Author: David Great

By Femi Onakanren On February 25, 2023, Nigerians trooped (out) to vote their presidential candidate of choice from a list of 18 aspirants. 4 aspirants were identified as leading candidates. Interestingly, 3 of the 4 (major) aspirants are Muslims, with the last being a Christian. 2 of the 4 are from the North (NW and NE), whilst the other 2 belong to the SW and the SE. It appeared that lines were being drawn along the country’s historical fault-lines. The campaign leading to the elections also exposed some latent but burning national issues. All the national devils of ethnicity, youth…

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has accepted the result of the Saturday presidential election result as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party’s national chairman, Shehu Gabam, stated this at a news conference on the outcome of the presidential election, in Abuja on Thursday. Gabam said in spite of the challenges witnessed during the election, SDP stood by the declaration of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the president-elect by INEC. He noted that the election has its challenges including the use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the uploading of election results on INEC Result Viewing Portal.…

Nigeria’s Supreme Court on Friday ruled that old N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes remain legal tenders and valid until December 31, 2023. The apex court also faulted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy, declaring it as an affront to the 1999 Constitution. Justice Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgement, held that the preliminary objections by the defendants (the Attorney General of the Federation, Bayelsa and Edo states) are dismissed as the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Citing Section 23(2)1 of the constitution, the court held that the dispute between the federation and states,…

Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is facing a criminal investigation in France after an allegation of rape was made against him, an official from the Nanterre prosecution office close to Paris said on Friday. The Morocco international could not immediately be reached for comment. PSG did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. Hakimi has been placed under police monitoring and was banned from contact with the alleged victim, the prosecution office said. The Moroccan international joins the list of A-list footballers who have been charged with rape including Benjamin Mendy of Manchester City and Mason Greenwood…

The Financial Times of London has described Nigeria’s presidential and national assembly elections conducted on February 25 as “badly flawed”. The newspaper also scored the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) low on its handling of the polls, suggesting that, if the courts take a greater look at the electioneering process it could overturn the election that produced Bola Tinubu as president-elect. “Violence was troubling. Party goons invaded many polling stations in what appeared to be blatant acts of intimidation,” the Financial Times said following its monitoring of elections in Surulere, Lagos. “More worrying still was voter turnout, which was pitifully…

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on his 81st birthday. In a congratulatory message communicated by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Abuja, Buhari rejoiced with the religious leader, who left his academic career to fully commit to serving the Lord. The president equally felicitated family, friends and other church leaders within and outside the country, thankful for Adeboye’s positive influence on people and institutions, with a focus on expanding the kingdom of God on earth. While recalling the visits and prayers, especially when he was ill and…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate has told the Labour Party presidential candidate that they are prepared to meet in court. The president-elect in a statement communicated by Bayo Onanuga, the director of media and publicity for the Tinubu/Shettima campaign council argued that the election was free and fair. The APC noted that if the election weren’t free and fair, Labour Party would not be able to record the landmark victories announced after the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections. “We watched with dismay today’s press conference addressed by the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi…

Chelsea have renewed their interest in RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, 21, with Manchester City and Tottenham also keen on the Croatia international who has a £97m release clause in his contract that comes into effect from 2024. (Times – subscription required) Real Madrid will evaluate the long-term futures of Croatia’s Luka Modric, 37, and 33-year-old German and fellow midfielder Toni Kroos before committing to a move for England and Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has been urged to reject a switch to Liverpool. (Diario AS, via Mirror) Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on Newcastle’s 25-year-old Brazilian…

Kwara State Police Command are investigating a homicide in which a policeman shot a woman to death at a school premises on Thursday in Ilorin, Kwara state capital. The policeman also shot himself to death after the murder of the woman suspected to be his mistress. An eyewitness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that upon arrival at the school with her child, the police officer accosted the woman, after which they had a discussion before he shot her twice. He added that the policeman immediately shot himself to death also. Another eyewitness who observed the chilling event. The…

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state will be in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Friday to commission and flag-off three projects overseen by Governor Seyi Makinde. In a communication by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, the projects billed for commissioning are the Dr. Omololu Olunloyo Airport road and the Aviation Fuel Tank Depot. Also to be flagged-off by Governor Wike is the Dr. Omololu Olunloyo Park in Ibadan. Dr. Olatubosun said the commissioning and flag-off of the three projects will be performed by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike. Olatubosun said the projects are part of…