‘I feel nothing seeing my ex-hubby Blossom Chukwujekwu's remarry'-Redvigor

A fashion entrepreneur Maureen Esisi aka Redvigor has told her fans that her ex-hubby Blossom Chukwujekwu’s remarriage elicited no reaction from her.

Actor Blossom Chukwujekwu was in the news following his remarriage three years after his marriage of four years to his ex-wife, Maureen, crashed over allegations of infidelity.

The film star and Winifred Akhuemokhan got married to Pastor Ehinome at Christ Embassy Church.

The wedding was officiated by the church’s founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who happens to be the bride’s uncle.

The union was attended by several celebrities, including Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Stan Nze, Deyemi Okanlawon, Banky W, Zack Orji, Adesua Etomi, and Kehinde Bankole among many others.

Different reactions took over social media with the development even as Maureen decided to engage fans in a question and answer session

According to The Nation, a fan asked the estranged wife, “How did you feel when you saw your ex-husband remarry?”

Responding, the mother of one noted she “felt nothing.”

Reps' move to override Buhari on statutory delegates suffers setback

A move for the House of Representatives to override President Muhammadu Buhari on Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which seeks to provide for statutory delegates at the meetings, congresses, and conventions of political parties, has suffered a setback.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, had on Wednesday, last week, called on members willing to move a motion for the chamber to override Buhari’s veto to do so anytime from Thursday.

Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party – the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, and Ben Igbakpa – who failed to get tickets to seek reelection at the recently concluded primary, had protested on the floor of the House on Wednesday.

Okechukwu had backed Gbajabiamila on the comments made by the Speaker earlier on Tuesday, faulting the way political parties conducted primaries leading to the failure of members of the National Assembly to get tickets of their respective parties to seek reelection in the 2023 general election.

Gbajabiamila had particularly criticised the failure of the parties to allow statutory delegates to vote for candidates at the primaries, as the National Assembly proposed in the amendment to Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which the President had yet to assent to.

On Tuesday, Igbakpa moved a motion for the House to invoke Section 58 (5) of the 1999 Constitution on the amendment bill after the 30-day window within which the President ought to have signed it had expired.

The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the session, however, faulted the procedure adopted by Igbakpa.

Wase argued that Igbakpa was supposed to have requested the House Committee on Rules and Business to recommit the bill for reconsideration, through the Speaker.

While Igbakpa noted that the motion was in compliance with the directive of the Speaker, Wase insisted that the motion be stepped down and the right procedure be followed, which the sponsor vowed to do.

Source: The PUNCH

Three senators dump APC for PDP, NNPP

Three Senators elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have resigned their membership from the party.

The lawmakers include; Senators Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).

While the duo of Senators Babba Kaita and Alimikhena defected to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Gumau, on the other hand, defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

The notice of their resignation and defection was contained in three separate letters read during Tuesday plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

Babba Kaita’s letter read, “As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.

“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.

“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”

On his part, Senator Alimikhena, cited the unending multifaceted crisis rocking the party in his home state especially his senatorial district which has created parallel executives that has undermined internal discipline, cohesion and focus,” as his reason to defect to PDP.

The defection by the three lawmakers reduces the total number of APC Senators from 70 to 67 in the upper chamber, according to a statement by the Special Assistant (Press) to the President of the Senate, Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo.

3,478 killed, 2,256 abducted in seven months – Reports

No fewer than 3,478 people had been killed while 2,256 others were kidnapped across Nigeria in the last seven months.

The figures were obtained from the daily incidents recorded by the Nigeria Security Tracker, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations, an American think-tank, during the period under review.

The data captured by The PUNCH included those killed by non-state actors such as terrorists, bandits, gunmen, armed robbers, cultists and security operatives, among others.

A monthly breakdown showed that in December 2021, no fewer than 342 innocent Nigerians were killed while 397 were abducted. Those killed in the month included 45 farmers in Nasarawa. Also, 34 women were abducted in Zamfara.

In January, at least 844 people were killed and 603 abducted by non-state actors. Prominent among the incidents that happened during the month was the bandits’ attack on Zamfara communities where over 200 residents were killed. Also, suspected bandits reportedly killed 220 persons and kidnapped 200 others in  Niger state.

In February, at least 495 persons were killed, while 326 were kidnapped. In the month, bandits attacked a Zamfara community for failing to pay a N40 million levy and killed 33 victims.

Also, terrorists killed 44, and abducted 31 others in Niger communities.

In March, 606  innocent lives were lost while 450 were abducted. The incidents included the murder of  63 vigilantes in Kebbi state by terrorists and attacks by suspected herdsmen in reprisal which claimed over 26 lives in Taraba.

In April, 530 people were killed by non-state actors and 79 were kidnapped. In May, 395 were murdered while 178 persons were reportedly abducted.

Between June 1 and 15, a total of 266 individuals have so far been killed with 223 persons kidnapped.

It was gathered that bandits and terrorists were largely responsible for the abduction and killings recorded in the North-central region, North-West and North-East.

In the South-West and South-South, the perpetrators were identified as cultists, suspected herdsmen and gunmen, while in the South-East, the number of deaths and abductions were mostly caused by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and its militia wing, Eastern Security Network.

When contacted, the Force Public Relation Officer, Muyiwa  Adejobi, who cited his busy schedule, stated, “I will make an official statement on this later as I have been on the move since. I just left Ekiti today, and I’m heading to Kano for a programme.”

Reacting to the security crisis in the country, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, led by its President, Bishop Wale Oke, condemned the incessant killings and kidnappings.

The PFN spokesman, Simbo Olorunfemi said, “The nation is in pain. We are concerned about the security situation in the country. These killings and kidnappings are anomalies, and we urge Nigerians to put their heads together to find a way out of the embarrassing situation and pray to God for His Divine intervention.

“We’re tired of condolence messages from the present administration, rather they need to take decisive steps to end banditry and terrorism.

We will not be partisan, however, we will not go to sleep. As it has been earlier reported, we’ve declared June 26th as ‘PVC Sunday’, in which prayers will be offered and communion administered to worshippers in Pentecostal churches across the nation.

“We, therefore, call on all Christians to ensure that they get their Permanent Voter Cards, and follow clear directives in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria, from Christian fathers on the casting of their votes.”

Advising Buhari-led administration, a security expert and former Director-General of the State Security Service, Mike Ejiofor, noted that the creation of state and local police and the employment of modern technology would help reduce the rate of insecurity.

He said, “The rate of killings and kidnappings in the country is disturbing. Although, the security agencies are trying their best; however, their best is not enough. The security situation is very worrisome. People are dying and getting kidnapped due to insecurity.

A security analyst, Mr Patrick Agbambu, said that citizens needed to work in tandem with the government and security agents in the fight against insecurity.

Source: The PUNCH

BREAKING: Orubebe announces his resignation from PDP

The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, has announced his resignation from opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

He stated this on Monday in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, lyorchia Ayu.

In a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the newsmen, Orubebe expressed dismay over the emergence of a northerner, Atiku Abubakar, as the party’s presidential candidate.

Part of the letter read, “I write to formally inform you of my resignation from the PDP. This I have communicated to the Chairman of Burutu Ward 3, Burutu Local Govemment Area, Delta State, effective 20. June 2022.

“Consequently, I am by this letter intimating you of my total withdrawal from all activities at the Ward, Local, State and National levels of the PDP.

“I am highly honoured and privileged to have been part of a political party that successfully transformed a pariah nation to one that commanded respect in the comity of nations. When we lost the Presidential election in 2015 in bewildered circumstances to say the least, it was my belief that the party would use the opposition period to re-strategise with the aim of taking back power at the earliest opportunity.

“However, the present situation in the party does not inspire confidence that the party is ready to regain power in 2023. Against the mood of the nation and in complete disregard to the provisions of the party’s constitution, the party, threw the zoning of the Presidency open, which created a situation that led to the emergence of a Northerner as the party’s Presidential flagbearer, thus making the two topmost positions in the party, after your emergence as the National Chairman, to be occupied by Northerners, contrary to section 7.3(c) of the party’s constitution.

“I salute and commend the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Wike for Ns efforts and gallantry at the primaries. Posterity will be kind to him when the history of the party is written.

“There are lots to be said, but out of respect for the party, I leave some stories untold at this time.

My belief in the sanctity of Nigeria is unshaken and I will continually work for her progress and development.”

Nigerians flay clerics praying at Bobrisky's housewarming

The Muslim clerics seen in a viral video on social media, offering prayers at Bobrisky's housewarming on Sunday, has come under attacks by Nigerians for  reducing themselves so low for monetary gain.

The video shown Muslim clerics praying at the housewarming ceremony of the controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

In the video from the event, Bobrisky was seen seated and fully clad in female Yoruba traditional attire, surrounded by Muslim clerics who sat on the floor and offered Islamic prayers.

The video, however,  has sparked knocks from Twitter users who faulted the presence of clerics at the crossdresser’s event.

A tweep, @ola_bode20, said, “How will those Alfas address Bobrisky? Hajia Idris or Alhaji wa Idris? Because they will have to mention a name.”

“Clerics praying for Bobrisky on house warming. In this country just make money, then all cases are automatically settled,” @leymiispito said.

Another tweep, @tee_classiquem1, pointed out, “Religion leaders are forfeiting the words of God for the sake of money. How can Alfas and Chief Imam that a whole community is looking up to attend Bobrisky house warming party? Is this not like endorsing cross-dressing under Islam? This is so embarrassing to watch.”

“Alfa rallied around Bobrisky, praying for her. They don’t know he is a boy turned girl? Double standard everywhere,” @unclefemi_ fumed.

@okinbakare tweeted, “All this useless Alfa make them see good ones finish, hunger no make them talk truth, can they ask if Bobrisky is she or he so they can know how to talk or pray for her/him?

“So these set of Alfas were invited for Bobrisky’s house warming. So the Alfa will be like Alhaja wa Bobrisky Iya wa daada.  Abi wetin now. I no understand again ooo. All because of money. Lemme sha mind my business,” @fattylincornn tweeted.

@nafiumohammed said, “So all these Alfas went to pray at Bobrisky’s house warming party for Real? Alfa isonu, I hail thee. Alfas on the floor and senior man on the chair. This ones na ikpanni Alfas them be.”

The housewarming ceremony of Bobrisky’s N400m mansion was attended by celebrities and influencers like Laide Bakare, Ashmusy, Mercy Eke, and a host of others.

Nigeria rates 143 in 2022 Global Peace Index

According to the level of world peacefulness, Nigeria has been rated 143 among 163 independent nations and territories in the 2022 Global Peace Index.

Nigeria moved three places up on the log from the 146th position it was ranked last year.

Other African countries ahead of Nigeria in the ranking are Mauritius 28; Ghana 40; The Gambia 45; Sierra Leone 50; Equatorial Guinea 59; Malawi 65; Senegal 70; Morocco 74; Rwanda 72; Liberia 75; Gabon 75; Angola 78; Lesotho 100; Madagascar 8; Mozambique 122; and Namibia 68.

Others are Zambia 56; Tunisia 85; Tanzania 86; Niger 140; Burundi 131; the Benin Republic 105; Botswana 48; Republic of Congo 111; Ivory Coast 108; Cameroon 142, Djibouti 113, Algeria 109; South Africa 118; Egypt 126, Eritrea 132, Guinea 123, Guinea Bissau 110; Chad 136; Togo 102; Uganda 121 and Zimbabwe 127.

Mali 150; Libya 151; Burkina Faso 146; Democratic Republic of Congo 158; the Central African Republic 155; Ethiopia 149; Sudan 154; Somalia 156; South Sudan 159 are the least ranked countries in Africa.

Iceland was posited the most peaceful country in the world, followed by the New Zealand and  Ireland ranked 3; Denmark 4; Austria 5; Portugal 6; Slovenia 7; Czechia 8; Singapore 9, and Japan 10, made the list of the top ten most peaceful countries in the world.

Afghanistan with 163; Yemen 162, Syria 161; Russia 160, and South Sudan with 159, are the least ranked countries in the world.

Some of the indicators used for the ranking include the Level of perceived criminality in society; the number of internal security officers and police per 100,000 people; the number of homicides per 100,000 people; the number of jailed population per 100,000 people; ease of access to small arms and light weapon; level of organised conflict (internal) and terrorist activities among others.

‘We’ll challenge Ekiti election result in court’ – SDP, ADC vow

The Ekiti State governorship election may have been held and won, but the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Engr. Segun Oni, and his Action Democratic Party counterpart, Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle, have rejected the results of the Saturday’s election.

In a separate interview with newsmen the duo vowed to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal.

Engr. Oni made his intention known on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti, his state collation agent and former Attorney-General of the state, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, while speaking with newsmen on the outcome of the election.

In a related development, the candidate of ADP, Elebute-Halle alleged that the victory of Biodun Oyebanji in the just-concluded election was “tainted with vote buying and corruption”.

The SDP candidate said that the results, as declared by INEC, did not reflect the true decision of the people, lamenting that the process was allegedly marred by financial inducement.

Ajayi, who said he refused to sign the election results said, ” We are rejecting the results, because the election was characterised by violence and intimidation of voters.

“As a result, we will definitely challenge the outcomes of these results in the court of law for posterity and generations coming to know that when conducting elections, you must follow the rules and procedures.”

Elebute-Halle, in a statement signed on her behalf by Mr Femi Eponlolaye, the State Chairman of the party in Ado-Ekiti, condemned the snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying and harassment of her party members.

According to her, political thugs and members of a party in Ado-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti and Ilasa-Ekiti, among other areas, attacked supporters of my party.

She said, “The victory of Mr Biodun Oyebanji in the just concluded governorship election, ordinarily would have been accepted by me, if the election had not been fraught by electoral malpractices.

“In spite of various sensitisation programmes and media publicity against vote buying, the APC, PDP and SDP actually promoted and encouraged corruption, both at the grassroots and the state levels.

“Though the Independent National Electoral Commission has pronounced Oyebanji as the winner of this election, I, Kemi Elebute-Halle, hereby, reject the results of this election.

“It was not credible, neither was it free nor fair. His APC thugs destabilised my strongholds across the state, attacked our members, snatched and destroyed our ballot boxes.

“All those votes, including those obtained by PDP, will be cancelled at the tribunal.

“I want to use this medium to urge my followers not to be discouraged about the outcome of the election.

“We shall continue to promote our great party, the ADP, she stressed”

Elebute-Halle, however, urged the international observers, the security agencies and INEC to continue to sensitise Ekiti electorate against vote buying that has eaten deep into the electoral process.

Group cautions INEC against substituting elected candidates’ name

A group, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts (ASSPT), has warned Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against substituting the names of validly elected candidates in the just concluded political parties’ primaries with people that did not participate in the process.

The group who gave the warning on Sunday by its Director, Dr. Sam Amadi, also cautioned the electoral body to ensure its actions are guided by the Electoral Act to avoid external manipulations by anti-democratic elements.

The Abuja School told INEC to reject the fraudulent and false submissions of candidates by parties.

The warning came against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the submission of the names of Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Their names were said to have surreptitiously appeared on INEC’s portals as senatorial candidates when they reportedly did not participate in elections.

The group contended that for anyone to emerge as a candidate based on the provisions of the Electoral Act, the person must have participated in a primary.

It said an aspirant must have purchased the expression of interest form for the senatorial election and be screened, adding that by the provisions of Section 33 of the 2022 Electoral Act, a political party cannot remove or substitute a candidate that emerges from a valid primary.

Besides, the person must be on the list of contestants sent by a political party to INEC and must have participated in the senatorial election on May 27.

The statement reads in part: “With the conclusion of the elective primaries of parties and the close of the deadline for submission of candidates for federal elections, based on guidelines issued by INEC, the process for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria has commenced in earnest.

“The Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts has watched the process of the elective primaries of the parties and is satisfied with the considerable compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“We want to commend INEC for exercising its oversight functions in a manner that forced the parties to comply with the requirement of democratically electing candidates for elective offices in the 2023 general elections. Without INEC’s oversight, many of the parties would have continued the tradition of violating the norms of democracy in the choice of their candidates.

“As an intellectual and policy think-tank committed to providing insights and evidence-based analyses to assist state institutions to deliver on their mandates, the Abuja School is alarmed at the efforts of some politicians and party leaders to undermine the provisions of the electoral law as regards submission of nominated candidates to INEC.

“It is being reported that some high-profile politicians who did not win INEC-monitored primaries of their parties are being submitted by their party leaders, in clear violation of the provisions of the electoral law.”

“Two notable cases are those of the President of the Senate and the former Minister of Niger Delta Affair, who contested the APC presidential primary and lost but are making frantic efforts to regain senate seats from winners of the primaries.

“The winners of the duly conducted primaries have refused to give up their tickets. Notwithstanding, the party reportedly has uploaded the Senate President and the Minister of Niger Delta as senatorial candidates, although they did not participate in a valid primary.

“Submitting names of persons who did not win duly conducted primaries on INEC’s portal is contrary to the electoral law. The electoral law requires that only persons who won duly conducted primaries should be submitted as candidates.

“It is INEC that determines what is a duly conducted primary, based on its guidelines and the electoral law. The practice in the past where INEC allowed parties to make wrong and fraudulent entries and hoped that the courts will reverse them has gone with the new Electoral Act, which now empowers INEC to reverse such fraudulent and wrong actions by the parties,” the group stated.

BREAKING: INEC declares APC's Oyebanji winner of Ekiti gov poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress winner of the 2022 Ekiti governorship election.

Oyebanji polled a total of 187,057 votes to defeat his two closest challengers – Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who poled 82,211 and Bisi Kolawole of the People’s Democratic Party who got 67,457 votes.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof Kayode Adebowale, who is the Vice Chancellor, the University of Ibadan, announced the results.

Adebowale said, “Oyebanji, having scored the highest number of votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the governor-elect of Ekiti State.

Mr Oyebanji is now set to replace incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi in October.

However, the election, reported was marred with reports of vote buying and violence, was largely peaceful, independent observers said.

The reports of massive vote buying soon surfaced, prompting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to embark on a raid and make some arrests.

Some voters who stormed polling units to exercise their franchise vowed not to sell their votes.

According to INEC, 988,923 registered voters were expected to participate in the exercise, but only 363,438 voters were accredited.

The polls officially opened at around 8:30am (WAT) on Saturday and was expected to close at 2:30 pm (WAT).

‘Obi did not respond to Mbaka's comments' - aide

Valentine Obienyem, Media Adviser to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said that his principal did not respond to comments made about him by the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu (AMEN), Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka.

There had been reports in the  media on Thursday, over Fr. Mbaka's comments describing Obi as a ‘stingy man’ which drew the attention of social media users who knocked the cleric for his statement.

However reports in a section of the media had it that the former governor of Anambra State issued a response to Mbaka.

But in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, Obienyem disclaimed that Obi responded to the cleric’s comment, adding that his principal will not issue any statement concerning such matter in the future.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr Peter Obi as his reply to Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

“We wish to state for the record that Mr Peter Obi did not and is not planning to issue any reply.

“We advise that any medium trying to publish such an unsigned letter should clarify its authenticity from Mr Obi’s Media Office.”

‘Northern APC govs's support for S'West inspire me to step down for Tinubu' – Amosun

Former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has disclosed tha the declaration of support for the South-West aspirant by the northern governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, prompted him to step down for the presidential candidate of the party, Bola Tinubu.

Amosun and other presidential aspirants from the South including the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, stepped down for Tinubu at the APC convention held in Abuja.

The former governor stated this on Thursday while addressing his supporters, drawn from all the local government areas of the state who converged on the Alake palace pavilion in Abeokuta for a welcome rally.

The former governor who addressed his supporters in both English and Yoruba, said he alloted 20 per cent interest to the presidential contest while he gave the remaining 80 per cent to the general interest of the South-West and Nigeria, because he was not desperate to be his party’s presidential candidate.

Senator Amosun disclosed that when he was declaring interest for the presidential seat two years ago, told his supporters that he was going into the race with 20 per cent interest and would throw weight behind party’s choice.

He said, “let me tell you this, you sent me to Abuja to go and work for us, I told them when I addressed them why I wanted to be president of Nigeria.

“But my wanting to be president of Nigeria cannot supersede the interest of all of us in Nigeria, all of us in the south, all of us in the southwest.

“It got to a point that we realised that our brother governors from the North were even rooting to say they want the presidency to go to the south.

“Then, we say, if we want the presidency to come to the south, then, all of us, we must find a way to unite, we must find a way to drop all these personal ambitions for the overall interest of all of us in the entire south and particularly, the Southwest.”

Speaking on Tinubu’s emergence as APC candidate, Amosun said, “I want to be President of Nigeria but my wanting to be president of Nigeria is just 20 per cent and that 80 per cent of it is that the presidency should come to the southwest; lo and behold, almighty God has answered that prayer, ultimately, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is our flagbearer will be the President of this great nation, Nigeria.

“So, what I want you to do, all the love, all the support, all the prayer that you have been giving to me, continue but, please, extend that support and prayer to our flagbearer, support APC, let us all campaign round because this is the only country that we have.”

Amosun boasted that except for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, no politician from the state either dead or alive had served Ogun state more than he has done.

He said, “In this Ogun State, since 1999, I am on camera, except for Baba Olusegun Obasanjo, I am not talking of pre-1999, no human being, dead or alive has served Ogun State the way I have served.

“I have done eight years as your governor, by next year it will be my 8th year in the Senate. Just between 1999 and now, I have served Ogun State for 15 years of my lifetime.

“Let anybody that has done that come out, I am not talking of our referred fathers. I accept that there are so many giants that came before me, we stood on their shoulders and we are still standing on their shoulders, but the truth must be told and we must say it,” Amosun boasted.

Funding, corruption threaten investigative journalism

The International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has identified poor funding, public sector corruption, and lack of political will to punish culprits as threats to investigative journalism while scoring the Federal Government low in its avowed fight against corruption.

The Executive Director of the Center, Dayo Aiyetan who stated this during his remarks ahead of the ICIR's 10th year anniversary, revealed that ICIR has been at the forefront of promoting accountability and fighting corruption through robust and objective investigative reporting over the years.

Speaking during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja, Aiyetan revealed that investigative journalism is severely challenged by funding and systemic corruption.

He noted that despite the persecution and harassment faced by journalists working for the organization, ICIR succeeded in churning out numerous investigative reports which exposed corrupt acts by public office holders. Adding that some of the reports made remarkable impacts as the government of the day had to react and address the abnormalities raised by the investigation.

Aiyetan commended the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) for funding their projects. He further noted that collaboration with PRIMORG and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) played a significant role in the height attained by the Center in the last decade.

“We are not where we want to be because corruption still persists in Nigeria, but I will say we have achieved a lot that we set out to do.

“Our strategy which has worked perfectly for us is that we have collaborated with other media houses. We have been at the forefront of collaboration between media and CSOs. Beyond that, we are encouraging collaboration between the media and even government agencies, and that’s why we share intelligence sometimes with the military, DSS, and ICPC.“

While, blaming the inability of anti-corruption agencies to take prompt action against individuals or agencies indicted by corruption reports on lack of political will, He rated the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s fight against corruption as abysmally poor.

“This government that is using state institutions to fight us will earn minus twenty in my estimation.

“They have used DSS against us; DSS would just call us to their office. We are not criminals; we are helping the work of the government. But they’re using the state, including the office of the Attorney General, to harass and hound us. Why? For doing investigative stories.”

Aiyetan opined that the release of convicted former governors of Taraba and Plateau states, Rev Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, both serving jail terms for misappropriation of funds, climaxed the government’s unwillingness to fight corruption.

Source: VANGUARD

Full speech: Why I nominated Okowa as my vice presidential candidate

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has explained the reason for picking the Governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

He gave this reasons at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja, during his remarks at the unveiling of Okowa as his running mate on Thursday. 

Okowa and his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, were the two governors rumoured to be considered for the VP slot.

READ ATIKU’S FULL REMARKS

Let me begin by, once more, commending our great Party for organizing and concluding, arguably, the best and rancour-free Convention, which produced me as our flag-bearer for the next year’s Presidential Election.

Once more, I commend my fellow aspirants in that contest. I thank them for their sportsmanship. They put up spirited fights because they cared and care for our country. I have personally gone around to thank them and to seek their cooperation for the struggle ahead.

Party unity is critical not only for us to prosecute a winning campaign but also to provide good governance that our country seriously deserves and our people earnestly yearn for. The task of winning the coming elections will be a tough one and we must not take anything for granted.

With the convention behind us, we have arrived at the stage for me to pick a Running Mate because this is a joint ticket. I am very happy to announce today that I have reached a decision on that.

In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our Governors, National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other leaders to seek their inputs and their wisdom.

In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a President-in-waiting.

In other words, the person must have the qualities to be President. The person must have an appreciation of the deep rot which our country has been put into by the rudderless APC government; understands the great suffering that most of our people are going through and the urgency of relieving them of that suffering; understands the critical importance of economic growth and development to provide our young people with jobs, hope, and a pathway to wealth.

The person must appreciate the critical importance of education in the development of modern societies so we can prepare our young people to be able to compete in the increasingly competitive and globalized world.

My running mate must understand that without security, development will be very difficult because local and foreign investors who have been scared away already, would not return to invest in our economy. Thus, my running mate will be a person who will stand by me as a I confront the frightening level of insecurity in our land.

As you know, the APC government went to sleep as huge swathes of our country’s territory fell into the deadly hands of gangs of criminals, including those masquerading as freedom fighters or pastoralists, while our farmers and genuine pastoralists are unable to go about their businesses. The costs in precious human lives and properties have been enormous. My running mate must also not only symbolize the imperative of reuniting our country but also be able to work with me to achieve that objective. This is because a united Nigeria is a potentially stronger, more prosperous, and more secure country able to lead Africa and give hope to the Black race.

In addition, my Running Mate has to be someone who is not afraid to speak his mind and give honest advice, and, be by my side as I work very hard to reverse the destructive impact of the past seven years of the APC government.

In the United States of America from where we borrowed key aspects of our current Presidential system, a running mate is used to balance the ticket, complement the candidate and, after victory, assist the President with governance. Sometimes a candidate is chosen who generates a buzz and adds huge excitement to the campaign.

But today in Nigeria, we face huge challenges which leave us little room for drama. We have to win the elections and get to work immediately. My running mate has to be ready to start working with me, from day one, in addressing our country’s challenges. Nigerians will not accept anything less. That is why I promised the Governors of our party that my running mate will come from among them. Our current challenges call for a government that is highly focused and disciplined.

I have sought for the support, guidance, and counsel of the PDP in selecting a befitting Running Mate who meets all or most of the qualities enumerated above. The wisemen and sages of the Party, put together by our NWC, have gone fishing and brought home an enviable group of awesome politicians that surpasses these qualities. Every one of the recommended persons is a fit and proper individual to hold this office. While this makes me marvel at the bundle of talents that abounds in our Party, it also compounded my task of choosing a single person from among them.

Let me therefore pay tribute to my Party and, most especially, to all those that made the shortlist that must now be narrowed down to a single person. They are all dedicated party-men suitable for this task. I wish all the recommended persons could be announced today as my Running Mates. Unfortunately, only one MUST be chosen.

It is a difficult decision that I am called upon to take. But, as someone hoping to lead a complex country such as ours, tough and difficult decisions would remain a part of my everyday life.

Let me, therefore, start this momentous journey with a crucial decision about who, among the eminently qualified shortlist, would be my Running Mate.

Accordingly, let me state that the person I have chosen as my Running Mate possesses all those identified qualities. He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve. He is a serving State Governor who has demonstrated, in his State and through his conduct, that governance is about service to the people.

I know that he will not only add excitement to our already energized ticket and campaign, but will also help to bring focus, discipline and stability to our government, come 2023. I am pleased, therefore, to announce here my choice of Running Mate who will help to lead us to victory next year not only in the Presidential election but also in the governorship and legislative elections. And he will be by my side as I work hard every day to provide our people with security, revive our economy, improve education and unite our country. He has both Legislative and Executive experiences. Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

You know him to be a fighter; you know him to care about winning; you know him to care about good governance; and you know him to care about our people. Now, my dear friends, let’s do the disciplined hard work necessary to win this election. Let’s go. Thank very much.

Finally, Atiku announces Okowa as vice presidential candidate

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has announced Delta state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the 2023 presidential race.

Atiku revealed this to Nigerians on Thursday via his social media handles.

The PDP presidential candidate posted, “I am delighted to announce Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa as my Vice Presidential candidate.

“I look forward to travelling our great country together, engaging with all Nigerians and building a shared future of peace, unity, and prosperity for all. As One We Can Get It Done. #OneNigeria.”

Earlier, Okowa was welcomed to the PDP’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday with congratulatory remarks.

Okowa was at the PDP Headquarters to attend the party’s Vice Presidential screening.

Some party members, who welcomed Okowa into the building, were heard saying ‘congratulations’.

Ekiti 2022: Masked men are unleashing terror on my supporters, Oni cries out

The candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), for governorship poll in Ekiti state on Saturday, Engr Segun Oni has disclosed that some masked people are unleashing terror and arrests on his supporters ahead of the state.

He also revealed that the assailants abducted one of his supporters, Kayode Adelusi who has not been found as the time of filing this report.

The former governor of Ekitu state alleged that some people who close to the Presidency are behind the dastardly act, using their influence to launch undeserved arrests and oppression on his supporters.

Speaking on Arise TV Morning Show on Thursday and monitored by VANGUARD, Oni appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to look into the unlawful arrests and protect the people of Ekiti state who have a civic duty of electing their next governor on Saturday.

The governorship candidate explained that, “Two nights ago, armed people with face masks went to one of my supporters’ place, Kayode Adelusi, they broke his door, abducted him and as I speak to you we don’t know where he is.

“We accept the fact that the IGP said adequate measure are in place to safeguard people in the state, but he must address the issue of indiscriminate arrest. These people are bringing oppression to people who didn’t belong to them.”

The IGP had ordered the immediate mobilization and deployment of adequate police personnel, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), technical capabilities of the Police Airwing, the Force Marine, Mounted Troops, K-9 Section, and other operational assets for the successful conduct of the Ekiti State gubernatorial elections scheduled for Saturday.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi. This includes the deployment of selected seasoned strategic commanders from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police and above for effective supervision of security personnel and operations in the election.

The IGP noted that the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) who is the supervisory DIG for the South-West Geo-Political Zone, DIG Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, psc(+), mni, has been deployed to Ekiti State as the Coordinator of the security component for the election.

Speaking further, Engr. Oni dismissed reports in the media that he withdrew from the governorship race, adding that he cannot be easily enticed with money to step down for any political party’s candidate as claimed by some stalwarts of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The former governor affirmed that he is the most popular politician in the state, so could not fathom why he would have stepped down for any party, stressing that his political opponents were scared of his popularity.

Oni said, “APC is afraid, they know I’m popular hence the lies. I believe that it shows the spirit of panic on APC side, I’m the number one candidate, I’m topmost, I am not withdrawing. I never cut any deal with APC.

“This game is up for them, maybe that’s why they concocted that I withdrew from the race. They should allow the people of Ekiti to pass their judgment.

“What will Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) give me to make me withdraw from the race? Is it money, I’m the type that cannot be easily moved by money; Is it that he (Asiwaju) wants to make me his VP, which is not possible?” he queried.

Aregbesola reacts to alleged shortage of passport booklets in Nigeria

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has debunked the purported shortage of passport booklets in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday during the decoration of the acting Comptroller -General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Idris Jere, Aregbesola said with the supplies of booklets available with the Nigerian Immigration Service, there can never be shortage of booklets.

Nigerians have repeatedly bemoaned the recurring shortage of booklets and the delay and exploitation that accompany passport issuance across the country. This, according to reports, has festered through connivance with NIS officials.

But the Minister said what the country was contending with was ‘human challenges’.

Explaining why some applicants get long appointment dates, he said this was as a result of the volume of applicants in the area.

Aregbesola said, “Depending on the volume of applicants in your chosen station, your appointment period can be short or long. For example, if you’re in Lagos, Ikoyi passport office has the highest volume of passport seekers in Nigeria, it is almost 50 percent of the entire population of applicants in Nigeria. If you pick Ikoyi, you might have three months waiting period to have your data captured and other enrollment requirements, whereas it is not so in other places.”

The Minister also disclosed that the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) was unhappy with the cumbersome nature of getting the Nigerian passports abroad as well as applying for Visa on arrival.

Aregbesola said, “I received a message from the president at FEC today which I want to make public. The president is concern with the report coming from overseas on the difficulty of getting a Nigerian passport . The challenges are there not because of the lack of concern.

He said, “I say to you that there is no shortage of booklets in the country, we maybe having human challenges. The truth is that, in terms of supply of booklets we have on ground, there cannot be shortage of booklets.

“I read lamentations on social media and I want to say nobody can access Nigerian passport without going online, it is not possible those who go online are not serviced , although some still partronise touts to a cess the online process. This is because of the difficulty we have managing ourselves that is why they have refused to go through it the proper way. ”

“Second, international visitors to Nigeria and even Nigerians who have the fortune of being born outside the country and therefore need to have a Nigerian passport before they can come into the country because they couldn’t get and want to come home through the visa on arrival platform find it difficult to process this effectively and seamlessly. We can’t afford to have this challenges with our people in diaspora,” he explained.

BREAKING: Premier League unveils 2022-23 season fixtures

The Premier League has released the 2022/23 fixtures with Crystal Palace v Arsenal being the first encounter for the new season.

Though the new EPL will begin on Friday 5 August at 8 pm Nigerian time, the Premier League said kick-offs are 15:00 for Saturdays and bank holidays unless stated otherwise.

According to Premier League, the fixtures are subject to change.

See the dates of all 380 matches below:

Friday 5 August

20:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Saturday 6 August

12:30 Fulham v Liverpool

AFC Bournemouth v Aston Villa

Leeds v Wolves

Leicester v Brentford

Newcastle v Nottingham Forest

Spurs v Southampton

17:30 Everton v Chelsea

Sunday 7 August

14:00 Man Utd v Brighton

16:30 West Ham v Man City

Saturday 13 August

Arsenal v Leicester

Aston Villa v Everton

Brentford v Man Utd

Brighton v Newcastle

Chelsea v Spurs

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Man City v AFC Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest v West Ham

Southampton v Leeds

Wolves v Fulham

Saturday 20 August

AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Everton v Nottingham Forest

Fulham v Brentford

Leeds v Chelsea

Leicester v Southampton

Man Utd v Liverpool

Newcastle v Man City

Spurs v Wolves

West Ham v Brighton

Saturday 27 August

Arsenal v Fulham

Aston Villa v West Ham

Brentford v Everton

Brighton v Leeds

Chelsea v Leicester

Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth

Man City v Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest v Spurs

Southampton v Man Utd

Wolves v Newcastle

Tuesday 30 August

19:45 AFC Bournemouth v Wolves

19:45 Arsenal v Aston Villa

19:45 Fulham v Brighton

19:45 Leeds v Everton

19:45 Leicester v Man Utd

19:45 West Ham v Spurs

20:00 Crystal Palace v Brentford

Wednesday 31 August

19:45 Southampton v Chelsea

20:00 Liverpool v Newcastle

20:00 Man City v Nottingham Forest

Saturday 3 September

Aston Villa v Man City

Brentford v Leeds

Brighton v Leicester

Chelsea v West Ham

Everton v Liverpool

Man Utd v Arsenal

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth

Spurs v Fulham

Wolves v Southampton

Saturday 10 September

AFC Bournemouth v Brighton

Arsenal v Everton

Crystal Palace v Man Utd

Fulham v Chelsea

Leeds v Nottingham Forest

Leicester v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Wolves

Man City v Spurs

Southampton v Brentford

West Ham v Newcastle

Saturday 17 September

Aston Villa v Southampton

Brentford v Arsenal

Brighton v Crystal Palace

Chelsea v Liverpool

Everton v West Ham

Man Utd v Leeds

Newcastle v AFC Bournemouth

Nottingham Forest v Fulham

Spurs v Leicester

Wolves v Man City

Saturday 1 October

AFC Bournemouth v Brentford

Arsenal v Spurs

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Fulham v Newcastle

Leeds v Aston Villa

Leicester v Nottingham Forest

Liverpool v Brighton

Man City v Man Utd

Southampton v Everton

West Ham v Wolves

Saturday 8 October

AFC Bournemouth v Leicester

Arsenal v Liverpool

Brighton v Spurs

Chelsea v Wolves

Crystal Palace v Leeds

Everton v Man Utd

Man City v Southampton

Newcastle v Brentford

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa

West Ham v Fulham

Saturday 15 October

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Brentford v Brighton

Fulham v AFC Bournemouth

Leeds v Arsenal

Leicester v Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Man City

Man Utd v Newcastle

Southampton v West Ham

Spurs v Everton

Wolves v Nottingham Forest

Tuesday 18 October

19:45 AFC Bournemouth v Southampton

19:45 Arsenal v Man City

19:45 Brentford v Chelsea

19:45 Brighton v Nottingham Forest

19:45 Fulham v Aston Villa

19:45 Leicester v Leeds

20:00 Crystal Palace v Wolves

Wednesday 19 October

19:45 Newcastle v Everton

20:00 Liverpool v West Ham

20:00 Man Utd v Spurs

Saturday 22 OOctobe

Aston Villa v Brentford

Chelsea v Man Utd

Everton v Crystal Palace

Leeds v Fulham

Man City v Brighton

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool

Southampton v Arsenal

Spurs v Newcastle

West Ham v AFC Bournemouth

Wolves v Leicester

Saturday 29 October

AFC Bournemouth v Spurs

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

Brentford v Wolves

Brighton v Chelsea

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Fulham v Everton

Leicester v Man City

Liverpool v Leeds

Man Utd v West Ham

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Saturday 5 November

Aston Villa v Man Utd

Chelsea v Arsenal

Everton v Leicester

Leeds v AFC Bournemouth

Man City v Fulham

Nottingham Forest v Brentford

Southampton v Newcastle

Spurs v Liverpool

West Ham v Crystal Palace

Wolves v Brighton

Saturday 12 November

AFC Bournemouth v Everton

Brighton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Man Utd

Liverpool v Southampton

Man City v Brentford

Newcastle v Chelsea

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Spurs v Leeds

West Ham v Leicester

Wolves v Arsenal

Monday 26 December

Arsenal v West Ham

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Brentford v Spurs

Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth

Crystal Palace v Fulham

Everton v Wolves

Leeds v Man City

Leicester v Newcastle

Man Utd v Nottingham Forest

Southampton v Brighton

Saturday 31 December

AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace

Brighton v Arsenal

Fulham v Southampton

Liverpool v Leicester

Man City v Everton

Newcastle v Leeds

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea

Spurs v Aston Villa

West Ham v Brentford

Wolves v Man Utd

Monday 2 January

Arsenal v Newcastle

Aston Villa v Wolves

Brentford v Liverpool

Chelsea v Man City

Crystal Palace v Spurs

Everton v Brighton

Leeds v West Ham

Leicester v Fulham

Man Utd v AFC Bournemouth

Southampton v Nottingham Forest

Saturday 14 January

Aston Villa v Leeds

Brentford v AFC Bournemouth

Brighton v Liverpool

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Everton v Southampton

Man Utd v Man City

Newcastle v Fulham

Nottingham Forest v Leicester

Spurs v Arsenal

Wolves v West Ham

Saturday 21 January

AFC Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

Arsenal v Man Utd

Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Fulham v Spurs

Leeds v Brentford

Leicester v Brighton

Liverpool v Chelsea

Man City v Wolves

Southampton v Aston Villa

West Ham v Everton

Saturday 4 February

Aston Villa v Leicester

Brentford v Southampton

Brighton v AFC Bournemouth

Chelsea v Fulham

Everton v Arsenal

Man Utd v Crystal Palace

Newcastle v West Ham

Nottingham Forest v Leeds

Spurs v Man City

Wolves v Liverpool

Saturday 11 February

AFC Bournemouth v Newcastle

Arsenal v Brentford

Crystal Palace v Brighton

Fulham v Nottingham Forest

Leeds v Man Utd

Leicester v Spurs

Liverpool v Everton

Man City v Aston Villa

Southampton v Wolves

West Ham v Chelsea

Saturday 18 February

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Brentford v Crystal Palace

Brighton v Fulham

Chelsea v Southampton

Everton v Leeds

Man Utd v Leicester

Newcastle v Liverpool

Nottingham Forest v Man City

Spurs v West Ham

Wolves v AFC Bournemouth

Saturday 25 February

AFC Bournemouth v Man City

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Everton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Wolves

Leeds v Southampton

Leicester v Arsenal

Man Utd v Brentford

Newcastle v Brighton

Spurs v Chelsea

West Ham v Nottingham Forest

Saturday 4 March

Arsenal v AFC Bournemouth

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Brentford v Fulham

Brighton v West Ham

Chelsea v Leeds

Liverpool v Man Utd

Man City v Newcastle

Nottingham Forest v Everton

Southampton v Leicester

Wolves v Spurs

Saturday 11 March

AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool

Crystal Palace v Man City

Everton v Brentford

Fulham v Arsenal

Leeds v Brighton

Leicester v Chelsea

Man Utd v Southampton

Newcastle v Wolves

Spurs v Nottingham Forest

West Ham v Aston Villa

Saturday 18 March

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth

Brentford v Leicester

Brighton v Man Utd

Chelsea v Everton

Liverpool v Fulham

Man City v West Ham

Nottingham Forest v Newcastle

Southampton v Spurs

Wolves v Leeds

Saturday 1 April

AFC Bournemouth v Fulham

Arsenal v Leeds

Brighton v Brentford

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Crystal Palace v Leicester

Everton v Spurs

Man City v Liverpool

Newcastle v Man Utd

Nottingham Forest v Wolves

West Ham v Southampton

Saturday 8 April

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest

Brentford v Newcastle

Fulham v West Ham

Leeds v Crystal Palace

Leicester v AFC Bournemouth

Liverpool v Arsenal

Man Utd v Everton

Southampton v Man City

Spurs v Brighton

Wolves v Chelsea

Saturday 15 April

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Chelsea v Brighton

Everton v Fulham

Leeds v Liverpool

Man City v Leicester

Nottingham Forest v Man Utd

Southampton v Crystal Palace

Spurs v AFC Bournemouth

West Ham v Arsenal

Wolves v Brentford

Saturday 22 April

AFC Bournemouth v West Ham

Arsenal v Southampton

Brentford v Aston Villa

Brighton v Man City

Crystal Palace v Everton

Fulham v Leeds

Leicester v Wolves

Liverpool v Nottingham Forest

Man Utd v Chelsea

Newcastle v Spurs

Tuesday 25 April

19:45 Everton v Newcastle

19:45 Leeds v Leicester

19:45 Nottingham Forest v Brighton

19:45 Spurs v Man Utd

19:45 West Ham v Liverpool

19:45 Wolves v Crystal Palace

20:00 Aston Villa v Fulham

Wednesday 26 April

19:45 Chelsea v Brentford

19:45 Southampton v AFC Bournemouth

20:00 Man City v Arsenal

Saturday 29 April

AFC Bournemouth v Leeds

Arsenal v Chelsea

Brentford v Nottingham Forest

Brighton v Wolves

Crystal Palace v West Ham

Fulham v Man City

Leicester v Everton

Liverpool v Spurs

Man Utd v Aston Villa

Newcastle v Southampton

Saturday 6 May

AFC Bournemouth v Chelsea

Brighton v Everton

Fulham v Leicester

Liverpool v Brentford

Man City v Leeds

Newcastle v Arsenal

Nottingham Forest v Southampton

Spurs v Crystal Palace

West Ham v Man Utd

Wolves v Aston Villa

Saturday 13 May

Arsenal v Brighton

Aston Villa v Spurs

Brentford v West Ham

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

Everton v Man City

Leeds v Newcastle

Leicester v Liverpool

Man Utd v Wolves

Southampton v Fulham

Saturday 20 May

AFC Bournemouth v Man Utd

Brighton v Southampton

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Liverpool v Aston Villa

Man City v Chelsea

Newcastle v Leicester

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Spurs v Brentford

West Ham v Leeds

Wolves v Everton

Sunday 28 May

16:00 Arsenal v Wolves

16:00 Aston Villa v Brighton

16:00 Brentford v Man City

16:00 Chelsea v Newcastle

16:00 Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest

16:00 Everton v AFC Bournemouth

16:00 Leeds v Spurs

16:00 Leicester v West Ham

16:00 Man Utd v Fulham

16:00 Southampton v Liverpool

Osun Poll: Ex-commissioner predicts landslide victory for Adeleke

The immediate past Osun state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kolapo Alimi, has predicted that candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Senator Ademola Adeleke will defeat Governor Gboyega Oyetola with a margin of 100,000 votes in the July gubernatorial poll.

Alimi, who served as commissioner during the two-term tenure of ex-governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as well as one of his over 2,000 followers defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Speaking on why he dumped All Progressives Congress during a rally held to receive him into PDP, Alimi said himself and many others considered as enemies were unfairly treated by the incumbent governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

He commended Adeleke’s good disposition to both friends and adversaries, and called on electorate to vote for PDP in the governorship poll.

He said, “In 2018, Senator Nurudeen Adeleke led us in first ballot with 353 votes. When president Buhari came here, he said little about what happened then. He said we used remote control.

“Let me assure you, this time around, Buhari has said no more remote control. We should not be scared.

“The poll holding on 16th July, Senator Ademola Adeleke will be victorious. The margin won’t be 353, not 3,500, not 35,000, but he will win by 100, 000 plus,” he predicted.

In his reaction, the PDP candidate, Senator Adeleke, said many more people would join the party, adding that the new Electoral Act has made rigging nearly impossible.

He said, “I thank President Buhari for signing the new Electoral Law. That law has already reduced chances of rigging. Osun people are ready to defend their vote.

“I don’t think rigging will be possible. It is not by force, people have to decide, who they want and the person they want is me, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke,” he boasted.

‘Poor innovative and indigenous-driven ideas disrupt infrastructural development in Africa' – Robert

The founder of Zeetin Engineering, Azibaola Robert, had blamed poor infrastructural development, particularly in Science and Technology in most African countries, on poor innovative and indigenous-driven ideas.

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving an award from the International Institute of Chartered Educational Practitioners, IICEP, for ‘Outstanding Performance in Innovation, Creativity and Economic Empowerment’, Robert noted that technology remain a major driving force for industrization in Nigeria and Africa at large. 

He urged the Nigerian Government, and other African governments, and engineers to demonstrate indepth seriousness in addressing the challenge of poor infrastructures.

According to him, the slow pace of progress in indigenously-driven innovations in science and technology as being responsible for the sordid state of infrastructural development of African countries, and urged governments, engineers to demonstrate more seriousness in addressing the challenge. 

He bemoaned the attitude of Africans towards innovation which he claimed is the bane of the region’s development, at a time when the world hits fifth and sixth industrial revolution stage.

He warned that Africa should not be limited to a region of consumption, but must able to make inventions that are of consequential value. 

“Nigerians, being the most populous black nation in the world, “it is our responsibility to show example by doing certain things with the use of technology as this will make Africans proud anywhere, they go as being part of those that are helping in the advancement of the world. 

“Therefore, we need people with their thinking hats, people who with gloves and not politicians, we need people who will wear their helmets and are able to do things”, he stated.