Presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Dr.Obiageli Ezekwesili, has asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof.Mamoud Yakubu, to immediately reverse the recent employment of Mrs. Amina Zakari, one of its commissioners. Reacting to her appointment, Ezekwesili, in a press statement on Saturday, said, “The INEC chairman appears to have bowed to pressure from the Presidency.” She described Zakari’s appointment as political corruption, “considering that having a relation of the President who is a contestant in the February 2019 presidential election amounts to an apparent Conflict-of-Interest situation.” She said that such “repugnant deployment…
Author: David Folami
Mr. Peter Obi has called on Nigerians to see the general elections of February 2019 as a key to the future and economic progress of their country and not about the usual casting of votes because of vested interests. Obi spoke in Rano, Kano State during the PDP Kano South senatorial rally. Obi said that, over three years now, the foundation of Nigeria had come under serious threats due to weak governance, inadequate attention to the economy which has spiraled into unprecedented unemployment, inflation, economic hardship and mistaken outspokenness on corruption for real policies that will make corruption unattractive. According…
Muhammadu Buhari has begged the Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, to use his massive experience in setting adequate standards for journalists in the country. According to President Buhari, the press remains the centre of Nigeria’s democracy as intelligent and brilliant journalists daily make sacrifices to verify, clarify and publish the truth. He, therefore, urged the editor and administrator, who worked with many media houses, to use his experience to raise the standard of living in the nation by ensuring that principles of accuracy, balance, fairness and humanity remain sacrosanct. President Buhari also hailed Ogunleye for…
Mrs Aisha Buhari has told women and youths of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming Presidential election. She explained that she was happy to spread the word for the APC because of the various social intervention programmes initiated by the Buhari-led administration. Mrs Buhari, who spoke in Hausa, said: “In 2015, the APC made some promises; and I have come out to campaign for its victory in the 2019 polls because the party has fulfilled some of the promises it made to Nigerians. “Those promises include; the school feeding programme for primary…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Buhari to dismiss the newly appointed head of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre, Amina Zakari. They blasted Zakari’s appointment, saying that it is part of a plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the upcoming election. PDP in a statement, said “if indeed, President Buhari is a man of integrity and is not pushing an ulterior motive with Amina Zakari, why is he insisting that she must be in INEC and that she must be at the collation of Presidential result? “Furthermore, if President Buhari believes he…
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has said that he is the one in charge of the collation of results. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called for Zakari’s sack, saying that her appointment is part of a plot of her the elections. The party also alleged that the INEC commissioner is the President Buhari’s niece. The PDP said Zakari cannot be trusted following by Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu that an inter-marriage occurred in their extended families. To further make this clear, the INEC boss released a statement to newsmen saying “I am absolutely responsible…
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday, inaugurate the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2019 General Elections. His information is contained in a statement issued by Mr Festus Keyamu, Director,Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Council, in Abuja on Saturday. Abilaji Keyamu said that the event would happen at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, at 10:00a.m. He said those expected at the ceremony were the persons earlier announced as members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. They are: Chairman, President Muhammadu Buhari, Co-Chairman, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Deputy Chairmen,Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.…
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has admonished Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters in the state to begin an aggressive grassroots-based campaign ahead of the general elections. He said his ambition to seek re-election was to ensure peace and equity in the power rotation as agreed by the people of the state. “My second term ambition is not just for Okowa, but for peace and equity in power rotation in the state,” he said. The Governor said his administration had done a lot, adding that his re-election would enable him to consolidate on the achievements. “I want you people to move…
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said security will be number one on his administration’s priority list in 2019 to ensure the state is stabilised before, during and after the general elections scheduled to hold this year. Obaseki said because of strategic destinations of the state, it was key to tighten up security before, during and after the general elections. “This year we will focus extensively on security as it is an election year and given the position of the state; it is important that the state is stabilised. “We are doing everything possible to ensure that we have a…
Chelsea are considering a £50 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani, according to reports. The 31-year-old Uruguay international would be the perfect fit for Maurizio Sarri’s high-octane style, and is one of the best strikers in the world when it comes to work rate. Chelsea will also be attracted to his talent and experience, hence the high fee quoted despite the fact the player will turn 32 next month. Alvaro Morata, who scored twice in an FA Cup victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, is likely to leave the club this month, and Cavani would be the perfect…
Reports are claiming Juventus will bring in Aaron Ramsey and Paul Pogba next summer, selling Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic. It is widely reported by multiple sources that Ramsey has agreed personal terms with Juve, as his contract with Arsenal is due to expire in June. He might not be the only reinforcement from the Premier League, as Tuttosport continue to maintain Pogba will return to Turin, even after rediscovering his Manchester United form in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s dismissal. It would be a return to Turin for Pogba, who wore the Bianconeri jersey from 2012 to 2016, when…
Fernandinho’s amazing display in Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Premier League title rivals Liverpool proved he is irreplaceable, according to manager Pep Guardiola. The Premier League champions closed to within four points of Jurgen Klopp’s leaders at the summit thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane either side of Roberto Firmino’s second-half equaliser. Fernandinho sat out City’s back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester City last month, with John Stones and Ilkay Gundogan providing uneasy alternatives at the base of Guardiola’s midfield as Liverpool were gifted the initiative. And, in a season when star man Kevin De Bruyne…
Unai Emery has not ruled out a January move for Barcelona winger Denis Suarez after revealing that he wants to sign a wide player and defender this month. Suarez, who spent time at Manchester City as a youngster, is available for a fee in the region of £18 million this month after being told by Barca that he can leave the Camp Nou. Emery is an admirer of the Spain international having worked with the 24-year-old during a loan spell at previous club Sevilla and, speaking after Saturday’s FA Cup third round victory at Blackpool, he confirmed that a winger…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said he is not expecting Manchester United to bring anyone in during the January transfer window, reports have said. United’s caretaker manager, who upon his arrival said he would have an say on transfers, revealed on Friday that he will meet with the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward this month to know how far. However, when asked if he anticipates any new additions in January, he said: “I don’t expect anyone to come in. “Obviously if the club have targeted and identified a few and I think they might fit here then I’ll give my thumbs…
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took responsibility for Manchester United’s lacklustre display against Reading after admitting his team selection had made the task more difficult. United won for the fifth game in a row under the Norwegian but United were not at their best during the 2-0 victory and Reading, second from bottom of the Championship, ended the game having had more possession and more shots. “It was always going be difficult with my team selection,” Solskjaer said, after making nine changes to his team. “I made it hard for the players to be fair on them because it’s a team that’s…
Christian Pulisic has said Chelsea’s style of football under Maurizio Sarri was a key factor in his £57 million move to the Premier League. Sarri has implemented his possession-based style at Stamford Bridge since arriving from Napoli last summer, with Chelsea completing more passes than any other Premier League side so far this season. “I’ve seen their style of play,” Pulisic told reporters at Borussia Dortmund’s warm weather training camp in Marbella, Spain on Saturday. “I’ve always appreciated how they’ve played football, and it’s really nice how they play now, with their new coach. It fits me very well.” Pulisic,…
Brahim Diaz has a clause in his contract that means Manchester City will receive more money if Real Madrid sell him to their rivals Manchester United, sources have said. The Spanish under-21 international is set to sign a six-and-a-half-year deal with the La Liga club ahead of completing a move worth £15.5 million, with the potential for a further £6.5m in add-ons. City will also receive 15 percent of any sell-on fee although the Premier League champions have inserted a clause that means it rises to 40 percent if the 19-year-old were to sign for United in the future. Brahim,…
Unai Emery is looking for players who are ready to step in and help when called on during the winter window. Unai Emery said he is in the market for players with “commitment” in January after watching his side beat Blackpool 3-0 to advance to the FA Cup fourth round. The Gunners swept past their League One hosts at Bloomfield Road on Saturday with two goals from teenager Joe Willock and one from Alex Iwobi. Arsenal fans greatly outnumbered their Blackpool counterparts, with over 5,000 supporters making the long trip north from London, as Tangerines fans stayed away in their…
Franck Ribery has mocked an angry attack on those who criticised a picture of him eating a gold-covered Tomahawk steak during the Bundesliga winter break. Ribery visited the Nusr-et restaurant in Dubai during some downtime with the Bundesliga on hold. The restaurant is owned by Nusret Gokce, known as “Salt Bae” for his extravagant persona and the way he seasons his meat. The steak, covered in gold, can cost in excess of £1,000. Ribery, 35, was criticised after the picture emerged but hit back on Instagram, saying: “For 2019, let’s dot the i’s and cross the t’s… Let’s start with…
Tottenham are increasingly resigned to losing Toby Alderweireld after taking up their option to extend his contract by a year until 2020, thereby activating a release clause making him available for £25 million, sources have said. While the release clause now puts a firm price on Alderweireld’s head, Spurs were facing the prospect of losing the Belgium centre-back for free this summer so have acted to protect his value. But Alderweireld is reluctant to discuss a new deal and with the player turning 30 in March, sources said the club feel £25m would be a good fee for a player…