Author: Chief Editor

• Party’s NEC to ratify CECPC’s chair removal next week • Bello mum as group decries dismissal • ex-PGF DG explains his misdeeds Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari actually approved the sack of the chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. Some party leaders, including governors on the platform of the party, told The Guardian that the President approved Buni’s removal when he was confronted with various moves by the CECPC chair to thwart plans to hold the party’s national convention…

The leadership tussle within the ranks of the ruling All progressive congress (APC) took a new turn on Monday after President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly ordered the removal of interim chairman Mai Mala Buni and replaced him with Niger State Governor Sani Bello. Prime Business Sunday night reported that sources within the Presidency revealed that Buhari approved Buni’s sack and Bello’s appointment before leaving the county to London Sunday afternoon. But the APC on Monday refuted the story that the Buni led caretaker committee has been sacked on the orders of Muhammadu Buhari. “The APC is a progressive political party guided by…

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on Monday ordered the remand of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and six others, in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) till Monday, March 14, 2022, when their bail application will be heard. The judge granted the order shortly after Kyari and four of his colleagues in the Inspector General of Police’s special Intelligence Response Team (IRT) pleaded not guilty to dealing in hard drugs. Meanwhile, two of the defendants — Chibuinna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne — pleaded guilty to the charge. Consequently, the judge adjourned to March…

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is still laughing off the idea his side could win a historic quadruple of trophies, but he does concede he has the best squad during his tenure at Anfield. One of the reasons for that bold statement is the recent arrival of Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who has boosted the German’s attacking options for the second half of the season. The Reds ended a 10-year wait to win a domestic cup competition last week, beating Chelsea on penalties to win the League Cup. They are heavy favourites to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League on…

Bayern Munich might do better to focus on their midweek last-16 Champions League clash, but with Robert Lewandowski agitating for a new contract, transfer speculation around the Poland striker’s future is clouding the issue. Bayern host Red Bull Salzburg in a Champions League last 16, return-leg tie on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw in Austria. Unusually for him, Lewandowski has not scored in his last three games and off the field, his future beyond this season appears a little unclear. Over the weekend, there were reports Manchester United lead a list of Premier League clubs to have contacted Lewandowski’s agent…

Two of Abba Kyari’s co-defendants in the cocaine offences trial going on at the Federal High Court in Abuja have pleaded guilty. The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had produced all the seven defendants, including Kyari, a suspended deputy commissioner of police, before the court for arraignment on Monday. The NDLEA had filed eight counts of hard drug trafficking against Mr Kyari, who is also wanted in the United States for his relationship with the convicted fraudster, Ramon ‘Hushpuppi’ Abbas. Chibuna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, who are non-police officers, stunned lawyers and the court audience when they admitted their…

The President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 85th birthday. Adesina, in a goodwill message issued on Saturday, described Obasanjo’s contributions to Nigeria, Africa and the world as exemplary. “On behalf of myself, my wife, Grace and the entire family of the African Development Bank, I am writing to wish you a very happy 85th birthday,” he said. According to Adesina, Obasanjo’s life has continued to inspire. “Your selflessness towards causes in Africa as well as global issues, have always shown that your heart and passion are to drive transformation and seek solutions to…

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as a man who at 85 years remains the pride of Nigeria and Africa. Saraki in a goodwill message to mark the birthday of his former boss under whom he served as Special Assistant (Budget Matters) between 2000 and 2002, stated that Obasanjo laid the solid foundation that ensured the survival of democracy in the country. He noted that in the same vein, the former President continued to play a key role in achieving peace, unity, and development of the continent as he still serves in different capacities…

As the face-off between the federal government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues unabated, the Students’ Wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has urged the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, resign with immediate effect. The northern students described the action of the minister during his meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as a gross show of “unconscionable immorality, insensitivity and abhorrent to the collective sensibilities of the students and their parents.” Speaking at a press conference in Katsina yesterday, the National Coordinator of the students’ wing of the CNG,…

Manchester United make the short trip to Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday buoyed by their recent record at the Etihad as Leeds begin a new era under Jesse Marsch. Elsewhere, Liverpool will seek to make it seven league wins in seven against high-flying West Ham, one of only two sides to beat the Reds this season. Arsenal could take advantage of visits to the top two for the Hammers and United by moving into fourth with games in hand to come when they travel to Watford. AFP Sport takes a look at some of the key talking points…