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Will Israel’s war on Gaza sway South Africa’s election?

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6 mn read

Cape Town, South Africa – “We cannot allow supporters of baby killers to talk to us,” a furious resident of Surrey Estate in Cape Town shouted as he heckled the speaker at the podium.

The man was one of hundreds of residents of the mostly Muslim suburb who had gathered for a pre-election panel discussion early in May, where representatives from 10 political parties sought to lobby support.

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When Riad Davids, the representative for the Democratic Alliance (DA) – South Africa’s liberal, centrist main opposition party that is considered a steadfast supporter of Israel – took to the podium to make his pitch to residents, he was booed.

The audience shouted and jeered, preventing him from delivering his message and seeking to force him off the stage.

The South African government’s support for Palestine has become a common theme in debates leading up to the May 29 general elections and expressions of solidarity with the people of Gaza have featured during the campaigns of various political parties.

The governing centre-left African National Congress (ANC), which has historical links with Palestine, has publicly condemned human rights violations under Israeli occupation and has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing it of genocide in its war on Gaza.

The official opposition DA, however, did not support the government’s decision to haul Israel to the ICJ and has been criticised by some for its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict since the war began in October.

Although the DA has historically shown support for Israel, it says its position is one of neutrality.

“The DA stands in solidarity with both Palestinians and Israelis who seek a two-state solution. The DA stands against radicalism and violence. We reject any sentiment that seeks to annihilate either Israel or Palestine. We embrace rationality based on peaceful co-existence for both a secure Israel and a free Palestinian state. We embrace the right of both Palestinians and Israelis to statehood and sovereignty,” the party said in a statement following the October 7 attacks.

Pro Palestine rally in South Africa
People participate in a ‘Free Palestine’ family walk in Durban, South Africa [File: Rogan Ward/Reuters]

In the Western Cape, where the DA has governed for the last 15 years, the party has enjoyed support from working-class majority Muslim areas like Surrey Estate.

in from the community was palatable as angry residents insisted that the DA was complicit in condoning genocide in Gaza.

“It is sad that in a Muslim area, where we have a Muslim audience, you want to deny someone the opportunity to speak,” Davids pleaded with the audience.

As he persisted, the angrier the crowd became with loud chants of “free, free Palestine” ringing in the community hall. Two Palestinian flags were waved every time the crowd heckled him.

‘ANC stands in solidarity with Palestine’

While the angry residents of Surrey Estate were venting their frustration at the DA representative, a few kilometres away in the suburb of Rylands, another working-class majority Muslim suburb in Cape Town, President Cyril Ramaphosa was addressing residents at a public meeting.

There, the president arrived wearing a keffiyeh and maintained an unapologetic position for the ANC’s support for the people of Palestine.

Ramaphosa said his government will look at visa waivers to make it easier for Palestinians travelling to South Africa.

“We will make an exception so that our brothers and sisters from Palestine can come here, not only as refugees but for a variety of reasons,” he said to applause.

In the question and answer session with the president, ANC member of parliament and grandson of former president Nelson Mandela, Mandla Mandela, asked Ramaphosa why local authorities have not arrested South Africans who have been found fighting in the Israeli army. The president pledged that his government would take action.

The community’s fervent support for Palestine was also on full display with many in the crowd wearing Palestinian colours as they listened to Ramaphosa wooing them.

“The ANC stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” read the banners on stage behind the president.

It was not an unusual sight. The ANC has consistently expressed its solidarity with Palestine during election campaign events.

South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor and South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela speak on the day the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rule on emergency measures against Israel following accusations by South Africa that the Israeli military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide, in The Hague, Netherlands, January 26, 2024. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw
South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, left, and South African Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela speak at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) following accusations by South Africa that Israel is committing state-led genocide in Gaza [File: Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters]

This past weekend, the ruling party and government representatives also participated in the first Global Anti-Apartheid Conference for Palestine held in Johannesburg, which aimed to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian people.

At the event, international relations and cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor, reiterated the government’s view that Israel perpetuates apartheid against the Palestinians and called for tougher action against it.

“There can never be peace if the Palestinian people are not free … We should be ashamed that 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza,” she said during the conference attended by government representatives and activists.

Days earlier, during a national May Day rally commemorating Workers’ Day, the ANC led a march in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians.

“You, as workers, need to join this fight to fight for those who are oppressed around the world. And today as South Africa, we have stood up for the rights of those in other parts of the world [who] are currently being subjected to torture, to violence and genocide,” Ramaphosa implored the country’s workers.

“And that is why as a country and yes, as an alliance, we have stood firm in our support for the people of Palestine. And that is why we say ‘we want Palestine to be free’,” he said to applause

‘This is not Palestine’

The ANC has long compared Israel’s policies against Palestinians to the brutal apartheid regime’s actions against Black South Africans before democracy in 1994.

However, some have more cynically suggested that the party was further leveraging the issue this time around to help it gain support among certain groups of voters.

While the ANC may benefit electorally from its support of Palestine, its position on the issue has been consistent, an analyst told Al Jazeera.

Imraan Buccus, an academic and researcher at Auwal Socio-economic Research Institute, said the ANC’s vocal support for Palestine was a principled stance and part of historical solidarity between the two countries’ liberation movements.

“The ANC is not opportunistically trying to use the genocide in Palestine for votes.

“That is an irresponsible narrative,” he added.

Pro Palestine rally in South Africa
South Africans attend a rally in support of a free Palestine [File: Rogan Ward/Reuters]

However, Herman Mashaba, an opposition leader with ActionSA – a right-leaning political party – disagreed, saying the ANC was hypocritical and its attempts to focus on Gaza were a distraction from the myriad problems facing South Africa.

“The ANC motive is not about the Palestinian people. It’s about diverting attention from the issues facing South Africa,” he said, noting that more than 80 people are killed every day in South Africa, which is one of the most violent countries in the world.

“It does not make sense. If I look at the energy they [are] providing to domestic issues compared to the energy they have on international issues it does not add up.”

Regarding ActionSA’s position on Palestine, Mashaba said that while he called for a solution to the conflict, he believed South Africa should not focus its attention on international crises while its own house “was on fire”.

This sentiment was expressed by another opposition party leader, Gayton McKenzie, who heads the Patriotic Alliance (PA) – described by analysts as a right-wing populist party.

He angered Cape Town residents at another election town hall meeting when he pointed to South Africa’s crime rates when asked about his support for Palestine.

“Hey, our children die more than in Palestine. Do not tell me about Palestine here. Go to Palestine; this is not Palestine,” he said, prompting anger from the audience.

McKenzie has unapologetically supported Israel and was quoted on social media as saying: “My Bible commands me to stand with Israel, my Bible tells me if you curse Israel you are cursing himself. I will listen to the Bible.”

The far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party and former President Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party have meanwhile vocally supported Palestine while the right-wing Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has remained neutral on the matter.

A small Muslim-focused party, Al Jama-ah, which has one seat in Parliament, has centred its election campaign around its support for Palestine.

Analyst Buccus said in previous elections, South Africa’s foreign policy did not determine voting patterns.

However, this election was different given the persisting “genocide” in Gaza.

“It will definitely impact this election,” he said, adding that working-class Muslim voters in Cape Town and other areas who often proudly voted DA may now rethink their support.

Iran condemns US senator’s ‘horrible’ call on Israel to nuke Gaza

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Iran has condemned a senior US Republican senator’s “horrible” suggestion that Israel should use nuclear bombs on Gaza.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday.

Senator Lindsey Graham has said Israel should do “whatever” it deems necessary in the bombing of Gaza, drawing a comparison to when the US dropped atomic bombs on Japan during World War II.

On Sunday, the South Carolina Republican suggested Israel would be right to flatten the besieged Gaza Strip. The US dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and killed more than 200,000 people.

Graham also urged President Joe Biden to provide the occupying regime with more bombs.

“These horrible statements by an American senator in justifying and encouraging the use of nuclear bombs by the Zionist regime reflect the brutality of those who advocate war and disregard human rights and international resolutions,” Kan’ani said.

The Iranian official said such statements are made by a senator whose country of origin has a history of using nuclear weapons while merely claiming to defend human rights.

 

The Iranian foreign ministry spokesman called on the international community to stand up against such “demonic statements” to prevent the continuation of the humanitarian disaster and genocide in the Gaza Strip.

The Iranian official also called for a strong global condemnation of the unrelenting support the United States gives the Israeli regime.

Graham’s remarks came days after Biden claimed he had halted a weapons shipment to Israel and that he might continue to do so if the regime launched a full-scale assault on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians are sheltering.

Israel launched brutalities in Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Israel has killed more than 35,170 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since that October day.

Lady recalls how she used her school fees to pay for Champagne after her date vanished

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Lady recounts an unpleasant experience with a date who ran away, making her pay for the Champagne they ordered with her school fees.

The lady revealed that she had gone out with a man to a strip club where they had ordered a bottle of Champagne which cost N65K.

lady school fees champagne date
Lady.

During the date, the guy had asked her to accompany him to his hostel, but she turned down the request.

She said that the date took an excuse to use the rest room only for him to vanish and not return.

The lady revealed that she had to use her school fees to pay for the drink.

Her words …

“Can’t forget the day this guy invited me to a strippers club, I got there he bought champagne N65,000 and after the whole thing he said we should go to his hotel which I refused, na so baba say he wan go piss na so e japa o and he never clear bills.

“I had to take from my school fees money to clear that bill. Charles I hope you see this and I just want to say your helper go leave you run💯.”

Check out post below …

Two countries never to think of relocating to even if given free visa

2 mn read

woman has taken to social media to issue a strong warning against relocating to two countries, urging fellow citizens to carefully reconsider any such plans, even if tempted by the offer of a free visa.

The young woman, identified as @precioustalk1 on TikTok, recounted her own experiences and those of close acquaintances to dissuade others from making what she described as potentially life-altering mistakes.

The first country the woman singled out is India, emphasizing its challenges for those considering relocation.

According to her, relocating to India with hopes of financial prosperity and a better life is a misguided endeavor.

She emphasized that, apart from its reputation for medical tourism, the country lacks job opportunities and financial stability, especially for black individuals.

She categorically stated that India is not an ideal destination for those seeking to build a successful career or improve their living standard.

The second country on the woman’s list is North Korea, which she describes as the most challenging of all.

She emphasizes that relocating to this country can be perilous, and those who manage to leave alive are considered fortunate.

The woman vehemently advised against considering North Korea as a relocation option, citing its oppressive regime and draconian laws.

She described North Korea as a place where even minor offence can result in severe punishment, including death.

She pointed out the lack of freedom, strict regulations on behavior, and limited opportunities, especially for women.

The woman urged individuals contemplating relocation to conduct thorough research and consider the rules and regulations governing each country before making such a life-altering decision.

She emphasized the importance of seeking information and guidance to avoid falling into dire circumstances.

Netizens Reactions…

kobby said; “India is best when it comes to education.”

KC DIKE said; “I’m in North Korea since 19 years now, all is nice ok.”

prolaka P said;  Don’t forget my South Africa.”

X said; “come to Canada we are living good here.”

Talitha Cumi said; “Y’all must not come to South Africa as well it’s very bad guns everywhere, we always live in fear.”

Flowry7 said; “Sebi una say Nigeria no good. Go to Russia too n see pepper.”

Queen101 asked; “What if you want go join Bollywood?”

Night Walker said; “Bigger Blessings sister appreciate the alert.”

Nomanaz said; “I de come Indian com do juju.”

Fhumulani Munzhed995 said; “South Africa too pleaseooo.

Abdoukarim Badmos asked; “what about Luxembourg?

Zahid A86 said; “India and North Korea !!! I agree !!!

cleyz10 said; “Egypt…. Saudi Arabia infact never relocate to any Arab country.”

See below;

Lady sparks controversy as she claims its biblical for man to take wife’s surname

< 1 mn read

A Nigerian lady has sparked a debate online as she claims that a man is meant to take his wife’s surname after marriage and backs her claim with a bible verse.

She said that the Bible expressly instructed mento “cleave unto their wives” and leave their parents.

man wife's surname
Lady.

In the video that was shared, she claims that men are expected to adopt their wife’s last names and give up anything related to their parents, including their names.

The lady quoted Genesis 2:24 which reads; “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

She emphasized that the bible clearly said that he should leave his family and join hers, so she wasn’t misinterpreting it.

She claimed that no one likes to talk about that particular aspect since it goes against the stereotype that men like to promote, according to which the wife should be the one to change her surname.

The lady partly said …

“The bible says you are are supposed to leave your father and your mother and everything that has to do with them, including their name and cleave to your wife, which suggests that you should adopt your wife’s last name and not the other way round.”

Watch video below …

Nigerian lady cries out in pain as genotype test results end relationship

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A Nigerian lady expressed heartbreak and cried in pain as she found out that she didn’t have a compatible genotype with her long-time boyfriend.

This was contained in a fresh video made available on her page on a social media platform.

Nigerian lady cries out in pain as genotype test results end relationship

In the said video, the young Nigerian lady was seen crying excessively, followed by a scene showing the moment she went for a genotype test.

While she did not reveal the results of the genotype on social media, she shed tears and expressed heartbreak after discovering that her genotype isn’t compatible with that of her boyfriend, leading them to go their separate ways.

She also shared WhatsApp conversations between her and her supposed boyfriend, which showed the moment they consoled each other over the devastating news.

In reaction to the heartbreaking video, concerned individuals have stormed the comment page of the post to share their thoughts.

See some reactions below:

De real Kim: “How do you people date for long without knowing each other genotype 🥺sorry.”

mummy Brianna: “No no dis is not happening 😭😭😭 was goody tell me it’s a prank pls.”

Chinwa: “My dear just be strong, I was there I know how it feels, what is in the front will be much better.”

Loveth Stephen: “God💔😩 I felt bad reading this🥹…. Sending you love my dear friend, God will see you through.”

King Jenny: “Wen me n my guy started dating not less den a year we went to check our genotype to avoid story dat touch.”

Oseyemere: “Omo I can relate..genotype did me dirty the only guy that ever loved me genuinely genotype ruined everything..sending you hugs darling.”

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Man devastated as he finds out baby wife used to make him marry her doesn’t belong to him

< 1 mn read

Nigerian man cries out as he finds out that he is not the biological father of the child that his wife used to rope him into marrying her.

The man revealed via his social media page that he had married his partner after they welcomed a child together.

man wife child marrying father
Heartbroken man. Photo source: Google.

However, he later found out that the child doesn’t belong to him and he had been deceived into getting married to the lady.

He was seen in subsequent parts of the video throwing the wife’s belongings into fire and he lamented his woes.

The heartbroken man urged men to be wary of marriages that are as a result of pregnancy as the child may not even be theirs.

Read some comments from netizens:

maasoroju said: “Na their set hate verydarkman pass for instagram 🫢🫢🫢🤣🤣🤣”

evve__lynn said: “Men should always do DNA before leaving the hospital with the child”

positivebondship said: “So sad but Sir calm down and ask deep questions, was she aware or was it switched”

rosythrone wrote: “Inside that 24hrs, use 23hrs to fear women and the remaining 1hr to drink water and relax.”

liciacrest said: “Ladies stop creating problems for these innocent children”

Watch the video below:

 

Pasuma’s daughter, Aliyah graduates with honors from University of Illinois, Chicago

2 mn read

Renowned Fuji musician, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, recently celebrated a significant milestone in his daughter‘s life as she, Aliyah Mofiyinfoluwa graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champagne in Chicago.

Pasuma shared a heartwarming video from the graduation ceremony on his Instagram account, expressing his gratitude and pride in his daughter’s achievement.

Pasuma's daughter, Aliyah graduates with honors from University of Illinois, Chicago

He wrote, “Haliamdulilahi Robin Al’amin, my daughter, Aliyah Mofiyinfoluwa Odetola, has just graduated with honors from the University of Illinois Urbana Champagne Chicago. Modupe Olohun Oba, anu nimori gba, kii shagbara” (Translation: “Praise be to God, my daughter Aliyah has graduated with honors… I give thanks to God“).

The proud father’s post sparked an outpouring of congratulations and well-wishes from his fans and fellow celebrities.

Many took to his comment section to express their joy and admiration for Pasuma’s daughter, Aliyah Mofiyinfoluwa Odetola, on her impressive achievement.

The graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in Aliyah’s academic journey, and her father’s pride and gratitude were palpable in his heartfelt post.

See some reactions below: 

abebi_aro: “Congratulations to You sir. Iwo Olorun Oba, mo be o ninu aanu nla re, jeki awon Omo mi naa o se aseyori loju emi mi Insha Allah.”

pacific_63: “Pupsy Aliya congratulations.u have not see anything. This is just a rehearsal of greatness in ur household. When the real greatness comes,the world would be wow!!!More to come insha Allah.congratulations!”

tundeyy_a: “I learned something from this Oganla….. Try to build your children no matter how your colleagues are building many houses that your future.”

horitokeh1907: “It’s not the amount of money you keep in your account or the properties you acquired defines how wealthy you are, congratulations to Alh pasuma, you’re a proud father.”

temmy_business_world: “Congratulations to you sir. I love the way you are always there for your children. May you reap the fruits of your labour on them insha Allah.”

officialkunleshittu: “I blow you plenty kiss baby and I also use you as a point of contact for my children to come out in flying colors like this!”

larica_labamba: “Oganla, I’m your silent fan and I respect your personality. You invest so much in very important legacies at which many affluent personalities have failed to give their children. Congratulations to you and the entire family. I’m so proud of you. I pray you live long to enjoy all your hard labour insha Allah.”

WATCH VIDEO:

 

We’ll disown Peter Obi if he adopts IMF, World Bank policies — NLC

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The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has said that the labour union would disown the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, if he adopted the policies of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the World Bank if elected Nigeria’s President.

Ajaero made this statement on Tuesday while speaking in an interview with Channels Television and monitored by DAILY POST.

Ajaero, who described the position of the NLC on the removal of petrol subsidy and electricity subsidy as ‘fixated,’ also added that the labour union would have it tough with any Labour Party president who implements the policies of the IMF.

The NLC President said, “He (Obi) is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, but does he own the NLC or the Labour Party? Why can’t you separate them?

“Whoever is the presidential candidate or official of the Labour Party must buy into our projects. If he says he was going to undertake those policies, let him be elected and try such policies.

“Whether a presidential candidate of a party that Labour forms would dictate for Labour? The answer is known to everybody. The policies of Labour, the ideologies of Labour are clear and we are going to pursue it.”

DAILY POST recalls that, on April 3, 2024, NERC raised electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours power supply daily.

The increase saw customers paying N225 kilowatts per hour from the current N66, a development that has been met with criticism by many Nigerians.

DAILY POST had reported that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, subsequently picketed NERC offices and discos on Monday to press home their demands.

But, Ajaero kicked against the “politics of reduction” embarked upon by NERC in recent times.

He said reduction after tariff increase won’t stand, insisting that NERC and discos must first reverse the tariff to the old rates and come to the negotiation table with labour unions and other stakeholders on an agreeable way forward.

‘Stop pitting me against my friends’ – BNXN warns fans

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Singer Daniel Benson, aka BNXN, has frowned at the comparisons between him and some of his colleagues on social media.

DAILY POST reports that BNXN was recently compared with Grammy-nominated colleague, Ayra Starr, on X platform by fans.

Reacting via his X handle on Monday, the ‘Gwagwalada’ crooner warned fans to stop pitting him against his friends.

He wrote, “Stop pitting me against my friends for entertainment.”

In another post, BNXN said: “Pure heart. I’m happy for people and I wait my turn.”

BNXN recently squashed his beef with Ruger and released a project with him titled ‘R&B.’

In a podcast interview, Ruger stated that him and BNXN decided to bury their differences and collaborate instead of fighting.

‘I was ‘dashed’ fake Richard Millie watch’ – Singer Skiibii

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Nigerian singer Skiibii has reacted after his ex-girlfriend, actress Ms DSF, mocked him for being exposed for wearing a “fake” Richard Millie.

Sharing pictures of Skiibii wearing the designer wristwatch, @Fakewatchbuster wrote via their Instagram page: “For those who keep asking about that RM001, yes, that’s not a legit Richard Millie; as you can see from the pic, there are a lot of differences clearly visible from the distance.”

Reacting via the comment section, Skiibii’s ex-girlfriend, Ms DSF wrote, “[laughing emoji] Made in Yaba.”

Following the public embarrassment, Skiibii has now explained that he was gifted the designer wristwatch.

He shared a video capturing the moment he was gifted the wristwatch via his Instagram story.

In the video, Skiibii could be heard saying; “My n*gga just gave me a Richard Millie just like that mehn. Adel, Hassan, just give me Richard Millie o! He comot ham say make I take.”

‘Nigerians now intolerant to mediocre music’ – Peruzzi warns colleagues

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Popular singer, Tobechukwu Victor Okoh, aka Peruzzi, says Nigerians are now wiser in terms of the choice of music they consume.

According to him, Nigerians are no longer tolerant of mediocre songs.

He urged his colleagues to up their crafts or they would be dumb out of the music market.

Peruzzi said Nigeria is entering a new era of quality music.

On his X handle, he wrote: “Nigerians don wise. If you sing rubbish, dem go clear you.

“Ordinary snippet, dem go don dey warn you. Clearly time for Some real sweet music.

“Do your homework or comot body era.”

DAILY POST recalls that singer, Ric Hassani recently decried the drop in the quality of music in Nigeria over the years.

Hassani noted that the hit songs of years back were quality music but the current hit songs are “not very good music”.

Ebonyi Bye Election: PDP candidate vows to appeal dismissed petition against tribunal

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The Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 3rd 2024 By-election, Silas Onu has vowed to appeal the ruling of the Tribunal that struck out his petition against the Judges over alleged bias, injustice and lack of fair hearing in his election petition.

The ruling was sequel to a petition filed to the President of the Court of Appeal and copied to the Tribunal Panel seeking their recusal from the bye-election Tribunal by the PDP candidate.

The three-man panel headed by Justice H.N Kunaza dismissed Onu’s petition for lack of merit.

Delivering the ruling by the Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki, Justice Kunaza who was flanked by Justice Bassey Bassey Nkanang and Justice M.O Agboola, said the PDP candidate failed to prove allegations of lack of fair hearing, bias and injustice in his petition.

Meanwhile, the petitioner noted that he would immediately appeal the ruling, insisting that he had lost confidence in the ability of the panel to dispense justice in the election petition by the panel.

Onu queried why the Panel didn’t suspend all actions to await the decision of the President of the Court of Appeal, saying: “I will also make a personal letter to the panel to know why they are more interested in the election petition than me and why they aren’t staying all actions to await the decision of the President of the Court of Appeal. We will also appeal their ruling. I don’t have any confidence in the panel. They have to go, for justice to prevail in our election petitions”.

Onu’s counsel, Caleb Onwe said he would immediately apply for the certified true copy of the ruling and study it for urgent actions.

Meanwhile, counsel to Senator Anthony Okorie and second respondent, Roy Nweze commended the ruling but expressed dissatisfaction that no cost was awarded against the petitioner to serve as a deterrent to anyone who tries to malign the integrity of Judges.

Nweze said: “Even if the tribunal had chosen to recuse itself, that is nothing to me because there’s a type of case you will have, you wouldn’t even mind your enemy to decide it. The petition is like a used toilet tissue”.

The counsel to APC, Jerry Ezenyi added that the ruling was excellent and perfect.

He also added that he wouldn’t have felt bad even if the tribunal had decided to recuse itself as petitioned.

Ezenyi said: “The ruling is perfect and excellent. The tribunal’s reason is sound both in law and facts.

Ondo guber: Court orders APC, INEC to file defence in suit seeking Aiyedatiwa’s sack as candidate

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Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defense in a suit seeking removal of Aiyedatiwa as APC gubernatorial candidate for November election.

The judge ordered that the three defendants must file their respective defence within days allowed by law since the suit is a time bound one.

The order of the court followed a claim by the APC that it had written a letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court requesting for transfer of the case from Abuja to Ondo State.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, APC lead counsel, Tayo Oyetibo, informed the court that his client had forwarded a letter to the Chief Judge praying for movement of the case from the Abuja division to Akure division.

He, however, admitted that APC had not received any response to the letter.

In response, Justice Ekwo held that there was no letter before him and as such, cannot act on anything not before the court.

Instead, the judge ordered that, with or without the letter before him, the defendants must respond to the issues raised by the plaintiff, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, against the conduct of the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa as the APC gubernatorial candidate.

APC, in its letter by Matthew Bukkar SAN, dated May 12, but received in Chief Judge’s Office on May 13, 2024, claimed that the primary election being challenged was conducted in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

It explained that it has a functional office in Akure with State Working Committee on ground and that the electoral body also has office in Akure.

Besides, APC said that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whose candidacy is being challenged, is resident in Akure.

The party, therefore, said that Akure division of the Federal High Court is the approximate convenient place for the case to be determined.

However, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Chris Uche SAN, was prevented from reacting to the letter on the ground that the said letter was not before the court.

After issuing the order, Justice Ekwo fixed May 29 for hearing of the suit with a warning that all processes in respect of the suit must be filed and exchanged by parties.

Ibrahim, who is representing Ondo South in the Senate, is praying the court to cancel the nomination of Aiyedatiwa as APC candidate on the ground that the April 20 primary election that produced him was unlawful.

In the suit instituted on his behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chris Uche, Ibrahim, a governorship aspirant who participated in the primary election, alleged that the poll was marred with a lot of irregularities.

Among others, the Senator claimed that sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 were grossly violated in the conduct of the disputed primary election by the APC.

He alleged that some delegates who could have voted for him at the primary election were not accredited to vote thereby making the primary election liable to be set aside and nullified.

He is therefore praying the court to bar INEC from accepting Governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC governorship candidate in the coming November 16 gubernatorial election in Ondo State.

The Senator also sought an order of perpetual injunction prohibiting governor Aiyedatiwa from holding himself out or parading himself as the APC governorship candidate.

Similarly, Ibrahim wants the court to set aside the purported primary election and compel the APC to conduct a fresh one in compliance with sections 221, 228 of the 1999 Constitution and that of 84 of the Electoral Act 2022.

The aggrieved governorship aspirant prayed the Federal High Court to delist the names of the APC and Aiyedatiwa from the political parties and candidates that would participate in the gubernatorial poll .

Plaintiff further requested that APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa be stripped of all rights except a fresh primary election is lawfully conducted for the purpose of nominating candidates for the governorship election.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Tayo Oyetibo SAN stood for APC, Bode Olanipekun SAN for Governor Aiyedatiwa and Charles Edosanwan SAN represented INEC.

Aregbesola’s campaign office wears new look, APC logos removed

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Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola has removed all paraphernalia of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from his campaign office.

The campaign office which is domiciled inside the four-storey building at Ayinke Towers, rechristened Oranmiyan House is located along the Gbongan-Ibadan road in Osogbo, the state capital.

The highrise building served as Aregbesola’s campaign office and later the office of The Osun Progressives, TOP, before its dissolution in 2022.

The white-coloured building which hitherto wore the colours of APC and with several poles bearing flags of the party and the National flags adorning its frontage, has been given a distinctly new look.

This development is coming as preparations are being set in motion for the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.

The insignia and identity of APC and the gigantic photos of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor and later APC National Chairman, Bisi Akande and the ex-President Muhammadu Buhari which formerly adorned the building have been removed.

DAILY POST observed that they have been replaced with equally large size images of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Chief Bola Ige and with the former Minister of Interior, Raid Aregbesola’s picture inserted in the middle.

Also, the huge inscription of the APC logo has finally been replaced with that of the Omoluabi Progressive Caucus.

DAILY POST gathered that the same remodelling was carried out at Aregbesola’s campaign office in his Ilesa hometown.

Reacting to the development, a member of the Omoluabi Progressive Caucus in Ilesa, Kazeem Olanrewaju said, they are trying to return to the progressive ideas that led to the creation of the APC.

Olanrewaju posited that “Tinubu and Akande have both derailed from the progressive ideas, saying the progressive politics which started with Awolowo and Bola Ige, is not about power, but abouyt about impacting lives.”

He condemned Tinubu’s government for having “no achievement in a year of running Nigeria. What is progressive about running Nigeria for a year without achievement.”

Olanrewaju, however, assured that the APC logos and banners would be brought back later.

In his words, “we will bring back banners later.”

Aregbesola fell out with Tinubu following his outburst against the president in January 2022.

He was also observed to be visibly absent during all the APC rallies across the country before the 2023 presidential election.

2026 WCQ: Osimhen, Onyemaechi join Super Eagles’ injury list

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Victor Osimhen and Bruno Onyemaechi have joined Super Eagles’ injury list ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

DAILY POST reports that Isimhen did not take part in Napoli’s training on Monday after sustaining an injury in the Partenopei’s Serie A clash with Bologna last weekend.

According to information available on Napoli’s official website, the forward underwent recovery work for a muscle strain.

The injury has put him in doubt for Francesco Calzona side’s league clash against Fiorentina this weekend.

Left-back Bruno Onyemaechi is already ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a knee injury.

AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze is also a major doubt for the two games as a result of an injury.

Moses Simon, Zaidu Sanusi and Tyrone Ebuehi have already been ruled out of the qualifiers due to a long-term injury.

Vice-captain William Troost-Ekong recently returned to training after undergoing surgery at the end of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

EPL: Neville, Carragher disagree over Player of the Season

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Former England internationals, Gary Neville and Jamie Caragher, have disagreed over who should win the 2023/24 Premier League Player of the Season.

This season’s Premier League will be concluded on Sunday, with Man City and Arsenal currently fighting for the title.

However, Neville picked Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as the Player of the Season, while Carragher opted for Manchester City’s Phil Foden.

“I think every game I have watched of Arsenal, he [Odegaard] is a beautiful player,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“He is the best player in the league I have seen this season on a regular basis. He takes the balls on the half-turn, tries to play them through – the right type of passes.”

On his part, Carragher said, “I spent all day thinking about this, and my two were Foden and Palmer.

“The reason I didn’t go for Palmer, perhaps this is wrong to say this but Chelsea having a bad season and not playing in the Champions League – I could have tossed a coin on it.

“It feels like a breakout season for Foden, and now he’s one of the main players in the team. He feels central to everything they’re doing.”

You’re sponsored by Guardiola, won nothing – Capello slams EPL manager

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Italian managerial legend, Fabio Capello, has hit out at Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi, claiming he is “third tier”.

De Zerbi joined the Premier League side in September 2022, leading them to a sixth-place finish and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

But the Seagulls have struggled under him this season.

They currently sit in 10th place with two fixtures left.

Brighton were also eliminated from the FA Cup in the fifth round, knocked out of the Carabao Cup in their first game and failed to get past the last 16 in the Europa League.

“I would put De Zerbi in the third tier.

“There is a lot of talk about him as one of the top coaches because Guardiola sponsors him, but this year he is tenth or eleventh in the standings.

“What has he won in his career? Let’s look at his CV: he has only won one cup in Ukraine,” Capello told Sky Sports.

Nasarawa United congratulates Baruwa on Super Eagles appointment

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Nigeria National League side Nasarawa United have congratulated their goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa for maintaining his position in the Super Eagles coaching crew.

Baruwa was listed among Super Eagles backroom staff on Monday.

He previously worked in the same position under previous handler Jose Peseiro.

“Congratulations to our goalkeeper coach, Olatunji Baruwa as he maintained his position as the Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer.”Nasarawa United wrote on X.

DAILY POST reports that Daniel Amokachi and Benjamin James are also included in the new technical crew.

Others are Chima Onyeike, who is a fitness trainer while Mehmet Ozturk will serve as match analyst.

Sporting Lagos resumes training ahead NPFL resumption

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Sporting Lagos have regrouped for their remaining fixtures in the Nigeria Premier Football League this season.

The modest club embarked on a short holiday after the NPFL announced a short break to allow Rivers United complete their outstanding fixtures.

Sporting Lagos had a light training session at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Monday to improve their fitness before the resumption of the league.

“We’ve taken some days off and we have started preparing for our next game against Rivers United,” goalkeeper coach Isa Abdullahi told the club’s media.

“We had some reflexes and reaction exercises to make sure we are ready for the game.”

Abdullahi Biffo’s side will face Rivers United when the season resumes.

The league is expected to resume later in the month.