2025 | Page 38 of 263 | Trendbrio.com

Rigging Fears Grip Edo, Kaduna Ahead of August 16 By-Elections

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Tensions are rising in Edo and Kaduna States ahead of Saturday’s by-elections, with opposition parties and election monitors alleging prewritten results, compromised Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, and recruitment of armed thugs to intimidate voters. In Edo, the Coalition of Observer Groups warned of plans to manipulate results in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency. The group alleged tactics similar to those seen in the disputed September 2024 governorship poll, including duplicate result sheets prepared before collation and police harassment of opposition agents. A senior Peoples Democratic Party figure claimed results are already being written in Government House, with controversial INEC officials from Rivers State deployed to oversee the vote. The coalition urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to ensure a peaceful, violence-free process. In Kaduna, the African Democratic Congress and Social Democratic Party accused the ruling APC of mobilising 4,000 thugs, bribing INEC staff, and raising billions for vote buying and security compromise. They named a serving commissioner and a former senator as alleged key actors. Opposition groups in both states called on INEC to replace questionable officials, guarantee transparent collation, and secure polling centres. INEC and the police are yet to respond.

Obidient Movement Launches MERD Campaign to Combat Election Rigging

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The Obidient Movement has unveiled a nationwide campaign themed “Get Organised – Make Election Rigging Difficult (MERD)” aimed at empowering citizens and safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the National Coordinator, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, said the initiative’s primary goal is to ensure that every eligible Nigerian obtains a Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) to strengthen electoral integrity. “Our mission is clear: boost civic participation nationwide,” Yunusa stated. “In every polling unit, Obidients will lead or join voting blocs of at least 100 people, targeting 100% PVC ownership. We will go door-to-door, assist with voter registration, and recruit 1,500 principled leaders to contest elections under our platform.” He further revealed that the movement will mobilize massive voter turnout, deploy one million trained vote protectors, and leverage technology for real-time election monitoring. The MERD campaign, Yunusa stressed, is designed to close the gaps that enable electoral malpractice, ensuring that the 2027 elections are transparent, credible, and truly reflect the will of the people.

Usyk Asks for Extension on Joseph Parker Fight Due to Injury

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Oleksandr Usyk has requested an extension on negotiations to fight Joseph Parker due to injury, promoter Frank Warren has told Sky Sports. Usyk was recently ordered by the WBO to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Parker after defeating Daniel Dubois to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Alternatively, Parker could face the winner of Moses Itauma against Dillian Whyte should Usyk vacate the WBO title. “He (Usyk) put a letter in yesterday stating that he’s asked him for an extension period, because he’s injured, before being ordered to do anything,” Warren told Sky Sports News. “Whatever happens the fact of life is Joseph Parker will either fight as champion if Usyk vacates or he will fight Usyk for the title. “If Moses or Dillian win, they’re in the No 1 spot and if the fight with Usyk and Parker doesn’t happen then Joe (Parker) will have to fight the official number one contender.” Duke McKenzie and Gary Logan debate whether rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma could be the one to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk as undisputed champion. Duke McKenzie and Gary Logan debate whether rising heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma could be the one to dethrone Oleksandr Usyk as undisputed champion. Usyk became a three-time undisputed champion, twice at heavyweight and once at cruiserweight, in July when he knocked out Dubois to add the Brit’s IBF belt to his collection. He had stated prior to the contest that he believed he had two more fights left in his, so far perfect, professional career, with a prospective bout against Parker seemingly representing the second. Usyk was, however, also linked to a potential trilogy fight against Tyson Fury in 2026 after the Gypsy King underlined his wish to seek revenge following back-to-back losses to the Ukrainian. “His camp have written asking for a period of time before he has to defend the title,” Warren continued. “We’ll see what happens and the WBO will put a statement out on this today or tomorrow, I’ve been informally told what the position is. The most important thing is to focus on Saturday, it’s a very important fight.” Barry Jones, Natasha Jonas and Dalton Smith discuss whether Oleksandr Usyk will vacate his WBO heavyweight title or give Joseph Parker a shot for the belt. Parker was denied a shot at the IBF title earlier this year when Dubois withdrew from his scheduled title defence due to illness during fight week. The New Zealander subsequently knocked out last-minute replacement Martin Bakole to keep his world title hopes alive. On Saturday the attention turns to another aspiring world champion when the highly-rated Itauma encounters the experience of Whyte, who is looked to derail his younger opponent’s development while also setting up another big night of his own in the latter years of his career.

Gusau Commends Pace of Work on NFF/FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) has praised the contractors working on the NFF-FIFA Players’ hostel and new training pitches for the pace of work on the project, which groundbreaking ceremony was done on 18th March this year. On an inspection of the site, which is located opposite the NFF Secretariat inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, Gusau, in company with some members of NFF Management, was conducted round the various sections of the project by the lead architect, Architect Gambo Ahmadu. After the inspection, Gusau expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the site and expressed confidence that the contractors will be able to deliver on the 24-month mandate given for the completion of the work. “I am happy with the pace of the work, the seriousness shown so far by the contractors, and the quality of the work as seen so far. They have a 24-month mandate to deliver, and at the pace they are going, they should be able to complete the Players’ Hostel and the Training Pitches on or before that timeline. “I am also impressed with the quality of work. For the present NFF administration, it is a legacy project and it is very close to our hearts. I am also happy that the project is located close to the office where members of the NFF Executive Committee (whenever any of them is in Abuja), myself and the NFF Management and Staff can easily monitor what is being done.” The inspection took Gusau and his team to the site of the new training pitches, the old training pitch which is also to undergo extensive renovation, and the two-story Players’ Hostel, which will have several office and conference facilities on the ground floor, while the first and second floors will contain the rooms for the players and officials. “We need the report of what has been done so far, alongside photographs, for us to send to FIFA so that they know how far the project has gone,” Gusau told Architect Ahmadu. It will be recalled that at only the second meeting of the present NFF Executive Committee, Gusau tabled the proposal for this legacy project to his colleagues, and it was unanimously endorsed that the NFF’s residual funds from the FIFA 2.0 and the proposed funds from then incipient FIFA 3.0 be utilized for the construction of a befitting hostel accommodation for the National Teams, and the construction of two Football Pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic turf) for use by the teams at the Goal Project section of the Package B of MKO Abiola National Stadium. With Gusau at the inspection were NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Deputy Director of Competitions, Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and’ SA to President, Abubakar Danladi Umar.

WAFU-B U17 Boys Tourney: Golden Eaglets Continue Preparations in Abuja

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Nigeria’s U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets, have continued intensive preparations for next month’s WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament, with the technical crew led by Coach Manu Garba working assiduously to produce a team capable of doing the country proud. On Wednesday, the five-time world champions were ruthless in a 5-0 demolition of Winsome FC in a friendly game played at the FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium. The Eaglets were two goals better going into the break and the team got more clinical in the second half, scoring three more goals to end the game 5-0. Winsome FC is from Oporoza Island, Warri South West, Delta State. It was the fourth friendly game by the Eaglets, who are in camp preparing for the WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament taking place next month. In earlier games, they had beaten Espora Football Academy of Abuja 4-0, pipped GASA of Ilorin by a lone goal and came from behind to defeat Bandex Football Academy of Kebbi 3-2.

Ondo Assembly, PROMAD to Sign MoU on Public Projects Tracking—Oladiji

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly (ODHA), has expressed the readiness of the legislative arm of the Ondo State Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PROMAD Infotech Foundation. Rt. Hon. Oladiji, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu announced the plan while speaking at the closeout ceremony for the 18 fellows of the Social Accountability Fellowship organised in the State by PROMAD in Akure on Tuesday. The speaker disclosed to the gathering that discussions were ongoing with the Management of PROMAD to increase the number of fellows from 18 to 26, so that each state constituency will be duly represented. He said, “This is a first-of-its-kind initiative, and the House has adopted it. I urge the fellows to remain steadfast and committed to securing a better future for our State.” He said the MoU would strengthen collaboration for citizen oversight to track, monitor and report government projects in their communities to the House. In June, PROMAD commenced the implementation of Strengthening Participation, Accountability and Transparency in States (SPATS) with the support of ALDA—European Association for Local Democracy, under the WYDE Civic Engagement Project, and implemented in collaboration with European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), Elbarlament, People in Need, and the European Partnership for Democracy and funded by the European Union (EU). As part of its advocacy under SPATS, PROMAD has engaged the Ondo State House of Assembly and other relevant government agencies to promote participatory and accountable governance in the State. When the MoU is signed, a new paradigm for citizens, especially young people in the State, to co-oversight public projects and directly make findings known to their lawmakers for speedy interventions. This will further strengthen the successes recorded by PROMAD under its flagship social accountability, FollowTheProjects, which is developing a new dashboard for real-time project monitoring and providing more accessibility to Nigerians.

Man accused of driving into crowds at Liverpool victory parade faces further 24 charges

Liverpool Parade Incident: Man Faces 24 Additional Charges

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

A man accused of driving into crowds during Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory parade now faces 24 additional charges, bringing the total to 31 counts involving 29 victims aged from six months to 77 years. The incident occurred on 26 May, when a Ford Galaxy allegedly driven by 53-year-old Paul Doyle struck large groups of fans celebrating the club’s title win. More than 130 people were injured, including several children. Originally charged with seven offences, including wounding with intent, grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm, and dangerous driving, Doyle now faces an expanded list of allegations. Six of the new charges involve babies, among them a six-month-old and a seven-month-old. The updated indictment includes 19 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, seven counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, three counts of wounding with intent, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of affray. Doyle appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from prison, reportedly in tears during the proceedings. He did not enter any pleas at the brief hearing. The case has been adjourned until 4 September, when he is expected to respond to the charges.

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Ukraine War Update: Zelenskyy Meets Starmer; Kremlin Confirms Trump-Putin Summit Plans

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on August 14, highlighting Britain’s continued support for Ukraine ahead of the upcoming U.S.–Russia summit in Alaska. Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and warned that further pressure could be applied to Russia if necessary. The meeting comes at a critical moment, as the Kremlin confirmed that Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will hold a one-on-one meeting this Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Following the private discussion, their delegations will join for broader talks, concluding with a joint press conference. This will be the first in-person meeting between Trump and Putin since 2019. It has raised concerns among European leaders, who fear Ukraine’s interests could be sidelined during negotiations. Many have stressed that any resolution to the conflict must not undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty. Trump has described the summit as a “listening exercise,” with the aim of exploring possible ceasefire arrangements. He has also indicated that economic measures could be considered if diplomatic progress stalls, while Putin has framed the talks as an opportunity to address security concerns and “reset” strained relations.