Author: Samuel Akpenpuun

Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has claimed that if not for the “Peter Obi effect,” he would have emerged victorious over Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the 2023 Lagos State governorship election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate argued that the unexpected surge of support for the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos shifted the political landscape, making it difficult for the PDP to compete effectively. “The 2023 election came with this tsunami that nobody ever expected, and it was there for everybody to see,” Jandor said. He explained that after…

Real Madrid claimed a small edge on city rivals Atletico Madrid with a tight 2-1 Champions League last 16 first-leg win on Tuesday. Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico after Rodrygo Goes sent the hosts ahead, but Brahim Diaz stroked home the winner for the record 15-time winners to delight the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who lost in the 2014 and 2016 finals against their bitter rivals, kept stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe quiet but still came up short. The Rojiblancos played it safe in the final stages, seeming to accept their one-goal disadvantage for the second leg…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel over allegations of a N700 billion fraud. The arrest occurred on Tuesday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, following an invitation to the former governor. Emmanuel, who served from 2015 to 2023, faces accusations of money laundering, fund diversion, and financial mismanagement during his tenure. Impeccable sources informed Vanguard that the arrest stemmed from a petition by the civil society organisation Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT). The petition alleged that Emmanuel received over N3 trillion from the Federation Account but left…

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs). In a statement on Tuesday, the commission’s spokesman Ikechukwu Ani also announced the promotion of the Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, Uzuegbu Kanayo to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). The new DIGs are Sadiq Abubakar, Commandant Police Academy, Wudil, Kano; Benjamin Okolo, former AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa and presently AIG Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters Abuja; and Williams Adebowale, Commandant, Police Staff College Jos. Others are Bzigu Bali, AIG FCID, Annex Enugu; Idegwu Ukuoma, AIG…

A bill to abolish the dichotomy and discrimination between Bachelor’s Degree holders and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders has scaled second reading in the House of Representatives. According to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, the bill sought to replace HND with Bachelor of Tech so that graduates of polytechnic would be able to compete favourably with other university graduates. The bill, which was sponsored by a member, Fuad Laguda from Lagos State, also emphasised the importance of technical education. Speaker Abbas said the position taken by all boards of polytechnics in Nigeria is “the abolition of HND and in place of…

David Shikfu Parradang, former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), has been killed by kidnappers in Abuja. Citing sources, counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said Parradang was abducted in the Area 1 axis of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday. Makama said after being trailed from a bank where he had withdrawn money, the assailants took the cash from him before eventually killing him. “The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over security in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly regarding the increasing cases of kidnappings and targeted attacks,” Makama said in a post. Parradang, who served in the NIS…

Ukraine on Tuesday sought to maintain bonds with Washington after President Donald Trump ordered US military aid deliveries be suspended following a public clash with counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump’s stunning decision strengthened fears in Ukraine and in many European capitals that America was pivoting away from its allies — and toward Moscow. “Ukraine is absolutely determined to continue cooperation with the US,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal told reporters, adding: “The US is an important partner and we need to preserve this.” US and Western security guarantees were “existentially important” for Ukraine and for Europe, he said, adding Kyiv was…

French police said the policing operation for Liverpool’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday would be “classic” and that the match was not classed as high risk. The last 16, first leg tie at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium is the first time Liverpool have returned to the French capital since the 2022 Champions League final between the club and Real Madrid at the Stade de France was plunged into chaos. A Paris police source said the security for the match would be a “classic arrangement for a Champions League match”. “The context is not the same as…

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian announced Monday that he is joining a US bid to buy TikTok, becoming a strategic advisor to the effort. Ohanian said he would join an initiative called “The People’s Bid for TikTok,” launched by real estate and sports tycoon Frank McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, in a campaign joined by investor Kevin O’Leary, known from the “Shark Tank” television show in which entrepreneurs pitch ideas in bids for venture capital. The group’s approach includes a crowdfunding element aimed at giving individuals and small businesses a stake in the future of TikTok, which is facing a US law…

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is set to arraign Karl Toriola, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, alongside other executives on May 28. Toriola, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Tobechukwu Okigbo, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, and Ikenna Ikeme, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, are facing charges over their alleged failure to produce documents and information as required by the commission in compliance with a lawful summons, contrary to the FCCPC Act. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects will appear before Justice H.J. Yilwa of the Federal…