The Benue state police have arraigned a 45-year-old man identified as Jeremiah Ode, at a Makurdi Magistrate Court for cannibalism.

Ode, from Igwe Ochekpo in Oju Local Government Area, who was caught eating the head of a woman he allegedly killed on her farm, is being prosecuted at a Makurdi Magistrate Court, for the gruesome murder of Priscilla Adoga, 65.

Inspector Omaye Ujata, the Prosecuting Police Officer, told the court that the incident which occurred on Friday, August 19, was reported to the police by Silas Igiri of Oju Local Government Area.

According to Igiri’s report, the accused went to the farm where his uncle’s wife, Priscilla, was working and killed her using a machete.

After severing Priscilla’s head, he prepared pepper soup with it right there on the spot and was eating it when he was caught.

Sources in the community told newsmen that, when Priscilla did not return from the farm at the normal time, her relatives went in search of her, only to find Jeremiah, known in the community to be mentally deranged, having a meal of the woman’s head.

When asked why he did that, Jeremiah reportedly said he only started with the head after which he would proceed to her body.

When asked by the Police to give his account of the incident, Jeremiah reportedly narrated how he and Priscilla fought each other with their machetes until he overpowered her.

A Benue blog, Stateflash posited that “the police considered the narration too normal to be that of a mad man and, therefore, decided to prosecute him.

“Although the Prosecutor told the court that the accused has confessed to committing the crime, no plea was taken, for want of jurisdiction”.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Regina Alagh, therefore, ordered that the accused be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Makurdi.

Although the court declined jurisdiction to hear the case, the accused pleaded guilty of the charge, when the case was mentioned.

The case has been adjourned to November 11, for legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice.

President Muhammadu Buhari has been told to tender a public apology to Nigerians for failing them.
 
A group under the auspices of the Middle Belt United Assembly (MBUA) said Buhari should apologize over the level of hardship and insecurity in the country, accusing him of not fulfilling his campaign promises.
 
The group recalled that Buhari in 2015, promised to secure Nigerians and improve their wellbeing, lamenting that the economy, security and other aspects of life became worse under his administration.
 
Speaking with journalists in Kaduna, on Thursday, the group’s President, Comrade Moses Mwarga Aji explained that Nigerians are experiencing the worst of their lives by going to bed with empty stomachs as the price of food and other products in the market had doubled compared to what the President inherited in 2015.
 
Aji noted that even with much hunger in the land, Nigerians, especially in the Northern region, were in total fear of the unknown and could no longer do anything to earn a living following the insecurity ravaging communities.
 
He explained, “We call on President Buhari to tender a public apology to Nigerians over his failed promises on security, economy, and fighting corruption. From bad in 2015 to worse now.”
 
He called on the international community to mount pressure on President Buhari to secure the nation and conduct free and fair elections in 2023 that would usher in credible leaders that will move the country forward.
 
He lamented that, “The nation is in suspense over the fate of 2023 general elections as some prominent Nigerians are expressing fears that elections may not be held because of insecurity. Elections must be held as planned, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Nigerians will not accept postponement of elections.

“President Buhari should leave a legacy behind for Nigerians. The way things stand now in the country, Nigerians may not remember Mr. President when he leaves office. They may remember him only when insecurity, corruption, hardship are mentioned. Please, Mr President, use the remaining few months to correct and reset Nigeria on the path of progress, unity and development.”

 
The Parents Teachers’ Association of Nigeria has denied saying parents are ready to contribute 10, 000 naira each in order for Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to end the 6 months strike.
 
Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, the National President of the association, in a statement, distanced the group from the claim.
 
Recall that the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, another association had suggested the payment in order to make ASUU call off the strike.
 
Reacting, Danjuma explained that the PTA was not aware of the statement and warned anybody or group of people from using their name to cause confusion in the country.
 
According to him, “We are not involved in any statement related to paying money to ASUU for them to call-off the on-going strike.”
 
He added, “Our stand since the inception of the strike is for both the ASUU and the federal government to come to an agreement, which is to end the strike but not to contribute money to pay ASUU.”
 
While still appealing to federal government to listen to the demand of ASUU, the President of PTA also begged the federal government to rescue all kidnapped secondary school students and other Nigerians across the country that are still in bandits’ captivity.
 
Danjuma decried the current situation in Yawuri, where kidnapped female students are still in bandits’ captivity for over 400 days.

An intense fire incident has been recorded at Owode Onirin in Ikorodu area of Lagos and is now being combated by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.

 PUNCH Metro reports that the fire, which started around 7:40 pm on Thursday has razed shops in the area of the state.

According to reports on its Twitter page, @LagosRescue, the arrival of the firefighters met well alight and subdued in record time leaving only a few shops affected.

The statement read, “Among the multitude of the automobile spare parts section of the market, there was neither case of injury nor death as damping down of the echelon of fire continues to bring the firefighting into conclusion.

“The cause of the fire will subsequently be investigated thereafter.”

The students identified as Chukwuemeka and Festus Pedro were reportedly abducted around at Eke market in Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State around 8pm.

According to a report by The PUNCH, the two students of the Nigerian Law School, Agbani, Enugu State Campus who were abducted have regained freedom.

They were kidnapped last Wednesday but have now been released.

The students identified as Chukwuemeka and Festus Pedro were reportedly abducted around at Eke market in Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State around 8pm.

Sources said they went to the market to buy foodstuff before they were ambushed by the gunmen.

However, they regained their freedom eight days after their abduction.

The PUNCH could not independently ascertain whether a ransom was paid or not.

The gunmen had shortly after their kidnap demanded N50 million as ransom before they would be released.

A student who didn’t want name mentioned told The PUNCH that the kidnapped students have returned to the campus on Thursday evening.

He said, “The kidnapped boys have returned. We don’t know if ransome was paid or if they escaped. We just know they ran into school tattered.

“And we’re required to go around with our ID cards. We now have armed men permanently on school.”

Another source from the Law Campus said, “The Nigerian law school students that were kidnapped some days ago had been released by their abductors early hour of this morning.

“The victims were released after ransom had been paid by their family members. Remember the students were kidnapped on 17th day of August at Eke market, Agbeni, Enugu near the campus.”

Meanwhile, the state police command has remained silent since their abduction. Neither the state Commissioner of Police nor the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, could pick their calls or respond to text messages.

The film producer wished she could turn back the hands of time and treat her late father better than she had done.

Omoni Oboli, the popular actress, has expressed regret over the treatment of her late father.

The film producer wished she could turn back the hands of time and treat her late father better than she had done.

Omoni Oboli stated on her walk that morning, she broke down in tears because she misses her dad.

She lost her father in May, 2017 to an auto accident.

The mum of three with siblings buried him in style on June 2, 2017 in Mosogar, Delta State.

The burial ceremony was attended by different Nollywood stars, including Chioma Akpotha, Ufuoma McDermott and Kene Mkparu of FilmHouse.

Her father, Chief Matthew Eriyovwe Ukey, worked as a Commissioner at the Delta State Civil Service Commission.

The ‘Wives on Strike’ cast blamed herself for not checking up on him daily before his demise.

She advised her millions of fans to always check up on their parents daily.

She wrote on Instagram: “On my walk this morning, I started crying because I miss my dad. I thought to myself, I could have called him everyday and told him I loved him everyday.

“Show your parents all the love you can everyday cos one day, you would wish you could give it all up for just one more day!

“I wish…just one more day! Give them all the love you can while you still have them.”

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Her touching post stirred emotions of fans who took to her comment section to mourn their dead parents and those whose parent were still alive promised to start checking up on them often.

iluoberamatu stated: ” I just called my mum after reading your post, reassuring her of my love and gratitude.”

omonioladasmola_1 said: ” I miss my dad everyday.”

ruthantonia_ wrote: “Same way I miss my mom everyday I ensure I speak to my brothers daily, they’re all I’ve got.”

faithihuefo stated: ” I miss you dad but as for my mom I call her everyday, she’s all I got.”

kyautagiwa said: “We still love them even in death.”

helenj2014 stated: “So true I can relate. Miss my mom so much. Wish I could have been a better daughter.”

Don Jazzy in a post on his social media accounts, indicated that all upcoming artistes should always post their videos on their social media accounts to get noticed by him.

Micheal Collins Ajereh, the popular Nigerian record producer and founder of Mavin Records, who is popularly known as Don Jazzy, has given some advice to up-and-coming artistes.

The music executive disclosed how he met and signed many artistes on his record label.

Don Jazzy in a post on his social media accounts, indicated that all upcoming artistes should always post their videos on their social media accounts to get noticed by him.

He posted screenshots of three of the budding artistes – Avra, Boyspyce and Bayanni –  he reached out to.

He wrote, “Dear upcoming artists, from these 3 screenshots, you can see that I reached out to Ayra, Boyspyce and Bayanni myself. I won’t have reached out to them if I didn’t see a sample of what they can do on their Instagram pages. For the umpteenth time, showcase yourself on your page. I know it seems uncool to post a lot. But then again you would be an uncool artist if it’s only your family that gets to hear your beautiful music till you give up.

Love from The Don. ”
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The National Association of Nigerian Students has warned the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN to forget about its proposal to the federal government.
 
NANS warned NAPTAN not to drag parents into the fight between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the federal government.
 
NAPTAN had proposed each parent should be made to pay N10, 000 per student to support university education in the country.
 
However, the National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television kicked against the move.
 
Osodeke was reacting to the statement by the National Public Relations Officer of NAPTAN, Dr Ademola Ekundayo, who said in Osogbo on Tuesday that the body had written to the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, proposing the levy as a means of parents supporting the government in funding university education.
 
“What parents should do is to also join ASUU and others in putting pressure on the government to do the needful and fund education at all levels the way it should be funded. Why is it that it is only education that they don’t have money to spend on? They have more than enough public money to spend on themselves and their families.

“We cannot be calling ourselves the giant of Africa and we will be lagging behind countries such as Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana and others in education. Our people are spending billions of dollars getting educated in those places.

“It is the government that should get its priorities right. If they accord education the attention its deserves, things would be well,” he said.
 
Speaking to Vanguard on the issue, the National President of NAPTAN, Alhaji Haruna Danjuma, said he was not aware of the proposal.
 
“We all want our children to resume as soon as possible and we are also ready to take steps to put an end to the ongoing strike. However, I am not aware of the proposed N10,000 Support Levy. The person who said that did not inform me and it was not discussed by the national leadership of the association.

“Be that as it may, such a levy would only add to the burden of parents, some of whom are reeling under the yoke of the economic downturn in tbe country. Moreover, would the money be paid to accounts of universities and who manages it? Or is that the government would add it to the fees being charged the students? I have received lots of calls from parents complaining about it,” he said.
 
Also commenting, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Stephen Tegbe, told Vanguard  that more burdens should not be piled on parents.

“Universities are not primary or secondary schools where you have PTA levy. Our parents should not be dragged into this mess. Education is the right of the citizens and government should not derelict in the discharge of its duties. If the government can find money to do things like the payment of numerous allowances to public officers, it should find means of doing the needful in this regard,” he said.
 
Recall that Ekundayo was quoted as saying NAPTAN had written Adamu, proposing the levy as a way to support the funding of university education in Nigeria.
 
ASUU has been on strike since February 14, this year and may not call off the action during its scheduled National Executive Council meeting next week going by feelers from the branches of the union.
 
This is just as non-academic staff unions in the university system have called off their own actions.
 
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions, and the National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, have suspended their strikes.
 

The National Association of Nigerian Students doesn't have the ability to resolve the ongoing strike.
 
President of NANS, Sunday Ashefon said this on Thursday.
 
Ashefon disclosed this during the 40th anniversary of NANS which was held at the National Universities Commission in Abuja.
 
He said, “Perhaps the tertiary education sector in Nigeria is faced with one of the strongest tests in our history in the last few years. We have witnessed the total collapse of the sector as a result of the incessant strike.

“This challenge alone is bigger than what any NANS administration could resolve. However, our nation’s education system is on the brink and the entire nation must rise to the rescue. Where we go from here as a nation is dependent on how we collectively gather the crackers of the collapsing education system and rebuild it together as a nation.

“Nigeria does not belong here, our tertiary education system does not belong here and this is already taking its tore on the nation’s economy, security, and faith of the young people in the nation and its education system. We all must rise to the rescue.

“As we celebrate today, let us remember that we are only gathered here because education is part of our story and life, we must therefore do all it takes to ensure this part of our national life does not become a story of the past”.
 
The PUNCH reports that NANS is the umbrella body of all Nigerian students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the diaspora.
 
The body has come under fire by stakeholders who have accused it of not pressuring the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to find lasting solutions to incessant strikes in Nigerian universities.

The University’s academic secretary, Abdulazeez Salihu, in a circular dated 24th August, 2022, had announced that academic activities will resume in the University.

Staff members of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA) have been told to stay at home.
 
This is as the university on Wednesday denied suspending the Academic Staff Union of Universities ongoing national strike.
 
The University’s academic secretary, Abdulazeez Salihu, in a circular dated 24th August, 2022, had announced that academic activities will resume in the University.
 
But, the ASUU chairman in the State, Comrade Yale Ibrahim said no academic staff will resume as announced by the University’s academic secretary until the strike is called off at the national level.
 
Ibrahim said: ”We want to state here that the University is still on strike and that no academic staff will resume on that date as contained in the letter.”
 
He directed all academic staff to comply by staying at home until the National body of ASUU suspends the strike.

“ASUU, KSUSTA remains firm on their stand to continue with the National strike till further notice,” he said.

Recall that reports emerged on Wednesday revealing that Nyesom Wike and the APC presidential candidate met in London, UK.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been slammed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders over his reported meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.
 
It was widely reported on Wednesday that Wike and the APC presidential candidate met in London, UK.
 
A source revealed that Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, were part of the meeting from the Tinubu camp, while Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo) attended the discussion from the Wike camp.
 
Reacting to the report of the meeting between Wike and Tinubu, the PDP leaders expressed concern about the growing relationship between Wike and influential members of the APC.
 
Speaking to The PUNCH, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees and former governor of Plateau state, Fidelis Tapgun, described Wike’s meeting with Tinubu as “anti-party activity.’’
 
He wondered how Wike would be in the PDP and keep ‘romancing with the opposition politicians.’
 
While stating that the PDP owns Wike, he urged the Rivers State Governor to stop acting like he owned the party.
 
He added, “If not that some of us want reconciliation in the party, he should have been disciplined long ago. I expect him to know this and stop making things difficult for the PDP in its quest to liberate Nigerians from the bad governance foisted on them by the ruling All Progressives Congress.”
 
On his part, another BoT member, Ebenezer Babatope, said he was not comfortable with the rift between Wike and Atiku and asked them to bury the hatchet.
 
He stated, “I’m not comfortable with what is happening, and I am surprised that Nyesom Wike is taking the line he is taking. I don’t understand, but I do appeal to all of them, both Wike and others, to shelve their problems and allow the party to win the elections.

“They have nothing to gain by prolonging the crisis in a manner that will enable the opposition to have a strong hand. I do hope that Wike will realise that this issue is already taking a toll on the enthusiasm of the members of the PDP.

“I want to appeal to him. I heard the news that he went to attend a meeting with Bola Tinubu somewhere. That is very sad, and I hope they are not going to carry it into a kind of situation whereby there will be no solution.

“We have suffered in this country, and the people in this country need a change. I am not saying Wike is wrong in meeting anyone, but he has been a loyal PDP man, let him continue to be a loyal PDP man. He has nothing to gain by romancing the opposition.’’
 
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with Atiku Abubakar’s choice of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.
 
He noted, “I didn’t quite support the governor of Delta State to be a running mate; I was one of those who supported Wike, and that is because I worked with him when he was a minister.

“I know him to be a very hardworking young man but to go ahead and hold a meeting with Bola Tinubu beats my imagination. If he thinks he can destroy the PDP by that, then good luck to him.”

The former governorship aspirant in Rivers State declared his unflinching support of the Niger Delta people for Atiku and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

Governor Nyesom Wike has been told that he does not have monopoly of votes in Rivers state.
 
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member of the House of Representatives from Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency in Rivers State, Hon. Farah Dagogo said this while warning the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, not to be deceived by any politicians claiming he can influence Niger-Delta votes.
 
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Lawal, Dagogo said no one could order anyone around on who to vote or not, no matter how highly placed such an individual is.
 
The former governorship aspirant in Rivers State declared his unflinching support of the Niger Delta people for Atiku and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
 
While dismissing talks of protest votes against the PDP, Dagogo said a 10-million-man march for the presidential hopeful was being planned in the region.
 
According to the lawmaker, whose arrest was allegedly ordered by Governor Nyesom Wike, the 10-million-man march would be held in the coming days across the Niger Delta states to galvanize the people further and prove to naysayers that the region was for PDP.
 
He stated that the Niger Delta had been a traditional stronghold of the PDP from 1999 to date, and 2023 would not be an exception.
 
Dagogo said, “Let no one be deceived. Conducting elections in Nigeria has metamorphosed. The voting power is with the people. No one can order anyone around on who to vote or not, no matter how highly placed, because the people are the deciders with their PVCs and votes.
 
“PDP has been true and fair to our people. It was by the means of this party that we clinched the president seat in this country through our son, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, among several other benefits.
 
“We are at an advanced stage in plans for a 10-million-man march for Atiku and Okowa across the states of the Niger Delta, particularly Rivers State. We have spoken with the people, those that will vote, the real voters with PVCs, not political sycophants, and we have been able to galvanize a lot of them.”
 
Wike, while speaking at the commissioning of the remodeled Waterlines Building in Port Harcourt on August 17th, stated that he would tell Rivers State people who to vote for.
 
He said, “we will tell you those you will vote for, I know, and I will tell you who is who.
 
“Most of you don’t know, there are those who want to come here to just want to be governor with no agenda.
 
“Rivers State has done a lot of things for us, we owe Rivers state a lot. Personally, I owe this state a lot for giving me the opportunity, and I will not allow this state to go astray and run into the hands of armed robbers. I will not allow it.”

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said it is ready to form an alliance with other political parties.
 
NNPP is Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso's party and he's the presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.
 
The National Chairman of the NNPP, Prof. Rufa’I Alkali spoke about the alliance at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday.
 
Recall that the party had failed to secure a merger with Peter Obi’s Labour Party due to diverging views on who would become the presidential candidate.
 
Speaking on the condition of an alliance with any political party, Alkali insisted that any negotiation must not come with the condition that the party’s presidential candidate would step down for the candidate of the negotiating party.
 
He insisted that the ally must share the same values with the NNPP and such merger must be on equality of partners.
 
He said: “Parties who want to discuss with the NNPP must do so as an equal partner and must share our views on the future of the country.
 
“All parties are equal before the law.
 
“We are talking about the future of Nigeria.”
 
The chairman noted the lack of sophistication in political negotiations in Nigeria.
 
According to him, people should not come to a negotiation with sole option that Kwankwaso, should step down for them.

A member of the victim's family, who spoke to newsmen, narrated how the gunmen in their numbers wielding sophisticated weapons invaded the community and abducted the victims from two compounds.

Five family members have been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Bukpe community of Wako Ward in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The victims identified as Ibrahim Dakwoi Bukpe, Monica Ibrahim, John Dakwoi Bukpe, Yabuku Dakwoi Bukpea and Margaret Yakubu, were abducted around 9 pm on Monday, August 22.

A member of the victim's family, who spoke to newsmen, narrated how the gunmen in their numbers wielding sophisticated weapons invaded the community and abducted the victims from two compounds.

According to the family member, he was also captured but when they trekked some distance away from the village, the bandits asked if he could raise the ransom for all the other victims and when he said yes, they asked him to go back home.

The Village Head of Bukpe, Alhaji Hasan Shamdozhi, confirmed the incident; “I just entered my house not more than 10 minutes when I heard gunshots across the community. Later a report came to me that five people from the same family were abducted.” he said

He said the attack on the community was the fourth within the last one year, while appealing to the government to come to the aid of his people by providing them with security.

Defying the guild’s directive, Moses took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to share photos of himself at a movie location.

Nollywood actor, Moses Armstrong who was granted bail over an alleged r*pe case has returned to the movie set despite being suspended by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

The Abuja Connection actor was suspended by the guild after he was arrested in June for allegedly r*ping a minor. He was thereafter charged with r*pe, intimidation, conspiracy, and supplying of drugs or instruments to procure ab*rtion.

The AGN had said Armstrong will remain suspended pending when the police round up the investigation on the matter.

Defying the guild’s directive, Moses took to his Facebook page on Wednesday to share photos of himself at a movie location.

According to the actor who was recently granted bail, the movie is titled A Walk Away. It also features fellow Akwa Ibom actor Okon Lagos.

“My First Movie Set After My Incarceration. #BackStrongerBetterAndLouder…. #AWalkAway… The Movie. Director… John Henry Offixial.Producer…. #ImaobongUdoh,” he captioned the photos.

After his release on bail, Moses took to Facebook to celebrate and thank those who stood by him during the ordeal. He also denied the r*pe allegation.

He wrote: “Nothing Pass God. If you believe, you will receive. Nothing Pass God. I did not rape anybody. I don’t rape. I have never r*ped. And I will never r*pe. I’m back stronger and better…

“I’m happy I went to prison, God went with me. The experience is awesome. You will hear it soon. Blessings to all of you Angels that believed in me. Love you all deeply.”

Some aggrieved senators under the All Progressives Congress have revealed their plans ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Fifteen senators planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) have revealed their next line of action.
 
According to TheNation, the senators have now decided to dump the idea following intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari.
 
The legislators have also agreed to work for the victory of the party in the 2023 general election.
 
The ruling party assured the aggrieved lawmakers of rehabilitation with executive appointments if the party wins the 2023 presidential election.
 
The reconciliation would see the APC hold unto the majority in the Senate, with no threat to the leadership structure in the apex chamber.
 
One of the aggrieved senators, who spoke with The Nation, said, “With the assurances from President Buhari, some select leaders of the party and the APC leadership, we have decided to stay in our party and wait for how they will address our grievances.

“We have got only a pledge that we will be compensated with Executive appointments after our party wins the 2023 election. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken on this promise.

“The intervention of the President and some credible APC leaders raised our hope that our party will walk the talk after our victory in the general election.

“So far, only two senators among us have opted to leave APC or distance themselves from the electoral activities of the party.”
 
A senator from the Northcentral said, “The only viable option for us was PDP but, the opposition party did not offer us anything. Even when we thought PDP would concede some legislative slots, it didn’t.

“We cannot be ball boys in PDP. The option of the PDP was worsened by the internal crisis in the party since Atiku Abubakar became the presidential candidate of the party.

“I think most of us have faith in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s candidacy than Atiku of PDP. We are hopeful that APC will compensate for our loyalty. We have made up our mind to work for the success of APC at the poll in 2023.”

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) has sent a heartwarming message to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, on his 66th birthday.
 
Recall that the Sultan who is the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) celebrated his 66th birthday on Wednesday.
 
In a series of tweets via his verified Twitter handle, Obi described the prominent monarch as a man who embodies humility and wisdom, adding that he stands as a bridge builder.
 
The former Anambra State Governor appreciated the Sultan for using his exalted position to pursue peace, progress and development of the nation.
 
Obi prayed that Allah’s blessings and mercy be upon him as he celebrated his birthday in good health, peace and happiness.
 
He wrote: “On this day, I am delighted to celebrate a great Nigerian; the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, on the occasion of his 66th birthday.
 
“Leadership in Nigeria with many diverse cultures, religions and interests remains challenging. But as a man who embodies humility and wisdom, he stands as a bridge builder and uses his exalted position to pursue peace, progress and development of the nation.
 
“May Allah’s blessings and mercy be upon you as you add a year to your age today! May you enjoy the rest of your years in good health, peace and happiness.”

On this day, I am delighted to celebrate a great Nigerian; the Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, on the occasion of his 66th birthday. pic.twitter.com/GKSPZY201B

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 24, 2022

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has denied claims that it is planning to collapse its party’s structure for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
 
The National Chairman of the NNPP, Professor Rufai Alkali made the clarification while speaking at a press conference in Lagos State on Wednesday.
 
Alkali said the party wouldn’t back another candidate aside from Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, its presidential candidate.
 
NNPP chairman was reacting to speculations that the supporters of Senator Kwankwaso were in talks with Tinubu.
 
Alkali stated that the fast-growing NNPP was not ready to surrender its legitimacy as a duly registered political party to any other party.
 
According to the party chairman, the room for mergers among political parties had already closed.
 
Rufai said the party remains a veritable alternative for the APC and PDP, adding that any alliance with any of the parties ahead of the election would be based on equal partnership.
 

He said candidates’ agenda should also be scrutinised “so as to know what we are going into before we get into it.”

Former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has warned Nigerians against electing incompetent leaders.
 
He spoke on Wednesday, arguing that Nigerians should elect leaders be based on competence and not ethnicity.
 
He said candidates’ agenda should also be scrutinised “so as to know what we are going into before we get into it.”
 
Sanusi spoke at The August Event 2022 organised by the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation in collaboration with St Nicholas Hospitals held in Lagos.
 
The event tagged, “Nigerian Healthcare System: The Past, Present and Future; celebrating the legacy of Chief Dr Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi,” is held every two years to celebrate the legacy of MAMF founder’s passion for growth and development in healthcare and education.
 
Sanusi, who was the chairman of the event, said, “Political aspirants should also be asked of their plans for hospitals and education amongst other key undeveloped areas in the country.
 
“The government has lost respect for the profession and no amount invested into education can be gotten back in salaries in this country. Doctors and teachers deserve a decent life and respect.
 
“Education and healthcare are the basic foundation for the development of a nation, and the rate of brain drain is high because prepared budgets in the health and education sectors have been embezzled and mismanaged.
 
“In 2016, 18 % of inflation was recorded which made the price of everything on average to double every four years. A bag of rice which sold for N8, 000 in 2015, now cost N35,000.
 
“In 2011, a debate was held right here in this same venue about fuel subsidy. We did everything within our powers to tell Nigerians to cater first for priorities, but we now spend a borrowed N6.7trn on fuel subsidy which will continue until June 2023.
 
“Inflation, exchange rates, cheap fuel that is not produced by our refineries all create negative impacts, and are also a brain drain of the economy which cannot be addressed in isolation.”

Emejuru said although he supported Buhari in 2015 he was convinced that he has performed below expectation.

Mr. Chris Emejuru, a member of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), has slammed the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said after seven and half years in power, the administration of President Buhari will end up as the most corrupt, incompetent, and unprepared administration in Nigeria’s history.

Emejuru said although he supported Buhari in 2015 he was convinced that he has performed below expectation.

While speaking with select journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the ADP chieftain noted that there were no relevant policies to tame the high rate of inflation where the average Nigerian could barely afford to eat or put fuel in their car.

Emejuru further lamented that persistent strikes in critical sectors like health and education have forced medical professionals to leave the country for greener pastures, while the dreams of future lawyers, doctors, scientists, and many more career paths are put on hold due to the government’s complacency.

He further decried that increasing poverty and lack of economic opportunities are devastating individuals and families throughout Nigeria.

Emejuru states: “I supported the APC in 2015 at the time because like most Nigerians, we wanted to see the incoming administration do well. Unfortunately, as you can see, they have lived woefully below expectations.

“Buhari rose on the platform of change but will end up having one of the most corrupt, incompetent, and unprepared administrations in Nigeria’s history.”

Emejuru stressed that ahead of the 2023 elections, some of the qualities every Nigerian should look out for in a presidential candidate are character, compassion, and intellect.

He explained that character is being who you are when no one else sees it; being upright and being a good person; being the best person you can be.

According to him, “This leads to compassion. Caring about your citizens, caring about people regardless of who they are or where they are from. Finally, with these two traits, you need intellect to deliver. Having knowledge and wisdom acquired, you are well equipped to tackle any of the challenges you may confront. But let me add one more virtue and that is humility.”