Headlines
Lobi Stars Coach, Ogbeide, Slumps, Dies in Makurdi
The head coach of Lobi Stars, champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League side, Solomon Ogbeide, died in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Monday.
Our correspondent learnt that the veteran coach died as a result of Low Blood Pressure, which he had reportedly complained about before his death.
“So sad, coach Ogbeide slumped this (Monday) morning and was rushed by Lobi officials to a private hospital in Makurdi, where he died at 2:15pm,” a source close to Ogbeide told our correspondent.
Despite Ogbeide’s demise, Lobi went on to host Wikki Tourist of Bauchi in their final Group B home match of the season, which they won 2-1 and are on the verge of clinching a super-six ticket from their group.
Vice Chairman, Lobi Stars, Mike Idoko, said, “Once I get confirmation from the family, I will officially issue a statement and make it available to the press but for now, I can’t speak further.”
Players, fans and the entire Aper Aku stadium were thrown into a mourning mood when news of the demise of Ogbeide filtered into the stadium after the NPFL clash between Lobi and Wikki.
No player or official of the club was ready to speak with journalists but fans were seen gathered and discussing the matter, as the Edo-born coach was conspicuously absent from the dugout during the encounter.
Ogbeide joined Lobi Stars in 2017 and helped the club secure the CAF Champions League ticket after Lobi were declared winners of the NPFL 2017/18 season.
He took the Makurdi side to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.
He had until his death turned around the fortunes of Lobi, who are currently second in Group A of the Nigerian Professional Football League table, with 34 points and only one match left.
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
