Author: David Great

A socio-political group in Edo, Owan and Akoko-Edo Alliance, says it will mobilise N120 million in support of the presidential aspiration of former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole. The group’s decision is contained in a statement issued in Benin on Friday, by its Chairman and Secretary, Sunny Ifijen and Omeiza Ogumah respectively. The group said it voluntarily decided to support the former governor because of his capacity and the fact that he would make a difference in the polity and governance of the country. According to the alliance, it never supported Oshiomhole’s senatorial ambition because it wanted him to contest…

President Muhammadu Buhari has insisted that the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu must defend himself in court. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president said this while responding to appeals for the release of detained IPOB leader. NAN reports that South East traditional, religious and political leaders made the appeal during a town hall meeting with Buhari in Abakaliki, on Friday. The meeting was the last official engagement of the president who was on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi. “I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Friday tasked its officials to adhere strictly to its guidelines as the 2022 exercise begins for over 1.7 million candidates nationwide. The board gave the directive in its Weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar in Abuja. It stated that biometric verification would be the only mode for admittance of candidates into the examination centre. The board said strict adherence to this directive was required by all involved. JAMB had reiterated that all candidates would be checked into the examination hall, using the Biometric Verification Machine (BVM) which would also serve…

No fewer than 1.7 million candidates are set to take part in the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) nationwide scheduled to run from May 6 to May 16. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) stated that the examination would be conducted for 1,761,338 candidates that successfully registered for the examination in 755 registered computer based centres. The Head Media JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said in Abuja, that the board had put in place all measures to ensure smooth conduct of the examination. Fabian said that all candidates would be checked into the examination hall, using the Biometric Verification…

Napoli’s 23-year-old Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen says he would prefer to join Arsenal over Manchester United or Newcastle. (Gazzetta dello Sport, via Express) Napoli has repeatedly said that they won’t sell Osimhen for less than £100m. Kylian Mbappe is on the brink of signing a two-year contract extension with Paris St-Germain worth £42.5m a year, plus an £85m signing-on fee for the 23-year-old France forward. (Le Parisien – in French, subscription required) However, Mbappe’s mother says her son is continuing talks about his future with PSG “in great serenity”. (Mirror) Manager Pep Guardiola will sign a new deal with Manchester…

Rangers’ dream season in Europe will culminate in a Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt after they swept aside RB Leipzig on another emotionally charged and memorable night at Ibrox. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Rangers turned the semi-final on its head within 25 minutes through goals from James Tavernier and Glen Kamara. Christopher Nkunku’s 32nd goal of the season levelled the tie again before John Lundstram shook Ibrox with 10 minutes left after sweeping home. Leipzig, despite their talented squad, could find no answer in the closing stages amid a cauldron of noise as a depleted Rangers side…

Progressive Lawyers for Osinbajo (PLO) has kicked against the proposed meeting of Southwest presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by some leaders of the region. The convener of the group and a constitutional lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, said in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, that it was a wrong motive and a wrong move. Ajulo said that the meeting, slated for May 6, at the State House, Marina, Lagos, lacked some elements of credibility. He agreed that the initiative was borne out of earlier call on Yoruba leaders to hold strategic conference to provide…

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday said he is the most prepared of all aspirants in the 2023 presidential election. Osinbajo made the submission on Thursday in Yenagoa when he paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers in continuation of his consultations ahead of the 2023 presidential election. The vice-president said he had the requisite experience needed to pilot the affairs of the country. “The objective of my coming is to formally let you know, in a domain where I am a chief, of my intention to run for the presidency of the Federal Republic of…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again shifted its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting earlier rescheduled for May 10 to May 11. The party’s National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, made the announcement in a statement he issued in Abuja on Thursday. Anyanwu stated that the earlier date clashed with the local governments’ delegates’ election involving all members of the party. PDP disqualifies two presidential candidates He added that the venue of the meeting remained the party’s NEC Hall at the National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. In a separate statement, Anyanwu also declared that the party’s national caucus meeting earlier scheduled…

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has dissolved the state executive council with effect from Thursday to give all aspirants a level playing field. The communication was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Administration and General Services, Mr Danjuma Ali, issued in Maiduguri. It said: “The Governor has approved with immediate effect the dissolution of members of the State Executive Council.” Sultan, Zulum praise Osinbajo’s passion for education of the Northeast children Ali explained that the dissolution was to create enabling environment for interested members of the executive council to legally participate in forthcoming primaries and congresses…