General

Fresh Crisis Looms in PDP Over Tinubu’s Ministerial List

Published

3 months ago

July 15, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a fresh crisis as some leaders of the opposition party are allegedly pushing for the immediate expulsion of any of its chieftains that accepts to serve in the yet to be unfolded cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the crisis follows allegations that Tinubu is considering appointing some PDP chieftains, including former governors Nyesom Wike and Samuel Ortom, to his cabinet.

This has angered some PDP leaders, who are accusing the former governors of betrayal. They argue that Wike and Ortom worked against the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the 2023 election.

Wike and Ortom were among the five PDP governors who backed the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election. However, they were reportedly unhappy with the outcome of the election and refused to support Atiku during the campaign.

It is gathered that PDP leaders are opposed to the appointment of these men into Tinubu’s cabinet, arguing that it would be a betrayal of the party. They are also concerned that Wike and Ortom would use their positions in the cabinet to undermine the PDP, the Nation reports.

The split within the party was apparent when former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose reacted to allegations made by Atiku Abubakar’s spokesman, Phrank Shaibu.

Shaibu had accused Ortom and Fayose of being “seeking relevance, appointments, and protection from prosecution”.

“We want to appreciate Fayose for describing Wike as an ‘average mad man.’ Indeed, it is only a mad person who can use violence to prevent people from coming into a state to campaign. It takes madness to subvert the will of the people.”

“Ortom was one of the worst governors in the history of Nigeria. His case file at the EFCC is bulky, and he was recently invited but released because of Wike’s intervention. Okezie Ikpeazu, the former governor of Abia State, also performed abysmally in office. His successor has been complaining almost on a daily basis. But the EFCC will not prosecute him because of the G-5 connection. This is what they have turned the country into,” he said.

Ortom denied the allegations, saying that he and Fayose are “men of honour” who would not do anything to compromise their integrity.

Fayose said that he is “not afraid of Atiku or his spokesman” and that he will continue to speak his mind

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Football

Fulham 0-2 Chelsea: Mudryk, Broja strike to earn Blues their second league win of the season

Published

3 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Chelsea bagged two first-half goals to seal a crucial win over West London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage and move up to 11th on the Premier League table.

The Blues flew out of the blocks as they debuted their new Infinite Athlete kit and created the first chance of the match after only 80 seconds, but Armando Broja could not capitalise.

Chelsea looked bright with Enzo Fernandez conducting affairs, and they picked the Cottagers apart.

Mykhailo Mudryk was looking electric and dangerous. The Ukrainian winger opened the scoring on 18 as he controlled a pass from Levi Colwill before slotting the ball beyond Bernd Leno.

It was Mudryk’s first Premier League goal following his £88 million move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January. And within seconds, Chelsea had their second.

Tim Ream had a moment to forget as he gave the ball away to Cole Palmer. The young English playmaker then slipped Broja in, but Ream hit the ball off the Albanian striker as the ball trickled past Leno.

Fulham tried to find gaps behind Marc Cucurella and Axel Disasi on the right side of Chelsea’s defence, but it was not working. Chelsea controlled the game and held their two-goal going into the break.

In the second 45, Fulham came out with more attacking poise, and it helped that Mudryk went off with a knock, giving Fulham the impetus to come forward, but Chelsea’s defence stood resolute.

Vinicius and Alex Iwobi came on for Fulham and helped their side find spaces beyond Chelsea’s backline, but the Boys in Blue defended well and showed they were still dangerous.

Ian Maatsen, on for Mudryk, hit the post, and Leno had to be quick to smother Fernandez’s rebound effort. Fulham forced Chelsea to work for their lead, but Mauricio Pochettino’s men looked up to it.

Substitute Tom Cairney created a lovely chance for Sasa Lukic. However, Robert Sanchez stuck out a brilliant leg to save the effort and keep his side in it.

On 83, Willian tried an effort from outside the box, but it did not cause any problems for Sanchez as Chelsea ran out 2-0 victors

General

Tribunal verdict: Governor rejects judgement, calls for calm

Published

5 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Nasarawa State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule has rejected Monday’s judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered in Lafia.

While speaking to teeming supporters of the APC at the Government House, Lafia, Governor Sule says the judgement will be challenged at the appeal court.

He however call on the people of the state to remain calm and law abiding.

Engr. Sule promised to continue discharging his duties as the Executive Governor with more vigor.

Football

Man Utd winger Anthony in contention for Galatasaray UEFA champions league clash

Published

8 hours ago

October 2, 2023

Olayiwola Quadril

Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Antony could feature for Manchester United against Galatasaray after rejoining his ranks at Old Trafford.

The Brazil international forward was granted indefinite leave by the Red Devils following a series of alarming allegations made against him by former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin.

Antony has been back in his homeland since then, allowing him to meet with police forces in Sao Paulo.

He returned to England last week and has held five hours of talks with Greater Manchester Police.

The 23-year-old winger maintains his innocence – having also faced accusations from two other women.

United have allowed him to focus on off-field matters of late, but revealed ahead of a Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace that Antony had been given a green light to return to training and was once again available for selection.

He has only taken in one session since then, suggesting that he will be short on match fitness, but Ten Hag says the South American is in his thoughts ahead of the Champions League group stage meeting with Galatasaray on Tuesday.

The Dutch coach has said: “Antony will be in consideration but yesterday was his first time back in team training. We have a final training, then we’ll make a decision.”

Ten Hag added when delivering an update on Lisandro Martinez – with the World Cup-winning Argentine defender still struggling with a long-standing foot injury: “I can confirm, yeah. Licha Martinez will undergo surgery and the team news is Antony can probably return.”

Antony’s last appearance for United came in the club’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on September 3.

He was removed from the Brazil squad for the last round of international fixtures and has not registered a goal for club or country since April 16.