Many passengers were reported missing as the Nigerian police rescued a Reverend Sister among several other passengers who were robbed and kidnapped by sea pirates in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The unidentified gunmen attacked the speedboat going to Oron in Akwa Ibom State from Calabar, robbed and kidnapped its passengers, according to Vanguard.

The incident happened a few minutes after the victims left the jetty in Calabar.
According to a 30-second video, a female passenger cried for help, and called on security agencies to come to their rescue.
The female victim who did not show her face in the video said that the pirates kidnapped all the men in the boat while they (females) were left in the middle of the water where they did not know,
The victim said, “Please if you guys are seeing this video on my status, we need help, just raised an alarm. I am going for a wedding in Akwa Ibom when we were robbed. The gunmen came and took all the men (male passengers) including the boat driver.
“We are just here with a Reverend Sister as well as other ladies, please we need help , we are across the sea, we are at the first branch from the pickup point (probably the Jetty),” the victim said.
The Cross River State Police Public Relations Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, said that they (the victims) had been rescued.
However, the police spokesperson did not specify the number of persons who were rescued, but she said that there was swift reaction from both the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police who gave the pirates a hot chase, forcing them to abandon their victims.
Also, a security source confirmed that the affected boat and its passengers were rescued as the kidnappers took off when they sighted the Nigerian Navy gunboats.
The source however revealed that two of the affected persons were still missing but maintained that they would be rescued because they were giving the pirates a hot chase.

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have again arrested three men suspected to be agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress for alleged vote-buying in the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Osun State.
The agents were nabbed at the polling unit 02, ward 2, Ababa, Ifelodun street, Isale Osun.

They were caught with bags of cash as they were “inducing voters” during the electioneering process.
One of them was said to have also kept money in his socks.
EFCC operatives said they had a covert operation and everything had been documented.
There have been widespread reports of vote-buying in the ongoing Osun State governorship election by the ruling APC and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC had warned of strict enforcement of rules against cash inducement of voters while unveiling its partnership with anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC.
According to some observers of the election, in some of the polling units, the APC agents "rewarded" voters with an amount between N5,000 and N10,000 after casting their votes while the PDP gave N4,000 and above to voters after forcing them to swear an oath in confirmation that they voted for the candidate of the party.
At Ward 03, Ikija 11, Polling Unit 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South Local Government Area, an APC agent reportedly gave a "pass" to those who vote for his party as he directed them to a house close to the polling unit to get N5,000.
Also, at a polling unit located in Salvation Army Grammar School, Alekuwodo in Osogbo the State capital, voters were seen going into a house three blocks away from the polling unit where money was being shared.
According to witnesses, some voters were given N4,000 after showing proof that they voted for the PDP while those who could not show proof of voting for the party were asked to swear before they were given the money.
A voter confirmed that they were paid after a woman who claimed to have voted for the PDP was not paid because she refused to swear.
The voter who spoke in Yoruba Language said “They asked the woman to swear that she voted for the PDP but she refused to do that, so she was not paid. Those party people are crazy. But our people taught to be doing that.
“Before, we used to collect money and vote for the party we wanted but now, they would ask you to swear that it was their party you voted for. Even the APC, before they pay you, they would ask you to vote. PDP people are down there, I had to look for them. I have been paid too. I was paid N4,000.”
Similarly, at a junction close to Polling Unit 07, Registration Area 007 in Ilesha East Local Government Area, a young lady confirmed that APC gave voters N10,000 to vote for its candidate.
There was also a house close to Ward 03, Ikija 11, PU 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South LGA where voters go to be paid N5,000 by the APC.

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Anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a man, identified as Nurudeen, for allegedly buying votes for ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Isale Osun in the ongoing Osun State gubernatorial election.
According to EFCC officials, he was arrested while giving people cash at AUD Primary School and he mentioned working with a chieftain of APC in the state.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that there was vote-buying in the ongoing Osun State governorship election by the ruling APC and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to some observers of the election, in some of the polling units, the APC agents "rewarded" voters with an amount between N5,000 and N10,000 after casting their votes while the PDP gave N4,000 and above to voters after forcing them to swear an oath in confirmation that they voted for the candidate of the party.
At Ward 03, Ikija 11, Polling Unit 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South Local Government Area, an APC agent reportedly gave a "pass" to those who vote for his party as he directed them to a house close to the polling unit to get N5,000.
Also, at a polling unit located in Salvation Army Grammar School, Alekuwodo in Osogbo the State capital, voters were seen going into a house three blocks away from the polling unit where money was being shared.
According to witnesses, some voters were given N4,000 after showing proof that they voted for the PDP while those who could not show proof of voting for the party were asked to swear before they were given the money.

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The leader of the pro-Yoruba Nation Self-Determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof Banji Akintoye, has joined other Yorubas and Nigerians in general to mourn the death of the first Yoruba Trained Cosmetologist, Mrs. Olayinka Abiodun Wright-Osibogun.
Akintoye described the death of Wright-Osibogun who died on Friday July 15th at her residence in New Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo-State as the end of a glorious era in Yoruba Land.

Wright-Osibogun was the Manufacturer of Popular Hair Pomade “Clarissa” in the 50s, 60s, and 70s in Ibadan, the then capital of Western Nigeria.
In a statement made available to newsmen by his Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye described Wright-Osibogun as a glorious and virtuous woman whose zeal and passion for knowledge-based entrepreneurial development was legendary.
Akintoye said, “Mama was the etymologist of virtuous beauty business in Yoruba Land and a woman whose lifestyle was a model. 
“She used her creativity and innovation to establish wealth and promoted prosperity in Ibadan, the Headquarters of Western Nigeria through her product, “Clarrisa.” 
“Mama will also be fondly remembered for giving birth to worthwhile children, including one of us in the struggle for the advancement and development of Yoruba Land, Otunba Ayodeji Osibogun.
“Mama shall be missed for her candor, courage and passion for humanitarian development. We shall also miss her for her contributions to the empowerment of the younger generation.”

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Anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a man, identified as Nurudeen, for allegedly buying votes for ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Isale Osun in the ongoing Osun State gubernatorial election.
According to EFCC officials, he was arrested while giving people cash at AUD Primary School and he mentioned working with a chieftain of APC in the state.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that there was vote-buying in the ongoing Osun State governorship election by the ruling APC and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to some observers of the election, in some of the polling units, the APC agents "rewarded" voters with an amount between N5,000 and N10,000 after casting their votes while the PDP gave N4,000 and above to voters after forcing them to swear an oath in confirmation that they voted for the candidate of the party.
At Ward 03, Ikija 11, Polling Unit 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South Local Government Area, an APC agent reportedly gave a "pass" to those who vote for his party as he directed them to a house close to the polling unit to get N5,000.
Also, at a polling unit located in Salvation Army Grammar School, Alekuwodo in Osogbo the State capital, voters were seen going into a house three blocks away from the polling unit where money was being shared.
According to witnesses, some voters were given N4,000 after showing proof that they voted for the PDP while those who could not show proof of voting for the party were asked to swear before they were given the money.

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A Nigeria Police Force officer deployed for the ongoing Osun State governorship election has been caught instructing voters who to cast their votes for.
The police officer, whose identity could not be ascertained, was caught on camera at Polling Unit 12 of Ward 06 in the Irepodun Local Government Area.


There have been several reports of vote-buying and election malpractices by the various political parties involved in the election, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
At Ipetumodu II, Polling Unit 03 of Ward 7 in Ipetumodu, Ife North Local Government Area, a source said, “Vote buying is highly sophisticated here by almost all parties. Everything seems to be planned and organised with ease. Money is moved around by men on Motorcycles with men on ground to collect and disburse to voters who are strategically positioned to await their funds for voting.”

Video: 

Police officer caught instructing voters who to cast their ballot for pic.twitter.com/RTCnzYlQah

— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) July 16, 2022
More voters are expected to participate in today’s election than the 2018 poll when 767,444 electorates out of the 1,668,524 registered voters exercised their franchise.
In 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyetola as winner, having polled 255,505 votes against Adeleke, who had 255,023 votes at the end of a supplementary election, which held in seven polling units across four local governments amidst allegations of harassment and other forms of malpractice.
The INEC had scheduled the rerun after declaring the main election inconclusive, won by Adeleke with 353 votes after polling 254,698 against Oyetola’s 254,345. It stated that the margin of votes between Adeleke and Oyetola was less than the number of cancelled votes in seven polling units.

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A heavy downpour has disrupted the ongoing Osun State governorship election in the Ife South Local Government Area of the state.
The rain forced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and voters to scamper for shelter in nearby buildings close to the polling units.

Voting materials, including the cubicles already set up for the process were dismantled immediately the rain started.
The election which is been contested by 15 political parties, is a major duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.
More voters are expected to participate in the election than the 2018 poll when 767,444 electorates out of the 1,668,524 registered voters exercised their franchise.
The election recorded 45.99 per cent turnout.
In 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyetola as winner, having polled 255,505 votes against Adeleke, who had 255,023 votes at the end of a supplementary election, which held in seven polling units across four local governments amidst allegations of harassment and other forms of malpractice.

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The running mate of Bola Tinubu, the ruling All Progressives Congress’ presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, has said the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, can only be President in Igbo land and not over Nigeria.
The former Borno State Governor stated this on Friday, while featuring on a television programme of Channels TV.

Shettima, whose nomination as a running mate of the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, attracted condemnation, made some chieftains of the party to resign.
He noted that the LP candidate lacked the requisite experience to rule Nigeria.
According to Shettima, Nigeria is too big for the former Anambra State governor to handle.
He said, “The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has no political base and structure to win the next coming election in 2023. As far as I am concerned, he’s politically structureless (sic) with little or no experience to lead this country.
“Presidential position is not for the unprepared, neither is it an all comers affairs. Peter Obi can only become a President in Igbo land but definitely not in Nigeria. Nigeria is too big for him to handle.
“He has no leadership ideology nor experience like President Muhammadu Buhari.”

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The Labour Party candidate in the ongoing Osun State gubernatorial election, Yusuf Lasun has appealed to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic transmission of votes to ensure adequate transparency.
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was impressed with the massive turnout of Osun residents.

"As far as I am concerned people have turned out to vote. If only our votes would be transmitted electronically, I think it would be better," he told SaharaReporters after he cast his vote on Saturday.
Across Osun State today, up to 1,955,657 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise across the 3,763 polling units to elect a new governor for the state in a keen contest.
Soldiers, policemen and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been sighted in strategic locations around the state capital and border towns.
The election, which will be contested by 15 political parties, is expected to be a straight duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are; Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.

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Security operatives deployed to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Osun State have arrested a suspected hoodlum with charms.
The suspect, who reportedly gave his name as Ezekiel, was arrested by the Nigerian police in the Ifofin area of Ilesha in Osun State.

According to reports, the suspect said he resided in Lagos and had to come to Ilesha to work.
Meanwhile, some people in the area have faulted the police, querying when it had become an offence to wear charms.
Across Osun State today, up to 1,955,657 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise across the 3,763 polling units to elect a new governor for the state in a keen contest.
Soldiers, policemen and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been sighted in strategic locations around the state capital and border towns.
The election, which will be contested by 15 political parties, is expected to be a straight duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.
More voters are expected to participate in the election than the 2018 poll when 767,444 electorates out of the 1,668,524 registered voters exercised their franchise.

Elections News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

There have been widespread reports of vote-buying in the ongoing Osun State governorship election by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to some observers of the election, in some of the polling units, the APC agents "rewarded" voters with an amount between N5,000 and N10,000 after casting their votes while the PDP gave N4,000 and above to voters after forcing them to swear an oath in confirmation that they voted for the candidate of the party.

At Ward 03, Ikija 11, Polling Unit 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South Local Government Area, an APC agent reportedly gave a "pass" to those who vote for his party as he directed them to a house close to the polling unit to get N5,000.
Also, at a polling unit located in Salvation Army Grammar School, Alekuwodo in Osogbo the State capital, voters were seen going into a house three blocks away from the polling unit where money was being shared.
According to witnesses, some voters were given N4,000 after showing proof that they voted for the PDP while those who could not show proof of voting for the party were asked to swear before they were given the money.
A voter confirmed that they were paid after a woman who claimed to have voted for the PDP was not paid because she refused to swear.
The voter who spoke in Yoruba Language said “They asked the woman to swear that she voted for the PDP but she refused to do that, so she was not paid. Those party people are crazy. But our people taught to be doing that.
“Before, we used to collect money and vote for the party we wanted but now, they would ask you to swear that it was their party you voted for. Even the APC, before they pay you, they would ask you to vote. PDP people are down there, I had to look for them. I have been paid too. I was paid N4,000.”
Similarly, at a junction close to Polling Unit 07, Registration Area 007 in Ilesha East Local Government Area, a young lady confirmed that APC will be giving voters N10,000 to vote for its candidate.
There is also a house close to Ward 03, Ikija 11, PU 002, C.A.C Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife-South LGA where voters go to be paid N5,000 by the APC.

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Nigerian hip-hop star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has said the voters in Osun State are rejecting money from vote buyers in the ongoing election.

Davido, who has been giving mass support to his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took to his Twitter handle @davido to inform Nigeria the situation in his area on Saturday.

The award-winning musician, on his verified Twitter, said, “People rejecting money being offered to them left and right of the state today…GREAT TO SEE. There is still hope for Nigeria".

Pple rejecting money being offered to them left n right of the state today … GREAT TO SEE … there is stilll hope for Nigeria

— Davido (@davido) July 16, 2022
Meanwhile, he had earlier tweeted that there was no INEC officials in Olorunda unit 10 and 13.
"No INEC official in ward 6 olorunda unit 10 and 13 yet. @inecnigeria attend to this as fast as possible." 
Across Osun State today, up to 1,955,657 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise across the 3,763 polling units to elect a new governor for the state in a keen contest.
Soldiers, policemen and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been sighted in strategic locations around the state capital and border towns.
The election, which will be contested by 15 political parties, is expected to be a straight duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.

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The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of importing hoodlums into Ifewara and Ilesha areas to disrupt the ongoing governorship election in Osun State.
The PDP which made the accusation on its official Twitter page called on its leaders, agents and electorates to be aware of the alleged development, while calling on security agents to take note.

It said, “To all our party leaders, agents and electorates in Ifewara, Ilesha, we have been made aware that the failed @OfficialAPCNg has imported thugs from neighbouring states to the LGA to perpetrate violence. @PoliceNG, other security agents, pls take note.”
Across Osun State today, up to 1,955,657 registered voters are expected to exercise their franchise across the 3,763 polling units to elect a new governor for the state in a keen contest.
Soldiers, policemen and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been sighted in strategic locations around the state capital and border towns.
The election, which will be contested by 15 political parties, is expected to be a straight duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.
More voters are expected to participate in the election than the 2018 poll when 767,444 electorates out of the 1,668,524 registered voters exercised their franchise. The election recorded 45.99 per cent turnout.
In 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyetola as winner, having polled 255,505 votes against Adeleke, who had 255,023 votes at the end of a supplementary election, which held in seven polling units across four local governments amidst allegations of harassment and other forms of malpractice.
The INEC had scheduled the rerun after declaring the main election inconclusive, won by Adeleke with 353 votes after polling 254,698 against Oyetola’s 254,345. It stated that the margin of votes between Adeleke and Oyetola was less than the number of cancelled votes in seven polling units.

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Civil society organisations, the Human Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre and Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC) have warned electorates in Osun State against trading their vote during the governorship election.
The groups who gave this warning in a press conference in Oshogbo, the state capital tasked the security agencies, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders to save Nigeria from democracy assassination being perpetuated by those they called desperadoes across party lines.

In their separate speeches, the chairman of HEDA, Olanrewaju Suraju, advised the people of Osun that as they go out on Saturday to exercise the franchise they should not sell their votes no matter the amount.
Suraju said “We urge the electorates to come out en-masse to cast their votes and be part of selecting their own leader for the next four years through a credible electoral process. This God-given right should be honoured and not traded. It is not a commodity to sell, but a right to be exercised. Selling vote is criminal, casting it is the ideal. We commend the role of EFCC during the recently conducted Ekiti Election."

While lamenting that vote-buying remains the biggest threat to a credible election in Nigeria, he maintained that its implication is far reaching.
"It makes difficult calling leaders to account since they paid their ways to the position
occupied and beyond that, it affects the economy and living conditions as leaders would have no moral obligation to make life better for the citizens.

"You must be resolute and vote conscientiously regardless of the potentials for inducement which will be tantamount to selling their future and that of their children for immediate gains, a situation which will obviously result in an even worse socio-economic situation than they currently have," he advised.

On her part, the Executive Director of WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, said Saturday's election would be yet another test for Nigeria’s democratic consolidation and its fidelity to laws and rules guiding the electoral process.

Akiode-Afolabi stated that the Ekiti Governorship election was rattled with gross allegations of reckless vote-buying so much that it triggered reaction from the authorities.

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A 92-year-old woman was sighted casting her vote on Saturday morning at Polling Unit 002, Ward 6, Baptist Primary School 1, Isore/Ikonifin in the ongoing Osun governorship election.
Photographs of the aged woman while casting her vote were posted on Twitter by Aje, @Riddwane, a journalist. 

Meanwhile, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke, cast his vote at his polling unit at Ward 2 Unit 9 in Ede North LGA, Osun East Senatorial District, at exactly 8:45 am.
Adeleke, popularly known as Imole, who spoke with journalists expressed his satisfaction with the process so far.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has vowed to ensure a transparent and credible governorship election in Osun State.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, stated this on Tuesday while addressing a gathering at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital.
He said the commission had listened to stakeholders across the board who emphasised transparency, inclusivity, and credibility of the election, as well as security and peaceful conduct of the exercise.
“For us in INEC, let me reassure political parties, candidates, and the electorate that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Osun State is entirely in the hands of voters,” Yakubu said.
“As I have repeatedly said in previous engagements with stakeholders, INEC will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. Our focus is on the processes and procedures as provided by law.”

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld the ban on Russian clubs from European competitions for the coming season and Russia’s exclusion from international tournaments, as a result of the war in Ukraine.
In its ruling on Friday, CAS rejected appeals by four Russian clubs against their banishment by UEFA from European competitions in 2022-2023 and another by the Russian Football Federation which contested its exclusion from all competitions organised by FIFA and UEFA.

“The escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the public and government responses worldwide, created unforeseen and unprecedented circumstances to which FIFA and UEFA had to respond,” the Lausanne-based CAS said in its press release.
“In determining that Russian teams and clubs should not participate in competitions under their aegis while such circumstances persisted, the panel (of judges) held that both parties acted within the scope of the discretion granted to them under their respective statutes and regulations.”
Russian clubs and national teams were initially suspended “until further notice” by UEFA in February in the wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
In May, SaharaReporters reported that UEFA announced “no Russian club” would participate in the 2022-2023 season of European club competitions, namely the Champions League, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
Zenit Saint Petersburg, which was denied a place in the group stages of the Champions League because of the ban, CSKA Moscow, Dynamo Moscow and Sochi all challenged the decision.
Russia’s national team was kicked out of the qualifying competition for this year’s World Cup in Qatar by FIFA just before a crucial play-off tie against Poland in March.
Russia were also excluded from the Women’s European Championship currently taking place in England and will play no further part in the qualifying campaign for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“The panel finds it unfortunate that the current military operations in Ukraine, for which Russian football teams, clubs, and players have themselves no responsibility, had, by reason of the decisions of FIFA and UEFA, such an adverse effect on them and Russian football generally, but those effects were… offset by the need for the secure and orderly conduct of football events for the rest of the world,” said CA.

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A former member of the House of Representatives, Robinson Uwak, has allegedly influenced the police to arrest the father of his estranged wife, Kezia.
Uwak is a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Ure-Offong/Oruko and Udung-Uko federal constituency of Akwa Ibom State at the 7th Assembly.

A source told SaharaReporters that Kezia's father was picked up at his residence in Calabar, the Cross River state capital on Friday evening.
“Honorable Robinson just sent policemen to arrest the lady’s father for nothing in Calabar where they live,” a source said.
The alleged harassment of Kezia’s family comes amid several allegations of domestic violence levelled against the former lawmaker by his estranged wife. 
The woman had alleged that Uwak attempted to kill her for trying to leave the marriage.
On May 29, she posted on Facebook that the former lawmaker strangled her and attempted to kill her, adding that he also inflicted physical injuries on her mother.
 
She wrote, "Hon. Robinson Uwak strangled me and attempted to kill me when he found out I was trying to leave the marriage and he did this right in the room where my children were asleep.
 
"He kicked my parents out of his house at 2 am after he put a machete to my mom’s neck and kicked her twice to the ground causing her to injure herself and break her phone.
 
"He lied to me that he was not married to his ex-wife anymore- that he was divorced.
 
"He is now threatening to kill me and my parents for me leaving him. I have Pictures, Videos & Audio evidence. I got married to him after he deceived my family and I that he was divorced from his ex-wife.
 
"Stating that his marriage was annulled because it didn’t legally exist- this was a lie. He deceived my family and I into being married to him. I sit here in terrible pain from my head to my toes after I was terribly battered by my so-called “husband” while he accused me of unfounded and blatant lies.
 
"My neck is swollen and hurts- I can’t swallow well- from how he tied my neck with the nape of what I was wearing and used both hands to strangle me telling me he will “kill me and go to jail.”
 
"He used his feet to stomp on my chest with all of his might and I have severe chest pains & aches. He slapped and pounded my skull with his fists so many times- hitting my head hard against the tiles in his room over and over while my children slept in the next room.
 
“On the 27th of May around 8 am, he charged into my room where I sleep with my twins and started to accuse me falsely.
 
"Before I could open my mouth to even understand what was happening, he flung me on the floor and began to strangle me. I was screaming. I was horrified.
 
"He then told me to move to his room- next door- he locked all the windows and doors & commanded me to sit on the floor & then proceeded to tell me that I can never leave the marriage- and break up his home- he said will kill my family and I. He said he is ready to commit murder. He said it doesn’t matter how long it takes, 5-10-15-20 years, that he will find my parents and I and kill us.
 
"He will use N50 million, even N100 million to send kidnappers and killers to end my life and that of my parents. He said I cannot embarrass him maritally a second time.
 
"That he only let his first wife go because she didn’t have kids. But he will kill me before I leave him. And that I cannot have custody of his kids. He said I will always look over my shoulder in this country for the rest of my life.
 
"And that he will leave to the U.S. and pay people here in Nigeria to kill me and my parents. He swore over and over on a hard copy of the Bible that he will kill me & my parents.
 
"He claims he uses the services of the SSS (State Security Service) to track the phones of people in my life against their wills. Please his friends in DSS (Department of State Services) & SSS need to be investigated. He threatens my friends and family at any provocation.
 
"I found out he is still in a divorce tussle with his ex-wife and I began to make moves with my lawyer on how to leave the marriage because it means my marriage to him is void & he’s committing bigamy...”
 
Also on June 4, she alleged that her husband had been sponsoring people to share false stories about her despite having threatened to kill her.
However, the lawmaker earlier this week accused the House of Representatives spokesperson, Benjamin Kalu of having an illicit affair with Kezia and being responsible for his broken marriage.
According to Uwak, Kalu has refused to allow his (Robinson) family to run smoothly.
He also alleged that “despite being a married woman, Kalu continued his illicit affair with her, booking and inviting her to hotels to sleep with her”.
He added, “When I confronted my wife about it, she cried and pleaded profusely at a family meeting and I forgave her.
 
“Despite her pleas, she continued with her cheating, which led to the last altercation with me.”
However, efforts to reach Uwak on his mobile line were not successful as it was unavailable for hours, up till the time of filing this report. 
A text message sent to him had also not been delivered at the time of filing the report. 
 

Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

Gunmen suspected to be Islamic terrorists have again abducted two Catholic priests in the Lere local government area of Kaduna State.
The priests who were identified as John Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas, were reported to have been abducted on Friday at Gure Parish.

Chietnum is the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Chancellor of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Emmanuel Okolo, confirmed their abduction.

SaharaReporters reports that Catholic priests in Kaduna State have been the target of Islamic terrorists in the last four years with some of them also killed in captivity.
It was reported few days ago that Rev. Fr Emmanuel Silas was abducted in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State.
However, Fr Okolo said the priests were kidnapped shortly after they arrived at the parish rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church in Yadin Garu, Lere LGA.

The statement on the fresh abduction read, “It is with great pain that we announce to you the kidnapping of two of our Priests; Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas.
“The sad event of their abduction occurred around 5.45pm of July 15, 2022, shortly after the two priests who were on their way to a function at a different parish (Gure), arrived at the Parish Rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“As we solicit an intense prayer for their quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry to refrain from taking the laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure their quick and safe release.

“May Jesus crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priests and all other kidnapped persons.”

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

File Photo

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday morning in Osun State began the monitoring of the governorship election to arrest vote buyers in the process.
SaharaReporters gathered that the EFCC operatives were seen at Freedom Park, Old Garage, Osogbo, the state capital as of 8.15am.

File Photo
Vote-buying has continued to be one of the major and recurring practices in elections in the country, as widely reported during last Ekiti State gubernatorial election.
The election, which will be contested by 15 political parties, is expected to be a major duel between the incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Other candidates in the race are the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf of the Labour Party, Goke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Akin Ogunbiyi of Accord Party.
More voters are expected to participate in the election than the 2018 poll when 767,444 electorates out of the 1,668,524 registered voters exercised their franchise. The election recorded 45.99 per cent turnout.
In 2018, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyetola as winner, having polled 255,505 votes against Adeleke, who had 255,023 votes at the end of a supplementary election, which held in seven polling units across four local governments amidst allegations of harassment and other forms of malpractice.
The INEC had scheduled the rerun after declaring the main election inconclusive, won by Adeleke with 353 votes after polling 254,698 against Oyetola’s 254,345. It stated that the margin of votes between Adeleke and Oyetola was less than the number of cancelled votes in seven polling units.

News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements : 

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, despite the public outcry which greeted his choice of the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket, has proceeded to submit the former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, to the nation’s electoral commission.
A source within Tinubu’s camp revealed to Punch that hours to the deadline of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC standard-bearer had shunned all entreaties to drop Shettima.

Tinubu, who is a southern Muslim, had incurred the wrath of the Christian Association of Nigerian, some party members and political stakeholders when he announced Shettima, a northern Muslim, as the “special one,” to be his running mate.
He broke the news to journalists after his closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Daura, Katsina State during the Sallah break.
However, the possibility that Tinubu might bow to pressure to change his running mate was erased on Friday when he went on to submit Shettima’s name to INEC.
The spokesman for Bola Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Bayo Onanuga, told Punch that it would have been unwise for his principal to drop Shettima because certain people were uncomfortable with the choice.
“That is not possible. We have seen this move before; all these campaigns to pit us against fellow Nigerians. It happened in 1993 and the result was clear. There was pressure from several quarters for (MKO) Abiola to drop (Babagana) Kingibe because of his Muslim background,” Onanuga said.
The campaign spokesman urged Nigerians to focus on competence instead of flying the kite of ethno-religious sentiments.
“What we should be looking at is not religion but competence of the candidate to deliver and take the country to a greater height. They will soon realise that. As I said earlier, there is no likelihood of our presidential candidate dropping Shettima. He has selected him and Shettima will remain. He is a cool candidate. Either of them can be a President,” Onanuga insisted.
The former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria also disclosed that there were ongoing efforts to appease CAN and disgruntled APC stalwarts, including a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a former ally of Tinubu, who has been one of the most vociferous voices against Tinubu’s decision to settle for Muslim-Muslim ticket.
SaharaReporters had on Friday reported that no fewer than 10,000 Christians from across the 19 northern states stormed Abuja, to protest the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu.
The protesters, under the umbrella of All Christians Community of Northern Nigeria, had marched to the Presidential Villa to submit a protest letter to the Nigerian government over the Muslim-Muslim agenda adopted by the APC.
The leader of the group, Moses Adams, said the decision of the APC regarding its presidential candidate was not the best for a diverse country like Nigeria.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Sahara Reporters, New york. Disable advertisements :