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Tag: Bala

  • Tinubu is a beacon of rule of law – Bala Mohammed

    Tinubu is a beacon of rule of law – Bala Mohammed

    Bauchi state governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has described President Bola Tinubu as a true federalist and advocate of the rule of law.

    The governor highlighted that, under the Tinubu’s led administration, the judiciary has flourished independently, free from external influence.

    This is coming on the heels of the Supreme Court judgment which upheld  his election as the governor of Bauchi state.

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    The Nation reports in a judgment delivered on Friday, January 12, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa who read the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.

    Addressing mammoth crowd who trooped to the Government House’s house on Saturday to celebrate with him, the governor said: “I’m grateful to the Nigeria judiciary. I’m going to President Tinubu for allowing the rule of law to persist, irrespective of the lies. No amount of mischief will bring us down”

    “President Tinubu is a beacon of the rule of law worthy of emulation by all.”

    According to him, the outcome of the court case right from the tribunal up to the Supreme Court has made him to have more confidence in the judiciary.

  • Primary election: Court adjourns Sen. Na’Allah’s case

    The Federal High Court Birnin Kebbi, has adjourned Sen. Bala Na’Allah’s case challenging the validity of All Progressives Congress (APC’s) primary election conducted in October 2018 to Feb.20.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the validity of Na’Allah ‘s primary election that brought his candidacy to contest for Kebbi South Senatorial District for second term was challenged before the court by Alhaji Sule Sami through his counsel, Aliyu Usman.

    The presiding judge, Justice Basse Onu, adjourned the matter in line with the prayers submitted by the counsel to the plaintiff and defendant.

    In an interview after the sitting, the plaintiff counsel, Usman, said the case was on pre-election matter challenging the validity and constitutionality of the primary election that brought Na’Allah as the APC senatorial candidate.

    “The matter was filed earlier at the Federal High Court 4, Abuja Division.”

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    The judge then transferred the case to Birnin Kebbi Federal High Court, after considering a new law directing that all pre-election matters must be concluded from the date of filing the case within 180 days.

    “Now there are so many applications challenging the jurisdictions and competency of the case as well as amendment processes and substitution of the counsel,” the counsel said.

    Also, the defence counsel, Mr Afraimu Jingi, said the pre-election matter had time limit by the alteration of the constitution.

    He said the case was filed by the plaintiff on Nov. 1, 2018.

    He said the case had only 180 days within which it would be heard and determined by the court.

    “As at this time, we have not started the hearing of the matter.

    ” They prayed that the primary election be set aside and the claimant should be declared as the winner of the primary,” Jingi said.

    He added that a preliminary objection had been filed, stating that the case was not brought within time.

    “But we are watching to see what will be the fate of the case by the court,” he said.

  • Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    Plateau 4-1 ABS: Bala nets hat-trick as United return to NPFL summit

    •Coach Makinwa sent off

    Reuben Bala scored a hat-trick as Plataeu United returned to the summit of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following a 4-1 home win against ABS FC at the Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos yesterday.

    The match was eventful, as both sides gave it a real go from the blast of the referee’s whistle but it was the Bukola Saraki Boys that suffered the first misfortune of the encounter as coach Henry Makinwa was sent-off in the 12th minute.

    Eight minutes later, Joshua Obaje put the home side in front with a delightful header from a Mafeng Pam’s cross.

    ABS FC responded with a goal of their own when a direct ball into the penalty area came off Plateau United defender Hamisu Saleh and sailed past Dele Ajiboye.

    However, just before the end of the first half, the referee signalled for a penalty after ABS defender, Ernest Governor was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. Reuben Bala stepped up and finished past Sulaiman Dogo to make it 2-1.

    The second half saw a total collapse by the Illorin based side as the home side ran riot.

    Bala rose highest to head home Daniel Itodo’s long throw-in to restore Plateau United’s two-goal cushion.

    And with the game in its final minutes, Ibeh Johnson was fouled inside the box by Ibrahim Omolayo and the referee awarded a penalty which Bala stepped up and finished with aplomb to complete his hat-trick.

    The 4-1 win saw Plateau United return to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log after leaders MFM FC lost 1-0 against Gombe United.

  • Bala elated over win v Remo Stars

    Bala elated over win v Remo Stars

    Niger Tornadoes head coach Abubakar Bala says the win at newcomers Remo Stars is one of the happiest moments of his career.

    The Ikoh Alla Boys pipped the Sky Blue Stars 1-0 in Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 7 clash at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu.

    Striker Ebenezer Odeyemi’s lone goal handed the Minna outfit their first three points on the road in the ongoing top-flight. Bala said his wards adhered strictly to his instruction throughout the encounter in Sagamu.

    “I must confess this away victory against Remo Stars is the happiest moment of my 32-year coaching career. The draw at champions Enugu Rangers actually opened the door for us, reminding us that we could always win matches on the road. The draw was equally special because it came against the reigning champions and today (Wednesday) we were able to secure all three points.

    “Today’s win will further serve as a morale booster to the players that they can win away matches. We have been able to recoup the points we lost at home to newcomers ABS FC and Katsina United. I think the boost from the government prior to the match worked wonders and we dedicate the win specifically to the state governor. We will take the lesson of the victory back home to keep working on the other matches on the calendar,” said the former FC Lokoja coach to supersport.com.

  • Bala calls Enyimba tourists

    Bala calls Enyimba tourists

    Plateau United forward, Reuben Bala has said former Nigerian champions, Enyimba are coming to Jos for sightseeing.
    The Tin City side are hosts of the People’s Elephant in today’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 2 clash at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.
    Bala said his side are 100% perfectly shaped to continue their winning run against the two-time African champions.
    “Expect nothing short of outright victory against Enyimba in Wednesday’s NPFL matchday 2 clash in Jos.
    “Three points or nothing as we are determined to spell the side’s home base, Aba in the encounter.
    “We are winning the encounter with three unreplied goals which represents the letters of the Abia state capital, Aba.
    “We know that Enyimba will come out tough to deny us another victory but we will not allow them the luxury to inflict any pain on us.
    “We will allow them the luxury to enjoy and savour the cool atmosphere and beauty of Jos as tourists as we will turn them back empty-handed.
    “Our spirit is quite high and boosted by the away victory at top-flight newcomers, Remo Stars in Sagamu,” said the Plateau United marksman to supersport.com.

  • Bala blames defeat on poor marksmanship

    Bala blames defeat on poor marksmanship

    Niger Tornadoes coach, Abubakar Bala has blamed the team’s 3-0 defeat to MFM FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day one on loss of concentration and poor marksmanship on the part of the players.
    Three first half goals from Olatunbosun Sikiru, Odey Stephen and Adekunle Adegboyega were enough for the Olukoya Boys to record its first home win of the season in a match played at the Soccer Temple, Agege Township Stadium, Lagos.
    Speaking after the encounter, Bala who felt disappointed losing by such margin, said the team will work on the lapses noticed before their next game against Abubakar Bukola Saraki FC on Wednesday.
    “We never bargained for this, we did not expect a wide margin loss, but that is football for you. At times you prepare for something and you get another thing at the end of the day. We never expected this result but we have taken it in good faith.
    “The most important thing is that we have identified our weak areas and we need to work very hard on them.
    “We have been able to identify two major problems, loss of concentration in the midfield and the reaction whenever we lose the ball. We don’t react well and fast whenever we lose the ball. We allowed them to make use of the ball faster and get into our finishing area on time. We need to correct that, especially in the area of zonal-marking.
    “If you look at the game, we were playing well from the first minutes up till the 15th minute. We lost two clear chances during that period and immediately after we lost the second chance they got their first goal. It was loss of concentration, poor marksmanship from our midfielder that cost us the game.
    “So we will work on those lapses that we have identified before our next game against ABS”, he said.

  • Bala satisfied despite loss to Sanders

    Bala satisfied despite loss to Sanders

    Niger Tornadoes head coach, Abubakar Bala has expressed satisfaction with his side’s performance against non-league side, Sanders FC.

    The top-flight side was beaten 3-2 by the non-league team in a friendly match on Saturday at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital ground in Zaria.

    “We lost 2-3 to Sanders FC, though we out-played the side in every department of the game. People have called from home to express their worries over the loss to the non-league side. We quite understand their feelings but again defeat is equally part of the game of football.

    “The result did not go on our way but in terms of the purpose of the game, which is mainly a test as well as assessment match I’m satisfied with what I saw. The key concentration for me is how the players are able to create chances, fight for ball, recovery rate as well as finishing.

    “It’s a good match and good performance too, and I’m happy we are inching closer to perfection before the kick-off of the league. We will continue the assessment and test work in the remaining four matches on our hands before the first NPFL match.

    “We will play against Nasara FC today (Sunday), then from Monday to Wednesday engage Demba Academy, Gombe United and Kaduna Professionals in Kaduna. We will work very hard to win the matches to instil confidence in the players heading into NPFL matchday 1 clash at Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC,” said the former FC Lokoja coach to supersport.com.

    Tornadoes’ first league season’s match will be at MFM FC on Sunday at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

  • Bala: Niger Tornadoes are ready

    Bala: Niger Tornadoes are ready

    Technical Adviser of Niger Tornadoes, Abubakar Bala has revealed the pre-season progress report for his team.

    “We have completed our recruitment process and we have gotten to the third phase of our preparation. We are currently participating at the Gold Cup preseason tournament in Ijebu ode. The quality of opposition will help us see more of the team’s weakness and strong points,” Bala told Goal.

    “The target was to carry out a total overhaul of the team and inculcate a positive philosophy in the team. The friendlies we played against Rangers and Lobi Stars has helped us a great deal but we want to finish off well at the Gold Cup preseason tournament but so far, we are 70% ready.

    “The venue of the final phase of our preparation will be dependent on our league opener in the 2016/17 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),” he added.

    “If our first league match will be at home then we shall head back to Lokoja but if we shall be playing our first match on the road next season then we shall complete our preparation at a nearby state.”

    The Ikon Allah are participating in a pre-season tournament at Ijebu Ode but Abubakar has noted that the newly built team has reached 70% level in their preparation ahead of the 2016/17 Nigerian League season.

  • Bala insists on accuracy against Wikki

    Bala insists on accuracy against Wikki

    Tornadoes coach Abubakar Bala has cautioned his boys against missing chances as they await for Sunday showdown against visiting Wikki Tourist of Bauchi. He described Wikki as a formidable side that must be handled with maximum concentration

    “The boys are ready and are aware of the task ahead, because the Bauchi-based club are in their best form at the moment and will like to remain on the summit of the league table. “We know what to expect on Sunday, though I am confident that we will take the maximum point at stake we must however be clinical to achieve that,” he said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the level of support the team has been enjoying from Lokoja fans revealing that it is the secret behind 100% record wins at home. Interestingly all the players are available for selection for the Sunday’s showdown with the exception of Gabriel Wassa who is currently in the NPFL All Stars camp in Abuja ahead of La Liga tour billed for next month. There are, however, strong indications that Wikki may get serious from the first minute considering that Tornadoes grabbed a goal as early as the third minute when had a revere fixture in Bauchi.

  • Bala calls Dreams FC ‘cheap’

    Bala calls Dreams FC ‘cheap’

    Plateau United forward Reuben Bala says his side were not troubled by their Federation Cup round of 32 opponents, Dreams FC.

    The Tin City side benched the Nigeria National League (NNL) side 3-1 in Thursday’s Cup clash in Abuja.

    Bright Silas scored the only goal in the first half while Kelechi John grabbed a brace to hand the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side the round of 16 ticket.

    Bala said his side are determined to make it to the podium at the end of the day.

    “We expected tough challenge from Dreams FC, but the match turned out to be an easy one for us may be because we over prepared for the clash.

    “The match was cheap and we are happy picking up the ticket to progress further in the competition.

    “We will not rest on our laurels but keep the hard work going until we achieve our lofty dream of lifting the trophy,” the Plateau United marksman told supersport.com.