Author: Tahir Ahmed

By NEXTER The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima has been barred from accessing the Presidential Villa. In a statement issued on Saturday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), the Presidency described the reports as “deliberate and well-planned orchestration of falsehood.” It claimed the reports were meant to sow discord within the highest levels of government. The statement said the Vice President has, in recent times, become the target of sustained campaigns of misinformation aimed at creating the illusion of tension between him…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, expressing a preference for the outright removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Friday, Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State, acknowledged the president’s decision as necessary to prevent further unrest but said it fell short of his expectations. “As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers State. I wanted the outright removal of the governor,”…

PDP lacks structure to challenge APC in 2027—Wike *Berates Atiku for spearheading coalition ahead of 2027 elections By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacks the organisational strength to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Nigerian general elections. Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike dismissed the PDP’s preparedness, likening its efforts to a student pretending to study for an examination. “The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious,” he said.…

By Modu Zanna The emerging ethnic narrative ahead of the 2027 general elections in Yobe State is understandably eliciting attacks and condemnations from its sons and daughters as well as well-wishers across all ranks. The deluge of condemnations and ill-feelings that trailed the recent simple but impactful Facebook post by one Hussaini Mohammed Isa, narrowing the governorship contest in the state to a particular tribe or ethnic group, have been unprecedented and overwhelming. In the write up titled: “Meet Tumsah, Another Possible Contender In Yobe Guber Race”, Isa tried to rationalise why it is impossible for a person from minority…

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United after being admitted to hospital. The League Cup winners said Howe, 47, was taken into hospital on Friday but is conscious and talking to family. “The Magpies’ head coach was admitted to hospital late on Friday evening having felt unwell for a number of days,” Newcastle said in a statement. “Medical staff kept Eddie in hospital overnight for further tests, which are ongoing. He is conscious and talking with his family, and is continuing to receive expert medical care. “Everyone at Newcastle United extends their best wishes…

By Abubakar Ojima-Ojo Manchester City stormed back from two goals down to thrash Crystal Palace 5-2 as Kevin De Bruyne’s masterclass kept alive their top five challenge on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side were in danger of suffering a major setback in their bid to reach the Champions League after goals from Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards put Palace in control at the Etihad Stadium. But, in his first home match since announcing he will leave at the end of the season, De Bruyne stole the show with the kind of dynamic display that made him one of the Premier League’s…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has passed away at the age of 74. He died earlier today. However, details surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of filing this report. In 2021, false reports of Chukwu’s death had circulated widely, prompting the legendary coach to refute the rumors during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021. Reacting then, Chukwu said: “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. “I am still investigating the source of the…

By Abubakar Ojima-Ojo The Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, Hala al-Karib,has accused the African Union (AU) and its leaders of abandoning the Sudanese people amid a devastating war that has claimed nearly 100,000 lives and seen hundreds of thousands of women and girls subjected to rape over the past two years. Speaking via Zoom at a press conference to mark the second anniversary of the Sudan conflict, al-Karib expressed deep disappointment over the AU’s lack of decisive action. “It’s quite sad and deeply disappointing for the Sudanese people that we do not…

Chelsea strode towards the Europa Conference League semi-finals as they won their last eight-first leg clash at Legia Warsaw 3-0 on Thursday. Goals from Tyrique George and two from Noni Madueke in the second half gave the two-time Champions League winners a comfortable lead to defend in next week’s return fixture at Stamford Bridge. Having won eight from eight in the Conference League this term, Premier League side Chelsea again confirmed their status as the favourites to join Roma, West Ham and Olympiakos as winners of the third-tier European competition. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca announced a much-changed side for the…

By Abubakar Y Ojima-Ojo The Senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Victor Umeh, says the Supreme Court judgement on the Labour Party (LP) leadership crisis has shut the door on Julius Abure as the party’s chairman. Umeh, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Politic Today, said that Abure should take the admonishment of the apex court and humbly bow out. “The door has been shut on him (Abure), and the only thing left to him is for him to reflect over the admonishment given to him by the Supreme Court that officers of a party should be…