Over 20 people are feared dead just before the commencement of a programme organised by a new generation church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Though, the church known as ‘Kings Assembly’ is located in the GRA axis of the state capital, the programme was at the Polo Club in the to accomodate the usual large congregation
A witness stated that the incident occurred during the church’s gift and food items distribution to celebrate its fourth anniversary.
According to the source, people arrived since Friday while others arrived as early as 6.30am this morning for an event that was supposed to start by 9am.
He said some persons who were supposed to have a sports session arrived at about 8am and opened the small gate which gave the surging crowd an opportunity to force their way in, resulting in the stampede.
“The incident happened this morning. The church invited people for it’s fourth edition of food and gift items distribution. Some came since Friday while many others came as early as 6.30am on Saturday.
“Those who were engaged in sporting activities opened the small gate and the surging crowd wanted to gain access through the small gate and got stampeded. I counted about 21 one dead bodies on the ground,” he said.
He said many victims had been taken to an undisclosed hospital in Port Harcourt.
The acting spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident to newsmen, but could not give a figure just yet.
“I am doing a press statement on the incident. It would be released soon,” she stated.
Yellow, a thirty year old turtle that fifteen years ago arrived at the Sea Life Aquarium in Benalmádena (Málaga) from the Cayman Islands, has predicted that Liverpool will win the Champions League final against Real Madrid today in Paris.
The keepers of this animal have prepared two containers about two meters apart with a broccoli leaf in each one – which represented the rivals in this final – and, when it was lowered into the pond where the turtle was, it went to its left side, where there was the image of the English team.
Paul the octopus
The turtle aspires to become the best student of other visionary animals, such as Paul the octopus, who rose to fame in 2010 after correctly predicting eight matches of the 2010 World Cup, including Spain’s victory over the Netherlands in the Final played in Johannesburg (South Africa) on July 11.
The marketing director of Sea Life Benalmádena, María Morondo, pointed out that Yellow, who weighs more than 100 kilos, is “the star of the Jurassic tunnel” and many visitors ask about him, although she hopes that on this occasion the animal is wrong so that the Spanish team led by Carlo Ancelotti wins.
The choice of Yellow, who has prowled for several minutes both broccoli leaves without opting for any of them in a clear sign that it will be a hotly contested final, has left the aquarium workers upset, who expected the turtle to choose the food with the image of Real Madrid.
Liverpool goes for revenge
Real Madrid and Liverpool meet again in the Champions League Final, as happened in 2018, when the Spanish team defeated the English side 3-1 with two goals from Gareth Bale and one from Karim Benzema, while Liverpool’s goal was scored by Sadio Mané.
The media office of the former governor of Rivers state and presidential aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Nigeria’s apex court (Supreme Court ) today ruled on the appeal filed by Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry.
The Supreme Court in dismissing the Appeal however pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was mere investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel.
In a statement sent to Vanguard, Amaechi’s media office stated that “The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial. The implication of this is that any indictment from the Commission is null and void and cannot stand.
With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission. It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand.
“From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi. The apex court judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A Commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi.”
With less than 24 hours to go, the presidential primary election of the People’s Democratic is being dogged by protests as governors and state chairmen have reportedly taken the delegates out of the reach of aspirants by lodging them in designated hotels.
Some of the aspirants are said to have protested to the leadership of the party.
The governors and state chairmen have kept a grip on the delegates because the initial delegates are being replaced with “recruited delegates” to do specific bidding.
In one of the hotels at Wuse Zone 4 visited by THE WHISTLER after a tip off, delegates were asked not to go out , with one confiding in our correspondent that they were asked to switch off their phones.
When our correspondent visited in the guise of being a relative to greet one of the delegates, he revealed that he was invited as a delegate even though he was not elected.
He explained in local dialect that “You know these people, I was called as former leader of the party to prepare that I was a delegate. Some of the elected delegates have been paid off.”
He pointed out that a hotel far bigger than theirs had its rooms booked for delegates from two states for one aspirants with financial war chest.
When our correspondent visited the hotel, which is also located at Wuse Zone 4, and saw delegates discussing among themselves but they did not accept to identify themselves.
Former Governor of Anambra State and presidential aspirant, Peter Obi has officially joined the Labour Party.
Naija News reports that this development comes two days after he resigned his membership from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that Obi had dumped the PDP a few days before its presidential primary slated for May 29 and 30 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, Obi said he resigned his membership due to the recent developments in the opposition party.
In a statement on his official Twitter page on Friday, Obi announced his defection to the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
The former governor said he joined the party because it is in line with his aspirations and mantra of taking the country from consumption to production.
Obi said he pitched his tent with Labour Party which he said is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.
The former governor thanked all Nigerians, especially the youths who have joined him in the mission of taking back and reuniting Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged his followers and all Nigerians to join him in taking back the country, promising not to disappoint them.
He said: “I thank all Nigerians, especially our youths who have joined me in the mission of taking back and reuniting Nigeria. This project is yours and for the future of your children. I am just a facilitator.
“Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles, I have consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination.
“For me, the process of achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.
“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family. I invite all Nigerians to join me in taking back our country. Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”
Obi registered as a member of the Labour party in Agulu Ward 2 in Anambra on Friday to the admiration of his supporters.
He is expected to pick the presidential form and participate in the party’s presidential primary election slated for next week Tuesday in Abuja.
A three-time gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka has finally dropped his ambition to run for Ogun West Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to reports, Isiaka popularly known as GNI has opted for the ticket of House of Representatives seat for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency.
It learnt that the decision was taken by the leadership of the party amid last minute political intrigues, apparently to clear the coast for the Lagos West Senator, Olamilekan Adeola who is seeking the APC ticket for Ogun West Senate.
The development followed high level political scheming and power play, it was learnt.
Isiaka and Adeola popularly known as Yayi have been at the loggerheads over the senatorial ticket of APC.
Other contestants are, the incumbent Senator representing the Ogun West, Tolu Odebiyi and a three time House of Representatives member, Isiak Abiodun Akinlade.
While Akinlade has also been reportedly handed over the ticket of the Yewa South/Ipokia federal constituency, Odebiyi who belongs to the former Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s APC bloc would be slugging it out with Adeola in the Saturday’s senatorial primaries.
Isiaka’s Media Aide, Bolaji Adeniji confirmed to Daily Trust that his principal had dropped from the senatorial race.
“Existential realities and Negotiation at the highest level of the party necessitated the change from Senate to Rep seat,” he told our correspondent.
Adeniji added that Isiaka had “won the Rep seat (ticket) this afternoon
and he is already the Candidate.”
When asked if Isiaka actually obtained House of Representatives nomination form along side the Senatorial form, Adeniji responded “Not really. The National leadership of the party did the necessary Housekeeping. You recall I told you its a negotiation at the highest level.”
Also, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi confirmed that he had withdrawn from the House of Representatives race for Isiaka.
Adekunbi in a statement personally signed on Friday said “Taya Kyle once said “sometimes you will think you can’t take it another day. But if you hang in there, one step at a time, you will be able to accomplish more than you ever imagine”.
“On this note, I want to appreciate you all for your support in the course of my consultation, for the position of the House of Representatives of Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency.
“The leadership of the party has decided to field another person on this note, I congratulate my brother Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), I wish him the best in the General Election.
“I will never be able to thank you all enough, who have contributed in little measure to the success we achieved. May God bless you all in return.
“I hereby thank our leader and Governor, H. E. (Prince) Dapo Abiodun MFR and our National leader, H. E. Aremo Olusegun Osoba for their unwavering support.
“On this note, I urge my Supporters in Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency to join hands with those Candidates to deliver an overwhelming support to the party.
“The difference between where we are now and where we are going is time.
“May we see more of us, as we walk into the future.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been cleared to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Justice Isa Hamma Dashen of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa gave the ruling on Friday.
The presiding judge ruled that the former President is eligible to contest the 2023 presidency.
He also held that Jonathan’s right to vie for the office of president again cannot be stopped by any retroactive law.
Recall that Jonathan was inaugurated as Nigeria’s President in 2010 following the death of his principal, late Umaru Yar’Adua.
In 2015, while running for another term, a court ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest as his first inauguration was done to complete Yar’Adua’s tenure.
However, in 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the fourth alteration of the 1999 Constitution which bars Vice Presidents who succeed their principals from serving more than one full term.
However, in an origination summons filed by Andy Solomon and Idibiye Abraham, the plaintiffs are seeking an order of the court stating that Jonathan is not affected by the fourth alteration.
The plaintiffs requested an accelerated hearing via a motion ex parte which was granted by Justice Isa Dashen to allow Jonathan to participate in the APC primary slated for Sunday, May 30.
Having been granted the permission to contest the APC presidential primary, Jonathan will slug it out with the likes of the APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Ahmad Lawan; the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Dave Umahi, Governor Ben Ayade, Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Governor Badaru Abubakar, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and among others should he eventually join the race.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has repaid his longtime Personal Assistant and Political Associate, Uba Sani, with the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2023 governorship election in the state.
The primary election which held on Thursday and dragged into the early hour of Friday saw Sani, who is a senator representing Kaduna Central, as the winner.
Sani polled 1,149 votes to defeat two others – Hon Sani Sha’aban, who got 10 votes and Hon Bashir Abubakar, who scored 37 votes respectively.
There were 39 invalid votes.
Sani was Governor el-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Politics, and his Personal Assistant when he served as Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo.
THE WHISTLER reports that both have remained close since then.
El-Rufai is seeking a loyal successor as his reign finishes in 2023.
Sani had earlier been chosen among several aides to the governor and was subsequently anointed by the former minister.
Another close political associate of the governor who was a former Chief of Staff, and a two-time Commissioner for Budget and Planning under his administration, Mohammed Abdullahi, popularly known as Dattijo, was urged by the governor to pick the form for Senate to represent Kaduna Central.
Dattijo, who was earlier touted as the anointed candidate of the governor, subsequently picked the senatorial form.
Sani is into his third year of first term in the Senate.
Ace broadcaster and owner of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, has been released by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Hamzat was released on bail to his lawyers early this morning (Friday).
Recall that this newspaper had reported that Hamzat, who had consistently advocated for justice in a murder case involving Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife owner, Chief Rahman Adedoyin, was arrested on Thursday morning.
The police claimed that the Ibadan-based broadcaster ignored their invitation severally, stating that the broadcaster is under investigation.
Agidigbo 88.7FM and Hamzat’s supporters had complained that the media entrepreneur was whisked to Abuja by officers of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) over his call for justice on the murder of a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Timothy Adegoke.
His arrest had elicited the #FreeOriyomiHamzat hashtag on social media.
The reason why presidential aspirant and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi dumped the Peoples Democratic Party has emerged.
It was gathered that some governors elected on the platform of the main opposition party showed him the door after a high-wire game of intrigues, and conspiracy.
There had been speculations that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar might pick Obi who was his running mate in the 2019 presidential election as his vice presidential candidate in 2023.
The decision was reached after Obi noticed that the party was not ready to zone it presidential ticket to the south-east.
However, some governors in the party had threatened not to support the presidential ambition of Atiku if he does not select one of them as his running mate.
This led to the high wire game of intrigues and conspiracy against the former Governor of Anambra State and forcing him out of the party to find another platform where he would express his presidential ambition.
A source that spoke with Vanguard on the issue said, “Obi was hoping to emerge as the running mate to Atiku again since the PDP, from all indications, is not ready to cede the presidency to the South-East.
“However, most of the PDP governors said they will back Atiku if he makes one of them his running mate. This led to a highwire conspiracy against Obi in the PDP. So he had to look elsewhere to pursue his aspirations.”
Recall that Obi claimed that he was quitting the PDP because the party had made it impossible for him to continue to contribute to nation-building on its platform.
