Atiku, PDP asking us for server that we don’t have, INEC tells tribunal (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday insisted that it had no electronic server being sought to be accessed and inspected by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate in the February 23, 2019 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. The commission had earlier denied the existence of such server in its reply filed on April 10, 2019 to oppose Atiku and PDP’s petition pending before the five-man tribunal. Read more
Abaribe is Senate minority leader (Guardian)
Former Abia State deputy governor, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has emerged as the minority leader of the Senate. Abaribe’s emergence was announced at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership meeting in Abuja Thursday night. In the 8th Senate, Abaribe served as Chairman of the Committee on Power. Emmanuel Bwacha, who represents Taraba South Senatorial District also emerged aa deputy minority leader. Read more
Oyo PDP vows to take over southwest states (Nation)
The Oyo State Chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to take over other five states in the South-West geopolitical zone in future elections. Alhaji Kunmi Mustapha, Chairman of the party in the state said this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan. He said efforts were on to ensure massive supports of the electorate in especially Oyo and Osun States before the next elections. Read more
Presidency not recruiting, Perm Sec warns Nigerians (Punch)
Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi, has urged members of the public to ignore notices of recruitment at State House Clinic currently making the rounds on the internet. Arabi stated this in a statement by Mr Attah Esa, Deputy Director, Information, State House media unit, in Abuja on Thursday. The Permanent Secretary advised the public to be more circumspect and wary of such notices that were designed by mischief makers to deceive and extort unsuspecting job seekers. Read more
I did my best to ensure June 12 annulment did not stand – Kingibe (Nation)
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has said he did his best to ensure that the annulment did not stand. Kingibe was Abiola’s running mate on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). Kingibe broke his silence for the first time on the annulment of the election while appearing on a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme. Read more
Connect international, domestic terminals at Lagos Airport, US Embassy urges FAAN (Punch)
The United States Embassy has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to link the international and domestic terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, to facilitate the transit of passengers. Mr Michael Carney, Deputy Economic Councilor, US Embassy, made the call when he visited the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Hamisu Yadudu on Thursday, in Abuja. Carney said that the current arrangement, where transiting international passengers would have to struggle to access the domestic terminal before flying to other destinations, was not good for its personnel. Read more
Emir Sanusi’s claim on N3.4 bn funds, a misrepresentation – Anti-graft Agency (Nation)
The Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has described the claim by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, that he was not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council as a misrepresentation of facts. This is contained in a preliminary report of the Commission on the investigation being carried out in respect of the alleged misappropriation of over N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council. The report was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji a copy of which was made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Thursday. Read more
Over 20 per cent of Nigerians have mental illness – Psychiatrist (Guardian)
A renowned Consultant Psychiatrist at the Federal Medical Center, Gusau, Zamfara, Dr Aremu Saad, says over 20 per cent of Nigerians suffer from different forms of mental illnesses. Dr Aremu made this disclosure in Gusau on Thursday while speaking with journalists. He also said many of the patients do not know that they were not well due to negligence of routine medical checks. Read more
US face-off: Africa has to support Venezuela, VP begs Nigeria, others (Punch)
The Vice President of Venezuela, Aristibulo Almeida has called for the support of Nigeria and the international community to prevail on the US to end attack and sanctions on his country. Almeida said this on Thursday in Abuja at the “Venezuela Solidarity Campaign on US Hands off Venezuela”. He said that US government never recognised the government of Venezuela and started an economic war against the country, adding that US had vowed to starve the people of Venezuela. Read more
Kenya MP arrested ‘for slapping female colleague’ (BBC)
A Kenyan MP has been arrested for allegedly slapping a female colleague because she did not allocate money to his constituency. Rashid Kassim is accused of slapping Fatuma Gedi, who sits on the budget committee, in the capital Nairobi. A photo of Ms Gedi crying with blood in her mouth after the alleged assault has been shared widely on Twitter. Read more
Sudan charges ousted leader Bashir with corruption (Punch)
Sudan’s public prosecutor has charged ousted president, Omar al-Bashir of corruption, the official SUNA news agency said on Thursday. The announcement came more than two months after the military ousted Bashir on April 11 following months of nationwide protests against his 30-year iron-fisted rule. “The public prosecutor announces the completion of all investigations in the case brought against the deposed president Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir by anti-corruption prosecutors,” SUNA said. Read more
Gulf of Oman tanker attacks: US blames Iran for explosions (BBC)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for “unprovoked attacks” on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. He said the US had made its assessment based on intelligence about the type of weapons used. A senior Iranian official earlier told the BBC “Iran has no connection” with the explosions on Thursday morning. Read more
Trump announces exit of spokeswoman Sarah Sanders (Punch)
President Donald Trump on Thursday made the surprise announcement of the departure of spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, who has been widely criticized for her performance in the White House. “After 3 1/2 years, our wonderful Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be leaving the White House at the end of the month and going home to the Great State of Arkansas,” Trump tweeted, adding that he hoped she would run for governor of her state. Read more
Mother arrested for confronting six year-old son’s bullies at school (Metro)
A mother was arrested after shouting her six-year-old son’s bullies at his school. Jamie Rathburn, 34, went to her son’s school in Greenville, South Carolina on May 17 to let the bullies know ‘she was not playing around and that they better stop messing with her kid,’ police said. She told the Greenville News her son had been teased, choked, and hit with a computer by other students in the months leading up the the incident. Rathburn claimed the school did not discipline them or help her son. Read more
Ghazni’s ancient tower collapses in Afghanistan (BBC)
An ancient tower in the Afghan city of Ghazni has collapsed, raising questions over the government’s ability to protect the country’s artefacts. Footage uploaded to social media shows a fort in the old city crumbling. The tower was one of dozens already destroyed in the city. Officials blamed heavy rain, but some critics accuse the government of negligence. Read more
Cuba Gooding Jr. turns himself in to police over groping allegations (Metro)
Cuba Gooding Jr. has turned himself in to police following claims he groped a woman in a New York rooftop bar. The Boyz N The Hood actor, 51, was accused by a 29-year-old woman of grabbing her breast at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge in Manhattan on Sunday 9 June. Cuba has denied the allegations, claiming he has video footage to prove he didn’t do the act, and planned to turn himself into police. Read more
Bow Wow pens scathing messages to friends, family and fans: ‘Stop asking me for money!’ (Metro)
Bow Wow, real name Shad Gregory Moss, sent a loud and clear message to friends, errant family members and fans to stop asking him for money. The rapper posted two subsequent expletive- filled rants on his Instagram Stories saying: ‘I am not chase, bank of america nor wells fargo! ‘Stop asking me for money in my dm. I have nothing for no one. Work harder or go get a better job. Now enjoy your day i say this with a smile.’ Read more
Hazard presented in front of thousands (BBC)
Eden Hazard said he was “not a Galactico, but I’ll try to be” as he was officially presented as a Real Madrid player in front of a reported 50,000 fans at the Bernabeu. The Belgium forward, 28, joined from Chelsea last week for a fee that could exceed £150m. Hazard underwent a medical and then signed his five-year deal alongside Real president Florentino Perez. Read more
Women’s World Cup: China defeat South Africa 1-0 (Punch)
A solitary strike by Li Ying gave China a 1-0 victory over South Africa in Paris on Thursday and ensured that Germany are the first guaranteed qualifier for the last 16 of the women’s World Cup. Li, who was brought into the Chinese starting line-up following their opening 1-0 loss to the Germans in Group B, got in front of Bambanani Mbane in the box to turn in Zhang Rui’s delivery five minutes before half-time. Read more
Australia fight back to stun Brazil (BBC)
Australia battled back from 2-0 down to beat Brazil in an extraordinary five-goal thriller and inflict a first group-stage defeat on the South Americans in 24 years. The Matildas suffered a surprise loss to Italy in their opening game and their campaign looked in serious trouble when they trailed to a Marta penalty and Cristiane’s fourth strike in two matches. Read more
Brazilian police file defamation complaint against Neymar’s rape accuser (Punch)
Brazilian police said on Thursday they had filed a defamation suit against the woman who has accused football star Neymar of rape after she insinuated the force was corrupt. During an interview with television channel SBT, Najila Trindade said: “The police are bought, aren’t they? Or am I crazy?” The police filed a complaint, issuing a statement on Thursday defending its “absolute transparency, neutrality and impartiality”. Read more
Australia, Qatar to take part in 2020 Copa America (Punch)
Australia has accepted an invitation to take part in next year’s Copa America alongside Asian champions Qatar, who make their debut in the South American tournament this weekend, CONMEBOL announced on Thursday. “We have decided to invite … to participate in our competitions the current Asian confederation champions and the previous ones,” said Alejandro Dominguez, the president of South American football’s governing body. Read more
Muhammad Ali’s autographed gold glove fails to sell at Turin auction (Guardian)
A rare gold boxing glove made to commemorate Muhammad Ali’s “Fight of the Century” against Joe Frazier in Madison Square Garden nearly 50 years ago failed to find a buyer in an auction in Turin on Thursday. The glove was produced by Everlast to promote the world heavyweight title fight on March 8, 1971 during which Ali suffered his first defeat. But it failed to get an offer for the 5,000-euro ($5,637) asking price at Sala Bolaffi in Turin. Read more
David Haye insists Tom Schwarz cannot be written off against Tyson Fury after AJ defeat (Metro)
David Haye believes that although Tyson Fury has nothing to prove against Tom Schwarz this weekend, the Gypsy King is under pressure to emulate Deontay Wilder’s most recent explosive performance. Fury takes on the unheralded Schwarz in his Las Vegas debut and is being billed as the next George Foreman by his American co-promoter Bob Arum. WBC champion Wilder made his ring return last May, scoring another eye-catching knockout, this time against his mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale. Read more