PDP Warns Courts Against Interfering in Party Affairs

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cautioned the judiciary against interfering in its internal matters, warning that such actions could blur the line between the courts and partisan politics. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, made this known on Friday during an interview on Arise Television, where he expressed concern that the courts are increasingly being drawn into political roles. Reacting to recent judicial decisions affecting the party, Ememobong said the ruling in question reflected careful consideration, noting that the party’s constitution does not provide for a national caretaker arrangement. According to him: “Well, this verdict only shows the wisdom that my lord used in arriving at that because I’m sure that my lord cannot point to the constitution of the party anywhere where there is a national caretaker. “But again, I have tremendous respect for the court and which is why the court should stay away from the internal affairs of the party so that they don’t become politicians. But you do know that perception and reality may have divergence, but when they converge to the extent that people lose faith in a process, then something is wrong.” Ememobong stressed that his comments were not an accusation against the judiciary but a reflection on public perception, which he described as critical to the credibility of the justice system. “I’m not saying anything, but I’m simply saying that you find a situation where the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court goes to beg the Minister of the FCT for land and houses for judges of the Federal High Court. I’m not saying anything, but I’m simply saying perception. I will send you the video.” He further referenced a publicly reported courtesy visit, explaining that such interactions, when viewed alongside politically sensitive cases, could raise concerns in the minds of the public. “The courtesy call was public and the minister was even saying, oh, how many of you are there across different jurisdictions? Oh, we’ll start with the senior judges or the younger judges and all of that. “And incidentally, all these cases go to those people. We are not accusing them, but we are simply saying perception because it is a fundamental issue in law that justice must not just be done, but it must be seen to be done.” The PDP spokesperson concluded by reiterating the party’s call for judicial restraint in political party affairs, emphasizing that maintaining public confidence in the legal process is essential for democracy to thrive.

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Wizkid vs Fela: Nigeria Has Bigger Problems to Fix – Femi Kuti

Wizkid vs Fela: Nigeria Has Bigger Problems to Fix – Femi Kuti

Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the growing trend of comparing today’s Nigerian music stars to his late father, iconic Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. According to him, such arguments add little value and distract from far more pressing national concerns. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Femi made it clear that he has no interest in engaging in the debate, stressing that Nigeria’s challenges go well beyond entertainment rivalries. “I wish it never came up. I’m not participating in it,” he said. He went further to criticise the state of governance in the country, lamenting the lack of meaningful leadership and direction. “The government doesn’t even know how to move people positively forward. It’s shameful.” The renewed conversation was triggered by comments attributed to Afrobeat star Wizkid, who claimed superiority over Fela in a remark directed at Seun Kuti. Wizkid was quoted as saying, “ I big pass your papa.” Not long after the controversy, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti received a posthumous nomination for a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour that reignited discussions about his enduring impact on Nigerian and global music. Reacting to this, Femi argued that his father’s legacy should not be measured against contemporary artistes. He described Fela as the bedrock of Nigeria’s music industry, whose influence transcends generational comparison. “Fela is the template musically and artistically in Nigeria. He should be put in a sector of his own and respected,” he said. While recognising the international success enjoyed by modern Afrobeat stars, Femi Kuti maintained that the emphasis should be on collaboration, unity and national development rather than competition. He also expressed frustration that decades after Fela’s death, many of the societal problems his father sang about still persist. “For 29 years, he has been gone, yet we are still discussing the same issues,” Femi said, noting that corruption, insecurity, tribalism and terrorism have only intensified. Femi Kuti concluded by encouraging Nigerians, especially the youth, to harness the global spotlight on Nigerian music as a tool for nation building and social change. “This recognition is good for Nigeria and Africa. We should use it to build the country, build our music industry, and come together,” he added.

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‘Home alone’ star Catherine O’Hara dies at 71

‘Home Alone’ Star Catherine O’Hara Dies At 71

Reports circulating online claim that acclaimed Hollywood actress Catherine O’Hara, best known for her roles in Home Alone and Schitt’s Creek, has died at the age of 71. According to the reports, her agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), allegedly confirmed that O’Hara passed away at her home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. No cause of death has been disclosed. O’Hara rose to global fame for her memorable role as the frantic yet loving mother of Kevin McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, a performance that cemented her place in pop culture history. She later earned widespread critical acclaim and a new generation of fans for her portrayal of the eccentric and iconic Moira Rose in the Emmy-winning comedy series Schitt’s Creek, where she appeared in 80 episodes and won multiple awards. Her extensive filmography also includes standout performances in Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and several other projects that showcased her distinctive comedic brilliance. A Canadian native who began her career in improvisational comedy, O’Hara enjoyed a decades-long career spanning film, television, and stage, becoming one of the most respected figures in comedy. As of now, official confirmation from major news outlets is still being awaited. Fans and colleagues across the world have continued to reflect on her immense contributions to comedy and popular culture amid the circulating reports.

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Singer Bad Bunny named greatest pop star of 2025

Singer Bad Bunny Named Greatest Pop Star of 2025

Global music sensation Bad Bunny has been crowned the biggest pop star of 2025, topping Billboard’s annual Greatest Pop Stars ranking ahead of some of the industry’s most dominant names. The music publication unveiled the Puerto Rican superstar as number one on Friday, placing him ahead of Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift. According to Billboard, Bad Bunny’s top ranking was driven by the massive success of his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, his sold-out “No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí” residency, and his foray into acting with a role in Happy Gilmore 2. The announcement comes during a particularly busy stretch for the artist, who is expected to make high-profile appearances around the Grammy Awards and headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Taylor Swift secured the second spot on the list, marking yet another year she narrowly missed the top position. A recent fan poll reflected similar expectations, with nearly 70 per cent of respondents predicting Bad Bunny would finish ahead of her. With a landmark year behind him and major performances still ahead, Bad Bunny rounds off 2025 firmly established as pop music’s defining star.

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Angela Okorie

Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie Gets N5m Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted a Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie, to a N5 million bail with one surety in like sum for allegedly cyberbullying Mercy Johnson-Okojie, who is also an actress. Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on Okorie’s bail application moved by her lawyer, Earnest Nwoye, held that though the prosecution opposed the request, there was no concrete evidence before the court to prove that the defendant would jump bail if granted. “Therefore, I am minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice,” Justice Nwite said, noting that bail is at the discretion of the court which must be exercised judicially and judiciously. The judge admitted Okorie to N5 million bail with one surety, who must depose to affidavit of means and must be a level 13 civil servant. He warned that the surety must produce his appointment letter and letter of their last promotion in the service. The judge ordered Okorie’s and her surety to submit two passport photographs to the court registrar and that the residence of the surety must be verified by the registrar. Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter until March 23 for trial, ordered Okorie to be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

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Djokovic Beats Sinner to Set Up Alcaraz Final at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic beat defending champion Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Jan 30 to reach the Australian Open final. The Serb will seek a record-extending 11th Melbourne Park title and standalone 25th Grand Slam trophy when he faces Carlos Alcaraz on Feb 1. Alcaraz, meanwhile, said he did not think he had cramp initially when he took a medical timeout that left Alexander Zverev fuming in their marathon semi-final. The world No. 1 fought through 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (3-7), 6-7 (4-7), 7-5 over a monumental 5hrs 27 mins to send the German third seed home. There was controversy when Alcaraz pulled up in pain clutching his right thigh at 4-4 in the third set. He was allowed to have treatment at the changeover, leaving Zverev furious and angrily remonstrating with officials. Medical timeouts are not permitted solely for muscle cramping. “What can I do? It’s not my decision. I didn’t like it, but it’s not my decision,” said Zverev. The recommendations included proposals on sustaining economic growth at the higher end of the 2 per cent to 3 per cent average over the next 10 years. Alcaraz, who continued after treatment with his movement limited, said that it was the physio who called for the medical timeout. “In the beginning when it was on a specific just one muscle, I didn’t think it was cramp at all,” he said. “I didn’t know exactly what it was because I just go around to a forehand and then I started to feel it just in the right adductor, so that’s why I just called the physio because in that moment, the left leg was good. “In that moment I just talk to the physio. I said, okay, I just went to run to the forehand side, and I started to feel like the right adductor. He decided to take the medical timeout, and he did it.”

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Super Eagles would have qualified for 2026 World Cup if i were still NFF President — Amaju Pinnick

Super Eagles Would Have Qualified for 2026 World Cup If I Were Still NFF President — Amaju Pinnick

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has claimed that he would have ensured the Super Eagles qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if he were still at the helm of Nigerian football. Pinnick made the remarks during an interview on Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insights show, expressing disappointment that Nigeria failed to take advantage of the expanded World Cup format, which allows up to ten African nations to qualify for the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “I honestly didn’t see this coming,” Pinnick said. “With ten African teams qualifying, there is really no basis for Nigeria not to be among them.” He recalled Nigeria’s successful qualification for the 2018 World Cup, despite being drawn in what was considered one of the toughest groups in African qualifying history. “In 2018, we had the toughest group ever; we had all the AFCON winners. If I were there, definitely, Nigeria would have qualified,” he said. “Algeria hadn’t lost in over 20 games, Cameroon were defending champions, Zambia were champions, and Nigeria was the least considered. But guess what? We qualified with two games to spare, and we didn’t sleep.” Pinnick also referenced the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, where Nigeria narrowly missed out following a playoff defeat to Ghana under the away-goals rule. “We did the same work in 2022, but the format changed to head-to-head. Nobody gave Ghana a chance, but they came through. We didn’t lose that tie; we were eliminated on away goals.”

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Poland 2026: Falconets to Battle Senegal at MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta

The Confederation of African Football has approved a request by the Nigeria Football Federation for a change of venue of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third round, first leg qualifying match between Nigeria and Senegal, scheduled for Saturday, 7th February 2026.   NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, confirmed that the match will now be played at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.   According to her, the NFF requested for a change of venue as a result of the deteriorating state of the playing pitch of the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan that had earlier been approved for the match, and which actually hosted the Falconets’ second round, second leg clash with the Rwanda U20 girls in September last year.   In view of this development, the two-time FIFA World silver-medallists, who had been training in Ibadan ahead of the match, are expected to relocate to Abeokuta in a few days, in order to familiarize themselves with the turf of the MKO Abiola Sports Complex.   The Falconets defeated their Rwandan counterparts 5-0 on aggregate to qualify for the third round of the African series of the qualification campaign. The winner between Nigeria and Senegal in this third round will reach the last round of the series, where they will take on the winner of the fixture between Guinea Bissau and Malawi, for a place at the final tournament scheduled for 5-27 September 2026 in Poland.

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