INEC speaks on disqualifying Tinubu over drug dealing charges

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says there’s no truth in the viral reports that it is investigating the drug-related charges against the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.INEC in a statement issued on Saturday by the chairman of its information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye urged the public to disregard trending reports that the commission is investigating Tinubu.

He added that the commission is not seeking to disqualify Tinubu from the 2023 presidential race over possible violation of the 2022 Electoral Act based on the drug dealing charges.

Naija News reports the INEC reaction follows a letter that surfaced on social media on Friday bearing the electoral umpire’s letterhead and claiming Tinubu is being investigated by INEC over a 1993 case in the United States involving forfeiting some drug-related money to the US government.

The report further alleged that INEC was liaising with the US court over the matter with the intention of pursuing a prosecution.

However, Okoye in a statement on Saturday said the letter is fake, and INEC is not pursuing any such agenda.

He added that there is no attempt to disqualify Tinubu over possible violation of the Electoral Act 2022 as the purported letter is the handwork of mischief makers.

He said: “A Press Release purported to have been issued by the Commission has been trending online since yesterday Friday 11th November 2022.

“It claims that the Commission has commenced investigation into a case of criminal forfeiture against one of the Presidential candidates in the forthcoming General Election and is liaising with a Court in the United States of America in pursuit of same to determine possible violation of our guidelines or the Electoral Act 2022.

“We wish to state categorically that the said Press Release did not emanate from the Commission nor is it pursuing the purported course of action. It is the handiwork of mischief makers and utterly fake.

“Press Releases from the Commission are uploaded to the INEC Press Corps platform and simultaneously disseminated through our website and official social media handles.

“The public is advised to ignore the press release.”

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Aide Distances Gov Diri From Leaked Sex Tape In South Africa

Dr Kola Oredipe, the Director, New Media to the Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, has distanced his principal from a leaked sex tape in South Africa.A sex tape of the Speaker of the Free State, Zanele Sifuba, had been leaked and trending on social media in the country early November and there had been speculations that a Nigerian leaked the sex tape.

In a development on Friday, a newly opened Facebook page named after the speaker shared a photo of Diri and accused him of being the one who leaked the intimate tape.

Oredipe in a statement on Saturday denied the claims, saying the post was meant to tarnish the image of the Bayelsa governor who hasn't travelled to South Africa in 10 years and can't be demanding a ransom of eight million naira.

Part of the statement read, "Let it be stated without any equivocation that Governor Diri does not know and has had no contact nor relationship with the said woman at the centre of the scandal. He has also not been to South Africa in the last 10 years.

"While we have read about a purported attempt to collect R300,000 from her, the ‘young blackmailer’ is certainly not Governor Diri.

"Ask the question: why would a governor of an oil-rich state resort to blackmail for a mere R300,000 (about N8 million). This is simply ridiculous.

"Clearly, political mischief-makers have gone on overdrive in their desperation to tarnish the reputation of a hard working, calm, peaceful and focused Governor of Bayelsa State."

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Man drags physically challenged victim into home, rapes her six times

A man, Pascal Jombla, may face years behind bars for dragging a woman into his house and raping her six times before she was able to shout for help.A UK court at Woodgreen, London found Jombla guilty of six counts of rape and two counts of actual bodily harm.

According to the UK Daily Mail, the court heard that, the accused dragged the victim into his home in Hackney, north-east London and subjected her to a horrific and sustained attack in which she was repeatedly raped, assaulted, left with a broken back and threatened that she would be killed if she did not keep quiet.

The victim who has mobility issues however was able to shout for help from the doorway after Jombla fell asleep. A passer-by came to her aid and called the authorities.

Jombla will be sentenced on March 30, 2023.

Speaking on the case, the investigating officer, Detective Constable Jean-Luc Argent said, “The victim continues to suffer the psychological effects of what was a truly despicable assault. She is a vulnerable woman who was incapable of defending herself against the callous and merciless actions of Jombla. He now faces a substantial amount of time behind bars, where he belongs.”

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Troops Kill 4 Gunmen In A Failed Attack On A Checkpoint In Anambra

The Nigerian Army checkpoint at Afor-Uzo Junction, Isuofia, was reportedly attacked by a group of gunmen this morning, November 12The group’s members met their deaths in the unsuccessful assault.

The courageous and vigilant security officers gave them a quick pursuit and immediately exchanged gunfire with the attackers, neutralizing four of the gang members.

It was gathered that the Toyota Venza with which they launched the deadly operation was recovered.

The development is confirmed by the Commissioner for Information in Anambra state, Paul Nwosu.

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PDP Integrity Governors Passionate About Nigeria Working - Ortom

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and three of his colleagues christened 'integrity governors' of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday night met with Governor Ífeanyi Ugwuanyi in the coal city of Enugu State.Others on the visiting train were governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

After the welcoming formalities, Governor Ugwuanyi treated his guests to a gala night that was laced with comedy, dance and traditional music.

The governors were also led to the dance floor by the host governor where they all joined with the group of dancers and displayed their dancing skills.

 

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom spoke on behalf of the group and said that they are G-5 and they stand for integrity, patriotism, equity, fairness and justice.

 

Governor Ortom stated that they are passionate about Nigeria and desire that there shall be a healthy economy, adherence to rule of law, and security of life and property.

 

"We have travelled to a number of countries to see how things are happening up there. Our passion is that, how can we make things work here in Nigeria, it is by being disciplined.

 

"It is not about ourselves. It is not about our ego. It is not about anything. It is about what we will do to turn around things and ensure the rule of law, due process prevails in everything we do, so, that we will have other people visiting us. So that there will be security, so that our economy will be on the right path."

 

Governor Ortom acknowledged the blessing of God upon Nigeria with the potentials of everything that is needed to make it a functionally growing country provided.

 

But such functional greatness, he pointed out, is only possible if all Nigerians are willing to work together with patriotism for a common interest.

 

"For now, you have seen where we are. Our country, as was promised in 2015, have been taken from top to bottom. We can see that we are going beneath the bottom. 

 

"But by the grace of God, all of us will put our hands together. It is not just about Buhari, it is not just about political parties; APC, PDP and all those ones. But it is how we can come together and cause things to work for our country, Nigeria."

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APC Women Presidential Campaign Team Donates Food Items To IDPs In Abuja

The APC Women Presidential Campaign Team earlier today donated food and non-food items at the IDP camp in Area One, Abuja. Items donated include 100 bags of rice, 500 yams, 100 cartons of instant noodles, 30 cartons of oil, 500 wrappers and empowerment grants for young people in the camp.The delegation, which was led by the Chairman, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also had the Co-Chair, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the national coordinator of the women’s team,Dr. Asabe Vilita-Bashir and her deputy, Ms. Lauretta Onochie; wife of the Senator representing Lagos West, Mrs. Temitope Adeola and wife of the secretary of the APC-PCC, Mrs. Bukola Faleke.

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PDP crisis : PDP G5 Sheaths Sword, Makes New Demands

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be over after the leadership of the party reached a truce with the PDP G5 governors.Members of the PDP G5 Governors, led by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads with Atiku, after Wike failed to win the party’s presidential ticket.

Other members of the G5 are: Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

The G5 were also unhappy that Atiku rejected Wike as running mate and are demanding the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as party Chairman, allegedly to reduce dominance of the PDP by the North.

However, indications have emerged that former military head of state, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) appears to have brought the crisis rocking the main opposition party to an end

The parley which appeared to be fruitful saw the G5 making fresh demands.

A party chieftain, who preferred anonymity, said the G5 have agreed to work for the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, if their fresh demands would be acceded to.

Their demands, according to to the reliable source, are: “That the top government offices should be shared among the six geo-political zones;That the security chiefs should be shared among all the geo-political zones and that all the party’s offices in the South should move to the North and vice versa if Atiku wins.”

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2023 Election: Popular Presidential Candidate Adamant as Northern Forces Pressure Him To Step Down For Atiku

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, Saturday Telegraph has gathered that leaders in the Northern part of the country have moved to ensure that the region presents a consensus presidential candidate.Sources in the know told our correspondent in separate chats that many leaders in the North are favourably disposed to the candidature of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Our people have resolved to adopt a consensus candidate for 2023 and the person they have picked is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP,” the source, who pleaded not to be named, said.

The source, who is a prominent member of the Northern Elders Forum, also stated that prominent leaders in the North have been mounting pressure on the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to drop his bid for the Adamawa State-born former VP.

“I can tell you that our leaders in the North have commenced moves to pressurise Senator Kwankwaso to drop his presidential bid for Atiku Abubakar in the interest of our people,” the source said.

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Police Parade 10 Suspected Kidnappers In Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command on Friday paraded 10 suspects who allegedly committed various crimes ranging from kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, railway vandalism, culpable homicide and cattle rustling, and others.The State Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, who paraded the suspects at the Police headquarters in Jos, said, “On the 11th October 2022, at about 20:10 hours while on routine patrol, Police Surveillance team alongside the Crack Team attached to ‘B’ Division of the Command sighted some unknown gunmen who criminally barricaded the road before St Augustine College Du, Jos South LGA.“On sighting the Police, the gunmen opened fire on them but the intrepid police operatives struck and gunned down one of the suspects while others fled with various degree injuries. Exhibits recovered from the suspect include one AK47 rifle with rifle no.

“AE 353550 and eight {8} rounds of AK47 live ammunition. Efforts are on top gear to apprehend other members of the gang as an investigation is still in progress,” he said.“On 23/10/2022 at about 18:30hrs one Adamu Koplang of Kongyel Village, Tel District Mikang LGA who disguised himself as a local medicine seller, was suspected and arrested at a Police Check Point by operatives of Mikang Police Division.

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2023: I Will Rebuild Nigeria ―​​ Peter Obi, your reputation precedes you, Oba of Benin tells him

Business activities as well as vehicular movements were halted to a standstill today in Benin City, Edo State, following the mammoth crowd that thronged the various streets of the city to welcome the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.Addressing party supporters at the Baptist Convention Ground, along TV Road, Benin City, venue of Labour Party’s Presidential rally, the Presidential hopeful promised to rebuild the country if elected.

While assuring the people, particularly youths and women of his commitment towards securing the nation for the overall interest of the people, Obi further assured that if elected president of Nigeria, the people will no longer go to bed hungry.

“We will stop people from looting the nation’s treasury.

“Is about you (referring to the youths), with you, we will take back this country.

“Labour Party will stop nepotism, that is my commitment”, stated Obi

Meanwhile, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Friday, told the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, that his reputations preceded him.

The Monarch made the remark when he received the LP presidential candidate, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti, in his palace in Benin City.

Peter Obi, who got barrage of questions from the monarch who needed some clarifications from him, said he read that a parcel of land was given to him and he turned the offer down and that he should confirm if that information was true.

Ewuare II, further hinted him that there are a lot of temptations in office and asked if he could resist them and remain clean?

The monarch further said that there has been a lot of arguments about his popularity.

He said some said he is only popular on the social media while some said otherwise adding that he has tried to find out from both the old and the young and that what he has seen is quite amazing.The monarch maintained that the Benin throne, right from the time immemorial, has remained apolitical as he is the father to all, blesses and advises all who seek for political position and the other.

He said the throne is interested in the one who has the interest of Nigerians at heart, one who can make life meaningful for all.

Responding to the monarch’s questions, the Presidential candidate of the LP said it was true that he actually returned the land given to him.

On the question of resisting temptations that are associated with office, he said he and his running mate would do all in their powers to resist and fight corruption in the country.

Earlier, Obi who said he was in his palace with his team to seek for his blessings as he embarks on his campaign, said the forthcoming election should not be based on religion and ethnic sentiments but on competency and one who can deliver to Nigerians the dividends of democracy.

Obi assured that if elected, his government will leverage on the country’s population and vast lands to boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product and make life better for Nigerians.

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2023: Don’t Take Peter Obi For Granted - Ribadu Warns APC, Tinubu

Ribadu spoke at the inauguration of the Directorate of Stakeholder Relations of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Thursday.The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has been warned of the strength of the opposition parties.

Former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu said Tinubu should not take Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PD); Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNNP) for granted.

Ribadu spoke at the inauguration of the Directorate of Stakeholder Relations of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Thursday.

He said, “We should not under-rate our opponents, we should work assiduously to make the margin of winning too wide that the victory will be massive and sweet.

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Get Ready To Be President, Adamu Tells Tinubu

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu on Thursday told the party’s presidential candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu to get ready for governance from 29 May 2023.Adamu, who spoke emphatically at the town hall meeting in Lafia between the APC presidential candidate and stakeholders in the mining sector, said he was merely echoing President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement.

A statement in Abuja by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga quoted Adamu as saying: “Except God, President Buhari is the highest authority in Nigeria today. Buhari has said it and it shall come to pass.”

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Singer Burna Boy Acquires Lamborghini, Maybach

Popular singer, Burna Boy, has acquired two new luxury cars; Lamborghini and a Maybach.He shared the pictures of the two cars on his Instagram Stories on Friday.

The singer stated that he bought the Lamborghini in preparation for ‘ONWA DEZEMBA’ (Month of December) and the Maybach because everyone needs it.He said, “My Million dollar SVJ. In preparation for the fast approaching ONWA DEZEMBA. Got this too because everyone needs a Maybach."

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Nigerian Arrested For Possession Of Meth

A Nigerian man, simply identified as E. Chibuike, 34, has been arrested by the Royapuram police in India, for the possession and attempted sale of Methamphetamine.According to The Hindu on Thursday, the police was tipped off about a Nigerian engaged in selling of Methamphetamine in the area after which an inspection was carried out and Chibuike was seen roaming around.

The police further revealed that upon searching Chibuike, 60g of the drug was found on him adding that he was involved in the distribution of the drug in the area. His cellphone was seized and he has been remanded.

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Teenager arrested For Raping Brother’s Wife, Nine Others

The Men Southwestern Security Network Agency, Amotekun, Ondo Command have apprehended a 16-year-old teenager, identified as Precious, for raping his brother’s wife and nine other girls in his community.The teenager who admitted to raping his brother’s wife said nine other women between the age of 19 and 25 had been raped by him in the settlement farm, Laosun in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

The young boy who was also arrested for stealing 25 litres of palm oil said he was able to carry out the act when his brother travelled out of the settlement farm.

He said he wanted to steal from his brother’s room when he saw the wife naked while sleeping and mounted on her to rape the women.

He confessed to having raped nine other girls within the settlement, he said, “In Laosun I have raped nine girls. Some of them are between 19 and 25 years. I usually visit them at the night and I will go into their rooms and start sleeping with them.

“I do not use guns or knives to threaten them. I was caught on some occasions and they will beat me and leave me. I have never been arrested before.

“I was arrested for stealing 25 litres of palm oil in order to gather money to buy a phone.

“I came to the house and saw my brother’s wife sleeping naked. I went into the room and slept on top of her.”

The Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

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Credit: Nigerian Tribune

Photostory: Surgeons Remove Live Grenade From Russian Soldier's Chest

A team of Russian surgeons successfully removed a live grenade stuck in a soldier's body.The soldier, Nikolay Pasenko, had been turned into a ‘human bomb’ after been hit by a grenade which smashed through his rib cage, stayed trapped inside him but failed to detonate while fighting in Ukraine.

According to Daily Mail UK, the medical team wore body armour, because they knew the grenade could detonate during the surgery with devastating effects at such close quarters.Pasenko initially resisted surgery saying, “He did not want the doctors to suffer as the munitions could have exploded.”"The ammunition was located between the aorta and the inferior vena cava, It's not every day that you take an [explosive] out of a person, and in a place where moving to the right or left can lead to the death of the patient. When the ammunition ended up in a bucket of sand, everyone exhaled, smiled and laughed," one of the surgeon was reported to have said. 

Speaking after the surgery, Pasenko said, “I did not understand what happened. There was a blow to the edge of the armour and that was it. I did not lose consciousness - I just continued to move.”

Pasenko, who is a junior sergeant, was hit by a Ukranian projectile fired from an automatic grenade launcher.Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed the incident on Thursday.

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Court disqualifies 16 APC State Assembly Candidates In Rivers State

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday disqualified 16 Rivers State House of Assembly candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2023 general elections.The court, however, upheld the candidacy of 16 state constituencies of the APC.

The candidates cleared by the court to participate in the general elections are those of Emohua, Ahoada East 1 and 2, Ikwerre, Omuma, Ogu Bolo, Bonny, Asari Toru, Akuku Toru 1 and 2, Ogba Egbema Ndoni 1 and 2, Opobo-Nkoru, Abual-Odua, Oyigbo and Degema constituencies.

The constituencies and their candidates disqualified are those of Andoni, Etche 1 and 2, Tai, Gokana, Eleme, Port Harcourt City 1, 2 and 3, Khana 1 and 2, Okrika, Ahoada West and Obio-Akpor 1 and 2 constituencies.

The presiding judge, Justice Turaki Muhammed in his judgment dismissed a preliminary objection by the APC, on the issue of jurisdiction and locus standi and also ruled that the suit was not status barred.

Justice Muhammed held that the PDP was able to prove to the court that the primaries of 16 APC state Assembly candidates were not monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission.

Speaking shortly after the judgment, counsel to the APC, Emenike Ebete and that of the candidates, Chimenem Jerome, vowed to appeal against the judgment of the High Court.

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Pay Senators 50% Salary, Use Balance To Pay ASUU - Senator Ndume

The Senator representing Borno South senatorial district, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called for a 50 per cent slash in the salaries of the National Assembly members in order to recoup money and allocate same to meet the pressing demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).Ndume made the call on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital while reacting to the October half salary payment to the University teachers by the federal government.

Ndume, a former Senate Leader, advised the federal government to constitute a high-powered standing committee of respected educationists and patriotic Nigerians to meet with the ASUU leadership to address the lingering burning issues.

The lawmaker said, “Even if it means that the National Assembly will reduce sitting allowances or be paid on casual allowances basis whenever they sit at the Lower and Upper Chambers, by cutting the recurrent expenditure in the budget of the federal lawmakers to settle the ASUU arrears, let it be. It will be in the overall national interest of Nigerians.

“We only assemble twice or so per week and get paid as such.

“Civil servants worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and were paid their full salaries and allowances monthly. So, why will the federal government cut university lecturers’ salaries because they went on legitimate strike action in which, constitutionally, they are fighting for their rights and privileges?

“As a matter of priority and as a public servant in the legislative chamber, we don’t work; so why don’t you just give us half salary and then pay ASUU?

“It is high time they resolve the issue once and for all even if they have to borrow or make supplementary budgets.

“We are budgeting N20.5 trillion for 2023, I don’t see any reason why the government will not budget N1trillion to address the lingering challenges of the education sector including ASUU strikes.

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IBB To Meet Atiku, Wike, Others Over PDP Crisis

Former military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) is set to interfere in the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.Five aggrieved Governors under the main opposition party identified as the G-5 had vowed not to support the presidential ambition of the party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.

The Governors had condemned northern dominance in key positions in the party.

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