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Former Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has withdrawn from the party’s primary election.

Cole made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the decision was taken in the overriding interest of peace, reconciliation, and the supremacy of the party following extensive consultations.

Describing himself as a committed democrat and advocate of strong institutions, he pledged his full support and cooperation to whoever emerges as the party’s candidate at the end of the primaries.

The aspirant expressed profound gratitude to his numerous supporters, including party faithful, women groups, youths, elders, and well-meaning Rivers people who stood by him throughout the process.

He urged all his supporters to remain calm and peaceful and to fully cooperate with the leadership of the party.

“I have taken the decision, in the overriding interest of party unity, peace, and collective progress, to respect the supremacy of the party and withdraw from the forthcoming primaries.

“This decision was not made lightly. It is the product of deep reflection, patriotism, and an unwavering commitment to the stability, growth, and success of our great party and our beloved state,” he added.

“Let us unite and work together to secure victory for our President, our party, and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections,” Cole said.

BREAKING: Tonye Cole pulls out of APC governorship race

The United States Department of Justice indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on Wednesday in connection with the 1996 shooting down of two civilian planes that killed four Cuban Americans.

Castro, who was defense minister at the time, faces charges of conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of an aircraft, and murder in connection to the shootdown.

Five Cuban military officers were also charged in the case, including the airmen allegedly involved in the shootdown: Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez, Emilio Jose Palacio Blanco, Jose Fidel Gual Barzaga, Raúl Simanca Cardenas and Luis Raúl Gonzalez-Pardo Rodriguez.

On February 24, 1996, three planes carrying members of Brothers to the Rescue entered a zone close to the 24th parallel, a short distance north of Havana.

Cuban fighter planes shot down two of the unarmed civilian Cessnas, killing all four men aboard. A third plane, carrying the organisation’s leader, narrowly escaped.

The four men killed were Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos A. Costa, Mario M. de la Peña and Pablo Morales, three US citizens and one US legal resident.

The charges were announced during a press conference held at Miami’s Freedom Tower, a landmark long regarded as a symbol of the Cuban American exile community, on May 20, the date recognised as Cuban Independence Day.

Relatives of the victims spoke ahead of the formal announcement. Sylvia Iriondo, a survivor of the shootdown, called Wednesday

“a day of hope, a day that marks a road of justice that has eluded our families and communities for 30 years.”

Nelson Morales, brother of pilot Pablo Morales who died in the shootdown, described it as “a glorious day for exiled Cubans who are demanding justice.”

The Cuban government has long argued the strike was a legitimate response to the planes intruding on Cuban airspace.

Fidel Castro said Cuba’s military acted on “standing orders” to down planes entering Cuban airspace and that Raúl Castro did not give a specific order to shoot the planes. The International Civil Aviation Organisation later concluded the shootdown took place over international waters.

The Justice Department had charged three Cuban military officers in 2003 but they were never extradited. Castro, now 94, remains in Cuba, making extradition highly unlikely.

Trump in a statement on Wednesday called Cuba a “rogue state harbouring hostile foreign military” and framed his administration’s actions as part of a broader effort to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. Charges Former Cuban President With Murder is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

At its inaugural meeting, the Management Council of the Tamchy Special Financial Investment Territory (Tamchy SFIT) appointed its senior leadership. Aiaz Baetov, remaining in his capacity as Minister of Justice, has been elected Chair of the Council, Ali Ijaz Ahmad and Bakyt Sydykov (remaining in his position of the Minister of Economy and Commerce) have been appointed as Deputy Chairs.

These activities marked a decisive shift from legislative groundwork to operational readiness for the Tamchy SFIT. The newly appointed leadership team is mandated to build a fully functioning Managing Company before it launches resident operations.

The meeting also approved the financial centre’s development plan, internal operating procedures, and an inaugural package of regulatory measures. The Managing Company has been charged with completing the full regulatory framework, designing the resident services ecosystem, and establishing the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, which will resolve disputes under common law principles.

The council also established the Managing Company, appointing Talantbek Imanov as its Head. The Managing Company will serve as the SFIT’s principal operating body, responsible for resident registration, licensing, and infrastructure development across a territory of approximately 6,000 hectares.

Alongside the regulatory build-out, SFIT Tamchy is also actively expanding its team. Qualification standards for key roles have been established and applications are open for core positions. Recruitment is already under way across the centre, including the selection of a Chair and judges for the International Centre for Dispute Resolution with recognised international

credentials. A search is under way for candidates of international standing who will refresh the initial composition and strengthen the Council.

In the summer of 2026, the SFIT’s first business centre — housing the offices of the Managing Company — will open on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, marking the launch of formal engagement with businesses and the onboarding of its first residents.

“The Tamchy SFIT is being established as a favourable jurisdiction for international capital deployed across Central Asia: grounded in English common law principles, served by independent justice, and operated to the standards investors expect of leading financial centres,” said Aiaz Baetov, Chair of the Tamchy SFIT Management Council.

“Issyk-Kul sits at the intersection of the region’s largest markets — Central Asia, China, and the Middle East. Yet the nearest international financial centre is thousands of kilometres away. Companies tend to operate out of jurisdictions that offer transparent rules, professional teams, and independent arbitration. That is precisely the infrastructure we are building here from scratch as a critical linchpin to support the region’s growing economic integration,” said Ali Ijaz Ahmad, Deputy Chair of the Tamchy SFIT Management Council.

Tamchy SFIT establishes Managing company, prepares for operations

A concerned constituent from Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Mr Idoko Chidozie has threatened court action if Hon Tony Ugwu is not disqualified from the race to represent the constituency.

Idoko’s threat was contained in a petition written through his lawyer, Dominic C Aroh, Esq, addressed to the Chairman of the NDC in Enugu State and copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, NDC National Chairman, among others.

In the petition obtained by journalists on Wednesday, Idoko alleged that Ugwu possessed dual party membership, adding that giving him the NDC ticket would be to the detriment of the party.

According to him, Ugwu, who is the Nsukka Local Government Area Coordinator of Hon Ikeje Asogwa Enugu North All Progressives Congress, APC, Senatorial candidate for the June bye-election, is said to be running to get the NDC ticket.

He noted that such a development amounted to dual party membership.

Idoko, an NDC member from Nsukka Local Government Area said, though Hon. Tony Ugwu as a Citizen of Nigeria is entitled to belong to any Political Party of his choice as guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), he was not permitted to belong to two political parties at the same time.

He said, “We are aware that Hon. Tony Ugwu contested for House of Representatives Nsukka/Igbo Eze South under the All Progressives Congress and was not nominated by their leader Governor Peter Ndubisi Mba.

“On the 10/05/2026, Hon. Ikeje Asogwa nominated Hon. Tony Ugwu to lead his 2026/27 Senatorial Campaign in Nsukka Local Government Area as Coordinator under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“From the brief our client, Hon. Tony Ugwu has already commenced his responsibility as Nsukka LG Coordinator of the Hon. Ikeje Asogwa Campaign Council when he distributed Twenty Thousand Naira to some APC members from Nsukka Local Government Area last week

“We are aware that Section 77 (4) of the Electoral Act 2026 mandates all Parties to make available to the Commission their Register not later than 21 days before the date fixed for the Party Primaries. Section 77 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2026 clearly states that only members whose names are contained in the Register shall be eligible to vote and be voted for in the Party Primaries.

“We are aware that the Nigeria Democratic Congress submitted their Membership Register to the Commission on the 6/05/2026 in obedience to Section 77(5) of the Electoral Act.

“Hon. Tony Ugwu by 10/05/2026 is/was still a Member of All Progressives Congress (APC) following his appointment and subsequent discharging of his duty in sharing Twenty Thousand Naira (N20, 000) to some Nsukka LG Party Members.”

The petitioner further contended that “Assuming that Hon. Tony Ugwu had registered with Nigeria Democratic Congress before the 6/05/2026 when they submitted their Party Register to the Commission, which means that he has dual Party Membership.

“Dual Membership of a Political Party comes with Criminal Liability and if it is established that Hon. Tony Ugwu was both registered as Members of All Progressives Congress and Nigeria Democratic Congress by the time the two Parties submitted their Register, he is Correctional Home bound.

“Hon. Tony Ugwu may be on a political voyage allegedly orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress to assist the weak candidate of the party in securing electoral advantage, knowing fully well that his candidature under the Nigeria Democratic Congress may eventually be nullified by the court if he succeeds in obtaining the party’s ticket.

“It will not be in the interest of our client’s Party that someone with dual registration should even be allowed to participate in the Primary Election.

“Hon. Tony Ugwu reportedly resigned his appointment as Coordinator, Hon. Ikeje Asogwa Campaign Council last night to come to his reserved Party to pick their ticket.”

He demanded that, “That Hon. Tony Ugwu should not be cleared following some statutory baggage that will rob our client’s Party victory.

“In the event the Party decides to clear Hon. Tony Ugwu, we shall proceed to Court which may not be in the interest of your Party.”

When contacted for his reaction to the petition, Ugwu, who is a former chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area told DAILY POST that: “I have not seen anything (petition), but I have my letter of resignation.”

Asked: ‘Resignation from the APC? He responded “Yes”.

Nsukka Igbo-Eze South: Constituent petitions NDC, demands Tony Ugwu’s disqualification

The Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has said that its staff in the Compliance and Enforcement Department previously worked under difficult conditions, a situation the agency says has now been addressed with the commissioning of a new office.

The Executive Chairman of KIRS, Dr Zaid Abubakar, made the remark during the inauguration of a new Compliance and Enforcement office at the African Alliance Building in Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

“Staff previously worked under challenging conditions despite their heavy workload,” he said.

He explained that before the upgrade, the department operated from makeshift offices, including container structures, and lacked adequate facilities needed for effective service delivery.

According to him, the new office is equipped with modern facilities to improve productivity and efficiency.

“Today, we have provided a modern office with state-of-the-art tools, computers, and a reliable internet network to support their work,” Abubakar said.

He noted that the Compliance and Enforcement Department plays a key role in revenue generation and consists of over 60 staff handling tax audit, debt management, tax investigation, enforcement, and risk profiling.

Abubakar also revealed that the agency initially set a revenue target of N35 billion for the department but expects the figure to rise to about N68 billion following the improvement in working conditions.

“We initially set a revenue target of N35 billion for the Compliance and Enforcement Department, but with the improved working environment, we now expect to generate as much as N68 billion,” he said.

He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for supporting the agency, including efforts to improve the welfare and salary structure of KIRS staff outside the regular civil service system.

Kano revenue service raises target to N68bn after improvements

Former Manchester City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, has singled out three Arsenal players for special praise after the Gunners were confirmed Premier League champions on Tuesday.

Hart believes the likes of David Raya, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke ‘stepped up’ this season for Arsenal, silencing their doubters.

Speaking on the BBC’s Match of the Day programme, Hart said, “It’s a huge statement.

“And not only are they Premier League champions, but they are also Champions League finalists as well.

“I think that Raya is a brilliant signing. There is always something.

“You look at the Kai Havertz goal the other night and how important he’s been, bringing him over from Chelsea and Madueke, bringing him over from Chelsea.

“Just literally question mark after question mark and every single one of them stepped up, particularly in this season.”

EPL: They stepped up – Ex-Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart hails three Arsenal players

The Chairman of First HoldCo, Femi Otedola, has disclosed plans to invest $100 million in the Dangote refinery.

Otedola made this known on Wednesday after he visited the refinery with senior executives from First HoldCo.

The Dangote Refinery is a 650,000-barrel-per-day petroleum and petrochemical facility located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, Nigeria.

The world’s largest single-train refinery, owned by by the Dangote Group, is built to supply over 100% of Nigeria’s fuel demands and export surplus to the broader African market. 

Otedola moves to invest $100m in Dangote refinery

William Troost-Ekong has backed the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Eagles were drawn in Group L of the qualifiers with Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania, and Guinea-Bissau.

Troost-Ekong reckoned the three countries are referred to as minnows, but said he is confident that the Super Eagles will scale through the hurdle.

“It is not an easy group, but I trust them to get over the line,” Troost-Ekong a former Super Eagles captain told CAFonline.

The Super Eagles will open their qualifying campaign with an home fixture against the Barea of Madagascar in September.

Éric Chelle’s side finished third at the last edition of the AFCON hosted by Morocco.

Troost-Ekong confident Super Eagles will secure AFCON 2027 spot

Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, emerged as the party’s candidate for Warri South-West Constituency.

The post 2027: APC produces Delta Assembly candidates appeared first on Tribune Online.

Frank, who represented southern Massachusetts in the House of Representatives for more than three decades, had been in hospice care at his Maine home since April.

The post Barney Frank, trailblazing gay US congressman, dies at 86 appeared first on Tribune Online.