Buhari does not want APC automatic ticket for 2019 - Kalu

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZZrfBSD3IyLuHwKRDVibKWzVQizzhdYmGMo78tPENU-HbyVZYbBY4Hm0BzYi5lA-dlchVHkY8SKrWpufxXN9bM4igQXXP9fX7Tpska0PlU2ZKImOcW0VqxIPnvrEfPnKA_HenvLFEG4E/s1600/kalu-buhari.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="412" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZZrfBSD3IyLuHwKRDVibKWzVQizzhdYmGMo78tPENU-HbyVZYbBY4Hm0BzYi5lA-dlchVHkY8SKrWpufxXN9bM4igQXXP9fX7Tpska0PlU2ZKImOcW0VqxIPnvrEfPnKA_HenvLFEG4E/s400/kalu-buhari.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari does not want automatic ticket to re -contest for the 2019 Presidential Election, because he would want other interested candidates to explore the democratic process to test their popularity.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> This is just as Kalu said President Buhari is making a lot of inroads in South East. Saying that the role he played during Anambra election, other Presidents would have written the results and that Buhari said: ‘no every ballot paper must be counted’ and they were counted. If it is other President, APC would be jubilating home with victory. But President said, ‘no, I would not tolerate that.<br /> <br /> On the opposition, he said the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) would not bounce back because of the massive looting of the nation’s treasury during the last administration. Speaking at a private wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Kalu said President Buhari as a democrat would want every interested candidate to be given a chance to test their popularity and exercise their democratic right. Acccording to Kalu : “ Buhari himself is not even looking for automatic ticket. Buhari is a man that is very fair and free to what he does.<br /> <br /> And his feeling is that if any candidate is willing to contest against him, he should come to the Eagle Square. “ And some schools of thought are saying ‘no, if in the United State, Obama was given automatic ticket. President Bush in Republican Party was given automatic ticket. President Clinton was given automatic ticket. The First and Second Bush were given automatic ticket. “ So President Buhari is also feeling that automatic ticket for him is not right. He said open the space for other people who also want to contest.<br /> <br /> He want the openness of the primary to take place. He further said : “ The contest should be thrown open. There would be no rancour. We are in democracy and I would vote for the President.<br /> <br /> <br /> I’ve said it times without number, that the President needs to consolidate on his achievements because most parts of President because the President is very popular. He is still the only person carrying 12 million votes in his back.” his tenure have been besieged by illness. So the President genuinely deserves second tenure.<br /> <br /> “ We are not afraid of anybody who wants to contest against the President. On PDP chances of bouncing back, he said the international community was outraged by the massive looting of the nation’s treasury by PDP, that it would amount to the greatest disservice to call for the return of PDP. Kalu also said Buhari was under restraint not to expose the gargantuan corruption that took place at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPPC) Kalu said : “ How can they bounce back when treasury was looted? How can they bounce back when the international community doesn’t see anything good in them? How can they bounce back when we gave them our treasury, they opened and looted it.<br /> <br /> “We would call names if they want to us to call names in future. All the World Powers knew what happened and this is why they tactically insisted that PDP must leave power. PDP committed what was very shameful to have been seen in a democratic process.<br /> <br /> There is no system that is not with corruption but going to loot is an affront to Nigerian people. “They opened the treasury and looted the treasury. President Buhari having been restrained by some World Powers not to open up what happened in the NNPC. If Nigerians know what happened in NNPC, those people would not pass this airport, people would not leave them. What they did is what hear and eyes should not even hear.<br /> <br /> How can they come back? They will definitely go to oblivion, they would never win election again in Nigeria unless they changed their name.” Kalu was however , reluctant to comment on the resignation of the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), saying, if he had the opportunity of advising him, he would have asked him to remain to rebuild the APC.<br /> <br /> On Atiku he said : “ To be honest with you, Atiku was my boss and he is still my boss. And I hardly don’t want to discuss Atiku Abubakar. You know he is very close to me. The question you are asking me is a lot of task but I wish him well. If I was to advise him before he leaves, I would say, ‘don’t leave. Let us build a large team together.’ If he wanted to contest against the President, it would be open at the Eagle Square.<br /> <br /> If he wins, we would support him. “ If the President wins, we would support the President. But running from one party, you remember I am the only Nigerian since democratic process who has been in only two parties. I have been in PPA and PDP. I didn’t run back and forward. No I was in opposition since 2006 that I was deregistered in PDP. I’ve been in opposition until 16th of November last year when I joined the APC. “It is not every election year we would go and form a new political party. It doesn’t entrench our democratic process.<br /> <br /> I am feeling it and I am seeing it that it is not the right thing to do, what are we going to teach the younger ones? “ .He said Buhari was gaining popularity and acceptance in the South East, as many leaders of thought are now seeing him in a different light . Kalu explained “ Even in the South East where he didn’t do well, I’m just come from the South East. President Buhari is making a lot of inroads. The role he played during Anambra election, other Presidents would have written the results.<br /> <br /> “ They have done it before. But the President said, ‘no every ballot paper must be counted’ and they were counted. If it is other President, APC would be jubilating home with victory. But President said, ‘no, I would not tolerate that. “He warned the police, he warned the INEC, he warned the party and said ‘every one vote must be counted’ and that was what was done. Have we ever had a President like that in Nigeria? The answer is no. Other ones would come and even put armoured car in my house in Ikwerre. That’s what we have been seeing. So why don’t Nigerians embrace this man who is saying I might be slow but do things through the due process.<br /> <br /> “I’ve spoken to some Catholic Bishops, Priests and some Anglican Bishops and some priests in Presbyterian Church who used to sit with me and criticised the President. They are now telling me, no we don’t know the President is this kind of person. “So I have been in the South East for the past two weeks. I have been there from election till now.<br /> <br /> “ So I know the mentality of our people now and they are going to vote for the man. Whether is PDP, APC or APGA, all of them are going to vote for the man. You can see Governor Umahi of Ebonyi has already endorsed the President for second term. Whether Obiano (Anambra Governor) is crossing over to APC or PDP, he would definitely endorse the president. So the President has support in the region.”

Latest-News Buhari does not want APC automatic ticket for 2019 - Kalu

Former Abia State Governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari does not want automatic ticket to re -contes...

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EFCC obtains warrants to arrest more ex-government officials

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgHYO6K0L4L-IwwO4E_Otr4w_EXJkFSydM-CtViy-j2mn7NIwU5sWb3iWIAIbap9g6Bbxo3ZzQbX0t72ZynkNCTEIOx2mAI5nMdIt3nYeKwUJlWPFaSVRuwuN413CPF9r4uwueQ5LYoWx/s1600/1-EFCC-OnoBello-1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgHYO6K0L4L-IwwO4E_Otr4w_EXJkFSydM-CtViy-j2mn7NIwU5sWb3iWIAIbap9g6Bbxo3ZzQbX0t72ZynkNCTEIOx2mAI5nMdIt3nYeKwUJlWPFaSVRuwuN413CPF9r4uwueQ5LYoWx/s320/1-EFCC-OnoBello-1105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained two separate warrants from a court to arrest a former Director-General of Department of State Service (DSS), Mr. Ita Ekpenyong and ex-Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The commission also secured the nod of the court to search the residences of the two former intelligence chiefs.<br /> <br /> Also, for the first time, the EFCC has disclosed to the court why the two former intelligence chiefs were wanted.<br /> <br /> But some top government officials are opposed to the arrest of the two former intelligence chiefs because of the implications for the nation’s security apparatchik.<br /> <br /> It was also learnt that some members of the diplomatic community had been anxious about the fate of Oke, who is well-respected in intelligence circles in the Western world.<br /> <br /> According to investigation, both the search and arrest warrants were signed by a Chief Magistrate II in the Federal Capital Territory.<br /> <br /> In the search warrant, the court said based upon information on oath and in writing there is reasonable ground for EFCC officials to enter the residences of Ekpenyong and Oke.<br /> <br /> The warrant added: “You are hereby commanded by this state with proper assistance to enter the above named residence and premises and there diligently search for the things aforesaid and if the same or any part thereof are found to bring the things so found and also the said person before this court to be dealt according to law.<br /> <br /> “This warrant shall be executed between the hours of five o’ clock and eight o’clock at night and may also be executed at any hour during the day or night.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, the EFCC has disclosed to the court that it was after Ekpenyong and Oke for “alleged theft and diversion of public funds.”<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The anti-graft agency, which made the disclosure in its application for warrant of arrest, alleged that two defendants were “invited by the EFCC but failed to honour the invitation.”<br /> <br /> A source in the EFCC said: “We have valid warrants of search and arrest from a court of competent jurisdiction; this is why we intend to go ahead.<br /> <br /> “We will soon release the details of all the allegations in the reports referred to us by the presidency. The reports emanated from the investigation conducted by two Presidential Investigative Committees set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> “We need to put the issues in correct perspective. The President raised a Presidential Investigative Committee on $2.1billion Arms Procurement, which was headed by AVM Jon Ode. Also, another Presidential Investigative Committee was led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the $43.4million recovered from a flat at Osborne Towers.<br /> <br /> “After perusing the reports, the presidency mandated the EFCC to do follow-up investigations based on the findings of the two committees.<br /> <br /> “It is not as if the EFCC is going outside the mandate from the presidency.”<br /> <br /> But Department of State Security Services (DSS), some top government officials and members of the kitchen cabinet of the President were allegedly opposed to the arrest of the two former intelligence chiefs.<br /> <br /> A government official said: “No one is saying any corrupt person should be spared. I think what some of us detested is the way the EFCC was going about it as if Ekpenyong and Oke are criminals. These are intelligence officers who paid their dues while in service. Their integrity should be preserved pending the conclusion of investigation.<br /> <br /> “It is on record that the two affected intelligence chiefs have cooperated with the EFCC so far. In fact, the EFCC has secured the permanent forfeiture of the $43.4million cash seized from Osborne Towers in Ikoyi. The DSS and some of us in government are only calling for decorum in managing their cases.<br /> <br /> “For instance, Oke single-handedly coordinated the negotiation for the repatriation of the loot traced to the family of the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha while in the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom. It was a major success recorded by the administration of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.<br /> <br /> “Since the government of Buhari came on board, Oke had assisted EFCC through the NIA structure in wielding diplomatic and intelligence influence to track looted funds in jurisdictions outside Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “The same man raised the bar of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to international standards with world class facilities. All the contracts were awarded to Julius Berger without Oke being a member of the NIA Tenders Board. And payments for all contracts were effected directly to the contractor.<br /> <br /> “I really do not think that Oke deserves any form of humiliation. He was the only security chief who wrote a dissenting report predicting that Jonathan will lose the 2015 general elections. This was even before the poll.<br /> <br /> “On Ekpenyong, he personally made his residential address available to EFCC in order to deliver a letter of invitation. What would have informed his arrest.<br /> <br /> “We even learnt that he was so prudent that he left some money in billions in the account of the DSS. It is left to the EFCC to ascertain this claim.”<br /> <br />

Latest-News EFCC obtains warrants to arrest more ex-government officials

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has obtained two separate warrants from a court to arrest a former Director-General of ...

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Expect dividends of democracy till end of my tenure – Aregbesola

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOX0gju4IyHT0KSd3qbwvo3rx4FhA2uRrqbR_rUxHbf9J7RWb22yAt1ygsvUTgIggs9IKYutdQ-UmNil9knkjeq9sxx4tEuOrmn5mVF65NIILJsegGbWri0NJjC9MJREvZA3iyTZC1jzS/s1600/Governor-Rauf-Aregbesola+osun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="503" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOX0gju4IyHT0KSd3qbwvo3rx4FhA2uRrqbR_rUxHbf9J7RWb22yAt1ygsvUTgIggs9IKYutdQ-UmNil9knkjeq9sxx4tEuOrmn5mVF65NIILJsegGbWri0NJjC9MJREvZA3iyTZC1jzS/s400/Governor-Rauf-Aregbesola+osun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday assured the people of the state of continued delivery of dividends of democracy till his last days in office.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking at the grand finale of Calisthenics competition to commemorate the 7th year anniversary of his administration at Osogbo Township Stadium, Aregbesola disclosed that 28,000 students have so far been trained for the Calisthenics display.<br /> <br /> According to him, the exercise has improved the health, agility and mentality of the students. He said: “We introduced this programme in 2012 and we have so far trained 28,000 students.<br /> <br />  We are inculcating the spirit of unity, team work, hardworking in the lives of the students through Calisthenics. We are preparing them for a world beyond here.”<br /> <br /> The governor, who praised parents for their support for the programme, said the parents willingly bought the costumes for the students this year. He explained that the prizes given to the participants were to develop sporting facilities in their various schools. Osun Central senatorial district won the firs prize of N2 million while Osun West came second with a prize of N1 million.

Latest-News Expect dividends of democracy till end of my tenure – Aregbesola

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday assured the people of the state of continued delivery of dividends of democracy till his l...

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Popular Ekiti OAP shot dead while hunting

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbek1rrnfv6E9Izq9yczroEtjwb0e5Pf4jl3Xoz8m88ZHqie_lz24-hslIHtVYnCismFc_ql75b3bJbjTjfC7hlRSd45uFdxCMm2u2HZNBxUubi2AMsvkacOEi_TV7c98eCgsAHgb3Gfu3/s1600/Capture-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbek1rrnfv6E9Izq9yczroEtjwb0e5Pf4jl3Xoz8m88ZHqie_lz24-hslIHtVYnCismFc_ql75b3bJbjTjfC7hlRSd45uFdxCMm2u2HZNBxUubi2AMsvkacOEi_TV7c98eCgsAHgb3Gfu3/s320/Capture-38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Popular independent broadcaster in Ekiti State, Ganiyu Lawal, was at the weekend shot dead while on a hunting expedition.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Lawal, a presenter of Yoruba programmes on radio stations, was killed by unknown persons.<br /> <br /> The sad incident occurred at Apepe Farm Settlement in Araromi Oke in Ekiti East Local Government Area.<br /> <br /> The 42-year-old has been buried in his hometown, Igbemo, in Irepodun/Irepodun Local Government Areas according to Islamic injunction.<br /> <br /> The member of Freelance Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Ekiti State Chapter was survived by a wife and three children.<br /> <br /> A source close to the deceased’s family disclosed Lawal decided to go into the bush and return before 10pm after holding a meeting with his hunting friends.<br /> <br /> Friends and relatives became worried when he didn’t return as promised with his mobile phone also unreachable.<br /> <br /> <br /> It was gathered worried relations reported the case at Ilasa Police station, forcing them to embark on a search.<br /> <br /> Reports later reached his associates and relatives that the body of a man was discovered beside the bush by villagers going to the farm on Saturday morning.<br /> <br /> Police and some of the relatives ran to the scene to meet the lifeless body of Lawal with bullet wounds.<br /> <br /> Ekiti State Police Command spokesperson, Alberto Adeyemi, confirmed the incident.<br /> <br /> Adeyemi revealed the assailants went away with the hunting gun of the deceased.<br /> <br /> He said the command has launched investigation into the murder, urging members of the public to assist the Police with information that could lead to arrest of the perpetrators.

Latest-News Popular Ekiti OAP shot dead while hunting

Popular independent broadcaster in Ekiti State, Ganiyu Lawal, was at the weekend shot dead while on a hunting expedition. Lawal, a pr...

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Jonathan to Atiku - 'You need to beg Obasanjo to get the 2019 presidential ticket of the PDP'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc0T_huvmdXk4lC4rsGAnDyZ6LuLbX8bkLhrGflHAm2qT8cmilWWsGbIfD9h4Xuo_N2mSkPIIADi8l2S_J4VSFKVvU1KQYl_QATbygvAbEJkmGXq9AMmmUi8ySdCEanMwiFDFDWHbyGpd/s1600/atiku-jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="400" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUc0T_huvmdXk4lC4rsGAnDyZ6LuLbX8bkLhrGflHAm2qT8cmilWWsGbIfD9h4Xuo_N2mSkPIIADi8l2S_J4VSFKVvU1KQYl_QATbygvAbEJkmGXq9AMmmUi8ySdCEanMwiFDFDWHbyGpd/s320/atiku-jonathan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has one more hurdle to cross in his secret deal with some stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was learnt yesterday that Jonathan said Atiku must beg or apologize to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo to get the 2019 presidential ticket of the PDP on a platter of gold.<br /> <br /> Although Obasanjo has quit partisan politics, Jonathan was of the opinion that “he is still a strong factor in shaping the future of the nation in 2019 because he is a force among the revered kingmakers.”<br /> <br /> Former President Jonathan had in early November told the publisher of Ovation magazine in an interview that “If Atiku gets our party ticket, he would compete well. But he would have to reach out to our boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses. We’ve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your peril. OBJ has the magic wand. He is respected at home and abroad.”<br /> <br /> It was however unclear if Atiku has either accepted the condition or opted to go it alone in seeking the presidential mandate of the PDP.<br /> <br /> But some presidential aspirants in PDP were said not to be ready to step down for Atiku, whom Jonathan is working to the answer for.<br /> <br /> The aspirants said they prefer to slug it out with Atiku during the presidential primaries.<br /> <br /> The affected aspirants are ex-Governor Sule Lamido, ex-Minister Ibrahim Shekarau, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo and a former governor (now a Senator), who is expected to defect from APC to PDP.<br /> <br /> The fate of the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi on the party’s 2019 ticket was hanging in the balance as at press time.<br /> <br /> Findings by our source revealed that the secret deal, which made Atiku to resign from the All Progressives Congress (APC), was comprehensive and targeted at the ex-VP securing the PDP presidential slot.<br /> <br /> It was gathered that the package also borders on hijacking the party structure at the National Convention on December 9 to make Atiku’s choice as the PDP presidential candidate a reality.<br /> <br /> Following lobbying by Jonathan, some founding fathers of PDP (including a few retired military officers), have been part of the latest course in PDP.<br /> <br /> Investigation revealed that most governors of the PDP were said to have bought into the Atiku project in deference to Jonathan.<br /> <br /> A top source, who was privy to the deal, said: “The unfolding script on Atiku’s return to PDP has the blessing of some founding fathers of PDP who are out to salvage the party. A major component is a likely waiver for the ex-VP to contest the party’s presidential primaries.<br /> <br /> “So far, Atiku is complying with the secret accord for his return to PDP. A formal declaration in Yola is being expected either on Wednesday or December 6 as indicated in a tentative timetable.<br /> <br /> “But in one of the negotiation shuttles with Atiku, ex-President Jonathan added a caveat that the former Vice President can comfortably secure PDP ticket and win the 2019 poll if he begs ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.<br /> <br /> “We were all shocked by this condition because Obasanjo is no longer in partisan politics. But Jonathan said Obasanjo is an institution whose action or inaction could make or mar the electoral fortunes of Atiku.<br /> <br /> “The former President also believes that Obasanjo may persuade any of the presidential aspirants to withdraw for Atiku after weighing all the indices. He said if Obasanjo could reconcile with him, he can also forgive Atiku.<br /> <br /> “As a matter of fact, Jonathan cited cases of chairmanship aspirants in PDP travelling to Abeokuta to seek his blessing.<br /> <br /> “We are expecting Atiku to comply with this proviso because we want to begin the media war (based on facts and figures) in earnest.<br /> <br /> “Jonathan’s position on Obasanjo has been endorsed by some founding fathers of PDP, especially the military class which contrived the existence of the party.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, there were indications yesterday that some presidential aspirants in the PDP may not step down for Atiku.<br /> <br /> These include Lamido, Shekarau, Dankwambo and a former governor (now a Senator), who is expected to defect from APC to PDP.<br /> <br /> It was not clear if the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi will seek the party’s 2019 ticket.<br /> <br /> A governor, who played a significant role in the pact with Atiku, said: “As part of the deal, we have been trying to prevail on some of these aspirants to step down but they have chosen to contest the primaries with the ex-Vice President.<br /> <br /> “Some of them queried why a politician will cross from the opposition party and just be given PDP presidential ticket.<br /> <br /> “One of the aspirants said since 1999, he has never defected to any party. He said loyalty to the party and competence should be compensated by PDP.<br /> <br /> “Well, we have looked into PDP Constitution, it is immaterial when you join, you can enjoy the rights and privileges which a Methuselah member enjoys. Go and look at sections 8 and 18 of our constitution.”<br /> <br /> While Section 8(a) and (b) of the PDP Constitution deals with the procedure for rejoining PDP, Section 18 is on the Status of Returnee Members.<br /> <br /> Section 8 reads: “A person who desires to rejoin the party after leaving it shall: (a) apply to his Ward Secretary for readmission; and (b) unless given waiver by the National Working Committee(NWC), be placed on probation for a period of not less than one year.<br /> <br /> “Subject to the provision of Section 8(b), a member on probation shall have the right to attend all meetings of the party but shall not be entitled to vote at such meetings, nor shall he be eligible to contest for elective office on the platform of the party.<br /> <br /> Section 18 says: “A person who has earlier decamped from the party but later decides to return to the party shall lose the seniority and privileges conferred on him by his previous status.”<br /> <br /> But the PDP top shot said: “As the opposition party, we are looking at the larger picture of the return of Atiku, we will give him all waivers required to ensure his readmission.<br /> <br /> “Some of our leaders, who were initially opposed to the return of the ex-VP, had shown enough understanding in the past few months.”<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan yesterday said the exit of Atiku would not have any significant effect on the fortunes of the party in the 2019 general elections.<br /> <br /> He said no serving governor, no presiding officer of the National Assembly or key national executive officer of the party was in sync with Atiku’s defection.<br /> <br /> Olaosebikan who spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday said in spite of the defection, President Muhammadu Buhari would win hands down and that the party would perform better in 2019.<br /> <br /> He added: “Going through the resignation letter, I found out that the Turaki did not exercise enough fortitude. He allowed politics and ambition to take control of him. He should have stayed with his avowed position in 2013 that the All Progressives Congress was his last bus stop politically, and leave the rest in the hands of Allah.”<br /> <br /> “What the President needs from us, particularly the big political players is love, understanding, support and prayers as already being exhibited by the National Executive of the party and our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who at different fora recently gave us hope and assurances of a better tomorrow.”<br /> <br /> When asked of the declaration of Asiwaju Tinubu that the party would not give automatic ticket to President Buhari for a second term, Olaosebikan told journalists that the position of Tinubu was in the best interest of the President, APC and the country as a whole.<br /> <br /> “Asiwaju, with the declaration of no automatic ticket was merely portraying the President as a genuine democrat who believes in due process. What Asiwaju Tinubu said was in support of strengthening our democracy and our political institution which we need to do with all seriousness.<br /> <br /> “You would recall too, that he stated that all the organs of the party would support him through the processes. In a nutshell, he is in full support of his second term and you know with him, all the APC governors and the presiding officers in the National Assembly, the ticket is already in the pocket of the President.<br /> <br /> “And when it comes to the general election, it is a platitude that you cannot compare the popularity and acceptability of President Muhammadu Buhari with that of any person in the country today. He will win in the North and in the South convincingly. Buhari is not loved for money or any material thing; he is passionately loved for his strong character and piousness.”

Latest-News Jonathan to Atiku - 'You need to beg Obasanjo to get the 2019 presidential ticket of the PDP'

Ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar has one more hurdle to cross in his secret deal with some stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)...

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NEW MUSIC VIDEO: Davido - Like Dat

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX64BhgcoBEQZb9kGAPF89l1pfF3iKuaiapEt3EhnzpWnWQsvg7YKaXnpGUql7-Dql_7J7sucwX5AWD8tCjNE0mcxMQK_fpVZnB5gX5E7WvteIGUiU2ZD_ocI_cr5IXJrqgA1OgJ5aSv3q/s400/Like-Dat-davido.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Surely 2017 is Davido's year, the Afro-pop artiste, has released another single record titled “Like Dat.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The song was produced by Shizzi and accompanied by visuals directed by DAPS.<br /> <br /> “Emi Omo Olowo, Anywhere money de na there me I go to” said Davido as he takes the listeners to his life of affluence.<br /> <br /> This new video is coming after his recent release of <a href="http://www.nigerianeye.com/2017/11/new-video-davido-fia.html">'FIA'</a><br /> <br /> And we cannot forget other 2017 monster hits like 'IF' and 'FALL'<br /> <br /> Watch the new single, “Like Dat” below, comment, share<br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJPt8ruo2BQ" width="654"></iframe>

Latest-News NEW MUSIC VIDEO: Davido - Like Dat

Surely 2017 is Davido's year, the Afro-pop artiste, has released another single record titled “Like Dat.” The song was produced by...

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Buhari’s govt most open, transparent in Nigeria’s history – Lai Mohammed

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6vpjQZ8kIgfPwvkuaF_9FY_7KGhaWF_L_RGbCUXAPxWK2pDPiWt_J7DSaGuE4tYedEVcVg2yY3xQO3_Yvzox24VLs3_wXZK6Nz90F7mVnCyMC9miMmie2fbmU3dPV2D6_d91zottX2lO/s1600/Alhaji-Lai-Mohammed-e1482142770132.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="512" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6vpjQZ8kIgfPwvkuaF_9FY_7KGhaWF_L_RGbCUXAPxWK2pDPiWt_J7DSaGuE4tYedEVcVg2yY3xQO3_Yvzox24VLs3_wXZK6Nz90F7mVnCyMC9miMmie2fbmU3dPV2D6_d91zottX2lO/s640/Alhaji-Lai-Mohammed-e1482142770132.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has declared the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari as the most transparent and open in the history of Nigeria, saying “the President has been open to the extent of allowing Nigerians to make input in almost all his major policy decisions.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Speaking Saturday at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Media Dialogue in Abuja, the Minister said unlike President Buhari’s two predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, information now pass more freely and speedily from the government to the people. Mohammed, who was represented by Bayo Onanuga, the Managing-Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said: “the Ministry of Information under this government has been hyperactive; thereby, making the administration of President Buhari the most open and transparent in the history of Nigeria. “Take for instance, a few days ago, the full minute of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting was sent to all media houses to use as content for public consumption. This shows that the federal government is trying to provide as much information as possible to the public.<br /> <br /> “Also, Nigeria’s recent upward climb on the Ease of Doing Business Index (EDBI) is another indicator of this government’s strong resolve and commitment to transparency initiatives. The Minister further encouraged the media to take advantage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to request for more government information that will serve the interest of the public; stressing that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government who fail to provide information requested in compliance with the FOI Act can be sued.<br /> <br /> Mohammed however cautioned that while the federal government demonstrates its commitment to promoting openness in the affairs of governance, it will not carry on its business on “the pages of newspapers.” He said that though Press Freedom is guaranteed under Nigerian laws, the media should exercise this freedom with a sense of responsibility.<br /> <br /> “The media must continue to call government and members of the political class to order when they go wrong. However, the media should remain truthful, factual and objective. It should also desist from spreading information from unverified and unverifiable sources. “As professionals, try to do your work in compliance with the media laws and codes of ethics which guide the media profession,” the Minister advise.

Latest-News Buhari’s govt most open, transparent in Nigeria’s history – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has declared the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari as the most tr...

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Obanikoro Dumps PDP, Joins APC

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lRXol6-selKio3kz7afLCmhUR_0Pzrt73hqXMwVv_4UsU4SmV7YTYBHs545XVq7F-nb0G2yF4hb5NEnNN3oLQvkOXnsI4AiaTx6THIIapP6Zwu9sCZDFXJVfc49H9cQU6glZ1fScRBOI/s640/Obanikoro-660x330.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen.Musiliu Obanikoro, on Saturday in Lagos finally dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Obanikoro’s defection at his Lagos Island constituency ended months of speculations about the status of his political allegiance.<br /> <br /> There were earlier reports that he had settled his differences with the national leader of APC, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu , as a step to joining the ruling party.<br /> <br /> Though Obanikoro acknowledged reconciliation with Tinubu, he had neither denied nor confirmed plans to join his political mentor in APC.<br /> <br /> He, however, finally gave the hint of his defection during a television interview on Thursday.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that Obanikoro defected to the APC along with other PDP bigwigs in the state, including a former aide of former president Good luck Jonathan, Mrs Modupe Sasore.<br /> <br /> Others are a national officer of the PDP, Mr Jide Damazio, and another PDP chieftain, Chief Kola Balogun.<br /> <br /> They were received by chieftains of APC, including the state chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale; Alhaji Kashim Imam, Chief James Odunbaku as well as the Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Adeniji Kazeem who represented Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.<br /> <br /> Past and serving members of the National Assembly including Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa and Rep. Jide Jimoh were among APC bigwigs present.<br /> <br /> Presenting the APC flag to Obanikoro and others, Ajomale said the coming of the former minister and others meant the opposition was totally dead in the state.<br /> <br /> He described Obanikoro as politically experienced and sagacious, and said his joining the party would no doubt add to the electoral fortune of the party in the state.<br /> <br /> “We are happy to receive Obanikoro back in our fold. He was with us when we started the Alliance for Democracy (AD) but he decided to go the other way.<br /> <br /> “Thank God he has realised his mistake and he is back. We are indeed happy to get back this big fish, along with others.<br /> <br /> “Obanikoro is an asset and he will no doubt add value to our party,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Obanikoro, in his speech, said he was happy to return to the fold of his age-long political associates after his long sojourn in the PDP.<br /> <br /> He said he defected because he couldn’t find fulfillment in the PDP and he joined the ruling party because he had a mission to render service on its platform.<br /> <br /> The ex-minister said his former party could not offer him the platform for the kind of service he wanted to render.<br /> <br /> “Today, I and others are not just joining the APC for joining sake, we are joining because we are on a mission.<br /> <br /> “I had joined the PDP a few years ago with the hope that certain things would be done right to enable me make the desired impact. That did not happen.<br /> <br /> “And now, Asiwaju Tinubu has taken leadership to another level, not only in the state, but at the national level.<br /> <br /> “So, my joining the APC is not by accident. It is to return to my people and seek a platform on which I can render service to my people, because leadership is about service and co-ordination of talents to achieve results.<br /> <br /> “We have looked everywhere, and the only party that offers that platform for service delivery is the APC.<br /> <br /> “For me, this is not really a defection; it is a home-coming, because in a way, this is my root. I am happy to return to my people; no place like home,” he said.<br /> <br /> Obanikoro praised the leadership style of Tinubu, which he said had ensured the development of the state.<br /> <br /> He thanked Tinubu for being magnanimous to accept him back in the fold after years of altercations between them.<br /> <br /> “I thank Tinubu for his magnanimity. I am here because he is generous and has a forgiving heart. If it were other leaders, they will say ‘God forbid’.<br /> <br /> “He has accepted me back despite all the issues between us, I am grateful to him,” Obanikoro said.<br /> The former minister said he we would do his best to add value to his new party.<br /> <br /> Also, Sasore and Balogun took turns to thank the party for allowing them into the fold.<br /> <br /> They said they could not find fulfillment in PDP hence, the decision to join APC.<br /> <br /> The duo promised to do their best to ensure APC progresses in the state.<br /> <br /> Imam, in his remark, said the party was happy to receive Obanikoro and others.<br /> <br /> He said the defection meant the party was the only party in the state, as it marked the end of PDP.<br /> <br /> The National Vice-Chairman of the APC (South West), Chief Puis Akinyelure, who represented Tinubu, said the party was glad with the home-coming of Obanikoro and others<br /> <br /> He said the defection meant the PDP was dead as Obanikoro was one of its pillars in the state.<br /> <br /> A popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, was on hand to thrill those present.

Latest-News Obanikoro Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen.Musiliu Obanikoro, on Saturday in Lagos finally dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for ...

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Willian scores leveller as Chelsea hold Liverpool to draw

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TKu7EfOllGdBwqMxaqJogzVkm_LtuHIP_mJHQDl9Z7WhX8JIaF5EQ79cjKOBs6oV1s8nm2X-FE65lh7-PiCeOoskl4jVjSkJF8xSqQ-vMfElRvQmbHVmzMLAHrgdjP7iukkCbaaCtbU/s1600/liv+1-1+che.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TKu7EfOllGdBwqMxaqJogzVkm_LtuHIP_mJHQDl9Z7WhX8JIaF5EQ79cjKOBs6oV1s8nm2X-FE65lh7-PiCeOoskl4jVjSkJF8xSqQ-vMfElRvQmbHVmzMLAHrgdjP7iukkCbaaCtbU/s320/liv+1-1+che.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Willian netted a late equaliser as Chelsea came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Chelsea created their first real opening after 21 minutes when Eden Hazard cut inside before seeing his low strike tipped wide by Simon Mignolet.<br /> <br /> Liverpool then came close to opening the scoring shortly before the break when former Chelsea man Mohamed Salah turned his marker before firing just wide from the edge of the area.<br /> <br /> The hosts did manage to find the breakthrough in the 65th minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain poked the ball into the path of Salah, who slotted calmly past Thibaut Courtois.<br /> <br /> But Willian had the final say in the 85th minute, with what appeared to be a cross from the Brazil international looping over Mignolet and into the back of the net.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Credit: ESPN</div>

Latest-News Willian scores leveller as Chelsea hold Liverpool to draw

Willian netted a late equaliser as Chelsea came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Chelsea created their fi...

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Nigerian kidnappers shot dead British missionary after he sang Amazing Grace

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kTgIvGf38dX2JmESjHGnyfc8ykNRGLvx02PCUmfYkq22L_tQMikbsDcasF4nDBZVqZjTrfDlKwVd1POGXasoGrHF7zJ59e4GAk3I2UjctsctXrcEJemCdrgHlnkXnvDTtoyC77CBm3dp/s1600/ama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1200" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kTgIvGf38dX2JmESjHGnyfc8ykNRGLvx02PCUmfYkq22L_tQMikbsDcasF4nDBZVqZjTrfDlKwVd1POGXasoGrHF7zJ59e4GAk3I2UjctsctXrcEJemCdrgHlnkXnvDTtoyC77CBm3dp/s400/ama.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A British optician kidnapped in Nigeria was murdered after playing ‘Amazing Grace’ on guitar to cheer up his fellow captives.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ian Squire, 57, was among four Christian missionaries seized by a gang during a raid in the early hours of October 13 in the country’s southern Delta state.<br /> <br /> Details of the medical charity worker’s death were initially withheld, but two of the other hostages held alongside Squire have now spoken of their horrifying ordeal.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Speaking to The Telegraph, Shirley and David Donovan explained that Squire was shot to death the day after the four Britons were captured, and just after singing a hymn.<br /> <br /> Dr Donovan told the paper how the group’s spirits were lifted when the kidnappers returned a guitar and Mr Squire played ‘Amazing Grace’.<br /> <br /> He told the paper: ‘It was the perfect song, and at that point things began to look not quite as bad.<br /> <br /> ‘But then, after Ian finished playing, he stood up, and a salvo of gunshots killed him instantly.<br /> <br /> ‘We didn’t see who did it, but it was obvious that someone in the gang had shot him. It was terrifying to see.<br /> <br /> ‘We jumped out of the shack and into the water as we thought they were coming for us next, but a member of the gang came and put us back in there with Ian for the rest of the day.’<br /> <br /> They were held with Ian Squire and Alanna Carson as the four were working as missionary medics in west Africa.<br /> <br /> The couple said they do not know why the captors murdered Squire, stressing that the gangsters refused to explain why they did it.<br /> <br /> Squire and the other three hostages had been providing ‘free medical care and religious activities’ in the Burutu area of Delta state, said Chief Theo Fakama, from the local Enukorowa community.<br /> <br /> The captives were freed after the kidnappers told them a ransom had been paid, and were met by two SUVs, with Mr Donovan saying the smell of the leather and the air conditioning ‘was like stepping from one world into another’.<br /> <br /> The British High Commission and Nigerian authorities negotiated their release.<br /> <br /> During their kidnapping, the group kept their spirits up by playing a version of BBC Radio 4 quiz The Unbelievable Truth, where contestants have to tell fact from fiction, with Mrs Donovan saying the game was ‘prosaic but comforting’.<br /> <br /> They also reported that their captives – cultists whose gang was named after a local warrior god, Egbesu – were often seen drinking and taking drugs.<br /> <br /> The Egbesu Boys are still being hunted by the Nigerian government, with their leader – Karowei Gbakumor – on the run.<br /> <br /> (Daily Mail)

Latest-News Nigerian kidnappers shot dead British missionary after he sang Amazing Grace

A British optician kidnapped in Nigeria was murdered after playing ‘Amazing Grace’ on guitar to cheer up his fellow captives. Ian Squir...

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Anti-corruption: We cannot be prosecutor, jury – Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13M-wB6FukKMEuuUdXpC8CDrOulCMiIx76dChcB-ooVfKm8tap1EQwZV7aUzcwTTh43QxBx-DwesRilI7V-oc3U37_l6wleUtq33ROGlifpz_P1cOFBoIgkTlhhdNk7mvZS_lNAi8db54/s1600/Buhari-certificate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="650" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13M-wB6FukKMEuuUdXpC8CDrOulCMiIx76dChcB-ooVfKm8tap1EQwZV7aUzcwTTh43QxBx-DwesRilI7V-oc3U37_l6wleUtq33ROGlifpz_P1cOFBoIgkTlhhdNk7mvZS_lNAi8db54/s400/Buhari-certificate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari has said that criticism of the anti-corruption crusade will not deter his government from ensuring that those who found to have engaged in looting public funds are brought to book.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Instead of being deterred, he said the crusade will be strengthened and fought at all levels.<br /> <br /> Buhari who was apparently reacting to insinuations that the fight has not yielded any positive impact said the responsibility of the government t was to investigate and prosecute those found to have wanting, while the judiciary is the one who convict offenders.<br /> <br /> The President spoke in an interview published in the 2017/2018 Nigeria Outlook, a study on the economy, governance and investment opportunities in the country compiled by a team of Nigerian professionals led by Reginald Ibe and Dahiru Ganiyu Ali.<br /> <br /> He said: “we are succeeding in the anti-corruption war. Cases are being investigated and those indicted are prosecuted. The number of conviction is not within the ambit of the executive.<br /> <br /> “Ours is to investigate and charge to court, while it is the duty of the judiciary to convict. We can’t be prosecutor and jury at the same time. We respect the principle of separation of power as enshrined in our constitution. We don’t tele-guide the judiciary and the onus is on that institution to do its work expeditiously.<br /> <br /> “The anti corruption war is not limited in scope. Anybody that runs foul of the law will answer for it. We will strengthen the war in due course. You don’t need a national debate to fight corruption. You just need to crack down on corrupt people with fear of favour. We will strengthen the war and fight it at all levels.”<br /> <br /> President Buhari said the major task of his government is to make an enduring impact on the life of Nigerians, adding that it is unfortunate that for many decades, “we paid lip service to diversifying the economy.<br /> <br /> “But we merely succeeded in turning ourselves into a mono economy. And when oil price crashed, we simply crashed with it as a nation. It should never happen again, and that is why we are focused on Agriculture, mines and steel development, as well as manufacturing. We will lay a solid foundation and build on it. That will ensure that Nigeria will never be at the mercy of just one commodity again.<br /> <br /> “Oil will still get attention, but it get it along with ,any other commodities. That is our goal, and Nigeria and the international community can count on our single mindedness as an administration. We are determined to make a difference.”<br /> <br /> On the plans of the government to revamp the economy, the President said: “One thing I can say confidently is that the Economic Recovery and Growth plan as enunciated by the administration will place the Nigerian economy on a sound foundation that will stand us in good stead for decades. The duty of the government is to make salutary impacts on the lives of the people and that is what we are resolved to do.<br /> <br /> “If you look at the ERGP, you will notice that it projects into the future. That shows you that it has already factored in many things. Anybody that is honest with himself will admit that we have charted a direction that will lead us even far beyond 2020 as a nation.”<br /> <br /> On over bloated public service and whether the government has plans to right size, President Buhari said “There is time for everything. This time of parlous economic reality is not the right time to send more people into the Labour market, this is a government with a human face.<br /> <br /> “The human being is the Centre of our universe. We met a monthly wage bill of the public service at about N165 billion. It is very easy to say downsize. But rather, we preferred to audit the system and scores of thousands of ghost workers have been discovered in the process.<br /> <br /> “We saved more than N20 billion which has reduced the monthly wage bill significantly. We will continue to audit the process, get the correct number of workers we have, rather than retrench and cause more misery. I have said it before and I say it again. If I have my way, no single Nigerian will lose his or her job at this time.”<br /> <br /> In the fight against Boko Haram, he said “We have achieved a lot in the fight against Boko Haram. However. A sociological study will be conducted on what caused Boko Haram and what sustained it for so long. That is toward ensuring that such does not reoccur again in this country”

Latest-News Anti-corruption: We cannot be prosecutor, jury – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that criticism of the anti-corruption crusade will not deter his government from ensuring that those ...

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Atiku’s defection is of no effect, says APC chieftain

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLdKpEkYzQRsfAqCGWNMNXybwZl6Pv2vBzNl6Om2R9PEgCoh71QhUlXNAfMTgukHm1KISUGpPcgzUCaXwfKYG4TV4Nuvpn0zprKn2O2IkxnWaP_y0eF70Nv2tSczckcwBAIIySikUWc98/s1600/Atiku-Abubakar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="495" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLdKpEkYzQRsfAqCGWNMNXybwZl6Pv2vBzNl6Om2R9PEgCoh71QhUlXNAfMTgukHm1KISUGpPcgzUCaXwfKYG4TV4Nuvpn0zprKn2O2IkxnWaP_y0eF70Nv2tSczckcwBAIIySikUWc98/s320/Atiku-Abubakar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> An APC chieftain, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation would not have any significant effect on the party’s fortunes in the 2019 Presidential Election.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Olaosebikan said in a statement that for a politician of Atiku’s status to leave a party almost alone showed that the former vice president had declined in popularity and followership.<br /> <br /> The APC chieftain noted that many had expected a torrent of resignations across the country following his exit “but surprisingly, the political space remains silent almost 48 hours after the much hyped resignation.”<br /> <br /> According to the Oyo State based politician, the APC will perform better nationwide in the 2019 elections in spite of the defection<br /> <br /> He said that Atiku should have exhibited more fortitude and greater mellowness in his dealings with the ruling party rather than abandoning it after all his efforts and contributions to the 2015 elections.<br /> <br /> “Going through the resignation letter, I found out that the Turaki did not exercise enough fortitude. He allowed politics and ambition to take control of him.<br /> <br /> “He should have stayed with his avowed position in 2013 that the All Progressives Congress was his last bus stop politically, and leave the rest in the hands of God,” Olaosebikan said.<br /> <br /> Olaosebikan said the issue of no automatic ticket to President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term was in the best interest of the president, APC and the country as a whole.<br /> <br /> “The declaration of no automatic ticket was merely portraying the president as a genuine democrat who believes in due process.<br /> <br /> “It is in line with strengthening our democracy and our political institutions which we need to do with all seriousness,” he said.<br /> <br /> The APC chieftain expressed optimism that President Buhahi would win the 2019 Presidential Election convincingly if he decides to contest.<br /> <br /> “Muhammadu Buhari is not loved for money or any material thing; he is passionately loved for his strong character and piousness,” Olaosebikan said. (NAN)

Latest-News Atiku’s defection is of no effect, says APC chieftain

An APC chieftain, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s resignation would not have any signific...

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Live Commentary: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qc-eVh9buVYDhm2FrwUcKrlMV5rNIy5jkZmOje26xYcg0bgqhYzSozj_fKQefb8zLmc7lCV0_jYM2ZP_gLAjDuSkZ7T7F1LOls3riQYf8FrTZgPVmOsFrxGHyslpAf6Ceez03v3A7HQ/s1600/liv+vs+che.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qc-eVh9buVYDhm2FrwUcKrlMV5rNIy5jkZmOje26xYcg0bgqhYzSozj_fKQefb8zLmc7lCV0_jYM2ZP_gLAjDuSkZ7T7F1LOls3riQYf8FrTZgPVmOsFrxGHyslpAf6Ceez03v3A7HQ/s320/liv+vs+che.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Good afternoon and welcome to <b><i class="">Nigerianeye's</i></b> live coverage as Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Premier League's late fixture.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Jurgen Klopp's charges will be aiming to earn a fourth straight victory in the league and keep alive their hopes of resurrecting a title challenge.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's men head to Anfield seeking to earn a vital away victory to keep the pressure on Manchester City and Manchester United.<br /> <br /> Follow all of the live action with our minute-by-minute coverage below.<br /> <br /> Please note that this fixture gets underway at 5.30pm.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>OFFICIAL LINE-UPS</b><br /> <br /> <b><br /></b><b>CHELSEA:</b> Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill; Zappacosta, Drinkwater, Kante, Bakayoko, Alonso; Hazard, Morata<br /> <b>CHELSEA SUBSTITUTES:</b> Caballero, Luiz, Rudiger, Moses, Fabregas, Willian, Pedro<br /> <div><br /></div> <br /> <b>LIVERPOOL:</b> Mignolet; Gomez, Klavan, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Milner, Coutinho; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Sturridge<br /> <b>LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES:</b> Karius, Wijnaldum, Firmino, Mane, Lallana, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold<br /> <div><br /></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /></div>

Latest-News Live Commentary: Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea

Good afternoon and welcome to Nigerianeye's live coverage as Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Premier League's late fixture. J...

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Young scores as Man United beat Brighton

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa8ro1Wk-I26XQKHdWPRXvz5w8n1daUO7nJ6wcsr6FvnKBtAAd0BQUvOloEAgg4V4UwGZHdaEgEG2lcN0MwVMHL4enLzDqStEsZWvzYHxBpZYKYXYqqqV0ew0gq_KCalKr3SIPp5RdrM/s1600/mu+1-0+br.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEa8ro1Wk-I26XQKHdWPRXvz5w8n1daUO7nJ6wcsr6FvnKBtAAd0BQUvOloEAgg4V4UwGZHdaEgEG2lcN0MwVMHL4enLzDqStEsZWvzYHxBpZYKYXYqqqV0ew0gq_KCalKr3SIPp5RdrM/s400/mu+1-0+br.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Ashley Young's first Premier League goal for 18 months, courtesy of a big deflection, saw Manchester United edge battling Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Brighton had been the better team up until Young's attempt from the edge of the area hit Lewis Dunk before looping over keeper Mat Ryan and into the net.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Anthony Knockaert and Pascal Gross both went close after getting behind the United defence.<br /> <br /> Ryan produced a double save to keep out Romelu Lukaku's header and Paul Pogba's follow-up on the stroke of half-time.<br /> <br /> United's win cuts Manchester City's lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points ahead of their trip to Huddersfield on Sunday.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Credit: BBC</div>

Latest-News Young scores as Man United beat Brighton

Ashley Young's first Premier League goal for 18 months, courtesy of a big deflection, saw Manchester United edge battling Brighton and...

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Borno PDP elects new EXCO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7QXUgRMV9dTSCAwagDV9RDuFv3sY9Ibz1YjbUJsz_EM_TZtoTsIGA4QV959ZJV8RMNgneUeHlC5x32swf2Q_2meLfO595FZ80FqMiNIaTC17oZCyk1FuvB0L0qOy0HdH_mTHQZS9u0c/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7QXUgRMV9dTSCAwagDV9RDuFv3sY9Ibz1YjbUJsz_EM_TZtoTsIGA4QV959ZJV8RMNgneUeHlC5x32swf2Q_2meLfO595FZ80FqMiNIaTC17oZCyk1FuvB0L0qOy0HdH_mTHQZS9u0c/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Alhaji Zanna Gaddama has been elected as the new Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Borno State, with Alhaji Baba Mustapha as the Secretary.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Alhaji Sabo Garba, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee in the state, announced the result in Gombe on Saturday after the election by the congress from Bayo and Shani local government areas of Borno.<br /> <br /> He said that the congress election conducted two weeks ago was declared inconclusive due to some challenges which resulted in the two local governments not casting their votes.<br /> <br /> Garba said, “we started this election two weeks ago in Maiduguri; we now came back to complete it here in Gombe with the remaining two local governments that were unable to vote.<br /> <br /> “However, we concluded election peacefully today without any problem.”<br /> <br /> The electoral committee chairman said the choice of Gombe to conclude the election was because it was closeer to the two local governments.<br /> <br /> He added that Gaddama scored 553 votes to defeat Usman Baderi who scored 525 votes.<br /> <br /> He explained that the Secretary, Baba Mustapha, scored 553 votes to defeat Alhaji Yusuf Dikko who had 499 votes, while Baba Sheriff Abba, declared the state’s Youth Leader scored 529 votes to defeat Alhaji Usman who had 527 votes.</div>

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PDP Convention: Babatope calls for Makarfi-led NCC’s resignation

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gwAgPkr_IXboagycuVEo_G6VEJKFUjD3EZ3XeE0P0vD7Eq6Y4Y67bSPASaM0vq_4vwLg1VhMVbrapKFBPgFiYVcbe3zr45-KCcB3UzsKfwJDpvotKdLR2TH1QXkeVggmrNwBxDzXwsQ/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gwAgPkr_IXboagycuVEo_G6VEJKFUjD3EZ3XeE0P0vD7Eq6Y4Y67bSPASaM0vq_4vwLg1VhMVbrapKFBPgFiYVcbe3zr45-KCcB3UzsKfwJDpvotKdLR2TH1QXkeVggmrNwBxDzXwsQ/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope has called on members of the Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi to resign accusing it of plotting to distort the processes that will midwife a new leadership for the party.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Babatope, in a statement, accused Makarfi of working towards handing over the chairmanship seat to a candidate supported by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.<br /> <br /> The former minister disclosed that there is a plan to distort the process of electing a national chairman of the party warning that any attempt to force upon the party a “discredited and dubious leadership will provoke a mass decamping of the Yoruba people from the PDP.”<br /> <br /> He said: “There is no doubt in my mind now that Makarfi’s Caretaker Committee is virtually and entirely compromised. The statement issued today by Barrister Abdulahi Jalo, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP and a well known close ally of Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi confirming the presidential ambition of the PDP Caretaker Chairman has basically reinforced the fears that Mr. Makarfi is not a neutral arbiter in the processes that will midwife a new leadership for our party.<br /> <br /> “I want to make it absolutely clear that if Mr. Makarfi is an honourable man, he will voluntarily resign his position without waiting to be pushed out.<br /> <br /> The game plan of Mr. Makarfi is simply to handover the party administration to Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State through his planted agent and acolyte Mr. Uche Secondus. In this grand scheme to compromise the national convention, Secondus and Wike will equally do a pay back by rigging the presidential primary to favour Makarfi.<br /> <br /> “This is indeed a road to perdition and the ultimate destruction of PDP. Any attempt to distort the process and force upon us a discredited and dubious leadership will provoke a mass decamping of the Yoruba people from the PDP. We will never play a second fiddle to anyone.<br /> <br /> “The Yoruba will never accept any attempt to insult our people and denigrate our collective intelligence. The only way out now is for Makarfi and his entire Caretaker Committee members to resign immediately. They cannot be trusted. Once the head is rotten, the whole body is subsequently vitiated, corrupted and dishonored.<br /> <br /> “We are absolutely clear in our demand. We are absolutely resolved in our position. We will not stand idle and fold our hands while all kinds of machinations are being hatched to destroy the collective interest of the Yoruba people. We insist on micro zoning. We demand that Makarfi and his co-conspirators should resign immediately while a new, neutral arbitrating leadership is appointed.<br /> <br /> “The convention itself should be postponed for at least one month to ensure that all the corrupt and crooked contraptions of Makarfi are removed to allow a sane and more objective interregnum. The Yoruba people are now poised and ready to claim what is deservedly ours. If we are denied the chairmanship of the party, we will walk out of the PDP and take our fortunes somewhere else.”<br /> <br /></div>

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Atiku should be director in movies, not testosterone-pumping Nigerian polity – Buhari’s aide

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekrDVZ4Baziw75aqoIEXGl5OiFK3OMGs8fOs6kiTAaBPTUoagBTXPotmKvazARoPAbhtBs8ZmoB4WkpNM3wAGfI8mdaP6Of0ZZX18tI5sWh0mYOVEZAMQ6LhetvmUkwOcE79qREvtSbY/s1600/Atiku+Abubakar.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekrDVZ4Baziw75aqoIEXGl5OiFK3OMGs8fOs6kiTAaBPTUoagBTXPotmKvazARoPAbhtBs8ZmoB4WkpNM3wAGfI8mdaP6Of0ZZX18tI5sWh0mYOVEZAMQ6LhetvmUkwOcE79qREvtSbY/s400/Atiku+Abubakar.jpg" /></a></div> President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie, has attacked former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for dumping the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the ex-VP should better be a movie director than wasting his time in what she described as “testosterone-pumping” Nigerian politics.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Onochie who made the attack also that Atiku is not a team player but rather ends up always playing ‘away’politics after failing to have total control at ‘home’ politics.<br /> <br /> Alhaji Abubakar had on Friday, 24th November, 2017, officially announced his resignation from APC, saying he dumped the party because it instituted a draconian regime that has continued to clamp down on democracy in the country.<br /> <br /> Atiku also accused APC of marginalising him and others, as well as neglecting the youths.<br /> <br /> Onochie also said Atiku is “just like footballers on loan, who can decide to stay or return home, Atiku always returns home.”<br /> <br /> She also said the former VP is so self-absorbing that he cannot “be of any support for the Nigerian youths” he claims to have concern over.<br /> <br /> According to her,  “He has a history of always being pushed to the background. This same reason for leaving home, PDP to his temporary home APC, is the same reason he is now giving for returning home.<br /> <br /> “This history has its background in wanting to control everything. This shows he’s not a Team Player. Wherever he’s playing, Home (PDP) or Away (ACN, APC), he wants to CONTROL everything. He cannot stand the idea of attention shifting for a second to other people. He should consider being a Director in the movies, not politics and definitely not the Nigerian political space, fully occupied by testosterone-pumping, ego-flaunting people<br /> <br /> “It’s his way or the highway! How can such self-absorbing man be of any support for the Nigerian youth. You listen to him and all you hear is “#MeMineAndI”. Let him step back and project a Nigerian youth and he will be taken seriously by the Nigerian youth.<br /> <br /> “No matter where we go, our hearts are always at home. It’s not different for Alh. Atiku Abubakar<br /> Home for him is PDP. Wherever he goes, just like footballers on loan, who can decide to stay or return home, Atiku always returns home. Just as with the past, this time also, he has returned to his vomit.<br /> <br /> “I just hope he goes with all the confusions and divisions he orchestrated within the APC in a bid to take CONTROL of the party. Thankfully, he failed. Woefully! God bless Nigeria,” she concluded.<br /> <br /></div>

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PDP convention: Dokpesi promises people-oriented party

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciLkWq39Htk4-JSkuyi_qtbLbmZB21Sf3RjtyEssVWrOKW-gKqONqWS0r1kLjMyeeh5bLNE6_iK3xk16CDFa13rn1CNQTv-QkV5TU9JKTmmf__-MU1NExQp8kbgLu-4t0Z9UY2wEQ0yk/s1600/pdp-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciLkWq39Htk4-JSkuyi_qtbLbmZB21Sf3RjtyEssVWrOKW-gKqONqWS0r1kLjMyeeh5bLNE6_iK3xk16CDFa13rn1CNQTv-QkV5TU9JKTmmf__-MU1NExQp8kbgLu-4t0Z9UY2wEQ0yk/s320/pdp-logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi, on Saturday, promised to build people-oriented party if elected chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Dokpesi made the declaration at a meeting with Borno members of the party and other stakeholders in Maiduguri.<br /> <br /> He said he would adopt practical measures to encourage growth of democratic culture to stimulate internal democracy in the party.<br /> <br /> The chairmanship aspirant said he would introduce people-oriented policies and provide level playing ground for members to contribute to rapid transformation of the party.<br /> <br /> He, however, added that “we need a new face to pilot the affairs of the party. PDP is a party for all; we respect peoples’ wishes and aspirations.<br /> <br /> “I am going to develop a new manifesto for the party to enable it to reclaim the presidency in 2019.<br /> <br /> “Northeast region will play prominent role in the new PDP, and I will accord special attention to address insurgency, social and economic problems in the region.<br /> <br /> “We ask forgiveness from the people of Borno.”<br /> <br /> Dokpesi explained that such measures were imperative to move the party forward, noting that PDP lost election in 2015 due to the insurgency in the North-East.<br /> <br /> He urged delegates to vote for credible candidates who have the expertise to add value to the party.<br /> <br /> Mr Abba Bunu, a delegate, promised to vote for Dokpesi “in view of his programmes, aimed at repositioning the party.”<br /> <br /> Dokpesi is contesting the election alongside seven other candidates.<br /> <br /> Election for the PDP chairmanship position is billed for December 9.</div>

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Media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi, on Saturday, promised to build people-oriented party if elected chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). ...

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Messi extends Barcelona contract until 2021

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JmgKRilhtWFCRuLGT_KvBkgBuRDk-K0vkUXN2O603Zgp180_L62gx8wQNjM9jGOgOZtbfEtpJxifa78v8dupFcyxbBQMrbhmXav5mcl56nvw0tdZKjIr9YIbdNhrTlp0PomJ_xNb8VQ/s1600/Lionel+Messi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JmgKRilhtWFCRuLGT_KvBkgBuRDk-K0vkUXN2O603Zgp180_L62gx8wQNjM9jGOgOZtbfEtpJxifa78v8dupFcyxbBQMrbhmXav5mcl56nvw0tdZKjIr9YIbdNhrTlp0PomJ_xNb8VQ/s320/Lionel+Messi.jpg" width="257" /></a></div> Lionel Messi on Saturday finally put pen to paper on a contract extension keeping him at Barcelona until 2021, the club announced, making official an agreement reached in July.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Spanish giants had announced in the summer that Messi had committed his future to the club but the Argentine had not signed the new deal, with his existing contract set to expire in 2018.<br /> <br /> “FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentinian superstar at the club through the 2020/21 season,” read a club statement. “The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros ($835 million).”</div>

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Chelsea squad escapes plane crash

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCXAmmayO_GdTCEF8coEd73q1OTBZZwKCANr09XvLrjVpRmhvGIQ0kdvzRKPNfd9B_WaH-8MwDEpYShv1FLCmKRmnruf868XC1-u35ealCevAVIPyuUUufRV8Ym-5dwNNG_9o9D0hoWM/s1600/CHE.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCXAmmayO_GdTCEF8coEd73q1OTBZZwKCANr09XvLrjVpRmhvGIQ0kdvzRKPNfd9B_WaH-8MwDEpYShv1FLCmKRmnruf868XC1-u35ealCevAVIPyuUUufRV8Ym-5dwNNG_9o9D0hoWM/s320/CHE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has spoken about the “scary” flight they endured from Azerbaijan on Thursday morning.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Their aircraft was forced to make two attempts at landing because of bad weather.<br /> <br /> Conte said he had been scared by the events, after Chelsea’s chartered plane encountered stormy conditions at Gatwick airport.<br /> <br /> The Italian, who has already been critical of the scheduling that saw his team make a 6,000 mile round trip to Baku 48 hours before facing Liverpool in the Premier League, said his players finally landed at 6am.<br /> <br /> “It was a lot of wind and we tried to land the first time but it was impossible.<br /> <br /> “Then the captain tried again and the second time it was positive. As you know in these circumstances you feel a bit afraid, you are a bit scared, but the captain was very good.<br /> <br /> “It was a problem to land. I think that to get to your house at 6am is not simple. It’s not simple then to rest and recover for only one day and to prepare for a big game.<br /> <br /> “It’s not right, I must be honest. But we have to do it and today we had a good training session and we tried to prepare the game very well,” he said.</div>

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Africans Look Up To Nigeria And Nigerians Look Up To Leaders – Ayade

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKfbNuPb_-wZufrmMZfuQNIwqNApX3Mu8XVa0M8k8j-AS1l20ulypmpj5tSnhEnux_H2vY4t8eQZlqfyP-TJFPqBn3tDdeHYM0My0fOL3tdr0ujRALl6JwzZeH834K33ZULxQCs_GDpM/s1600/Ben+Ayade.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKfbNuPb_-wZufrmMZfuQNIwqNApX3Mu8XVa0M8k8j-AS1l20ulypmpj5tSnhEnux_H2vY4t8eQZlqfyP-TJFPqBn3tDdeHYM0My0fOL3tdr0ujRALl6JwzZeH834K33ZULxQCs_GDpM/s320/Ben+Ayade.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Cross River Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has charged the National Assembly to live up to its responsibility of repositioning the country’s economy.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The governor made the call at the opening of Southern Senators Forum on Friday in Calabar, with “National Unity and Restructuring’’ as theme.<br /> <br /> He said the national assembly could make or mar Nigeria and Africa in the legislations it made to guide the nation.<br /> <br /> “The way Africa is driven is a function of our leadership and governmental structure which is what we are to discuss today – restructuring.<br /> <br /> “Therefore, you are in position in history to make or mar Africa because Africa is looked through the windows of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “I want to use this opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari who came to carry out the ground-breaking of the construction of the deepest sea port in Africa.<br /> <br /> “In all of these great expectations, none of the efforts will work if the subject matter of restructuring becomes a thing that can cause catastrophe in the country.<br /> <br /> “Therefore, consistent with the philosophy and policies of the president, Nigeria’s oneness is non-negotiable.<br /> <br /> “I believe that as elected officers of this country, we have a responsibility to give a direction and give a focus and an identity.<br /> <br /> “Africans look up to Nigeria and Nigeria looks up to the leaders, the National Assembly. You have responsibility in history.<br /> <br /> “The society had unfortunately over time taken over the responsibility and that is why I am happy that we are here today discussing restructuring,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Ayade stressed that as elected leaders, the national assembly had the task of ensuring that the nation remained cohesive.<br /> <br /> He said, “going forward, Africa must be united and the perception of the black man will change depending on what you do.<br /> <br /> “The public and general good is being compromised and the restructuring of perception has to be done.<br /> <br /> “This forum, leading the light on the subject-matter of restructuring must articulate the issues in a way.<br /> <br /> “The world must begin to see that we are ready to take Africa away from the perception already built in the minds of the people.<br /> <br /> “We have a perception of greed and that has to change and it is only with restructuring concept that we will change the perception.’’<br /> <br /> The governor expressed optimism that the decisions to be reached at the retreat would go a long way in finding lasting solution to the question of unity that had lingered for long.<br /> <br /> He added that whatever the participants arrived at would drive the course of not just Nigeria, but Africa.</div>

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Kano State has monthly salary bill of 9bn – Ganduje

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqCcyl199GvfB4UlHwt19QhMBfWWJzGY4krZt2lxnYcJiYiOWvMv7bB6mSXUQZ0odZArJvFPwyJOxdEqoTGzfgm7v_YxFwcz6marC-jQmBm-ZmVq6vitnK-Wqr0SXN4voxkmftSbykpc/s1600/Abdullahi+Ganduje.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqCcyl199GvfB4UlHwt19QhMBfWWJzGY4krZt2lxnYcJiYiOWvMv7bB6mSXUQZ0odZArJvFPwyJOxdEqoTGzfgm7v_YxFwcz6marC-jQmBm-ZmVq6vitnK-Wqr0SXN4voxkmftSbykpc/s320/Abdullahi+Ganduje.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Kano State Government has N9 billion salary bill monthly.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje said this in Kano on Friday at the second day of the NDIC workshop for financial journalists.<br /> <br /> He said that in spite of the huge salary bill, which he said, was more than some three states combined, the state had never failed to pay the salaries monthly.<br /> <br /> The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Rabiu Bichi, said the state had also embarked on various empowerment programmes to improve the living standard of residents.<br /> <br /> He listed one of the programmes as the “Mai Shai Empowerment Scheme”, meant for tea sellers in the state.<br /> <br /> Ganduje said this programmes had had positive multiplier effects on the citizens generally in the state.<br /> <br /> He said that in line with international best practices, Kano State had introduced new financial management practices that brought about financial prudence.<br /> <br /> The governor said that the state had also introduced a single treasury accounting system like the Federal Government which had improved its accounting system.<br /> <br /> ”Kano State has strengthened its anti-corruption agency which has greatly improved the confidence of the citizenry in state’s investments,” he said.<br /> <br /> The governor said the state and Lagos State had been chosen as yardsticks to measure the business environment in the country, adding that the state was working on improving the ease of doing business.<br /> <br /> He said that the textile industry in Kano, which used to be the largest textile industry in Africa, was being revived to its old glory.<br /> <br /> Ganduje said foreign investors had been visiting the state with a view of investing in some of these moribund textile companies.<br /> <br /> He said that the state had the highest primary school enrollment in Nigeria of over three milłion and two state universities.</div>

Latest-News Kano State has monthly salary bill of 9bn – Ganduje

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Imo Deputy Governor urges FG to imortalise Ekwueme

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n0sX2sZ_8wk_ckStlo-70lVcmoZqf_dtqYjNcaBVTeSzQrE_lk3nMoNl9hadnZVBPUshQ_VTI0f83s7UQ_sVMj016wKnj_wnLi7NNiymW4Y9X8bUr0CsHfUSijt7BQ6q294VPMB3z8Y/s1600/Alex+Ekwueme.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4n0sX2sZ_8wk_ckStlo-70lVcmoZqf_dtqYjNcaBVTeSzQrE_lk3nMoNl9hadnZVBPUshQ_VTI0f83s7UQ_sVMj016wKnj_wnLi7NNiymW4Y9X8bUr0CsHfUSijt7BQ6q294VPMB3z8Y/s400/Alex+Ekwueme.jpg" /></a></div> Imo Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, on Friday urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to appreciate his peaceful and unifying roles in the country’s political history.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Madumere made the call in an interview with the media in Abuja while speaking on why it was imperative to remember the deceased second republic vice-president.<br /> <br /> He said that Ekwueme was instrumental to the stability of Nigeria’s democracy with his patriotic and sportsmanship style of politics displayed in 1999 as Nigeria returned to democratic rule.<br /> <br /> “We all know also the pivotal role he played in the formation of G-34 which later metamorphosed into PDP but he did not back out from the party,’’ the deputy governor said.<br /> <br /> Madumere, who described Ekwueme as a sage, called on other politicians to emulate his style of politics for stability in the nation’s democracy.<br /> <br /> He noted also that it was imperative to immortalise the late vice-president for posterity to learn from his style of politics.<br /> <br /> According to him, Nigeria will not forget in a hurry the fatherly contributions of Ekwueme in the creation of the six geo-political zones, especially the South-South aimed at giving the minorities a sense of belonging.<br /> <br /> The late Dr Alex Ekwueme died on Nov. 19 in a London hospital after battling with what the family said was chest infection.</div>

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PDP Will Lose 2019 Elections, Here’s Why – Ubah

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi295976dr9ECC5fDbPpKgS37CNnI5moe628ELTEiJNWG3EVC1_JiWSc_BSnqc2dmYpOOlBnadIhIu3XIdXUcN7BocobXj1G3HPXnjJXbZvZaoPofFwVFzaSoIwOZ66oJ1hE8KZY9XXEN4/s1600/Ifeanyi+Ubah.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi295976dr9ECC5fDbPpKgS37CNnI5moe628ELTEiJNWG3EVC1_JiWSc_BSnqc2dmYpOOlBnadIhIu3XIdXUcN7BocobXj1G3HPXnjJXbZvZaoPofFwVFzaSoIwOZ66oJ1hE8KZY9XXEN4/s320/Ifeanyi+Ubah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Oil and gas mogul cum politician, Ifeanyi Ubah has declared that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, will lose the general elections in 2019 due to what he described as the “open show of high-handedness and impunity.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas who spoke in Abuja on Friday on a live television programme, said although he made several investments in the PDP, the party remains undemocratic and lacking in critical political ideologies and values expected of a 21st-century political party.<br /> <br /> Ubah revealed that he decided to exit the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was due to the result of the primary election for the party’s candidate in the Anambra state governorship election.<br /> <br /> “I left the PDP because of impunity. That party does not know what conscience is. The PDP has lost it, Ubah said.<br /> <br /> “Look at what they did to us in Anambra. Peter Obi just came and hijacked everything. They never allowed us to even get close to the delegates. We didn’t know who the delegates were until the eve of the primaries. We did not have access to them to tell them what we can offer. They just brought a list and they called them delegates.<br /> <br /> “You have seen the result of their impunity in the election. APGA beat them hands-down. Willy showcased what he has done but the PDP has nothing to use to campaign.<br /> <br /> “Forget about the things you hear about vote buying. There was nothing like vote buying. People just didn’t want PDP. My intention was to reposition PDP because of what I have put in the party but I have seen that it was a bad investment.<br /> <br /> “PDP will continue to bear the brunt of impunity until they begin to practice democracy. My next target to tell Nigerians about the evil called PDP and they will hear it as we approach 2019. 2019 is about APC and APGA.<br /> <br /> “We have not even gotten to 2019 you are beginning to see the drama. They don’t know anything apart from manipulation and imposition. How can a party survive like that.<br /> <br /> He alleged that the former Governor Peter Obi with support from some other top leaders in the party, hijacked and manipulated the party structure in favour of their personal interests.<br /> <br /> Ubah, however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for upholding the tenets of a free and fair election void of superior central government influence.</div>

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Conte reveals why Victor Moses won’t start against Liverpool

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J4rPoXaZDFUcTj6H1pr-LwH-vU56R9HVlwT4rx0EIszh5G3NBIt69qYTZn8nlPcW_aiSn2zXgz7r8EHzwG7ZrymodBXhJDx2jiO3bI4U-hc0fkzdV1L0gdTuMpRyLIDJMI_T7tlH1S4/s1600/victor-moses.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_J4rPoXaZDFUcTj6H1pr-LwH-vU56R9HVlwT4rx0EIszh5G3NBIt69qYTZn8nlPcW_aiSn2zXgz7r8EHzwG7ZrymodBXhJDx2jiO3bI4U-hc0fkzdV1L0gdTuMpRyLIDJMI_T7tlH1S4/s320/victor-moses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has confirmed that Victor Moses will be in back in his squad for Saturday’s trip to play Liverpool at Anfield.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Moses has not played for the Blues, since he limped off during their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on October 14.<br /> <br /> The Super Eagles forward has missed Chelsea’s last eight games in all competitions.<br /> <br /> Speaking in Friday’s press conference, Conte said Moses still needs time to get back to form.<br /> <br /> “Victor Moses’s condition is good, he needs time to find his best form, but he is in the squad for tomorrow and I put him on the bench,” Conte told journalists.<br /> <br /> Speaking ahead of the crunch Premier League clash, the Italian added: “It is not right to find excuses and the team must try to play a good game against a strong Liverpool side.<br /> <br /> “Jurgen Klopp and I like to live the game with intensity and passion, and try to help our players from the touchline.”</div>

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Fiorentina Join Barca, Man United In Onyekuru Chase

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <div class="gmail_quote" dir="auto" style="background-color: white; word-wrap: break-word !important;"> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557405122" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ns_FHgP3UBeUX65Txk6xvId4zKGfpMyT4Iglx_nhn0pcJp1zr2mDzf8BU_YnVLU-yTJ9jC2Y_UqokyV1QuGmxj_h2AY7x6A0xcLcymGeCkWa16khClvop5x0ozuY4dpQ0dbWMb1FlgE/s1600/Henry-Onyekuru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ns_FHgP3UBeUX65Txk6xvId4zKGfpMyT4Iglx_nhn0pcJp1zr2mDzf8BU_YnVLU-yTJ9jC2Y_UqokyV1QuGmxj_h2AY7x6A0xcLcymGeCkWa16khClvop5x0ozuY4dpQ0dbWMb1FlgE/s320/Henry-Onyekuru.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557586601" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Italian club Fiorentina are the  latest club to have expressed interest in signing Nigeria forward Henry Onyekuru, according to reports.<a name='more' id="more"></a></span></div> </div> </div> <div class="gmail_quote" dir="auto" style="background-color: white; word-wrap: break-word !important;"> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557405122" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557694405" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557694583" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557694583" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Onyekuru only joined Everton from Eupen last summer for £7m but was immediately loaned out to Anderlecht.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557694583" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557869565" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557869764" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 20-year-old Super Eagles forward has made a big impression at Anderlecht,  scoring seven goals in 14 appearances.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557869764" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557983536" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557985069" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">European heavyweights Manchester United  and Barcelona are reported to have sent scouts to see him action against Mouscron last weekend.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557985069" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557586793" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557414978" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557548200" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, Italian outlet Calciomercato claimed that the Serie A side are now also interested in the star.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557548200" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557551549" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558198200" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Nigerian striker may also have to make a big decision on his future in the upcoming months.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558198200" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558236312" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558240592" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557560347" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There hsd been talk of the Toffees recalling him in January as they looked to turn around their fortunes in front of goal.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557560347" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557561751" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557414978" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The forward sparked rumours that he could be set for a comeback after posting a picture on his Instagram account tagging himself in Liverpool city centre last month.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557414978" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557565123" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557414978" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When asked about the picture, he told Belgian newspaper La Libre: “Yes, that’s right and I’m waiting for something. That’s all I can say. I hope to be able to play there in January.</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557526673" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558262284" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Everton is happy with my start to the season but we are not in January and all my concentration is in Anderlecht.”</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558262284" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558265434" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558263621" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Premier League sides Southampton and Stoke are also interested as well as Dutch giants Ajax and PSV Eindhoven .</span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558263621" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511558270138" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"></div> <div id="m_-2188901634728055207m_3314373694236632010yMail_cursorElementTracker_1511557414978" style="word-wrap: break-word !important;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Onyekuru recently made his Nigeria debut during a 1-1 draw in the World Cup qualifier with Algeria, and he is a contender to make the squad for Russia 2018</span></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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Mourinho blasts his player, Mkhitaryan

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQFBq2DeY-67PRheDbmy3wldB_58FHeDN6X6O_MSGd1Qd84lmUxajzDNhdPLbNC1IciBAMlqreOXx9GZOhZYNKp8gb_7-XQxPXzLC0bs0TMGcrPDiUlCNLRp0uJR76iStYdh_rdKuUZP0/s1600/Mourinho++Mkhitaryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="762" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQFBq2DeY-67PRheDbmy3wldB_58FHeDN6X6O_MSGd1Qd84lmUxajzDNhdPLbNC1IciBAMlqreOXx9GZOhZYNKp8gb_7-XQxPXzLC0bs0TMGcrPDiUlCNLRp0uJR76iStYdh_rdKuUZP0/s640/Mourinho++Mkhitaryan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> Jose Mourinho has offered a scathing analysis of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s drop in form as the Manchester United manager explained why the midfielder has been exiled from his squad recently.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Armenian is expected to be recalled to the matchday squad for Saturday’s Premier League game with Brighton after being out of contention altogether for the past two games.<br /> <br /> Mkhitaryan last started for United, and turned in a lacklustre display, in the defeat against Chelsea at the start of the month and, Mourinho explained, that was the final straw for the manager.<br /> <br /> “I was not happy with his last performances,” said Mourinho. “And I am not talking about one or two. I am talking about three, four or five. He started this season very well and after that, step by step, he was disappearing.<br /> <br /> “His performance level — in terms of goalscoring, assists, high pressing, receiving the ball high up the pitch, bringing the team with him as a number 10 — were decreasing step by step.<br /> <br /> “And there was a time that was enough. The others, they work to have a chance. Everybody works to have a chance so it’s as simple as that.”<br /> <br /> Mkhitaryan has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford since his arrival in a £26 million ($35 million, 29 million euros) deal from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.<br /> <br /> He found himself banished from Mourinho’s league line-up for well over two months early last season after a dismal display in their 2-1 derby defeat to City.<br /> <br /> But he appeared to have won over his biggest critic — Mourinho — with some impressive performances as United won the Europa League and clinched Champions League football.<br /> <br /> – Forwards left out –<br /> Mkhitaryan has not been the only creative or attacking player to come in for criticism from the United manager, with Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and others left out at various times due to dips in form.<br /> <br /> And Mourinho believes that despite trailing only neighbours City in the Premier League goalscoring charts, his players are not scoring enough, with French international Martial singled out as an example of a player who has responded well to being left out.<br /> <br /> “The team that excites me is the team that, after five chances, is winning 4-0,” he said. “That’s the team that excites me.<br /> <br /> “I think we had an improvement with Martial, scoring more goals than last season, that is why he’s playing more minutes.”<br /> <br /> Ultimately, the United manager also believes that the healthy size of his squad, and the competition for places, is good news even if it means he will face questions about players being left out.<br /> <br /> “All positions are open,” he said. “The last couple of matches Mkhitaryan was out and other players had the opportunity to play that normally Mkhitaryan has.”<br /> <br /> “There are only 11 plus seven (substitutes),” he added. “When you have a chance and the performance is not what I expect, it’s normal. You have to perform.”<br /> <br /> AFP

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Atiku’s Exit: Panic in APC as mass defection looms

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfwqPdz7EbIwLlRJTcV4HgEaIu5Hd5oXYmqxI-YaN-ky5EodaUeFBciPmfTJMYbqRjaD7-uiJO_bj0I94DYgFa2aYq0cBRVpPeL7-qGcxyAOmxhyphenhyphenjoTMEpoXomlID7p_M3mEbAx38L-cC/s1600/Atiku_Abubakar_589802960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="486" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfwqPdz7EbIwLlRJTcV4HgEaIu5Hd5oXYmqxI-YaN-ky5EodaUeFBciPmfTJMYbqRjaD7-uiJO_bj0I94DYgFa2aYq0cBRVpPeL7-qGcxyAOmxhyphenhyphenjoTMEpoXomlID7p_M3mEbAx38L-cC/s640/Atiku_Abubakar_589802960.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>There were fears among the All Progressives Congress chieftains on Friday, following the defection of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the ruling party.</b><br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It was gathered that although the APC was expecting Atiku’s exit, it dawned on it on Friday that the former vice-president’s action could lead to mass defection from the ruling party.<br /> <br /> It was learnt that the fears were worsened by the feeling of some leaders of the party that the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014 could befall the APC before the 2019 elections.<br /> <br /> In 2014, the PDP was weakened following the exit of some governors and National Assembly members, including a former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Bukola Saraki, and the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.<br /> <br /> Chieftains of the APC, who on Friday, said although the ruling party had been waiting for Atiku’s defection, it was uncomfortable with the fact that there were many aggrieved members who would soon dump the party in power.<br /> <br /> One of the party leaders cited Kwankwaso and a former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as two of those who were not happy with the way the party was being run.<br /> <br /> He said more than two years after coming to power, President Muhammadu Buhari had not made appointments that would bring into government those who worked for his election.<br /> <br /> The chieftain also said that associates of the President including the Chief of Staff, Mr. Abba Kyari and Buhari’s nephew, Maman Daura, “have constituted themselves into a powerful cabal. They take key decisions in this government. Those who ensured Buhari’s election have been sidelined. If the APC and the Presidency dismiss Atiku’s defection, they are not realistic. There are fears that the party may crumble. Apart from the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, there are other appointees of this government that are supporters of Atiku.”<br /> <b><br /></b><b>APC instituted regime of draconian clampdown in govt and party –Atiku</b><br /> <br /> In a statement on Friday morning, Atiku explained why he left the APC. He said that while other parties had purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality, the ruling party adopted same practices.<br /> <br /> He stated that the ruling party had instituted “a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.”<br /> <br /> Atiku disclosed the decision to leave the ruling party in a statement he personally signed.<br /> <br /> He went down memory lane to recall that on December 19, 2013, he hosted members of the APC in his house in Abuja.<br /> <br /> He said the party members were there to appeal to him to join the APC after he left the PDP because of the crisis emanating from the special convention of the former ruling party on August 31, 2013.<br /> <br /> He recalled that he and several of his loyalists were left in limbo at the time the APC came calling.<br /> <br /> Atiku said, “It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision of the founding fathers, which I had for the PDP, could be actualised through the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <br /> “It was on the basis of this invitation and the assurances made to me that I, being party-less at that time, due to the fractionalisation of my party, accepted on February 2, 2014, the hand of fellowship given to me by the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <br /> “On that day, I said ‘it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision” to accept the invitation to join the All Progressives Congress.”<br /> <br /> Explaining the reason behind his decision to leave the APC, Atiku said events, which unfolded soon after the party took power, proved his earlier optimism was misplaced. He said like any other human and many other Nigerians, he was fallible.<br /> <br /> To buttress his point, the former vice-president said, “Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the President which ended up being leaked. In that memo, he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had ‘not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance.”<br /> <br /> “Of the party itself, that same governor said, ‘Mr. President, sir your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider the total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.”<br /> <br /> He expressed disappointment that since the memorandum was written, nothing had been done to address the issues raised in it till this day.<br /> <br /> Atiku accused the party of making false promises especially to those who were invited to join.<br /> <br /> “More importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth?<br /> <br /> “A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people,” he said.<br /> <br /> Atiku noted that he and the others who accepted the invitation to join the APC were eager to make positive changes for the country but that “we fell for a mirage.”<br /> <br /> He further explained that he arrived at the decision to leave the APC after due consultation with his God, family, supporters and the Nigerian people from all walks of life.

Latest-News Atiku’s Exit: Panic in APC as mass defection looms

There were fears among the All Progressives Congress chieftains on Friday, following the defection of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ...

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