NEWS : Bishop Kukah clears air on running for political office

 

The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has insisted that he has no interest in partisan politics.

He stated this during a media briefing with journalists at St Bakhita Secretariat in Sokoto State on Monday.

Kukah also denied calling for a coup in Nigeria and said different lies were being peddled about in his name.

The cleric has been in the news ever since he published a Christmas message last week, accusing President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of nepotism.

Bishop Kukah used the opportunity to make it clear that he has no interest in politics.

“I have no plan and will never play partisan politics for any reason.

“Those who link my message to partisan politics are only playing to the gallery.

“Take, for instance, brilliant Nigerian youths making comments about Chelsea or Arsenal and have never been to England, does that make them players of such club sides?

“So, why will someone think because Bishop Kukah is speaking therefore he is a politician? People who make this argument are totally ignorant of elementary politics and ignorant of the role of a Priest.

“The truth is that a lot of us have not seen a priest saying what I am saying. The truth of the matter is, we are all in politics, but party politics for me, no. I am not a member of any political party and I cannot be. If it comes to voting, I do my right,” he said.

BIAFRA : Nnamdi Kanu's Security Outfit Laughable, It Should Be Ignored—South-East Governors

 The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has called on the people of the region to ignore the so-called security outfit set up by the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. 

Umahi, who described the outfit as laughable, stressed that the governors of the region had been doing their best to ensure the protection of lives and property of citizens within the South-East zone. 

The governor stated this while briefing reporters on the recent development across the country, Vanguard reports.

He warned youths to avoid being used as instruments of destruction even as he emphasized that the southeast governors would never allow the ugly incident that occurred during the #EndSARS protests to repeat itself. 

He said, “Our region remains the safest, and nobody can deny this. And so, our brother said he had formed a security outfit for the southeast. It is very laughable and should be ignored. I commend the southeast governors very highly.

 It is only the southeast that the leaders are being criticized openly. 

“The governors must protect the lives of the citizens and also the citizens of other regions living in their states that are not from the southeast. 

“I want them to ignore the side distractions. They are doing a lot in the education of our people, payment of salaries, infrastructure development, and most especially the security of our people. 

“No governor will come open to tell you A to Z of what he is doing about security. But I want it to be debated whether the southeast is not the safest in the country.

 We need to warn that our youths should desist from being engaged for the destruction of lives and property.”

He added, “Whether we like it or not, we are confronting global challenges, and Nigeria is not an exception.

 So, we thank God for the courage, ability and the health God gave our president to steer the ship of our nation in a very challenging time like this."

BIAFRA : You Can't Sacrifice Biafra For Your Presidential Ambition, IPOB Tells Governor Umahi

  

EASTERN SECURITY NETWORK HAS WON AS NORTH YOUTH CONDEMN NIGERIA ÁŘMY & PØL1ÇE INTER...

On Sunday, the Indigenous People of Biafra warned South-East governors not to work against its newly launched security outfit, the Eastern Security Network.

It accused the governors of a motive to incite the army and others against ESN.

In a statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group warned the governors to desist from such act or be prepared to face catastrophic consequences.

The secessionist group also warned local vigilantes in the zone set up by state governors not to allow themselves to be used to carry out what it called evil agenda or have themselves to blame.

It said both the governors and community leaders would be held responsible for any form of attack on any of its security personnel.

IPOB advised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to stop dissipating energy towards stopping ESN, but rather channel their strength against Boko Haram, bandits and terrorists rampaging the North.

The pro-Biafran group maintained that ESN was not a Biafran Army but a  vigilante group to defend the people of the old Eastern region against terrorists and criminals responsible for the growing insecurity in the region.

The statement partly read, “The game plan is to orchestrate crisis between the vigilante groups and ESN to pave the way for Nigeria soldiers to attack ESN personnel.

“We, therefore, wish to warn all local vigilantes in every state of Biafra who has been or may be contacted or are being recruited by the masterminds of this evil plan through the traditional rulers and President General of any community or town in Biafraland to attack ESN operatives to have a rethink. Embarking on such an unholy mission is suicidal.

“Anyone, vigilante group, community, traditional ruler or President General, political elite or anybody under any guise who will conspire with the enemy to expose or attack ESN in their locality will live in eternal regret of such satanic mission. It’s not a threat but a promise.

“We want to make it clear that leaders of any community in Biafra land where any ESN personnel is attacked will pay dearly for such attack.”

The statement added, “We specifically warn Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State not to push us any further against the wall. He cannot sacrifice Biafran freedom on the altar of his imaginary presidential ambition. Umahi must retrace his steps now and not test our resolve to protect our land.”

When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, John Abang, said he would not want to speak on the matter.

Igbo synagogues razed by soldiers in Nigeria's Biafra region

 

At least six Igbo synagogues were razed by soldiers last week in Nigeria’s River State, located in the country’s Biafra region, 

The incident took place as soldiers besieged Oyigbo, Etche, Iriebe and Eleme after violence broke out as a result of a youth protest demanding an end to police brutality in the country, 9Africa news reported, citing Igbo Jewish adherents who escaped the attack.

During the siege, at least 50 people were killed and an eyewitness said two people were arrested at a synagogue in Iriebe Okpulor for “wearing Kippah & Magen”.

The Biafra region is mostly populated with the Igbo ethnic group, the majority of which are Christians, according to the Forward. Many Igbo believe that they are descended from a lost tribe of Israel, and include Jewish practices amid those of their own religion. However, some smaller groups identify as Jews themselves.

Campaigning for the secession of the former Easter region of Nigeria is a group called the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which is led by an exiled activist named Nnamdi Kanu, who identifies as Jewish.

The group has been outlawed.

Kanu called for the release of the two who were arrested, and condemned the attack on the Jewish adherents. He additionally tweeted last Wednesday about the destruction of the synagogues.

Lampard , could rotate his squad against Londoners, Aston Villa

 

Chelsea would be aiming for a win against Aston Villa when both sides meet on Monday after losing 3-1 against Arsenal on Boxing Day.

The Blues have now lost three of their last four outings in the English topflight and their quest for the title is at risk ahead of the home fixture against Villa.

Lampard is supposed to ring changes to the Chelsea side that lost against Arsenal as it would barely be only 2 days before facing Londoners Aston Villa.

Goaltender, Edouard Mendy is expected to keep his spot but the Blues could field an entire changed defence line. Full-back pair of Ben Chilwell and Reece James was struggling with fitness concerns prior to the Arsenal game. So Emerson Palmieri and Cesar Azpilicueta could come in for both pair respectively.

Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva should be given a break, meaning Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger could come in as their replacement.

In the centre of the park, the only player that could start is N’Golo Kante. Though Jorginho could pick a spot as the deep-lying playmaker not minding his penalty miss against Arsenal.

German playmaker Kai Havertz may also be given another to redeem himself regardless of his poor start to the season.

In the attack, Olivier Giroud would come in for Tammy Abraham while Frank Lampard has relatively confirmed that Callum Hudson-Odoi will start against Villa.

On the opposite wing, Christian Pulisic or Timo Werner may be given a run in the side. Hakim Ziyech is back but will likely start from the bench.

Chelsea’s predicted line-up against Aston Villa

Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Emerson Palmieri; Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Kai Havertz; Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Olivier Giroud.

Mourinho, told he is ‘asking for trouble’ with negative tactics at Tottenham

 

Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp, has said Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho, is “asking for trouble” with his negative tactics.

Spurs have now gone four games without a win in the Premier League, following their 1-1 draw at Wolves on Sunday.

They also missed the chance to move into third place.

Tanguy Ndombele gave Mourinho’s team an early lead, after which they chose to sit back rather than try and increase their advantage.

Spurs eventually paid for their reluctance to get forward as Wolves equalized in the 86th-minute through Roman Saiss’ header.

Redknapp feels Mourinho may have unwittingly created a confidence issue in the dressing room, by continuing to favour efficiency over expression.

“I think the disappointment is they had it in their hands. If you’re going to keep sitting back, you’re asking for trouble.

“This is not a one-off – there are many games where this has happened, so it’s becoming a pattern. The more often it happens, the more negative the players get.

“They start to think ‘it will happen again’. It transmits to the brain and it’s a major problem for Jose right now,” Redknapp said.

Transfer, Arsenal eye Lamptey as Barcelona line up Bellerin transfer

 

Arsenal are closely monitoring Brighton’s full back, Tariq Lamptey, with Barcelona preparing to move for Hector Bellerin, according to the UK Mirror.

Bellerin featured for the Gunners on Boxing Day, as they beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates.

The Spaniard started his youth career at Barcelona, before making the switch to Arsenal in 2011.

Bellerin has gone on to become a mainstay in the first team in recent years.

However, he was linked to the likes of Barca and Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, with Mikel Arteta previously admitting he feared the defender would leave the club.

It is now understood that Barcelona are now lining up a move for the 25-year-old for next summer with Joan Laporta, the favourite to be club’s next president, a big admirer of his.

Arsenal are also looking at Tariq Lamptey as a potential replacement at right-back given the 20-year-old’s dramatic rise this season.

Lamptey left Chelsea in January of last season and has impressed for Brighton as an attacking right wing-back.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also keeping tabs on his development.