2025 | Page 173 of 264 | Trendbrio.com

Labour Party Suspends Otti, Nwokocha, Kingibe Indefinitely

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago05 mins

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has suspended six prominent members of the party, including the party’s only elected governor, Alex Otti of Abia State. This decision was contained in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja, on Wednesday. He said, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a five-man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and any other party members over allegations of anti-party activities. “The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today, May 7th, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution, has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee. “Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.” “By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies, among others, are to take note.” The party also clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list because she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but merely a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate. “We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added. “She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, and her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added. Reaffirming its position on political independence, the Labour Party declared that it will not enter into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition, and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger,” the statement added. “Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party; how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests? The Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a standalone party, and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”

Lagos Council Boss Slumps at APC Meeting

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade Alabi, on Wednesday, suddenly slumped at the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting was held at the party’s Secretariat along the ACME Road in Ikeja, Lagos. Alabi, who is the state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was said to be addressing party members when he suddenly slumped. He was subsequently revived and rushed to the hospital in an ambulance for further treatment.

VeryDarkMan Regains Freedom

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago01 mins

Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has regained freedom from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. VDM has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency since he was arrested in Abuja on Friday. There has been uproar across the nation with Nigeria youths demanding his immediate and unconditional release. EFCC said on Tuesday that the arrest followed a series of petitions against the activist, claiming that several invitations were communicated to him but he failed to honour them. In an update on his official Facebook page on Wednesday evening, an activist cum politician, Omoyele Sowore, said “VDM Released”!

Anthony Joshua Planning ‘Serious Investment’ in EFL Club

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Anthony Joshua is currently in talks over a potential investment into one EFL Championship club. Joshua has forged huge earnings from his career in heavyweight boxing and is reported to have a net worth of around $83 million. The 35-year-old has been making investments with his boxing fortune, including purchasing property in the London area. And now, headlines materialised that Joshua could be looking to purchase a share in a club he knows well. The Watford-born and bred boxer is looking to invest in the club, further cementing his hero status in his hometown. He told Seconds Out: “We wanted to move into private equity, venture capital funds. “As you earn, naturally you want to save, so rather than me spending recklessly I’m trying to invest money into certain asset classes and that was an opportunity that presented itself. “Nothing’s come of it yet. It’s a serious investment. If it comes off it’s one that should do well. “If they went back to the Premier League then I’d need to get a shop on Market Street because the traffic that would be coming through Watford would be phenomenal. “I remember being on Market Street and watching the football fans. “I’m not a massive football fan myself but watching the fans steamroll Market Street and steamroll Vicarage Road were real good scenes. “If we don’t do it then good luck to them anyway because they’re a great team.” The Hornets finished 14th in the Championship, securing their place in the division comfortably for another year. Since their Premier League relegation at the end of the 2021-2022 season, Watford have spent three seasons in the Championship without securing a return. In the 2022-2023 season, they finished mid-table in 11th place, with Joao Pedro as their leading scorer. The following 2023-2024 campaign saw them drop slightly to 15th, with managerial changes not helping a period of instability at the club. The current 2024-2025 season concluded with them in 14th, with Vakoun Bayo leading their scoring. While they’ve shown some attacking capability, consistent results have eluded them, and they haven’t been in contention for promotion in any of these seasons. Given their lack of Championship play-off action yet again, Watford have since parted ways with manager Tom Cleverley. Joshua’s investment would likely help try to restore the club’s chances of pushing for a place back with the country’s elite.

Tinubu Lauds Oluwatobi Oyinlola for Groundbreaking GPS Device

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to young Nigerian innovator, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, for setting a new Guinness World Record with the invention of the world’s smallest GPS tracking device. In a message shared via his verified X account @officialABAT on Tuesday, the President praised Oyinlola’s groundbreaking achievement, describing it as a clear reflection of the immense talent and promise within Nigeria’s youth. “A Nigerian, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has just developed the world’s smallest GPS Tracking Device prototype measuring 22.93 X 11.92mm with endless possibilities for use in various industries, and spheres of life,” the President wrote. “Congratulations, Oluwatobi, on this feat. You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he added, signing the message with his initials, PBAT. Oyinlola’s device, now officially recognised by the Guinness World Records, is poised to make a significant impact across various sectors, including logistics, security, healthcare, and transportation, owing to its compact size and versatile applications. This milestone adds to a growing list of international accolades earned by young Nigerians in science, technology, and the creative industries. It also aligns with President Tinubu’s continued emphasis on harnessing the ingenuity and energy of the nation’s youth as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s advancement.

Egypt 2025: Flying Eagles Reach Quarter-Finals

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Nigeria reached the quarter finals of the ongoing CAF U20 Championship in Egypt despite having to force Kenya’s Rising Stars to a 2-2 draw in the last match of group B on Wednesday. In the event, the Flying Eagles finished second on the table with five points, two behind group leaders Morocco who drilled Tunisia 3-1 in the other match of the pool and will remain in Cairo for the quarter finals, against the second-placed team in group A. Group A is made up of hosts Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Tanzania. Seven-time champions Nigeria will now have to make the trip to Ismailia for their quarter-final game on Monday, against the second-placed team in group C. Group C is made up of title-holders Senegal, bitter-rivals Ghana, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya’s Rising Stars made the game difficult for the Flying Eagles, as the wards of Aliyu Zubairu had to come from behind twice to salvage the encounter. Kevin Wangaya put the Rising Stars ahead after only five minutes, scoring from the penalty spot after a Nigerian defender stopped the ball with his hand in the box. Nigeria restored parity seven minutes later, after Kparobo Arierhi waltzed his way through the defence to place the ball firmly beyond the reach of the opposition goal-tender. The East Africans were back in front in the 68th minute, as the Flying Eagles’ rearguard ball-watched a freekick from the left and allowed William to blast the ball past goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt from Lawrence’s in-swinger. Five minutes later, Nigeria were level again, with captain Daniel Bameyi sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot after substitute Mendos Rickson was upended in the box. The Flying Eagles’ match on Monday will be the first quarter-final, starting at 3pm Egypt time (1pm Nigeria time) in Ismailia.

Guinness Brings Premier League Trophy to Nigeria

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

As part of its commitment to provide its consumers and Nigerian football fans with unmatched experiences and memories, Guinness Nigeria, in partnership with the Premier League, today announced that it is bringing the prestigious English Premier League trophy to Nigeria. This visit will see the trophy visit Enugu on May 16th and Lagos on May 17th and 18th; providing football fans the opportunity to interact up close and personal, with the ultimate prize of the best football league in the world. The three-day, two-city tour will provide football fans around the world with a chance to be in proximity of the iconic Premier League™ Trophy and the heroes of the game. Both iconic cities- will also host Guinness MatchDay events; an elevated football viewing experience featuring multiple viewing screens to ensure fans don’t miss a moment, a replay and highlight corners with noise cancellation headsets, an iconic 360-degree Guinness ar serving an array of Guinness nspired cocktails, on-site customization of football jerseys, and other wonderful experiences that puts fans at the center of the football action. Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Olayinka Bakare, further reiterated this: ”Our association with Football is a key platform to engage & elevate the experiences of our consumers. This is more than a tour. It is an iconic, unmissable experience. Besides the unique excitement of seeing the Premier League silverware in Nigeria, it’s about celebrating football’s power to unite us, whilst delivering unmatched football moments that only Guinness can offer.”

VeryDarkMan Gets Administrative Bail

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to popular Nigerian social media activist Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan. The bail was announced on Tuesday, May 6, via a statement on the EFCC’s official Twitter handle. Despite the bail, Otse will remain in custody until he fulfils the conditions of his release. The EFCC did not disclose the specific terms of the bail but confirmed that Otse is being held pending the perfection of those conditions. Otse’s arrest stemmed from what the commission described as “multiple grave allegations” related to financial crimes. According to the EFCC, the influencer had been invited several times for questioning but consistently failed to respond. “The allegations against Otse bordered on financial crimes, and he had, on several occasions, ignored invitations sent to him by the EFCC,” the agency stated. While details of the allegations have not been made public, the arrest and subsequent bail have sparked widespread attention online, where Otse commands a large and vocal following. Known for his outspoken views on social justice and political affairs, Otse has frequently courted controversy with his online activism. The EFCC emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing and did not indicate when Otse might be released from custody. Otse’s legal representatives have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the case or the bail conditions.