A Nigerian law firm has threatened to withhold salaries of staff who do not have PVCs.



This was conveyed in an internal memo dated June 8. The firm declared June 9 and 10 work free day to enable their staff get their PVCs.




https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/peter-obi-2023-company-threatens-to.html

* Disclaims Okafor, says he was recruited to distract the party

* Factional candidate, Ezenwafor withdraws from 2023 race

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana have thrown their weight behind the emergence of former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi as the presidential standard bearer of the Labour Party in next year’s general election.

Against the background of the emergence of a splinter group laying claim to both the leadership of the party and its presidential ticket, the labour union said both the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) recognise the leadership of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, a former trade union leader.

In a statement signed by NLC President Ayuba Wabba, the Congress said Labour Party was a, “creation and offspring of the Nigeria Labour Congress,” adding that workers are part of the leadership of the party.

Wabba said the NLC and TUC recognise only one presidential primary which was held in Asaba, Delta State on May 30, 2022, and produced Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and standard bearer.

In the statement, the NLC added: “It has been brought to our attention that a so-called faction of the Labour Party recently conducted what we can describe as a ‘beer parlour’ presidential primary and supposedly elected a presidential candidate. Nothing can be more spurious, hilarious and ridiculous.
“There is only one Labour Party in Nigeria. For the purpose of public education and clarity, we will take a recourse to history. The Labour Party is the creation and offspring of the NLC.”

The NLC further explained that the decision to give birth to the political party was taken by its statutory organs and affirmed by the decision of the National Executive Council of Congress at its meeting in Bauchi in 2003, when it approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy (PSD).
While tracing the origin of Labour Party, Wabba said it was at the inaugural convention of PSD in 2004 that the NLC decided to change the name of PSD to the Labour Party.

Wabba said Labour Party may have gone through challenges but that the ownership of the party by the NLC and TUC has never been in doubt.

“As a matter of fact, the original certificate of the registration of the Labour Party is domiciled in the national headquarters of the NLC. Also, a Federal High Court judgement by Justice G.O. Kolawole in March 2018 clearly establishes that Labour Party belongs to workers.

“The point is that the Labour Party is what the NLC and TUC say it is. The leadership of the NLC and TUC recognise the leadership of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, a former trade union leader and workers are part of the leadership.

“The NLC and TUC are aware of only one presidential primary which was held in Asaba, Delta State on 30th May 2022 and produced Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and standard bearer,” he said.
In the statement, the NLC stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the presidential primary that produced Obi, adding that INEC recognises only the Labour Party leadership led by the Chairman, Julius Abure and the National Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Umaru Ibrahim.

“They are the only Labour Party officials whose details are provided on INEC website.

“The leadership of the NLC and TUC gave our full support to the processes that produced Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. Nigerians especially workers, youths and women attended the presidential primary of the Labour Party in their thousands and were thoroughly satisfied with the outcome of the same,” Wabba added.

The NLC described the emergence of factional group led by Calistus Okafor as a fruitless effort to distract the Labour Party from ongoing mass mobilisation efforts for sweeping electoral victory in the 2023 general elections.

It urged workers, youths, women, traders, farmers, professionals and all who seek the survival of Nigeria to continue to register for their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and to safeguard their PVC.

“We understand that with the current repositioning of the Labour Party as the party for workers, youths, students, women, traders, farmers, professionals, physically disabled persons, the unemployed and the downtrodden, the Labour Party has become the albatross of establishment political parties who have suddenly become jittery and are devising all forms of conspiracy theories and subterfuge to distract the Labour Party from ongoing mass mobilisation efforts for sweeping electoral victory in the 2023 general elections.

“The recruitment of one Calistus Okafor, a mischievous petty trader, to advance their evil plot of distraction is a new low and should be disregarded by the public.

“This, therefore, serves as a public disclaimer on Mr. Calistus Okafor. We warn the general public to steer clear of Calistus Okafor and characters who might want to cash in on the popularity of the Labour Party to hoodwink, extort and swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

“We, hereby, direct Nigerian workers and all the structures of the NLC and TUC to completely disregard the impersonation by Calistus Okafor who has no locus standi to speak for Labour Party.

“Workers and millions of members of Labour Party who desire a New Nigeria should regard tantrums by characters like Calistus Okafor as a mere storm in a tea cup.

“Truth is that the bull has already left the barn! Nigerian workers, youths, students, women, professionals, the disabled, and the unemployed have embraced the Labour Party as the political vehicle of the downtrodden, the political alternative and a voice for the re-start of a genuine journey of national development.

“There is no amount of political devilry that can stop us! Forward ever!! Backward Never,” it said.

No faction in Labour Party, Falana Declares

Also, Falana, who is the lawyer to the NLC yesterday declared that there was no faction within the party.

Falana stated this in a statement made available to THISDAY in Abuja.

The statement by one of the Counsel in his chambers, Abubakar Marshall, insisted that there was no faction in the LP.

The statement read, “The dispute in the Labour Party led to the institution of Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2014 (Labour Party & 3 Ors v Comrade Salisu Mohammed & 8 Ors).Sometime in 2018.

“The parties resolved to resolve the intra party dispute amicably. They agreed and signed some terms of settlement. Thus, by an order made on 6th March 2018, the Federal High Court endorsed the terms of the settlement and ruled inter alia:

“That the 1st Claimant (Labour Party) though not a trade union is an institutional political party founded, promoted and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.

“The parties agree to convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party as stipulated by the party’s constitution.

“When the unity convention was not called by the leadership of the Labour Party we embarked on contempt proceedings on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“We equally petitioned INEC as a party to the suit to ensure compliance with the court judgment. It was at that stage that the INEC facilitated a meeting of the parties to agree on the modalities for convening the convention.”

It added: “Based on the intervention of the INEC the parties agreed to convene the unity convention but the plan was put on hold as a result of the directive of INEC to all registered political parties to conclude their primary elections not later than the 9th day of June 2022.

“It is public knowledge that the Labour Party has held its primary elections under the leadership of Comrade Julius Abure.

“The presidential primary election which produced Mr. Peter Obi as the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party was held at Asaba, Delta State on May 30, 2022. The primaries were monitored by the INEC in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“However, Mr. Calistus Okafor filed a suit at the Federal High Court seeking to be declared the Chairman of the Labour Party.

“Even though the case was filed three years ago, the Claimant secured an order last week to serve the originating processes on the Defendants by substituted means.

“Since the Court has not granted the relief sought, he Chairman the purported primary of the Labour Party convened by him cannot be justified in law. Apart from the fact that the INEC did not monitor the so called primary, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, the presidential candidate appointed by Mr. Okafor has since stepped down for Mr. Peter Obi.”

In a related development, the factional presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, has withdrawn from the 2023 race.

In a letter to the leaders of his faction yesterday, Ezenwafor said the decision to withdraw from the presidential race was personal.

The letter read: “I hereby withdraw from the forthcoming presidential election in 2023. After consulting my supporters nationwide, I decided to withdraw for personal reasons.

“I regret any inconvenience my withdrawal might cost our great party. I thank the leadership of our great party for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria.”

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/nlc-falana-back-peter-obi-as-labour.html

Sowore wins AAC presidential primary election
Media personality, Omoyele Sowore has been declared winner of the presidential ticket of the African Action Congress (AAC).



Sowore emerged unchallenged at the AAC convention that took place in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Thursday June 9.



Before the party’s convention commenced, Sowore stepped down from his position as chairman of the party he played a key role in founding.



He will now be challenging Bola Tinubu, APC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate; Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, and others in the 2023 elections.



https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/sowore-wins-aac-presidential-primary.html

Husband allegedly bites off his wife
A father-of-three, who celebrated his wife on Facebook less than a week ago, has been accused of biting off her nose in her father's house.



King Felix Nero and wife Queen Nero have been married for 5 years and have 3 kids together but it is alleged that Felix Nero has been abusive and also unfaithful.



Last year, it was alleged that he had an affair with his wife's cousin, Ejiro Praise. At the time, the news went viral on many Warri blogs.



Husband allegedly bites off his wife



Due to the alleged domestic violence and infidelity, Queen moved with her kids back to her parent's house in Asaba, Delta State.



Nero reportedly pleaded with many people, including social media influencers, to beg her to return to their home.



He also posted her on her birthday on June 3 and lavished her with sweet words.



Husband allegedly bites off his wife

Husband allegedly bites off his wife



She reportedly promised friends who pleaded with her that she will return to her matrimonial home on Saturday, June 4, but her husband Felix Nero visited her on the same day, allegedly caused trouble in her father's house and bit off her nose.



Husband allegedly bites off his wife



A graphic video shows Queen Nero crying after the attack.



"See wetin Felix do me o," she said in the video while showing her disfigured nose.



Husband allegedly bites off his wife



Her kids can also be heard crying in the background and calling for their "mummy".



The video caused outrage and led people to call Felix out.



Felix has now taken to Facebook to write a suicide note.



He asked the public to forgive him for everything and told his 3 kids that "even in death" he will still love them.



He told the public not to judge him as he alone knows the pain and depression he's been suffering for years.



Husband allegedly bites off his wife



Social media followers are now calling on his wife to put their differences aside and seek out her husband to prevent him from commiting suicide.



Watch a video of Queen showing the damage Felix did to her nose.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/husband-allegedly-bites-off-his-wifes.html

A photo of a former All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, is currently circulating on WhatsApp.

The image has the inscription, “Boko Haram and Fulani Bandits are Northern Nigeria Freedom Fighters – Adamu Garba.” Underneath the write-up, “Youth Progressive Party” is boldly written.

Verification

Checks by Daily Trust revealed that the purported claim was published by some blogs and media outlets as far back as February 28, 2022.

A day earlier, Adamu Garba had in a series of tweet via his official Twitter handle, @adamugarba, described people of southern Nigeria as hypocrites, saying they have always been reluctant to condemn criminalities when carried out by people of the region; as against how they displayed outrage when perpetrators were northerners.

He tweeted, “It seems to me that we have the gift of status, position, respect, and money for those killing and destroying in the South, while we have bombs and bullets for those doing the same thing in the North.


“You see the hypocrisy in administering the conflict resolution in Nigeria?”

Further investigations sshowed that “Youth Progressive Party” written under the photo in circulation is not a registered political party in Nigeria and was crafted deliberately by mischief makers to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public.

Garba had withdrawn from the presidential race due to the high cost of obtaining the APC expression of interest and nomination forms and the cost of running for political office. He later dumped the party and purchased the presidential nomination forms of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Scrutinizing all the tweets Garba made, one could not find where he explicitly said Boko Haram and Fulani Bandits are Northern
Nigeria Freedom Fighters. His tweets were only insinuated to mean so.

Based on available evidence, it is established that Garba did not make the claim as purported and the Youth Progressive Party is not known in Nigeria as a political party as it is not registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/fact-check-did-adamu-garba-say-boko.html?m=1

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya has cautioned politicians in the country to play the game by the rules to avoid complicating the security situation in Nigeria.
He stated that as politicians get ready for the 2023 elections, there is likely to be more tension across the country due to increased political activities.

According to him, the engagement of political thugs; the use of hate speeches, and other inimical activities by desperate politicians may generate more security tension in the coming days.

Yahaya, however, reminded the military personnel that they are not allowed to play partisan politics as their role is to be guided by the extant rule of engagement and appropriate code of conduct.

PREMIER UPDATE understands the military chief made the submission on Wednesday in Port Harcourt at a three-day second senior command and leadership seminar for commanders of various formations across the country.


The seminar had the theme ‘Building the Capacity of Nigerian Army to Meet Contemporary Security Challenges in a Joint Environment: The Role of Senior Leadership.’

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff warned:

“So, I want to remind all commanders that as the electioneering season approaches the political landscape is likely to become tenser across the geopolitical zones.

“Engagement of political thugs; use of hate speeches and other inimical activities by desperate politicians and their supporters will likely instigate a more fragile security situation in the coming days.

“I charge commanders at all levels to ensure that troops under command are adequately enlightened on the need to be apolitical and eschew all political vices.

“To this end, all army personnel must act within the ambit of the law; the provisions of the extant rule of engagement and code of conduct for the elections in 2023.”

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/2023-chief-of-army-staff-issues-fresh.html?m=1

A controversial text message allegedly sent to delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), shared by human rights' activist, Deji Adeyanju, accuses Bola Ahmed Tinubu of commiting electoral fraud before his victory in the party's presidential primary elections.

Deji, who reacted with a screenshot of the text message wrote: "Message to APC delegates yesterday by one of the aspirants but they still went with the dollars. No time! �."

The text message reads: "Dear Delegates, Don't vote for sick thieves who will use a bullion van to carry our money home. Collect their money & vote your conscience. Rochas Okorocha "He bought forms for all those who stepped down for him & paid dem N500m each too. He also offered Northen Govs same but dey refused. Stolen moni vote wisely."
'Tinubu bought forms for all those who stepped down for him, paid them N500m each' - Deji Adeyanju reacts to text message reportedly sent to APC delegates
Aspirants who stepped down for Tinubu were Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Senator Godswill Akpabio; Professor Ajayi Borroffice; Mr Dimeji Bankole; Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Mrs Uju Ohanenye.


https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/tinubu-bought-forms-for-all-those-who.html?m=1

A tweet shared on the official handle of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), claimed that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, will run with a Muslim as vice president, in the 2023 presidential election.



A Twitter user had stated that Tinubu's future in the election doesn't look bright because he can't run a muslim-muslim ticket and a christian northerner wouldn't give the required 'political clout.'



In response, NNPC said Tinubu will be running with a Muslim VP. The tweet was however deleted





See the deleted tweet below.........

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/he-will-run-with-muslim-vp-nnpc-tweets.html?m=1

The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Wednesday as its faction led by Calistus Uju Okafor elected Chief Digar Ezenwafor as its presidential candidate in Abuja.

Ezenwafor, who is a former Anambra chairman of the LP, emerged at a National Convention of the factional body in Abuja.
The Julius Abure-led faction of the party, had earlier elected a former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate for 2023

In his acceptance speech, Ezenwafor said he was on a rescue mission to salvage the country from all its socio-economic challenges.

Ezenwafor said: “I am on a rescue mission to free Nigerian from social, economic and political crises currently bedeviling it.”

He said having understudied two former Anambra Governors and being the chairman of the party in the State, he had what it takes to lead the country to economic freedom.

“We are not after experiences in the executive office because those who were there before and had requisite experiences had failed us,” he said.

He also said he had a brighter chance of defeating the presidential candidates of other political parties being a young man with energy and vigour

Okafor, who presided over the convention, said the party had earlier in the week, successfully concluded the national and houses of assembly primaries.

He said Ezenwafor’s name as well as the lists of other candidates that had emerged so far, would be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Friday.

He reiterated the readiness of his faction’s national working committee to open discussions with former governor Peter Obi, who had emerged as the candidate of the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

Okafor insisted he had nothing against the person of Obi but maintained the former Governor was in the faction of the party whose leadership was allegedly not recognised by the LP’s constitution.

He told delegates the constitution of the party recognise him as the acting national chairman of the LP following the sack of its late chairman, Abdulkadir Abdulsalam.

He said: “I am fighting for Justice. There’s no where in our constitution that says Abure, in his capacity as the acting national secretary can take over the national chairmanship position when we have the deputy national chairman and six zonal vice chairmen.

“We don’t have anything against Peter Obi but he should know he should know that the leader of the faction he belongs to, is an acting national secretary while, I Calistus Uju Okafor remained the acting national chairman. The court will soon remove them. I am very open to any discussion for the right thing to be done.”

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/labour-party-faction-elects.html?m=1

Some Indonesian teens have reportedly died as a result of a new social media trend that involves jumping in front of moving lorries.

The risky challenge, dubbed “challenge malaikat maut” (Angel of Death challenge), is gaining popularity across Southeast Asia, with participants filming themselves attempting the deadly stunts on TikTok.

In Tangerang, Banten, an 18-year-old was killed instantaneously after he and two of his friends rushed in front of a moving truck in an apparent attempt to stop it.

The teenager reportedly died on the spot while his friends managed to avoid the vehicle and only suffered injuries. He collided with the truck, rolled under the moving lorry and was crushed to death.

This comes after a 14-year-old fractured his skull and shattered his teeth after being struck by an HGV as he and a friend attempted to perform the same stunt.

Locals have reportedly tried to persuade teenagers not to endanger their lives by participating in the challenge, but their appeals have largely gone unheeded.

In related news, a woman is suing TikTok after her daughter died while attempting a viral challenge she saw on the app called the “blackout challenge.”

According to the Pennsylvania mother, Tawainna Anderson, her 10-year-old daughter choked to death after taking part in the risky social media challenge, and she has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance.

In the lawsuit, Tawainna Anderson said her daughter, Nylah Anderson, participated in a ‘blackout challenge’ after it appeared on her ‘For You’ page in December.

The ‘blackout challenge’ urges users to try to hold their breath until they pass out, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Thursday.

In December 2021, Anderson rushed her daughter to the hospital after finding she passed out.

The 10-year-old spent nearly a week in a pediatric intensive care unit before she died from her injuries, the lawsuit said.

Tawainna Anderson accused TikTok of having a ‘defective design,’ and that the company’s algorithms are exposing young children to dangerous ideas.

“The viral and deadly TikTok Blackout Challenge was thrust in front of Nylah on her TikTok For You Page … as a result of TikTok’s algorithm, The TikTok Defendants’ algorithm determined that the deadly Blackout Challenge was well-tailored and likely to be of interest to 10-year-old Nylah Anderson, and she died as a result”, the lawsuit said.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/teenager-killed-after-jumping-in-front.html?m=1

Veteran journalist and Spokesman for the Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, says he was the one who introduced Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to then Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, in 1999, a decision he now regrets.
Onanuga said this in a statement on Monday in reaction to a PUNCH interview with a former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, Buba Galadima, who had lambasted Osinbajo for daring to contest against Tinubu, his former boss.

In his article, Onanuga said Osinbajo was a lecturer in 1999 when Tinubu was putting his cabinet together in the presence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel (later Governor of Ogun State) and Dele Alake (later Lagos Commissioner for Information).

He recalled that Tinubu had written down the name of Bayo Oriola as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos State when he asked Tinubu to nominate his bosom friend, Osinbajo, instead.

“Looking back now, did I regret what I did in January 1999. Yes, I would say I have some regret, especially since my action hurt Bayo Oriola; and my apology to Oriola once again. I could not have foreseen today’s turn of events between Tinubu and Osinbajo, who I nominated to be justice commissioner,” Onanuga stated.

He said when he nominated Osinbajo and spoke highly of him, Tinubu was eager to meet him and asked him (Onanuga) to invite him over.

“After the meeting, I went to Osinbajo’s house in Ogudu to invite him to meet the new governor, Bola Tinubu. I remember entering the apartment from the kitchen. The wife was there when I delivered the message and left the house with him, later.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/i-regret-introducing-osinbajo-to-tinubu.html?m=1

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State believes he can defeat the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Sunday, May 5, 2022, the Kogi State Governor submitted that his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, will be celebrating victory before 2pm on the election day if he emerges the party’s flagbearer.

In his words:

“My interest is to fly the flag of APC as its presidential candidate and defeat PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the polls.

“So if you’re talking about whether I will beat Atiku or not, let me tell you, and I say this sometimes when I was running for my second time, when I was accosted by a press man in the villa and asked me whether I would be able to win my second term. And I said no, it’s not just victory we’re looking at but the margin of victory.

“And as I speak with you now before 2pm on the day of the general election, we’ll be celebrating victory by the special grace of God when I secure the party.”

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/i-will-defeat-atiku-before-2-pm-on.html?m=1

President Muhammadu Buhari has sternly frowned and condemned the killing of the Catholic Church members on Sunday, 5 June, 2022 on Sunday at the St Francis Catholic Church in Owo Kingdom, Ondo State.

President Muhammadu Buhari described the wicked massacre of the worshippers as “an heinous act”
“Only friends from the neither region could have conceived and carried out such dastardly act, adding that eternal sorrow awaits them both on earth here, and ultimately in the hereafter”. President Buhari said.
According to the statement signed by Femi Adeshina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity on Sunday said that ” Buhari offered his condolences to the families of the deceased persons, the Catholic Church and Ondo government.

“President Buhari mourns the dead, condoles with their families, the Catholic Church, and the Government of Ondo State, charging emergency agencies to swing into action, and bring succour to the wounded.

“No matter what, this country shall never give in to evil and wicked people, and darkness will never overcome light. Nigeria will eventually win,” the President said.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/president-buhari-reacts-to-owo-massacre.html

Gunmen have abducted Rev. Fr. Christopher Onotu, the parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Obangede, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.



The gunmen invaded the church at about 9pm on Saturday June 4, entered the priest’s bedroom through the window and whisked him away to unknown destination.



It was gathered that members of the church found out about the incident on Sunday morning when they arrived for the first mass.



A member of the Church told Tribune Online that the abductors went away with the priest’s car.



"They dropped his two phones but went with the sim cards. The activities of gunmen in the central senatorial district of the state have had residents panicking for the last few weeks." the source said.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/gunmen-abduct-catholic-priest-in-kogi.html?m=1

Just like many of us, Kizz Daniel has also shared the one powerful thing in a woman body that can get him out of his studio and make him lose focus.
In a recent comment on his verified Twitter account, the Buga crooner remarked that he’s a lover of a$s, who can only be gotten out of the studio by a ‘bum bum.’

He revealed this while reacting to a tweet from a fan who asked him if he is a bum gang member or a boobs gang member.

The fan asked, “Ass or boobs Let’s end this debate once and for all”.

Replying to tweet, Kizz Daniel wrote,

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/as-or-bobs-kizz-daniel-discloses-one.html?m=1

A professor of political economy and former presidential aspirant, Pat Utomi, has explained why he stepped down and declared his support for former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi during the Labour Party (LP) presidential primary.

Premierupdate had reported that Obi defected to the Labour Party after dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in pursuit of his presidential ambition.
Utomi said that his decision to give up his aspiration in favour of Obi was based on “a variety of factors” and show an example of leadership.

During an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, he said he has been seeking an “alternative and creative” political platform that will challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and opposition PDP to usher in an era of credible leadership in Nigeria.

level of work involving everybody for us to get to where we are hoping we can get to next year. People need to come together and one of the things I teach is that in finding how to overcome certain things, be the first to show an example.

“I thought that if I show an example by saying, ‘look, hey, it is not about me’ that people will learn something from it. So, that disposes me, first and foremost, of wanting to show the possibility with a personal example.”

Utomi further explained that his stepping down for Obi was in support of the clamour for Nigeria’s president of South-east extraction in 2023.

He added: “Secondly, we have all realised (that) in the politics of Nigeria, that there have been issues of justice, equity, fair play and all of that.
“Because many people think that there are people who are trying to dominate others. In line with this thinking, clearly is the fact that somebody who is Igbo, and of course, ultimately having to deal with certain kinds of issues from the South-east, will be the person that it is more just to probably end up in the presidency.
“Yes, I am Igbo, but Peter Obi is from the South-east and I felt it might get rid of this problem of South-east agitation (for the presidency) if we get somebody like him.”
“I have known Peter Obi for a long time. While he was governor, many times when he had big challenges, he would call me and say, ‘senior, what do you think?’ So, I know that he can listen and turn to people for advice.
“So, I felt comfortable, that he being the younger person with more energy, he should go forward, but we will work together.”

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/2023-presidency-utomi-finally-explains.html?m=1

A jury on Wednesday ruled in favor of Johnny Depp in his libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, vindicating his stance that Heard fabricated claims that she was abused by Depp before and during their brief marriage.

The jury also found in favor of Heard, who said she was defamed by Depp’s lawyer when he called her abuse allegations a hoax.

Jury members found Depp should be awarded $10.35 million in damages, while Heard should receive $2 million.


The verdicts bring an end to a televised trial that Depp had hoped would help restore his reputation, though it turned into a spectacle of a vicious marriage. Fans - overwhelmingly on Depp’s side - lined up overnight to grab a seat in the courtroom.
Spectators who couldn’t get in lined up on the street to cheer Depp and jeer Heard whenever either appeared outside.

Depp sued Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court over a December 2018 op-ed she wrote in The Washington Post describing herself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.” His lawyers said he was defamed by the article even though it never mentioned his name.

While the case was ostensibly about libel, most of the testimony focused on whether Heard had been physically and sexually abused, as she claimed. Heard enumerated more than a dozen alleged assaults, including a fight in Australia - where Depp was shooting a “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequel - in which Depp lost the tip of his middle finger and Heard said she was sexually assaulted with a liquor bottle.
Depp said he never hit Heard and was never out of control when drinking, though Heard’s attorneys highlighted text messages Depp sent to friends recounting the copious amount of alcohol and drugs he had taken at that time. Her attorneys also showed that Depp sent texts apologizing to Heard for his behavior and wrote profane messages to a friend in which Depp said he wanted to kill Heard and defile her dead body.

In some ways, the trial was a replay of a lawsuit Depp filed in the United Kingdom against a British tabloid after he was described as a “wife beater.” The judge in that case ruled in the newspaper’s favor after finding that Heard was telling the truth in her descriptions of abuse.

In the Virginia case, Depp had to prove not only that he never assaulted Heard, but that Heard’s article - which focused primarily on
public policy related to domestic violence - defamed him. He also had to prove that Heard wrote the article with actual malice. And to claim damages he had to prove that her article caused the damage to his reputation as opposed to any number of articles before and after Heard’s piece that detailed the allegations against him.

Depp, in his final testimony to the jury, said the trial gave him a chance to clear his name in a way that he the U.K trial never allowed.

“No matter what happens, I did get here and I did tell the truth and I have spoken up for what I’ve been carrying on my back, reluctantly, for six years.” Depp said.

Heard, on the other hand, said the trial has been an ordeal inflicted by an orchestrated smear campaign led by Depp.
“Johnny promised me - promised me - that he’d ruin my life, that he’d ruin my career. He’d take my life from me,” Heard said in her final testimony.

The case captivated millions through its gavel-to-gave television coverage and impassioned followers on social media who dissected everything from the actors’ mannerisms to the possible symbolism of what they were wearing. Both performers emerge from the trial with reputations in tatters with unclear prospects for their careers.

Eric Rose, a crisis management and communications expert in Los Angeles, called the trial a “classic murder-suicide.”

“From a reputation management perspective, there can be no winners,” he said. “They’ve bloodied each other up. It becomes more difficult now for studios to
hire either actor because you’re potentially alienating a large segment of your audience who may not like the fact that you have retained either Johnny or Amber for a specific project because feelings are so strong now.”

Depp, a three-time best actor Oscar nominee, had until recent years been a bankable star. His turn as Capt. Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film helped turn it into a global franchise, but he’s lost that role. (Heard and Depp’s teams each blame the other.) He was also replaced as the title character in the third “Fantastic Beasts” spin-off film, “The Crimes of Grindelwald.”

Despite testimony at the trial that he could be violent, abusive and out of control, Depp
received a standing ovation Tuesday night in London after performing for about 40 minutes with Jeff Beck at the Royal Albert Hall. He has previously toured with Joe Perry and Alice Cooper as the group Hollywood Vampires.

Heard’s acting career has been more modest, and her only two upcoming roles are in a small film and the upcoming “Aquaman” sequel due out next year.

Depp’s lawyers fought to keep the case in Virginia, in part because state law provided some legal advantages compared with California, where the two reside. A judge ruled that Virginia was an acceptable forum for the case because The Washington Post’s printing presses and online servers are in the county.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/jury-awards-depp-15-million-in-libel.html

Finalissima is a match played by the winners of Copa America and Euros respectively.

France won the first edition of the competition in 1985 with a 2-0 defeat of Uruguay in Paris. Les Bleus had won the 1984 European Championship and Uruguay won the 1983 Copa America.

Argentina is the defending champions of the Finalissima, having won the match in 1993 at the expense of Denmark. The last edition of the match was held in 1993 between the 1991 Copa America champions Argentina and the 1992 European Championship winners Denmark.

Thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Di Maria and Dybala, Argentina has once again, won the title, beating the winners of the 2020 Euros, Italy in Wembley.

Lionel Messi has had a couple of rough months, having suffered Covid and a relatively bad season since he joined PSG.

But winning a second senior International trophy will set things straight, and hopefully, bring him back to his best form and morale.

He will be going into the world cup finals with confidence and high hopes.


https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/joy-for-messi-fans-as-their-goat-bag.html

Physically disabled Zimbabwean motivational speaker, Sinikiwe Kademaunga, has listed her achievements.



26-year-old Kademaunga and her husband, Reuben got married on October 31, 2021.



First one in my family to go to university, do white wedding and to fly - Zimbabwean woman born without limbs celebrates her achievements



Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, June 1, Kademaunga said she is the first one in her family to earn a university degree and to hold a white wedding despite being born without hands, knees and feet.



"You see this girl here. She was born in a family of 7. The only one with a disability. She was born a taboo because of her disability," she wrote.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/check-out-my-achievement-despite-my.html?m=1

A yet to be identified Nigerian man was apprehended in Abuja, Emab Plaza after he tried swapping a real iPhone 13 Pro Max with a fake iPhone pro max.

According to reports, the yet-to-be-identified man entered the phone shop and demanded to exchange his dummy iPhone for a new iPhone 13 Pro Max. The incident was said to have happened on 30th May 2022.

After acquiring the iPhone, he then made an excuse to make a withdrawal for the phone but the merchant realized that his original iPhone has been swapped with a dummy version.

The suspect was later busted by the security operatives at the gate and was taught a brief lesson before he was handed to the police for proper punishment.

Watch the video

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/06/man-busted-after-trying-to-dupe.html?m=1

Tooth eruption is a process in tooth development in which the teeth enter the mouth and become visible. It is currently believed that the periodontal ligament plays an important role in tooth eruption. The first human teeth to appear, the deciduous (primary) teeth (also known as baby or milk teeth), erupt into the mouth from around 6 months until 2 years of age, in a process known as "teething".
Watch Video below:-

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/video-on-tooth-eruption-by-your.html

Nigerian Afrofusion superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, and his manager, who is also his third baby mama, Jada Pollock, are expecting their second child.
According to the report, the singer and his manager cum babymama are preparing to welcome another child, which would be the singer’s fourth child.

According to sources, the couple was spotted on Sunday night, May 29th at an event and Jada P was said to have been seen with a visible baby bump which made her avoid the camera.



Jada who took to her Instagram story few days ago where she shared a video of her pink jacket with her bump on full display also shared a cryptic message on her twitter page few days ago.



Despite the fact that Jada Pollock didn’t show off her baby bump, fans were able to tell she was expecting.

All we know is, in days to come, all would be revealed.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/wizkid-and-jada-p-reportedly-expecting.html?m=1

In a video that is now viral on social media, a man was caught in an attempt to poison his friend at an eatery.

From the video, you can hear the Camera person who spoke in Igbo language narrating the incident.

According to the camera man in the video, the man had poisoned the food of his friend just immediately after the friend stepped out to use the rest room.

Unfortunately for him and luckily for his friend, someone had seen him while he poisoned the drink but kept quiet as he observed what could happen next.

Watch video below

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/video-man-caught-in-attempt-to-poison.html?m=1

The founder of Shiba Inu, Ryoshi has deleted all his previous tweets and his Twitter handle has nothing to show. In addition, Ryoshi has also deleted all Shiba Inu blogs including the first one- ‘All Hail the Shiba’. All the four SHIB blogs have been deleted on the Medium platform and the webpage shows “410. User deactivated or deleted their account.”

Surprisingly, at the same time last year on May 30, 2021, Ryoshi had published his fourth blog, and now a year later, all of it is deleted. Also, Ryoshi had tweeted his last during May last year and has mostly stayed away from posting. A year later, the founder has come back only to delete all his posts, and blogs and changed his profile picture.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/shiba-inu-founder-ryoshi-deletes-all.html?m=1

There seems to be an issue between Nollywood actress Annie Idibia and her husband, 2face Idibia as she has unfollowed him on Instagram.
This comes barely a few weeks after 2face’s baby mama Pero Adeniyi took to his Instagram page to shower love on the singer for being a doting father and spending quality time with her daughter during a school game in the US.

Sharing a photo of the duo, Pero Adeniyi described 2face as her daughter’s number one cheerleader and loudest track dad.



2face also took to his Instagram story to share adorable moments with his three kids whom he had with Pero Adeniyi.

In the series of posts, 2face was seen beaming with smiles and vibing with his children.

However, it seemed this didn’t go well with Annie Idibia as she unfollowed her husband on the photo and video sharing app, Instagram.

Although, 2face is still following Annie Idibia and it is uncertain if the singer and his wife are having issues.

Often times when a couple unfollows each other on social media, it is always assumed that they might be having some issue in their marriage.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/trouble-in-paradise-as-annie-idibia.html?m=1

Nigerian comedian and skit-maker, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel aka Oga Sabinus has dragged two popular brands Peak Milk and Gala to court over intellectual property.
The content creator’s management slammed lawsuits on Peak Milk and UAC, manufacturers of Gala Sausage Roll for utilizing his trademarked phrase and animated image in advertorials without seeking permission or contacting him.

Sabinus’ legal team is demanding N1 billion from Peak Milk over its use of ‘Something Hooge’ in its advert. Also, a N100 million was demanded from UAC for using his animated picture to promote the Gala sausage.

See photos below:

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/wahala-comedian-sabinus-slams-peak-milk.html?m=1

Popular Nigerian relationship and sex expert, Blessing Okoro has advised ladies to reduce the way they regularly shave their pubic hair.

According to the socialite, most ladies tend to rip off the hair in the pubic area anytime they want to go see a man and some ladies prefer to wax it..she however stated that this is not a healthy practice.



Holding a shaving stick, she said ;

Ladies, can you avoid shaving stick, leave the hair in your pubic area sometimes.

It helps prevent bacteria and infection.

Stop shaving your pubic hair all the time, it protects your private part.

You know our bodies are very open, that hair in your pubic hair is actually protecting something.

It’s not for fancy.

Don’t shave all the time, rather trim it

See video below;

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/stop-shaving-hair-down-there.html?m=1

Nigerian Talented artist, Ọláwálé Ọlọ́fọọ̀rọ̀ popularly know as Brymo comes through with his latest studio album titled “Theta”.

THETA Album is a solo project that houses 10 tracks which are; “Illusions”,



“Pim Pim”, “Dem No Born Us Together”, “Love Na Drug”, “Money Good”, “Life Dey Go On”, “Tomorrow”, “Oga”, “Market Square” and “For You”.

Theta is a study of humanity’s struggles—and a view into what might have been.

Get Album HERE
https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/music-brymo-theta-album.html?m=1

Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, who was recently suspended by the Bishop of Gkoko Catholic Diocese for engaging in partisan politics, on Saturday, May 28, emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, following the adoption of direct primary mode by the party leadership.

Chairman of the Benue State APC primary election committee Peter Ojie made the declaration at the party secretariat in Makurdi the state capital, to conclude the two-day-long process of direct primary elections better known as Option A4.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/suspended-priest-emerges-benue-apc.html?m=1

Punch posted it too

Delegates to the presidential convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are smiling home with at least $35,000 each from the two frontline presidential aspirants, Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike.

There are at least 14 presidential aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket on Saturday in Abuja.



Some of the delegates who spoke to DAILY NIGERIAN said they received $10,000 and $15,000 each from the coordinators Messrs Abubakar and Wike respectively.

https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/delegates-get-35000-each-from-atiku-wike.html?m=1

Remember the viral video of ladies singing a modified version of the popular Christian song "Carry me dey go"? It seems like their prayers are beginning to get answered.

The video which went viral majorly to mock the singing ladies proves not to be futile as two men are already arguing over some of the ladies as seen on a thread on Twitter.

See image below :
https://www.premierupdate.com.ng/2022/05/remember-ladies-in-carry-me-dey-go-my.html?m=1