The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Why Makinde deserves second term, by Southwest PDP

    Why Makinde deserves second term, by Southwest PDP

    The Southwest zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged voters in Oyo State to focus on Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements for his re-election on Saturday.

    The zonal leadership, in a statement by its spokesman Chief Sanya Atofarati, emphasised that Makinde has demonstrated competence in the last four years, adding that his achievements are testimonies of his commitment to the development of the state.

    Having also demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities, the zonal PDP leadership said re-electing Makinde would enable him continue with the good work he started in Oyo State

    The statement reads in part: “As we approach the March 11 governorship election in Oyo State, it is pertinent to look beyond the outcome of the last week Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections and focus on returning Governor Seyi Makinde to Agodi Government House to complete his second term in office.

    “The people of Oyo State as the epicentre of Yoruba politics are too sophisticated and politically enlightened not to be deceived by any primordial sentiments to make a wrong decision.

    “Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in the past four years has brought a paradigm shift in the area of governance, welfare, infrastructure and poverty alleviation to the good people of Oyo State.

    Read Also : Bodies back Makinde’s re-election bid

    “We cannot forget in a hurry Governor Makinde’s administration mantra of Omituntun 1 which translates to massive infrastructural projects across the State, the boost in healthcare and astronomical increase of the IGR from monthly paltry N1billion in 2019 to above N3 billion in 2023, the upgrade of LAUTECH to full blown Oyo State property, prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers, payment of backlog of Gratuity and pension arrears, completion of over 350 kilometres of tarred roads, equipment of community health centres across the state and improved security with the inauguration of South Western Nigerian Security Network popularly called ‘Amotekun’ are all pointers to Governor Makinde’s midas touch on the state in the past four years.

    “A vote for him next Saturday would usher in Omituntun 2 which is a metaphor for continuity of good governance in Oyo State and all hands must be on deck to speak with our votes next Saturday by returning Governor Makinde and all the state House of Assembly members.

    “Oyo State is a PDP state and we are optimistic that the good people of Oyo State will return the PDP to power to complete the winning streak”.
    ENDS

  • Portable tackles Wizkid over ‘ten girls naked on my bed’ line

    Portable tackles Wizkid over ‘ten girls naked on my bed’ line

    Self-styled ‘wahala’ musician Portable has tackled Grammy-winning singer Wizkid over his verse on Rexxie’s ‘Abracadabra’ remix.

    A video captured the ‘Zazu’ crooner scorning Wizkid while condemning the lyrics of the verse he took in the ‘Abracadabra’ remix.

    Portable blasted the ‘Made in Lagos’ singer over the line, ‘ten girls naked on my bed’.

    He advised Wiz to pray and reason extensively before singing any song henceforth, querying if he couldn’t sing praises to God or even about reality.

    Read Also : Music promoter drags Portable to court over failed concert

    The ‘Ika of Africa’ speaking Pidgin, stated: “Any music wey you wan sing now, make you think before you sing music o! Son gbo (you hear?) no be…which wan be 10 girls naked on my bed?

    If you wan do music, make you pray. Can’t you praise God? Can’t you sing reality things? 10 girls on my bed ke?!”

  • JUST IN: Tribunal to rule Wednesday on INEC’s motion to vary orders

    JUST IN: Tribunal to rule Wednesday on INEC’s motion to vary orders

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has scheduled ruling of Wednesday on the motion by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking to vary the orders granted the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to inspect materials used for last presidential election.

    A three-member panel, presided over by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, chose the date after taking arguments from parties in relation to the motion by INEC.

    Read Also : JUST IN: Tribunal rules Wednesday on Tinubu, APC’s request to inspect election materials

    While INEC’s lawyer, Ibrahim Inuwa (SAN) prayed the court grant the prayers in the motion, lawyer to Peter Obi and Labour Party (LP), Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) urged the court to dismiss it.

    Details shortly.

  • JUST IN: Tribunal rules Wednesday on Tinubu, APC’s request to inspect election materials

    JUST IN: Tribunal rules Wednesday on Tinubu, APC’s request to inspect election materials

    The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has scheduled ruling for 2pm on Wednesday on the motions by the President-elect, Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for leave to inspect materials used by
    the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for last presidential election.

    Read Also : JUST IN: Tribunal set to hear motions by INEC, Tinubu, APC, Obi, LP

    A three-member panel, presided over by Justice Joseph Ikyegh, chose the date and time after lawyers to Tinubu and APC – Akintola Makinde and Omosanya Popoola – moved the four ex-parte motions they filed.

    Details shortly.

  • Yul Edochie salutes dad on 76th birthday

    Yul Edochie salutes dad on 76th birthday

    ‘Most talked about’ Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has eulogized his iconic father, Peter Edochie on his birth anniversary.

    The veteran actor hit 76 on Tuesday and his youngest son-cum-protege showered him with lots of praise.

    Yul prayed for God’s continued protection and blessing over his dad who he called the ‘Lion of Africa’ as well as a legend.

    He expressed love for his father, the best ever and his man for life.

    Read Also : Lagos belongs to Yoruba’s not no man’s land – Yul Edochie

    Sharing a video of the thespian, Yul wrote: “Happy 76th birthday Dad. Chief Pete Edochie. #peteedochie EBUBEDIKE.

    “Best Dad ever. The Lion of Africa. The Legend. May God continue to keep you and bless you more and more.

    “Many more happy years I wish you. Keep enjoying the fruits of your labour. My man for life. Love you Dad.”

  • Seun Jimoh wonders why women date married men after leaving husbands

    Seun Jimoh wonders why women date married men after leaving husbands

    Actor Seun Sean Jimoh has questioned why women decide to date married men after leaving their husbands over infidelity.

    The US-based actor expressed confusion over the matter which he noted he’d witnessed on some occasions.

    Read Also : My new album will vindicate listeners from enemies- Seunzzy Sax

    “I really don’t understand why a woman will leave her husband for cheating and start dating a married man when she becomes single.

    “I have seen this happen on a few occasions and it just leaves me baffled. Somebody make it make sense.”

  • Zone Speakership to North Central, APC group appeals to Tinubu

    Zone Speakership to North Central, APC group appeals to Tinubu

    Ahead of the composition of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Stakeholders Forum, North Central has appealed to the party and President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to zone the Speaker of the House of Representatives position to the region.

    The forum said the geo-political zone deserves the office given its contributions to the electoral victory of the party and the President-elect against all odds and intimidations.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the leader of the forum, Reverend Dominic Alancha, said the performance of the party in the north-central was a testament to the fact that the region remains the swing zone stressing that any party that the zone flips to is primed to always win the election.

    According to him: “It is on record that since 2015, 2019 and now in 2023 respectively the north central has been flipping APC for victory. Indeed, our region has remained faithful to the ideals of the APC for a good course.

    “Gentlemen of the press it will not be out of place if we as a region call on our great party the All Progressive Party APC to consider and zone the position of the Speaker of the 10th of representatives to the North-central, given her outstanding performance in the just concluded 2023 general election and for fairness and equity.”

    Flanked by other leaders of the forum, Alancha congratulated all the leaders and members for the victory recorded at the February 25 polls and prayed for God’s grace, strength, vision and good health for the President-elect as he mounts the saddle of leadership within the next few months.

    Expressing confidence in the competence of the President-elect, the forum said, “We are sure that Asiwaju will steer the ship of state to a safe harbour.

    Read Also : I didn’t fault INEC for declaring Tinubu President-Elect, says ex-AGF Aondoakaa

    “These new responsibilities call for increase patience, deftness, calmness and dedication, all attributes which Asiwaju has displayed over the years.”

    Assuring the President-elect of their readiness to work with him, Alancha said: “We shall continue to partner with you in your drive, be assured that we shall be at your beck and call.

    “Of a certainty, we implore you to be magnanimous in victory to both Christians and Muslims seeing that many wronged you in the course of campaigns but you being a great man and knowing your beliefs, you will consider it the price to be paid to birth the Nigeria which we all can be proud of.

    “Forge on with vision which has served you well in the course of your political engagements in the last three decades.

    “As a sagacious leader, we have no fears about your ability to fetch the best hands for further assignments. Another point, which we shall quickly want to stress to you is that, please sir make your government a youth-friendly one. This is imperative.”

  • Cole, Abe, Itubor have nothing to offer Rivers, says PDP

    Cole, Abe, Itubor have nothing to offer Rivers, says PDP

    The Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has derided the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole; Social Democratic Party (SDP) Senator Magnus Abe and Labour Party (LP), Beatrice Itubor, saying they have nothing to offer the State.

    The party, in a statement by its Campaign Council’s Director of Publicity, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said that the way the governorship candidates of the opposition parties spoke had shown that they had no coherent action plan.

    The statement said: “Tonye Cole in course of the interview admitted that his mass transportation plan will include the monorail rail project on which over N50bn has already been wasted without any positive benefit.

    “Rivers people should note that the monorail scheme that they have rejected has been re-conceived by Cole as a new conduit pipe designed to siphon public funds by the leadership of the APC.

    “The Wike administration has practically provided infrastructure, including roads in Bori and Ahoada, two semi urban centres as part of its urban renewal programme. It has also provided increased access between the grssroots and the state capital.

    “While the PDP is talking about connecting Riverine areas to the Upland, Cole who could not tell Nigerians on national television where his two new cities will be carved out from is dreaming about a water transport system that the organised private sector is capable of handling”.

    On Abe, the statement said: “Senator Abe of the SDP on the other hand could not tell his interviewer and the public how much his educational programme will cost the Rivers people. Statistics for building development programmes are not obtained from budgets. They are obtained from available data gathered through research.

    Read ALso : PDP protest a theatre of absurdity – APC PCC

    “Abe who neither has an economic nor educational team that is planning his programmes displayed through his effort to hide himself behind what he claimed is the non availability of the Rivers budget that he has no plan for Rivers people except smart and deceptive talk.

    “Mrs Beatrice Itubo of the Labour Party who as a governorship candidate refuses to relinquish her position as the State Chairman of the NLC did not show when questioned by Channels that she has any grip of the real issues confronting Rivers State.

    For us in the PDP this is not a time to engage in undue experimentation. Sir Siminalayi Fubara who understands the role infrastructure plays in development has pledged to create gas and industrial hubs. Unlike our opponents who have no agenda, you can see how we plan to create jobs through deliberate industrialization.

    “We urge Rivers people to cast their votes for all PDP candidates in Saturday’s Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. Governor Wike has laid the foundation of growth, Sim Fubara will finish the job”.

  • Rema reacts to Ronaldo’s ‘Calm down’ post

    Rema reacts to Ronaldo’s ‘Calm down’ post

    Global songster Rema has reacted to a recent gesture from famous Portuguese footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo about his hit song: ‘Calm down’.

    The Mavin/Jonzing World star, who has continued to strike gold in the music scene across the globe, was overwhelmed to see Ronaldo’s family listening and dancing to his song.

    The forward and captain of Saudi Professional League club Al Nassr shared a video that captured three of his kids dancing to Rema’s ‘Calm down’ before running to ride on their bikes.

    Read ALso : JJC Skillz opens up on alleged remarriage

    Super elated by the gesture, the Afro-rave pioneer reshared Ronaldo’s post with the caption: “The GOAT Ronaldo posted my song.”

    Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ recently became the most-viewed music video in the history of Afrobeats, with over 390 million YouTube views, and has displaced many Afrobeats songs in the history of the genre.

  • Slain lawyer: I have no case to answer, policeman tells court

    Slain lawyer: I have no case to answer, policeman tells court

    A Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Monday fixed April 3 for ruling on the no-case submission filed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, who is standing trial for allegedly killing a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas day.

    Vandi is praying for the court to dismiss the suit and discharge him on the ground that he has no case to answer.

    The defendant is accused of shooting Mrs Raheem last December 25, near Ajah Underbridge, Lagos.

    She was four-month pregnant with twins.

    The Lagos State Government preferred a one-count charge of murder against Vandi, in accordance with Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    “ASP Vandi on the 25th of December 2022 at Ajah roundabout along Lekki-Epe Expressway Lagos in the Lagos Judicial Division unlawfully killed one Omobolanle Raheem (F) by shooting her in the chest,” it reads.

    Vandi pleaded not guilty and trial has since commenced.

    At the resumption of proceedings yesterday, Justice Ibironke Harrison adjourned for ruling after the prosecution and defence counsels had adopted their final written addresses.

    Defence counsel Adetokunbo Odutola, in adopting Vandi’s final written address on a no-case submission filed on February 28, prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

    Read Also :Bolanle Raheem: Two bullets missing from suspect’s rifle, witness tells court

    Odutola argued that the ballistics report tendered by the prosecution showed that the gun did not match the bullet that was shot.

    According to him, the pathologist called in evidence by the prosecution stating that the bullet penetrated from the left through the armpit while the prosecution said that the deceased was shot in the chest.

    He concluded that with these “inconsistencies” and several others, the prosecution had not made out a case against his client to warrant him to enter a defence.

    But the prosecution team led by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo, opposed him, arguing that it had made out a prima facie case against the defendant making it necessary for him to put up a defence.

    The defendant’s no-case submission was dated February 20 while the prosecution’s reply was dated February 24.

    The defendant filed a reply on point of law dated February 27.