The Big 5: Oshiomhole says Ortom’s departure from APC is a rumour, Netherlands pledge to assist Nigeria fight terrorists and other stories

These are the stories that drove the conversation today:

The Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Lawal Shu’aibu has  summoned Governor Samuel Ortom and Senator George Akume for a meeting in Abuja.

This development follows an announcement on Monday by the governor that he was pulling out of the party over what he called “a red card” given to him..

Ortom and Akume who is a former governor of the state are the two main actors in the tussle for leadership of the Benue chapter of the APC.


National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has described the alleged exit of Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, from the party as a rumour.

Oshiomhole who was speaking to newsmen after a closed door meeting with members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja, said the party had a cordial relationship with  Ortom.

“I know that Governor Ortom is a very senior member of the party and he has said so repeatedly in print and has said to me one on one that he will not leave the APC unless he was pushed out.  I know of a fact, that we have not shut out any governor and certainly not Governor  Ortom,” he added.


President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with the Prime Minister of Netherlands, Mark Rutte, at The Hague, as part of his official visit to the country.

Buhari highlighted the progress made in the fight against insurgency in the troubled region, while the Dutch Prime Minister pledged the support of his government to the anti-terrorism efforts in the North-East.


The Nigerian Army has on Monday denied reports that over six hundred soldiers were still missing after Boko Haram terrorists attacked  its base at Jilli, Yobe.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu in a statement, said after the attack the troops reorganized themselves and repelled the terrorists, returning normalcy to the area, adding that it can account for all its troops at the location.


Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina said over 44 people had lost their lives while 20 others were still missing following the flood disaster that occured in Jibia local government area of the state.

Masari, who said this on Monday after inspecting the affected areas in the local government, added that more than 500 houses were destroyed while thousands of people rendered homeless.


And stories from around the world:

Donald Trump drew mostly bipartisan condemnation after failing to denounce Russian meddling in the US presidential election at a joint press conference with Vladimir Putin.

Criticism came from familiar corners such as the Republican senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, but of note were some usually friendly voices who added to the chorus, including the House speaker, Paul Ryan, and the former House speaker, Newt Gingrich, who called Trump’s behavior the “most serious mistake of his presidency.”


The European Union’s top officials arrive in Japan Tuesday to sign the single market’s biggest trade deal ever and present a united front as Washington upends the international trade order. (AFP)


The US government has charged a 29-year-old Russian woman with conspiracy to act as a Russian government agent while infiltrating political groups.

Maria Butina had developed close ties with the Republican party and had become an advocate for gun rights, according to US media reports. (BBC)


Israel’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday that could see groups critical of government policies toward the Palestinians banned from entering Israeli schools and speaking with pupils. (Reuters)


Russia on Monday jailed four members of Pussy Riot feminist punk group for 15 days and also banned them from visiting sports events for three years, after they invaded the pitch during the World Cup final dressed in police uniforms (AFP)

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