Former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raymond Dokpesi has teamed up with other politicians to unveil a new political party, the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA). In an event currently going on at the Reiz Continental Hotels in Abuja, the founder of DAAR Communications has joined other disgruntled members of the crisis-hit PDP to form the new party. Shitu Mohammed Kabiru has been appointed as the interim chairman of the new party with the executive committee yet to be constituted. Former chairman of the Labour Party, Dan Anyanwu is another notable presence involved in the formation of the…
Author: David Folami
Sen Dino Melaye (APC-Kogi) has said that Gov Yahaya Bello has released a sum of N200m to see to get him recalled by his constituents. Melaye alleged that 30 supporters of his who refused to be part of the move were arrested on the order of the governor. “Quote me, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has released N200 million for each of the seven local government areas in my senatorial district to facilitate my recall from the Senate,” Melaye alleged. Melaye also noted that the ongoing move by the electorates in his constituency to recall him from the Senate will…
Senator Dino Melaye has accused the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, of sponsoring the move to recall him from the Senate. Melaye, who is representing the Kogi West Senatorial District, alleged that the Governor paid N200 million to each of the seven local government areas in the district to recall him. Addressing his supporters in Kogi State on Sunday, June 11, Melaye assured them that the plot to recall him will fail, adding that his constituents are solidly behind him. The electorate in the seven local government areas that make up Kogi West Senatorial District on Saturday besieged polling units…
Femi Okurounmu, a leader of the elite Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has said that President Muhammadu Buhari promised to restructure Nigeria but abandoned the idea after he took office. He said it was on the basis of this promise that Afenifere supported Buhari in 2007 when he was in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Okurounmu stated this in an interview with Punch. “A northerner can promise anything if he wants power. In 2007, Afenifere supported President Buhari when he promised restructuring and true federalism in his manifesto when he was in All Nigeria Peoples Party. “We made special dresses…
After cruising to a fifth consecutive Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich’s star-studded squad are still involved in international action and clocking up the air miles. Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Arjen Robben (Netherlands), Thiago (Spain), David Alaba (Austria) and Kingsley Coman (France) all joined up with their countries for World Cup qualifiers. Rafinha and Douglas Costa returned to the Selecao as second-half substitutes in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly defeat against Argentina on Friday at the MCG, and Renato Sanches is part of Portugal’s under-21 squad for the European Championships in Poland. Defending World Cup winners Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels were all…
Laurent Koscielny has distanced himself from reports linking him with Marseille, saying he is happy at Arsenal. Speculation has emerged that Marseille, who finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, are targeting Koscielny, 31, as they look to strengthen for next term. But the France international told Telefoot: “I have a contract with Arsenal, I even signed an extension last November until [June] 2020. I feel very good there. “I have always said that I was a Marseille fan when I was younger. When a mythical club like Marseille contact you, it is good. But will I sign for them?…
Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez has called recent praise from Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger “an honour” but says he has yet to receive an offer from the London side. Wenger suggested the Gunners could make an offer for the 2015-16 PFA Player of the Season, who announced his desire to leave Leicester last month. However, the 26-year-old Algeria international told Elheddaf Television that offer has yet to materialise. “It is an honour to receive compliments like this from such a big manager in world football,” Mahrez said. “But there is a big difference between words, speculation and an offer, so…
There’s no rest for the weary Tottenham Hotspur stars following a record-high league finish and points total. The squad travelled to Hong Kong for a lucrative postseason friendly five days after the season finale at Hull City, before 11 senior players joined their national teams. Harry Kane became the ninth Spurs player to captain England in the 2-2 draw with Scotland, while youngsters Kyle Walker-Peters and Joshua Onomah have already tasted glory this summer, playing key roles as England won the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea. Spurs are due back for preseason on 3 July but the club’s internationals…
Joshua Kimmich has told kicker he would play in goal if it guaranteed him regular first-team football at Bayern Munich. Kimmich, 22, made 39 Bayern appearances in all competitions last season, but 19 of those came as a substitute. Last month, he said he was “not happy with the season I’ve had,” as he struggled to hold down a spot under Carlo Ancelotti but did not want to leave. And asked about his preferred playing position, he said: “It’s not important which position, but whether I actually play. “If I had a choice between playing and watching, then I would…
In football’s hyper-inflationary transfer market, how much would you pay for a player who had beaten their previous best tallies for goals and assists in 2016-17, impressed in no less than five different positions, as well as playing in a couple more on top of that, and just to put themselves firmly in the shop window had scored for their country in a World Cup qualifier at the weekend? Arsenal already have such a player, and his name is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It is now vital that the club resist rumours of a move to a Premier League rival and tie…
Manchester City don’t seem to be sure whether or not they should be going out to secure the services of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. The club recently announced they were pulling out of the race to sign the centre-back because of the Saints’ high asking price, believing they couldn’t justify the £60 million being asked of them. However, that was before Liverpool made themselves the laughing stock of the transfer window so far. They had looked in pole position to sign the defender, until Southampton reported them for an alleged illegal approach and Liverpool pulled out of the transfer,…
Arsenal are hoping to use the FA Cup title and Arsene Wenger’s new contract as a springboard for a productive summer, which will see the Gunners travel to both Australia and China for preseason games. Arsenal fly to Sydney for two games against local teams on July 12 and 15 before high-profile games against Bayern Munich in Shanghai (International Champions Cup) and Chelsea (friendly) in Beijing. Those are two familiar foes for Wenger’s team, having been routed by Bayern in the Champions League and beaten Chelsea in the FA Cup final this past season. It’s the first of two trips…
England manager Gareth Southgate is weighing up a surprise midfield move for John Stones. Speaking on the eve of his side’s season-ending friendly against France, Southgate confirmed Harry Kane would retain the captaincy and promised goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Jack Butland 45 minutes each in place of Joe Hart — while also announcing the latter was still his “No. 1.” But it was his revelation that Stones, Manchester City’s £50 million centre-half, was being considered for a switch into unfamiliar territory that piqued most interest. Stones was edged out of the team that drew 2-2 with Scotland on Saturday by…
If you threw open your dictionary and looked up the definition of scapegoat, there’d be a profile pic of the lad from Southampton staring back at you. Why? Because the more you dig into this farce, the more confusing it gets – and the motives of the main players become all the more baffling. But first, let’s start with Edwards. Y’know, the sports director who saw off RB Leipzig and PSV Eindhoven to convince Dominic Solanke to move north from Chelsea. Yeah, thatDominic Solanke, who’s just fired England to a first World Cup final (okay it’s the U20s) since ’66.…
Jurgen Klopp has made contact with Kylian Mbappe’s agents as Liverpool throw their name into the ring for Europe’s most in-demand teenager. Real Madrid lead the chase for the 18-year-old and are prepared to pay a fee beyond £100million for Mbappe, as they look to build on retaining the Champions League. Liverpool have chartered Mbappe’s progress for the past 12 months and after a dazzling season in which he helped Monaco win Ligue 1 and reach the Champions League semi-finals, Klopp has now held preliminary talks with his representatives. Mbappe may come face-to-face with England in Paris on Tuesday, with…
That is according to Italian football journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, who says the decision explains why Diego Costa revealed that he is on borrowed time at Stamford Bridge. Earlier this week, Costa claimed that Conte has told him he is not in his plans for next season. He looks set to be replaced by Everton star Lukaku, who Starsport understand has snubbed Manchester United for a return to Chelsea. And Giulianelli believes Conte has already been in discussions with the 24-year-old. Antonio Conte tells Romelu Lukaku he will be Chelsea’s No.1 striker – Emanuele Giulianelli ANTONIO CONTE has told Romelu Lukaku…
MANCHESTER UNITED are “on the brink of signing £40million midfielder Fabinho” from Monaco. Jose Mourinho has been keen to bring the highly-rated midfielder, 23, to Old Trafford for months now. According to reports in Portugal, the Special One may finally have his wish – while Fabinho‘s wife, Rebeca Tavares, also dropped a huge hint regarding the deal. O Jogo journalist Bruno Andrade originally claimed United were on the verge of landing the Ligue 1 champion midfielder. Following the announcement of Benfica star Victor Lindelof’s move to Manchester, he tweeted: “Nelson Semedo is another Benfica player Manchester United are interested in.…
IVAN PERISIC has told new Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti he wants to join Manchester United, according to reports in Italy. Jose Mourinho is a fan of the Croatian winger. Corriere dello Sport report the duo have already agreed personal terms over a £100,000-a-week contract — which is over double his earnings at Inter — and Perisic has told Spalletti he wants to go to Old Trafford. A disagreement over the fee is holding up the deal. The Nerazzurri are refusing to accept less than £44million, but United’s current bid is just £35m. However, Inter need to bring in £26m…
Chelsea have not given up hope of signing Alvaro Morata despite suggestions he will sign for Manchester United as early as this week, according to reports in Spain. The 24-year-old striker’s agent has spoken favourably of a move to Old Trafford this summer, describing the club as ‘great’, while United are believed to have already pencilled in a medical. But now Catalan newspaper Sport claim that Antonio Conte has made one final push to sign Morata ahead of rival boss Jose Mourinho. While United have agreed terms with the forward, they have yet to make a bid that satisfies Real…
At long last, D’banj premieres the visuals for his latest single, “It’s Not A Lie” featuring Wande Coal and Harrysong. The highly rated single is set to usher in D’banj’s next studio album titled, “King Don Come” slated for release later this month. The super fresh visuals was shot in the United States and was directed b