No VP acted in presidential capacity more than Atiku – Obasanjo (Punch)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said no Nigerian vice president acted in the stead of his principal as much as former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Obasanjo, who was the guest speaker at the Island Club Quarterly Business Lecture, which held Wednesday, stated that, contrary to popular belief, Abubakar presided over several Federal Executive Council meetings under his 1999-2007 administration. The former President took a jibe at President Muhammadu Buhari, who spent 104 consecutive days on medical vacation, and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who was appointed as “acting president.” Read more
Why we endorsed Atiku, by Ohanaeze (Nation)
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has explained it endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar because Ndigbo were completely down. President General of the organization, John Nnia Nwodo who made the clarification in a Solid FM radio station programme monitored by our correspondent, said he who is on ground fears no fall hence the decision. “We are completely down, he who is on ground fears no fall; they cannot treat us worse than they are treating us now. Ohanaeze cannot be on the sideline,” he stated. Read more
Armed youths kidnap 70-year-old retiree in Delta (Punch)
Gunmen suspected to be community youths have reportedly kidnapped a 70-year-old man, Chief Johnson Odio, at Ushie in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State. The retiree was abducted by gunmen numbering about four on Monday while returning from his farm. Sources close to the family told our correspondent that the incident occurred at 6:10pm. It was gathered that the retiree was returning with two of his workers when the incident took place. Although, the three of them were abducted, the abductors later released the two female victims but had continued to hold on to their employer. Read more
APC chairman kidnapped in Adamawa (Nation)
The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) chairman in Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Mijinyawa Hamisu, has been kidnapped. The Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Sajoh, who confirmed the development, said it happened around 3am on Wednesday. He stated the kidnappers have been in contact and were demanding N20 million for Hamisu’s release. The Adamawa State Public Relations Officer of APC, Muhammed Abdullahi, said he had just been told of the incident. Read more
Brexit: May and Corbyn clash ahead of meeting (BBC)
Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn warmed up for their long-awaited meeting to discuss the way ahead on Brexit by clashing in the House of Commons. At Prime Minister’s Questions the Labour leader repeatedly urged Mrs May to rule out a no-deal Brexit and to ditch her “red lines” in any upcoming talks with Brussels. Mrs May hit back by saying that Mr Corbyn “has no plan for Brexit”. The pair will meet privately later to seek common ground on Brexit. Read more
Carlos Ghosn says ‘plot and treason’ behind arrest (BBC)
Nissan ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn has said his arrest in Japan was the result of a “plot and treason” against him. He was speaking in his first interview since his arrest in November on financial misconduct charges. Mr Ghosn said some Nissan executives wanted to stop his plan to integrate Renault, the French car firm he headed, with its Japanese alliance partners, Nissan and Mitsubishi. He said the plan had been discussed with Nissan boss Hiroto Saikawa. Read more
Deadly polar vortex hits swathes of US (BBC)
Cities are all but shutting down across the US Midwest as the region shivers through a record-breaking and deadly cold snap known as a “polar vortex”. At least six people are reported to have been killed across several states as a result of the arctic weather. Temperatures have dropped as low as -45C (-49F) in Chicago and -54C in North Dakota. Freezing weather will chill 250 million Americans, and 90 million will experience sub-zero temperatures. Read more
Stay humble, Pogba warns Man United after Burnley stumble (Punch)
Manchester United’s late rally from 2-0 down to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley on Tuesday was too little, too late for midfielder Paul Pogba. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer missed out on a ninth straight win as caretaker manager despite Pogba’s penalty and a stoppage-time equaliser from Victor Lindelof as United dropped two points in the race for a top-four finish after falling behind to goals from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood at Old Trafford. “We are disappointed with ourselves,” said World Cup winner Pogba. Read more
Guardiola not giving up on title bid despite Newcastle loss (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s title hopes were still intact despite admitting Liverpool are poised to take a significant lead in their two-way battle for the Premier League crown. Jurgen Klopp’s side can extend their advantage at the top to seven points with victory at home to Leicester on Wednesday after the reigning champions’ shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Newcastle on Tuesday. The Spaniard’s 100th league game in charge turned sour at St James’ Park despite Sergio Aguero putting City ahead in a mere 24 seconds with the fastest Premier League goal of the season. Read more
Shoulder pain forces Sharapova out of St Petersburg (Punch)
Maria Sharapova’s ongoing right shoulder problems led her to pull out of the Saint Petersburg tournament, the organisers said on Wednesday. The 31-year-old has been struggling back to elite fitness since watching from the sidelines during a 15-month doping ban ended in 2017. The five-time major winner beat Daria Gavrilova of Australia 6-0, 6-4 in her debut in the tournament, but suffered with her shoulder injury afterwards. Read more
Man arrested for stealing pants in Ondo (Nation)
A-25-year old man, Ojonugwa Adejoh has been arrested by the Ondo state police command for allegedly stealing pants belonging to his brothers’ wife for rituals. Adejoh was arrested alongside with one Prophet Olajide Ogunleye (53), of Celestial Church of Christ, ‘Ibanujemidopin’, Uso, in Owo local government area of Ondo state. Parading the suspects in Akure, the state capital on Wednesday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police(SP) said they were arrested last week following the report by the victim. Read more
Bar owner docked over alleged N547,000 scam (Vanguard)
A 33-year-old bar owner, Abayomi Ogundipe, was on Wednesday brought before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly refusing to pay a debt of N547,000. The accused, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining goods under false pretenses and theft. He, however, pleaded innocence of the offences. The Prosecutor, ASP Fidelis Dike, told the court that the accused committed the offences in April 2018 at No. 15, Cooperative Villa Road, Ajah, Lagos. Read more