Shame on Nigeria – RMD slams Buhari govt

 

Veteran Nollywood actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, RMD, has described the arrest of Mr Macaroni and End SARs protesters as a shame.

 had reported earlier that police operatives deployed to Lekki toll gate had arrested some protesters including Nigerian Instagram comedian, Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni.

The protest was instigated after Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the End SARS granted the Lekki Concession Company, LCC, permission to reopen the Lekki toll gate.

The toll gate was closed after the October 2020 incident that led to the killings of some End SARS protesters.

RMD in a post on his Instagram page on Saturday, said there is a huge problem in Nigeria if the government fails to recognise the right of citizens to protest in a democratic nation.

His post read: “I will not dignify the police by reposting the video meant to dehumanise and rubbish @mrmacaroni1 and other protesters, no I would not.

“I will not celebrate the brokenness of our society or the misplaced priorities of this government. The shame of our country is too damaging.”

The actor while calling for an end to bad governance in Nigeria warned that no matter how the government tries to justify its action, you cannot ‘Outlaw peaceful protesters’

“You cannot CANNOT OUTLAW PEACEFUL PROTESTS NO MATTER HOW YOU TRY TO SPIN IT!!!

“There is a reason it’s called a democracy and if you don’t understand that reason, then we have a huge problem,” his post read.

Brendan Rodgers explains why Liverpool lost against Leicester City

 

Leicester City boss, Brendan Rodgers, has explained that the Foxes defeated Liverpool 3-1 in the Premier League on Saturday because he changed the shape of his team after getting the equalizer against the Reds in the second half.

Rodgers said that Leicester reinforced after the break and attacked Liverpool more as goals from James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes gave the host all three points against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Mohamed Salah’s strike was not enough to give Liverpool a point against Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

“We obviously had to withstand pressure early on,” Rodgers told LCFC TV.

“We were a little bit passive in the game, I thought. We did not defend strongly enough, but we still had chances.
“We still showed the quality that we can play when we broke through their pressure.

“We reinforced that at half-time, that we needed to attack the game more. From a defensive perspective, we did not have that aggression because if you stand off Liverpool, they are the Premier League champions, and they will really hurt you.

“We had a great reaction to going behind. That, a year ago, might have disappointed us, but we kept going.

“We got the equalizer, and then we changed the shape of the team to try and win the game, and we came out on the other side of a fantastic performance and win.”

Ohanaeze crisis – Umahi-led reconciliation ends in deadlock

 

An attempt by the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi to reconcile both factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has ended in a stalemate.

 learnt that the meeting, which held at Imo State Government Lodge also had in attendance Gov. Hope Uzodinma of the State.

A source hinted that the Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze was invited by the governors with the hope of prevailing on them to back down for the Amb. George Obiozor-led Ohanaeze.

The source, however, said Ibeh and his team refused to step down, insisting that they remained the authentic Ohanaeze national executive members.

Also at the meeting were Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Obiozor, Chief Gari Igariwey, among others.

More to come…

BIAFRA : DSS, Army uncover arms store, shrine in Ebonyi; IPOB indicted

 Nigerian security forces have discovered an arms store at Effium in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

An intelligence source told PRNigeria on Saturday that a combined team of agents stormed the location of the arsenal.

The sting operation was carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.

Items recovered included AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one pump action rifle, one double barrel dane gun, five single barrel dane guns, two locally made pistols, and one locally made revolver pistol.

Also found were nearly 600 different calibers of ammunition inclusive of those for General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

Suspects arrested during the operation have been taken into custody for interrogation and prosecution.

Locals believe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and sponsors of the Ezza-Effium crisis are owners of the stockpile.

Witnesses said four persons apprehended during the raid were alleged members of the group.

They added that a shrine which served as a protective shield for IPOB and others was uncovered.

DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, did not confirm or refute the operation.

He said it is not out of place for the security arm to collaborate with the Army and other law enforcement agencies.

Afunanya assured of DSS commitment to maintain the internal security of Nigeria.

Last week, Ebonyi State Government constituted a judicial commission of inquiry for the Ezza-Effium communal war.

A number of citizens have been killed in recurring clashes. The general area remains volatile.

Fani-Kayode meets Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina

 Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Saturday shared a picture of himself and Femi Adesina, the spokesperson of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja.

However, Fani-Kayode did not provide details as to if he was flying in or out of the nation’s capital.

Adesina and Fani-Kayode have clashed severally over the former Minister’s scathing remarks about Buhari.

However, Fani-Kayode described Adesina as his “old friend” and joked he was “now in trouble”.

He wrote: “Was delighted to have bumped into my old friend and brother Pastor Femi Adesina, Special Advisor to President Buhari on Media & Publicity at Abuja airport this morning!

“Oh dear! Now I am really in trouble! It was a pleasure to see Femi again after a number of years!”

Fani-Kayode has been in the news all week, over his purported attempt to decamp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wenger names team that cannot win Premier League title this season

 

Former Arsenal boss, Arsenal Wenger, has ruled Liverpool out of the Premier League title race.

Wenger, speaking after the Reds’ 3-1 defeat at Leicester City on Saturday, branded their chances of catching Manchester City as “impossible”.

The Frenchman won three titles himself while managing the Gunners and feels Liverpool cannot make up the gap after 24 games.

When asked whether he feels Jurgen Klopp’s side are still in the hunt, Wenger told beIN SPORTS : “No, I don’t think so.

“Man City is 10 points ahead, has one game in-hand, they look to be on a run and I don’t think with 14 games to go, you can catch 13 points against a top team.

“I never seen it, 13 points. If it was eight to nine, yes, but if Man City win their game in-hand, 13 points – it’s impossible.”

Lagos CP orders release of End SARS protesters

 

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu has ordered the immediate release of End SARS protesters.

Recall the protesters alongside Instagram comedian, Mr Macaroni were arrested at the Lekki toll gate on Saturday morning.

The suspects were detained at Area J police command, Elemoro, Ibeju Lekki.

According to TVC, CP Odumosu ordered that about 35 persons arrested in connection to #OccupyLekkiProtest be released immediately.