IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu has promised that his government will do the right things for Nigeria if elected. He said this in a tweet on his official handle, adding that his government won’t “do what is comfortable”.

“We are not here to do what is comfortable. We are here to do what is right for our people and our country,” the former Lagos State governor said on Monday. Tinubu noted that his presidential ambition is powered by what he described as “the love of Nigeria”, maintaining that such a motive is a “higher calling”.

“We are here to answer to a greater, higher calling. That calling is the love of Nigeria,” he added. “We dare not miss this chance because we cannot be sure of another.”

Manchester United have agreed a deal with Ajax for Brazil winger Antony. It is understood United will pay an initial fee of £80.75m, with a further £4.25m in add-ons. The 22-year-old is due to arrive in Manchester to complete a medical within the next 48 hours.

Antony would become Manchester United's joint-second most expensive signing alongside defender Harry Maguire - the £89m paid for Paul Pogba remains the club's record. Antony scored 25 goals and provided 22 assists in 82 appearances for Ajax, having joined the Dutch side from Sao Paulo in 2020 and played under current United boss Erik ten Hag.

He made his international debut for Brazil in October 2021 and has two goals in nine appearances. Antony, who contributed to seven goals in his 11 Champions League appearances for Ajax, would also become the joint-fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history. Only Pogba's move to United, Chelsea's signing of Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City's deal for Jack Grealish would be more costly.

United travel to Leicester City in their next Premier League fixture on Thursday, 1 September, but Antony would need to receive a work permit before making an appearance.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 19, 20 and 21st as the trial dates for the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and four others.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the trial dates in his ruling on Tuesday in the nation’s capital. He equally declined to grant bail to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and four others. They are being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on allegations bordering on a cocaine deal.

Kyari was arraigned alongside four suspended police officers including ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP James, Inspector Simon Agirigba and Inspector John Nuhu as 2nd to 5th defendants respectively. Ruling on the bail application, Justice Emeka Nwite said the applicants failed to present sufficient materials and evidence to warrant the granting of the fresh application.

Justice Nwite, therefore, reaffirmed his earlier ruling of March 28, 2022, ordering an accelerated hearing.

Bournemouth have sacked boss Scott Parker after Saturday's 9-0 defeat by Liverpool, four games into the season. After the loss, Parker, 41, said he was "not surprised" and said the team was "ill-equipped at this level".

"In order for us to keep progressing as a team and a club as a whole, it is unconditional that we are aligned in our strategy to run the club sustainably," said owner Maxim Demin. "We must also show belief in and respect for one another."

Demin added: "That is the approach that has brought this club so much success in recent history, and one that we will not veer from now. Our search for a new head coach will begin immediately." The Liverpool thrashing was Bournemouth's third straight league defeat, having won their opening match.

Gary O'Neil will take interim charge of the team and will be assisted by Shaun Cooper and Tommy Elphick.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday promised not to allow intimidations of any sort, whether materially, morally or physically during the 2023 elections. He said the kind of leadership that thrives on intimidation will not benefit the nation.

The President was speaking when he received some Governors of the All Progressives Congress, led by Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, at the State House, a statement signed by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina said.

President Buhari stated that under his leadership he will continue to respect Nigerians by ensuring that their votes count and the people’s voice matter in choosing political leaders at different levels.

He further assured Nigerians that the APC will continue to bequeath strong political institutions that reflect their choices, through non-interference in elections, citing outcome of polls in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun States as cogent indicators.

- Ugwuh, Ihedioha desperate to Frustrate the chances of Pdp in the 2023 Elections in Imo 

The Divine Mandate Movement, DMM has described the claim by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo state chapter, Engr Charles Ugwuh that he was assaulted by some officials of Divine Mandate Movement in his office as ' ridiculous' and an attempt to create unnecessary tension in the party in Imo state.

Addressing Journalists on Tuesday, the Director, Media and Publicity of Divine Mandate Movement, DMM, Sir Sunny Ndukwu said the leadership of Divine Mandate Movement has met with the Department of State Security, DSS, Imo state on invitation in relation to the petition sponsored by Engr Charles Ugwuh, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo state chapter. 

Also, Ndukwu said as law abiding citizens, the Director General, Divine Mandate Movement, Hon Ngozi Ogbu, Evang Myke Ikoku, Chairman of Divine Mandate Movement and Hon Frank Onwumere were invited by the DSS on Tuesday. 

The details of the petition which is now public as syndicated by surrogates of Ugwuh, is baseless and a desperate attempt to diminish the image of the popular national secretary of the people's democratic party , Sen Samuel Anyanwu, (Samdaddy). 

It is evident to note that the actions, activities and body language of the current leadership of the state working committee, led by Engr Charles Ugwuh has become a cause for worry to many teeming members of the party in Imo. They have resorted to intimidation and threats to candidates and party officials in the local governments, in a bid to force members of the party to  support their preferred sole Guber candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha. 

This level of impunity is regrettable and must be condemned by all well meaning member's of the party. 

" For  clarity, the Director General, Divine Mandate Movement, DMM, Hon Ngozi Ogbu will tomorrow in company of Evang Myke Ikoku, Chairman, Divine Mandate Movement and Hon Frank Onwumere honor another invitation from the Commissioner of Police, Imo state command on Wednesday, bordering on the same petition by Engr Charles Ugwuh. 

We hereby urge the security agencies in the state, particularly, the department of state security, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, Imo state command and other security agencies not to allow some desperate party officials carry out the biding of their pay master  by creating confusion and tension in the state under the guise of a frivolous petition aimed at diverting attentions from the numerous anti party activities being committed by Engr Ugwuh and his cohorts in the state  working committee of our party. 

The Divine Mandate Movement, DMM will remain law abiding and shall always avail themselves to invitations by any of the security agencies as true democrats.

Sir Sunny Ndukwu, KSM