The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there will be no Diaspora or Out-of-Country voting for Nigerians in the 2019 general election. INEC gave the clarification in a statement issued by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, on Thursday in Abuja. Okoye said that INEC attention had been drawn to a report by a section of the media which gave false impression that the Commission has “made special provisions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) outside Nigeria to vote in the 2019 General Elections.” “The Commission wishes to state unequivocally that there will be…
Author: David Folami
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has assured internally displayed persons (IDPs) that they’ll not be disenfranchised in the 2019 general elections. While speaking at the Validation Conference on the Framework for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Voting in Abuja on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, he said the elections will be inclusive and participatory for all eligible voters. According to the INEC boss, IDPs will be empowered to vote in as many as 15 states where many have been displaced from their homes for different reasons. “At the moment we are looking at about fifteen States and for where for varieties of reasons, citizens…
Oby Ezekwesili has recommended the inclusion of more speakers in the Presidential Debate, particularly Mr Omoyele Sowore, the Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). In a tweet she posts on Twitter today, she commends Sowore for encouraging more participation from the youths. Through his efforts, there is an opportunity to groom a generation that is conscious about the importance of involvement in national discussions especially in politics. Mr Omoyele Sowore speaks to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after arriving at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on Thursday, December 13, 2018. The presidential candidate who reportedly arrived from the…
Senate President Bukola Saraki attended the unveiling of Donald Trump’s strategy for Africa. Saraki is joined at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC by the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce; Chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Honourable Nnenna Ukeje. Trump’s strategy for Africa appears to be more focused on checking the influence of China and Russia in the continent. Both countries have began to foster partnerships with African governments by rendering economic assistance. In Kenya, China has…
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Thursday said the association did not endorse anyone, it only met with 14 Presidential Candidates in Abuja to speak on their plans for the nation. The President of CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle made the explanation in a statement issued by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant, Media and Communications to the CAN president, in Abuja. Ayokunle explained that the issue of endorsing anyone for a second term did not form part of discussions during the meeting. Our attention has been drawn to a news story published by an online news outfit that has…
Three long-standing Manchester United fans just made the train out of Valencia on Thursday morning, having gone first to the wrong train station. Dave, Graham and Eddie from Knutsford, 20 miles south of Manchester, have been watching United away in Europe for decades. Eddie’s first European away game was at Ajax in 1976, a £19 return coach trip from Manchester to Holland. Graham’s was a preseason trip to Nuremberg in 1980. “We hitched it from Knutsford Services on the M6; it took us a couple of days to get to Germany and few more to get back.” Dave’s debut was…
Beppe Marotta has been appointed Inter Milan’s new general manager less than two months after being forced out of a similar role with Juventus. Marotta, 61, is widely regarded as the architect of Juve’s recent successes and Inter will be hoping for a similar turnaround in their fortunes after beating off competition for the services of one of Italian football’s highest rated staff members. “From today, I will be part of this great Inter, which is something I am really proud about — to fulfil such an important role, being the general manager for the sporting aspects,” he said. “It’s…
There has never been a Premier League goalkeeper as dominant as Manchester United’s David De Gea. Yes, there have been more successful goalkeepers: De Gea, who was named the world’s best keeper, has won just one Premier League title. He also has only one “Golden Glove” award for the highest number of clean sheets in a season — last season, incidentally — and over a dozen goalkeepers have kept more clean sheets. But these figures are largely dependent upon the quality of De Gea’s teammates. Assess another factor, the number of times he’s been voted into the PFA Team of…
Maurizio Sarri condemned the alleged racist abuse suffered by Manchester City star Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge as “disgusting” and backed the club’s firm stance. Sterling reportedly confirmed to police that he was subjected to racist abuse during Saturday’s game, and on Tuesday, Chelsea suspended four supporters from attending games “pending further investigations” into the incident. Video footage is being reviewed by Metropolitan Police as part of their investigation, while Chelsea have pledged to ban and support prosecutions of any supporters found to have engaged in racist abuse. In his first public comments since the Sterling incident, Sarri condemned it…
Franck Ribery will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic indicated on Tuesday. It comes after Arjen Robben said earlier this month that he would leave when his contract expires in the summer after a decade of success with the German champions. Robben, 34, joined in 2009 and formed a formidable attacking partnership with 35-year-old Ribery, whose deal also runs out at the end of the campaign. “The president [Uli Hoeness] talked about it [the possibility of Ribery leaving], and I think it will be like that. It’s a year of changes,” Salihamidzic told…
Unai Emery hailed 17-year-old Bukayo Saka for playing “with a very big personality” on his full debut for the Gunners in Thursday’s 1-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League. Saka made his first start for the Gunners on the left wing showed plenty of confidence as he tested goalkeeper Vagner with an early strike from the edge of the box and tried to take on defenders with an exciting blend of pace and skill. He probably should have capped his performance with a goal as well when he had a gilt-edged chance to double Arsenal’s lead but fired almost…
Table-toppers Chelsea drew 2-2 at Vidi in their final Group L in the Europa League on Thursday. Goals from Willian and Olivier Giroud paced the Premier League side, while an Ethan Ampadu own goal and a strike from Loic Nego completed the scoreline on a frigid night in Hungary. Brazilian winger Willian opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a fine, dipping free kick from the top of the semi-circle after being fouled by Paulo Vinicius. Ampadu turned the ball into his own net from a corner two minutes later. And Nego hit a spectacular volley on 56 minutes…
Jordi Alba has come out in defence of teammate Ousmane Dembele following criticism directed at the Frenchman due to his late arrivals at practices but did admit his off-field behaviour “could improve.” The 21-year-old forward was reportedly fined €100,000 by Barca for indiscipline. Sources said that Barca security was sent to fetch Dembele who was more than two hours late for Sunday’s training session. He later apologised to the entire team. “Anyone can make a mistake, but within the dressing room there has never been any issue with Dembele,” Alba said as reported in Marca. Barca have been concerned about…
Mauricio Pochettino admits Daniel Levy is unamused by the speculation about his future but says he feels no need to reassure his chairman about his commitment to Tottenham. Pochettino has been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United but stated last month that he wants to win silverware with Spurs, while he stressed last week that he feels valued by Levy. But he admits Levy finds it harder to laugh off the rumours. “No, he doesn’t laugh!” said Pochettino. “I don’t get bored [by the reports] but he maybe is worried, is concerned about [them]. But it’s normal. It’s not…
Ilkay Gundogan says it hurts to be targeted by racism and has given his support to Manchester City teammate Raheem Sterling. Sterling, 24, hit out at media coverage that he said “helps fuel racism,” after abuse was allegedly directed at him during a match at Chelsea. Gundogan and former international teammate Mesut Ozil were barracked by Germany fans and criticised after they were pictured with Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a reception in London in May. “I think he made his point clear through Instagram, giving a statement on that,” the City midfielder told reporters. “I don’t know if…
Davido recently took to his Instagram page to celebrate having close to 100 million YouTube views, the most in Africa. This comes after it was alleged that the singer bought fake views for his new hit “Wonder Woman”. Recent statistics puts him ahead of Yemi Alade, whose YouTube video, “Johnny” had commanded traffic on the website. But a displeased follower wrote on the comment section of the post that the “Johnny” crooner and Wizkid have more views than him. The follower with the username @Iam_youngestalhaji, wrote: “Yemi Alade is All time Lady most Viewed on YouTube still Tiwasavage is still…
Vancouver Drake fans are in for a holiday treat because the OVO store will officially be opening on Robson Street this weekend. According to OVO, the Vancouver store will be exclusively stocked with the new OVO x Murakami Collection. The collaboration will feature work by prolific Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, combined with OVO’s signature owl design. Murakami’s The Octopus Eats its Own Leg exhibition was also on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery earlier this year. The OVO store will be located at 1044 Robson Street, replacing the now-closed location of Boys’Co. The 2,000-sq-ft retail unit is wedged between Monaco…
Caityln Jenner has had a complicated relationship with her stepdaughters since splitting from their mom, Kris Jenner, in 2013. But the Olympian, 69, had nothing but praise for Kim Kardashian on Tuesday, December 11. Caitlyn, who appeared on 13 seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, reflected on Kim’s success while speaking at a panel during a WE tv event in Beverly Hills. “You take Kimberly… She has been doing this show for, like, 12, 13, years now and has stayed relevant,” the former E! personality gushed. “You see actors come in and do their job and they’re relevant for…
Kanye West is knock, knock, knockin’ on Bob Dylan’s door. The eclectic rapper reached out to the artist on Twitter, where he tweeted, “Calling out to Bob Dylan Let’s get together.” He didn’t say whether he wanted to catch up with the singer or collaborate on a potential album, but Kanye still got over 4,000 fans to spread the word for him by retweeting the proclamation. Unfortunately, the famed guitarist does not have a Twitter so it is unclear if he got the message. It seems like the artist is feeling inspired by the beautiful landscapes he has been seeing…
Nicki Minaj is threatening to sic her lawyers on Jesse Palmer for falsely claiming she supported her brother, who was found guilty of raping an 11-year-old. The rapper went off on the “Daily Mail TV” host Tuesday for a segment that aired on the show. In talking about Minaj’s new relationship with boyfriend Kenneth Petty — a sex offender– Palmer said Nicki’s fans “are also worried because this isn’t the first time Nicki Minaj has defended a sex offender.” Palmer then claimed Nicki has supported her brother, Jelani Maraj, who was found guilty of raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter. Here’s the…