These are the stories that drove conversation this week.
In what might have been unsurprising in a military era, the Nigerian Police, Benue Command arrested a reporter of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Emmanuel Antswen – for reporting the protest at the Internally Displaced Persons camp at the International Market, Makurdi.
He was later released after the chairman of the Benue State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kris Atsaka, signed the bail papers for his release.
Following in the footsteps of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna, who endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir El-Rufai for 2019 Presidency, the party in Katsina state endorsed Buhari and the governor, Aminu Masari for second term.
The reason(s) for the early endorsements is yet to be ascertained.
As October 1st is already here, Human rights lawyer/activist, Femi Falana in an interview with Punch has said it is an irony that those clamouring for the division of Nigeria are not consistently at the regions considered as their origin – while Nnamdi Kanu (IPOB leader) together with his wife has dual citizenship, Yerima Shetima (leader of Northern coalition that gave quit notice to Igbos) lives in Lagos.
He described the security situation in the country as quite epileptic, saying, “everybody’s life is in danger. Nigerians are shot dead in their homes by armed robbers or on the roads by soldiers or policemen or by armed herdsmen on their farms…Even President Muhammadu Buhari had to be flown to Britain for medical attention because his life was in danger here.”
While Nigerians are still gasping at the declaration of the governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, who wants to be President in 2019, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would have ruled beyond 16 years if there was no impunity and imposition of candidates.
He said that the party lost in the 2015 election not because it did not do well in providing the dividends of democracy to Nigerians, in terms of infrastructure, social and economic development; but because of the administration of the party. And so, he was “the fresh face” the party needs, especially now that the party wants to give Nigerians fresh ideas to consolidate on its 16 years achievements.
He added that PDP lost power not because Nigerians were not satisfied with it, but because they were promised changes “but after two years Nigerians want PDP to come back in 2019 to rule and rule better.”
The Psquare brothers (Peter, Paul and Jude Okoye) again, split into two.
While Peter Okoye went on his own, Jude and Paul Okoye went on their own.
The news of their split hit fans, however, some said they were tired that the brothers keep going back and forth; some others said it is just a publicity stunt.
Peter Okoye, in confirmation of the split, started a YouTube channel and went ahead booking solo shows – where he said he would be performing Psquare’s songs, not new songs by him.
The drama came with claims of death threats and a video proving an altercation between the brothers in their lawyer’s office.
Despite the quarrels, Peter Okoye congratulated his brother on his wife’s delivery.
A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said despite fighting a war, Igbos have rebuilt their region while Northerners still live in mud houses.
“Left for me, I will ask every part of this country to take charge of its resources while the federal government should handle defence, foreign affairs and immigration among others in the exclusive list,” he said – adding, “those who are against restructuring are afraid of. Those afraid must be lazy.”
The Olubadan of Ibadan and the governor of Oyo, Ajimobi drama also continued this week but, the rift did not look like it is about to be resolved.
As the Olubadan was installing Mogaji’s and Baale’s, gunmen attacked, shooting sporadically, but that did not stop the installation.
Ajimobi, citing the “unlawful” reactions of the Olubadan said he would not depose the Oba; asking the newly installed 21 Obas to go before the Olubadan to make peace.
Ladoja, however, said the gun attack was targeted at him – Ladoja supports the decision of the Olubadan to go against the installation of 21 new Obas in Ibadan.
The UEFA Champions League Group Stage continued this week and ended with some very interesting scorelines.
Paris Saint Germain gave Bayern Munich unreturned three goals and the management, after a meeting, could not bear the pain of another loss, Carlo Ancelotti was sacked.
Citing the claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration wants to Islamise Nigeria – using the SUKUK bonds as another example- Femi Falana asked CAN to also Christianise Nigeria with interest-free banks.
Conjuring the Tonto-Churchill “domestic violence” saga, THISDAY journalist, Azuka Ogujiuba released evidence showing that the actress, Tonto Dikeh was actuallly lying about her claims.
Another journalist, Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo, in a counter-attack, said it was “illegal” for Ogujiuba to released such private information to the public without permission from the concerned parties.
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