Bullion vans: I can keep money anywhere, says Tinubu (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has told those asking questions about the presence of bullion vans at his residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi, to mind their business, adding that he can keep his money anywhere he wants. Tinubu said this while fielding questions from journalists on Saturday in Ikeja. Some pictures had gone viral on social media on Friday showing two bullion vans making their way into Tinubu’s premises. According to speculations, the vans allegedly contained either ballot papers or huge sums of money. Read more
Agbaje complains of failed card reader (Punch)
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Jimi Agbaje, on Saturday said he was concerned about the malfunctioning of the card readers during voting at his polling unit in Apapa. The PDP candidate spoke after he and his wife, Biola, voted at polling unit 004 , Ward A, Liverpool, Apapa.. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the card reader had rejected Agbaje’s fingerprints, that of his wife and those of three other voters. They, however, eventually voted after their names and photographs were verified manually on the voter register. Read more
DSS dismisses operative for taking bribe in Ekiti (Punch)
The Department of State Services has dismissed one of its operatives, Jaja Otelemaba for allegedly taking bribe from a motorist in Ekiti State. The picture of the dismissed operative had surfaced on the social media where he was seen negotiating with a motorist for financial patronage. Spokesman for the DSS, Mr Peter Afunanya, said in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, that Jaja was queried before his dismissal from the service. He said, “The Department of State Services hereby announces the dismissal of one of its staff, Jaja Smith Otelembaba, involved in bribe taking from motorists during the performance of election duties in Ekiti State. Read more
Wike gives thumbs up to INEC, blames the military (Nation)
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the prompt distribution of electoral materials across the state in the yesterday’s Presidential and National Assembly Elections. Wike, who spoke shortly after casting his votes at his ward 9, unit 7 Obio/Akpor Local Governmnet Area of the state, however blamed the military for the challenges recorded in parts of the state. Wike was accompanied to the voting ground by his wife, Eberechi Suzzette Wike, a judge of the State High Court, to cast his votes at about few minutes to 12 noon yesterday. He expressed satisfaction in the large turnout of voters. He stated that Nigerians are ready to exercise their franchise. Read more
Igbo against Buhari’s re-election fighting Ndigbo interests – Okwukwu, Ohanaeze secretary (Punch)
How did you receive the news of your suspension as the Secretary-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo? The suspended President-General, Nnia Nwodo, made a pronouncement without power. This is because as of the time he was busy talking about suspension, he had already been suspended. A nine-member panel has been set up to probe him for constitutional breaches. That panel is headed by Chief Richard Ozobu. That’s where we are now. Read more
Buhari govt has no regard for Niger Delta —Edwin Clark (Punch)
The postponement of the general elections by one week has generated a lot of concerns. You were quoted to have said that the Independent National Electoral Commission has a lot of questions to answer over the shift. What is your take on the whole issue? As I said earlier, the word ‘independent’ in INEC is not just for formality. It is meaningful in the sense that it is an independent institution. And that is what is provided for in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria. Unfortunately, for some time now, we have observed that the executive arm of the Federal Government is always tampering with the independence of the INEC, which is unconstitutional. Read more
Ballot box snatchers kill three Delta voters, repelled in Edo (Punch)
Three persons were killed and two others sustained gunshot injuries in Delta State after being shot by suspected ballot box snatchers. The incident occurred at Amope in Sapele Local Government Area of the state on Saturday while accreditation and voting were going on. It was learnt that the suspected hoodlums started shooting sporadically to scare away voters, election officers and party agents around polling units on Old Eku Road, Amope. Two voters hit by bullets were said to have died instantly while one other person died at the hospital he was rushed to. Read more
Venezuela crisis: Clashes break out as Maduro blocks aid (BBC)
Deadly clashes broke out in Venezuelan border towns on Saturday, as President Nicolás Maduro blocked humanitarian aid from crossing from Colombia and Brazil. Troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters who attempted to collect and transport the supplies. A number of people were also shot by live ammunition, human rights groups say. At least two people were killed. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned the attacks on civilians, which he blamed on “Maduro’s thugs”. Read more
Kim Jong-un leaves North Korea for Vietnam by train (BBC)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has departed for Hanoi by train for talks with US President Donald Trump. He arrived at the Chinese border city of Dandong after 21:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Saturday. The much anticipated second US-North Korea summit is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the Vietnamese capital. It follows a historic first round of talks last year in Singapore. All eyes will be on what if any progress is made towards “denuclearisation”. Read more
R Kelly: Singer’s bail set at $1m after sex abuse charges (BBC)
A judge in the US has set R Kelly’s bail at $1m (£766,500) after the singer was charged with sexually abusing four females, including three minors. The R&B star, whose real name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, has faced decades of sexual abuse claims. He has never been convicted and has previously denied other allegations. He turned himself in on Friday after an arrest warrant was issued. Even though bail was set at $1m, he will have to post $100,000 to secure his release. Read more
Poland 2019: Ex-internationals point way forward for flying eagles (Punch)
Seven-time champions Flying Eagles started the recent CAF U-20 Cup of Nations on a promising note, beating Burundi 2-0; hosts Niger 1-0 and a 0-0 stalemate against South Africa to lead Group A of the competition. The performance earned Nigeria a ticket to the U-20 World Cup in Poland, scheduled for May 23 to June 15. It was a performance that sparked hopes of an eighth championship win for the team but it was a fairy-tale story that ended too soon in their first game of the knockout stage, a semi-final clash with fellow West Africans, Mali. Read more
Pep Guardiola: Manchester United win would be good for title race (BBC)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is hoping for a Premier League favour from rivals Manchester United on Sunday but says talk of winning four trophies “sells an illusion.” City are aiming to retain the Carabao Cup by beating Chelsea at Wembley after United host Liverpool – level on points with City – at Old Trafford. “Of course, it would be good if United can get a result,” Guardiola said. “But now it is February and it is impossible to talk about winning four.” Read more
Tottenham’s title ambition hits rock (Guardian)
Tottenham’s Premier League title hopes suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat at Burnley, bottom club Huddersfield Town were nudged closer to relegation by a 2-0 loss at Newcastle, and Bournemouth were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves. Spurs striker Harry Kane marked his return from injury by cancelling out Chris Woods’ header before Ashley Barnes scored an 83rd minute winner for the Clarets. Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, unhappy with the performance of the officials, confronted referee Mike Dean on the pitch after the final whistle following a defeat that left his third-placed team five points behind Manchester City and Liverpool. Read more
Messi scores 50th hat-trick in Barca win (Punch)
Lionel Messi scored the 50th hat-trick of his career as Barcelona came from behind to beat Sevilla and go 10 points clear at the top of La Liga. In a masterclass from the Catalans’ captain, he first equalised with a brilliant volley from 16 yards. He levelled for a second time with a curling shot from the edge of the box. Messi then chipped Tomas Vaclik for his third, his 36th goal in 35 games against Sevilla, before setting up Luis Suarez for an injury-time fourth. Read more