SABINEWS MIDDAY NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 25, 2018
2019 elections: Shock awaits Buhari, APC, says PDP (Punch)
The People’s Democratic Party has said that both President Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, will be shocked by the outcome of the 2019 presidential and other elections. It also warned the President, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies against rigging the elections. The main opposition party added Nigerians were determined to effect a positive change in the polity in 2019, and would therefore not condone any form of rigging. The President had on Friday boasted that his party would win the 2019 general elections. In his reaction, the National Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, told one of our correspondents that “President Buhari is being deceived by those who are not familiar with politics of their states that they would deliver results to him.” Read more
NFF CRISIS: Dalung under fire for daring Osinbajo (Vanguard)
Monday August 20 2018 was the date Nigerian football was marked for retribution by the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA. The world football governing body had threatened to ban Nigeria if the leadership impasse that had engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation was not settled on that day. It took the intervention of the Vice President, who was then Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to avert the ban, as the federal government struck an accord with FIFA by giving them written assurances. The ban was averted and today Nigeria remains a member of the international football family. Read more
2019 Polls: You leak our congresses, primaries’ notices, APC accuses INEC (Guardian)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of leaking information on its Congresses and Primary elections submitted to the commission. The party made the allegation in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, on Friday in Abuja. It said that there was need for INEC to look into its internal handling of official correspondence in order to put a stop to such leaks. The party said that it was aware of leakage of a letter by its National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, to INEC informing it of the schedule of the party’s congresses and primaries to elect party candidates for the 2019 elections. Read more
Akpabio lied on projects he claimed to have executed, alleges Udom (ThisDay)
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, yesterday carpeted Senator Godswill Akpabio, his predecessor in office, for alleged false claim about projects he executed while in office. Emmanuel, who said he was not disposed to criticising Akpabio, however pointed out that he had to make few references to show the people that what the Senator, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, claimed he did in the state was false. He made the clarification at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, when he declared to contest for a second term in office, next year.Udom listed the Ibom Power, the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene federal road and the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, inherited from the immediate past administration of Senator Akpabio, as projects that the former governor claimed his administration completed but that nothing was done on them. Read more
Defections: APC waves automatic second term tickets to lawmakers to retain NASS Majority (Vanguard)
It is no longer news that the high profile defections that have recently hit the ruling All Progressives Congress APC have now made it to try to evolve measures to ensure that it does not suffer any form of electoral humiliation in the forthcoming polls. The party had earlier accused many of those who left its ranks of doing so because they realized that there was no guarantee of a second term automatic tickets for them. But in what appears a move to stave off further defections and maintain parliamentary majority ahead of the general elections, the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee NWC of the party might indeed be considering offering such tickets to federal lawmakers who have stayed put in the party in spite of all odds. Read more
My wife cautions me against seeking re-election – Ayade (DailyTrust)
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that his wife, Dr Linda Ayade, has severally cautioned him not to think of seeking reelection next year. He stated this on Friday when he formally commissioned the office building of the Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), the umbrella body for all women associations in the state. CROWEI was established by his wife and the building facilitated by the state Ministry for Women Affairs. Ayade said his wife has been worried over the type of unwholesome politics played in the state, fearing that it was going to endanger him or dent his hard earned reputation. Read more
Ayade planning to arrest me, alleges APC Guber Aspirant (ThisDay)
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Cross River State, Mr. Venatius Ikem, has accused the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, of planning to arrest him over allegation that he sponsored thugs to disrupt the Obudu State Constituency bye-election help on August 11, this year. Ikem stated this in reaction to an allegation leveled against him by the state government that he imported thugs into Obudu during the bye-election. The Attorney General of the State, Mr. Joe Abang and the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong had addressed “World Press Conference “at the Exco chambers, Governor’s office last week, alleging that, Ikem, Adah, and another APC governorship aspirant imported thugs to disrupt the bye-election in Obudu. Read more
2019: APC proposes Sept dates for primaries (Nation)
Barring any unforeseen situation, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will, on Wednesday, September 19, elect its flag bearer in next year’s elections. The choice will be through either direct or indirect primary, party chair Adams Oshiomhole said in an August 17, 2018 letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Also to be elected on September 19 are the party’s candidates for the House of Representatives election, Oshiomhole said in the letter. The letter shows that the national convention to elect the presidential candidate will be preceded on Saturday, September 8 by nationwide congresses to elect delegates to the convention. Read more
Incarceration of Biafra women: Moghalu stages protest to Owerri Prison (Vanguard)
Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Mr. Kingsley Moghalu, yesterday staged a one-man protest to Owerri Prison, demanding the immediate release of 127 Pro Biafra women remanded in the prison. But in what could be described as a drama took place as the Deputy Comptroller General, DCG, of Nigeria Prisons in charge of Works and logistics, Charles Ahaotu, could not give attention to Moghalu, despite all entreaties. He was said to be busy with official assignments. Even when he noticed Moghalu was standing in front of the office, Ahaotu, walked in and out of the offices several times. Read more
Omisore I’m in the race to rescue Osun State (ThisDay)
You have been vying to be governor of Osun State since 2003, by implication you are the longest running governorship aspirant in the state. Why are you so persistent about becoming governor of Osun State?
I have only contested for the governorship of Osun State once in 2014. Each time I wanted to contest, there were strong reasons for me to give way for other candidates in the interest of the party and that is my strongest point today, a desperate politician would have insisted that he must run. Each time there was a collective and superior persuasion, I succumbed to the collective persuasion and that is where I am today. That has now made it compelling for well-meaning Osun State indigenes to insist that I must deliver the state from its current state of stagnancy. Read more
Don blames SON for substandard construction materials (Guardian)
Following the prevalence of building collapse in various parts of the federation owing to quality of materials, a university don has blamed the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for the influx of substandard construction materials in the country. According to him, SON is responsible for the menace because materials imported into the country are not regulated; hence they are not living up to their responsibilities. Olumide Adenuga who disclosed this to The Guardian during his Inaugural lecture titled, “Maintenance Management: a Posteriori Culture in Nigeria- The quest for Economic Sustainability,” at the University of Lagos, noted that SON has failed to take care of those investments coming in country, as well as the choice of material they accept. Read more
Ebola outbreak spreads in DRC – WHO, UNHCR warn (PremiumTimes)
Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to eastern ‘no-go’ zone surrounded by rebels, UN agencies have warned. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), warned that rebel violence in eastern DRC was escalating inside the vast country’s Ebola-hit North Kivu province, putting millions at risk. “Thousands of civilians have fled their burned-out villages, bringing reports of brutal attacks,’’ Andrej Mahecic, spokesperson for UNHCR, said in Geneva. The latest report followed reports that a case of Ebola infection and one suspected case have been found in one town in the area, Oicha, which is surrounded by armed groups. Read more
Suspected Armed Robbers that attacked Akpabio’s Home Killed (ThisDay)
Four suspected armed robbers have been killed by the Police in Akwa Ibom State during a shootout while one escaped. The incident reportedly happened last Thursday, when the hoodlums attacked ATM users and shop owners in Ikot Ekpene local government area of the state. The hoodlums were suspected to be among those that attacked a filling station near Ukana, Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim Local Government Area, the country home of a former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio last Wednesday. The State Police Commissioner, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi displayed the corpses of the victims and ammunition collected from them during a press briefing yesterday at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan-abia, Uyo. Read more
Fire guts Ex-UBTH CMD’s residence (Guardian)
Property worth millions of naira was destroyed on Thursday night by fire, which razed the residence of the immediate past Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof Michael Ibadin. The inferno, according to sources, was a result of power surge, which started late around 7pm, leaving a significant part of the building, located at the university’s senior staff quarters, completely razed down. Efforts by men of the various fire service in the state and university community was to no avail, as the entire top floor of the duplex was gutted by fire, destroying all vital documents, including the don’s certificates and other valuables. Read more
Misplaced aggression: Armed youths bomb 60 houses, chase chiefs into forest in Delta oil community (Vanguard)
But for eyewitnesses, who physically saw the armed youths, it would have been difficult to agree that human beings, not demons carried out the July 18 mayhem at the oil-rich Ogulagha community, Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, in which over 60 houses and property worth millions of naira, belonging to select indigenes were willfully looted and destroyed with dynamite, petrol bomb and other explosives. A bystander told Saturday Vanguard: “The community was completely under siege from 7.30 pm on that day until the early hours of July 19 by one of the factions involved in the community crisis,” adding: “Nobody could stop the rampaging assailants.” Read more
Hundreds rendered homeless as flood ravages Kaduna Metropolis (ThisDay)
Hundreds of families have been rendered homeless in some suburbs of Kaduna metropolis following a torrential rain that led to flooding. Many houses were submerged as a result of the heavy downpour which started on Thursday evening till the early hours of Friday. Communities worst hit by the disaster include: Ungwa-Romi, Kigo Road, Barnawa, Kudenda, Karatudu, Narayi, Ungwa-Rimi, Gonin-Gora, the Federal Cooperative School, Kawo, Ramat Road and Bachama Road. The development forced hundreds of people from their homes to take refuge in schools and churches. Read more
I killed my monarch to reclaim my throne — Suspect (Vanguard)
A murder suspect, who was accused of killing a traditional ruler in Ekiti State, Mr Omoniyi Ademola, yesterday disclosed that he decided to murder his king to enable him to reclaim the throne. The Onise of Odo Oro, Oba Gbadebo Ogunsakin, who was enthroned in 1986, was stabbed to death in his palace on Wednesday after superintending over a council meeting in the community. Ademola, who is in his 40’s allegedly fled the town after committing the murder before being arrested in Ado Ekiti the state capital city the following day. Read more
I rejected offers to remain as Eagles coach – Rohr (Punch)
Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has revealed that he rejected lucrative offers from some countries after the 2018 World Cup in Russia to stay with the team, Completesportsnigeria.com reports. The likes of Clemens Westerhof, Bora Mulitonovic and Lars Largerback all left unceremoniously after the Eagles’ exit at the previous World Cups. Rohr, who extended his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation before the World Cup in Russia guided the team through a successful qualifying campaign but came under scrutiny after the team failed to progress beyond the group stage at the mundial after winning just one game. There were calls for Rohr to be sacked, but the NFF decided to back the German. Read more
NFF Planning friendly against Saudi Arabia (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Football Federation is in talks with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) over a friendly between the two nations next month, allnigeriasoccer.com reports. If the two associations can agree terms, then the international friendly will be held on September 11, three days after the Super Eagles tackle Seychelles in their second group match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The last time Nigeria and Saudi Arabia faced off in a friendly on May 25, 2010, the two nations battled to a goalless draw. In the latest FIFA world ranking, the Super Eagles potential opponent is ranked 70th, while they occupy the fifth position among Asian Football Confederation countries. Read more
Eden Hazard rumours played down (Bleacherreport)
Eden Hazard’s chances of one day joining Real Madrid have been played down by his Father, amid ongoing rumours linking the Chelsea star with a move to the Spanish capital this summer. Thierry Hazard has been left searching for answers after his son failed to secure a transfer to Los Blancos, per Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror: “I cannot say why it did not go through. Not because I do not want to but because I do not know. Next year, Eden will have one year left on his contract but perhaps he never ends up in Madrid.” He also cited Real’s change in the managerial dugout, where Julen Lopetegui has replaced Zinedine Zidane, as a potential factor: “It maybe that it was a different story with Zidane. But then he will have had his reasons to leave.” https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2792602-real-madrid-transfer-news-eden-hazard-rumours-played-down
How Unai Emery helped Arsenal beat PSG and Borussia Dortmund to Matteo Guendouzi signing (Metro)
Unai Emery has revealed he had been following the career of Matteo Guendozi for two years before sanctioning Arsenal’s decision to sign him this summer. The 19-year-old cost just £7million and arrived as a virtual unknown but has quickly established himself at the heart of Emery’s new-look midfield. After impressing during pre-season, Guendouzi has been an ever-present so far and looks set to keep his place for Saturday’s must-win clash against West Ham. Emery revealed he first spotted the teenager’s potential while he was manager of Paris Saint-Germain and has been delighted by his rapid progress. Read more
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray learn their fate (Metro)
The US Open is just around the corner, with all members of the ‘Big Four’ set to be in action at a tournament for the first time since Wimbledon 2017. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer enter the final Grand Slam of the year as the heavy favourites having split the first three majors among themselves but world No. 378 Murray is still fighting for fitness and form. Federer hasn’t won the title since 2008 and he will begin his quest for an Open Era record sixth crown against Yoshihito Nishioka, while Djokovic is in his quarter. Nick Kyrgios is a potential third round opponent for the Swiss… Read more
Suicide bomb attack kills 2 in eastern Afghanistan (Guardian)
An suicide bomb blast outside killed at least two people Saturday outside an election commission office in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, officials said.
The latest attack in the war-torn country targeted a protest camp outside the building in Nangarhar province, where a group of people were rallying in support of a candidate disqualified from parliamentary elections due in October. “It killed two people, and four others were wounded,” provincial governor spokesman Attaullah Khogyani told AFP, adding that a suicide attacker was responsible for the explosion. Provincial health director Najib Kamawal confirmed the two deaths. Read more
New Prime Minister on sight in Iraq? (ANF)
It was announced that an agreement has been reached on the new prime minister in talks between the political groups in Iraq. After controversial general elections, last May, it appears that finally Iraq will have a new government. Reports on Saturday said that the country has reached consensus on who will be the new Prime Minister. The State of Law Coalition said in a statement that the new Prime Minister will be announced soon after the final establishment of the new majority in Parliament. During talks, said the statement, more than one name has been brought up and that there was one name on which all groups agreed. Read more
A year after fleeing Myanmar, Rohingya demand justice (Nbcnews)
Thousands of Rohingya Muslim refugees on Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the attacks that sent them fleeing to safety in Bangladesh, praying they can return to their homes in Myanmar and demanding justice for their dead relatives and neighbors. More than 15,000 gathered in the morning on a hilltop in the Kutupalong refugee camp, part of a sprawling web of settlements that are now home to nearly 900,000 Rohingya who have fled Myanmar. “25th August – Black Day,” one banner announced. “We want justice,” said another. Read more
