₦airaland Forum

Virgil Van Dijk has admitted he has no idea how Liverpool will stop Lionel Messi in the Champions League.

The Dutch defender grabbed the fourth as the Reds romped to a 4-1 win in Porto last night to seal a 6-1 triumph on aggregate to set-up a semi-final clash with Barcelona.

Now the world’s most-expensive centre-back, 27, is faced with the task of stopping one of the greatest, if not the best ever, strikers.

And he did not try to hide the fact he and his Liverpool team-mates know they face a huge challenge in the last four.

When quizzed about it after the demolition job in Porto, Van Dijk insisted that he will need help from the whole Anfield side in order to advance to the final for the second-successive year.

He said: “How are we going to do it (stop Messi)? I don’t know, we’ll see.

“It’s going to be a great match-up for all of us. “It’s about doing it all together, it’s never one vs one, it’s never just me against a particular striker. “It’s always us against everyone and I think that’s the only way we can defend well.”

Van Dijk is one of the leading contenders to be crowned footballer of the year.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/champions-league-i-am-clueless-about-stopping-messi--worlds-most-expensive-defender

Chairman of the Imo chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Kyrian Duruewuru says its members on the employ of the state government will begin an indefinite strike by midnight on Thursday.

Duruewuru said that the action was in line with the association’s resolutions during its emergency general meeting, which held on March 31.

He said the association had on April 4, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the State Government following unsuccessful negotiations on the remuneration of doctors and other issues.

He listed some of the issues to include: restoration of full subvention from the state government to Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu, and immediate repair of access roads to IMSUTH.

Others are immediate payment of 30 per cent balance of the monthly salary of doctors which had been removed for 40 months, payment of three months salary arrears owed doctors in the state employ and improvement of infrastructure in state-owned health institutions.

“In the last 40 months we have been paid only 70 per cent of our salaries and in the last three months we have not been paid at all. The salary is yet to be adjusted to the revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

“There is huge decay of infrastructure leading to a setback in accreditation of departments in IMSUTH where resident doctors are trained.

“Over time we have tabled these concerns before the state government but they have paid a deaf ear and this is why we are embarking on an indefinite strike starting midnight,’’

He said.

Also, the President, Association of Resident Doctors, IMSUTH, Dr Chukwunta Bright, said that all doctors in federal institutions in the state as well as those in the private sector would join two weeks into the strike.

He however expressed hope that the state government would intervene to forestall the strike.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/imo-state-doctors-begin-indefinite-strike

A former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has reacted to the claim by Festus Keyamo, the Spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign Council that one does not need a WAEC certificate to become President of Nigeria.

Keyamo had in an interview on Sunday claimed that under the Nigerian constitution, one does not need a WAEC certificate to become President of Nigeria.

According to him, if you have occupied the public office for a reasonable length of time, you do not need a WAEC certificate to become president of Nigeria.

Reacting, Fani-Kayode on his Twitter page on Monday wrote:

“Buhari may not need a WAEC certificate to contest but once he swore to an affidavit or presented a form indicating that his qualifications include WAEC, it becomes a different matter. Or has he withdrawn his WAEC claim? This is a matter of perjury and not whether he is qualified.”

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/has-buhari-withdrawn-his-waec-claim--fani-kayode-reacts-to-keyamos-waec-talk

How Prophet Temitope Aduroja Predicted Reduction of Petrol Price Before Elections

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opposed the Federal Government proposition to remove fuel subsidy.

The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, told Punch in Abuja on Monday that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would be committing a sin to remove the subsidy which would inflict more hardship on Nigerians.

He said the advice by the International Monetary Fund for the fuel subsidy removal would not be helpful to Nigerians.

Odeyemi said, “It is a sin to add to the burden of the suffering masses of Nigeria, especially at this time when food, employment and security of lives and property have been a problem.

“The IMF dictation, for whatever reason, cannot work in Nigeria, and I am sure Nigerians will reject any hardship at this time.”

IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, had on Thursday, during the opening ceremony of the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC advised Nigeria to remove fuel subsidy and use the savings to upgrade social infrastructure.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/pdp-reacts-to-fgs-plan-to-remove-fuel-subsidy

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration will not rest until the remaining abducted Chibok girls are back and reunited with their family.

The president said this in a series of tweets on Sunday to commemorate the fifth year since the girls were abducted from Chibok, Borno state.

Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from Chibok in April 2014. Only 107 of them are back and reunited with their families.

The president said he is pleased to see the progress being made by the girls rescued from the insurgents.

He also noted that the security agencies “have successfully rescued thousands of captives, and they will not relent until every captive is free.”

“Today marks five years since the abduction of our Chibok daughters. We have succeeded in bringing back 107 of them, but we will not rest until all the remaining girls are back and reunited with their families. I made this promise when I became President, and I will keep it,” Buhari tweeted.

“We will never give up on our missing daughters, including Leah Sharibu; and all the other people held hostage by Boko Haram. In the last four years, our security agencies have successfully rescued thousands of captives, and they will not relent until every captive is free.

“It gladdens our hearts to see the progress being made by the young women rescued from Boko Haram. We celebrate their courage & determination to defy the evil ideology of the terrorists, by continuing to pursue their education. There is no doubt that the world is inspired by them.

“I extend our best wishes to all the Chibok girls in various schools in Nigeria and around the world. Special congratulations to Kauna Yaga Bitrus, who has excelled in her college in Maine, USA, and will very soon be receiving an ‘Against All Odds Award’ from her school.”
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/buhari-speaks-on-what-would-be-done-for-remaining-chibok-girls

Sambisa Clearance: BBOG Demands Chibok Girls' Whereabouts

Members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) group are marking the 5th anniversary of the abduction of over 100 girls by the Boko Haram terrorist group in the Chibok community, Borno State.

The group is demanding the release of the remaining girls still held in the captivity of the terrorist group and also asking the Federal Government to make schools in the northeast safe.

In a sit-out in Lagos to honour the Chibok schoolgirls, the faces and names have been posted at the Falomo roundabout in the Ikoyi area of the state as well as other parts of Nigeria.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement on Saturday renewed his vow to ensure the release of the remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu in Boko Haram’s enclave.

He disclosed this in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls.

He said he is aware that the promise to rescue the girls is the main reason the people of Chibok voted overwhelmingly for him in the February election.

The President had promised the parents of the kidnapped girls when he met them at the beginning of his first term as President, that he would ensure their daughters returned home.

He said his government had so far succeeded in securing the release of 107 of the girls, he will not rest until the remaining girls are reunited with their families.

However, 112 girls are still in captivity.

On April 14, 2014, over 200 students were abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School.

The abduction of the schoolgirls triggered global condemnation including former President of the United State, Barrack Obama and his wife Michelle.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/bbog-marks-5th-anniversary-of-chibok-abduction-demands-release-of-remaining-girls

A seven-member notorious kidnapping gang have recounted how they killed an American soldier in Okigwe area of Imo State in 2017.

The deceased, a Nigerian, who is serving in the US Army, identified as Chuks Okebata, was holidaying in Okigwe when he was abducted and killed by the gang.

Two Ak-47 rifles and six magazines loaded with 127 live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

The suspects, Sunday Igwe, alias School Boy, Michael Ahmefula, Oyebuchi Echefule, Ndubusi Isaac, Victor Dagogo, Chima Okoro and John Edet were arrested last week by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.

In their confessional statement to the police, the suspects admitted being members of a deadly armed robbery and kidnapping gang terrorizing Imo, Abia and Rivers States.

School-Boy, who is the leader of the gang, said that they never knew that the deceased was an American soldier.

“He tried to disarm me and in the process was killed. If we had not killed him, he would have killed us. He is strong with tough muscles and the only way to save our lives was to kill him,” he said.

School Boy further said that they never knew that the deceased, had a pistol with him at the time he was kidnapped.

He said: “We bundled him into the boot of our operational vehicle after he was kidnapped. We didn’t know who he was. While we were heading to our camp where we hope to keep him until ransom is paid. He pulled out his gun and started shooting at us from the boot and the bullet hit me on the leg and the driver on his hand.

“Realizing the danger, I asked our driver to stop the vehicle. As soon as the vehicle came to a halt we disarmed him. He was killed right there on the spot. We dumped his body inside a gutter and left. I want everyone to understand that I have no intention of killing him but he forced us into doing it,” he stated.

29-year-old Schoool Boy, who is a native of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State and a secondary school dropout, also narrated how he went into crime.

On his part, Michael Ahamefuna, 28-year-old, who is the second in command in the group and married with two children, said: “I reside in Port Harcourt. I am from Abia state. I am a trader. I met School-boy in a smoking joint where we smoke drugs and he used to come and smoke drugs.

“He had injury on his leg then and he took me to his village and we met one KC. We formed a kidnapping gang. We kidnapped a man who paid us N1.5million and we went to another business that paid us N15million. We also picked someone in Owerri and we took the person to Iteam in Abia State.
We got N10million from two victims, the last one that got us into trouble occurred in October 2018 and we lost our leader in that operation.”

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/how-we-kidnapped-killed-american-soldier-in-imo--kidnapping-suspects

[FILES] Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party Atiku Abubakar

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said he has been vindicated in his submission that he has verifiable and incontrovertible evidence to show that the last presidential elections were fraudulent, not credible and did not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

He said the response of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) President Buhari, as well as the party is a vindication of the petition he filed at the Electoral Tribunal hearing the petition.

In a release signed by his spokesperson Mazi Paul Ibe, the former Vice President said he based his case on facts and statistical evidence and challenged both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC, to disprove his factual submissions.

The release said: “That the APC chose to base its defence on the ridiculous assertion that the Waziri Adamawa is not a Nigerian should show to Nigerians the type of characters we have in the APC and its government, whose legitimacy runs out on May 29, 2019.

“The position of the APC is so pedestrian and shows such straw clutching desperation on their part, that I shall not dignify it with an answer. Our lawyers would, of course, do the needful in court. But the point I want to draw the attention of Nigerians to is that both the APC and its candidate have by this infantile logic admitted to the fact that they trampled on the will of Nigerians and that their only defence is to attempt an unconstitutional redefinition of the term ‘Nigerian.’

“I am, however, confident in the Nigerian judiciary, as well as in the Nigerian people. I trust that the Tribunal will treat such a claim with the contempt it deserves. We must maintain our fidelity to the rule of law and to our fountain of origin, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).”

The release reminded that Atiku Abubakar has served the nation diligently in various capacities, from the Civil Service, where he rose through merit, to the top of his chosen field, to public service, where, by the grace of God, he was the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Moreover, he has committed his assets and talents to developing our nation through the provision of tens of thousands of direct jobs and hundreds of thousands of indirect jobs. I make bold to state that those who have made Nigeria the world headquarters for extreme poverty are the very people whose Nigerianness should be in doubt, and not a man, who worked with President Olusegun Obasanjo to double the per capita income of our nation in less than eight years,” the statement said.

MEANWHILE, Lawyers have weighed in on the subject of who is a Nigerian.

A professor of Law, University of Benin, Benin City, Edoba Omoregie said where someone was born is irrelevant if before the country’s independence and after, the fellow’s parents were born in Nigeria or one of them was born in Nigeria to a community indigenous to Nigeria.

“I think the provisions in Chapter III of the Constitution is relevant because they provide for what make a Nigerian by birth. If you look closely at section 25 (1) (a) – (c) and (2), you will see that where you were born is irrelevant if before independence and after, your parents were born in Nigeria or one of them was born in Nigeria to a community indigenous to Nigeria. Or where before independence, your grandparents were born in Nigeria or one of them was born to a community indigenous to Nigeria,” he explained.

According to him, citizenship by birth also relates in the same context if the person was born in Nigeria and his parents or either of them, or any of his grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria. Any of them, he said, must belong to a community indigenous to Nigeria.

Omoregie said: “Now, on the issue of those born in a place not forming part of Nigeria, and none of whose parents or grandparents is a Nigerian pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the issue becomes relevant if the place can truly be said not to be part of Nigeria.

“Nigeria as we know it included the British trust territories of some areas of current Adamawa State and some areas of current Southern Cameroon. In 1961 those places were asked in a plebiscite to choose whether or not they wanted to remain in Nigeria. Prior to that time, persons from those areas were accorded recognition as British protected citizens of Nigeria like those in the entire Nigeria were so regarded.

“By independence in 1960, that situation continued until the plebiscite when parts of current Southern Cameroon chose to belong to Cameroon while part of current Adamawa chose to remain in Nigeria.

“It’s preposterous to suggest that even at independence, those territories where not Nigerian territories, when they weren’t also Cameroonian territory. Where then were they? No one can be stateless.”

He argued that the ancestral (indigenous background) roots is more than relevant because it immediately dispenses with where a Nigerian by birth (as provided in the Constitution) was actually born. If it is established that one of the parents or grandparents was or is from a community indigenous to Nigeria, such a person could be born even in Mars, and still be constitutionally regarded as a Nigerian by birth provided any of his parents or grandparents is of a community indigenous to Nigeria, he stressed.

“So, if a person was born in London in 1950, and his parents (or grandparents) were born in Nigeria or one of them was born in Nigeria; and from a community indigenous to Nigeria, that person is a Nigerian by birth,” he declared.

Also, Lagos based legal practitioner, Dr. Abiodun Layonu (SAN) described the allegation as silly.
“Seriously, this is silly by anyone saying this. The press should lambast anyone saying this. I’m APC but I don’t subscribe to this nonsense. Let’s find more serious points to raise,” he fumed.

Abuja based lawyer, Abubakar Sani is of the view that since Section 131 of the 1999 Constitution said one cannot contest for the Office of the President of Nigeria unless he is a citizen by birth, Atiku will have some explanations to make.

“I completely agree that that disqualifies Atiku who was allegedly born in Jada, Adamawa State at a time the place was part of Cameroon,” he stated.

According to him, the chickens have finally come home to roost and “those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/apc-cannot-redefine-who-qualifies-as-a-nigerian--atiku444444

Mr Emmanuel Jime, the defeated Benue Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the APC in the state have filed a joint petition challenging the victory of Gov Samuel Ortom at the general elections held between February and March in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governorship polls in the state were declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and reconducted in March where Ortom was declared a winner.

Ortom polled a total of 434,473 to floor his closest rival, Jime of the APC, with 345,155 votes.

The petition was filed on Friday at about 10:15 pm by Mr Sunday Ameh, (SAN).

Ameh told reporters that the petitioners (Jime and APC) were challenging the return of Gov Ortom by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Our prayers are that Ortom did not win the elections by a majority of lawful votes cast at that election, rather it is the prayer of Jime that the tribunal declares him as the winner of that election, having been the candidate that scored a majority of lawful votes cast”.

NAN reports that the petitioners’ other grounds were; that Gov Ortom was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes and that his election was invalid by reason of non- compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

The petitioners’ alternative reliefs were that; the elections be nullified for substantial non- compliance with the electoral act across the polling units where electoral infringements took place.

They are further asking the court to order fresh elections if the results of the affected polling units identified in the petition affect the entire result.

Also speaking to newsmen at the tribunal, Dr Sam Ode, APC deputy governorship candidate said they had raised genuine issues that would give them justice at the end of the day.

Ode further said that they did not have any personal issues against Gov Ortom and commended the Benue people for their peaceful conduct during the polls.

“We are acting within the law and until the declaration of Ortom is upturned, we will cooperate with him and Benue citizens, what we need in Benue is development, peace and the welfare of our citizens is paramount.

“So we don’t have anything personal against Ortom, the issues we have are purely political and purely issues that border on the welfare and future of Benue people. We are all partners in progress”.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/jime-apc-drag-ortom-to-election-tribunal-seek-to-upturn-his-victory

This picture from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) taken on February 28, 2019 and released on March 1, 2019 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) and US President Donald Trump shaking hands at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi. – The United States and North Korea on March 1 put forward starkly different accounts over the breakdown of a high-stakes summit in Hanoi but offered guarded hope that they could meet again. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / South Korea OUT / REPUBLIC OF KOREA OUT

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is willing meet with US President Donald Trump a third time if Washington comes to the table with the “right attitude”, state media reported Saturday.

Kim also said he would wait until the end of the year “for the US to make a courageous decision” on another meeting, after his most recent summit with Trump in Vietnam broke down and both sides left without agreement.

Washington has blamed the February deadlock on the North’s demands for sanctions relief in return for limited nuclear disarmament, but Pyongyang said it had wanted only some of the measures eased.

In a speech to Pyongyang’s rubber-stamp parliament Friday, Kim said the Hanoi meeting had made him question whether Washington is “genuinely interested” in improving its relations with Pyongyang.

“We are willing to give another try if the US offers to have a third summit with the right attitude and mutually acceptable terms,” he said, according to a report by North Korean state media outlet KCNA.

Kim added that his personal relationship with Trump remained strong, adding they could “write letters to each other” whenever they wanted.

“We will wait with patience until the end of the year for the US to make a courageous decision,” Kim said.

Pyongyang has been careful not to criticise Trump personally while attacking sanctions on North Korea as an attempt to “destroy modern civilisation and turn the society back in a medieval dark age”.

Trump and Kim held their first landmark summit in Singapore last June, where the pair signed a vaguely-worded agreement on the “denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula”.

But the failure to reach agreement at their second summit in Hanoi has raised questions over the future of the accord.

Trump said Thursday he was mulling a third summit with Kim ahead of a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in at the Oval Office — a move supported by Seoul.

Moon brokered the US-North Korea talks and has been pushing for the resumption of inter-Korean economic projects, but doing so would fall foul of international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.

“Our government will do what we can in order to maintain the current momentum for dialogue,” Moon’s office said in a Saturday statement.

The day before Kim accused Seoul of acting as an “overstepping mediator” and said the South should “speak up” for Pyongyang’s interests.

On Friday, KCNA reported Kim was re-elected as chairman of the State Affairs Commission, the North’s most important decision-making body, to cheers and loud applause from the delegates.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/north-korean-leader-open-to-third-trump-summit-kcna

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to the claim by the ruling All Progressives Congress that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is not a Nigerian.

The APC had yesterday filed a motion at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

The Party, in the petition filed by its lead counsel, Lateef Fagbemi faulted the candidacy of Atiku in the election, claiming that Atiku is a Cameroonian and not a Nigerian citizen.

APC, hence stated that the former Vice President petition against President Muhammadu Buhari, its own candidate, should be dismissed for lacking in merit.

Shehu Sani said the claims could reignite frosty issues between Nigeria and Cameroon.

He tweeted, “The ruling had Be cautious in your politics not to reignite Nigeria Cameroun frosty historical issues, so that they don’t renew claims to the old Sardauna province and then we will end up loosing a potion of our northern territory like the Bakassi.”

READ MORE:
https://www.horilines.com/post/shehu-sani-reacts-as-apc-claims-atiku-not-a-nigerian

Key northern leaders on Thursday converged on Zaria, in Kaduna State, and reviewed the security situation in Nigeria, with a damning verdict that the federal government has not done enough to checkmate the spate of killings and destruction of property across the land.


Cross section of Party Faithfuls during the meeting of the PDP Northern Elders and Leaders Caucus at the Adamu Maina Waziri Hall, Ajuji Hotel, Apo, Abuja.

The elders also frowned at what they considered as unjustified silence of the administration over rising threats to the north in particular and some parts of Nigeria by bandits, herdsmen, kidnappers, armed robbers and other gangs causing mayhem without any appropriate response from the security agencies.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Convener of the NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, the elders questioned the undue priority given by the government to politics over human lives, blaming it on what it calls ‘ weak political will and monumental political corruption’.

Part of the communiqué said, “Today, the north still lives under horrendous Boko Haram threats, a situation, which has been aggravated by threats of banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery, marauding youth gangs, herders and farmers mini-wars and seemingly overwhelmed or indifferent governments.

“Agriculture, our pride and national economic comparative advantage, the greatest employer of labour and leading contributor to GDP is in ruins as animal husbandry and crop and roots farming are in the throes of war and damage.

Cybercrime, ponzi schemes our major headaches —NDIC

“Our rural folks live in perpetual fear of attacks from sundry terrorist assassins without any reprieve. Our major highways and transportation systems are being abandoned as they have become death traps.

“Should the Nigerian people continue to run and hide from criminals under an administration that has enjoyed and received support especially from Northern Nigerians that it cannot address their existential and developmental challenges? The elders queried.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/northern-elders-attack-buhari-over-worsening-insecurity-quality-of-lives

The Deputy leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Uche Mefor, has reacted to a sex video of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

A sex video yesterday surfaced online of the IPOB leader with a lady said to be his wife, Uchechi.

In the video, Kanu and his wife could be seen in bed half naked taking about their sex life.

Reacting to the video, Mefor wondered if it was a crime to have sex with one’s wife, stressing that the footage was an old video.
In a statement, Mefor accused Aso Rock cabals of being behind the circulation of the video.

The statement reads: “The video making rounds about the leader of IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not new, it has been in circulation since 2013/2014 and as such nothing to be surprised about. Be advised accordingly, though, that this is a video of husband and wife (Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and our own Mrs Uchechi Okwu-kanu).

“We note that employing of this cowardly conduct remains in the circumstances the only response-and-panic-control strategy from the already destabilized, panicky Aso Rock cabals and their e-rats to try to regain their battered and tattered image.

“These hopelessly hopeless retards hacking, invading the privacy of the unstoppable Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would bring the zoo to her knees more than ever before. We challenge these charlatans to publish the videos of their wives.

“Anybody sharing that video is an agent of the zoo called Nigeria, report them on both Facebook and any platform they are operating on and more importantly block them. Be rest assured that we shall unmask the perpetrators behind the fake facebook accounts.”

READ MORE:
https://www.horilines.com/post/ipob-reacts-to-nnamdi-kanus-leaked-sex-video-reveals-those-behind-footage

Sudanese Defence Minister Ahmed Awad Ibnouf delivering a speech in Khartoum, announcing that President Omar al-Bashir was removed from power on April 11, 2019 AFP

Sudan’s defence minister was sworn in Thursday as chief of the new military council that replaced president Omar al-Bashir hours after the army ousted the veteran leader, state television reported.

Lieutenant General Awad Ibnouf took the oath to become the head of the council, it said, adding that the army’s chief of staff Lieutenant General Kamal Abdelmarouf was appointed as his deputy.

READ ALSO: US Urges Sudan Army To Bring Civilians Into Government

Images of both officers taking the oath in the presence of the chief of the country’s judiciary were broadcast on state television.
READ MORE:
https://www.horilines.com/post/breaking-sudan-defence-minister-sworn-in-as-chief-of-new-military-council

Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir has stepped down and consultations are underway to form a transitional council to run the country, government sources and a provincial minister said on Thursday.

NAN reports that the Minister of Production and Economic Resources in North Darfur, Adel Hussein, told the Dubai-based al-Hadath TV that “there are consultations to form a military council to take over power after President Bashir stepped down.”

Sudanese sources confirmed the report that al-Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard.”

The military will make an announcement soon, state television said as troops were deployed in Khartoum.

“The armed forces will present an important statement shortly. Be ready for it,” the announcement on state television read, without giving further details.

The army and security services deployed troops around the Defence Ministry and on major roads and bridges in the capital as thousands of people flocked to an anti-government protest outside the ministry, a witness said.

Tens of thousands of Sudanese took to the streets in the centre of Khartoum in jubilation, dancing and chanting anti-Bashir slogans.

Protesters outside the defence ministry chanted: “It has fallen, we won.”

State television and radio played patriotic music, reminding older Sudanese of how military takeovers unfolded during previous episodes of civil unrest.

Bashir, a former paratrooper who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1989, has been a divisive figure, who has managed his way through one internal crisis after another while withstanding attempts by the West to weaken him.

Sudan has suffered prolonged periods of isolation since 1993, when the U.S. added Bashir’s government to its list of terrorism sponsors for harboring Islamist militants.

Washington followed up with sanctions four years later.

Bashir has also been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over allegations of genocide in Sudan’s Darfur region during an insurgency that began in 2003.

The latest crisis has escalated since the weekend, when thousands of demonstrators began camping outside the Defence Ministry’s compound in central Khartoum, where Bashir’s residence is located.

Clashes erupted on Tuesday between soldiers trying to protect the protesters and intelligence and security personnel trying to disperse them.

The Ifformation Ministry said a police report showed that at least 11 people died in the clashes, including six members of the armed forces.

Since Dec. 19, Sudan has been rocked by persistent protests sparked by the government’s attempt to raise the price of bread, and an economic crisis that has led to fuel and cash shortages.

Opposition figures have called for the military to help negotiate an end to Bashir’s nearly three decades in power and a transition to democracy.

The demonstrators at the defence ministry had said that they wanted to submit a petition for the armed forces to take their side in their attempt to remove Bashir and his Islamist-backed administration.

READ MORE:
https://horilines.com/post/sudanese-president-secretly-steps-down-as-military-plans-to-take-over-power

Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has denied an earlier report that he has defected from the Young Peoples Party YPP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This was after the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, announced that the oil magnate had crossed over to their party yesterday.

His presence at a dinner hosted by President Muhammadu Buhari hosted in honor of all APC Senator elects last night also gave credence to Oshiomuole’s claim.

However, in a statement released, Ifeanyi Ubah denied ever defecting to the ruling APC. The statement in part reads

“Yesterday I was in Lagos with the Leadership of the Senate and over 20 other senators- elect to brief the press , after the briefing I invited our trader brothers from Trade-fair Lagos to meet the senators over the tussles our brothers are having with BPE over their assets and the rumors of privatizing the market.
READ MORE:https://horilines.com/post/i-wont-be-that-cheap-a-senator--ifeanyi-ubah-denies-defecting-to-pdp

Luckily, Senate Leader and by God’s grace, the incoming Senate President was the chairman that resolved BBA issues in 2011 with BPE( bureau of public enterprise) and made the recommendations that they are enjoying till date and he promised to swing into action immediately to resolve their current issues again and we left Lagos to Abuja for a dinner with Mr President and APC Senators and their caucus. In the dinner, the APC Chairman introduced me as a potential APC incoming Senator, this was his quote and his view of which he’s doing well in marketing me but I know my mission and have not changed from my last statement of last week. The most important thing is that I’m caucusing with the ruling party and presently have more value as a YPP senator.

I am making this forum of my constituency, Nnewi North square as the only only medium to express my view and will advise those our brothers who delight in spreading false news or are happy in maligning characters to quickly desist from such. This is a time to think about what will benefit our constituency. I will always keep you Informed as things unfold but have it at the back of your heart that I won’t be that cheap a senator.

Will forward videos of my activities in Lagos that concern our people which to me is a huge success.
God bless you all.
Dr Ifeanyi Ubah ( YPP Senator Elect)

Facebook user, Eric Doncleaono has just shared the sad story of how his uncle was murdered by his own first son for refusing to sell his land to sponsor him abroad.

Narrating the story, he wrote;

"Christopher first son Chidiebere Onoh, a notorious cultist conspired with his friend Sir King n kill his dad, just because his dad refused to sell his land to send him abroad, having sold his late junior brother land and gave the wife and son the money. The two shared the money among themselves and the wife left her matrimonial home to live at Egede for ichaka business while the son moved to an unknown place. After they squandered the money, both came back and insist that Christopher must sell the land to send him abroad which he declined. Chidiebere and his friend Sir king conspired and kill Christopher with dog chain. This is Christopher corpse after he was killed in his parlour, they took the corpse to his bedroom and arrange him in his bed.
READ MORE:https://horilines.com/post/first-son-kills-father-for-refusing-to-sell-his-land-to-sponsor-him-abroad

Operatives of Special Anti Robbery Squad have arrested a member of a three-man armed robbery gang who specialised in snatching exotic cars within and outside Lagos.

The 33-year old suspect, Austine Orji, was arrested at Elegushi while dispossessing residents who had come to relax at the beach of their valuables.

It was learned that after snatching the cars at gunpoint, the suspects would contract their receivers, who would assist them to dismantle the vehicle and, thereafter, sell the parts to buyers at the popular Ladipo market.

Suspect’s account

According to Orji, “I was arrested by the police because I am a car snatcher. I was a driver before I went into car snatching. I was arrested at Elegushi beach. However, my friend, Victor, who introduced me into armed robbery, escaped.

“I stopped driving in December 2018, after which Victor invited me to Ore, saying he had a business he wanted to introduce me to. When I got there, both of us travelled to Benin City, where we rented a locally made gun. We rented it for N30,000 but we paid N10,000 cash and promised to pay the balance of N20,000 when we return from robbery operation.

“We have only snatched a car before I was arrested. I got N12,500 as my share from the N60,000.

“We successfully snatched an old model Corolla car, which we sold for N60,000 as scrap. The vehicle was butchered and sold in parts at Ladipo market, after I called an acquaintance, Ugobest, at Ladipo. Ugobest connected me to the person who bought the vehicle parts."
Confirming his arrest, spokesperson Lagos State police command, DSP Bala Elkana, said the suspect was arrested after policemen at Ajah station received information that some robbers were sighted at Eegushi beach, Ajah disposing unsuspecting victims of their valuables.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/my-friend-introduced-me-to-armed-robbery---suspect-confesses

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday met with King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.

He thanked the leader for the continuous support Nigeria received from the country to fight terrorism, saying the investment in Nigeria’s peace and security will always be remembered.

President Buhari, who met with King Abdullah II on the sideline of the World Economic Forum on Middle East and North Africa holding in Dead Sea, Jordan, said the international support Nigeria got, particularly from Jordan, showed commitment to making the world a more harmonious and peaceful place where people can live and pursue their interests without fear.

He said the support and encouragement enabled the Nigerian military to degrade terrorism.

The President said both Nigeria and Jordan would need to strengthen trade relations by exploring areas of competitive advantage.

In his remarks, the King of Jordan said his country will continue to support Nigeria with hardwares to ensure that the global war against terrorism is successfully prosecuted.

He said the long term bilateral relations between both countries will be strengthened in trade and innovative ideas that will benefit citizens.

President Buhari also met with the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Saudi Aramco, Khalid A. Al-Falih, assuring him that Nigeria remains committed to the terms of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), especially on the quota system.

“We have been working together at OPEC over the years and we know the importance of keeping to all agreed terms,’’ he said.

The Saudi Arabian minister congratulated the President for winning re-election for a second term, assuring him that Saudi Arabia will continue to support Nigeria in its effort to maintain peace and ensure prosperity for its citizens.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/details-of-buhari-king-of-jordans-meeting-emerge

Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) is tackled by Brighton’s Spanish defender Martin Montoya during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in London, on April 6, 2019. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP


Manchester City’s quest for a quadruple of trophies remains intact after Gabriel Jesus’s solitary early goal was enough to see off Brighton 1-0 and reach the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s men will return to Wembley to face either Watford or Wolves on May 18 for what they hope will be the chance to clinch the first ever domestic treble in English football history.

City looked set for an easy afternoon when Jesus opened the scoring after just four minutes, but never hit top gear with one eye on their Champions League quarter-final, first leg at Tottenham on Tuesday.

And Brighton were left to rue a controversial decision not to send-off Kyle Walker just after the half hour mark for a clash with Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

With City staying in London until their trip to Tottenham’s new stadium in midweek, Sergio Aguero had travelled south on Friday but was not risked after a minor muscle injury.

Jesus stepped up in the Argentine’s absence by stooping to head home his 18th goal of the season, but the Brazilian’s opener owed much to a wonderfully inviting cross from Kevin de Bruyne.

That was the third time in as many games City had struck inside the first five minutes, but unlike in cruising past Fulham and Cardiff in the Premier League, they failed to put the game out of Brighton’s reach before the break.

The Seagulls grew into the game as the first 45 minutes wore on without really threatening an equaliser, but were left furious when Walker escaped a red card that could easily have changed the course of the game.

The England international was unhappy that Jahanbakhsh stood on his trailing leg as the pair jostled at the back post and went head-to-head with the Iranian.

However, after a VAR review, the yellow card shown to Walker by Anthony Taylor was deemed sufficient.

Walker was then replaced at half-time by Danilo to keep him out of further trouble, but City still failed to hit anywhere near the heights of their recent form to give Brighton hope.

However, Aymeric Laporte’s last-ditch clearance to prevent Glenn Murray forcing Shane Duffy’s header over the line was the closest they came to an equaliser.

The introduction of Fernandinho for the final 25 minutes allowed City to restore some order and Mat Ryan was forced into a fine save to stop Raheem Sterling adding a second on the day he had bought 550 tickets for pupils of his former school to get the chance to witness a Wembley showpiece.

City goalkeeper Ederson was not even forced into a save until four minutes from time when Jose Izquierdo stung the Brazilian’s palms from long range, but the English champions held on to take another step closer to history.
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/manchester-city-reach-fa-cup-final-stay-on-course-for-quadruple

The police command in Cross River on Friday said the force had not confirmed any death from the renewed boundary clash between a community in the state and another neighbouring community in Ebonyi.

Nigerian policemen

The communities are Ukelle community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River and Izzi community in Ebonyi.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Irene Ugbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview that the police were yet to confirm any loss of life in the clash which started on Thursday.

Man, 25, drowns in Jigawa dam as NDLEA raid drug peddlers’ hideout

“For now, we have not gotten any report of any loss of life. As of yesterday, the Commissioner of police asked the Divisional Police Officer in the area to increase the man power in the area.

“We have not recorded any death yet. The people are trying to regroup when the police swung in and scattered them.

“But, I will keep NAN informed as soon as I get more details from the DPO in the affected area,’’ she said.

‘Very difficult’ for Neymar to face Man United, says Tuchel

But, a native of Ukelle, Mr Andrew Idele, who brought in his injured brother for treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching hospital, Calabar, alleged that their Izzi neighbours from Ebonyi, attacked them early hours of Thursday morning.

Idele told NAN that the presence of security personnel in the area was inadequate.

“The Izzi people attacked us in the early hours of Thursday. There was so much firing, planning to bring down the whole Ukelle community. But we resisted them.

“Some of our people are injured. Those whose injury demand medical treatment are in Calabar while others are in orthopaedic homes. Currently, there is no loss of live

“There are soldiers in the area, but they are not doing enough to arrest the situation,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the clash which had lingered between the two communities over the years came to an head with a peace initiative meeting late 2018 between governments of Cross River and Ebonyi, led by the deputy governors of the two states.
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/no-death-recorded-in-renewed-criver-ebonyi-boundary-clash--police

Former Super Eagles winger and now coach of Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, Emmanuel Amuneke hinted that his team would not be pushovers if they cross paths with the Super Eagles at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations billed for June in Egypt.

Amuneke leaves Al Khartoum over unpaid salaries

Amuneke

Amuneke spear-headed Tanzania’s qualification for the AFCON tournament after a 39-year absence and now he says the Taifa Stars will not be intimidated by the top rated teams.

‘If Tanzania is paired along side alongside Nigeria, then we would play Nigeria,” Amuneke told www.brila.net.

‘If Tanzania can qualify for the Nation’s Cup, that means we are capable of playing any team in the continent of Africa,’ he said.

He however, noted that the Super Eagles have talented players with quality and they are one of the favourites for the title.
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/2019-afcon-amuneke-dreams-taifa-stars-super-eagles-clash

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled the Yaro family on the passing of businessman and philanthropist, Alhaji Ahmadu Yaro.
Buhari

Buhari
A presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said the President also commiserated with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Salisu Buhari on the death of his father, Alhaji Salisu Buhari Daura.

Buhari recalled that one of the abiding passions of Yaro was his zeal and dedication to entrepreneurship, extending proceeds of his business fortunes to numerous community development initiatives.

He said: “as a very successful businessman who spent most of his years in the commercial city of Lagos, Yaro was an embodiment of a true Nigerian, committed to advancing the peaceful co-existence of all, promoting prosperity and stability across regions.”

While commiserating with the government and people of Jigawa, the business community in the country on the passing of the elder statesman and humanitarian, the President prayed Allah to comfort the bereaved family, friends and associates, and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

Also while condoling the Salisu Buhari family as well as the government and people of Kano State on the death of their patriarch and prominent businessman, Buhari eulogised his numerous contributions to the economic development and prosperity of the state and the country.

He encouraged all who mourned Alhaji Daura, who was a respected community leader and ardent believer in the Nigeria project, to emulate the legacy of building a better country for everyone.

READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/buhari-mourns-ahmadu-yaro-salisu-buhari

Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Cardiff City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north-west England, on April 3, 2019.
Oli SCARFF / AFP

Manchester City beat Cardiff 2-0 on Wednesday to return to the top of the Premier League, one point ahead of Liverpool.

Kevin De Bruyne gave City the lead in the sixth minute, firing in from a tight angle, and Leroy Sane doubled the advantage for the defending champions with a sharp finish just before half-time.

READ ALSO: Toure And Sterling Blast Juventus Over Kean Abuse

In other English Premier League results;
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/man-city-beat-cardiff-to-leapfrog-liverpool-in-league-summit

Chelsea 3-0 Brighton (Giroud 38, Hazard 60, Loftus-Cheek 63)

Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace (Son 55, Eriksen 80)

A federal lawmaker, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, has called on the National Assembly members-elect, particularly those of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to respect the position of the party in choosing their leaders for the Ninth Assembly.

Uzodinma, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, made the call while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said party decisions remained supreme in partisan politics, adding that the members-elect should be guided by the views and decisions of the party, NAN reports.

“Today, the All Progressives Congress enjoys comfortable majority in the National Assembly and Nigerians are looking forward to APC to ensure that the a stable parliament.

”A parliament that will enable the president to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians and ensure that the manifesto of our political party is realised.

“The unholy marriage that happened in 2015 was what led to the instability of the 8th Assembly.

“It is therefore important that the political class wakes up now and ensures that such arrangement is not repeated because the Legislature and the Executive must work together for national development.

“The political class has a responsibility to ensure that national interest is protected, to deliver dividends of democracy to the electorate.

“We should therefore sheath our sword and ensure that every form of selfish interest is avoided, for the overriding interest of the party.

“So, it is pertinent for the members-elect to vote according to the interest of our political party knowing well that it will enable the growth of our great party,” he said.

The lawmaker, called for discipline and unity among the APC members-elect to checkmate a likely repeat of what happened in the election of principal officers of the national assembly in 2015.

He reminded the APC members-elect that it was only right to adhere to decisions of the party on which platform they emerged winners.

“It is only indiscipline that would make anybody to disobey a platform that led to his or her victory.

“We, in the spirit of reciprocity should also try to fulfil the mandate of the party.

“So, I do not see any problem with us agreeing to be on the same page with our party.

“The president during his campaign made a lot promises to Nigerians and for him to be able to succeed, the party has a responsibility to ensure that the leadership of the 9th National Assembly is a supportive one.

“It must be the one that is stable and that works together with the president. The three arms of government working together will enable us to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.

The 8th National Assembly, which was inaugurated June 9, 2015, is expected to wind up in June, to allow for the inauguration of the 9th assembly.

Following this, there have been jostling across party divides on election of principal officers for the incoming
READ MORE:https://www.horilines.com/post/senate-presidency-uzodinma-speaks-on-apc-choice-of-saraki-dogaras-replacement

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives has promised that the 2019 budget will be passed when plenary resumes on Tuesday, April 2.

He, however, made it clear that the National Assembly would not rubber stamp the N8.83trn 2019 budget saying, “We hope to pass the appropriation bill as soon as we reconvene plenary”.

Dogara stated this in Abuja, during the third public hearing on the national budget.

The Speaker, who blamed the delay in passing the budget to late submission of the money bill by the executive arm of government, expressed regret that previous budgets had not scored up to 45 percent performance.

He commended Ministries, Departments and Agencies that had so far showed up for their budget defense, even as he urged those yet to do so, “to hasten up to ensure expeditious approval of the budget upon resumption by next week”.

Dogara further explained that by constitutional design, the president’s role in drafting the budget estimates could not be assailed, but the “power of the purse” was the function of the legislature.

He said, “That includes the fact that expenditure can only be made in consequence of express legislative authorization and the authority to create and collect taxes, borrow or raise money through loans when the need arises.

“Over the years, the main problem with our budget as submitted by the executive is that it does not reflect national values and priorities.

“The budget, more often than not, only reflects the values and priorities of those who help the President in drafting it. The integrity of the project selection process has always been the bane of our national budgets.

“I regret to say that until we eliminate these problems, we will always have non-implementable national budgets which cannot be relied upon by policymakers in establishing spending priorities.

“It is very painful that for some years now, our budget process has been an exercise in either or a combination of audacious optimism and/or hypocrisy involving key actors, putting together a budget that they fully know will at best be implemented up to 45 percent.

“This by all standards is below average. How many of us will be proud of a child who consistently performs below average in his exams? How many of us here are proud of our below average budget performance all these years?

“Our below average budget performance is the main reason why Nigeria has remained a major promise as our national potential cannot be released without effective budget planning and execution.”

READ MORE: https://hexopay.net/post/2019-budget-will-be-passed-as-national-assemble-resumes--see-details

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the Micro Pension Plan and assured Pensioners of regular payment of their entitlements.

The President on Thursday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains committed to pension payment despite the lean resources of government.

He stated this during the launch of a micro pension plan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Buhari To Launch Micro Pension Plan Today

He noted that the initiative is part of plans to ensure that hardworking Nigerians live in dignity and retire without fear.

The President also encouraged traders, unions, non- governmental organizations and other stakeholders in the informal sector of the nation’s economy to join hands with the government to enlighten their members of the benefits of the micro pension plan.

Buhari Launches Micro Pension Plan In Abuja
READ MORE :https://hexopay.net/post/buhari-launches-micro-pension-plan-assures-pensioners-of-regular-payment

Osinbajo, APC Leaders Attend Bola Tinubu Colloquium In Abuja

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are present at the ongoing Bola Tinubu Colloquium.

The annual event, which is the 11th in the series, is ongoing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Other dignitaries at the event include APC state governors and members of the President’s cabinet, as well as traditional rulers among others.

Watch the video below: https://hexopay.net/post/live-osinbajo-apc-leaders-attend-bola-tinubu-colloquium-in-abuja

See the photos below: https://hexopay.net/post/live-osinbajo-apc-leaders-attend-bola-tinubu-colloquium-in-abuja


Source:

https://www.channelstv.com/2019/03/28/live-osinbajo-apc-leaders-attend-bola-tinubu-colloquium-in-abuja/
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