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Watkins’ Late Winner Sends England To Euro 2024 Final
With the match heading for extra time, Watkins struck in the 91st minute with a fine turn and low finish after being played in by Cole Palmer.
By Donatus Anichukwueze
It was an incredible finish to an evening that began badly for England, as Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in the semi-final in Dortmund.
However, England were soon level through a Harry Kane penalty following a contentions VAR call by German referee Felix Zwayer, and the match looked set to drift towards extra time until Watkins struck.
On for Harry Kane, Watkins received a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer with his back to goal in the first minute of stoppage time, turned and fired low into the far corner to leave the Netherlands completely stunned.
It has rarely been a convincing campaign from Gareth Southgate’s England side, but they are through to their second consecutive European Championship final as they dream of finally winning a first major trophy since 1966.
To do that they will surely have to perform better than at any point so far in Germany as they face an outstanding Spain team.
Spain will also have had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the final, having defeated France 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Netherlands had been hoping to repeat their triumph at the last Euros held in Germany, in 1988, but their current side lacks anyone with the star quality of Marco van Basten or Ruud Gullit.
A victory for them would have seen this Euros conclude with the same final as the 2010 World Cup. Instead they now go home.
England had got to this stage despite not winning any of their last four matches in 90 minutes, and having been taken to extra time by Slovakia and Switzerland.
That might have given the Dutch an edge physically, after the Oranje shrugged off finishing third in their group to brush aside Romania and then see off Turkey.
England welcomed back Marc Guehi in defence after suspension, while Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman opted to start Donyell Malen in attack in the ground where he plays club football for Borussia Dortmund.
The Westfalenstadion is a special place for the Dutch, as the scene of their 2-0 win over Brazil that took them through to the 1974 World Cup final.
Contentious penalty
They went ahead here after just seven minutes thanks to a stunning goal by Simons, who robbed Declan Rice 35 metres from goal and advanced before sending a rasping drive beyond Jordan Pickford.
The Dutch players ran off to celebrate with their fans behind that goal, as England found themselves behind for the third game running.
Just like against the Swiss in the quarter-finals, however, they reacted swiftly.
Kane forced a save from Bart Verbruggen and moments later sent a volley over the bar, and was caught by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through.
It seemed totally innocuous but Zwayer was summoned across to review the images and gave a penalty.
Kane, whose missed spot-kick against France cost England dear in the 2022 World Cup, made no mistake, slotting low into the bottom-left corner.
It settled into an open and entertaining game, with Dumfries redeeming himself by clearing off the line from Phil Foden.
Dumfries crashed a header off the bar from a Simons corner, but Foden responded by curling a superb shot from range off the top of the post.
England’s midfielders were being given too much time on the ball, and Koeman used an injury to Memphis Depay to reinforce the centre, replacing the forward with Joey Veerman.
Another change followed at the interval, with Wout Weghorst –- super-sub in previous rounds –- replacing Malen.
Yet the game became more cagey as the minutes went on and the fear of making a mistake grew.
Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk on 65 minutes and the Netherlands began to take control as England’s leading players started to tire.
England did have the ball in the net on 79 minutes when Bukayo Saka turned in a Kyle Walker cutback, but the latter was just offside and the flag cut short the celebrations.
Southgate then decided to remove Kane and Foden, with Watkins and Palmer entering the fray to devastating effect.
AFP
Gauff Crashes At Wimbledon As Alcaraz, Sinner Locked On Collision Course
Gauff's 6-4, 6-3 fourth-round defeat means that only two of the top 10 women's seeds are left in the tournament.
By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Gauff’s 6-4, 6-3 fourth-round defeat means that only two of the top 10 women’s seeds are left in the tournament.
Elsewhere, unheralded Lulu Sun became the first New Zealand woman to reach the last eight at Wimbledon, while Madison Keys quit her last-16 clash in floods of tears.
Navarro, ranked 19th, reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time with her defeat of US Open champion Gauff.
Gauff, who made the semi-finals at the Australian Open and French Open this year, has still to get past the last 16 at Wimbledon, the tournament, where she made her breakthrough as a 15-year-old in 2019.
Her shock defeat followed the unexpected exit of world number one Iga Swiatek in the third round on Saturday.
“I think I played really aggressively. Coco’s an amazing player and I have a ton of respect for her,” said Navarro.
Only fourth-ranked 2022 champion Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini, the world number seven, remain from the top 10 women.
Paolini will be Navarro’s quarter-final opponent.
World number three Alcaraz defeated French 16th seed Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to make the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the ninth time in just 14 appearances.
However, it was another uncomfortable afternoon for the Spaniard, who had needed five sets to see off Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
His erratic performance on Sunday saw him drop serve five times and commit an uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors.
The 21-year-old, bidding to become just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back, eased through the first set under the Centre Court roof before crucially saving four break points in the fifth game of the second.
World number three Alcaraz defeated French 16th seed Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to make the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the ninth time in just 14 appearances.
However, it was another uncomfortable afternoon for the Spaniard, who had needed five sets to see off Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
His erratic performance on Sunday saw him drop serve five times and commit an uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors.
The 21-year-old, bidding to become just the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back, eased through the first set under the Centre Court roof before crucially saving four break points in the fifth game of the second.
Humbert stormed back, breaking the champion three times in the third set as Alcaraz went spectacularly off the boil.
But Humbert handed over a service break in the 11th game of the fourth set and Alcaraz took full advantage to quickly seal the tie.
‘Fight to last ball’
“I will be there, fighting until the last ball,” said Alcaraz, who is chasing a fourth Grand Slam title.
Alcaraz will take on American 12th seed Tommy Paul, who beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2.
Over on Court One, top seed Sinner moved into the last-eight with a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (11/9) win over American 14th seed Ben Shelton.
Sinner, who won his maiden Slam crown at the Australian Open this year, will face Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev for a place in the semi-finals in a rematch of their final in Melbourne.
“It was a tough match, especially the third set. I had to keep saving set points,” said Sinner, a semi-finalist in 2023.
Medvedev, also a semi-finalist last year, progressed when 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov retired in the first set of their last-16 tie with a knee injury.
Sun made history for New Zealand with a three-set victory over Emma Raducanu, shattering home hopes of ending a 47-year wait for a British women’s champion.
The 23-year-old qualifier, ranked at 123, triumphed 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 over the 2021 US Open winner.
Sun hit 52 winners against Raducanu, who took a medical time-out in the third set to treat problems with her ankle and back.
“It was a great match against Emma. I really dug deep to get the win,” said Sun.
Sun will next face Croatia’s Donna Vekic, the world number 37, who clinched a 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 win over Spain’s Paula Badosa on the back of 33 winners.
‘It’s sad’
American 12th seed Keys was just one game away from a third quarter-final at the All England Club before she was forced to quit against Paolini.
After dropping the first set, Keys hit back to level the match at 3-6, 7-6 (8/6).
The 2017 US Open runner-up then raced into a 5-2 lead in the decider when she suffered a left leg injury in the eighth game.
At 5-4, she took a medical time-out, returned with her left leg bandaged but with her movement severely restricted, she wept openly on court before quitting at 5-5.
“I’m very sorry for her, it’s sad,” said French Open runner-up Paolini, who had never won a grass-court match until two weeks ago.
AFP
Spain Beat Germany In Extra Time To Reach Euro 2024 Semi-Finals
Spain substitute Mikel Merino headed into the top corner in the 119th minute to break the home nation's hearts.
By Channels Television
After a fiery yet goalless first half, Spain’s Dani Olmo latched onto an inch-perfect pass from Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal to give La Roja the lead on 51 minutes.
Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post with 14 minutes remaining but with the hosts staring at an early exit, Florian Wirtz slammed in a Joshua Kimmich knock-down in the 89th minute to take the game to extra time.
With a minute remaining in extra time and the game looking set for penalties, Olmo lofted a cross for Merino, who headed Spain into the semi-finals and on course for a record-breaking fourth Euros crown.
Germany’s exit brings to an end the hosts’ hope of a summer fairytale Euros victory after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, while also lowering the curtain on Toni Kroos’ stellar career.
The battle between the two most successful Euros nations, with three titles apiece, was billed as a final come early, with the in-form Spaniards against Nagelsmann’s reborn hosts.
The battle between the two most successful Euros nations, with three titles apiece, was billed as a final come early, with the in-form Spaniards against Nagelsmann’s reborn hosts.
Spain nominated Kroos as Germany’s most dangerous pre-match but the midfielder had a huge, even if unintended impact early, colliding with Pedri, who was then subbed off with a leg injury for Olmo.
Germany, with the oldest squad at Euro 2024, struggled with Spain’s speed during the first half, frequently coming into duels a fraction too late, but the two best chances of the opening half fell to the hosts — and both to Kai Havertz.
The Arsenal forward leapt highest to head a cross directly at Unai Simon early and then scuffed a tame shot at the goalie later in the half with just the ‘keeper to beat.
After a goalless first half, Nagelsmann took off surprise starter Emre Can for the pink-haired Robert Andrich, while the ineffective Leroy Sane was hooked in place of Wirtz.
The substitution who would make his mark however was Olmo, who gave Spain the lead six minutes into the second half, slicing through the sleepy Germany defence to perfectly place a Yamal pass past Manuel Neuer in the bottom left corner.
Spain’s midfielder #06 Mikel Merino (2nd R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final football match between Spain and Germany at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart on July 5, 2024. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
The goal kicked Germany into gear with Wirtz particularly dangerous.
The Bayer Leverkusen starlet linked with Fuellkrug on the counter with a quarter of an hour remaining but the striker, under heavy attention from the Spanish defence, could only hit the post.
With 10 minutes remaining Nagelsmann made his final substitution, bringing veteran Thomas Mueller from the bench.
But it was Wirtz — 13 years his junior – who made the difference, skimming a Joshua Kimmich header across the grass and in at the far post in the final minute, sending the game to extra time.
Mikel Oyarzabal, on for Williams, curled a 104th-minute shot just wide of the post and Wirtz did the same a minute later with the goal beckoning.
Germany appealed strongly for a penalty in the second period of extra time, after a goal-bound Jamal Musiala shot clearly connected with Marc Cucurella’s outstretched hand.
After the penalty drama, Olmo curled in a cross for Merino, who leapt high to head the ball past Neuer and put Spain into the Euros semi-finals.
AFP
France Beat Portugal On Penalties To Reach Euro 2024 Semi-Finals
A largely dull 120 minutes saw both sides struggle to create clear chances in Hamburg.
By Channels Television
‘Unacceptable,’ Ex-Envoys Fault Tinubu Over Non-Appointment Of Ambassadors For 10 Months
They described as “unacceptable”, the prolonged delays in the appointment of diplomats to man Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.
By Kayode Oyero
Kogi Assembly Extends Tenure Of LG Transition Committee Chairmen By Six Months
The extension of the tenure of the Transition Committee Chairmen is sequel to a letter to the House by the state Governor, Usman Ododo.
By Segun Salami
This was part of the resolution of the state legislature during the house plenary on Friday.
The extension of the tenure of the Transition Committee Chairmen is sequel to a letter to the House by the state Governor, Usman Ododo.
Ododo said in the letter that paucity of funds, high wage bill are some of the reasons why Local Government election cannot be conducted in the state.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf, who read the letter, charged the transition committee chairmen to be good ambassadors of their respective local governments.
“In the next six months, it will be interesting at the local government level as there will be mostly submission of reports to the Assembly. The Chairmen henceforth should take note of this,” he stated.
It was gathered that the tenure of the 21 Transition Committee Chairmen in Kogi State is expected to expire on the 8th of July, 2024.
Following the approval by the house, the Transition Committee Chairmen are now expected to vacate their offices on 8th January 2025 when the local government election will be duly conducted.
Fubara Is Wike’s Political Investment, Says Tony Okocha
Fubara and Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, have been at loggerheads over the control of the oil-rich state.
By Ignatius Igwe
Okocha described Wike as Fubara’s mentor, saying the latter would not have been governor without the strong backing of the former.
“The feud between the governor and his mentor, Governor Fubara is Wike’s political investment,” he said on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“From civil servant to the candidate of a party and delivering him in 23 local governments out of 23, the first in our history, all of these were Wike’s ability to manoeuvre. The former governor has said, ‘I am not asking you for anything. I am only saying that you are destroying the structure that produced you.’
“If you are a politician, no politician will allow his structure to be dismantled. When you do that, it means that you have no home to fall back to. That is the issue.”
Fubara and Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, have been at loggerheads over the control of the oil-rich state.
Although the Rivers governor survived an impeachment orchestrated by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly, Wike had vowed to do all it takes to maintain his “political structure” in Rivers state.
Sacrosanct’
On Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the order of a Rivers High Court which restrained Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers of the State Assembly.
A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, as such matters can only be heard and determined before a federal high court.
Reacting to the verdict, the APC chief said the appellate court judgment on the Rivers Assembly should be seen as sacrosanct.
He argued that unless a superior court squashes the verdict – the Supreme Court – the verdict must be obeyed by all parties involved.
“The Court of Appeal judgement should be seen as sacrosanct. It should be obeyed as seen as a given. Until the Supreme Court overturns the judgement, the law as it is today as pronounced by the Court of Appeal,” he added.
Turkey’s Demiral Handed Two Games Ban For Euros Salute
Demiral scored both of Turkey's goals in the 2-1 last-16 win over Austria on Tuesday and during celebrations for his second goal made a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.
Demiral scored both of Turkey’s goals in the 2-1 last-16 win over Austria on Tuesday and during celebrations for his second goal made a gesture associated with Turkish right-wing extremist group Grey Wolves.
UEFA said in a statement that Demiral was banned “for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”
Demiral will also miss a potential semi-final against England or Switzerland should Turkey overcome the Netherlands on Saturday.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the quarter-final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin after Demiral’s salute triggered a diplomatic row between Turkey and Euro 2024 host nation Germany.
Demiral said his celebration was related to his “Turkish identity”.
The 26-year-old former Juventus defender, now at Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, said there was no “hidden message” in his gesture.
Demiral posted a photo of his celebration on X with the caption “How happy is the one who says ‘I am a Turk’.”
The Grey Wolves advocated radical ideas and used violence in the 1980s against leftist activists and ethnic minorities.
The group has been banned in Austria and France but not in Germany.
Germany’s agriculture minister Cem Ozdemir said Wednesday “nothing about the wolf salute is hidden”.
Ozdemir, one of the most prominent German politicians with Turkish roots, said the symbol “stands for terror (and) fascism”.
The Grey Wolves were labelled “a terrorist organisation” by the European Parliament in 2021 and “especially threatening for people with a Kurdish, Armenian, or Greek background and anyone they consider an opponent”.
Accusing German authorities of “xenophobia”, Turkey’s foreign ministry pointed out that Germany’s domestic intelligence service had emphasised in its report “not every person making the grey wolf sign can be described as a far-right extremist”.
Demiral’s double helped Turkey reach the last eight of a major tournament for the first time since 2008.
With an estimated three million Turks living in Germany, the team has enjoyed heavy backing across the country for its Euro 2024 matches.
Berlin police have said they will deploy more officers than usual for Saturday’s quarter-final, which is considered a “high-risk game”.
Germany’s capital is home to the largest Turkish community outside of Turkey, many of them the descendants of “guest workers” invited under a massive economic programme in the 1960s and 70s.
AFP
Film Director Jacquot Charged With Raping Two Actors
Jacquot, 77, and another filmmaker, 80-year-old Jacques Doillon, were detained for questioning on Monday over alleged sexual abuse.
By Ignatius Igwe
The charges come after a flurry of allegations against several men in the French filmmaking industry, which critics say has too long provided cover for abuse.
Jacquot, 77, and another filmmaker, 80-year-old Jacques Doillon, were detained for questioning on Monday over alleged sexual abuse of much younger actresses who starred in their films, charges both have denied.
Investigators opened a probe after Judith Godreche, 52, earlier this year filed a complaint against Jacquot for allegedly raping her during a relationship of several years that started in the 1980s, when she was 14 and he was 25 years her senior.
After two days of questioning, prosecutors did not request charges linked to Godreche’s accusations because they were past the statute of limitations, she and her lawyer said.
But they did in the case of Roy, 34, and Le Besco, 41.
Roy, who acted in four of Jacquot’s films that came out between 2016 and 2021, had accused Jacquot of sexual assault.
Le Besco had accused him of rape during a toxic relationship that began when she was a minor and he was 52.
An examining magistrate charged Jacquot with “marital rape” of Roy during a relationship in 2013, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
They also charged him with “rape of a minor” against Le Besco between November 1, 1998, and November 21, 2000, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
She would have been 15 at the start of this period.
‘Judicial cancellation’
Jacquot was also to be investigated over the alleged marital rape of Roy between 2014 and 2018 and Le Besco in 2007, the prosecutor’s office said.
judicial system.
The head of France’s top cinema institution, Dominique Boutonnat, stepped down on Friday and will serve a one-year jail term at home after he was convicted of sexually assaulting his godson in 2020.
And screen icon Gerard Depardieu, 75, is to stand trial in October over accusations of sexually assaulting two women. He was also charged in 2020 with rape two years earlier. He denies all charges.
AFP
VIDEO: Nnamdi Kanu Seeking Political Solution Is Surprising, Says Laolu Akande
The IPOB leader, who is facing terrorism charges, has since been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since mid-2021.
By Ignatius Igwe
Akande, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, said Kanu, given his vocal stance on issues, should prove his case in court.
“I am surprised that he is trying to get a political solution,” the former presidential spokesman said.
“I think Mr Nnamdi Kanu should be bold enough to check out these things in court but apparently he is not. I would have expected him, based on what we know about him to say: ‘Look let us go to court’.”
Free Kanu
On Wednesday, senators from the South-East pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to order Kanu’s release.
Led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the lawmakers claimed that unless Kanu is released, the social and economic activities in the South-East zone would continue to be stagnant.
The senators held a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, where their letter to President Tinubu on the release of Kanu, was delivered for onward passage to the the presidency.
Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya mid-2021 by the Federal Government and brought to the country for trial on terrorism charges.
Although he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, declined to admit him to bail on the grounds that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.
Kanu has since been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Edo Guber: Ighodalo Remains Candidate — PDP
The PDP also stated that the court did not make any order nullifying the primary election of Ighodalo as the party’s candidate.
By Friday Okeregbe
The PDP also stated that the court did not make any order nullifying the primary election of Ighodalo as the party’s candidate for the Edo State Governorship election, as there are no grounds whatsoever for such.
A statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, v, on Thursday, affirmed that the congresses and subsequent governorship primary that produced Ighodalo as the winner and party’s flagbearer, were duly and legally conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Guidelines of the PDP, the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The PDP maintained that no eligible delegate was excluded from participating in the primary election which accreditation, polling, counting of ballots, collation and declaration of results, were publicly conducted, monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and relevant security agencies at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City which exercise was also duly broadcasted live on national TV stations, and multiple social media platforms.
Moreover, the party said it holds that under the provisions of Section 84 (14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the case is even of no moment, as the plaintiffs have no locus to question the outcome of the primary election not being aspirants in the exercise.
It said, “Additionally, it must be noted that the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs do not include the disqualification and/or nullification of the Primary election of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the winner of the Edo State Governorship Primary election of the PDP. The Court is not a Father Christmas.”
The party urged the public, especially the people of Edo State, to disregard the report and remain focused on their solidarity and support for the PDP, and its candidate, Ighodalo.
Erik Ten Hag Signs New Deal At Manchester United
The former Ajax manager, whose deal had been due to expire in 2025, admitted there was work to be done to close the gap.
By Ignatius Igwe
UPDATED: Court Nullifies Edo PDP Gov Primary Election
Asue Ighodalo had been declared the winner of the governorship primary which was held in February.
By Emmanuella Ekele
The election conducted on February 22, 2024, was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.
Justice Ekwo nullified the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates.
The suit was instituted by one Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity.
Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP guidelines were violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Justice Ekwo, who said that Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, held that the plaintiffs, through the exhibits tendered, were able to establish their case against the defendants.
The judge said that from the exhibit presented by the PDP, he found that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome of the poll.
He said the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, was against the provisions of the law.
Justice Ekwo held that, though the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the 1st defendant, filed a memorandum of appearance in the suit, it was unfortunate that the Commission did not file any process in the case.
According to the judge, the 1st defendant’s counsel only said it would be bound by the decision of the court.
“I found that the case of the plaintiffs succeeds on merit,” he said.
The three aggrieved ad-hoc delegates, on behalf of the 378 others, had sued INEC, the PDP, its national secretary, and the vice chairman, South-South as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
In the suit, the plaintiffs sought two orders.
These include an order for the defendants or their agents not to act but to show cause why the reliefs of the plaintiffs in their originating summons should not be granted concerning the plan of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants to exclude them and 378 other delegates, whose names and election results are contained in “Exhibits BID 8A to 8L,” from participating in the primaries of Feb. 22 in Edo.
The plaintiffs, which include Kelvin Mohammed, Gabriel Okoduwa, and Ederaho Osagie, on behalf of others in 12 local government areas and 127 wards, averred that it would be in the interest of justice for their reliefs to be granted.
The 381 delegates are those loyal to Philip Shaibu, the impeached deputy governor.
PDP Reacts, Insists On Ighodalo
Meanwhile, the PDP in Edo State has rejected the verdict, insisting on Ighodalo as its candidate for the September polls.
“Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo,” the PDP chairman in Edo State Tony Aziegbemi said in a Thursday statement.
“We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”
I Didn’t Discuss Release Of Nnamdi Kanu With South-East Govs – Obasanjo
According to the former President, the meeting with the South-East governors was to discuss regional development issues.
By Bidemi Bello
The former President and Chief Emeka Anyaoku met with the governors on their own invitation to discuss regional development issues.
According to a statement on Wednesday by Special Assistant on Media to the former president, Kehinde Akinyemi, the purported release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Federal Government was not part of the discussion.
“The meeting with them was at my invitation and of Chief Emeka Anyaoku before their summit begins. The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said.
He stated that the regional development issues included that of security and infrastructure.
Others were economic and cooperative/collaboration, which was meant to complement the national economic development agenda.
Since his re-arrest in Kenya in 2021 by the Federal Government, Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of Security Service (DSS) on the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Although he pleaded not guilty to the charges, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, declined to admit him to bail on the ground that he jumped the earlier one in which Senator Abaribe was his surety.
There have been calls from different quarters recently for the release of Kanu.
Among those calling for his release are Senators from the South-East led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
The lawmakers claimed that unless Kanu is released, the social and economic activities in the South-East region will continue to be stagnant.
The senators held a closed-door meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, where their letter to President Tinubu on the release of Kanu, was delivered for onward passage to the the presidency.
Also, the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, in a chat with journalists on Saturday, called for Kanu’s release.
He argued that there was no reason for the continuous detention of the IPOB leader given that a Nigerian court earlier acquitted him, although that acquittal was overturned by the Supreme Court.
My Allowances As Speaker Was ₦25m, Says Dogara
He, however, did not specify whether the ₦25m total allowance was monthly, yearly, or for the whole of the four years spent in the House.
By Ignatius Igwe
Dogara who represented the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency of Bauchi State, served as the 13th Speaker of the House from 2015 to 2019.
He, however, did not specify whether the ₦25m total allowance was monthly, yearly, or for the whole of the four years spent in the House.
Speaking during an event in Abuja on Wednesday, he wondered where the idea of National Assembly members receiving bogus salaries emanated from.
“My allowances, everything as a Speaker then, was ₦25 million. I asked my accountant to open an account for this money because this money was not mine,” he said.
“Even we talk about the allowances the people think are humongous, Mr Speaker forgive me, the House should forgive me.”
‘Allow Speaker Breathe’
The issue of how funds are processed in the National Assembly has been on the front burner of national discourse for a long time. Some Nigerians believe that federal lawmakers receive a jumbo package amid the worsening poverty in the country.
Though the exact salaries of the federal lawmakers have not been made public, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said in June 2023, that the salaries of politicians, judicial and public office holders would be increased by 114 per cent.
But Dogara maintained that while in office, he never earned up to ₦400,000 as his monthly salary.
“I don’t know whether they have increased it but when I was there, my salary was not up to ₦400,000 a month. So a young man in my constituency said, ‘You mean this is your salary? I can even hire you to work for me.
“Honestly speaking, there was never a time I took one naira out of that account home. As a matter of fact, there was never a time that money lasted three days. I am saying this so that even Honourable members who are here should let the Speaker and Deputy Speaker breathe
“Whatever a member gets, citizens must know this. No matter how stingy that member is because of expectations from our citizens, it is very difficult for that money to last for a month in the hands of that member,” Dogara added.
Paris 2024 Olympics: Waldrum Picks Ajibade, Nnadozie, Oshoala, 15 Others
Nine-time African champions Nigeria, make their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
By Dumnodi Okonta
Also among players on the list are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Michelle Alozie, midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Uchenna Kanu.
Squad members who are currently on holiday in Nigeria will join home-based players and team officials aboard an Air France flight from Abuja to Sevilla, Spain on Thursday night, with the rest of the playing body and technical team also arriving in Sevilla on Friday for a two-week training camp.
Euro 2024 Quarter-Final Fixtures (Full List)
The line-up for the quarter-finals will see so many clashes involving the heavyweights of the game on the continent.
By Donatus Anichukwueze
