Defections: Hurricane Tinubu sweeps 12 more senators, Reps (Punch)
Ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Young Peoples Party have resolved to join Governor Umo Eno in the All Progressives Congress.
They join two senators from Edo and Nasarawa, Neda Imasuen and Ahmed Wadada respectively, in planned defections to the ruling APC.
This happened just as the ruling party admitted it was working to bring four other PDP governors into its fold despite accusations it was working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. Read more
I’d have been a preacher – Bella Shmurda (Sun)
Afrobeats artist Bella Shmurda has shared that he would have been a preacher if he weren’t already a singer.
Schmurda stated this in a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast hosted by Joey Akan.
He added that he cheers people easily, reaching their deep parts.
“Everybody has spirituality, you just have to discover it. I feel like if I wasn’t an artist, I might be a preacher or motivational speaker. I feel like that is my purpose, and I’ve been trying to implement it in every of my music. Read more
FG responsible for Labour Party crisis, Obi insists (Tribune)
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has again placed the blame of the leadership crisis in the party on the doorstep of the federal government, accusing it of deploying several tactics, including propaganda, to fuel the discord in the opposition party.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, also x-rayed the two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, submitting that some of its key decisions, like the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the Naira, tackling insecurity, and execution of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, did not yield the desired results because they were not done in an “organised” manner.
Speaking during an interview aired by Arise News on Monday, Obi claimed that the government instigated and sustained the crisis in the LP for its own interest. Read more
Peter Obi, Atiku, El-Rufai, others lack credibility to unseat Tinubu – Umahi (Guardian)
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has declared that there are no credible opposition candidates capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He cited the President’s achievements in governance and national integration.
Recently, former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party, Tinubu’s former ally and former Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai and other politicians have been in discussion over a coalition movement to unseat Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. Read more
Ndume to Tinubu: 22 PDP govs endorsed Jonathan, yet he lost woefully (Vanguard)
The lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Senator Ali Ndume, yesterday, distanced himself from the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.
This came on a day former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal, warned that politicians defecting to the APC would face strong opposition from voters in the 2027 general elections.
In May, 22 governors elected on the platform of the APC unanimously endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. Read more
Wike Hosts PDP stakeholders, says G5 govs saved Nigeria (NewTelegraph)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday evening hosted “Concerned PDP Stakeholders” across 36 states and FCT.
Wike, who pointedly explained that the activities of the G5 Governors helped to save the country from chaos, also vowed that the stakeholders would not allow the PDP to die.
New Telegraph observed that notable chieftains of the PDP like former Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), were present at the meeting. Read more
NNPCL cautions foreign investors over scammers (Nation)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has urged foreign investors and international business to be cautious of scammers, who pretend to represent the firm.
Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye issued the warning in a notice in Abuja.
The notice reads in part: “The general public is advised to beware of individuals and companies falsely claiming to represent NNPC Limited. “Their tactics include soliciting fees for meetings with NNPC board of directors, executives and management staff. These actions are unauthorised and illegal. Read more
Diddy again asks for mistrial following balcony claims (HipHopDx)
Diddy and his legal team have once again asked for a mistrial, claiming that the prosecution presented evidence they knew to be false.
Writing to Judge Arun Subramanian, defense attorney Alexandra Shapiro alleged the government had committed “prosecutorial misconduct”.
The letter reads: “In this trial the government has presented testimony that it knew or should have known was materially false related to its allegation that Mr. Combs dangled Bryana Bongolan from the balcony of Cassie Ventura’s apartment in September 2016. Read more
Frederick Forsyth, ‘Day of the Jackal’ author and former MI6 agent, dies aged 86 (Guardian)
Frederick Forsyth, the author who turned his adventures as a journalist and work with MI6 into bestselling thrillers, has died after a brief illness aged 86.
Forsyth brought a reporter’s eye to his fiction, transforming the thriller genre with a series of novels including The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File and The Dogs of War.
Combining meticulous research with firecracker plots, he published a series of novels that sold more than 75m copies around the world, and won him honours including a CBE in 1997 and the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger award. Read more
California lawsuit accuses Trump of ‘unprecedented power grab’ in LA (Newsweek)
California on Monday filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration over its order to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles without Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval.
The move has sharply escalated tensions between the federal government and the Golden State amid the ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests in Southern California.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Monday for comment. Read more
Kenyan blogger dies in Police custody, officers suspended (AfricaNews)
Several Kenyan police officers have been suspended after a man died in custody under suspicious circumstances, prompting a national outcry and an independent investigation.
Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, was arrested on Friday in the western town of Homa Bay following a complaint by Kenya’s deputy police chief, Eliud Lagat, who accused him of defamation on social media. Instead of being processed locally, Ojwang was transported over 350km (220 miles) to Nairobi, where he was held at a police station.
According to police, the 31-year-old allegedly suffered fatal head injuries after “hitting his head against a cell wall.” He was later found unconscious during a routine cell inspection and declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. However, human rights groups have cast serious doubt on this version of events. Read more
Sly Stone, Funk-Rock Pioneer Who Led the Family Stone, Dies at 82 (Variety)
Sly Stone, the multitalented musician whose path-finding, psychedelia-laced funk enraptured Woodstock Nation in the late ’60s and early ’70s, has died. He was 82.
“After a prolonged battle with COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend and his extended family,” a statement from his family reads. “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.” Read more
The West prevented Ukraine from reaching peace in 2022 – top Russian negotiator (RT)
The Ukraine conflict, now dragging on for more than three years, could have ended within a week if Kiev hadn’t listened to its Western backers, top Russian negotiator and presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky has said.
Speaking to RT’s Rick Sanchez on his show The Sanchez Effect, Medinsky argued that Ukraine had a chance to secure a deal on more favorable terms had it not walked away from negotiations in 2022.
“I’m going to tell you something, Rick, that I’ve probably never said publicly. If Ukraine had wanted it, had been ready, and had been making its own decisions, we could have signed a peace treaty during the first meeting on February 28, 2022. And the terms would have been less harsh than what we’re offering today,” he said. Read more
Tella excited to work with Ten Hag at Leverkusen (Sun)
Bayer Leverkusen star Nathan Tella has defended Erik ten Hag, urging critics to acknowledge the Dutch coach’s proven success despite recent doubts.
The 55-year-old signed a two-year contract to take over as coach of the Bundesliga club after Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid.
Ten Hag had a successful run at Ajax before moving to Manchester United in 2022. During his two years at Old Trafford, he won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but was dismissed with the Red Devils 14th in the Premier League. Read more
Osimhen opens door for Man United move after rejecting huge Saudi offer (Vanguard)
Victor Osimhen has turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, keeping the door open for a potential move to Manchester United.
The Nigerian striker, who is still contracted to Napoli but spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, was offered a staggering £25.3 million per year by Al-Hilal after the club agreed to trigger his €75 million (£63.2 million) release clause, which is valid for non-Serie A teams.
However, Osimhen declined the proposal, reportedly preferring to continue his career in Europe, according to Football Italia. Read more
US Open makes major last-minute Oakmont change to help golfers (Newsweek)
The third major of the season is already here, and it’s time for the toughest test in golf at the US Open.
Oakmont Country Club is the host for the 2025 edition of the pride and joy of the USGA, and much has been made of the difficulty of the course leading in. Even dating back months, the rough at Oakmont has been going viral for being extremely deep and difficult.
As U.S. Open week kicked off on Monday, videos surfaced of the rough completely engulfing golf balls at the Pennsylvania course. However, the USGA decided to give the players some relief in the afternoon. Read more
2025 NBA Mock Draft: Jeremiah Fears moves up to No. 6, Derik Queen jumps into top 10 (CBS)
With the 2025 NBA Draft quickly approaching, the Dallas Mavericks have reportedly scheduled a private visit for Cooper Flagg, the reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year.
The date is June 17.
That’s a week from Tuesday.
Unless Flagg cracks a beer, eats unhealthy or otherwise irritates Dallas general manager Nico Harrison (like Luka Doncic apparently did before being traded to the Lakers), that meeting should solidify Flagg as the No. 1 overall pick.
Nothing else makes sense. Read more
Lewis Hamilton in disagreement over ‘waste of money’ as new Verstappen evidence scrutinised – roundup (PlanetF1)
Monday’s F1 news includes Guenther Steiner’s reaction to Lewis Hamilton’s “waste of money” claim and Mika Hakkinen’s response to new Max Verstappen evidence from the Spanish Grand Prix.
Guenther Steiner rejects Lewis Hamilton’s ‘waste of money’ claim
Guenther Steiner, the former Haas team principal, has scoffed at Lewis Hamilton’s claim that the Spanish Grand Prix technical directive was a “waste of money.” Read more