Atiku is a Cameroonian, not Nigerian, APC tells tribunal (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress has replied to the election petition filed before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. APC, the third respondent to the petition, faulted the grounds of the petition, adding that Atiku is a Cameroonian, and “not a citizen of Nigeria by birth and ought not to have even been allowed in the first place, to contest the election”. It also faulted the claim by the petitioners that they obtained the authentic results of the February 23, 2019 presidential election from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s server showing that they won the election. Read more
Security agencies probe Atiku’s alleged plot to stop Buhari’s inauguration (Nation)
Security agencies are probing alleged plot by the defeated presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to prevail on the United States to recognise him as the ‘authentic President’ of Nigeria. The agencies are already on the trail of members of the Atiku Deservation Group behind the printing and distribution of the defeated candidate’s posters in some parts of the country. The posters bore the inscription PUKKA, which in Hindi and Urda figuratively means “fully formed”, “solid”, “permanent”, “for real” or “sure, authentic, genuine, solid and excellent”. Read more
9th Assembly‘ll shun politics in tackling national issues –Ekweremadu (Punch)
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, says the ninth National Assembly will rise above political, religious and ethnic divide to address the myriads of challenges facing the Nigerian people. According to a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, on Friday, Ekweremadu spoke on Thursday night during a dinner to mark the end of the orientation programme organised for the elected federal lawmakers in Abuja. While describing the National Assembly as a microcosm of Nigeria, he observed that bringing together the members-elect from across the country had helped them to share basic legislative knowledge. Read more
Patience Jonathan: Court hears oral evidence in $8.4m forfeiture suit (Nation)
A Federal High Court Lagos yesterday took oral evidence in a suit seeking final forfeiture of about 8.4 million dollars, and N7.4 billion found in accounts linked to a former First Lady, Patience Jonathan. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured an interim order for forefeture of the sums on April 20, 2018, before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, following a motion exparte it filed. Joined as respondents in the suit are: Patience Jonathan, Globus Integrated Services Ltd, Finchley Top Homes Ltd., Am-Pm Global Network Ltd, Pagmat Oil and Gas Ltd and Magel Resort Ltd and Esther Oba. Read more
Buhari jets out to Chad again (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to N’Djamena, the capital of Chad Republic, on Saturday (today). The President returned to the country just four days ago from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where he attended an investment meeting. Days before, he was in Amman, Jordan, for the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa. For today’s trip to Chad, he is to take part in the Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States, CEN-SAD. Read more
Senate presidency: Lawan defies Oshiomhole, meets PDP govs, senators (Punch)
he Senate Majority Leader and All Progressives Congress candidate for the Senate presidency in the 9th National Assembly, Ahmed Lawan, has reached out to some Peoples Democratic Party governors to brighten his chances of winning the number three position. This is contrary to the ruling party’s earlier position that it would not need the PDP for its candidate to emerge winner in the race. Lawan’s adoption by the ruling party’s National Working Committee has divided the party, with Senators Ali Ndume (Borno) and Danjuma Goje (Gombe) insisting on contesting the post despite the APC’s position. Read more
National Assembly members compromise oversight, probes, says ICPC chairman (Nation)
The Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) Professor Bolaji Owasanoye has said that members of the National Assembly most times compromise their major constitutional functions of oversight and investigation. The ICPC chairman noted that as a result of the comprise, especially through commercialisation of their activities, the member lack the will to carry out their constitutional roles of oversight Professor Owasanoye stated this while delivering a paper titled ‘The Role of the Legislature in the War Against Corruption and Graft’ on the last day of the induction course for the second batch of elected members of the coming 9th Assembly. Read more
Zamfara killings: Air Force faults emirs’ claims, demands evidence of dead civilians (Punch)
The Nigerian Air Force and traditional rulers in Zamfara State on Friday clashed over the air strikes launched by NAF against bandits in the state. While the air force claimed their fighter jets destroyed the bandits’ logistics base in Ajia in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area and killed many bandits in other parts of the state, the Zamfara Council of Chiefs claimed the airmen missed their intended targets but instead killed innocent people. This came as the United States Department of State issued a level 3 travel alert to its citizens to reconsider travelling to Nigeria, saying they should be wary of kidnapping and hostage-taking, among others, in the country. Read more
BBOG observes 5th anniversary of Chibok girls’ abduction (Nation)
The #Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement renewed its call in Lagos yesterday for the Federal Government to launch a National Missing Persons Register. It made this demand at the commencement of a three-day global event to mark the 5th anniversary of the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls by terrorist Boko Haram group. The advocacy group is marking the anniversary simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria, London in the United Kingdom and New York and Washington DC in America. The girls numbering 276 were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on the night of April 14, 2014, making Sunday, April 14 the event’s 5th anniversary. Read more
Minister loses NYSC certificate case to APC (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Ibadan on Friday struck out a suit filed by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, against the All Progressives Congress for preventing him from contesting the Oyo State governorship primary election for not possessing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps certificate. Bayo Adelabu eventually emerged as the party’s candidate in the March 9 governorship election won by Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party. Shittu, who was not happy with his exclusion from the primary, headed for the court to challenge his party’s decision. Read more
Sex romp: Rector bars course mates from attending victim’s burial (Punch)
The female victim among three out of the four students, who died at Sunshine Castle Hostel, Ihiagwa, Owerri, Imo State, Onyinyechi Okafor, during a sex romp, has been buried. The victims had died after allegedly taking Tramadol tablets and Indian hemp before embarking on a sex spree. She was buried on Thursday at her hometown in Ihiala, Anambra State, our correspondent gathered, even as some students disclosed that course mates to the victims were prevented from attending the funeral. Read more
Hoodlums assassinate lawyer in Rivers (Punch)
A Port Harcourt, Rivers State-based lawyer identified as Promise Frank Igwe was on Friday morning killed in what appeared to be an act of assassination. The incident happened at about 10:00am in a bar in Ozuoba community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the lawyer’s assailants had stormed the bar after alighting from a car, went straight to their target and shot him four times before leaving the scene. The victim was said to have been waiting for a client when the gunmen moved in and shot him dead. Read more
Policeman allegedly defiles wife’s 13-year-old apprentice in Ogun (Punch)
After being detained for two days, a policeman in Ogun State, who was accused of defiling his wife’s apprentice, has been released. It was learnt that the policeman, Abbey Adewunmi, was apprehended by the Ifo Police Division on Thursday, April 4, 2019 after allegedly evading arrest for weeks. He had reportedly defiled the 13-year-old girl, Tolu (not real name), sometime in February 2019 and threatened to kill her if she divulged the information to anybody. Trouble started for Adewunmi when the girl eventually summoned up the courage and informed her mother, Boye. Read more
Sudan coup leader Awad Ibn Auf steps down (BBC)
The head of Sudan’s military council has stood down a day after leading a coup that toppled long-time leader Omar al-Bashir amid a wave of protests. Defence Minister Awad Ibn Auf announced his decision on state TV. He named as his successor Lt Gen Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan. It comes after protesters refused to leave the streets, saying the coup leaders were too close to Mr Bashir. The army has said it will stay in power for two years, followed by elections. Mr Bashir’s downfall followed months of unrest that began in December over rising prices. Read more
Algeria protests: Police arrest 108 in Friday clashes (BBC)
Police and protesters have clashed in Algeria as marches against the ruling elite show no sign of ending. Police used water cannon and tear gas in the capital Algiers as demonstrators called for the removal of new interim President Abdelkader Bensalah. Largely peaceful protests have been held every Friday in cities across Algeria for the past two months. Police arrested 108 “infiltrators” towards end of the march after 27 officers were injured, officials say. Former leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned last week. He was replaced by Mr Bensalah, who has pledged to hold free elections on 4 July but many see him as too close to the former president. Read more
Hugo Carvajal: Venezuelan ex-spy chief arrested in Spain (BBC)
The former head of Venezuela’s military intelligence has been arrested by Spanish police over US drug charges. The US Justice Department, who originally unsealed the charges in 2014, have requested Hugo Carvajal’s extradition. Mr Carvajal was a close ally of the country’s late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, but in February denounced his successor President Nicolás Maduro. He has backed Juan Guaido, an opposition figure, as interim leader. Read more
Ariana Grande is teaming up with N’Sync for Coachella headlining set (Metro)
Coachella may just see one of the best collaborations of all time… Ariana Grande and N’Sync. Can you just imagine?! According to reports, Ariana has roped in the help of N’Sync to make sure her headlining set at this year’s Coachella festival is one to remember. The 90s nostalgia is real, people. Sources told TMZ that NSYNC are planning a little summin summin with Ariana for her Sunday slot, but there’s no word on what exactly that will be just yet. Read more
Justin Bieber is ‘getting better everyday’ as he says mental health battle is ‘most challenging season’ of his life (Metro)
Justin Bieber has told fans he feels like he is ‘getting better everyday’ now he is focusing on his mental health. The 25-year-old singer has been laying low in recent months in a bid to focus on his health, after seeking help for his depression in February. Justin has been undergoing therapy since then and sharing an update with his 108million followers, Biebs insisted he is ‘bouncing back’ from a tough time. He had admitted to fans that he’d found himself in a ‘weird place’ and had been ‘struggling a lot’ lately, and as a result, made the decision to step away from music and the public eye to prioritise getting himself back to a better place. Read more
Why local league players can’t make Eagles team to AFCON, by Lawal (Guardian)
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Garba Lawal has said that the lack of live telecast of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has denied Nigerians the opportunity of assessing the quality of players in the country’s premier league since the start of the season. The NPFL, which enters Match Day 15 tomorrow in various centres across the country, has been unable to churn out players for the national team except Katsina United goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who has been the only regular invitee to the national camp. Read more
Africa Cup of Nations 2019 draw: Egypt to face DR Congo, Cameroon draw Ghana (BBC)
Hosts Egypt will face DR Congo, Uganda and Zimbabwe in Group A at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Defending champions Cameroon are in Group F with Ghana, Benin and Guinea-Bissau. The tournament will take place from 21 June to 19 July, meaning Europe-based players will not miss club games. It is the biggest Afcon yet, with 24 teams, and the first to be held in Europe’s summer rather than January or February. Read more
Ikpeba: Eagles are in soft group (Nation)
1997 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba has described Group B where Nigeria has been paired against Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi for the 2019 AFCON as easy. However, Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Gernot Rohr has revealed that Nigeria would play the Black Stars of Ghana and the Teranga Lions of Senegal in an international friendly as part of preparations for 2019 AFCON. According to Rohr, the game against Ghana will hold in Asaba, while the second friendly with Senegal is slated for Egypt. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he will make ‘tough decisions’ on Man Utd squad (BBC)
Manchester United players face a “survival of the fittest” to remain at the club, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Solskjaer was named permanent boss in March after replacing Jose Mourinho in December. United have won 15 games in all competitions under the Norwegian – but remain in sixth place in the Premier League, two points behind Arsenal. “We need players here who are going to be able to take us forward,” he said. Asked about his squad, Solskjaer added: “It’s going to be survival of the fittest or survival of the best. That’s how ruthless we have to be.” Read more
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer heaps praise on Mike Phelan (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate for Mike Phelan to stay on at Manchester United as his No.2. After Solskjaer committed his future to the club last month, United are still waiting for an answer from his assistant coach. Phelan reportedly voiced concerns about how United is run behind the scenes and is weighing up his options. While United fans wait nervously to see if Phelan remains, Solskjaer revealed just how influential his assistant manager is at the club. Read more
Messi knew it was an accident, says Smalling (Guardian)
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says there is no animosity between him and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi following Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final. Forward Messi was left with a bloodied nose after a robust Smalling challenge in the first half of United’s 1-0 loss. “We spoke afterwards. We had a brief chat and shook hands,” Smalling, 29, told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. Barca had already scored the only goal of the game at the time of the challenge, with Messi – generally quiet by his standards – crossing for Luis Suarez, whose header deflected in off United defender Luke Shaw. Read more
Newcastle 10 points clear of relegation zone with win at Leicester (BBC)
Rafa Benitez has urged Newcastle to be “more competitive” in the summer transfer market after they took a big step to retaining their Premier League status with victory at Leicester. Ayoze Perez scored his first away league goal of the season with a glancing header as the Magpies recovered from back-to-back defeats to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone. Newcastle spent just over £20m last summer – plus a further £20m in January – and manager Benitez, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, says they can “compete” with teams in the top half of the league by doing the “right things”. Read more