Rivers Deputy Gov dumps APC for PDP, woos support for Jonathan and Wike

In a very shocking and dramatic move, the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Engr. Tele Ikuru, has denounced his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and moved over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ikuru issued a statement to this effect and called on his supporters to vote en masse for President Jonathan and Barr. Nyesom Wike at the forthcoming polls.

Jonathan has asked EFCC to arrest Tinubu, APC alleges

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of ordering Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on falsified charges in order to destabilise the party before the election.

Enugu Bishops to meet with Fr. Mbaka today over death threat

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu is set to hold a meeting with Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka over his recent claim that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his wife are planning to assassinate him.

In an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday, a representative of the diocese, who declined to have his name in print, said investigations are ongoing to determine the legitimacy of Mbaka’s threat. “We have had a meeting concerning the claim he made and we are doing something about it. We have to call him and he has to explain. We are going to have a meeting with him tomorrow (Sunday), after mass,” the representative said.

APC plans to announce fake presidential election result – Fani-Kayode

The Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to announce fake presidential election results after the poll next week on an illegal radio station, Radio Chanji.

Missing $20bn issue not adequately addressed, Sanusi tells Amanpour

The Immediate Past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the current Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said that the issues surrounding the missing $20bn oil money has not received adequate attention by the Federal Government.

I trust Buhari but doubt his environment – Bakare

The General Overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly and convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said he trusts the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari but doubts the credibility of his political environment.

I remain a committed member of APC, Atiku disowns party defectors

Former Vice President of Nigeria and chieftain of the All progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has denied knowledge of the groups of politicians who recently announced their defection from the opposition party to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Obanikoro, Akwashiki, six others sworn in as Ministers

Nigeria's President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, today swore in eight Ministers including Patricia Akwashiki and Musiliu Obanikoro who were recently confirmed by the Senate, before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

President Jonathan and his wife want me dead – Fr. Mbaka

A priest in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, are planning to kill him over his recent criticism of the government and his opposition to the President’s re-election bid.

Atiku loyalists endorse President Jonathan

As Nigerians prepare to go to the polls in less than two weeks to elect a President, some political groups loyal to a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, under the umbrella body, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku (AAA) and People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) in the country's South-West region have declared their unwavering support for the reelection bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Switzerland to return $380m Abacha loot to Nigeria

According to Geneva’s public prosecutor, Switzerland will return about $380 million syphoned from Nigeria by a former military leader, General Sani Abacha, under the supervision of the World Bank. This is in line with a deal agreed between Nigeria and the Abacha family in July 2014.

We have evidence of Jonathan’s interim govt plan – Fayemi

A former Governor of Ekiti State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the opposition party has strong evidence against President Goodluck Jonathan over his alleged plot to foist an unconstitutional Interim Government on the country.

Sunderland Sack Manager Gus Poyet

Sunderland FC Manager, Gus Poyet has been relieved of his duties following his side's poor run of form which saw the English club claim just one win in 12 Premier League games. The Black Cats were condemned to an embarrassing 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.

Sports Update: Man Utd, Arsenal and Real Madrid record wins

In the English Premier League, Manchester United thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 0 at Old Trafford with first half goals from Maroune Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney. Southampton forced table-toppers, Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in a very tense game that could easily have gone either way.

WHAT A SHAME!: Video footage of two fighting policemen goes viral

A two-minute video footage showing two police officers shamelessly engaging in physical combat has gone viral. The video, which was uploaded to YouTube on Friday by Sharebitmag with the caption “Two Nigeria police caught fighting in Lagos,” was recorded at the entrance of an unidentifiable bank.

Lekki Robbery: Fashola’s Comment is ‘Irresponsible’ -- Presidency

Reacting to comments by the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, that the Lekki robbery succeeded because almost the entire police department in Lagos State had been deployed to protect President Jonathan, the Presidency has rebuffed the opposition Governor discribing his remarks as irresponsible.

Morocco Phone Controversy: Pres. Jonathan orders probe and punishment of culprits

Nigeria's President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has ordered a full investigations into the controversy that has erupted over whether or not he had a telephone conversation with His Majesty, King Mohammed VI of Morocco. President Jonathan on Wednesday said he was shocked, surprised and highly embarrassed by the controversy.

Nigeria 2015: Labour Party Endorses President Jonathan's Second Term Bid

As the rescheduled dates for Nigeria's general elections draw closer, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party has thrown its weight behind the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, as he seeks a second term in office.

Nigerian Troops uncover B'Haram Bomb Making Factory

Nigerian forces have continued to record success in the onslaught against Boko Haram insurgents in the North East of Nigeria. The troops on Friday discovered a bomb making factory in Yobe State belonging to members of the deadly sect.

According to a statement released by the Defence Spokesperson, Major General Chris Olukolade, the discovery was made during ongoing cordon and search by troops in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Cote D’Ivoire Former First Lady, Simone Gbagbo sentenced to 20 years in prison

Former first lady of Cote D’Ivoire, Simone Gbagbo, was on Tuesday sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the 2011 post-election violence that claimed about 3,000 lives. Mrs. Gbagbo was tried with 82 other allies of her husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo.

APC lawmakers stage walk out as Senate confirms Obanikoro as Minister

Lawmakers of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have exercised their numerical advantage in the Nigerian Senate by confirming the the appointment of their former colleague, Senator Musliu Obanikoro as Minister. The PDP lawmakers went ahead with the confirmation to the displeasure of their counterparts in the leading opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), who staged a walk out.

Phone Call controversy: Morocco Recalls Nigerian Ambassador

Morocco has decided the immediate recall of its ambassador in Abuja for consultation, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

“Contrary to the allegations made by Nigerian authorities to the ambassador of HM the King in Abuja and local media, the Kingdom of Morocco confirms, in the clearest and strongest terms, that there has never been a phone conversation between HM King Mohammed VI and the President of this country”, the ministry said in a statement.

Poll Shift: An International Embarrassment Averted

This article was originally written on the 28th of February, 2015.

The announcement by Nigeria’s electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on 7th February of the shift in the earlier scheduled date for the 2015 general elections from 14th and 28th February to 28th March and 11th April, was received with widespread condemnation from within and outside Nigeria. Many groups, especially the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), perceived it to be a deliberate tactic by the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, and his party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to buy more time to woo voters in their favour, fearing that if the election was conducted on the earlier scheduled dates, it would have resulted in a massive defeat for them.