Author: Olukayode Oke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has deployed its officers to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to monitor the polls on Saturday. The anti-graft agency said the deployment is part of efforts to ensure the integrity of the February 25, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections. EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the operatives to be conscious of the interest of the nation and to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of duties. Bawa said being on a national assignment, he expects them to act accordingly in line with the commission’s values of professionalism,…

Goals from Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo gave dominant Napoli a comfortable 2-0 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in their UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg tie on Tuesday. Napoli, bidding to reach their first quarter-final in the competition, went ahead when Osimhen, tapped in at the far post after 40 minutes. The Super Eagles striker has now scored 10 goals in his last nine games across all competitions. Eintracht Frankfurt were reduced to 10 men just before the hour and Napoli captain Di Lorenzo soon doubled the visitors’ advantage in the 65th. He scored from a superb back-heel assist…

The Osun State Police Command has banned policemen attached to governors, ministers and other government functionaries from escorting their principals to polling units in the 2023 elections. This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesperson for the command, SP Yemisi Opalola, in Osogbo on Wednesday. Any officer found to have flouted  this directive will be subjected to disciplinary actions. Also, the use of siren, revolving lights and tinted car windows by unauthorised citizens during the elections period will not be allowed. The command also warns other  security outfits/organisations that are not constitutionally empowered to participate in the  election…

The All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday drew the curtain on his campaign rally in Lagos State, with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo not attending any of them. This might not be unconnected to their differences prior to the APC presidential primaries in 2022. Osinbajo had endured a frosty relationship with Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries in 2022, as followers of the latter believed that the Vice President should have backed his political godfather. During the APC primaries, some staunch supporters of Tinubu had tagged Osinbajo a traitor, a betrayer and Judas, for daring…

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu, has said the G5 governors would work for Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the February 25th presidential election. He disclosed this on Wednesday in a Channels Television interview. He said, “The G5 Governors came together and realized they must work together. And they are working together. I don’t believe the Governor of Benue State is working for the Labour Party; he wants to use that to win the election. “The G5 Governors have made up their minds that they will not work for any other person other than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu…

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to Nigerians to be patriotic, peaceful and show true sportsmanship as they exercise their civic rights to vote on Saturday. Jonathan also urged politicians to avoid hatred and violence, be circumspect in their work and actions towards consolidating the country’s democracy. He made the call in a message to Nigerians released by Ikechukwu Eze, his Special Adviser, on Tuesday in Abuja. Jonathan said that Nigerians must not let elections be a means of violence and anarchy. He said, “We must desist from the temptation of yielding to those desirous of making our communities and…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has dedicated its Consumer Toll-Free Number 622, to serve as 2023 Presidential Election Incident Hotline to enable voters and members of the public across Nigeria to report any issues that may affect them, or others, during the elections on Saturday, February 25, 2023. This step is to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its patriotic commitment, towards the conduct of hitch-free elections in Nigeria. The Toll-Free Number 622 is the second-level complaints centre through which consumers of telecommunications services are allowed to make calls directly to the Commission, to resolve issues concerning their…

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Michael Enoyong, who recently emerged as the governorship candidate following a court order issued by a Federal High Court. Following the sack of Enoyong, the court ordered the mandate of Pastor Umo Eno, who had earlier emerged as the winner of the primary conducted by the party, be restored. The court in addition ordered Enyong to pay the sum of N1 million to the appellant as a cost. Enyong, who was reported to have emerged as the candidate of the party in…

The Lagos government has directed schools to observe the mid-term break for the 2022/2023 second-term academic session. Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Abiola Seriki-Ayeni disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. The directive followed the amended harmonised calendar approved by Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni said the break commences Friday, February 24 and applicable to all public and private schools in the state. “This compliance is mandatory for all schools below tertiary level, while emergency preparedness and safety precautions should be in place,” he said. The holiday ends on March 3, while school resumes on…

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti has reflected on his side’s 5-2 win at Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16 first leg. The Reds raced into a two-goal lead, thanks to Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah. But Madrid fought back to level in the first half with a Vinicius Jr brace. Militao, a Joe Gomez own goal and Karim Benzema saw the LaLiga champions take a big advantage back to the Bernabeu. We were very efficient in front of goal when we managed to break out from their pressure. We improved our defensive game because in the first half…

Former Watford boss Javi Gracia is set to be named the manager of Leeds United, ending the club’s search for Jesse Marsch’s successor. Marsch was sacked on 6 February but the Whites have faced several setbacks in their hunt for his replacement. Spaniard Gracia, 52, took Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, before managing Valencia and Al Sadd in Qatar. Leeds are 19th in the Premier League and face bottom club Southampton on Saturday. Under-21 boss Michael Skubala has been in interim charge since Marsch’s sacking despite club owner Andrea Radrizzani initially promising a quick appointment. An approach…

The Resident Electoral Commissione, REC, in Lagos State, Olusegun Agbaje, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will continue with its logistics arrangement for the elections commencing this Saturday. Recall that Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, restrained INEC from engaging the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, or any of its commercial bus drivers in the distribution of election materials for the February 25 and March 11 polls. The parties filed the suit, marked FHC/L/CS/271/2023, alongside their governorship candidates in Lagos — Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (LP); Funsho Doherty (ADC), and Wale Oluwo (Boot Party).…