Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu’s decision to withdraw pardons granted to convicted drug traffickers, arms dealers and other serious offenders has ignited a wider debate about what critics call his government’s growing pattern of “governance by reversal.” The backlash erupted after Tinubu rescinded clemency previously approved under the presidential prerogative of mercy, following public outrage over names included in the initial list. The move, which came days after Nigerians condemned the blanket pardon as reckless, has prompted questions about decision-making at the highest levels of government. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the President acted…

Premier League leaders Arsenal will take on FA Cup holders Crystal Palace in one of the standout ties of the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The clash at the Emirates promises fireworks, with both sides chasing silverware before Christmas. Elsewhere, League One side Cardiff City – the only non-Premier League club left in the competition – will host Chelsea in what could be a fairytale night for the Welsh side. Defending champions Newcastle United will welcome Fulham to St James’ Park, while Manchester City, eight-time winners of the competition, will face Brentford at the Etihad. The quarter-final fixtures are scheduled for the…

Arne Slot’s line-up gamble backfired as a much-changed Liverpool lost at home to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last 16 – the Reds’ sixth defeat in seven games. Slot named three teenagers in his starting line-up and a further five among his substitutes as he made 10 changes from the team that was beaten 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday. But poor defending allowed Palace’s Ismaila Sarr to score twice in a four-minute spell at the end of the first half to take the game away from the hosts, before Yeremy Pino added a late third with a low curled…

Chelsea survived a late scare in a Carabao Cup last-16 victory at Wolves, where a mutinous atmosphere against manager Vitor Pereira and the club’s ownership morphed into hopes of a dream fightback. First-half goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George and Estevao Willian helped the Blues into the quarter-finals, despite a chaotic second half in which Tolu Arokodare scored once and David Moller Wolfe scored twice for Wolves, with Chelsea’s Jamie Gittens settling the tie. Returning striker Liam Delap, who came on to the pitch in the 60th minute after 10 weeks out, was sent off late on for two yellow…

Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored second-half goals as a youthful Arsenal side beat Brighton to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Mikel Arteta named 15-year-old Max Dowman, who became the youngest Arsenal player to start a match, and 17-year-old Andre Harriman-Annous in a side that had 10 changes from the team that beat Crystal Palace on Sunday. And it was two of Arsenal’s other young players who combined to give the Gunners the lead in the 57th minute. Mikel Merino played Myles Lewis-Skelly into the area with a clever backheel and the defender pulled the ball back for…

A pair of headers from Fabian Schar and Nick Woltemade sent holders Newcastle United into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur. Tottenham have hurt a number of sides with their aerial ability this season, particularly at set-plays, but the much-changed hosts gave Thomas Frank’s team a taste of their own medicine at St James’ Park. Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Schar easily rose above Lucas Bergvall to head them in front from Sandro Tonali’s corner. Spurs players protested to referee Chris Kavanagh as Tonali took the corner just as defender Djed…

Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki scored late goals as Manchester City came from behind to win at Swansea City and book a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. Goncalo Franco’s memorable strike had given the Championship side an early lead but Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort brought Pep Guardiola’s team level before the break. Manchester City, eight-time winners of this competition, dominated after the break and eventually broke Swansea’s resistance when Marmoush lashed home after Cherki’s through-ball 13 minutes from time. France international Cherki, who like Marmoush was back afer injury, sealed victory in added time as his low shot rolled…

The House of Representatives has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to raise $2.347 billion from the international capital arket to part-finance Nigeria’s 2025 budget deficit and refinance maturing Eurobonds. The approval came after the House considered and adopted a report by the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba, during Wednesday’s plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. According to the report, the external borrowing will include $1.23 billion to fund the 2025 budget deficit and $1.12 billion to refinance Nigeria’s Eurobond maturing in November 2025. The borrowing component represents about N1.84 trillion…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the removal of convicted kidnappers, drug traffickers, human traffickers, fraudsters, and illegal arms dealers from the federal government’s prerogative of mercy list. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the move in a statement on Wednesday, saying it followed consultations with the Council of State and growing public concern over some names earlier approved for pardon. “Certain persons convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug-related offences, human trafficking, fraud, and unlawful possession of firearms were deleted from the list,” Onanuga said. “Others had their sentences commuted after review.” The presidency said the decision was driven by…

A prominent Plateau cleric and regional leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo, has provoked nationwide debate after a viral video in which he said no ransom should be paid if he is ever kidnapped. In the footage Dachomo tells followers he has accepted the danger of speaking out against violence in northern Nigeria. He says his death would “raise war” and help liberate Christians, adding: “We are showing them mercy, we are showing them love, but they did not see it. I do not know where I will be next, but for me I…