Court to rule Wednesday on Obi, INEC’s BVAS case (Punch)
The Court of Appeal, Abuja has fixed Wednesday to consider the merit of the application the Independent National Electoral Commission filed to be allowed to reconfigure the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, used for the just concluded presidential election.
After the three-man panel of the court had listened to the parties, Justice Joseph High adjourned ruling on the matter till Wednesday.
Peter Obi and Labour Party (LP), through their team of lawyers led by Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said the essence of the application was to enable them to extract data embedded in the BVAS, “which represent the actual results from Polling Units.”
They equally applied to obtain the Certified True Copy of all the data in the BVAS. Read more
Why INEC barred Sokoto REC from guber poll (DailyTrust)
Forty-eight hours after Prof Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), vowed to crack down on negligent staff of the commission, he has apparently matched his words with action.
At a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Saturday, Yakubu issued a stern warning to officials of the commission, vowing that some of them would not be part of Saturday’s governorship and state house of assembly elections over actions tantamount to misconduct.
“As we approach the governorship and state assembly elections, we must work harder to overcome the challenges experienced in the last election. Nothing else will be acceptable to Nigerians. Read more
Tinubu seeks court order to obtain materials to defend his election (Vanguard)
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, praying it to order the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to grant him access to sensitive materials it used for the presidential election he won.
Tinubu, through his lawyer, Mr Akintola Makinde, said he would need to inspect, scan and make photocopies of some of the electoral materials to enable him to prepare his defence against petitions that would seek to nullify his election.
“The materials will be relevant in helping us to prepare our defence and also make comparison with the information contained in INEC’s back-end server”, Makinde added. Read more
Sanwo-Olu has done enough to deserve 2nd term – Ikuforiji (Independent)
Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has urged Lagosians to come out en masse on Saturday to vote for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu adding that the governor deserves the support of all and sundry to complete his good work.
Speaking to members of the party in Epe on Monday, Ikuforiji said that the governor deserves to be re-elected based on his performance in the last three and half years.
He said Sanwo-Olu has proved in the last four years that he possesses the administrative capability to govern a complex state like Lagos. Read more
Why I didn’t sleep in my house for 1 year – Lagos guber candidate (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Action Alliance, Mr Tope Balogun, on Tuesday said that he had not slept in the house in the past year due to his political ambition.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, the 40-year-old politician said that he sacrificed the comfort of sleeping in his house to enable him to study Lagos State well to be able to proffer solutions to its problems if elected.
Balogun said that the commercial nerve centre deserved such a sacrifice.
He said that his team had studied the state and identified challenges facing the masses and was ready to bring succour to the residents if elected the governor on Saturday. Read more
Why Makinde deserves 2nd term, by Southwest PDP (Nation)
The Southwest zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged voters in Oyo State to focus on Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements for his re-election on Saturday.
The zonal leadership, in a statement by its spokesman Chief Sanya Atofarati, emphasised that Makinde has demonstrated competence in the last four years, adding that his achievements are testimonies of his commitment to the development of the state.
Having also demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities, the zonal PDP leadership said re-electing Makinde would enable him continue with the good work he started in Oyo State. Read more
FG to spend N869b on 2023 census – Minister (DailyTrust)
The federal government would spend N869 billion to conduct the forthcoming 2023 census, said the Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.
He stated this on Monday at an engagement for the 2023 Population and Housing in Abuja where Nigeria sought support from the private sector and international donors for the census.
The minister said N626bn ($1.36bn) would be spent on pre and during the census exercise while N243bn ($527m) would be spent on post census. Read more
Lagos CAN backs Sanwo-Olu for 2nd term (Punch)
The Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has thrown its weight behind Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, as they seek re-election.
According to the association, the support for their re-election is due to their excellent performance in the last four years.
This was stated by the Lagos CAN Chairman, Rev Stephen Adegbite, at a press briefing on Monday, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state. Read more
Approaching comet predicted to shine brighter than stars in the sky (ScienceAlert)
Make a note of the newly discovered comet with the lengthy name of C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS): as it gets closer to the Sun and our planet, it could shine brighter in Earth’s night sky than many stars.
The comet’s nearest approach to the Sun, or perihelion, won’t be until September 28, 2024, before hitting its closest point to Earth a few weeks later on October 13, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your blanket and telescopes organized.
Though estimates are extremely tentative, astronomers are predicting a brightness of magnitude 0.7 at the comet’s perihelion. Keeping in mind numbers lower on the magnitude scale represent brighter objects, with Betelgeuse in the Orion constellation at around 0.42, and Antares – the brightest star in the constellation Scorpio – a little dimmer at a touch over 1. Read more
First trailer of Netflix’s Pornhub documentary looks absolutely wild (ManofMany)
The first trailer for Netflix’s upcoming Pornhub documentary film, Money Shot: The Pornhub Story has burst onto screens, giving audiences a peek at the dark and treacherous side of one of the most popular adult websites in the world. While Pornhub is often credited for transforming the adult entertainment industry and providing a platform for numerous sex performers, the smut site saw its reputation dwindle after being accused of multiple ethical and legal violations. It’s a lot to unpack, but that’s precisely what this new documentary aims to do.
The Netflix press site says that the documentary will walk us through the rise of Pornhub and how it later became a multi-billion dollar enterprise, revolutionising the consumption and distribution of pornography forever.
Things turned haywire, however, when the company “became embroiled in allegations including non-consensual material and trafficking on the site”. Read more
Lionel Richie going on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire (MusicNews)
Lionel Richie is finally going on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
On Monday, the music legend announced in a video posted on social media that he is going on a 20-date trek of North America with the September hitmakers.
“Well, my friends, the time has come to announce a tour – not just any tour, but the tour I’ve been trying to do for years. And now, it’s going to actually happen,” he exclaimed. “Sing a Song All Night Long… Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire together on the same stage, and I’m inviting you to the party. So, join us! This is the place you need to be.” Read more
Threshold announce one-off London show (LouderSound)
UK prog rock quintet Threshold have announced a London headline show at London’s Islington Academy on May 13.
The band had recently announced a run of European tour dates for April in support of their most recent album Dividing Lines, which was released through Nuclear Blast in November.
“It’s almost five years since we played in London so we’re thrilled to be coming back for an exclusive UK club show,” says keyboard player Richard West. “Expect a healthy dose of our new album Dividing Lines along with some old favourites!” Read more
Ukraine war: Bakhmut defenders double down – Zelensky (BBC)
Operations to defend the embattled eastern city of Bakhmut will go on, and are backed by senior generals, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Western analysts suggested at the weekend that Ukraine was probably withdrawing some of its troops, as Russian forces close in on the city.
Moscow has been trying to take Bakhmut for months, as both sides suffer heavy losses in a grinding war of attrition.
A local official says there has been street fighting in recent days. Read more
Alice Cooper’s long-serving guitarist Nita Strauss is back in the band (MusicNews)
Alice Cooper’s long-serving guitarist Nita Strauss has re-joined his touring band.
The 36-year-old axe-slayer was part of the group – which also includes Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henricksen, Chuck Garric, and Glen Sobel – from 2014 until 2022, but took time out to be part of pop star Demi Lovato’s touring line-up.
Alice and Nita will reunite on the ‘‘School’s Out’’ rocker’s upcoming ‘‘Too Close For Comfort’’ North American tour, which kicks off on April 28 in Michigan.
Alice and co will also play a number of dates on Def Leppard and Motley Crue’s joint ‘‘Freaks On Parade’’ tour. Read more
Miley Cyrus explains ‘‘Endless Summer Vacation’’ is divided into ‘‘AM and PM’’parts (Billboard)
Miley Cyrus is just days away from unveiling her much awaited eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, and the singer took to Instagram on Monday (March 6) to share a peek into the themes of the LP.
“When it comes to the sequencing of Endless Summer Vacation, I divided it by two parts: AM and PM to kind of almost represent an act. The AM to me represents the morning time, where there’s a buzz and energy and there’s a potential of new possibilities. It’s a new day,” Cyrus explained in the short clip.
She continued, “At nighttime, it feels like there’s a slinky, seediness and kind of a grime but a glamour at the same time. In the evening, it’s a great time for rest, it’s a time to recover. Or it’s a time to go out and experience the wild side. In LA, there’s a certain energy to the night and you can feel trouble boil up to the surface and it’s very inspiring to me.” Read more
IMC lifts ban on Shooting Stars media officer (Punch)
The Interim Management Committee has lifted the ban on Shooting Stars media officer, Tosin Omojola.
The committee disclosed that Omojola was forgiven after apologising and appealing for forgiveness.
It will be recalled that in June 2022, Omojola was banned for one year, following his statements after the Oluyole Warriors matchday 31 against Remo Stars of Ogun in Ibadan. Read more
AFN rejects Zaria Athletics Grand Prix (Nation)
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has disowned the track and field competition purportedly scheduled to hold between March 17 and 18 at the Ahmadu Bello University sports ground in Zaria, Kaduna state.
In a statement through its Secretary General, Rita Mosindi, the AFN take particular offence in the use of its logo and that of its parent body, World Athletics in advertising the said athletics competition.
“It has come to the notice of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) that some unknown persons have been advertising the Zaria Athletics Grand Prix which has been scheduled to hold at the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria. The unknown persons did not only use the logo of the Federation in the advert but also include the World Athletics logo in the advert to validate the authenticity of the event,” said the AFN in the statement issued yesterday in Abuja. Read more
Liverpool owner John Henry vows to spend ‘‘wisely’’ in transfer market (ESPN)
Liverpool will not fall into the trap of spending beyond their means in the pursuit of success while they invest in the squad and the stadium, the Premier League club’s American owner John Henry has said.
Liverpool competed for four trophies last season, winning the two domestic cups while falling agonisingly short of winning the Premier League and Champions League, but they have seriously under-performed this term.
The club are 21 points off league leaders Arsenal and fans were frustrated with a lack of support for manager Jurgen Klopp in the transfer market, with a banner flown over Anfield before their 7-0 win over Manchester United urging the owners to leave. Read more
Grizzlies had players-only meeting to address Ja Morant’s behaviour (Fox)
Memphis Grizzlies veteran center Steven Adams reportedly spoke up at a players-only meeting and told teammates they should buckle down while on the road for games given their dismal away record.
The meeting occurred before Ja Morant was seen on a livestream appearing to brandish a gun at a nightclub following the Grizzlies’ game Friday night against the Denver Nuggets, The Athletic reported Monday. NBA reporter Shams Charania elaborated on the topic on Bally Sports’ “The Rally.”
“There was a players only meeting where Steven Adams, their veteran center, spoke out about how the team needs to show better discipline on the road. How they need to stay away from going out when they’re on the road,” Charania said. Read more
Formula One: Red Bull play down talk of winning every race (StraitsTimes)
Red Bull were so dominant in Formula One’s Bahrain season-opener that Mercedes rival George Russell suggested they could win every race this year.
The Briton was not alone in pointing to such a scenario, even if such a sweep would be unprecedented in a championship that started in 1950 with far fewer rounds than the current record 23.
The mood in the paddock after Sunday’s race at Sakhir, and the airport talk among departing insiders, reflected a realisation that Red Bull may have given only a glimpse of their real pace. Read more
Soccer Aid 2023: Jill Scott to captain England against Usain Bolt’s World XI (BBC)
Former Lioness and Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott will captain England in the Soccer Aid charity football match against a World XI at Old Trafford.
She will be the first woman to lead England since the event began in 2006.
Scott, 36, will make her debut alongside ex-England players Karen Carney, Jack Wilshere and Gary Cahill on Sunday, 11 June.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt will captain the World XI, who are managed by Irishman Robbie Keane. Read more