Author: Chronicle Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari has provoked a debate between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on which side has more financial resources to deploy for the 2019 elections. The most perplexing aspect of the debate is that it borders on illegal campaign money. Such dilemma explains why a central theme of my presidential campaign has been that Nigeria’s main problem is not lack of good policies but the lack of the political will to implement policies or enforce laws. This continual failure in leadership, I argue, is because there appears to be no serious consequences for…

Niger authorities on Tuesday said nine people were killed on Monday night in Diffa city in several attacks believed to be carried out by terrorist group Boko Haram. According to local officials on the spot, the tragedy was perpetrated by at least three suicide bombers who blew themselves up late at night in three different locations in downtown Diffa. The areas where the explosions occurred are cordoned off by the security Forces. READ: FIRS seals Giandan Limited, Justeen over unpaid taxes The attacks came after a relative lull in the region, thanks in particular to the large-scale operations undertaken for…

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), on Monday, sealed off two the premises of three companies for failure to pay taxes. The FIRS Enforcement team, led by the Assistant Manager (Legal), FIRS, Ruth Mandeun, sealed Giandan Nigeria Limited, situated at 21 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA, over tax debts totalling N47.779 million. It also sealed Justeen International Limited a debt of N24.779 million. Speaking after the exercise, Mandeun said the defaulting companies will be re-opened only after they have cleared their arrears. VIDEO: Philippine President Duterte condemned for kissing overseas worker “It is quite upsetting for us to close down…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola “often has problems with Africans”, says ex-Blues midfielder Yaya Toure. The Ivorian, who left City in May after eight years at the club, says he wants to “break the myth” about Guardiola, whom he describes as “jealous”. “Maybe we Africans are not always treated by some in the same way as others,” said Toure in an interview with France Football. Premier League champions City have declined to comment on Toure’s views. Before his departure, the club named one of their training pitches after him and unveiled a mosaic of him at their training complex. This…

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn criticism for kissing an overseas Filipina worker on the lips during a live event. Mr Duterte was speaking to a crowd in South Korea when he called the woman on stage then convinced her to kiss him. The scene drew cheers from the crowd, mostly made of up other Philippine workers. But it was described as “disgusting theatrics of a misogynist president” by Philippines rights group Gabriela. The woman involved later said that there was “no malice” in the kiss. It is not the first time Mr Duterte has been accused of inappropriate behaviour…

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane has been the big name player to be left out of Germany’s final 23-man for the 2018 World Cup squad in Russia. Sane, Bayer Leverkusen pair of Bernd Leno and Jonathan Tah and Freiburg striker Nils Petersen were all dropped as Joachim Low cut the defending champions’ 27-man provisional squad. Keeper Manuel Neuer, who came back after nine months out in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Austria, is in the squad. Three Premier League players are selected. Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil have all been named in the…

Arsenal legend Nwankwo Kanu had $11,000 US dollars (£8228) in cash stolen from his suitcase in Moscow after he arrived from London. Russian police said it was taken by two loaders at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport. Kanu, 41, reported the money missing when he reached Kaliningrad, where he was playing in a World Cup curtain raiser game organised by FIFA. Lt-Col Irina Volk, spokeswoman for the Russian Interior Ministry, said the loaders were dealing with the baggage from a London to Moscow flight. Kanu, travelling on a British passport, had appealed for help to police in Kaliningrad, she said. ‘The stolen…

Kwara governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has denied reports that he sponsored, funded and supported political thugs in the State. In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, the Governor described police’s allegations as false. He also rejected his alleged indictment by the police and the suspects involved in the Offa bank robbery that are currently in custody. “Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed denies the allegations of supporting political thugs or any other acts of criminality as alleged by the Nigeria Police or the suspects allegedly arrested in connection with the…

Its advantage Golden State Warriors as the NBA Finals head to Cleveland thanks to a mouthwatering showing from Steph Curry. Curry drilled an NBA Finals record of 9 triples en route 33 points, 8 assist, 7 rebound to lead the Warriors to Game 2 win. Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James put in the shift with a double-double. He scored 29 points, 13 assist and 9 rebound to end the duel in Game 2. Kevin Durant also continued his fine form for Warriors tallying 26 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assist, with JaVale McGee and Shaun Livingston combining for 22 points on…

Bayern Munich will keep tabs on Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 24, at this month’s World Cup. (Sun) Liverpool remain in pursuit of £60m-rated Lyon midfielder Nabil Fekir, although reports of talks with the 24-year-old’s agent on Sunday were premature. (Liverpool Echo) Roma and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, 25, will reject Liverpool in order to wait for a move to Real Madrid. (Marca – via Mail) Arsenal target Stephan Lichtsteiner, the 34-year-old Swiss right-back who is out of contract at Juventus this summer, has insisted a deal to take him to the Emirates is not yet complete. (London Evening Standard)…