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VDM Is Planning To Run To Ghana To Avoid Court Case Actor Uche Maduagwu Alleges

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News_Naija

NNPP Lawmaker Sumaila Confirms Defection To APC

The lawmaker representing Kano South Senatorial District, Kawu Sumaila, on Wednesday confirmed that he has defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. His clarification, which was contained in a statement shared via his Facebook page, ended weeks of intense political speculation over his future in the NNPP. The senator hinged his decision to quit on the need to be fully committed to his constituents, which he claims remains his first priority. The statement read, “Yes, it is true — the rumours regarding my defection are accurate. All politics is local, and my primary concern has always been, and remains, the welfare of my immediate constituency. “I am resolutely determined to advance the lives of my people, ensuring their needs are met and their future is secured.” His exit has also fuelled rumour that the leader of the Kwankwasiyyan Movement and former presidential candidate of the NNPP, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, may return to the APC. The confirmation of his change of allegiance comes on the heels of Wednesday’s shocking defection of Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, former Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the party structure in the state to the ruling APC.

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News_Naija

Delta PDP Defection, A Game Of Survival Dele Momodu

Veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, has reacted to the mass defection of top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State to the All Progressives Congress, describing it as a survival tactic rather than a genuine shift in political ideology. Speaking during a live television interview on Channels TV on Wednesday, Momodu said the move did not come as a surprise, noting that Nigerian political history is filled with similar episodes of defections. “I’m a very good student of Nigeria’s political history, so nothing can surprise me about our politicians. “The history of Nigerian politics is replete with stories of defections,” he said. Responding to the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several other key PDP figures to the APC, Momodu said, “What will surprise me is if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes that people are joining APC because they love him or because he’s doing so fantastically well. What people are doing now is a game of survival.” He argued that harassment by anti-graft agencies is pushing politicians to align with the ruling party for protection. “Name one of them who has not been harassed at different times by either EFCC, ICPC, or the Special Fraud Unit. “Gone are the days when we admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, Jomo Kenyatta, MKO Abiola, Chief Awolowo, all of them for going to detention. These days, nobody wants to go to detention. Everybody wants be be at home to enjoy that money they have made in politics,” he said. Momodu added, “This government’s strategy is a carrot and stick. If we can’t persuade you, we can force you. And I think force is working for now.” The defection was officially announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager following a six-hour closed-door meeting at the Government House. “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. “We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” Manager said. Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, also confirmed the collective decision, citing the need for political alignment to sustain development in the state. “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. “We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party,” Aniagwu stated. He further hinted at a formal public declaration scheduled for the next week, saying, “By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC.”

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Futbol

Bayindir's Failed Man Utd Audition Offers Onana Dilemma

It was the last thing Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim needed. After taking goalkeeper Andre Onana out of the firing line for Sunday's trip to Newcastle, the Portuguese watched forlorn as replacement Altay Bayindir conceded four goals in a chastening defeat at St James' Park. To makes matters worse, the Turkey international was to blame for Newcastle's fourth after a poor pass. "We did a lot of mistakes that made it harder to win a game - that's all," said Amorim. "It's a little bit of everything, it's hard to point to one thing." With a crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg to follow against Lyon on Thursday, United are keen to put defeat in the north-east quickly behind them. But Amorim now faces a potentially season-defining decision of whether to recall Onana or stick with Bayindir. Whether Onana was rested or simply dropped for the visit to Newcastle, the fact he wasn't even named on the bench was a brave decision from the United boss. Speaking before kick-off, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane said Amorim's patience with the Cameroon international had worn out. "I think he (Onana) has done OK in the Premier League because United defensively actually haven't been too bad," Keane told Sky Sports. "The keeper has made some big mistakes and he's been punished for it, so it's a big call for the manager." Onana came under fire again following two costly errors in the 2-2 first-leg draw in Lyon last Thursday. Since the start of last season, the 29-year-old has made eight errors leading to goals in all competitions, the most of any keeper playing for a Premier League club. "The situation has been coming," former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told 5 Live. "A lot of Manchester United fans have been getting frustrated with him and there is a time where you do need to take the goalkeeper out of the firing line because the pressure does become too much. "When you're in front of the opposition fans, you're reminded of your poor form every time you touch the ball and sometimes you do need a rest. "It's good man-management to put your arm round him and say, 'look you're still my number one goalkeeper, but at the moment you're not playing to the levels I want you to play at - I'm going to take you out, whether it's one, two or three games'." Amorim may have been keen to stress Onana's omission was a one-game decision, but you don't drop your first-choice keeper at this stage of the season and do so lightly. Bayindir, a £4.3m signing from Fenerbahce in 2023, has waited patiently for his first start in the Premier League. But the 26-year-old failed to grasp his opportunity against Newcastle, conceding four of Newcastle's six shots on target and flapping at a number of crosses. He attempted 57 passes, but completed just 27 of those - an unimpressive rate of 47.4%. The most costly of those passes came 13 minutes from time, when Bayindir attempted a chipped pass into midfield that was cut out by Joelinton, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to add a fourth goal. Newcastle were already on their way to victory by then, but the passage of play underlined why, even with Onana making so many errors, Amorim has tended to keep faith with the former Inter Milan stopper. Amorim, understandably, was keen to move on from the defeat by Newcastle and stressed several times in his post-match interview how the focus was now firmly on the visit of Lyon. It's the biggest match of his United reign so far, keeping hopes alive of a trophy and place in next season's Champions League, but the Portuguese was giving nothing away when asked if he would recall Onana. "You have to wait, we are going to start the next week," said Amorim. "I'm going to choose the best starting XI for the next match." Robinson, though, thinks Onana's spell on the sidelines will continue. "I don't think he's going to play [against Lyon]," said the former Tottenham goalkeeper. "You don't take him out for just one game, put him in a few days later and expect him to be on top of his game. I don't expect to see him play on Thursday."