I am not fighting with Tinubu – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has debunked rumours that he and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are at loggerheads with the National leader of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said such rumours were unfounded and mischievous.

He insisted that he was in constant communication with Tinubu before, during and after the Ondo governorship election last weekend.

Buhari hailed Tinubu as a priceless political asset to the party and said the presidency and APC leadership was not working to destroy the former Governor of Lagos State.

Turkish warplanes launch airstrikes on Syrian city of al-Bab

Turkish warplanes have carried out a series of airstrikes on the Syrian city of al-Bab in yet another blatant act of aggression against the sovereignty of the Arab state.

According to the Turkish military, the airstrikes were conducted against targets in the city of al-Bab, located some 40 kilometers northeast of Aleppo, shortly before 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday.

The military claimed the attacks targeted Daesh.

The strikes are part of an ongoing incursion by Turkish military inside northern Syria.

On August 24, Turkish special forces, tanks and jets backed by warplanes from the US-led coalition launched their first coordinated offensive in Syria. On the same day, Damascus strongly denounced the intervention as a breach of its sovereignty.

Senior officials in Damascus have said that any side willing to fight terrorism on the Syrian territory should cooperate with the government and the Syrian army.

The threat of a new political party by Reuben Abati

When aggrieved politicians within the People's Democratic Party (PDP) decided to join forces with members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All Progressives Peoples Alliance (APGA) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

The triumph of the APC in the 2015 elections resulting in victory at the Presidential level, in 23 states out of 36, and also in the legislature, state and federal, was propelled on the wings of the people’s embrace of this slogan of change. Change became the aphrodisiac of Nigeria’s search for democratic progress. The new party’s promises were delivered with so much certainty and cock-suredness. Those who were promised free meals were already salivating before casting the first vote.

The permanently opportunistic players in Nigeria’s private sector could be seen trading across the lines as they have always done. Everyone knew the PDP had too much internal baggage to deal with.

The opposition exploited this to the fullest and they were helped in no small measure, not just by the party’s implosion, but also the offensiveness of the claims by certain elements within the PDP that their party will rule Nigeria forever. This arrogance had gone

Green Party’s Jill Stein raises $4.5 million for presidential vote recounts

US Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein has raised over $4 million to force a vote recount in the three battleground states where Donald Trump scored narrow wins in the 2016 presidential election.

Stein’s website said Thursday it has exceeded its initial goal for raising $2.5 million and has reached its target of raising $4.5 million to force recounts in the states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

The deadlines to petition for recounts are approaching in Wisconsin on Friday, Pennsylvania on Monday and Michigan on Wednesday.

"We deserve elections we can trust," Stein’s campaign said, adding that the effort was not intended to help defeated Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Stein’s push for recounts comes as a growing number of academics and computer scientists, as well as election lawyers, believe foreign hackers could have modified vote totals.

Battle erupts over Trump's secretary of state pick

A battle has erupted in Donald Trump's camp over his pick for US secretary of state, with loyal supporters seeking to block the appointment of Mitt Romney, a fierce critic of the President-elect during the 2016 presidential campaign.

The debate over selecting the head the US State Department has led to an internal dispute in Trump’s team between supporters of Romney, those favoring former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and others who believe Trump should keep searching for candidates.

Romney, who was nominated by the Republican Party in 2012 to be US president, is the leading prospect to become America's top diplomat in Trump’s incoming administration.

However, some of Trump's loyalists have united to oppose the appointment of Romney, who called the celebrity businessman a "fraud" and a "conman" during the presidential campaign.

Read Tinubu's letter to Atiku on his 70th birthday

Former Governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a man of faith, saying that faith has kept him going and waxing strong.

In a letter he personally signed, Asiwaju Tinubu felicitated with Atiku on attaining the proverbial age of 70 and urged him to accept that “there is a tide in the affairs of men”.

He said in the letter in which he addressed Atiku as his dear brother:

“I write to felicitate with you on the attainment of the proverbial age of three scores and ten, 70.

“Your life has been a life of service to your people, your country and the causes you believe in. Nigeria has been well served by your stewardship and leadership.

China academics expect Trump to pursue 'hegemony' in Asia

An influential government think tank in China says the US will not disengage from Asia and the South China Sea under President-elect Donald Trump and will continue to seek “regional hegemony.”

“There will be no overturning change to US policy in the South China Sea [under Trump],” said Wu Shicun, the head of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, on Friday.

“China could possibly set up an Air Defense Identification Zone in the South China Sea if the US continues to intensify patrols and low-altitude spying in the region,” he further told reporters in Beijing.

The think tank said in a report on the same day that “absolute control” was the ultimate US military strategy in the South China Sea.

Blazes billow across Israel-occupied lands for 4th day

Wildfires rage across Israel for a fourth straight day after a conflagration broke out in the northwestern city of Haifa, prompting tens of thousands of evacuations.

The blazes billowed in many locations throughout the Israeli-occupied territories on Friday. The fire in Haifa, the hardest hit city, has forced some 80,000 people to flee.

The fires are also still burning in the forests west of Jerusalem al-Quds, on central and northern hilltops and in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Police said hundreds of people were evacuated from the village of Beit Meir near Jerusalem al-Quds overnight. They also reported the outbreak of a new fire near the southern town of Kiryat Gat.

The Haifa mayor urged residents with water sprinklers to help put out the flames as thousands of residents of the mixed Jewish-Arab coastal city spent the night in temporary accommodation.

Tunisian president confirms presence of US drones on Libyan border

Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi has confirmed that the US is operating spy drones over the Tunisian border with Libya, in an admission likely to cause controversy.Essebsi said in a recent interview with the regional channel El Hiwar Ettounsi that the drone flights were needed to avoid such cross-border terrorist attacks as a raid in March on the Tunisian town of Ben Guerdan.

Essebsi said in a recent interview with the regional channel El Hiwar Ettounsi that the drone flights were needed to avoid such cross-border terrorist attacks as a raid in March on the Tunisian town of Ben Guerdan.

“We do not have clear information, and we should act instead of waiting until another Ben Guerdan,” the Tunisian president said.

Dozens of Daesh terrorists stormed the Tunisian border town of Ben Guerdan back then, attacking army and police posts. At least 53 people were killed in the attack, including civilians.

The question of the presence of the US military in Tunisia is likely to

Dangote Receives Honorary PhD From University Of Ibadan

Africa’s richest entrepreneur and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has advocated Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the funding of tertiary education in Nigeria.

Dangote who was conferred with a honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), alongside two other eminent Nigerians, Professor Niyi Osundare and Chief Bode Amao, by the University of Ibadan (UI) at the 68th Foundation Day Ceremony of the university yesterday, asked that the university be accorded a special attention in this regard.

“I believe that the UI deserves special attention not just because of its status as Nigeria’s oldest university, but also because of its invaluable contribution to the transformation of society through creativity and innovation. With adequate funding, I believe the university will be able to compete favourably with the best universities in the world,” Dangote stated.

Assets declarations: CCB set to probe Fashola, Amechi, Ogbeh, others

The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has expressed its resolve to verify all assets declared by top serving and former public officers at the federal, state and local government levels.

A statement by the Chairman of the CCB, Mr. Sam Saba on Thursday, said all officials concerned are expected to appear physically before the commission for the verification.

He stated that by virtue of Paragraph 11 of Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), “every public officer is required to submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all properties, assets and liabilities and those of his/her spouse (if not a public officer) and his unmarried children under the age of 18 years.”

He added that any statement in the declaration, found to be false by any authorities or persons authorised to verify it, “shall be deemed to be a breach of the code”.

Saba said, “To this end, the Bureau has commenced its 2016 4th Quarter Cycle of Conference and Field Verification of Assets of top public officers. Accordingly, letters of invitation have been dispatched to ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, service chiefs and other top public officers.

Earpiece conspiracy theory sweeps internet - Hillary Clinton CHEAT during US presidential debate

Hillary Clinton was widely declared the winner of the first US presidential debatewith a confident, impressive performance against rival Donald Trump.

Following the clash on Monday, conspiracy theorists have set the internet ablaze with rumours that the Democratic nominee may have secretly had help.

Eagle-eyed observers claim to have spotted Clinton, 68, wearing what appears to be an hidden earpiece during the debate.

Footage from the 90-minute discussion at Hofstra University in New York also appears to show the outline of wires and a battery pack under Clinton's jacket.

Catholic Online website asked: "What is it for? Is it so a team can feed her answers? Is it an anti-seizure device? A hearing aid?"

Is Princess Charlotte a perfect cross between the Queen and Kate? Baby pictures show striking resemblance

As Charlotte attended her first official engagement, royal watchers noted how the little girl bears a striking resemblance to both her mum and great-grandmother, the Queen

Charlotte has a cheeky grin..

Which she shares with great-granny, the Queen at a similar age

Princess Charlotte delighted the crowds in Canada and around the world with a rare public appearance yesterday.

The 16-month-old and brother Prince George were the stars of the show at a garden party - where they enjoyed playing with animals, bubbles and balloons.

The royal tot got the chance to show off her walking and even some dancing as William and Kate happily chatted about how she is teething and always hungry.

Pictures taken at the party in the grounds of British Columbia's Government House show how Charlotte is very like Queen Elizabeth II at a similar age.

'Suspension of lawmaker is illegal,' Falana

Embattled lawmaker, Abdulmumin Jibrin recently issued a statement saying he has instructed his lawyers to file contempt charges against the House of Representatives.

He said “As you are aware, the matter is a subject of litigation; I have instructed my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN, to file charges of contempt against Speaker Dogara and of course the House of Representatives and I’m sure the matter will move over to the judiciary and decision will be taken. I’m pretty sure it will be in my favour.”

Jibrin was suspended for 180 days by the House, following the recommendation of its committee on ethics and privileges.

Court to rule on Jonathan’s wife’s $15.5m October 7

A former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, yesterday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify the guilty plea by four companies linked to Jonathan’s wife, Patience.

he companies on September 15 pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion) when they were arraigned.

They are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer).

The companies, along with a lawyer Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned before Justice Babs Kuewumi.

Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku, however, pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Obasanjo gives FG 3 tips on how to sell Nigeria’s property

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo is in support of the government’s plan to sell off some assets to raise much needed funds to get Nigeria out of the current recession.

Obasanjo also said that the country needs to begin earning more than it spends if it wants to get out of the economic crisis.

Below are three tips the former president gave on how to sell the national assets successfully:

1. “We must begin to do away with things that we can do without and if we must import them, let them attract very high duties.”
2. “I do not see why 49 per cent of NNPC cannot be privatized. I think the problem is in the coinage “selling of asset” as if we want to throw out our inheritance. What we are actually doing by that is simply re-organizing.”
3. “It should however be done transparently and let it actually go public and not to cabals, relations and friends. This is always the fear of Nigerians when issues like this arise.”

Obasanjo made the comments on Tuesday, September 27, at the opening ceremony of the National Council on Finance and Economic Development Conference (NACOFED) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Arrest Fulani herdsmen found with AK 47 rifles, weapons – Sultan of Sokoto tells security agencies

Speaking yesterday at a conference aimed at promoting inter-religious understanding among Muslims and Christians, the monarch described raffle-yielding herdsmen as criminals who should be treated as such.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on security agencies in the country to arrest herdsmen found to be in possession of AK 47 assault rifles.

Lamenting the high poverty rate among the teeming youth population, he stated that except a drastic measure is taken to address poverty, “We are definitely sitting on a time bomb much bigger than Boko Haram.” He said, “There must be open dialogue on the variety of national issues, including the perennial power rotation, if not, we are definitely sitting on a time bomb.

“Secondly, government at all levels must translate into tangible benefits for all Nigerians regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliations. Nigeria has all the resources to make life more pleasant for the people.

Jude Ndukwe: Tinubu, Oyegun and the expensive tears of a Godfather

The cause of these latest acerbic vituperations by Tinubu is attributed to what he described as “Oyegun’s comportment regarding the Ondo State primary” which he said “will become the textbook definition of political treachery and malfeasance of the basest order”.

“The wise woman (man) builds her (his) house, but the foolish pulls it down with her (his) hands.” (Proverbs 14:1)

Recently, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s media office released a press statement wherein the curiously acclaimed national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, wrote what has been severally described in many quarters, and rightly so, as a stinking communiqué following the unrestrained and highly venomous language used in the said communiqué wherein the Jagaban demanded the resignation of the chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The cause of these latest acerbic vituperations by Tinubu is attributed to what he described as “Oyegun’s comportment regarding the Ondo State primary” which he said “will become the textbook definition of political treachery and malfeasance of the basest order”.

The story alleges that Mr Tinubu had a preferred candidate in the Ondo primary election that he had wanted to emerge as APC’s candidate for the November gubernatorial election in Ondo State. Prior to the primary, it was also said that the eventual winner of the primary, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, had dared the feared godfather by asking him to keep off from the exercise in the state. This led to an exchange of hot letters between the two.

Former Isreali President, Shimon Peres Dies At 93

Israeli ex-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shimon Peres died on Wednesday some two weeks after suffering a major stroke, his doctor said, triggering an outpouring of grief for the beloved elder statesman.

The 93-year-old died in his sleep at around 3:00 am (0000 GMT).

Peres held nearly every major office in the country, serving twice as prime minister and also as president, a mostly ceremonial role, from 2007 to 2014.

He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo Accords, which envisioned an independent Palestinian state.

Bayelsa First lady, Rachael Dickson gives birth to quadruplet

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and family may have to continue in celebration as after many years of childlessness, his wife and First Lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Rachael Dickson delivered of a quadruplet – a bouncing baby boy and three baby girls.

Saint Mienpamo, Special Assistant on Research & Social Media to the Governor says the ”Governor’s joy knows no bound.”

The latest news has been tagged a double celebration as the governor’s re-election was overwhelmingly upheld by the Appeal Court in Abuja yesterday.