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Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye has slammed the frontline presidential aspirant in the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi for dumping the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

DAILY POST reports that following the unending leadership tussle and litigations in the ADC, Obi and his prospective presidential running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso quit ADC on Sunday and joined NDC.

There has been a gale of defections from ADC to the NDC since Obi and Kwankwaso shifted their political alliance to NDC.

Reacting, Dino in a statement on Wednesday morning, accused Obi of running away from competitive primary elections.

The former lawmaker claimed that Obi only wants “air-conditioned kitchen” but not “hot kitchens”, stressing that the former governor of Anambra State never participated in any primary election.

The statement reads, “Peter Obi excused himself from tough situation. If he can not face party tribulations and crisis, how does he intend to handle Nigeria,? Because Nigeria wahala pass ADC problems oooo.

“He can only operate in an air-conditioned kitchen. Hot kitchens are not for him. He has never gone through primary, APGA gave him free Governorship ticket, Atiku gave him free VP ticket, Labour gave free Presidential ticket.

“He cannot be part of primary election, reason why he left PDP, reason why he left ADC for another free ticket in NDC. NDC is an agency of APC”.

He can only operate in air-conditioned kitchen – Dino Melaye slams Peter Obi

Following their exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Jan Oblak has said that Arsenal deserve a place in the final.

The Gunners eliminated the Spanish opponents to book their place in the final.

All the Gunners needed was a first half tap-in from Bukayo Saka to earn their place in the final again, ending a 20-year wait.

Oblak, who gifted Saka the goal, admitted that Mikel Arteta’s team ‘deserved’ to advance to the Champions League final, where they will face Bayern Munich or holders PSG.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the goalkeeper agreed with his manager, Diego Simeone, that Arsenal were the better team in the two legged encounter.

He said, “Whoever wins is always the best team. They won it and congratulations to them. Of course, we are sad and angry but that’s football.

“The second half was good. Maybe we showed them a little bit too much respect in the first and were afraid to play. It was good after that but not enough to progress to the final.

“It’s unlucky for us and we’re upset but it’s life. Arsenal were better and they’re in the final.”

UCL: ‘We were afraid’ – Atletico goalkeeper, Oblak names team that deserves to play in final

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has defended the club’s celebrations following their victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Frenchman stated that the celebration is ‘absolutely normal,’ but he urged Mikel Arteta and his team to quickly ‘focus’ on the tasks that lie ahead.

Arsenal triumphed over Atletico with a 2-1 aggregate score, marking their first appearance in a Champions League final since 2006.

The first leg in Madrid concluded with a 1-1 draw, and Bukayo Saka netted the crucial goal at the Emirates Stadium, propelling Arsenal into the final, which is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.

Wenger, the legendary Arsenal manager, characterized the celebrations as ‘absolutely normal’ and expressed his satisfaction at witnessing the players and fans share in their joy.

Nevertheless, he reminded the squad that ‘the next step’ is to secure their first Champions League title in the upcoming final against either PSG or Bayern Munich.

Wenger remarked to beIN Sports, “I believe Arsenal desired it a bit more than Atleti and were more decisive in the duels.

“We mentioned prior to the match that to reach the final, they needed to exhibit strength defensively, and they did not concede a goal tonight.

“They faced a team that, for 45 minutes, absolutely needed to score, yet they did not allow them any opportunities.

“I think this demonstrates how robust Arsenal are defensively and how disciplined they are, as well as highlighting some limitations of Atletico, who were insufficient in the final third.

“Ultimately, it is a well-deserved victory for Arsenal; there is no doubt they were the superior team over the two legs.

“They celebrated well tonight, which is normal, but it is important to already focus on the final and the upcoming matches.

“The celebration is warranted, and happiness is normal – absolutely normal – but the next step is to reach the final and secure a win.”

UCL: ‘Think of next step’ – Wenger reacts to Arsenal’s celebrations after Atletico’s defeat

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has asked the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, to step down or face impeachment over alleged loss of confidence by opposition lawmakers.

Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State and leads the APP caucus in the House, made the call in a statement on Tuesday.

Ugochinyere also declared interest in the minority leadership position.

“I am interested in the position of Minority Leader. It’s time for Chinda to go,” he said.

The Imo lawmaker alleged that Chinda may be preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said the Rivers lawmaker had “allegedly purchased the APC governorship form after Chinda and Wike realised that the PDP platform is no longer viable for them.”

Ugochinyere added, “…this evening will be the best honourable time to quit to avoid your impeachment, which the numbers to carry it out have been secured (simple majority).”

The lawmaker further claimed that opposition members in the green chamber had already resolved to remove Chinda, regardless of whether he defects.

“With or without even buying the APC form, as a brother, I urge you to step down because the majority of opposition lawmakers have since lost confidence in you and have resolved to impeach you if you don’t take the honourable path,” he said.

Ugochinyere accused Chinda of undermining opposition politics by allegedly prioritising the interests of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, over those of opposition parties.

“Knowing fully well you and your leader, Wike, contributed 80 per cent to the destruction of opposition politics in Nigeria,” he said.

“You will agree that our inability to act decisively has aided your stay in an office that you were not committed to its ideals because you decided to elevate Wike’s interest over opposition interest.

“Time is up, sir. Voluntary step down this evening is the only way to save you from what is coming,” he said.

Chinda, a lawyer and long-serving lawmaker from Rivers State, has represented Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since 2011.

The call for his resignation came after 17 members of the House of Reps defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) during plenary on Tuesday. Two senators also switched parties.

Those who moved to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.

Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the NDC, while Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the NDC.

Also, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South, defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Step Down Or Face Impeachment, Ugochinyere Tells Rep Minority Leader Chinda is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side settled the semi-final second leg with Saka’s strike late in the first half at an ecstatic Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, who drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid last week, held firm after Saka’s goal to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.

Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semi-finals last year, have a 5-4 lead ahead of the second leg in Munich on Wednesday.

It was a cathartic night for Arsenal, who are back in the Champions League final for the first time since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their only previous appearance in the showpiece in 2006.

Arsenal have never won the Champions League, with their two major European trophies coming in the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Their last continental final ended in a 4-1 defeat against Chelsea in the 2019 Europa League.

It is shaping up to be Arsenal’s greatest ever season as they chase a Premier League and Champions League double.

Even Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ — who won the club’s last English title in an unbeaten top-flight campaign in 2004 — might have to bow to the current generation if they finish the job.

Fittingly, it was Saka — the homegrown symbol of the Arteta era — who proved Arsenal’s match-winner.

Now just four games from immortality, Premier League leaders Arsenal were given a huge boost in the title race when second-placed Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday.

The Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their last three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

Once the title is decided, Arsenal will head to Hungary with a maiden Champions League crown in their sights.

Arsenal endured jibes about their perceived lack of mental strength after a run of four defeats in six games in all competitions sparked painful memories of previous failures to end their six-year wait for silverware.

But the ‘nearly-men’ and ‘serial choker’ labels applied only weeks ago are on the verge of being banished forever.

Thousands of Arsenal supporters massed outside the stadium before kick-off to greet their team with flares and flags, a vociferous display of affection underlining Arsenal’s desperation to make history.

It was the kind of evening in north London, when nothing was beyond the realm of possibility as Arsenal moved closer to casting off the shackles of two decades of underachievement.

After some tense performances during the Premier League run-in, Saturday’s 3-0 rout of Fulham had showed Arsenal at their flowing best in a riposte to the critics who claim they only win ugly.

This was a more prosaic display but no-one with an affinity to Arsenal was bothered in the slightest.

Arsenal were nearly caught on the counter in a frenetic start when Julian Alvarez shot just wide before Giuliano Simeone’s close-range effort deflected past the post.

But Arsenal recovered from those anxious moments to deliver a dominant spell that brought their 44th minute goal.

Viktor Gyokeres’ clever run unhinged the Atletico defence and his cross reached Leandro Trossard inside the area.

Trossard wriggled into just enough space for a low drive that Jan Oblak weakly pushed out to Saka, who reacted quicker than his flat-footed markers to slot home from four yards.

Arteta jubilantly punched the air as all around him the Emirates erupted into a roiling red sea of celebration.

Atletico tried to ruin the party in the second half, but Gabriel Magalhaes made a last-ditch tackle on Simeone to avert a certain goal before David Raya repelled Antoine Griezmann’s blast.

Arteta recently revealed he visualised Arsenal conquering the Champions League even in the difficult early days of his reign.

The Spaniard now is just one win away from seeing that daydream become a glorious reality

Saka Ends Arsenal’s 20-Year Wait To Reach Champions League Final is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A public affairs analyst and tourism advocate, Phil Roberts, has explained why Nigeria’s tourism sites nationwide have remained stagnant despite their huge economic potential for the country.

He disclosed this in his remarks at a tourism event on Tuesday.

Roberts noted that the country is yet to fully utilise public and private sector collaborations to unlock its tourism potential.

He explained that the key problem of Nigeria’s tourism sector is the gap between “tourism sites” and “tourism destinations.”

According to him, a mix of adequate public and private sector partnerships would catapult Nigeria into a leading global tourism destination in Africa.

He stressed that key tourism development zones within the Abuja master plan, including Aso Rock, Jabi Lake, Maitama, Asokoro, Mpape, Katampe, Bwari, the Abuja Municipal Area Council, and other parts of the country, can be harnessed for maximum growth.

“A tourism site remains stagnant, but it becomes a destination when supported with good infrastructure, roads, electricity, housing, internet, food systems, and security.

“We don’t need to take our money abroad for tourism experiences. With the right infrastructure, Nigeria can become the destination the world comes to see,” he added.

“Tourism remains the biggest marketing tool for any country. Nations promote themselves globally through tourism, yet in Nigeria, those responsible for this promotion are often neglected,” he said.

On his part, a Nigerian investor, Topsy Essien, said developing sustainable, tourism-friendly communities is key to unlocking its potential for the Nigerian economy.

DAILY POST reports that Nigeria’s tourism sector is valued at approximately $17.3 billion as of the first quarter of 2026.

Why Nigeria’s tourism sites remain stagnant — Phil Roberts

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, and former Arsenal winger Freddie Ljungberg have named their PFA Player of the Season.

Speaking to Viaplay, Schmeichel picked Arsenal’s David Raya as the player who should win the PFA Player of the Year award, saying he has been outstanding.

On his part, Ljungberg went for Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland.

Speaking on the player to win the PFA Player of the Year award this term, Schmeichel said, “There is one outstanding candidate, and that is Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya.

“If you take him out of Arsenal, Arsenal are nowhere near that first position they’re in now.”

Also speaking, Ljungberg said, “I would probably go with Haaland. He has scored really important goals.”

EPL: Peter Schmeichel, Freddie Ljungberg name PFA Player of the Season winner

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission said the Dangote Refinery and other local refineries received only 36–46 percent of domestic crude allocation in the first quarter of 2026.

NUPRC disclosed this on Tuesday in its Domestic Crude Supply Obligation quarterly report released by its spokesperson, Eniola Akinkuotu.

According to the Commission, the 36–46 percent crude received amounted to 28.5 million barrels of domestic crude, out of the 61.9 million barrels allocated for domestic refineries in the first quarter of 2026.

A breakdown of the DCSO month by month showed that in January, local refineries received 22.6 million barrels of crude allocation.

In February, the Commission, in discharging its DCSO, allocated 20.5 million barrels to local refineries, but producers offered slightly less at 19.8 million barrels, missing the target by 700,000 barrels.

In March, there was a modest improvement in deliveries, which rose to 10.1 million barrels, up from 9.2 million barrels in January and 9.1 million barrels in February.

“The shortfall between volumes offered and actual deliveries has been attributed primarily to pricing gaps between producers and domestic refiners. The Commission emphasized that the current framework operates on a ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ basis, which continues to shape transaction outcomes.

“Despite these developments, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to achieving the government’s objective of energy sufficiency,” NUPRC stated.

Dangote Refinery, others receive 46 per cent domestic crude allocation in Q1 2026 – NUPRC

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with global investors in his state visit to France.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

Speaking after meeting with global investors, the president said he is focused on translating his administration’s reforms into concrete benefits for all Nigerians.

He said his administration’s economic reform includes measures to remove economic distortions and stabilize macroeconomic indicators, which, according to him, have laid the foundation for sustained inclusive growth in the country.

President Tinubu reiterated commitment to deepening reforms, enhancing transparency across the oil value chain, and implementing a multi-pronged security strategy, including police decentralization and disrupting terrorist financing.

“The focus remains on policy stability and diligent execution to ensure these strategic shifts translate into concrete benefits for all Nigerians,” President Tinubu said.

On his part, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Mr. Taiwo Oyedele highlighted Nigeria’s strong GDP growth in dollar terms in 2025.

Oyedele said Nigeria achieved an 11.2 percent GDP growth in dollar terms last year, a record that reinforced the country’s ambition to achieve a $1 trillion economy in 2030.

Also, the Director General of the Debt Management Office, Mrs. Patience Oniha, assured investors of the government’s responsible approach to debt financing and its focus on sustainable debt management.

DAILY POST reports that global investors in the meeting with Tinubu were from Citibank and France’s Amundi, led by Valerie Baudson, including BlueCrest; the Britain- and South Africa-based Ninety One; Kirkoswald Capital; Principal Finisterre; and US groups Prudential Global Investment Management (PGIM) and Mesarete Capital.

I’m focused on translating policy into benefits for Nigerians— Tinubu speaks after meeting investors in France

Houston Texas-based Aba Indigene, Prince Allwell Nwandu, has described the forthcoming Umu Aba Reunion Worldwide Convention, scheduled for 24th to 25th July 2026, as a meaningful gathering of Ndị Aba across the world.

He said the event is designed to bring people back together, strengthen unity, and create honest conversations around how we can collectively develop Aba and Abia State.

Nwandu, who is part of the organisers of the epoch event said the lectures, workshops, and professional engagements spanning medical, economic, political, and social fields, would form part of event that goes beyond a reunion and becomes a space for ideas, solutions, and shared responsibility.

He noted that in a world where progress is increasingly driven by collaboration and diaspora connections, this kind of gathering is important, adding that it offers an opportunity for people from Aba in different parts of the world to reconnect with home in a practical way, not just emotionally and also creates room to explore investment opportunities, share knowledge, and support the long-term growth of the communities.

He noted that Aba has always been a place of enterprise and creativity, and that spirit must be strengthened through continuous engagement.

He emphasized the proven fact that no community can move forward without the active participation of its people. Government can provide structure and direction, but lasting development happens when citizens take responsibility for building what they want to see.

In this regard, he acknowledge the efforts of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, pointing out that his leadership has restored a sense of direction and confidence in Abia State, particularly in governance, infrastructure, and economic renewal.

He said “This progress is gradually changing perceptions of the state and making it easier for investors and indigenes in the diaspora to reconnect and contribute meaningfully.

“His leadership has also strengthened confidence in investing at home. People like Prince Allwell Nwandu, who resides and works in America, have now headquartered his real estate development, sales, and construction company in Aba.

“He is also developing an educational project aimed at nurturing children from the early stages of learning while equipping young people and adults with practical skills in crafts and healthcare.

“The goal is simple: to build capacity that supports real life and sustainable development.

“The Umu Aba Reunion Worldwide Convention is therefore more than an event. It is a reminder that we all have a role to play in shaping the future of Abia State through connection, investment, and commitment.”

Umu Aba reunion worldwide convention 2026 will reconnect minds, rebuild Abia – Prince Allwell Nwandu