Churchill Choken

Update::, The senator representing Kogi west senatorial district in Kogi state, Dino Melaye, has been granted bail by an Abuja high court on health grounds today. The senator  who has been in police custody in the last two weeks was charged for being in possession of firearms and  attempt to commit an assassination. I taya o!See who was granted bail on health ground is tweeting. Joker! — ORGATITUS.COM (@orgatitus) January 18, 2019 Sir, u are not representing only ur constituency, but Nigeria in general. — Akpoge Godfrey (@AkpogeGodfrey1) January 18, 2019 Welcome back The Don — Olayinka Oluwafemi Adiamo (@AdiamoOlayinka) January 18, 2019 Dino will sing tomorrow 😉👌🏾 — EAFRICAEXPERIENCE (@EAE_Africa) January 18, 2019 We have missed you honorable senator, especially at the PDP rallies. May God keep you in health. — GOD'SLIGHT (@lightoflife83) January 18, 2019

Update:: A US court on Friday confirmed the arrest of a journalist for Iranian television, saying her testimony is required over an unspecified case but that she is not accused of a crime. Iran has protested the arrest of Marzieh Hashemi, who was born in the United States and is a presenter on Iran's English-language Press TV, amid high tensions between the two countries. At a hearing in Washington, Beryl Howell, the chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Columbia, ordered the partial unsealing of an order on Hashemi, referred to by her former name of Melanie Franklin. The order said that Hashemi was arrested on "a material arrest warrant" in a case in Washington. She will be released immediately after the completion of her testimony to a grand jury investigating unspecified "violations of US criminal law." "Franklin has been appointed an attorney and has not been accused of any crime," it said. Hashemi married an Iran...

Update:: It's election season in Nigeria and it is only normal for people to come out to speak out about their different views. And our celebrities aren't left out as they have both subliminally and directly expressed.  One of the celebrities voicing out is Lagbaja. Lagbaja wants all the leaders of Nigeria to know that the people they govern are mentally and emotionally weak. The veteran masked singer made this known on his Instagram page on Friday, January 18, 2019. In the post, he wondered how what will happen to a country filled with mentally and emotionally weal people if it was faced with war. "Tell your leaders, somebody should help me translate this to Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, and others, I’d repost," he captioned the post. His message was this "You cannot effectively rule a country where the citizens are mentally and emotionally weak! If war happens, we would lose" 

President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused of fighting opposition instead of fighting corruption - The allegation was levelled against him by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming general elections, Atiku Abubakar - Atiku says Buhari did not condemn the corruption allegations levelled against Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano state The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of fighting opposition instead of fighting corruption. Punch reports that the former vice president made the allegation in a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, January 17. Speaking at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, January 16, Buhari had said: “The state assembly is investigating and they have the mandate to deal with it and they have also gone to court, so I decided not to talk about it." Reacting to the Ganduje viral video in which the...

Update:: THE Anambra State chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Oseloka Obaze yesterday reminded the South-East governors that they stood the risk of losing their re-election if President Muhammadu Buhari wins on February 16. Addressing reporters in Awka, Obaze said the governors could therefore not afford to work against the interest of the Igbo in next month’s elections. The 2017 Anambra State governorship candidate of PDP said it was the resolve of the majority of the Igbo to vote for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi in the poll. According to him, if the governors in the zone decide to work against the presidential candidate of PDP, they would get a backlash from the people of the zone. He said: “If it becomes clear that the governors work against Atiku-Obi interest in the February 16 polls, it will have a devastating effect on the governors in their March 2nd elections . ...

Update:: The U.S. government believes the Islamic State militant group is likely responsible for Wednesday’s attack in northern Syria that killed four Americans, although it has not reached a firm conclusion, two U.S. government sources said on Thursday. The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Pentagon and other U.S. agencies were investigating who carried out the attack in Manbij, Syria.

Update:: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has confirmed his arrival in the United States. In a post on Twitter, he said: “Just arrived Washington D.C for meeting with US government officials, Nigerians living in D.C metropolis and the business community. -AA”, with a photograph, showing him clutching a bouquet of flowers, along with Senate President Bukola Saraki and a lady. The Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, DC, had said it was not sure if the former Vice-President would be visiting the United States any moment soon.

Update:: The Burundian parliament has voted to move the country’s capital from Bujumbura back to the ancient capital of Gitega. The vote took place on Wednesday and the leader of parliament said the move would take place over three years. The first to move will be the upper house of parliament, the Senate - starting on Friday. President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has to sign off the change, promised in 2007 to move the capital, saying Gitega was geographically more centrally placed in Burundi, AFP reports. Others have been more sceptical about the motives behind the move.

Update:: The African Union on Thursday called on Democratic Republic of Congo to suspend the release of the final results of its disputed presidential election due to its doubts over the provisional results.

The Duke of Edinburgh has escaped unhurt after the car he was driving was involved in an accident close to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. Police were called to the scene of a collision involving 97-year-old Prince Philip on Thursday. Witnesses told the BBC that the Land Rover being driven by Philip had overturned after pulling out from a driveway on the A149. He was helped out of the car by eyewitnesses and was reportedly conscious but very shocked and shaken. The palace would not confirm if he was alone in the vehicle at the time of the collision. The other car involved was a Kia and its female driver and passenger were treated in hospital and have since been discharged. Norfolk police said: “The female driver of the Kia suffered cuts while the female passenger sustained an arm injury, both requiring hospital treatment.” A Buckingham Palace statement said: “The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in a road traffic accident with another vehicle this afternoon. The duke was not ...

The Ekiti House of Assembly, on Thursday, impeached its deputy speaker, Mr Segun Adewumi, who represents Ekiti West Constituency 1, on ground of gross misconduct and insubordination. The Chairman, House Committee on Business, Chief Gboyega Aribisagan, under Matters of Public Importance, moved for the impeachment which was seconded by Mr Sunday Akinniyi(Ikere-Ekiti 11) at plenary on Thursday. We reported earlier that  Ekiti deputy speaker Segun Adewumi impeached over alleged gross misconduct The Speaker, Mr Adeniran Alagbada, immediately swore-in Mr Posi Omodara (Irepodun/Ifelodun) as the new deputy speaker after the duo of Mr Olarewaju Olayanju and Mrs Cecilia Dada had nominated and seconded his nomination respectively. Other business of the day include the passage of 2019 N129.9 billion Appropriation Bill by the house. The lawmakers unanimously passed the bill following the adoption of the report of house Committee on Finance and Appropriation presented by the chairman...

An aide to the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 election has debunked claims that his principal, Atiku Abubakar, travelled to the US - Paul Ibe said that claims Atiku had travelled to the US were a figment of the imagination of the authors - According to Ibe, "His Excellency hasn’t gone anywhere" Contrary to claims on social media, that the presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has just travelled to the Washington DC, United States of America, his special adviser on media, Paul Ibe, has debunked these reports. Daily Trust reports that Ibe in a telephone conversation said that claims Atiku had travelled to the US were a figment of the imagination of the authors. The social media had on Thursday, January 17, gone wild with claims that the PDP presidential candidate left Nigeria to speak at the Chamber of Commerce in the US. Also, the Cable had in a report titled: "BREAKING: Atiku arrives US, ‘to speak at chamber o...

Violence reportedly marred a rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa state on Thursday, January 17, after a mob allegedly attacked police officers over the death of a party member. Premium Times reports that thousands of PDP supporters, including a former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, were at the rally which held in Gwaram local government area of the state. However, violence at the rally reportedly erupted after a police officer who was said to be trying to control the crowd shot one of the participants who reportedly died. Angered by the death of the individual, a mob reportedly began to riot and attacked police officers at the rally, burning down a police vehicle. Meanwhile, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Zaria local government area of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdu Ringo, has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity will earn him second term in office. He said this on Thursday, January 17, during the presentation of ce...

Segun Adewumi, the deputy speaker, of Ekiti House of Assembly is removed from office by lawmakers for alleged gross misconduct and insubordination - The speaker of the House, Adeniran Alagbada, swears in Posi Omodara as the new deputy speaker after been nominated - The Ekiti lawmakers pass the 2019 N129.9 billion appropriation bill following the adoption of the report of House committee on finance and appropriation The Ekiti House of Assembly, on Thursday, January 17, impeached its deputy speaker, Segun Adewumi, who represents Ekiti west constituency 1, on the grounds of gross misconduct and insubordination. The chairman, House committee on business, Chief Gboyega Aribisagan, under matters of public importance, moved for the impeachment which was seconded by Sunday Akinniyi (Ikere-Ekiti 11) at plenary, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The speaker, Adeniran Alagbada, immediately swore-in Posi Omodara (Irepodun/Ifelodun) as the new deputy speaker after the duo of Olar...

Kim Kardashian has officially confirmed that she and her husband Kanye West are expecting their fourth child together via surrogate. Kim, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian joined Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live and he dove right in when it came to asking her about her family. At first, Cohen called upon his viewers to help pick out a baby name for Kim and Kanye by voting for one of the following options: East, South, Calabasas or Lil' Kris. It turns out, "no," she wouldn't consider naming her next kid any of those names. "Are you working on another child?" Cohen asked. "We are," the mom of 3 confirmed. Cohen replied, "Obviously I knew that, I didn't think you were telling everyone." While there have been reports and confirmations that she is expecting a fourth child via surrogate, Kim had yet to make any official announcements herself. It appears some liquid confidence got the best of her recentl...

Update:: Theresa May, UK Prime Minister, has escaped another impeachment move in a space of five weeks. The British Parliament held the first vote of confidence in December, 2018. On Tuesday, May lost at the parliament by 230 votes, when she presented her Brexit deal. This made it the biggest loss in the history of the United Kingdom. After this, Jeremy Corbyn, opposition party leader, asked that a vote of no confidence be passed on her government, which she welcomed for discussion. Yesterday, the British lawmakers cast their votes, and May’s government escaped by a whisker of 19 votes, as MPs voted 325 to 306 that they have confidence in May’s government, despite refusing Brexit deal. After her victory, May urged the opposition parties leaders to put their self-interests aside and work towards achieving progress in the UK. “We will continue to work to deliver on the solemn promise we made to the people of this country to deliver on the result of the referendum,”...

Update:: Big Brother Naija will hold again in 2019 for the fourth time since it first held in Nigeria in 2006 and we have all the details. Here are four major things you need to know about one of the most viewed and talked about reality TV show across Africa. 1. Nigeria is the host country For the season 4 of the Big brother Naija, the host country will be Nigeria. The reality TV show hosting is returning to Nigeria after 13 years when it was filmed in Nigeria. Speaking on the reason the reality TV show will be hosted in Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria's General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Martin Mabutho said the show can successfully hold in Nigeria and attain global standards. 2. Bet9ja emerges headline sponsor   After headlining two seasons as the major sponsor, Payporte will give way for Bet9ja as the new headline sponsor for Big Brother Naija. The new headline sponsor for Big Brother Naija 4 was unveiled on Tuesday, January 15, 2018 at a ...

Update:: The People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has taken his campaign to Britain, presenting his ideas while faulting the tenure of Nigeria’s incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku, who will contest the February elections against Buhari and over 50 candidates, wrote in UK’s Daily Express an article titled “Beyond Brexit – Nigeria wants a new trade deal with Britain”. Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, visited Nigeria in August 2018 to discuss trade deals and economic partnerships and to sign defence and security partnerships. She also pledged to assist in bolstering the rule of law and in the fight against organized crime. However, Atiku stated in the article that while the trade deals and partnerships are welcome and necessary, Buhari’s government cannot deliver on the deals. The former vice-president pitched that a change was necessary if Africa’s most populous country is to progress, hence, deliver on the deal. “Unfortunately for ...

Update:: International Criminal Court judges on Wednesday rejected a prosecution request to extend the custody of former Ivorian leader Laurent Gbagbo following his acquittal on charges of crimes against humanity. Calling the prosecution case “exceptionally weak”, the judges said Gbagbo had given assurances he would return to the Hague-based court if ordered to do so. Gbagbo spent more than seven years in custody during his trial, which dealt with allegations of involvement in election- related violence in Ivory Coast in 2010 and 2011 in which some 3,000 people were killed. Wednesday’s decision paves the way for the speedy release of Gbagbo and co-defendant Charles Ble Goude from a detention facility in The Hague.

A suicide attack killed four US personnel in northern Syria Wednesday, costing Washington its worst combat losses in the war-torn country since 2014 as it prepares to withdraw. The bombing, claimed by the Islamic State group, comes after US President Donald Trump's shock announcement last month that he was ordering a full troop withdrawal from Syria because the jihadists had been "largely defeated".

Update:: Kenyan police scoured the rubble of a Nairobi hotel complex for more victims Wednesday as the death toll from a jihadist attack jumped to 21 and mourners began to bury the dead. President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier announced the end of a 20-hour operation at the DusitD2 complex which saw hundreds of people rescued and all five jihadists "eliminated".

Update:: The presidential candidate for Nigeria’s main opposition party said on Wednesday he was committed to privatising the state oil company, weeks ahead of the election that will determine who runs Africa’s top crude-producing country. Atiku Abubakar had stated in his manifesto that he intends to break up the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) if he wins the Feb. 16 ballot “I am committed to privatising NNPC. Even if they are going to kill me I’ll do it,” he told business leaders in the commercial capital Lagos on Wednesday. “With the electricity sector, it is the same thing I stand for.”

Update::   Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Wednesday said with quality leadership which he plans to bring on board as IG, the lost glory of the Nigeria Police Force would be restored. Adamu noted that the Force was blessed with intellectually gifted, exceptionally dedicated and professionally sound officers and men but the absence of quality leadership had been the setback of the police. Adamu, who stated this in his maiden speech, at the formal handing over ceremony at the Force headquarters Abuja, said as IG, he would draw from his national and international policing leadership to provide the missing link to ensure the dignity of the Force is restored. “Among you seated in this hall today are some of such thorough-bred and passionate professionals who can hold their own among their peers and have consistently distinguished themselves in complex national and international engagements. All that you desire, from my experience, is a transparent, respon...