You will recall that on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 the Nigerian Supreme Court handed down judgment on the Rivers State Governorship matter. In that judgment, the apex court upheld the appeal by Gov. Nyesom Wike against the earlier decisions by the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court which concurrently annulled Nyesom Wike’s election as governor.

NYESOM WIKE’S UNBECOMING THREAT TO INEC, OTHERS
Consequent upon the judgment by the Supreme Court, I, the APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside, despite receiving the judgment with mixed feelings, came out to publicly announce my unreserved acceptance of the verdict. However, a few days later, the Governor, while addressing Civil Servants in Port Harcourt exhibited unconscionable indiscretion of the highest order by re-echoing his earlier incendiary statements threatening INEC personnel with death over the forthcoming National and State Assemblies rerun elections. He said, “Anyone who plans to rig an election is an armed robber and should be treated as such. If you are coming to rig an election in the state, first prepare your will before embarking on the journey. Inform your wife or husband and go ahead to say your last prayer.”

Continue reading →

The English Premier League has launched a new logo which will be used from next season. The fresh new design includes a modern take on the lion icon – a symbol that is part of the competition’s heritage dating back to its launch in 1992. The crowned lion has been a prominent feature of the Premier League logo since its inception, representing the relationship between the league and the English Football Association – whose logo features three lions. Premier League clubs agreed a new central sponsorship strategy last July which included a move away from a title sponsorship model. Instead of long-time backers Barclays, the Premier League will have a roster of secondary rights partners from next season onwards. From next season the Premier League will have seven main sponsors instead of one title sponsor. Two – Nike and EA Sports – have already been announced with five more to be named in the coming months.

Kenya could pull out of this summer’s Rio Olympics if the Zika virus in Brazil reaches “epidemic levels”, says the head of Kenya’s Olympic committee. The outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in South America is being linked to severe birth defects. Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global public health emergency. Kipchoge Keino said: “We are not going to risk taking Kenyans there if this Zika virus reaches epidemic levels.” Brazilian authorities insist there will be no risk to athletes and spectators, except pregnant women, when the Rio Games take place in August. The International Olympic Committee says it is in “close contact” with organisers, while Olympic venues will be inspected daily in the lead-up to and during the Games.

Continue reading →

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo says he will not leave the club before his contract expires in 2018. The 31-year-old Portugal captain has been continually linked with former club Manchester United, who sold him to Real in 2008, and Paris St-Germain. “I want to stay here two more years. The two years I’m talking about take me to the end of my contract,” he is quoted as saying by AS. “And the future, we’ll see.” Ronaldo was speaking at an event to collect his Pichichi trophy, which he won for being last season’s La Liga top scorer with 48. “This is the best league in the world, although I also played in the Premier League,” he said. “It’s fantastic, competitive, and with great players. It is a privilege to leave my mark on it.”

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi missed training on Monday to have tests on his kidneys. The Argentina international sat out December’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final after being diagnosed with renal colic, a type of abdominal pain commonly attributed to kidney stones. He was able to play in the final three days later, and has played in all of Barca’s league games since. A club statement said Messi, 28, will return to “normal duties” on Wednesday. “Barcelona striker Lionel Messi will undergo several tests on Monday and Tuesday to assess the evolution of the kidney problems he suffered last December,” it said. Messi has scored 12 goals in 17 La Liga games this season to help Barcelona go three points clear at the top of the table.

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma faces six months out because he needs surgery on the knee injury he suffered on Sunday. The 21-year-old landed awkwardly after contesting a high ball and was taken off on a stretcher in the 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United. “Scan today has shown I injured my anterior cruciate ligament. I will have surgery this week and will come back stronger,” Zouma tweeted. Chelsea said he would be out for “approximately six months”. The France centre-back has made 32 appearances for the Blues this term. The most recent of his two France caps was in an international friendly with Denmark in October. France host this year’s European Championship, which begins in June. Zouma and John Terry have become preferred starters in central defence as Chelsea have gone nine matches without defeat under interim manager Guus Hiddink.