"I Prostrated For Amosun, Begged Him For Governorship Ambition" - Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Prince Dapo Abiodun said he once prostrated to his estranged friend Governor Ibikunle Amosun to accept the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Adeola, a son of Yewa from Ogun West.

He made the disclosure at a meeting with Yewa Traditional Council in Ilaro, debunking rumours that he was aversed to the idea of having a governor from the area for Ogun.

“Let nobody think that we are not sensitive to the long time yearnings of Ogun West to also produce governor for the state. As a very strong believer in this cause, I personally took your son, Sen. Adeola to Gov. Amosun, begged and prostrated for him to support his governorship ambition but he refused. That I am the governorship candidate of APC today in our dear State remains a testimony of God’s awesomeness and that He is the only one who has the power to enthrone,” he said.

Senator Adeola, from Pahayi, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government but representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, had made a great impression in Ogun State with his gubernatorial ambition but beat a retreat early this year when it was obvious that the support of the governor was not forthcoming.

Amosun had repeatedly vowed at the time that he would not hand over to ‘Tekobo’ or a Lagos returnee. Adeola popularly called Yayi was already deep in Lagos politics, having represented the state in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Abiodun told the paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle at Ilaro that he considered his emergence as the ruling party governorship candidate as the will of God.

He pledged not to be an accidental governor who would do things on happenstances.

The APC governorship candidate disclosed that as a successful private sector player he already has the blueprint for the development of the state vowing to accord the traditional institutions their due respect and honour while pursuing development of every part of the state.

The billionaire oil merchant explained that his government would embark on massive rural roads construction, qualitative, affordable education and healthcare, jobs and wealth creation for the youth through conscious investment in agriculture, complete some of the ongoing projects in the state among others asking the royal fathers to give him their royal blessings for the gargantuan tasks ahead.

Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle described Prince Dapo Abiodun as someone who feared God and this he said could be seen from his comportment and speech.

Oba Olugbenle added that it was God who indeed enthrones and that whatever God has ordained cannot be upturned by ten Paramount rulers. The royal father before giving his blessings on behalf of other traditional rulers from Yewa land however urged Prince Dapo Abiodun to stay true to his promise to be fair to all in distribution of projects when he got to office.

Dignitaries on the entourage of the governorship candidate included the deputy governor designate, Engr. Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Engr Ayo Olubori, former Commissioner for environment, Chief Bode Mustapha, Mr Olu Agemo, Prince Segun Adsegun, former deputy governor and Director-General, Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation, Hon Isiaq Akinlade, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Sen. Gbenga Obadara, Chief Femi Majekodunmi, Hon Biyi Otegbeye, Chief Mufutau Ajibola, former SUBEB Chairman among others.

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2019: 2,000 APC, ADP members defect to PDP in Niger

No fewer than 2,000 members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Advanced Democratic Party, ADP, have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State.

The decampees were received on Wednesday by the former governor of the state and leader of the party in the state, Muazu Babangida Aliyu at the PDP gubernatorial campaign flag-off in Bida, the headquarters of Bida local government area.

Those from the APC were led by Alhaji Kudu Kasim, while ADP decampees were led by Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya also known as “Designer”.

Addressing the decampees, Aliyu said, “Nigerians have seen the difference between the PDP and the ruling APC in the last three and the half years of the Buhari administration, and are now in a better position to make the right choice in 2019.

“Voting for APC in 2019 means voting for next level poverty,” Aliyu said.

The decampees also pledged to ensure that the PDP emerges victorious in the forthcoming general election in the state.

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Photo of the damages from the Abule egba fire disaster

Here are some of the damages caused by the fire outbreak at Abule egba on the 19th December, 2018

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Hazard Can Be Chelsea’s All-Time Great, Says Zola

Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has urged Eden Hazard to reject a potential offer from Real Madrid and focus on becoming the Blues’ all-time greatest player.

Hazard has been strongly linked with Real for several months after the Belgium star refused to rule out a move to the Bernabeu and admitted playing for the Spanish giants would be a dream come true.

The 27-year-old’s current contract with Chelsea expires in June 2020 and he is yet to agree to an extension as he weighs up his future.

Chelsea have reportedly offered to make Hazard the highest paid player in the club’s history in a bid to keep him.

But, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Leicester, Zola made a persuasive argument that was aimed to appeal to Hazard’s ego rather than his bank balance.

Zola was voted the best player in Chelsea’s history in 2003 after serving the club with distinction as a gifted playmaker with similar skills to Hazard.

The Italian, now back at Chelsea working for boss Maurizio Sarri, believes Hazard is capable of stealing that cherished title from him if he stays at Stamford Bridge.

“He’s certainly one of the players who has given this club a lot of satisfaction,” Zola said.

“He is 27, and hopefully he will stay long with us and become even bigger.”

Since arriving from Lille in 2012, Hazard has already established himself as a Chelsea great, playing key roles in two Premier League title triumphs, scoring the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final and also lifting the Europa League and League Cup.

After an inconsistent campaign the last term marred by rumours of a rift with then manager Antonio Conte, the midfielder is back to his best this season, scoring 10 times in all competitions so far.

Hazard underlined his enduring value to Chelsea when he shrugged off a back injury to clinch their 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Hazard was not risked from the start due to a foot injury, but came on to score the decisive goal and is expected to feature when fourth-placed Chelsea host the Foxes this weekend.

“The difference was the changes we made. When Pedro and Eden came on, they gave us an extra gear,” Zola said.

“Eden is the type of player who can make a big difference when he comes on, even for 20 minutes.”

Jamie Vardy is set to return for Leicester after he was rested for the League Cup defeat against Manchester City on Tuesday.

Vardy has been struggling with a groin injury and Leicester boss Claude Puel did not want to risk aggravating the problem in midweek.

But Leicester’s five-goal top-scorer should be available to face Chelsea as he tries to kick-start his spluttering season.

“I hope Vardy can be fit for this match and can find his qualities,” said Puel, whose mid-table team have gone four games without a win in all competitions.

“With his quality and his aggressiveness, he is a very good player for us. We need Jamie, with his ability, capacity and character, to give his best.

“Of course, it has been difficult for him with injuries and suspensions this season, but he is a valuable player for us and we need Jamie to be at his best for us.”

Ben Chilwell could also start after the England left-back missed Leicester’s last two matches with a knee injury.

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Suspected Ritual Killers And Fraudsters Paraded By Police In Ogun

Punch Metro reports that the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force has paraded four suspected ritualists and four fraudsters, who allegedly pretended to be herbalists in Ogun state.

The suspected ritualists and dealers in human parts are, Ajibola Mustapha, 30; Waheed Oyerinde, 32; Saheed Ashiru, 28; and Lateef Taoheed.

The police said they were arrested on December 10 around 9.45pm.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, Lawal Shehu, said the operatives first arrested Mustapha and his accomplices, who were said to specialise in exhuming corpses and removing their body parts around the Isabo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He added that detectives from the Zonal Intervention Squad were asked to investigate the happenings around the area.

The AIG added that four suspected fraudsters, who posed as herbalists, also duped a housewife of N1.5m.

He added that those arrested in connection with the fraud were Babatunde Adeyemi, 26; Lawal Smoke, 40; Oluwabunmi Okeomo, 45; and Ogaode Monday, 25.

According to him, all the suspects have confessed to obtaining the sum of N1.5m from the victim under false pretences.

Shehu stated, “On December 10  around 9.45pm, the command received information that one Alfa Ajibola Mustapha and his accomplices, who specialise in exhuming dead bodies and removing their body parts, were noticed around the Isabo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State. Detectives from the ZIS were detailed to investigate it. Four suspects were arrested, while exhibits were also recovered from them.

“On November 27, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau of the command received information that some of ‘one-chance’ operators, who specialise in luring victims, mostly women, to their hideouts under the pretence of facilitating business, had lured one Mrs Onyekwere to their hideout in the Ifo area of Ogun State.

“Upon a tip-off, all the suspects were arrested. The suspects confessed to have obtained the sum of N1.5m from the victim.”

The husband of the victim, Mr Iroha Onyekwere, 37, said he noticed that his wife’s behaviour had not been stable for about two months.

He explained that when he checked his briefcase, he discovered that $1,500 had gone missing, adding that he later discovered another $2,000 to be missing, noting that the discovery made him to ask his wife what had happened.

Iroha explained, “It was then she told me that some people introduced her to  a phone and accessories’ business.

“When they brought her into the office in Abule Egba, they then changed the topic from the phone business to prayers or something like that. That was how everything started. I later realised that she had taken all the money I gave her for thrift contribution to them.”

His wife said the fraudsters asked her not to disclose the deal to anybody if she did not want her children and husband to die, adding that she was scared and so had to play along with them.

The police also arrested eight suspected land grabbers with one locally-made gun, one live cartridge, two nail sticks, cutlasses and sword recovered from them.

Three armed robbery suspects, who were said to specialise in removing cars from parks, were also arrested. One Toyota Corolla saloon car, a master key and one cutlass were recovered from the suspects.

The AIG stated that all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were completed

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26-Year-Old Assistant Pastor Brutally Murdered Inside Church In Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command has launched manhunt for the killers of a young pastor in Okpoko area of Onitsha.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident said that a complaint at Okpoko division stated that on the December 18, at about 4am, three unknown men scaled the fence of Christ Holy church located at No 30 Orumba Street Okpoko and forcefully entered the room of the Assistant Pastor one Justice Nonso Njigbo, 26 years and inflicted a deep matchete cut on his fore head, shot and injured him on the left thigh and made away with phones of the occupants.

Police detectives attached to Okpoko Division visited the scene and rushed the victim to St.Charles Boromeo hospital were he was confirmed dead on arrival.
The corpse was deposited in the same hospital morgue for autopsy while effort is being intensified to apprehend the assailants and bring them to Justice.

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Ogun APC Governorship Candidate, Dapo Abiodun, In Certificate Scandal

According to documents seen by TheCable, Abiodun declared only his West African School Certificate (1978) in the Form CF001 that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on October 23, 2018, ahead of the 2019 general election.

However, when he ran as the APC senatorial candidate (Ogun east) in 2015, he claimed to have attended the University of Ife, Ile-Ife (graduating in 1986) and Kennesaw State University, Atlanta Georgia, US (1989) in his INEC form CF001, backed by an affidavit he swore to at the high court, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Curiously, while he listed B.B.A. (hons) accounting as the degree he got in 1986 as at then, he was silent on what he studied at Kennesaw State University.

However, in his official curriculum vitae, he claimed to possess another degree, B.Eng (hons) in civil engineering, presumably received in 1989 from the American university.

Also, on the website of Heyden Petroleum Limited where Abiodun is MD/CEO, underneath his name were listed B.Sc civil engineering and BBA accounting.

If he proceeded immediately to Kennesaw after graduating from Ife in 1986, he would not have finished before 1990 as civil engineering is a four-year course at the university.

There are strong suspicions that he did not do the compulsory national youth service, even though he finished his first degree in 1986 — going by the INEC form CF001 that he filled ahead of the 2015 election, supported by an affidavit.

Abiodun was born on May 29, 1960 and was 26 in 1986 when he claimed to have finished his first degree. The age limit for national service is 30.

Apart from the possibility of having committed perjury either in 2014 or 2018, there is also the possibility that he skipped the compulsory national service, which is punishable under the law.

Section 13 of the NYSC Act states:

(1)Any person (b) who refuses to make himself available for service in the service corps continuously for the period specified in subsection (2) of this section, is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of N2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

A criminal conviction will also mean the offender is barred from holding public office.

Section 182 of the 1999 constitution states:

182. (1) No person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if – (e) within a period of less than ten years before the date of election to the office of Governor of a State he has been convicted and sentenced for an offence involving dishonesty or he has been found guilty of the contravention of the code of Conduct.

Earlier this year, he was appointed chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2012, he was appointed chairman of the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMA), a position he still holds.

Abiodun has been having a running battle with Ibikunle Amosun, governor of the state, and the state working committee of the APC over his endorsement by the national body of the party for the 2019 governorship election, instead of Adekunle Akinlade, the governor’s choice.

The APC candidate had accused Amosun of plotting to upturn the decision of national working committee (NWC) of the ruling party to recognise him as the guber candidate of the state, while accusing the governor of being “desperate to install” Akinlade at all cost.

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Mohamed Salah Crowned BBC African Footballer of the Year 2018

Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted BBC African Footballer of the Year for the second time in a row.

The 26-year-old beat Medhi Benatia, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Thomas Partey to the prize.

The Premier League’s player of the year scored 44 goals in 52 games for Liverpool last season.

 

“It’s a great feeling to win again. I’m happy and I would like to win it also next year!” said Salah.

As well as inspiring his club to the Champions League final, Salah scored twice for Egypt at this year’s World Cup, having netted both goals in the match which took his country to the tournament for the first time since 1990.

“There have been many good moments in 2018,” he added. “The game against Roma at Anfield [Champions League semi-final first leg] was unbelievable. I’m scoring goals and helping the team to get the points to be top of the league. That’s always a great feeling.”

Salah said his aim for 2019 is “to win something with the club so everyone is excited”.

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I can’t wait to debate Buhari — Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, said on Friday night that he was keenly looking forward to next month’s presidential debate, moments after watching the vice-presidential debate in Abuja.

Mr Abubakar expressed satisfaction with the showing of his running mate, Peter Obi, at the vice-presidential debate at Transcorp Hilton Hotels.

“I watched with pride as Peter Obi laid out our vision to get Nigeria working again,” Mr Abubakar said on Twitter, adding that he cannot “wait for the presidential debate.”

Mr Obi sparred with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and three other running mates in the five-person debate last night, focused mainly on the economy for about two and a half hours.

Mr Obi was widely praised for demonstrating a good grasp of statistics, and Mr Osinbajo received commendations for his ability to focus on what his government had done as against what the PDP did in its 16 years in power from 1999 to 2015.

Although the debate organisers said last week they expected President Muhammadu Buhari to participate at the presidential debate on January 19, there has been no commitment from the president.

Organisers told News men yesterday that they have not received indications that Mr Buhari would take part in the debate, but said Mr Abubakar’s public utterances have given them confidence that the main opposition candidate would be available.

Mr Buhari did not honour invitations to debate while running as the main opposition candidate of the All Progressives Congress in 2015.

Concerns that Mr Buhari would shun debate again this cycle prompted some PDP supporters on social media to have Mr Obi boycott last night’s debate. They argued that Mr Buhari is trying to ride on the energy of Mr Osinbajo, rather than present himself for a similar debate as the most consequential person on the ticket.

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Jimi Agbaje reveals why he dumped Tinubu

Jimi Agbaje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos state, has given reason why he left the camp of the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement on Saturday, Agbaje said it was based on differences in principles, as he took exception to the rule of one man dictating how Lagos should be governed.

It would be recalled that Agbaje parted ways with Tinubu in 2007 to join the Democratic Peoples’ Alliance (DPA) as its governorship candidate.

“I take exception to the rule of one man in a metropolitan state like Lagos.

“I have no personal rift with him (Tinubu). What exists between us is all about differences in value and principle. When we were together, I discovered that his own idea of democracy was not what I was taught, so I had to take an exit.

“I am saying that what we are running today in Lagos is a one-man Lagos. A Lagos where somebody says when he is going to bed, Lagos is going to bed, to me that can no longer be tolerable. Lagos must be made to work for the people of Lagos,” Agbaje said.

In addition, he said the ruling APC was foisting “opaqueness in public spending,” pointing out that, it had refused to open up its activities to the people of the state who were not getting value for taxes they paid.

“It is unfortunate that Lagos State under the control of the APC has refused to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act. Everything in government in Lagos State is shrouded in secrecy. The time has come to hand the fortune of the state over to the people.

“Seven trillion naira is what the state government has spent in the last 20 years, and what have we got to show for it? If you look at the average for education in Lagos, only 20 per cent of our children have passed WAEC in five years. The question is, are we getting value? The answer is, we are not getting value at all,” Agbaje said.

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2019: APC begs Buhari not to attend presidential debate, tells him what to do

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in the United Kingdom has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to attend the debate organised for candidates vying for the highest office in the land in 2019.
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The party made the appeal yesterday in a post by its leader, Ade Omole, on the party’s verified Twitter handle.

Recall that the Nigeria Election Debate Group, NEDG, had fixed January 19, 2019 for a debate among five selected presidential candidates including President Buhari.

However, the APC UK branch said the President should consider a townhall session with the people rather than a debate in view of the outcome of last night’s debate among vice-presidential candidates.

The tweet reads: “Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, we appeal to you NOT to attend the presidential debate in view of the lecturing witnessed tonight (Friday).

“Please, consider a townhall session. Despite the antics, Prof. Osinbajo tutored the opposition candidates on nation-building. Thank you.”

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PDP Raises Alarm Over ‘Secret Agreement’ Between EFCC And APC.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, on Wednesday alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the police had entered into a secret agreement with the All Progressives Congress to cripple  PDP states.

Secondus added that the alleged move was aimed at  stopping  the PDP’s bid  to reclaim power and “rescue the country from the  inept rule of the APC”.

However,  the APC  dismissed the  allegation, saying the former ruling party was not telling the truth.

Secondus in a statement  by his Media Aide, Mr Ike Abonyi, claimed that  the PDP was aware that the APC had “mapped out a strategy to ensure that the PDP-controlled states are adequately inconvenienced and frustrated enough not to have concentration to tackle their reelection”.

The PDP leader alleged that  the redeployment  of Commissioners of Police in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states was geared towards preventing his party from retaining power in the three states.

He added, “In  the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly crisis,  which was engineered by the APC, the police clearly became an interested party playing a biased role to  dance to the music of the APC.

“In most PDP states, despite the governors being the statutory chief security officers, police commissioners have set up parallel structures to undermine the security of the states just to satisfy their paymasters

“They have resolved to inject crisis into  the PDP-controlled states and ensure that our governors who are refusing to play ball are permanently distracted.

“They have deployed a huge amount of money  in these states to either use labour or state legislators to instigate  crisis, frighten the governors and force them to do a deal with them.”

Secondus  alleged that the EFCC and the police had been co-opted into what he described as a nefarious project “to make it look as if it is an anti-corruption programme”.

He said, “Nigerians should ask the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, why   is it that only PDP governors are on their radar.

“Nigerians should ask the EFCC why they are looking away from  what happened in Kano that everybody watched. If Governor Ibrahim Ganduje had been a member of the PDP, would the EFCC have kept quiet?

“Nigerians should find out why is it that only the  PDP’s  finance commissioners are visitors to the EFCC while their APC counterparts,  where corruption is obvious, are glorified.

“Only PDP governors are performing and carrying out people-oriented projects across the country as can be witnessed by all but they are the only ones being harassed by Magu and his team.

“We are aware that Magu has vowed to make the reelection of President Buhari his personal project even if Nigerians appear to have turned their back on them.”

Secondus accused the APC of not planning to win the forthcoming general elections, but to rig.

“That is why they are not campaigning or seeking votes from Nigerians. That is why President Buhari has refused to sign into law an amended Electoral Act that would have guaranteed this nation a free and fair election,” he said.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, said Nigerians should know that the PDP was not saying the truth.

He said, “The PDP has many lies in its pot to dish out to unsuspecting Nigerians.

“This party lied that the accounts of its vice-presidential running mate, Mr. Peter Obi, were frozen. It turned out to be a lie.

“The party also lied that the home of two sons of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was searched by security agents, it also turned out to be a lie.

“This is another false alarm from the PDP.  Nigerians should ignore it. Instead of sitting down to tell Nigerians what they want to do in 2019, they are busy ditching out lies.”

Issa-Onilu said the ruling party would expose the PDP soon when it started its national campaign.

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Nigerian Man Kills Defenseless Man After Night Of Clubbing In UK

Two men including a Nigerian who killed a defenceless man in a Greenwich street, London have been jailed at the Old Bailey today.

Ibrahim James, of Woolwich was jailed for 22 years and Andrew Adekoya, 22 of Greenwich was jailed for 16 years. Both were found guilty of the manslaughter of Jozef Boci at the same court on 18 October.

The court heard how 30-year-old Jozef was targeted by a group of men following an incident at the South Pole nightclub in Greenwich in the early hours of Saturday, 17 February.

Jozef was part of a group that had become involved in a minor dispute inside the nightclub at around 01:00hrs that morning with another group including James and Adekoya.

Security staff at the club intervened. Jozef’s group were allowed to remain in the club while the other group were ejected.

After remonstrating with security staff, the group got into two cars and drove away, returning to nearby Norman Road around five minutes later.

CCTV footage captured members of the group getting out of the cars. Adekoya had a metal object, perhaps a wrench, while James appeared to have a weapon concealed down his trouser leg.

The group approached the front of the club but were ushered away by door staff; however they continued to hang around in the vicinity of the club for the next hour or so, obviously waiting for someone to come out.

At around 02:10hrs, Jozef left the South Pole club and as soon as he stepped outside he was chased by the group, including James and Adekoya.

Jozef fled down Greenwich High Road but tripped over and was immediately set upon by his pursuers. Witnesses described how Jozef was attacked, including being struck with a baseball bat, as he lay prone and defenceless on the pavement.

Jozef was taken to hospital but never regained consciousness – he died six days after the attack on 23 February.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an investigation and quickly identified the suspects from CCTV and forensic analysis.

James was arrested on 23 February and following a search of his address, a baseball bat was found hidden in his garden. Although no forensic link could be made to the bat used in the attack on Jozef, it was similar to remnants found at the scene of the attack.

On 25 February, Adekoya was arrested. He admitted being at the scene and in possession of a wrench but claimed he was trying to calm the situation.

Five men were subsequently charged for their involvement in Jozef’s killing, two of whom were convicted as above.

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Mourinho names players to blame for 2-1 defeat to Valencia

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has blamed fringe players for their 2-1 loss to Valencia on Wednesday.

The Red Devils missed a big chance to finish top of Group H in the Champions League, after Juventus also lost to Young Boys in Switzerland.

Mourinho made eight changes for the game at the Mestalla, ahead of the trip to Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, but the new faces failed to impress.

Carlos Soler strike and Phil Jones own goal, meant substitute Marcus Rashford’s late strike was just a consolation effort.

“I think that to qualify in this group is a success.

“Never a failure. To finish second in this group is always a success.

“Before the game I told the players that if we win tonight and Juventus win, we did our job.

“If we don’t win and Juventus doesn’t win, we can blame ourselves.

“I don’t think the draw finishing first or second – apart from a couple of clubs that are clearly much better than the others – I don’t think the draw will be significantly different…

“But I expect (better) from my players, especially players that week in, week out, you ask me ‘why don’t they play?’, ‘why they don’t they start?’

“(It) was a good match to play, a match without any kind of pressure, a match in a competition that everybody likes to play.

“And, in the end, my team improved, really, when I made the changes that I didn’t want to make, which is a little bit of frustration because I didn’t want to play the three players that I played in the second half,” Mourinho said afterwards.

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Chelsea’s Morata in shock move to Barcelona

LaLiga giants, Barcelona have made a shock move to sign Alvaro Morata from Chelsea in January.

Morata has struggled to command a regular spot in the first-team at Chelsea.

The Spaniard arrived Stamford Bridge from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017.

The Mirror reports that Morata’s agents have been in touch with Barcelona over a possible January deal for the Spanish international.

The newspaper reports that a loan move until the end of the season is the most likely course of action, with the option of making it permanent in the summer.

The 26-year-old is seeking first-team football, which he is not getting at Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri prefers Olivier Giroud and had in recent weeks used Eden Hazard as a striker.

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Lamido welcomes 2000 APC defectors to Jigawa PDP

Citing inability of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to fulfill its electioneering promises, more than 2000 members of the party have defected en masse to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The mostly young poiliticians, who were led by an APC stalwart in Limawa ward, Alhaji Umaru Makama Galamawa, decried the ruling party’s resort to lies and propaganda to cover ineptitude and lack of focused leadership. Galamawa praised the simplicity and humility of PDP candidate for Jigawa Central Senatorial District, Mustapha Sule Lamido, saying they were interested in working with him to redefine leadership in Jigawa State.

Receiving the defectors at Limawa ward, Dutse Local Government Council of the state, Lamido Jnr expressed optimism that with the harvest of APC defectors into the party, PDP was as good as winning the 2019 general election.He noted that being a youth as the defectors, he was glad to identify with the youths and hopes to get victory at the polls, adding that the new members would receive equal treatment as other stakeholders.

He stated: “It is time for youths to actively participate in politics because the ruling party is fully prepared to offer a different perspective in governance to eradicate poverty, hunger and frustration that has become commonplace in the country.”

The Senatorial candidate said when PDP comes to power it would work for youths, women, children, the elderly and everybody in general, stressing that nepotism and disunity would no longer feature in governance.

Earlier, the state chairman of the party, Salisu Mamuda, assured the new members that PDP is big enough to carry everybody along, even as his predecessor, Isa Duniya Bahutu, lamented that Nigerians were worse off now than they were three years ago.

The party traveled in a motorcade to Wurma village in the local government to join in receiving another batch of 200 former members of APC to PDP.

Yahaya Khalid, who led the defectors, said they were used, deceived and dumped, stressing that they decided to leave the sinking APC ship before another calamity befalls them and to protest the fact that the ruling party did not fulfill its campaign promises.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, his running mate, Hussain Umar Namadi, as well as Senator Abdulaziz Usman Tarabu, among other dignitaries accompanied the party’s Senatorial candidate in the zone, Mustapha Sule LamidoJnr, on the visit.

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2019 election : I won’t campaign for APC’s gov candidate in Oyo – SHITTU

Communications Minister, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, yesterday, swore not to campaign for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Oyo State.

Shittu, a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, was one of the contestants who vied for the governorship ticket of the APC in Oyo State.

He became aggrieved after he lost the ticket in controversial circumstances to a protégé of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, his arch-political rival.

However, reacting to Shittu’s comments, the State Chairman of APC, Chief Akin Oke simply said: “He (Shittu) was not the only one who voted for President Buhari in the 2015 election and he is one of the major beneficiaries in the party. If he said he would work against the party in the 2019 election, I leave it to his conscience and God.”

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Shittu said it would be foolhardy for him to “be defrauded out of a primary process and still simply behave like a slave.”

On whether he would support Gov. Ajimobi’s preferred governorship candidate and the APC flag bearer, Shittu said: “I think it doesn’t arise. I will be a bastard to be defrauded out of a primary process and to simply behave like a slave. It won’t make sense. I have been a foundation member of APC and I have twice aspired to be governor. In 2011, I aspired and I was defeated by the incumbent.”

Also, he said: “In 2015, I aspired, I was defrauded from the primary at that time and I challenged that process which produced Governor Ajimobi who won for a second term. I went to court, we were still in court when my appointment was announced. That made me to abandon that case and the governor, instead of him to thank his God that he was relieved of the case started a campaign against my confirmation by the Senate.

“He (Ajimobi) was going around, blackmailing me, urging senators not to confirm me. At the end of the day, common sense prevailed, I was confirmed and ever since he has continued to attack me. And what is the basis of the attack? He believes that, which is wrong anyway, that he and his cohorts can not have a Buhari at the federal level and another Buhari in me at the state level. He told people close to him that if Shittu succeeds, he would be in jail. Why he thinks so, I still don’t know.”

On the ongoing reconciliation moves put in place by the leadership of APC, the Minister said it should have been restitution before reconciliation.

He said: “There won’t be peace without restitution. So, restitution should come before the reconciliation.”

While denying media reports in some quarters that he had closed down the Buhari Campaign Office he opened in Oyo state, the Minister said: “We had a rented apartment; the house in question wasn’t my property. We rented it and we simply couldn’t afford to sustain the rent and the landlord was impatient with us and said we either pay or get out of the place and we took the most sensible decision by vacating that premises.

“We are in the process of looking for another building which would be used for General Buhari second term in office campaign, hopefully we would be able to get something cheaper than we had. So, it isn’t true to say that I was no more campaigning.”

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Buhari Warns Amosun Over Anti-Party Activities

Details of President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Monday emerged on Wednesday as sources said the president gave the embattled governor a stern warning to desist from anti-party activity in the state, Daily Independent has learnt.

It was gathered that the president, who frowned at the governor’s statement that while he will support him for the presidential election, he will not support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dapo Abiodun, also warned the governor that they cannot afford to lose Ogun State because it is the home state of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Without mincing words, he told the governor that he expected total loyalty from him to the APC, adding that he should learn to sacrifice his personal desires in the interest of the party.

Amosun’s preferred candidate for governor in the state’s governorship primaries, Adekunle Akinlade, has since left the APC, having defected to the Allied People’s Movement (APM), a move Governor Amosun endorsed.

Aside Akinlade, other loyalists to the governor also dumped the APC.

According to our source, “From the feelers we got, the president did not mince words in telling Governor Amosun that as the national leader of the party, he will not support any form of anti-party activities. He told the governor that he cannot put one leg in APC by saying he will support him, while putting another leg in APM declaring support for another governorship candidate.

“The president told him he cannot claim to be working for the APC while all his foot soldiers have left for the APM and the governor also gave them maximum support.

“From what we are getting, this is the president’s final warning to Governor Amosun as the party’s campaign will kick off soon. Don’t also forget that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has since penciled down the governor for punishment after rebuffing the reconciliation meeting set up to reconcile aggrieved members”.

Since the governor returned to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the euphoria trailing the movement to APM has died down. The leadership of the APM has also postponed its campaign flag off which was scheduled to hold today.

A message sighted by our correspondent from the party leadership to party members reads, “The official flag off of our great party would not hold tomorrow (today) as earlier promised due to some contingencies as work is ongoing in the secretariat. Please bear with us and update others”.

Another source said the governor who is a close ally of President Buhari is now in a dilemma as to whether to remain in APC or join his loyalists in the APM while jettisoning his senatorial ambition.

“I believe the governor is in a dilemma now and we expect him to make a very important decision in the coming days”, he said.

It was gathered that the governor’s associates who are the major backers of the APM may have decided to postpone the meeting so as to deliberate on the next move following the governor’s meeting with the president.

While the governor’s next move is unknown, Dapo Abiodun, the APC governorship candidate, has expressed confidence that Amosun will support his candidacy at the start of the party’s campaign.

“Of course, the governor of Ogun State is the leader of the party. And when I am flagging off my campaign, it is the incumbent governor that would help me flag it off.

“I don’t have any doubt in my mind that the issues of misunderstanding would be resolved soon.

“I am sure the governor of Ogun State will help me in flagging off my campaign. And I am sure he will raise my hands up as the governorship standard bearer of the party in the state.”

Oshiomhole Stabbed Me In The Back – Shittu

Meanwhile, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has opened up on the lingering crisis that trailed the primaries of the party, stating emphatically that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the party, stabbed him in the back.

He claimed that he was the first person two years ago to suggest to President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Oshiomhole, whom he described as “former friend” as his Political Adviser but regretted the manner he was paid back by the APC national chairman.

Alhaji Shittu, who is court to secure his claim to the governorship ticket of the party in Oyo State, also dismissed as hypocritical the ongoing reconciliation of aggrieved members of the ruling party, describing it as slavish coercion.

Rather than seek reconciliation, he said, what the APC leadership should seek was restitution and justice for all aggrieved members by retiring what was stolen from them.

Recall that the party had, in the wake of the crisis that gripped it at state and national levels, set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee that went to the various geopolitical zones. Some of the committees have submitted their reports.

But Alhaji Shittu said he would be “a bastard” if he submitted to such a committee after he was glaringly defrauded by the APC NWC.

He said the Oyo State governorship ticket was sold and paid for by persons he said had made money through shady means.

Asked if he would appear before the Governor Kashim Shettima-led reconciliation committee for the South-West, Shittu said he would pursue the alleged trading that went on during the APC primary in Oyo State to a logical conclusion.

He said: “I will be a bastard to be defrauded out of a primary process and still behave like I am a slave. I think it does not make sense.

“I have been a foundation member of APC and twice I have run the primary for governor.

“In 2011, I aspired. I was defeated by the incumbent. In 2015, I aspired, I was defrauded, and I challenged that primary that gave Governor Ajimobi a second term.

“I went to court, and I was still in court when my appointment as minister was announced.

“That meant I had to abandon that suit, but the governor, instead of thanking his God that I did not continue with that suit, sponsored a campaign to stop my confirmation.”

Alhaji Shittu claimed that Oshiomhole did the bidding of Ajimobi in foisting a newcomer on Oyo State APC and vowed to resist the ‘anti-party’ threats being dangled by the APC leadership.

“They foisted somebody who is barely two months on the party. Of course, at my level, you cannot expect me to support that person.

“I have given enough warning. Now they are talking of reconciliation. I have said this, that before you talk of reconciliation, you first talk of restitution.

“If you violate somebody’s right or you steal somebody’s property or whatever, instead of returning what you have stolen, you are talking of reconciliation,” he said, insisting that only justice would restore peace in the party.

Asked if his stand would not affect the second term bid of President Buhari, Alhaji Shittu said Buhari’s victory would transcend party affiliation, adding that even people in the opposition PDP would vote for him.

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