Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Jigawa governor and Presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP, has dismissed suggestions that he was being sponsored by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Lamido was in Jos to solicit votes from the party’s delegates in Plateau, ahead of the PDP National Convention slated to hold in October. “I have no political godfather; the presidency is for matured minds and I am one. “I hear people say Obasanjo is the one sponsoring my presidential ambition. That is not true. “I was in PDP before Obasanjo became president, but I respect him as my leader and elder…
Author: David Folami
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) lacks the moral right to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari to a debate on good governance. The party made this known in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, on Monday in Abuja, describing the challenge by the PDP as laughable and incredible. The APC said that as a party synonymous with impunity, institutionalised corruption, non-remittance of 20 billion dollars oil revenue, among others, the PDP was not in a position to debate on good governance. “A party whose administration placed the economy on…
Bukola Saraki has said that denying Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso use of the Eagle Square in Abuja for his presidential declaration, “sends a wrong message about the tolerance level” in Nigerian politics. Former Governor of Kano, Kwankwaso, had applied for the use of the Eagle Square days ahead of his presidential declaration billed for Wednesday, August 29. However, on August 27, the Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd which manages the Square reversed its approval decision because “29th August, 2018, happens to be a work day, as it would disrupt the usual work flow of the Federal Secretariat”. In a letter…
Bukola Saraki met with former president, Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja on Wednesday, August 29, 2018. Saraki’s meeting with Jonathan is bound to add more fuel to the expectations that the former Kwara State governor will declare to run for president in the 2019 presidential election any time soon. Even though he dismissed such reports when he met earlier with former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, the senate president admitted two weeks ago that he was considering joining the race for president. Saraki dumped the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) last month to return to the…
10,000 members of Kwankwasiyya Movement in Kano state have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to reports, the defectors burnt their red caps, a symbol of the group, during a ceremony at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium. The leader of the group, Sani Sharu Dala, said they left PDP because of the laudable projects the APC government put in place for youths since it came into power in 2015. He said “We have defected to APC and burnt our red caps to show to the world that we have left Kwankwasiyya and the PDP.…
Elseid Hysaj’s agent has said the Napoli right-back is “delighted” to have stayed at Napoli rather than join Chelsea. Hysaj, 24, was among the Napoli players tipped to follow former boss Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge this summer. However, his agent, Mario Guffredi, insists the Albania international does not regret the move failing to materialise and is excited at the prospect of working with Carlo Ancelotti. “Not going to Chelsea? Hysaj is delighted to have stayed,” Guffredi told CalcioNapoli24. “He has a great desire to be coached by Ancelotti.” Guffredi also confirmed that he is planning talks with Napoli over…
Jamie Vardy has decided to step away from international football, telling England manager Gareth Southgate that he will “not shut the door completely” but would rather focus on club football. Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is also set to make his exit from the national team, saying is is “the right moment” to take time away from international competition. Vardy, 31, was part of England’s World Cup squad, but he told the Guardian that his infrequent appearances — four in seven games, with a start only in the final group-stage game against Belgium — contributed to the decision. “When you get…
Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela are two of the notable absentees as Mexico announced a youthful squad — featuring young star Hirving Lozano — for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay (Sept. 7 in Houston) and the United States (Sept. 11). Only five Europe-based players were named, with Andres Guardado, Diego Reyes, Miguel Layun, Nestor Araujo, Jesus “Tecatito” Corona, Hector Herrera and Hector Moreno all missing out along with Hernandez. MLS-based duo Vela and Giovani dos Santos were also left out by interim coach Ricardo Ferretti, although LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos was included in a squad in which only goalkeeper…
Ryan Giggs has dismissed the prospect of taking over as Manchester United manager if Jose Mourinho is sacked, calling for unity at Old Trafford. United legend Giggs, a former assistant to Louis van Gaal, is one of the bookmakers’ favourites to take over if Mourinho is axed. Asked on Wednesday about his shortening odds to replace the Portuguese coach, Wales boss Giggs said: “I would keep your money in your pocket if I were you.” United travel to Burnley on Sunday looking to get their season back on track after consecutive defeats to Brighton and Tottenham. Burnley are also struggling…
Anthony Martial has not ruled out staying at Manchester United and is still talking to the club about signing a new contract, sources have said. The Frenchman made it clear to United chiefs in the summer he wanted to leave Old Trafford but executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has so far refused to listen to offers. Martial has admitted privately it is now unlikely he will be sold before the transfer window shuts in Europe on Friday. United are still hoping to tie down the 22-year-old with a new deal and discussions are ongoing with Martial’s representatives over a four-year contract…
Major League Soccer has issued LA Galaxy striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic an undisclosed fine for putting his hands on an opponent last week. Ibrahimovic put his hand on the cheek of LAFC forward Lee Nguyen during a brief clash in Friday night’s 1-1 draw. Nguyen highlighted the incident in a post on Twitter, writing: “Not too sure about the rules MLS, but I guess slapping other players is OK these days.” Earlier this summer, Ibrahimovic received his first red card in MLS for slapping Montreal’s Michael Petrasso. Also on Wednesday, MLS fined Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach for the same…
Leroy Sane has returned to the Germany squad for next month’s matches against France and Peru, but there is no place for Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira. Sane was a surprise omission from the squad that, as holders, crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage. “I spoke to Leroy on that day [of the World Cup squad announcement]”, coach Joachim Low told a news conference. “I told him that his national team future must begin after the World Cup, that we are aware of his qualities. “We wanted to take an intensive look at his style of play…
Liverpool could face a more difficult Champions League group in Thursday’s draw after Benfica secured their place in Pot 2 on Wednesday night. Benfica got past PAOK 5-2 on aggregate in the playoff round to secure safe passage into the group stage, and that rubber-stamps Liverpool’s berth in Pot 3. Had Benfica failed to qualify, Liverpool would have moved up to Pot 2. Pot 1 contains Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid as Champions League and Europa League holders, along with last season’s champions of the top six European leagues. Liverpool will be drawn with one of those clubs (except Premier…
Somewhere, caught between the anger and the frustration he displayed in the media suite at Old Trafford on Monday night, Jose Mourinho made a lot of sense. Manchester United had been better than Tottenham for 50 minutes. At one point during the first half he turned to his bench holding up three fingers to illustrate the three chances missed by Romelu Lukaku. Harry Kane had one opportunity all night and scored. He was right, too, to point out the difficulty in balancing results with performances. In a perfect world, United supporters want to watch a team winning games while employing…
Gareth Bale can handle the pressure of having a more critical role at Real Madrid following the departure Cristiano Ronaldo, says his Wales manager Ryan Giggs. Bale has scored in both of Madrid’s games to open the season in La Liga, and Giggs believes the 29-year-old has grown used to the spotlight in his first five years at the Bernabeu. “When someone like Cristiano leaves there is always going to be a spotlight on who is going to replace him goal-wise and threat-wise,” Giggs said. “It’s a massive void to fill but Gareth has the experience now of being at…
Cardi B has welcomed a baby girl with husband, Offset. The rapper took to her Instagram page on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, to announce the news, revealing her daughter’s name as Kulture Kiari Cephus. “Kulture Kiari Cephus 07/10/18 @offsetyrn,” she wrote. Congratulations Cardi B on the arrival of your baby. Cardi and Offset secretly got married back in September 2017. The private ceremony took place in the couple’s bedroom in Atlanta. After months of speculation, she officially confirmed her pregnancy in April during a performance on Saturday Night Live. Shortly after she confirmed her pregnancy, she performed at Coachella, but…
Timaya has said he’s a better father than many husbands, who are legally married and have children with their wives. In an interview with Punch, Timaya said that as a father to three children from two different women, he is a better than many husbands. “People fail to understand that a lot of baby daddies are better fathers than a lot of husbands. “The kind of role I play in my children’s life, I don’t think some husbands do that. I have time for my children, I love my children but some married men don’t even have time for their…
2019 will be Waje’s 10th year in the industry, and the singer has shared her plans to go on a nationwide tour and also release a Reggae album. W.A.J.E, acronym for ‘Words Aren’t Just Enough’ is the known name by which Aituaje Iruobe is addressed. From coming unto the scene with her powerful vocals on P-Square’s 2008 hit single ‘Do Me’ to imposing herself on M.I Abaga’s ‘One Naira’ two years later. Waje has come a long way, with the release of her self titled album in 2013 and a strong set of singles, have helped maintain her place as…
Idris Elba has reacted to latest rumors linking him to the role of the new James Bond. On Sunday, August 12, 2018, after his name was, for the umpteenth time, linked to the role of 007, the British actor tweeted: “My name’s Elba,” an obvious allusion to the famous line spoken by Bond. Hours later, Elba, who has for years been rumoured as the next 007, tweeted a photo of the rap group Public Enemy alongside a lyric from one of their favourite songs: “Don’t believe the HYPE …” The tweets came days after a report in Daily Star alleged…
Akpororo has revealed that it is impossible to create new jokes ahead of every show as expected by fans of the comedy industry. The comedian noted that it’s a tough task to meet up with the expectations of fans, who turn out in large numbers to laugh and enjoy new jokes at every show. In a chat with Punch, Akpororo said: “Fans always want me to come up with new jokes for every show, but this is not possible because I am not a computer.” Continuing, the comedian said: “I rely on freestyle and spontaneity to come up with fresh…