All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu will not be contesting against President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, his spokesman has said. Head of the Tinubu Media Office, Tunde Rahman made the clarification in denial of reports that the APC leader is planning to dump his party to further his presidential ambitions. “The story is a manufactured tale weaved by its authors to try to create division where there is none,” a statement released by Rahman reads. Read the full statement below: The front page story of the February 28 THISDAY newspaper alleging that Bola Tinubu is actively planning a…
Author: David Folami
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it was redeploying personnel in Port Harcourt as aftermath of the Dec. 10, 2016, legislative re-run polls in Rivers. Specifically, the commission said that all administrative staff, heads of department and other directing staff in the Port Harcourt office would be deployed to other states. A National Commissioner in the commission, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, made this known in Abuja while updating newsmen on the commission’s Administrative Panel report on the re-run elections. The commission’s panel’s report and another by the Police Investigative Panel indicted 29 personnel and 23 officials of INEC,…
Arsenal’s hopes of finishing in the top four were dealt a major blow as they lost 3-1 to an improved Liverpool at Anfield. Arsene Wenger, who gambled on leaving Alexis Sanchez out of the starting XI, is now set to come under increased scrutiny. First half goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane left Arsenal with too much to do. Although Alexis came on and helped spark a brief fightback, Liverpool were able to catch the Gunners on the break in stoppage time and finish off the game. Positives Danny Welbeck continues to impress with his capacity to find form…
It may have startled people to be told Wilfred Ndidi was better than N’Golo Kante when the former moved to Leicester in January, but such a lofty statement doesn’t look so outlandish now. There were many who took exception to such a claim. And considering just how pivotal the Frenchman was to the Foxes’ title win last term, and his continued consistency for Chelsea this season, you can understand their position regarding such an elevated opinion on an unknown quantity. And to be honest, that’s fine. But it can’t be hard to imagine that posse Ndidi doubters are starting to…
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has told Sport360 that his side will not approach Sunday’s home game against Tottenham differently to any other Premier League match. Spurs are second in the table, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea — but Everton, in seventh place, are eyeing a late run for European qualification. And Koeman said: “The question has been asked if our game against Tottenham represents some kind of extra test, as if it is different to the other challenges we have faced already this season. “This is a tough challenge against a strong team at home and we will need to…
Positives Leicester have suddenly become specialists in 3-1 victories. For the second game in a row the club looked like a side with a point to prove and recovered superbly after falling behind. Riyad Mahrez scored his first league goal since November and although Jamie Vardy couldn’t keep his scoring streak going the England striker was still able to weigh in with an important assist. The victory substantially eases Leicester’s relegation fears. Having fallen into the bottom three after Claudio Ranieri was sacked, City now have a handy five-point cushion between themselves and the drop zone. Negatives Leicester perhaps lacked…
Much of the blame for Arsenal’s first-half performance was laid at manager Arsene Wenger’s door after choosing to drop 20-goal top scorer Alexis Sanchez. However, Bellerin said there was more to it than that. “We’re very frustrated with how the game went,” Bellerin told club’s official website. “After the tough weeks we’ve had the team should have gone onto the pitch, motivated and ready from the start. “In the first half it didn’t feel like we were ready and then we went 2-0 down. We got one goal back and had a chance to make it 2-2 but sometimes it’s…
The 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield lifted Jurgen Klopp’s side back into the top four and dropped their opponents out of it. With the situation so tight at the top — sixth-placed Manchester United are three points behind with a match in hand — Mane believes there is no more room for slip-ups like Monday’s 3-1 defeat at Leicester. “We have 11 games so we will try to concentrate on them all,” the Senegal international said. “It was very important for us to win this game because last Monday’s game was disappointing. “For us it will be very important…
Africa’s biggest movie awards ceremony, the AMVCA took place at the Eko Hotels in Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, March 4, 2017. And evicted Big Brother Naija housemates, Miyonse, Jon and Ese (the latter two were fake runners), attended the event as they strive to be famous in the fast-growing Nigerian entertainment industry. The threesome weren’t nominated for awards, but they won praises for their stylish costumes and also grooved with the stars they look up to. While Miyonse and Jon look dapper in suits, Ese was pretty gorgeous in her shimmering gown.
So singer Simi arrived at the AMVCA 2017 in Lagos without her buddies – Adekunle Gold and Falz. She walked the official red carpet so fast to escape cameramen and paparazzi from taking her pictures. ‘Simi! Hi Simi! Simi here! Simi let me take your picture na,’ the cameramen requested. ‘There’s MTN here,’ the new Etisalat ambassador said as she walked away. Her reason was well stated, but not all the cameramen were pleased. ‘Simi disappointed us today,’ said a camera man. ‘But she’s not the type of person that shy away from cameras,’ he added. Simi who performed ‘Love…
Adesua Etomi wore a Mai Atafo floral gown on the AMVCA 2017 red carpet. The Nolywood actress wowed in the outfit that totally showed off her gorgeous body. Her hair was made by Bernard O, while T.a’la Mode did the perfect make-up. She co-presented the award for Best Supporting Actress won by Ebele Okaro Onyuike for her role in Four One Love. However, The Arbitration star – who was AMVCA Best Actress in 2016 – lost her only nomination for the fifth edition of the awards ceremony to Rita Dominic in the Best Actress category.
The Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked against a move by the Ahmed Makarfi camp to form another party. The Independent National Election Commission (INEC) had on Friday, March 3, confirmed the receipt of an application for the registration of a new party named Advanced Peoples Democratic Party (APDP). The application is believed to have come from PDP members loyal to Makarfi, Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the PDP. It was gathered that the Sheriff group is threatened by the formation of the new party. The development is coming days after an appeal court…
Ali Modu Sheriff-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP is reportedly ready to challenge the alleged planned registration of ‘Advanced PDP’ by Ahmed Makarfi. According to a report by Daily Trust, the Sheriff led National Caretaker Committee says it will go to court to challenge the planned registration. The move was also confirmed by the National Legal Adviser of Sheriff’s faction, Barr. Bashir Maidugu. Barr. Maidugu noted that any move by any person or group to use the name ‘PDP’ either at INEC or at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) would be resisted. ”We are recognised legally by the…
The APC leadership has agreed on a new funding mechanism that would be based on continuous membership registration across the country to raise funds for the party. Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC National Publicity Secretary, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. He said this was part of resolutions reached at the end of a closed door meeting between the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and Governors elected on the party`s platform. He said the meeting which was chaired by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the party`s National Chairman, was used to review the party`s state and x-ray its challenges…
Jose Mourinho fears Manchester United’s bid to qualify for the Champions League will fail because of their inability to kill off inferior opponents at Old Trafford. United had most of the possession and chances against struggling Bournemouth on Saturday, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty miss forced them to settle for a 1-1 draw. Mourinho’s side have dropped home points against a number of sides below them in the table this season, with Stoke, Burnley and Hull all picking up draws when second best. The United manager believes if his team had been more ruthless, they could even be challenging Chelsea for…
Liverpool are now off the Premier League roller coaster and looking in the right direction according to manager Jurgen Klopp, who saw his side dismantle top-four rivals Arsenal in a scintillating 3-1 win on Saturday. In recent months Liverpool have been a shadow of the vibrant attacking side that dazzled during the first half of the season, dropping out of title contention since the New Year. A run of just two victories in 2017 may have ended any realistic title chances but the panache with which they beat Arsenal will cause concerns for their top-four rivals. Liverpool climbed above Arsenal…
Arsene Wenger admitted his decision to drop Alexis Sanchez had backfired, but the Arsenal manager blamed “cheap goals” for his side’s damaging 3-1 defeat at Liverpool on Saturday. Wenger opted to leave star striker Sanchez on the bench for the first half at Anfield and the move failed miserably as Liverpool swept into a two-goal lead. The Gunners boss sent on Sanchez at half-time and the Chilean immediately provided the assist as Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit. It was too late to spark an Arsenal fightback however and Wenger’s side crashed out of the top four after a third…
“Jenifa’s Diary” has won the Best TV series at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. The series beat “Sokhulu and Partners season 3,” “Duplicity,” “Beneath the Lies” and “Beyond Your Sight: The Police Story” to win the award. Receiving the award, Funke Akindele who produces and stars in the series said, “I don’t actually have a life. Thank God I married this man [JJC]. I drink, eat and write “Jenifa’s Diary.” The actress dedicated the award to her family, cast and crew of the TV series, and her husband. The series which is currently in its ninth season on…
Funke Akindele has won the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. The actress beat Tina Mba – Meet the In-Laws, Uche Jombo – Wives on Strike, Dineo Moeketsi – Mrs Right Guy, Chioma Akpotha – Wives on Strike, Funke Akindele – A Trip to Jamaica and Omoni Oboli – Wives on Strike. The series which is currently in its ninth season on Television stars Akindele as the titular character; a secondary school dropout turned hairdresser, who lives in a backwater town called Aiyetoro. Over the years, the character has grown from a naive…
The fifth edition of the African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) was another glittering night of the celebration of African films (mostly Nigerian), the display of many sharp designer suits and curvaceous bodies fitted into the tiniest of dresses. Eko Hotel & Suites (our own Staples Centre) was once again the venue that put together the gods and goddesses of Nollywood, Olu Jacobs, Richard Mofe Damijo, Rita Dominic together with up and coming talents such as Somkele Iyamah and Sambasa Nzeribe. The AMVCA started as scheduled- 7pm. The hall wasn’t filled to capacity but that’s because of Nigerians showing up…