Author: Chief Editor

Commiserate with Zulum over convoy attack The 36 state governors of the federation, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), yesterday expressed concern over the fragile security situation in Nigeria and resolved to meet President Muhammadu Buhari after a meeting of its sub-committee on security, scheduled for today. The governors, while reacting to last week’s attack on the convoy of their Borno State counterpart, Prof. Babagana Zulum, by suspected Boko Haram members said they were appalled by the degeneration of security despite the federal government’s efforts. The governors, who were delighted that Zulum was unhurt in the attack,…

Says contentious clause would be resolved The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has allayed concerns over the signing of loan agreements with a clause that waives the sovereign immunity of the country if it defaults in its repayment plan, saying President Muhammadu Buhari will at all times act in the national interest. The House of Representatives last week summoned the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Alhaji Isa Pantami, over a loan agreement with China, which…

Barcelona have conceded they lack the financial muscle to sign Neymar or Lautaro Martinez – warning there could be “three or four years” of economic strain for Europe’s top clubs. Until the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Europe, Barcelona looked sure to make a major play for Inter striker, Martinez in the close season. They might also have been tempted by a fresh attempt to bring back Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, three years after the Brazilian left Camp Nou. But a side-effect of the COVID-19 crisis has been its impact on sport across the world, with leagues being suspended and games…

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, will continue in his post, world football’s governing body insisted yesterday, as they blasted the launch of Swiss criminal proceedings against him. “There was and is absolutely no reason to open any investigation because nothing remotely criminal has happened and there is nothing at all to suggest any form of criminal wrongdoing,” FIFA said in a media release issued on Sunday afternoon. “The FIFA president will continue to fully assume his functions within FIFA and fulfil his duties and will continue to cooperate with the authorities in Switzerland and around the world.” Special prosecutor Stefan Keller…

Some civil society organisations have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, over “14 high-profile corruption cases”. In a letter sent to the president during the weekend, the CSOs listed “financial fraud” and “influence peddling” among the allegations levelled against the AGF. The letter was signed by the Chairman, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), a coalition of 150 CSOs, Olanrewaju Suraju; Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), Debo Adeniran, and Ezenwa Nwagwu of Say No Campaign. The CSOs said the immediate option before the…

State governors under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) have vowed to checkmate the perceived excesses of the federal government that they say violate the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended. This was part of the outcome of a virtual meeting of the forum presided over by its Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. According to the communiqué of the meeting held on Saturday, which was read by Tambuwal, the governors have also set up two committees on the activities of the National Assembly, especially as it regards the ongoing constitution,…

•Military takes delivery of new weapons for North-east •Focus on rehabilitation of victims of violence, SANs tell FG Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has attributed the long-drawn battle to rout insurgency in the North-east to sabotage. The governor spoke as the military high command said it had taken delivery of new weapons to be deployed in the North-east to fight the insurgency. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has also said it would deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in Katsina, Zamfara and Gombe States in its renewed determination to combat armed bandits and terrorists in the North-west and North-east. Four…

•Experts fear repeat of fate of Zambia, say waiver of immunity, unconstitutional Concerns mounted at the weekend over the rising trend of government officials signing loan agreements with a clause that waives the sovereign immunity of the country if it defaults in its repayment plan. Last week, the House of Representatives summoned the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Alhaji Isa Pantami; over a loan agreement with China, which contained the waiver clause. According to the House, Article 8(1) of the commercial loan…

By  Seye Olumide There are many sides to the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial poll in Edo State. Chances are that the election might end up as one of the most contested and interesting gubernatorial polls in the Fourth Republic. Aside the fact that the election is going to be a battle between the dominant political parties in the country since 1999, it would provide the candidates of All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ample opportunity to test their clout and popularity before Edo electorate. One other aspect of the…

By Idowu Ajanaku That the incumbent governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) was recently announced as the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, with a landslide victory over his competitors, is no mere coincidence. Indeed, it rings true for a man who is not only a legal luminary but is passionate about the development of his enlightened and education-loving people. Interestingly, he has also consistently stood out at the forefront of the crop of patriots wanting the best for his country, Nigeria. Incidentally, he hails from the ancient town of Owo, where the…