Uncategorized
Nigerian Couple Shine at 2019 Okpekpe Road Race as Foreign Athletes Cart Away Prizes
For the first time since its inception, the IAAF Silver Label Okpekpe Road Race has produced a non-African winner.
Fikadu Dawit from Bahrain emerged as the overall winner of the male race at this year’s event having finished in a time of 29.03secs.
Berehanu Tsegu from Ethiopia with a time of 29.04 and John Lotiang from Kenya with a time of 29.17 finished in second and third place respectively.
In the female category, Sheela Chelangat from Kenya was the top finisher, winning with a time of 33.14, while her compatriot Tuitoek Jepchirchrir, who reached the finish line after 33.18secs, finished in second place.
Gudeta Getachew was the third female runner with a time of 33.41secs
There was excitement in the Nigerian category where a couple emerged victorious in male and female categories respectively.
Emmanuel Gyan Gwom was the first Nigerian runner with a time of 31.42secs, while his wife Deborah won the female category.
Deborah had won all the previous editions in this category.
Veteran journalist and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bashorun Dele Momodu, has reaffirmed his unwavering support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to emerge as the presidential candidate of the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday evening, Momodu emphasised that while he stands with Atiku, he respects the right of other political supporters, including the Obi-dients to back their own candidates, particularly Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
“My best choice is Atiku, and that is what I expect Obi-dients to say, which I expect those who support Amaechi to say — there’s nothing wrong with that,” Momodu stated.
“I have never asked anyone not to support Obi. Obi is my very good friend. If you asked me about one of the people who should lead the coalition, I would say it should be Obi. But as a democrat, I’m appealing to them, hoping they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say it was forced upon them.”
Momodu’s comments came amid heated debates surrounding who should lead the ADC-backed coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He stressed that all aspirants, including Obi and former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, should face the test of popularity through a democratic process.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has
scheduled Wednesday, April 2, 2025, to deliver its judgment on the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved judgment on March 3 after parties in the suit concluded their final arguments.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on September 22 declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who polled 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who garnered 22,763 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, alleging widespread irregularities, including
over-voting, ballot serialisation issues, errors in collation, and miscalculations in results.
In the suit marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024,
Ighodalo presented a senior technical officer from INEC’s ICT department as a witness, who tendered 154 BVAS machines as evidence to substantiate claims of
over-voting.
Adopting his final address, Ighodalo further alleged that results from 765 polling units were manipulated at the collation centers and that errors in computation affected the final outcome.
He urged the tribunal to nullify the Certificate of Return issued to Okpebholo and declare him the rightful winner of the election.
A UK-based newspaper, TheNigerian News, has announced Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State as the winner of its International Peace Prize Medal Award 2023.
A statement by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, David Young, said the award is in recognition of Governor Fubara’s purposeful leadership and firm belief in democracy and the rule of law.
Young said the governor has also demonstrated outstanding performance and sterling qualities of a trailblazer with a deep commitment to the unity and progress of his people.
He noted that Fubara has shown unwavering courage amid intimidation and oppression to promote peace, harmony, and stability in Rivers State and beyond.
According to the company, the Rivers State governor understands that any political crisis would hinder his developmental plans, adding that only a man with the genuine interest of the masses will tow the path of peace.
He said, “Governor Fubara emerged among other nominees for his courage and passion for his people. An exceptional leader, he has shown an unwavering commitment to promoting peace and unity across the world.
“His dedication to improving the lives of Rivers people has earned him this well-deserved recognition. Governor Fubara is an inspiration to societies striving towards ideals of diversity, transparency, and democracy.
“We can’t over-emphasize the importance of peace in driving economic prosperity. Governor Fubara understands this simple principle.
“We, therefore, urge him to remain focused on his goals and ignore distractions. His pure and clear heart will continue to make way for him.
“We want him to see this award as a higher calling towards deeper commitment to peacebuilding in Nigeria, Africa, and the world at large.”
Fubara, has in the last couple of months been locked in bitter rivalry with his predecessor, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over the control of the state.
The contest has led to resignation of most commissioners, destruction of the state House of Assembly Complex as well as the decimation of the membership of the state Assembly.
