IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Erik ten Hag says he is not risking his managerial reputation by taking the Manchester United job. The Dutchman, 52, is United's fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

"I don't see it as a risk," he said. "I think this club has a great history, and now let's make a future." Ten Hag also suggested Cristiano Ronaldo would not be leaving, adding he expected there to be goals from the Portugal forward next season.

The former Ajax boss was speaking to reporters at his official unveiling as United manager 24 hours after watching his new club lose 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season. Their points tally of 58, though good enough to secure sixth and a place in the Europa League, is their poorest return since 1989-1990 and comes just a year after they finished second behind Manchester City.

Ten Hag did not say how many players he felt the club needed to bring in over the summer, instead answering that he was still "in the process of analysing" his squad. "The plan is huge and we only have a short time," he added.

President Muhammadu Buhari has re-echoed his government’s resolve to restore peace to every part of the country. Buhari said this on Monday during the 58th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force held in Kano State.

“This government would not rest until peace and security are fully restored to our nation,” he said in his speech. The President, who congratulated the NAF and other security agencies for their sacrifices toward peace, assured of his government’s continued support.

“I want to assure you that your sacrifices are well appreciated by Nigerians,” Buhari stated.

... Assures them of victory if given the party ticket

Action oriented Member representing Ideato North / Ideato South Federal Constituency & Chairman House Committee on Health Institutions Hon. Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi "Ugwumsinachi" this afternoon addressed Ideato North delegates and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as part of his crusade to secure a second term ticket. 

In his extraordinary speech, Ugwumsinachi informed that his superlative performance cum verifiable achievements cannot be overemphasized, saying that the party will fly higher with him as the flagbearer. 

He emplored the party faithfuls to present him for the upcoming general election considering the trickle-down effects of his candidature.

Hon. Dr. Obi maintained that with unity of purpose and presentation of a viable candidate which he represents will give APC the desired conquest.

The party stakeholders thanked Ugwumsinachi for his quintessential representation, admitting that his presence in APC remains a big plus to the leading political organization.

Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to protect the interests of Igbos if elected as Nigeria’s President in 2023. He made the pledge on Saturday during a visit to the PDP delegates in Abia State where he also met with the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu in Umuahia.

According to Wike, he is the only PDP presidential aspirant to publicly declare Igbos’ interest with courage. The Rivers governor also stated that he is ending his presidential campaign ahead of the opposition’s primary slated for May 28. “I am coming to run for President, not just on account of my own, a lot of my friends put heads together to say ‘look it is important that you lead this battle to rescue Nigeria’” he said.

“I say so with all amount of seriousness and I challenge anybody who is from the southern part of Nigeria, the South-South or South-East. check all of us, who can even defend the interests of Ndi Igbos?”

In his remark, Governor Ikpeazu told the delegates that Wike has paid his dues and will not abandon the PDP even if the primaries do not work in his favour. He said, “Governor Wike has paid his dues, he has fought for this party, he has stood for this party. He has never changed parties and he will not change parties despite the outcome of the convention whenever it comes. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it will go ahead with its primaries scheduled for Sunday, May 22. This information was contained in a brief communique by Hon. Umar Bature, the PDP’s National Organizing Secretary.

Hon Bature revealed to aspirants to various elective positions in the 2023 general election, delegates and teeming members of the party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the primaries to nominate candidates for the 2023 general elections will commence as officially scheduled.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the State Houses of Assembly Primaries to elect our State House of Assembly candidates will hold on Sunday, May 22, 2022, the House of Representatives Primaries to elect our House of Representatives candidates will also hold on Sunday, May 22.”

However, Hon Bature stated that the Senatorial Primary to elect the Senatorial candidates will hold on Monday, May 23. He noted that the National Working Committee has approved that in the event of unforeseen logistic situations activities of the Senatorial Primary may extend to Tuesday, May 24, 2022.

France forward Kylian Mbappe has agreed to stay at Paris St-Germain, turning down a move to Real Madrid. He has signed a lucrative new three-year deal with the French champions. The 2018 World Cup winner, 23, had been heavily linked with a move to Spain but has committed his future to PSG.

Spain's La Liga reacted angrily to the news, calling the deal "scandalous" and announcing it plans to file a complaint to Uefa as well as French and EU authorities. "This type of agreement threatens the economic sustainability of European football," read a La Liga statement, adding that it put "hundreds of thousands of jobs and sporting integrity at risk in the medium term, not only from European competitions, but also from our domestic leagues".

According to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, writing last month, PSG were prepared to offer Mbappe a 150m euro signing-on fee to keep him for another two seasons. He had agreed a financial package with Real months ago for a potential switch to Spain, but has decided not to join Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Mbappe said he was "very happy" to stay at PSG after he and club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi announced the striker's new deal on Parc des Princes pitch before his side played Metz in their final Ligue 1 match of the season.