a petition from Interswitch Limited regarding a glitch on its financial portal.

“The swift response led to the arrest of over 16 suspects, eight of whom have been convicted. The operation recovered over N3.9bn in cash, properties, and vehicles, with ongoing efforts to recover additional looted funds.”

Further reading out the police success, Afunanya also said the police in Taraba arrested a notorious kidnapper and recovered arms and ammunition from him.

He said, “In a parallel operation, the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad of Taraba State command arrested a notorious kidnapper, seizing three AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 19 rounds of live ammunition, 23 expended rounds, and five solar panels from his premises.”

He added that the police foiled a kidnap attempt and killed nine kidnappers.

Afunanya said, “Similarly, on July 4, 2024, the Lagos State Command operatives thwarted an attack by a notorious kidnapping gang. In a fierce gun battle, nine kidnappers were neutralised, and significant weaponry, including four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semi-automatic pistols, nine AK-47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, a PoS machine, a loudspeaker, and two operational vehicles were recovered. Investigations continue to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“In another notable case, on April 24, 2024, 18-year-old Mallam Adamu Adamu was rescued from captivity in Kasda, Jakusko LGA, Yobe State.”

Police operatives raided the gang’s enclave, arresting three suspects and recovering two AK-47 rifles and a magazine with 26 rounds of live ammunition. The suspects will be charged to court following the investigation’s conclusion.”