Author: Chronicle Editor

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti has suggested that the thugs that invaded the senate on Wednesday had presidential backing to do so. Fayose who is one of the leaders of the main opposition party, PDP, claimed that the thugs should be treated like coup plotters. “Shamefully embarrassing that for the first time since 1999, the National Assembly was invaded by thugs and the Senate Symbol of Authority taken away,” he said in a tweet. “Only thugs with Presidential backing could have carried out that treasonable act & those involved must be treated like coupists.” Shamefully embarrassing that for the first…

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has denied bringing hoodlums to invade the senate and subsequently snatch the mace during plenary on Wednesday. The senator representing Delta Central was arrested by the police after the incident but has now released. The Senate Chamber was on Wednesday invaded by some persons who made away with the mace. Shortly after the mace was stolen, the Senate accused Omo-Agege of sending thugs to steal the mace. Omo-Agege in his reaction denied involvement in the theft of the mace. He said he has also left police custody. A statement by a legal practitioner, Mr. Lucky Ajokperniovo, for…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the invasion of the Senate chamber by thugs led by suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who snatched the mace, a symbol of authority of the upper house. Atiku, in a statement from his media office in Abuja on Wednesday, said the attack was a dangerous precedent and an assault on Nigeria’s democracy by anti-democratic elements. “I am utterly embarrassed, shocked and outraged by this ugly development because it is not only a threat to a major democratic institution, but it also represents a grave danger to the survival of our democracy. “If criminals could…

Manchester United returned to winning ways at Bournemouth as goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku strengthened their grip on second place in the Premier League table. Smalling pounced from close range after Ander Herrera’s defence-splitting pass allowed Jesse Lingard to cross. Callum Wilson should have equalised before substitute Lukaku fired the second after Paul Pogba’s driving run. United are four points ahead of third-placed Liverpool with four games left. This was the reaction manager Jose Mourinho demanded after United’s surprise home defeat by bottom club West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, which confirmed Manchester City as champions. READ: Joey Barton…

The All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday announced that its national convention to elect officers for a new term in the party’s leadership would hold on May 14. According to schedule of activities released by the organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, in Abuja, the party’s Ward Congresses will hold on May 2, while appeal that may arise from the conduct will be entertained on May 3. The schedule showed that local government area congresses would hold on May 5, with appeal arising from the exercise fixed for May 7. READ: FG orders probe of national assembly invasion, snatching of mace…

The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered a probe of the invasion of the national assembly as well as snatching of the Senate’s mace. The Federal Government has expressed shock at the invasion of the National Assembly and the subsequent snatching of the Senate mace by thugs on Wednesday,” Segun Adeyemi, SA to Information Minister, Lai Mohammed said in a statement. The statement said security agencies have been directed to immediately unravel the circumstances surrounding the breach of security that led to the invasion. He said the security around the National Assembly complex would also be reinforced to prevent a…

The Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) has sealed Golden Tulip Hotel in Delta state and 18 other companies across the country over their failure to fulfil their tax obligations. In Lagos, the FIRS enforcement team, on Wednesday, sealed the premises of Seabulk Offshore Operations Nigeria Limited at 11A, Grace Anjos Drive in Lekki over a tax debt of N34.546million. It also sealed De Rembrandt Hotel (formerly Renaissance Hotel), Ikeja, which owes N30.60million. The tax agency’s team, led by Bukar Umar, on Tuesday, sealed the premises of Associated Port and Marine Development Company at 7B, Oranyan Street, Apapa, over N12.5million unpaid tax.…

Nigerian forces battling Boko Haram jihadists need a change of mindset to overcome an evolving guerrilla threat, US military officials said this week on the sidelines of an African security summit. Boko Haram’s tactics — from improvised explosive devices to hiding within the local population — necessitate a shift away from conventional strategies, said Lieutenant-Colonel Sean McClure, the US defence attache in Abuja. “We haven’t necessarily seen that kind of adaptation cycle,” he told AFP. “They’re trying to figure out how to do this. “How they think in terms of combat, in my opinion, is still thinking of things as…

Joey Barton will become the new manager of League One side Fleetwood Town this summer – one day after his ban for betting ends. Barton, 35, was suspended for 18 months by the Football Association in April 2017 after he was found to have placed 1,260 bets on matches over 10 years. His punishment was reduced by five months on appeal and ends on 1 June. “I’m very excited by the challenge,” the ex-England, Manchester City, Newcastle and Burnley midfielder said. “It’s a club I’ve known for a long time, and a chairman I already have a very good relationship…

Manchester City’s dominance this season continued as five City players have been named in the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’, PFA, team of the year. Midfielders Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, defenders Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker and striker Sergio Aguero represent the Premier League champions. Prolific Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who have scored 30 and 26 league goals respectively, are in the side. READ: Everton send survey to fans asking to rate Sam Allardyce Manchester United’s sole player in the team is goalkeeper David de Gea while left wing back Marcos Alonso was the…