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  • ‘Your tenure time-bound’ – Fayose cautions Makinde over alleged plot to remove Olubadan

    ‘Your tenure time-bound’ – Fayose cautions Makinde over alleged plot to remove Olubadan

    A former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has urged Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to tread softly while in power.

    Fayose, who was the governor of Ekiti State 23 years ago, noted that the governor should remember that his tenure will soon lapse.

    The former governor said this while addressing journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday.

    Fayose spoke at the residence of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja in Bodija area of Ibadan.

    The former governor insisted that Makinde had plans to dethrone the Olubadan.

    He, however, noted that the tenure of the monarch is determined by God and destiny, while the tenure of the governor is being determined by the constitution.

    He added that he was in Ibadan to solidarise with the Olubadan to show his support.

    Fayose said, “I said what I said, although it is not for this gathering. The Olubadan has an eternal tenure with God. I was once a governor at sometimes. Your tenure was tied with the constitution of Nigeria, every other tenures like the Olubadan of Ibadanland is tied with God.

    “Those who are fumbling today should remember that their tenure is time bound. Olubadan, by the grace of God, you will see another governor, you will see another governor after that, you will see another governor after that and God will keep you on the throne because Ibadan needs you.

    “If we have quality people on the throne, if we have quality of people in power, Ibadan will benefit a lot. I have come to identify with you. All these noise, all these bickering, they should remember, I was governor 23 years ago.

    “Ignore the noise of your dogs barking in the compound, Kabiesi, you have a lot of dogs, ignore their noise. If they need you, they should contact you for advice. Let them know that I Peter Ayodele Fayose has come here to identify with you, the Olubadan of Ibadanland on the happening in Oyo State”.

    ‘Your tenure time-bound’ – Fayose cautions Makinde over alleged plot to remove Olubadan

  • North-East and the 2027 political calculus

    North-East and the 2027 political calculus

    As the 2027 election fast approaches, the North-East political zone is embroiled in alliances and defections just like the other zones of the country. Northern Bureau Chief, MUHAMMAD SABIU, with contributions from GALADIMA ATIKU, ISHOLA MICHAEL, TERNA CHIKPA, and AUSTIN AJAYI, takes a look at the political gladiators in the zone and analyzes the political […]

  • UCL: They gave us energy – Simeone hails three Atletico Madrid players after Barcelona’s exit

    UCL: They gave us energy – Simeone hails three Atletico Madrid players after Barcelona’s exit

    Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has hailed three of his players for giving the team “energy” during their Champions League quarter-final second leg 2-1 defeat against Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday.

    The three players are Nico González, Álex Baena, and Alexander Sørloth.

    Recall that Simeone watched as goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres gave Barcelona the lead before Ademola Lookman netted a goal for the hosts.

    Atletico progress to the Champions League semi-final stage on a 3-2 aggregate victory, having won 2-0 in the first leg.

    “The second half was more balanced. Bringing on Nico, Baena, and Sørloth gave us energy, and they (Barcelona) started to lose that speed, leaving the crosses for Araujo and Lewandowski,” Simeone said at his post-match interview after the game.

    “We have been evolving for years. We’re clear about what we want. We attack better than we defend! So we have to attack. There’s no other way.”

    UCL: They gave us energy – Simeone hails three Atletico Madrid players after Barcelona’s exit

  • ADC must decide on viable candidate, Tinubu won’t give us power – Amaechi

    ADC must decide on viable candidate, Tinubu won’t give us power – Amaechi

    Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has charged the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to decide on a viable candidate, stressing that President Bola Tinubu will not give Nigerians power.

    Amaechi made this statement on Tuesday at the national convention of the ADC, held in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

    He blasted the president over the wave of insecurity in Nigeria, where many people have been killed and several others kidnapped and rendered homeless.

    He, therefore, called on all ADC chieftains to come together and challenge the current administration.

    “ADC must decide on a viable candidate. President Tinubu will not give us power. Why would government officials deny you to gather when the constitution gives you that right?

    “How can a man who claimed to be a democrat be stopping democracy? Tell me what to tell President Tinubu.

    “If you accuse me of anything I didn’t do, I will go to any length to defend myself, but these guys do even care at all. What they care about is money. They don’t deny that they are thieves and land grabbers,” Amaechi said.

    ADC must decide on viable candidate, Tinubu won’t give us power – Amaechi

  • UCL: How Barcelona, Atletico Madrid players reacted after 3-2 aggregate result

    UCL: How Barcelona, Atletico Madrid players reacted after 3-2 aggregate result

    Some Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have reacted after both sides’ UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg encounter.

    Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the fixture at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Tuesday.

    Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres scored the goals for the Blaugrana, while Ademola Lookman scored for Diego Simeone’s side.

    But it was Atletico that progressed to the Champions League semi-final stage on a 3-2 aggregate win, after winning 2-0 in the first leg at Camp Nou last week.

    Reacting, Atletico Madrid captain Koke told Movistar+: “We are absolutely thrilled, eliminating a team of Barça’s level. We struggled at the beginning, but the team overcame it. The effort was enormous, and we are deserved winners of the tie.”

    Similarly, Atletico Madrid forward, Antoine Griezmann, said: “I’m very happy. Two mistakes can cost you dearly in games like this. I lost the ball on the second [goal] – I was out of position. In the end, thanks to our fans and our quality, we were able to score the goal.”

    Also reacting, Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, said: “We played a very good match. We gave it our all. I have the feeling that luck wasn’t on our side. We’re growing, and we have a young, talented team that can compete for everything. We’re going to keep going like this.”

    On his part, Atletico Madrid star Ademola Lookman, told TNT Sports: “Going 2-0 down [was tough]. A game of two halves, really, we stuck in there, we dug in. We didn’t get the win tonight, but we’re through to the semi-finals.”

    UCL: How Barcelona, Atletico Madrid players reacted after 3-2 aggregate result

  • Police storm kidnappers’ den in Abia, neutralize three suspects

    Police storm kidnappers’ den in Abia, neutralize three suspects

    The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Danladi Isa has disclosed that three kidnappers were killed in their hideout during an exchange of fire with operatives of the Command.

    Also, a shrine used by the kidnappers to seek protection, was burnt down by the police operatives during the encounter.

    The Commissioner of Police stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists on the achievements recorded by his Command between April 1 and April 14, 2026.

    He said that in line with a case of kidnapping that was previously reported at Opobo Road, Ogbor Hill, Aba, on 29/03/2026, operatives of the Command who were leveraging on actionable intelligence, traced the hideout of the kidnappers to Mbutu Amankwo village in Isiala Ngwa LGA, Abia State.

    According to the CP, “On arrival at the kidnappers’ den, the kidnappers fled into the bush while firing at the officers but could not withstand the superior firepower of the Command operatives.”

    He said that three kidnappers were neutralized during the operation, adding that investigation is ongoing.

    CP Isa, who displayed the recovered exhibits at Police Headquarters, Umuahia, during the press briefing, listed the items recovered from criminal elements to include 8 AK 47 rifles, 3 single-barrel guns, 1 Pump- action gun, Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number NGK 877 SU, SIM Cards, bunch of vehicle keys, various charms and other exhibits.

    He said that his Command is sustaining the onslaught against crime and criminality to ensure that Abia remains peaceful, even as he solicited the corporation of Abia residents through useful information about suspicious movements and activities in their area.

    Police storm kidnappers’ den in Abia, neutralize three suspects

  • UCL: Four Bayern Munich players, Arsenal duo, six Real Madrid stars risk suspension

    UCL: Four Bayern Munich players, Arsenal duo, six Real Madrid stars risk suspension

    Ahead of today’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg fixtures, four Bayern Munich players, two Arsenal stars, one Sporting CP player and six Real Madrid stars are at risk of suspension.

    These players have already received yellow cards, and an additional yellow card in today’s fixtures will result in a suspension.

    They will be prevented from playing in the Champions League first leg of the semi-finals if their teams progress to the next round.

    The players who risk suspension include the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Martín Zubimendi, and Manuel Neuer.

    They have already received a yellow card and will miss the semi-finals first leg if they are not careful.

    Champions League yellow card suspension list ahead of today’s fixtures:

    Arsenal – Christian Nørgaard and Martín Zubimendi

    Sporting CP – Luis Suárez

    Bayern Munich – Manuel Neuer, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano and Konrad Laimer.

    Real Madrid – Jude Bellingham, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, and Vinicius.

    UCL: Four Bayern Munich players, Arsenal duo, six Real Madrid stars risk suspension

  • Lagos govt arraigns man over alleged forceful takeover of church property

    Lagos govt arraigns man over alleged forceful takeover of church property

    Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, arraigned one Olusola Shedrach before the State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged illegal takeover and damage of a property belonging to Harvesters Church along the Gbagada–Oworonshoki Expressway.

    The defendant was brought before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a three-count charge bordering on forceful takeover, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

    At the commencement of proceedings, the state prosecutor, Olufunmilayo Aluko, informed the court of the prosecution’s readiness and requested that the charges be read to the defendant for his plea.

    “My Lord, we are ready for the arraignment of the defendant and pray that the charges be read to him so that he can take his plea,” she stated.

    The court granted the request, and the charges were subsequently read in open court.

    According to the prosecution, Shedrach allegedly forcefully assumed control of the church’s property and caused damage to items within the premises. He was also accused of acting in a manner capable of disturbing public peace.

    Aluko further told the court that the alleged offences contravene Section 2(1) of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law, 2016, as well as Sections 350 and 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    Following the plea, defence counsel, Mr O. Odueso, requested a short adjournment to enable the defence to file and argue its bail application.

    “My Lord, we respectfully seek a short date to allow us to file and move our bail application,” he said.

    The prosecution did not object to the request.

    In his ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to April 22, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application, while June 17, 2026, was fixed for the commencement of trial.

    “This matter is hereby adjourned to April 22, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and June 17, 2026, for trial,” the judge ruled.

    Lagos govt arraigns man over alleged forceful takeover of church property

  • UCL: Why PSG eliminated Liverpool from competition – Luis Enrique

    UCL: Why PSG eliminated Liverpool from competition – Luis Enrique

    Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique, has suggested that his team defeated Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie because his players controlled the game, especially in the first half.

    Enrique explained that PSG also took a lot of risks against the Premier League giants at Anfield.

    Two goals from Ousmane Dembele gave the Parisians a 2-0 victory against Liverpool.

    PSG progressed to the Champions League semi-final stage on a 4-0 victory, thanks to a 2-0 win in the first leg last week in Paris.

    Speaking to Prime Video after the game, Enrique said, “It was an intense match between teams who play really good football.

    “It’s an honour to play at Anfield, and the first half went more for us because we controlled the match and could create a few chances. In the second half, it was different: we suffered a lot, they pressed high and took a lot of risks.”

    UCL: Why PSG eliminated Liverpool from competition – Luis Enrique

  • Champions League: Potential semi-final fixtures

    Champions League: Potential semi-final fixtures

    There are two semi-final spots left to be determined in this season’s Champions League.

    On Tuesday night, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid both confirmed their places in the last four.

    Tonight, Arsenal host Sporting after winning 1-0 in Portugal.

    Mikel Arteta’s men are favourites to see off the Portuguese champions and will then face Atletico in the semis.

    Bayern are widely expected to finish the job at home after they beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash.

    Vincent Kompany’s men have PSG waiting for them in the semis in what would be a mouthwatering encounter.

    Champions League: Potential semi-final fixtures