Author: David Great

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Sunday claimed that 98 per cent of votes in Yobe in the presidential poll will be delivered to the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima. Lawan described Yobe State as the pride of APC and vowed that no stone would be left unturned to ensure its victory at the polls at all levels. The Senate President made the remarks in Damaturu, at the inauguration of the Yobe State APC 2023 Campaign Council which held at Yobe Government House. The council which is chaired by former Governor of the State, Alhaji Ibrahim…

The Action Alliance (AA) on Saturday, threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over the alleged exclusion of its candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s list for the 2023 general elections. The National Chairman of AA, Dr. Adekunle Omo-Aje, stated this at a news conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja. Omo-Aje said that INEC’s alleged failure to upload the names of all the candidates presented to it by his leadership in spite of various court orders against the recognition of the list of candidates submitted by the sacked national chairman of the party,…

Ant Group’s founder Jack Ma will give up control of the Chinese fintech giant in an overhaul that seeks to draw a line under a regulatory crackdown that was triggered soon after its mammoth stock market debut was scuppered two years ago. Ant’s $37 billion IPO, which would have been the world’s largest, was cancelled at the last minute in November 2020, leading to a forced restructuring of the financial technology firm and speculation the Chinese billionaire would have to cede control. While some analysts have said a relinquishing of control could clear the way for the company to revive…

The Lagos State Taskforce raided Oshodi, Lagos-Abeokuta Road, and Ikorodu Road where recalcitrant motorcycle riders commonly known as okada riders have been operating. The raid led by Lagos Taskforce chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye was carried out during the closing hours on Thursday and resulted in the arrest of erring riders while 37 bikes were impounded. “It is disheartening seeing these recalcitrant riders operating their bikes commercially, endangering the lives of their passengers and the pedestrians on the state highways despite the ban still in place,” Jejeloye said. “We have sent out a series of warnings through our official channels but…

Atletico Madrid are demanding a £9.5m loan fee and a commitment to buy for £70m from Manchester United as negotiations continue for Portugal forward Joao Felix, 23. (Sunday Mirror) Former Everton boss Roberto Martinez, who was head coach of Belgium for six years before leaving after the 2022 World Cup, has reached a verbal agreement to take charge of Portugal.(Athletic – subscription required) Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has turned down an offer to become United States coach. (L’Equipe via Mail) Tottenham Hotspur have targeted Everton and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 28, to replace France captain Hugo Lloris, 36. (Sunday Mirror) Al-Nassr have released Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar, 30, who has been linked with a…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Minister of Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba and the Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor James Momoh to immediately reverse the unlawful, unjust and unreasonable increase in electricity tariff, which reportedly occurred in December 2022.” SERAP also urged him to “ensure the investigation of the spending of public funds as ‘investments and bailouts’ by successive governments to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and generating companies (GenCos) since 2005, and prosecution of cases of corruption and mismanagement.” Following reported approval by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), electricity tariffs…

The APC presidential candidate has described his two leading contenders, Atiku Abubakar of PDP and Peter Obi of Labour Party as Mr. Privatize and Mr. Stingy respectively. Tinubu said this on Saturday at Democracy Park, Akure, saying they have always been a champion of people-oriented and progressive government. He then blasted the PDP and LP presidential candidates Abubakar and Obi. calling the former Mr. Privatize and the latter Mr. Stingy. The Ondo rally was attended by Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), former Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, and APC National Secretary Senator…

Nigerian officials will be barred from withdrawing cash from government accounts from March 1, the head of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) said in a statement. The new rules, which will apply to federal, local and state officials, are aimed at combating money laundering and corruption and are in line with government efforts to move Africa’s most populous nation toward a cashless economy. “Civil servants are becoming more and more vulnerable to money laundering and its predicate offences due to their exposure to cash withdrawals from public accounts,” NFIU director and chief executive Modibbo R. HammanTukur said in the…

Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected speaker of the US House of Representatives early on Saturday, after making extensive concessions to a group of right-wing hardliners that raised questions about the party’s ability to govern. The 57-year-old Californian suffered one final humiliation when Representative Matt Gaetz withheld his vote on the 14th ballot as midnight approached, prompting a scuffle in which fellow Republican Mike Rogers had to be physically pulled away. McCarthy’s victory in the 15th ballot brought an end to the deepest congressional dysfunction in over 160 years. But it sharply illustrated the difficulties that he will face in leading…

Manchester United have agreed to sign Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar, 30, on loan from Al Nassr. (OKAZ, via Talksport) Juventus and Barcelona are interested in Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Zaha’s contract situation at Crystal Palace, as the 30-year-old enters the final six months of his deal at Selhurst Park. (Evening Standard) Liverpool and Chelsea are chasing the signature of 21-year-old Brighton and Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo. (Sky Sports) Chelsea are also interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach’s 26-year-old France forward Marcus Thuram this month. (Foot Mercato – in French) West Ham manager David Moyes faces a crucial two weeks, with Premier League fixtures against Wolves and Everton set to decide his future. (Mail) Barcelona and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay, 28, wants…