David Hundeyin was LIVE on Arise TV interview, and he spoke precisely with clear emphasis about his recent published documentary "Bola Ahmed Tinubu: From Drug Lord To Presidential Candidate"

ObamaMessi:
Hello @all nairalanders...

I suppose to post this in the travel section, but the response in my previous thread wasn't encouraging so I decide to post it here.

I've been in the U.S for the past one week plus but things are just weird here.No friend.No counterpart.The family(my uncle's family) seem to mind their ways and I feel sidelined.

I just need any Nigerian living here in Houston, Texas.I live in Willowbrook to be precise.I live just some Kilometres away from this church(my church in Nigeria) RCCG.

I just need a friend here.

Sometimes I call uncle Amos Boniface in Taraba, Nigeria to discuss international politics just to keep myself lively.

If you live in Willowbrook or a neighbouring suburb just holla at me(hit me up).

Thank you! PM me.

blackpanda:


Yes, all the more reason why we LOVE him

blackpanda:
Ok nice one

We will collect our PVCs and vote Tinubu!

On Sunday, 11 people were killed in a renewed attack by suspected herders in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State's Igama community.

According to locals, no buildings remained standing in the community after the invaders burned them all down.

"The hoodlums, who are Fulani herdsmen, stormed Igama village in the early hours of today (Sunday) and attacked the community's youth."

"They let the elderly, children, and women flee while descending on the youth." "As I speak to you, 11 young men have been killed," the unidentified local told our correspondent over the phone.

Mrs Amina Audu, the council's chairman, confirmed the attack.

She said nine bodies had been recovered as of 4.22 p.m. on Sunday, when she spoke with our correspondent on the phone.

"I got a report that Fulani herders stormed Igama community between 4 and 6 a.m. today," Audu said (Sunday).

"As I speak to you, I am in the Okpoga police station. Three corpses have been brought from the community, and residents have just informed me that another six corpses are on their way to a mortuary."

Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police for the state police, confirmed the attack but said the command had not yet received details.

"The incident has been confirmed," Anene said, "but the command has yet to receive details from officers who responded to the scene."

MITCHELL96:
Omo,! Make dem sign am ASAP Abeg with that Benfica striker, Darwin Nunez

The new Manchester United manager is busy reshaping his first-team squad ahead of the start of pre-season, hoping to bolster his ranks and sign two of his former players.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is growing increasingly confident of bringing back former players Frenkie de Jong and Antony to Old Trafford.

Barcelona midfielder De Jong has already spoken with United manager about a possible transfer, with the manager outlining the role the player would play under him at Old Trafford. United need to bolster their options in central midfield ahead of several key departures this season. De Jong has been identified as the club's leading candidate for the position, and the Dutchman is at the top of the Red Devils' summer transfer target list.

Antony is another top target for Ten Hag, who wants to reunite with the 22-year-old, who was Ajax's star last season. United are in pole position to land the Brazilian given his strong relationship with the Red Devils boss at the Amsterdam Arena.

United have received a new boost in their pursuit of Antony, with his agents traveling to Europe to negotiate his future. According to a Goal Brasil report, £51 million (€60 million) could be enough to bring the Brazilian forward to Old Trafford.

According to the report, the player's representatives flew into Europe 'to expedite' a move to United, which could even be 'completed' by the trip. It goes on to say that Antony's future will be decided during these "decisive days" of negotiations.

It has been reported that United and Ajax have strong boardroom relations, which would help smooth over any deal. Ten Hag's departure from the Amsterdam club last month, which sealed his early arrival at United, was an example of an amicable agreement.

While the deal would be beneficial to Ajax, Antony's former club Sao Paulo would be entitled to 20% of any transfer fee as well as 2.7% of the player's development fee. This is in addition to the £12 million (€15 million) they received in the deal that sent them to Ajax in 2020.

Antony appeared in 33 games for the Dutch giants last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists before being sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury. He also appeared in nine South American World Cup qualifiers for the Brazilian national team, scoring two goals.

The Brazilian is primarily a right-sided player, which would add balance to United's attack with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford primarily deployed on the left. Anthony Elanga also recently claimed that he preferred to play on the left rather than on the right, where he had been utilised by former United interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, an elder statesman, has praised the emergence of Bola Tinubu as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate.

Yakasai said in a congratulatory message on Thursday that if Tinubu is elected president, history will be made.

The elder statesman predicted Tinubu's election as president would mark a "complete breakaway" from military influence in Nigeria's politics.

"The election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC Presidential Candidate is an important political development in our country," he said. This transition will usher us into full-fledged democracy, marking the transition of an acclaimed figure and political Juggernaut of the APC National Leader to Nigeria's National Leader.

“When Asiwaju, a sage, is eventually elected as the President of the country in the forthcoming Presidential Elections, history shall be made in our contemporary political development for a number of reasons.

“Paramount and if elected as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju’s election victory will signify the complete and total break away from military influence in our polity which will bring about the return of the country to a full pledge democratic tradition and practice for the first time since the return of civilian rule in 1999.

“It will also constitute a stamp of validation of the 1914 amalgamation of the people of Northern and Southern protectorates by the entire people of Nigeria of their own free will.

“It is gratifying to note that this is the first time the major Political Parties are fielding non-military actors as their Presidential standard-bearers.

“Therefore it is important to appeal to all candidates vying for various political positions in the country to commit themselves to the principles of playing politics according to the rule of the game, eschew politics of bitterness, violence and do away with the culture of thuggery in our political activism and return the country to the path of civility in the conduct of partisan politics.

“May their emergence be the harbinger of the return to politics of decorum, without bitterness as well as the beginning of the arduous task of finding a better strategy that will enhance the needed national unity, peaceful coexistence and cohesion in our country a prerequisite for genuine nation-building.

“I pray that the coming general elections will be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere free from violence. It is our hope that the National Electoral Commission will conduct the election in a peaceful, credible manner devoid of rigging and manipulation.”

'From now on, it'll be blood for blood,' says a Yoruba youth group, vowing to avenge the deaths of 'brothers and sisters massacred in Ondo Church.'

The group said in a statement that it was reviewing all accounts of attacks in the region dating back to 2011 and would take action soon.

The Yoruba Youth Army, a group in the South West, has vowed to avenge the deaths of people from the region, including those killed in the massacre at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, on Sunday.

While Mass was in session, the church was attacked by gunmen. The attack killed many congregants, including women and children.

Rev. Father Andrew Abayomi, one of the church's priests, explained that the gunmen fired into the church for about 25 minutes.

"We were about to wrap up service. I had even asked people to leave, which is how we began hearing gunshots from various angles.

"We took cover inside the church, but some people had already left when the attack occurred." For 20 minutes, we were locked inside the church. "When we heard they'd gone, we opened the church and rushed victims to the hospital," he'd said.

In a statement, the group said it was reviewing all accounts of attacks in the region dating back to 2011 and would take action soon.

"On behalf of all the children of Oduduwa and all who proclaim themselves as Yoruba worldwide, we The Yoruba Youth Army hereby declare as follows; from henceforth it will be a tooth for a tooth, blood for blood, because the Nigerian government has failed in its duty to protect her citizens, we the concerned citizens will take it upon ourselves, protect ourselves, and avenge the death of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters."

"We are reviewing all reports of attacks dating back to 2011." ENOUGH OF THIS. THIS IS OUR FIRST ADVISORY!!!"

Lawrence Ekwok, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Cross River State, has stated that a minimum of one million votes will be mobilized among PFN member churches in support of any governorship candidate the fellowship endorses in the 2023 general election.

He made the promise at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, House of David, Calabar, during the 2022 PFN Pentecost Service.

Ekwok stated that the commitment and backing of key leaders of the state's Pentecostal churches has been secured to ensure that the goal is met.

He told the gathering, which included all of the state's key church leaders, that "it is a task that can be accomplished," citing the votes received by the winner of the state's governorship election in 2019, a figure that one of the mega churches can easily produce.

He urged members of the state's Pentecostal churches to "take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise and ensure that you register to vote in the upcoming elections."

Bishop Curtis Fianu, a guest speaker from Lagos, delivered a message titled 'Power above Powers' at the service.

In his message, he charged Christians to use the Power of Pentecost to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and perform legitimate signs and wonders.

Special songs by the PFN Mass Choirs, the PFN Women's Wing, and the RCCG were also performed during the service.

The event was attended by church leaders, ministers, and members from Pentecostal churches such as the RCCG, Christ for the World Mission, Assemblies of God, Deeper Life Bible Church, Church of God Mission, Winners Chapel, Foursquare Gospel Church, and Charismatic Renewal Ministries.

Pastor Victor Ovat, chairman of the planning committee, thanked church leaders and members for mobilizing massive attendance at the event.

On Tuesday, delegates and ad hoc officials of the All Progressives Congress clashed at the venue of the party's national convention.

Accreditation, on the other hand, has begun following the resolution of the misunderstanding.

It has been learned that delegates will be given accreditation tags before proceeding to Eagle Square, the primary venue.

The PUNCH previously reported that an attempt by the All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, to select Senate President Ahmad Lawan – a northerner – as the APC's preferred candidate failed on Monday, as both the Presidency and the party's 12 northern governors openly distanced themselves from the move.

Adamu had called a meeting of the party's 25-member National Working Committee at the party's headquarters in Abuja ahead of Tuesday's presidential primary (today).

At the meeting, Adamu informed the NWC that Lawan was the party's anointed candidate, a move that was not accepted by all members.

According to reports, the national chairman insisted on Lawan's selection after consulting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Adamu hurriedly jumped into his vehicle and drove away after the meeting.

The APC's stance on Monday threatened the South's chances of producing the next president, as a northerner, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, won the presidential ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on May 28 after defeating southern aspirants such as Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Northern governors in the APC, however, raised the hopes of the South at their meeting on Saturday night when they insisted that the party's presidential candidate come from the south of the country.

On Monday, some NWC members, northern governors, and other presidential aspirants voiced their opposition to Adamu's plan to impose Lawan.

Immediately following the NWC meeting, about seven members led by the APC's National Organising Secretary, Suleman Argungu, told journalists at the party secretariat that Lawan was not the party's preferred candidate.

The Tinubu Campaign Organization has warned the All Progressives Congress against imposing a consensus candidate.

The organization was responding to the announcement on Monday of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the party's consensus candidate.

The support group listed three conditions for selecting a consensus candidate as stipulated in the Electoral Act in a statement signed by its Legal Director, Babatunde Ogala, SAN.

"The media is inundated with reports that the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unilaterally announced the purported adoption of a certain aspirant as the APC's consensus presidential candidate for the upcoming presidential election in 2023," 

"While the National Chairman has yet to deny or clarify the alleged declaration, it is necessary to state that such a declaration is illegal." This is because, under the Electoral Act 2022 regime, consensus, while provided for as one of the means by which a political party may produce its candidate, must specifically occur in a precise form. The relevant provisions are Sections 84(9), (10), and (11) of the Electoral Act 2022, which state as follows:

"(9) A political party that adopts a consensus candidate must obtain the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and support for the consensus candidate."

"(10) If a political party is unable to obtain the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of selecting a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the use of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforementioned elective position." (11) A special convention or nomination congress shall be held at designated centers at the National, State, Senatorial, Federal, and State Constituencies, as the case may be, to ratify the choice of consensus candidates." As a result, any declaration of a consensus candidate would be premature and in violation of existing legal provisions.

"We are confident that the APC, as a law-abiding entity, will not be a part of such." We are further persuaded to urge our supporters to disregard this report in light of the overwhelming majority of APC Northern Governors who, after meeting with the President, reaffirmed their preference for a president from the southern part of Nigeria." 

"This patriotic decision is widely accepted by all Nigerians as a demonstration of profound understanding of our nation's nuanced fault lines." In these circumstances, the National Chairman's unilateral declaration of a consensus presidential candidate for the party will not only violate the law, but will also put the party at odds with its Governors, who are critical stakeholders in the party."

The terror attack on Sunday at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, in South-West Nigeria, opened a new chapter in Nigeria's bleak security situation. Terrorists strategically chose a church and a location in southern Nigeria to demonstrate that their reach extended beyond the North, as previously assumed.

Terror attacks on churches, mosques, schools, police stations, military formations, and government agencies have occurred primarily in the North since 2009, when the Islamic terror group Boko Haram adopted suicide bombing as a tactic.

With the Owo massacre, which reportedly killed dozens of worshippers (estimated at 30 to 70), worship centers across Nigeria will be uneasy. Shopping malls, schools, markets, public buses, bus stops, and other gathering places will be considered potential targets.

According to reports, the unidentified attackers entered the church as the service was ending, detonated bombs, causing panic, and then began to mow down worshippers as they burst out of the church in an attempt to flee. Among those killed were many children, as well as women and men.

Adeyemi Olayemi, the legislator representing the Owo constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly, told CNN on Sunday, not long after the incident occurred, that at least 28 people were killed. However, some of the injured who were taken to the hospital died later. According to Olayemi, the attackers arrived on motorcycles and began shooting indiscriminately, killing a large number of people.

When THISDAY visited the church, it discovered that the gunmen had used dynamites to destroy the church's altar. The impact of the explosives destroyed a portion of the altar's POP. The blood of the victims was smeared on the church floor. Ikechukwu Eze, an eyewitness, told THISDAY that the gunmen numbered up to ten, and that when security officers arrived at the scene, the angry crowd chased them away.

Throughout Sunday and the majority of Monday, no group claimed responsibility for the attack or provided a reason for carrying it out. But what could possibly justify such a heinous attack?

It appears that those carrying out these attacks try to break whatever record they have set each time. On March 26, some gunmen breached security at Kaduna International Airport in North-West Nigeria, killing one person. Two days later, they attacked a train traveling between Kaduna and Abuja, Nigeria's capital, killing some passengers and kidnapping many more. Those who paid the massive ransoms were promptly released, while others remain in their custody more than a month later.

Concerning ransom, the Most Rev. Samuel Kanu-Uche, Prelate of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, recounted his kidnapping experience last week, claiming that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100 million. They were threatened with death if the money was not paid quickly. According to the minister, their kidnappers boasted that they would use the ransom to buy weapons and prepare to take on any group.

An explosion occurred during the annual Echane festival in the Idoji area of Okene, Kogi State, on Thursday, killing two people and injuring many more. Kogi State is located in Nigeria's North-Central region, but it shares borders with Ondo State. According to reports, the explosion happened near the Idoji market in the town, on Thursday evening.

The Islamic State in West Africa Province claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday, claiming that 20 people were killed rather than the two confirmed by police. The police said they were awaiting the results of their anti-bomb unit's investigation to determine what type of device caused the explosion.

Giving an update on recent attacks in Kogi State, an online newspaper, TheCable, reported that on April 23, gunmen attacked a police station in the state's Adavi LGA, killing three police officers. ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack a few days later.

On May 11, an explosion occurred at a bar in the Lewu Junction area of Kabba town, Kogi. Two weeks later, another explosion occurred at a bar in Kabba town, Kabbah-Bunu LGA.

Ondo State has also been at the forefront of the anti-open grazing campaign. On numerous occasions, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has seized the heads of cattle grazing in the open and forced their owners to pay a fine in order to reclaim them. This elicited condemnation from various herdsmen's groups, who saw the ban on open grazing and arrest as victimization.

In response to the attack on St Francis Church in Owo, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is from Owo, said, "It is a black Sunday in Owo." Our hearts are burdened. The enemies of the people have attacked our peace and tranquillity. This is a personal tragedy, an attack on our beloved state... I had to cut short my party's national assignment in Abuja to go to Owo right away. This is a surprising development. To say the least, I am stunned.

"In our determination to rid our state of criminals, we will never yield to the machinations of heartless elements." I sympathize with my people in Owo, especially the families of those who were killed in this heinous and tragic attack. I express my condolences to Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye, Olowo of Owo, and the Catholic Church."

In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President of Nigeria, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), said that "only fiends from the nether region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act." "No matter what, this country will never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never triumph over light," he added. Nigeria will triumph in the end."

The people's frustration and helplessness was evident in their reactions to security operatives who arrived at the scene of the attack. By chasing them away, the people expressed their dissatisfaction with the nation's ineffectiveness in protecting them from similar attacks across the country. According to reports, the gunmen operated for 20 to 30 minutes without any response from security personnel.

The perpetrators of the attack may have also intended to incite an inter-ethnic conflict. Both the state and federal governments should take steps to prevent this from happening.

Nigeria has repeatedly failed its citizens. With one year left in his second four-year term, it is hoped that Buhari will finally take steps to stop sending out condolence messages every week or fortnight. He is a president, not a mortician.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (ret.) of Nigeria has endorsed a power shift to the south in 2023.

He stated this during a dinner with All Progressives Congress presidential candidates in Abuja.

Details to follow.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a presidential candidate, has promised to rehabilitate Bakassi's displaced people if elected.

He made the promise on Wednesday in Calabar, where he was meeting with delegates ahead of the All Progressives Congress's upcoming presidential primary.

"We will create jobs, we will rehabilitate those who have been displaced in Bakassi," Tinubu said, adding that he will make Calabar port operational.

Tinubu, who arrived with an entourage that included Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, told the delegates to vote for success and progress and to inquire about his achievements in Lagos.

“I can turn Nigeria around. We will bring back Nigeria’s prosperity. We will create commodity markets. Economic prosperity will be there for you and your children,” he said, adding that he will replicate his achievements in Lagos nationwide if elected president in 2023.

Former Borno governor Hashim Shettima stated that equity, justice, and fairness demand that power be transferred to the south, and that Tinubu is deserving of the position because he has made significant sacrifices to ensure the survival of democracy.

Ganduje also supported zoning the presidency to the South, claiming that Kano would swing votes in Tinubu's favor.

The All Progressives Congress' National Working Committee wrote an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari (retd) on Wednesday, urging him to resist the temptation to impose a successor on the party.

Even as the NWC warned that anything short of providing a level playing field to all 23 screened presidential aspirants would be 'democratically risky' for the party.

When he hosted the APC governors on Tuesday, Buhari told them that he needs their help in choosing his successor.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu, National Chairman of the APC, was also present at the meeting, which took place in the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja.

The news comes just six days before the rescheduled presidential convention, which is set to take place at Eagles Square on June 6.

The NWC stated in an open letter signed by APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), Mallam Salihu Lukman, that it will be highly risky to adopt the same succession framework that gave birth to the country's poorly imposed political succession arrangement.

“The temptation for leaders to choose their successors is democratically risky and very costly. If in 2013/2014, Your Excellency, could submit yourself to internal democratic process, it is important that your successor also follow the same process.

“Notwithstanding, however, there is the overriding requirement to appeal to you to kindly resist the temptation. I would have wished we have enough time for open debate within our party. Unfortunately, as things are, we have less than one week to settle this matter.

“Like in the case of December 10, 2014 APC National Convention, everything will be done at this year’s APC National Convention to guarantee level playing field for all aspiring Presidential candidates of our party. Any recommendation to the contrary will be inimical and injurious to the electoral fortunes of our great party, APC,” he said.

According to him, one significant disadvantage of the succession arrangement in which governors choose their successors is that it has a negative impact on the relationship between the successor and the predecessor.

Lukman recalled former President Olusegun Obasanjo's unfortunate third-term agenda and how it eventually eroded all of his achievements as a leader, warning that any transition initiative that risks being unpopular should be avoided.

He stated that any initiative that took away the rights of party members to elect candidates would potentially mobilize Nigerians against the party and discredit Mr. President.

Ahmad Lawan, President of the Senate, has made an impassioned plea to All Progressives Congress delegates to consider aspirants' histories and public records before voting in the party's upcoming presidential primary.

In a letter included in a statement on Wednesday, the presidential aspirant requested delegates' votes in order to become the APC presidential flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election.

He also urged the delegates to select "a leader with absolutely no baggage" who would lead rather than rule Nigerians.

He wrote in his statement, “To all delegates across Nigeria, I beseech you to put pecuniary and monetary incentives aside and seriously consider what is ‘in the greater good.’ As you make your decision in picking the flag bearer of our party, I urge you to seek for a leader and not a politician.

“I ask you to choose a person that will lead and not rule Nigerians; one that will be understanding, tolerant, fair, honest, and progressive. A leader that comes with absolutely ‘No-Baggage.’

“A vital component of any logical, efficient and authentic evaluation of a person involves assessing past behavior. The key here is that one’s best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If one has always done something a certain way, they are likely to do that same thing in the same manner in the future.

“The same goes for how one navigates or pillages in leadership. Thus, as you, the delegates, are determining the APC party presidential flag bearer, it is important to look at past behavior to elicit what behaviors, avarice and rapacity candidates have exhibited in the past. It is important for you to access all candidates along this parameter.

                            full text of the letter:

My Dear APC Party Delegates,

Compliments of the season. Permit me to write to you through this medium. As we converge at this great time, in this great party to begin the journey of determining the future of this great nation, we must be cognizant of the fact that the fate of Nigeria fluctuates.

While democracy asserts that the Nigerian voting public determines the person to emerge as President, however in advance of that, the party delegates are saddled with the task of nominating the flag bearers. This communication is an appeal to all APC delegates as the party prepares for its presidential primaries.

I am reaching out to every single one of you APC delegates to plead with you to put ‘Nigeria First’ and give thought to the future of 215,763,437 (million) Nigerians, a lot of whom will appreciate the sagacious determination you will make during this process. I am reaching out to you, with humility, to ask for your votes so that I can emerge as the APC Presidential flag bearer for the 2023 Nigerian Presidential election.

At this point, it is not lost on me that we must come together as one party and as one nation, for we have a great deal to mend, to rehabilitate, to reinstall and so much more to achieve. We have a unique chance to measure up to every expectation and show Nigeria and the world that Democracy triumphs. And that journey shall start during the APC Presidential Primary Election process.

To all delegates across Nigeria, I beseech you to put pecuniary and monetary incentives aside and seriously consider what is ‘in the greater good.’ As you make your decision in picking the flag bearer of our party, I urge you to seek for a leader and not a politician. I ask you to choose a person that will lead and not rule Nigerians; one that will be understanding, tolerant, fair, honest, and progressive. A leader that comes with absolutely ‘No-Baggage.’

A vital component of any logical, efficient and authentic evaluation of a person involves assessing past behavior. The key here is that one’s best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If one has always done something a certain way, they are likely to do that same thing in the same manner in the future. The same goes for how one navigates or pillages in leadership. Thus, as you, the delegates, are determining the APC party presidential flag bearer, it is important to look at past behavior to elicit what behaviors, avarice and rapacity candidates have exhibited in the past. It is important for you to access all candidates along this parameter.

Dear delegates, look for a leader that will not buy your votes but one that is prepared to sell and deliver your dreams. I promise you that I will be that leader. I am prepared to offer you myself and my heart; my integrity, my dedication and my might. I want to offer you a dream of justice for all, a dream of uniting to fight the foes we face, a dream of unity under one single ideal, common purpose, common endeavor and resolve; a dream to right the wrongs of our past, a dream of work, employment, functioning safe schools, security, electricity, infrastructure, stable economy, compassion for citizenry, technology, opportunity and so much more that Nigerians desire.

I will give you my all, thinking not of power, but of possibility and the public good. I want you to take my hand so that together, we can show the Nigerian story of hope, unity, tolerance, healing, principle, greatness and goodness. I want you to take my hand so that together we can learn from history, embrace faith and find a way to unify Nigeria and take her into the future. We are at an extraordinary historic moment both in APC and in Nigeria and our unity is the path forward.

Dear delegates, I give you my word, I will defend the constitution. I’ll defend our democracy. I will defend Nigeria. I will defend every single Nigerian from every nook and cranny, across the length and breath of the nation and from every corner. I commit to defend all 371 spectacular tribes existing in this brilliant, colorful, diverse and beautiful nation.

This and nothing more than this is what we owe to our forefathers, this is what we owe to each other and this is what we owe to the generations that will follow behind us; to our children and our children’s children.

Dear APC delegates, you have the sacred mission at this hour of history, during this hour of decision of taking this country to a plain beyond. I urge you to assist me in uniting Nigeria in our common desire to move forward together.

We shall meet on the voting field as members of Africa’s largest party and as Nigerians united in our resolve to remain the most vibrant party in Africa and one of the greatest nations on earth. We shall meet on the voting field to tell the positive tale of Nigeria. While this is expected of every Nigerian, it starts with you, the APC delegates.

I give you my word that I shall not fail you. To this end, I ask for your precious votes and your dedication to our party, APC, and to our motherland. I give you my word that, given the privilege of carrying the APC Presidential ticket, I will represent you with pride, courage, equity, endurance, faith, conviction, devotin to you all and the country we love with all our hearts. I give you my word that I will strive to take the APC presidential ticket nomination you will hopefully give to me and turn it into a landslide win in the 2023 general elections.

Al-Haji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Al-Haji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Herbert Macaulay, Professor Eyo Ita, Alvan Ikoku, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Sir Egbert Udo Udoma, Al-Haji Aminu Kano, Chief S. A. Ajayi, Joseph Tarka, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, Dennis Osadebay and all the other great men that founded, made and preserved this great Republic are looking down and smiling fondly at every single one of you as you take your place in history in duty and service of your great party and ultimately, your nation.

May you all be protected and directed through wisdom as you journey to the presidential primary election to speak for yourself, your family, your generation, your future, your state and for Nigeria.

May the Almighty be with you as you make the best decision for the future of Nigeria.

Bruce Fein, the lawyer for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, in the United States, has written to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

He warned the group not to play the legal game, pointing out that Nigeria intends to imprison Kanu indefinitely without trial.

The letter, dated May 31, 2022, was addressed to George Obiozor, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and was made available to journalists on Tuesday by Kanu's Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

In the letter, Bruce Fein of the Bruce Fein Law Firms in Washington DC exposed alleged Federal Government plans to imprison Nnamdi Kanu indefinitely without a trial and pray for his death.

"It has become clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the Fulani zealots have no evidence against him." They intend to imprison Nnamdi Kanu indefinitely without trial, praying for his death or handing over his fraudulent prosecution to the next administration and washing their hands like Pontius Pilate," according to a portion of the statement.

"For nearly a year, Nnamdi Kanu has been punished by indefinite detention in solitary confinement and denied access to needed nutrition, medical care, and counsel of choice in violation of international human rights law and the Nigerian Constitution." (The Fulani government is notorious for honoring the Constitution in violation rather than in observance.) Nnamdi Kanu has also been denied his right to a public, prompt, and fair trial before an impartial judge.

“The Fulani have amended the charges against Nnamdi Kanu three times. They remain infinitely vague. They trespass on the universally recognized international law right of every people to self-determination exalted in Article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 3 of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 61/295, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007). Notwithstanding armies of lawyers and investigators, the Fulani remain unprepared for trial after the elapse of more than 11 months since Nnamdi Kanu’s detention in Abuja. There still is no trial date.”

Fein, Nnamdi Kanu's international lawyer and spokesperson, also warned Ohanaeze to "face up to your legal and moral responsibilities as self-proclaimed Biafran leaders." When danger appears, do not show your heels.

“To whom much is given, much will be required. Luke 12:48. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men and women to do nothing.

“Nnamdi Kanu is one of you – born on the same soil, raised on the same food, buoyed by the same music and dances, and nurtured by the same culture, inspired by the same flag. He has risked that last full measure of devotion (including dodging bullets of would-be assassins) to deliver the Biafran people from the cruel oppressions and genocide of the Fulani-controlled Government of Nigeria like Moses and Pharaoh in the Old Testament.”

On May 25, 2022, the prosecution reached a new low, according to Fein, who added, "A bail hearing had been set by Justice Binta Nyako for May 26. Bail was denied based on the absurd theory that Nnamdi Kanu previously jumped bail in September 2017 when he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by exercising his inalienable right to self-preservation when Nigerian security forces riddled his residence with bullets, killing many others. Nnamdi Kanu was awarded 5 billion naira by an Abia High Court for that egregious and well-documented violation of fundamental rights.

“The day before the bail hearing, Justice Nyako announced through the court Registrar that she had become “indisposed” and had adjourned the case another month to June 28, 2022. Couldn’t the Justice concoct a better excuse, like affliction with Covid? “Indisposed” means a mild illness that passes in days. A more likely explanation is that Attorney General Abubakar Malami, acting on the instructions of President Muhammadu Buhari, ordered Nyako to again postpone the proceedings because the prosecution has no case.

“Depend upon it. Without public denunciation of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued political persecution thundering like a hammer on an anvil demanding his release and a dismissal of the manufactured charges with prejudice, the June 28 bail hearing will also be postponed ad infinitum. Nnamdi Kanu’s cruel punishment without trial will persist in notorious violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international law.

“You collectively, have a legal and moral duty to speak out publicly against this travesty of justice that daily inflicts great misery on the Biafran people. Do not become traitors to the noble cause. Risk a tiny fraction of what Nnamdi Kanu has risked to regain Biafran sovereignty. It was stolen by the British over a century ago and the Fulani have refused to restore it by resorting to genocide.

“Silence is not acceptable. Neutrality between the firefighter and the fire is not an option. You cannot escape the judgment of history. Show you are made of sterner stuff than quislings.”

Remember  the criminal conspiracy involving Nigeria and Kenya, Nnamdi Kanu was kidnapped, tortured for several days, and extraordinary renditioned from Nairobi to Abuja in June 2021.

Fein advised, “The conspiracy was part of an ongoing Nigerian genocide of Biafrans prohibited by the Genocide Convention. The aim is to exterminate them through killings, rape, plunder, starvation, theft of real and personal property, and a collective denial of livelihood.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed that Rochas Okorocha, the embattled former governor of Imo State, is still in its custody.

The senator will be released after meeting his bail conditions, according to the agency.

In an interview with the press, EFCC Public Relations Officer Wilson Uwujaren stated, "Former Governor Rochas Okorocha is still under the EFCC's protective custody pending when he meets his bail conditions as ordered by the court."

“We’re not holding back to let him go, but there are procedures for bail, and he has to meets the required procedures as stated by the judge in court today,” he said.

However, one of the former governor's legal counsel, Steve Asimobi, told our correspondent that Okorocha would be attending the All Progressives Congress' ongoing screening of presidential aspirants later today in Abuja.

Asimobi said, “His Excellency, Rochas Okorocha would be attending the APC presidential screening later today. The court has granted him bail. Of course there were two options, either to remand him in Kuje prison or the EFCC custody pending when we meet the bail condition. Hence the judge asked the EFCC to keep him in protective custody, and that is a usual administrative procedure. The judge also ordered the EFCC to return his international passport to the court today with immediate effect.

“As I speak to you, the sureties required are currently in court with all the requirements, and they’re processing it. So, once we’re gone with these, the judge would order the EFCC to release him. He’s only under the protective custody of the EFCC based on the directive of the court.”

Henrich Akomolafe, a 29-year-old engineer, has won the Peoples Democratic Party primary for the seat of Ekiti-South Federal Constituency 1 in the House of Representatives.

Akomolafe, who was said to be the only aspirant who appeared before the PDP screening committee, was declared the consensus candidate for the Ikere constituency, his hometown.

The PDP candidate stated that he was motivated by a desire for better representation and that he wanted to put the 'Not Too Young To Run' Act into action.

"I want to express my gratitude to the incoming governor, Bisi Kolawole, for his unending support in making my ambition a reality, knowing that he has stated unequivocally that youth involvement in governance is one of his major political agendas," Akomolafe said. 

I am grateful for his interest, and I owe it to him to ensure that we fulfill this mandate, and more importantly, that we redefine what quality representation is, particularly for the people of Ikere, Ise, Orun, and Ekiti South-West.

“I acknowledge the effort of the entire Àtúnkọ́ team, home and abroad. The PDP supporters, the community and importantly our Royal fathers the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado and The Olukere, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin who have been unequivocal in their support.

“By the Grace of God and by the will of men who have been by my side since day one, on February 25, 2023, this mandate shall be sealed and we shall commence our rebuilding journey fully.”

There is concern in the political camp of Bola Tinubu, a presidential candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, as Chief John Odigie-Oyegun heads the party's presidential screening panel.

Odigie-Oyegun, the party's first substantive national chairman, is thought to be a political adversary of the APC National Leader since the 2020 Edo State Governorship Election.

He is the chairman of a seven-member panel that will screen APC presidential candidates today in Abuja ahead of the party's convention.

Despite defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, who was backed by Tinubu, was defeated by incumbent Governor Godwin Oabseki during the election.

Politicians in Tinubu's camp claimed that Oyegun engaged in anti-party activities to ensure Obaseki's victory.

They expressed concern that Oyegun would support a "weaker" candidate for the PDP to reclaim power.

"There is fear and anxiety among the aspirants and various camps because Chief Oyegun has become a divisive and divisive figure in the party."

Politicians in Tinubu's camp claimed that Oyegun engaged in anti-party activities to ensure Obaseki's victory.

They expressed concern that Oyegun would support a "weaker" candidate for the PDP to reclaim power.

"There is fear and anxiety among the aspirants and various camps because Chief Oyegun has become a controversial and polarizing figure in the party. "He was among those who plotted against the removal of Adams Oshiomhole and the sacking of the immediate past NWC." He backed Obaseki in an election in which the APC ran a candidate for Governor of Edo State. "The question is whether Chief Oyegun will be impartial," one of Tinubu's supporters said.

Another Tinubu supporter said, “Why Oyegun of all people? How can he be a neutral party in this case? We all know the role played by Tinubu in Oyegun’s removal and what Oyegun also did in the last Edo election. I hope he won’t be biased.”

Another explosion has rocked the ancient town of Kabba in the Kogi West Senatorial District, this time at a beer parlour.

This is the community's second explosion in a month.

The explosion was said to have happened on Sunday night at a beer parlor near a police station.

The first explosion, which sparked debate over whether it was a bomb or a gas cylinder, happened on May 11 at a beer parlor near Lewu Junction in Kabba Town.

Out of the 16 people who were injured, three died as a result of the explosion. However, no fatalities were reported, but the building was severely damaged.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, William Aya, confirmed the incident and stated that no one was injured in the explosion on Sunday.

According to a police spokesperson, the explosion occurred around 9.15 p.m. on Sunday at one Omofemi Bar in Okepadi Quarters, Kabba.

"As of now, there are no casualties, only chairs and tables, and the building is affected by the nature of the explosion, which has yet to be determined."

Mr Edward Egbuka, the Commissioner of Police, has already directed our DC Investigations and the Bomb Detective Squad to the scene to determine the nature of the explosion.

“The police are on top of the situation as our officers and men drafted to the area have cordoned the place until an investigation reveals the real cause of the explosion.

“It’s very unfortunate that criminal elements are out to disrupt the prevailing peace we are enjoying in Kogi.

“We shall not rest until we bring to book such elements and let them see the need for maintenance of peace in our society,” he warned.

Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, survived a car accident shortly after apologizing to the Headies Awards organizers for making death threats against the artists nominated alongside him in two categories: Best Street-Hop Artiste and Rookie of the Year.

The singer took to Instagram to share a video of the damaged vehicle. "I am just looking for something to eat," he explained, "and may God not allow me to meet what will eat me." But why was the passenger seat I sat in the most damaged part of the vehicle? 

Meanwhile, nothing happened to the vehicle's driver's side. They want to murder a celebrity, but nothing bad will happen to a child of God."

Prior to the accident, the singer apologized to the Headies for threatening to kill himself if he did not win the awards for which he was nominated. 

"Headies have nominated a lunatic," he said. The streets have taken control. So you should present us with the award. Please don't be upset. If I misbehave, I will not be the first. Many people have misbehaved in the past. Please allow me to collect my award."

Smooth Promotions Limited, the Headies' parent company, had written a petition to the Nigerian Police Force on Friday, formally notifying them of the singer's threat to other award nominees. They also demanded that the singer apologize for his remarks.

The statement read in part, “Should Mr Okikiola fail to meet our demands, we would not only disqualify him from participating in the Headies but also enforce the instrumentalities of the law to the fullest.”

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022, the singer had said, “Those are my awards. (If) anybody else wins, I will ask for them to be killed. If the organisers give my award to someone else, they will die. Don’t give my award to another person. He (the person) will die.”

Joshua Lidani, a former deputy governor of Gombe State, defeated serving senator Bulus Amos to win the All Progressives Congress ticket for the South senatorial district.

Bulus Amos received 40 votes, Bilyaminu Babadidi received 70 votes, and Joshua Lidani received 90 votes.

The Returning Officer, Sabo Sani, declared the result about an hour after the delegates finished voting, saying Joshua won by drawing the most votes.

“The total number of voters is 200, total accredited is 200, the total void vote is nil, senator B.K Amos scored 40, Bilyaminu Babadidi had 70 and Senator Joshua Lidani scored 90, senator Lidani is declared winner of the election,” Sani said.

According to reports, the Independent National Electoral Commission officials, aspirants, and delegates were among those asked to leave the Billiri primary election venue. However, controversy erupted following the announcement of the results.

Lidani was a former senator who represented the constituency in 2011 on the Peoples Democratic Party platform before defecting to the APC in 2018.

Danjuma Goje, the senator representing Gombe Central, has also been declared the winner of the primary election.

Danjuma Goje, the senator representing Gombe Central, has also been declared the winner of the primary election.

Goje received 100 votes out of 105 accredited voters, leaving Abubakar Mu'azu with three and former Senator Umar Idris with two votes to reclaim his seat in the red chamber.

The Gombe Central senator, who arrived in the state from Abuja on Saturday, went straight to the election venue, putting to rest speculation that he might not run.

Meanwhile, Senator Ahmed Alkali of Gombe North was re-elected after receiving the most votes.

Alkali received 216 votes, Bello Bala received 31 votes, and Haidar Aliyu Abubakar received 10 votes. According to our correspondent, three absentees were accredited but did not vote.

Olamilekan Adeola, a Lagos West Senator, has won the All Progressives Congress ticket for Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State.

Adeola, also known as Yayi, received 294 votes to defeat his main opponent and incumbent Senator representing the zone, Tolu Odebiyi, who received zero votes.

Adeola was declared the winner of the APC Senatorial primary held at Orona Hall, Ilaro, the headquarters of the state's Yewa South Local Government Area.

In a sweeping movement dubbed "West2West Agenda," the Lagos West Senator recently relocated to the state and joined the Ogun West Senate race.

The primary was organized by the APC Senatorial Electoral Committee, which was led by Dr. Dapo Odukoya.

Odebiyi previously stated that he was the only candidate vying for the APC ticket in the zone's ongoing primaries.

Odebiyi, an ally of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, arrived at the primary venue with some of his supporters at 12:48 p.m.

Odebiyi told reporters that he was the only candidate in the primaries.

He referred to his counterpart from Lagos West as a "visitor" in the exercise.

He noted that the two other aspirants, Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade and Gboyega Isiaka, the state's three-time governorship candidate, had stepped down days earlier to run for House of Representatives seats.

"I am extremely delighted that we are finally having the opportunity to handle our primaries, and more importantly, I am excited for the people of Ogun West," he said.

“My two other brothers – Isiaka Abiodun Akinlade and Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka – who came out from Ogun West had accepted via for House of Rep slots. As far as I am concerned, I am the only candidate from Ogun West.

“Yes, we do have a visitor (Yayi) who is with us. We would accommodate him and listen to his view and at the end of the day, I believe I am going to triumph.”

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, has paid a visit to Imo State.

Hope Uzodimma, the governor of the state who hosted the cleric, described the visit as a "prophetic mission for divine intervention."

Uzodimma announced Adeboye's visit late Friday, thanking the octogenarian for his support of the state.

Uzodimma said, “It’s a pleasure welcoming the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye and his religious team as they visit Imo State on a prophetic mission for divine intervention in the challenges confronting us.

“In the course of our fight against insecurity and related menace, we have never failed in seeking divine intervention. For as Christians, we are admonished to pray without ceasing, in all circumstances.

“May I, on behalf of the Government and good people of Imo State, express a profound gratitude to Daddy GO and the Redeemed Christian Church of God for their support and prayers in the stability of our dear State and the Nation at large.

“Rest assured of Imo State’s hospitality and a secured partnership in this mission.”

Smooth Productions, the producers of the popular Nigerian music awards known as The Headies, have condemned controversial artiste Portable for endangering the lives of fellow nominees.

According to the nomination list released by the Headies on Tuesday, the fast-rising artiste is up for Best Street-Hop Artiste and Rookie of the Year.

The singer, born Habeeb Okikiola, took to Instagram on Wednesday to issue death threats to other artists nominated in the categories in which he was nominated.

“Those are my awards, anybody else who wins I will ask for them to be killed. I will ask them to kill the person. If the organisers give my award to someone else, they will die,” he said in Yoruba. “No go give my award to another person, he go die o”

Smooth Productions reported the disturbing video to the police, according to a statement posted on Headies' official Instagram account on Friday. The singer was also warned to retract his statement and apologize in writing to his coworkers.

"The Headies condemns such act and is vehemently opposed to the utterance of any threats or actions that violate our laws," the statement said in part. We have informed the Nigerian Police Force of Okikiola's actions, as well as the other award nominees.

Also, demand that the immediate retraction of the video from Mr. Okikiola’s social media platforms, as well as a written apology to the nominees of both categories and to the Headies, must be made.

Should Mr. Okikiola fail to meet our demands, we would not only disqualify him from participating in the Headies but also enforce the instrumentalities of the law to the fullest.”

The organizers also urged the public to disregard the video and refrain from sharing it on social media platforms.