Yekini Nabena, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress has made a boast.
He boasted that if former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his 8-year term in office, no merger plot will unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
There have been talks of a merger and mega party among the opposition parties and some prominent members of the APC lately.
Reacting to the development through a statement he signed on Tuesday in Abuja, Nabena also declared that no political coup in the National Assembly will remove the incumbent President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
He said the South and the North must support President Bola Tinubu to succeed in his Renewed Hope Agenda because the country belongs to all of us and Nigeria is one, not only on paper or mouth but in reality.
Nabena noted: “If former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his eight years in office, by the grace of God Almighty the incumbent President Bola Tinubu will do the same, not even the talk of mega party or merger can stop him. The South must also complete the 8-year political arrangement and President Bola Tinubu will do that for the South.
“The South will not fight each other again for other regions to benefit, the era of division in the Southen Nigeria is gone for good. The Almighty God will perfect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health and grant him wisdom to take the country to the promised land.
“The 2027 presidential election will come and go but the President will remain in the South and President Bola Tinubu, by God’s grace, will continue his good job.
“The same goes to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, by God’s grace, he will also complete his term as the Chairman of the National Assembly in grand style, no threat, no blackmail or political machination will do otherwise.”
Nabena stressed that Nigerians from the South are satisfied with the level of representation they are getting from their representatives in the National Assembly and, therefore passed a vote of confidence on them for standing tall.
Napoli might look into the Super Eagles squad, as they look for a replacement for Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen is all but set to leave the Italian champions this summer.
However, the Serie A side are now looking at the 23-year-old’s compatriot, Victor Boniface to replace him.
Boniface, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists in just 15 starts.
His impressive displays have seen him win the Rookie of the Month award four times consecutively.
However, he suffered an adductor injury, which has sidelined him for most of the Rückrunde while Leverkusen continued their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
Italian transfer expert, Niccolò Ceccarini, has shed light on Napoli’s transfer plans, mentioning Boniface among the strikers on their radar.
Ceccarini stated, as reported by Calcio Mercato, “In addition to him, there is also Benjamin Sesko. Also in this case the evaluation is the same as Gimenez, Leverkusen’s Boniface.”
[DailyPost]
Mikel Arteta said Tuesday that Arsenal may have to win all of their nine remaining Premier League games if they are to be crowned champions as he prepares for the “most beautiful part of the season”.
The second-placed Gunners are two points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of a busy April schedule following Sunday’s gritty goalless draw at title rivals Manchester City.
Arteta, who is also preparing Arsenal for a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, urged his side to embrace the challenge, starting with Wednesday’s game at home to relegation-threatened Luton.
“It’s going to have to be really close to that,” he told a pre-match press conference when asked if Arsenal need a 100 percent record from now on to finish top of the table.
“When you see the level and the consistency of the other teams and historically what is needed to win in this league, it’s not going to be very far from that.”
The Spaniard added: “This is where we want to be and now we want to take this opportunity and make it happen.
“We worked every single day with that enthusiasm and passion to make it happen and enjoying the moment as well.
“I see the team really flowing and they are really excited about playing each game and that has to drive this energy until the end.
“I am full of energy and it’s the most beautiful part of the season.”
Arsenal’s fixture against Luton is the first of eight matches this month, including the two clashes with Bayern.
Although they will be huge favourites to beat Luton, they needed an injury-time winner to leave Kenilworth Road with a dramatic 4-3 victory in early December.
Asked about his memories of that game, Arteta said: “Especially how tough it was to win there, how difficult they have made it for every team…They deserve more credit than any other team in this league, how they’ve done it, what they transmit as a team and what they generated and it’s going to be a really tough match.”
[Vanguard]
A 12-year-old pupil opened fire Tuesday at a primary school in Vantaa outside the Finnish capital, Helsinki.
Preliminary reports from the police disclosed that three persons were wounded, and the attacker was in custody.
“All those involved in the shooting incident are minors. According to the Police’s information, there are three injured,” a police statement said.
The school has 800 students and 90 staff.
Children were told to stay in their classrooms after the attack, public broadcaster YLE reported.
Like other Finnish schools, children had just returned to classes in Vantaa, north of Helsinki, after the long Easter weekend.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described the shooting as profoundly upsetting and said his thoughts were with the victims and their families, as well as everyone at the school.
Recall that in 2007, an 18-year-old student shot dead seven pupils and his head teacher in the town of Tuusula.
Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, has once again spoken about the paternity of his grandson Liam Aloba.
Aloba explained that he is insisting his daughter-in-law, Wunmi, conduct a DNA test on Mohbad’s son because of Nigerians.
Aloba stated that he does not doubt that Liam is his grandson.
Speaking via an audio message making the rounds on social media, Mohbad’s father maintained that it was important for Wunmi to do the DNA test to satisfy the curiosity of concerned Nigerians.
He said, “I know Liam is my grandson, I don’t doubt it but Wunmi should do the DNA for Nigerians.”
Meanwhile, Aloba has publicly shared the deep emotional connection he had with his son, including wearing his clothes as a way to keep his memory alive.
In an interview with blogger Kachiwire, he reminisced about the bond they shared, highlighting their friendship and commonalities.
Mohbad’s untimely death on September 12, 2023, led to widespread speculation and accusations, particularly targeting figures associated with his former label, Marlian Records, including its head Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, and associate Sam Larry.
Both denied any involvement in his death and were subsequently arrested and released on bail.
Attention then shifted to a nurse alleged to have administered fatal injections to Mohbad, positioning her as the prime suspect.
Amidst the growing demand for clarity on the singer’s death, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, mandated a comprehensive forensic examination.
The Lagos State Police Command, following this order, assembled a specialized team, including a pathologist, to exhume and analyze Mohbad’s remains.
In a recent development, the Lagos Coroner Court revealed ongoing autopsy processes, with significant tests being conducted abroad.
State counsel O. Akinde, speaking at the Coroner’s Court in Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu, disclosed that while the external examination of the body is complete, the crucial toxicology analysis is underway in the United States, aiming to determine the internal factors contributing to the young artist’s death.
Speaking during the now viral interview, Aloba said he wears his son’s clothes because “we are the same size.”
He said, “He is my son. I can wear his clothes. We are the same size. And anybody that has that kind of a son and cannot share with, that means that person does not love his son. So we are together.
“I could remember the day they wanted to go and do the introduction that led to his engagement. He bought me shoes and he said ‘Daddy this is what you are going to wear’ I said these shoes were bigger than mine and that I did not want this kind of bourgeois, he said ‘this is exactly what I want you to do.
“So, he wanted to blend in with me. He is my son and a friend to me. So my focus now is justice for Mohbad. So all those rubbish questions, I do not want to answer questions like that. He is my son. People can say whatever they like.”
Sunday Karimi, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate has revealed that the government of President Bola Tinubu inherited the worst economic challenges in Nigeria’s history.
He made the revelation while speaking at the maiden edition of Igbaruku Day organised by the Igbaruku-Okeri Community Development Association (ICDA) in Igbaruku-Okeri, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State, yesterday.
His words: “The administration inherited the worst economic challenges so far in the anal of the country. The President’s long-term vision, driven by proactive policy towards achieving sustainable economic recovery, is slowly yielding fruits.
“The government of President Tinubu inherited a bad, in fact the worst situation, so far. Tinubu met the average gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 1.8 percent. The four years average preceding the administration of Tinubu was 15.1 percent.
“Nigeria was so bad that government printed money without activities to back it up. It is still our government, the All Progressives Congress(APC). We admit that. Nigerian Naira was almost turned to paper, where one US Dollar equated to N1,900, but the Tinubu’s government is not resting on its oars.
“It is working tirelessly every day to find solutions to the problems. Today, one Dollar equals N1,300. Port Harcourt refinery is back; Warri refinery is back. With patience with President Tinubu, we will live to see the Nigeria of our dream, in the short-term.”
He, therefore, pleaded with Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration.
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has again warned President Bola Tinubu to restructure the country.
Speaking on Tuesday he advised President Bola Tinubu to start the process of restructuring because it is the ultimate answer to Nigeria’s numerous problems.
Primate Ayodele revealed that the best thing that can make Nigeria progress is restructuring.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, he said every region will become independent and reduce the burden on the Federal Government.
He said each state should be using their resources, have state establishments that can help the country grow exponentially and it is only restructuring that can make it happen.
According to Primate Ayodele: ‘’I have not seen the government planning on restructuring but it is the best thing that can make Nigeria move forward.
“Let every region stand on their own, it will make the country stronger and make every state independent.
‘’Restructuring will lift the burden from the federal government; each state should be using their resources to get better.
“We can have state police, state judiciary, state banks in restructure and this will help the economy of the country well.’’
The man of God posited that it will take a long process but called on President Tinubu to start working on it in order to secure a better future for Nigeria as it will benefit the country more.
He explained that with restructuring, there will be victory over insecurity and economic hardship.
‘’It’s going to take a long process for the government to act on restructuring, the president should start the restructuring process now to help the future of Nigeria. It is cancel hardship and economic jeopardy.
‘’Unfortunately, I have not seen the government working towards it, it’s a very serious thing they should work on because it will be of advantage to the country. It will help the country overcome insecurity of any form and promote harmony,” he said.
Daniel Bwala, a former spokesperson of Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, has stated that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is hunted by a ghost that he created.
Bwala, a supporter of President Bola Tinubu, was reacting to Obi’s latest threat to dump the LP if the internal crisis rocking the party continues before the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor had vowed “not to die” with the party, hence his decision to leave if the issues can’t be resolved.
Reacting in a post via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Bwala said Obi is hunted by a ghost he created in the Labour Party.
He said Obi had sensed the obvious that the Labour Party would not give him an automatic ticket and had, therefore, threatened to leave the party if he was not chosen in 2027.
Bwala also claimed that Obi is in a quagmire because the Social Democratic Party (SDP) he intends to join does not have an automatic ticket for him.
He wrote: “The presidential candidate of the @NgLabour at the 2023 elections @PeterObi is hunted by a ghost that he created. Sensing the obvious in the Labour Party to the effect that there is no automatic ticket, he has therefore threatened that if the party would not conform, he would leave.
“The Social Democratic Party, which he hopes to use the platform when the need arises, doesn’t give automatic tickets. Peter Obi feared that he may likely not win delegate election because he is not a grassroot politician, he is presently in a quagmire
“A former president is reported to be having it very difficult convincing nation’s statesmen to support the move because they prefer to give @officialABAT his due time to reform Nigeria.”
Bwala alleged that Obi was advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation ahead of the 2027 election.
He added, “Peter Obi was reported as being advised immediately to start a campaign and woo the core of northern Nigeria as well as the Muslim communities across the nation to disprove the notion that he uses identity politics.
“He has since commenced the exercise, but it is feared that the foreign media which packaged him in the last election consider him as too difficult to re-brand based on analytics on his chances.
“His base called the ‘Obedient’ people made it clear to him that they would not accept any merger that will extinguish his presidential bid. He is between the devil and deep blue sea.”
Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara state, says his administration never borrowed N14.26 billion as disclosed in the Debt Management Office (DMO) report.
According to him, the debt reported by DMO was part of the proceeds from a N20 billion loan floated by the previous administration in the state.
The governor disclosed in a statement by Suleiman Idris, his spokesperson, on Monday.
Lawal said no domestic or external loans have been borrowed since he assumed office as governor of the state.
“We would like to clarify the Debt Management Office (DMO) report that the Zamfara State Government borrowed N14.26 billion naira,” he said.
“Zamfara State Government has never applied for loans or approached the State Assembly or National Assembly for such a request.
“It is important to note that the previous Zamfara State government floated a N20 billion bond but failed to collect the total amount.
“The immediate past government received N4 billion naira out of the 20 billion loans requested for the Zamfara cargo airport project, though the funds were not utilised.
“Upon assuming office, we discovered that the payment terms made terminating the bond impossible without incurring a significant loss for the state.
“The balance of N16 billion Naira out of the N20 billion borrowed by the past administration is the N14.26 billion captured by the Debt Management Office (DMO). The value is reduced due to inflation.
“The bond balance, which is still in a government account, has not been used and will be reserved for the airport project.”
Analysing the DMO report, TheCable Index reported Zamfara state’s domestic debt was N96.31 billion in June 2023, and by December last year, the debt had increased to N110.57 billion in six months under the new administration.
Veteran Nigerian comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly known as Alibaba ,and his wife Mary, have welcomed a set of triplets.
Alibaba announced the news on Monday through an Instagram post, revealing that the newborns, all boys, became part of the family two months ago.
The boys have been named Aaron, Alexander, and Andrew.
He wrote: “Mary and I are happy and overjoyed to welcome our three sons, Aaron, Alexander, and Andrew, into the Akpobome family.
“It’s been two months since they arrived, and as the days go by, we thank God Almighty for these three beautiful blessings.
“We also want to thank our sisters, brothers, friends, uncles, and aunties for all the support so far.
“We appreciate and thank you immensely for all your prayers, love, best wishes, and gifts.
“As we celebrate the essence of the resurrection power in this period of Easter, we join our faith with yours and pray that things of joy will never be far from you.
“God will make all that needs to arise in your favour in this holy period of reawakening.
“On behalf of the Akpobomes, again, thank you.”
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As schemings for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) slated for April 18, 2024 intensifies, the North Central Caucus of the party has set in motion arrangements to present a candidate to complete the term of the zone which was truncated after the former PDP national chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, was removed from office through a court verdict.
Recall that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), last week, fixed the Party’s NEC meeting for Thursday, April 18, 2024, after a National Caucus meeting slated for Wednesday, April 17.
Following the zoning of the national chairmanship of PDP to the North Central, the party’s national convention on October 31, 2021, voted Ayu, a former Senate President from Benue State, to occupy the seat.
Ayu was forced to step aside as a chairman after an order of the Benue State High Court, dated March 27, 2023 which restrained him from parading himself as chairman.
In keeping with the party’s constitution, the deputy national chairman, (North) Amb. Illiya Damagum from Yobe State, North East Nigeria, has since taken over as acting national chairman since March 28, 2023 (over a year).
However, there have been calls from various quarters, including the North Central, on the Damagum-led NWC to convene a NEC meeting to, among other things, receive the nomination from the North Central and approve a substantive national chairman from the zone.
LEADERSHIP gathered that party leaders from the North Central held a crucial meeting in Abuja last week where they insisted that a substantive national chairman should without further delay, emerge from the North Central.
They had also insisted that Amb Damagum should revert to his original position as deputy national chairman in line with the provision of the Constitution of the PDP.
The meeting which had in attendance members of the PDP North Central Zonal Executive Committee and respective state chairmen of the party from the six states of the zone and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisted on producing a replacement for the acting national chairman.
A source at the meeting hinted that the leaders mandated Plateau State governor, Caleb Muftwang, to convene a decisive meeting of the Zonal Caucus that would come up with the nomination for the party’s substantive National Chairman from the North Central Zone.
“With the exit of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, our zone was expected to produce a successor, but this was delayed. The National Chairmanship is zoned to the North Central, and the PDP Constitution provides that a successor must come from the North Central. So the Constitution should be followed.
“We have held a series of meetings on the issue. This was also the reason State Chairmen from the North Central met in Abuja last Wednesday. We are unanimous in seeking a credible nomination.
I can confirm to you that names are being discussed; we are narrowing our selection and stakeholders will reach a conclusion on their choice before the April 18 meeting.
“We have mandated the governor (Muftwang) that he should call a Caucus meeting of our zone to enable us to come up with a replacement to take the mantle from Ambassador Damagum.
“We have raised this with Governor Muftwang in our meeting. The Constitution of our party needs to be followed so that our Zone (North Central) can serve out its term. The position is for the North Central and we insist on taking back our position at the NEC meeting”, the source said.
So far, former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam is said to be eyeing the chairmanship position.
The Nigeria Police Force said it will prosecute one Agunbiade Adekunle, a vigilante, for allegedly killing a handed over to him in the Itire area of Lagos.
It was gathered that Agunbiade who is the security guard at Shonde Street in the Itire area of the state, resorted to setting the vandal ablaze when he was caught in the act on the 25th of March 2024.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement stated that the security guard will be prosecuted as he advised Nigerians against jungle justice.
He said, “It is pertinent to understand that the act of taking the law into one’s hands has often been described and referred to as jungle justice. The act has globally been condemned for many obvious reasons, particularly as a parasitic hindrance to strengthening the criminal justice system.
“For instance, police operatives attached to the Itire Divisional Police Headquarters of Lagos State on the 25th of March 2024 received a report from a man who resides along Shonde Street, Itire, that a group of hoodlums were vandalizing his vehicle and he raised an alarm which led to the arrest of one of the vandals.”
Adejobi added that the vandal was handed over to one Agunbiade Adekunle who is the security guard of the street, but he in turn, resorted to killing the suspect by setting him ablaze.
He further stated “The guard has been arrested and will be charged to court for murder.
“There are other similar cases recorded across the country that have been condemned and hindered the smooth investigation and prosecution of many cases,” Adejobi said.
The Police spokesperson urged the public to shun jungle justice, mob actions, and other forms of extrajudicial killings.
He remarked that jungle justice is a criminal act and a grave violation of human rights that threatens the fabric of a civilized society, perpetuating a cycle of violence, prejudice, and lawlessness.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has disclosed that frantic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
He said that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.
Speaking at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme of FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State on Monday virtually, the Deputy Speaker said that it was deliberate to work behind the scene to realise the objective.
Kalu’s clarification came on the heels of an enquiry by the programme anchor, Wisdom Thomas if the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), a recently launched initiative of the Deputy Speaker which calls for a non-kinetic measure to resolve the security challenges in the South East has abandoned the IPOB leader.
While calling for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Speaker also hinted of a likely visit by the elders of Igbo land to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on familiar issues affecting the South East.
He said: “The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconciliation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognise the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it.
“I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace. But we may not advance all the things we are doing behind our backs but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence.
“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.
“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is our brother and also SEDC.
“As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us the South East Development Commission, we must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”
Speaking on the present state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.
John Okeke, commander of the joint military force deployed to the Niger Delta, says troops have rescued the students abducted along the east-west road in the Ughelli area of Delta state.
The students were abducted after their Sienna vehicle was attacked on Friday evening as they returned from Calabar, the Cross River capital.
Speaking in an interview with NAN, Okeke said nine victims, including a corps member and naval rating, were rescued by the troops.
The commander said 10 suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation.
“In continuation to ensure safety of lives and property in the Niger Delta Region, the gallant troops of the Joint Task Force South South Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), comprising troops of Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters OPDS, Land, Maritime, and Air Components, on Monday, April 1, 2024, rescued nine kidnap victims,” Okeke said.
“The freed victims were kidnapped on 29 March 2024, along Patani-Ughelli road in Delta state.
“During the rescue operation, 10 suspects were arrested. Among the rescued victims are a naval rating and an NYSC member.”
The commander warned criminal elements in the Niger Delta region to desist from their activities, adding that the troops will provide the security needed in the region.
He urged residents to always provide useful information to security agencies on criminal activities within their communities.