Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday commended the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for the firm and progressive leadership he has provided for the National Assembly.

Jonathan spoke when Saraki paid him a courtesy visit at his Maitama Office in Abuja.

He said the tremendous support being enjoyed by Saraki from lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives testifies to his leadership ability.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/jonathan-told-saraki-but-for-your-leadership-national-assembly-would-have-been-in-chaos

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has condemned the recent statement credited to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, over the issue of the restructuring of the country.

Osinbajo had stated in the media that the problem of the country was not a matter of restructuring but about managing resources properly and providing for the people.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/afenifere-apc-not-interested-in-restructuring

The Buhari Media Organisation, BMO, on Monday, rubbished the report by the United States, US, President, Donald Trump that President Muhammadu Buhari is a “lifeless President.”

BMO insisted that Buhari was fit and capable of running for the 2019 elections.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/bmo-fires-back-at-trump-for-calling-buhari-lifeless

Counsel to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Festus Keyamo (SAN), has dismissed claims that a Supreme Court ruling prevents Amaju Pinnick from serving as president of the NFF.

Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria also averred that the August 26, 2014 election mandate Christopher Giwa is laying claim to for the coveted NFF position expired yesterday after four years.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/keyamo-no-supreme-court-order-restraining-pinnick-as-nff-president

The leadership tussle that arose after the State Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has ended.

The tussle ended on Saturday with members of the former APC state executive led by Dr Effiong Etok, the former state secretary and two former senatorial chairmen, Obong Kufre Inyangette and Obong Uko Umoh announcing the withdrawal of their court case against the APC state chairman, Hon Ini Okopido and other members of his executive.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/akwa-ibom-apc-post-congress-leadership-tussle-ends

Two Special Assistants to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and over 5,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state have defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The defectors who vowed to team up with other APC leaders to “rescue the state from the grips of the PDP,” accused the administration of Okowa of “lacking the foresight to develop the state.”

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/governor-okowas-aides-5000-others-dump-pdp-for-apc

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised concern over a trending fake website, apcregistration.com, which it says is meant to harvest its members ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The party raised the alarm in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary on Sunday in Abuja.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/fake-website-apc-accuses-opposition-party

Roma coach Eusebio Di Francesco confirmed on Sunday that “negotiations are in progress” with Ligue 1 club Marseille for Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman.

According to media reports, the 28-year-old Netherlands international has agreed to terms with Marseille, who he could join before the end of the transfer window in France on Friday.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/roma-coach-confirms-kevin-strootman-talks-with-marseille

Against all expectations and hype, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State declared for a second term on Friday with the presence of only two of the 10 other Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in attendance.

The boycott by most PDP Governors may not be unconnected with the widespread allegation and their suspicion that Governor Emmanuel was lobbying to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Read More: https://www.thenewsbook.net/pdp-governors-boycott-governor-emmanuels-second-term-declaration

Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom have described the claim by Governor Udom Emmanuel that the state owned Four Points by Sheraton hotel was abandoned by his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio, as a blatant lie.

Emmanuel claimed that no formal application or contact was made with Sheraton before the name “Four Points by Sheraton” was slammed on a building by the Akpabio government.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/stakeholders-fault-governor-emmanuel-on-four-points-by-sheraton

The All Progressives Congress has accused Independent National Electoral Commission of leaking information on its Congresses and Primary elections submitted to the commission.

The party made the allegation in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, on Friday in Abuja.

It said that there was a need for INEC to look into its internal handling of official correspondence in order to put a stop to such leaks.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/apc-accuses-inec-of-leaking-notices-of-congresses-primaries

What will play out in next year’s gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom State is nothing short of a possible ‘battle of ego and a must win’ between Governor Udom Emmanuel and his predecessor and benefactor, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
While the incumbent is seeking re-election for a second term in office, the senator, who represents Akwa Ibom Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district, is likely to battle for another term in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

Although, Akpabio will not be on the ballot for gubernatorial poll, his participation will most likely bolster the chances of whoever picks the ticket of the major opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), to which he defected recently.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/akpabios-defection-boosting-emmanuels-home-support

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday, said the Peoples Democratic Party would defeat President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 elections.

Saraki, who spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during a harmonisation summit for the PDP members and those who recently defected to the party from the APC, added that he was hopeful that the PDP would emerge victorious in the state.

Saraki said, “In 2019, the PDP will produce the President. If we emerge victorious at the federal level, all of us will be the beneficiaries. In the state, with your support, we will win the state too. All of you here are the key players in Kwara politics. With the unity of purpose, no party can contest with you. We are here to unite all of us under the party we belong to today.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/pdp-will-defeat-buhari-in-2019-saraki

Bullets were lost on Tuesday in the country home of Senator Godswill Akpabio, Ukana Ikot Ntuen village, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as security operatives engaged hoodlums in a shooting bout.

This is coming as the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday cautioned Akpabio to stop utterances capable of fuelling crisis in the state.

The gunmen numbering about six using two motorcycles had robbed a petrol station, a stone throw from the residence of the former senate minority leader shooting sporadically to scare passers-by.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/akpabios-security-detail-hoodlums-in-shootout

The Police and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Akwa Ibom State Senator Godswill Akpabio yesterday disagreed over an alleged gunmen attack on the ex-governor’s residence.

On Tuesday night, the Senator said his hometown residence in Ukana, Essien Udim local government area, was attacked by 10 gunmen during a political meeting with his supporters.

But the Police said hoodlums attacked a filling station near the senator’s house and not his residence.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/akpabio-police-differ-over-gun-attack-at-senators-home

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is the foundation for re-engineering and reinvigorating Nigeria’s economy for a better future.

Tinubu made the remark in Lagos on Wednesday during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, saying a strong foundation mattered in nation building.

He said that building such foundation required patience, perseverance and commitment as it often presented difficulties for the people.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/president-buhari-administration-is-foundation-to-reinvigorate-economy-for-better-future-tinubu

A senator, Godswill Akpabio, has denied saying that he regretted helping Udom Emmanuel to become Akwa Ibom governor in 2015.

Mr Akpabio represents Akwa Ibom North West District in the Senate.

A news report published by the Punch newspaper said Mr Akpabio, a former governor of the state, apologised on Sunday to a crowd of supporters at Ikot Ekpene for his role in Mr Emmanuel’s victory at the poll.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/i-didnt-say-i-regret-making-udom-emmanuel-governor-akpabio

The Peoples Democratic Party has welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration to jail treasury looters.

It, however, challenged him to show integrity by starting with the investigation and prosecution of members of his party, the All Progressives Congress.

Buhari had in an interview shortly after his return from London on Saturday said, “Most Nigerians are expecting that we are going to jail more of the thieves that brought an economic problem to the country. I think that is being expected of me and I will do it.”

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/jailing-of-looters-start-with-apc-members-pdp-obj-group-tell-buhari

There is no disagreement, quarrel or misunderstanding between the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker, Turaki Hassan, has said.

Dogara’s spokesman, in a statement denying the rumour of a rift between the leaders of the two Chambers, said the public should ignore lies being circulated in the social media especially WhatsApp.

According to him, Dogara and Saraki have enjoyed cordial relationship in the last three years.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/no-disagreement-between-saraki-dogara-spokesman

Kylian Mbappe marked his first appearance for Paris Saint-Germain since winning the World Cup by coming off the bench to score a late brace that gave the French champions a 3-1 victory at Guingamp on Saturday.

Nolan Roux had given the home side the lead in the Brittany sunshine, and only a combination of Gianluigi Buffon and VAR prevented Thomas Tuchel’s side from being further behind at half-time.

But Mbappe came on for the second half and Neymar equalised from the penalty spot soon after, before the 19-year-old France starlet added two goals in the closing 10 minutes to secure the points.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/kylian-mbappe-scores-in-first-match-for-paris-saint-germain-side-after-world-cup

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he would not interfere with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

The president also gave an undertaking that he would ensure that next year’s polls are free, fair and credible.

The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojodu, expressed the Buhari’s positions when he read the president’s speech at the 2018 Annual Nigeria Political Parties summit held in Abuja yesterday.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/2019-i-wont-interfere-with-inec-buhari-assures-nigerian

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Bwari has restrained Senate President Bukola Saraki from declaring the seat of a former Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, vacant.

Justice Othman Musa on Wednesday also ordered Saraki not to impede Senator Akpabio’s access to the building or take any action aimed at “overreaching his privileges and rights as a senator pending the determination of the originating summons of the applicant.”

Justice Musa ordered service of the originating summons and other processes on Saraki through either the Clerk of the National Assembly, Clerk of the Senate or any other clerk or reasonable official of the National Assembly at the Assembly complex.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/court-bars-saraki-from-declaring-akpabios-seat-vacant

Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, wednesday stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of integrity and impeccable character, but too old to steer the affairs of Nigeria.

Addressing the various associations, students and youths, who paid him solidarity visit in Sokoto, the state capital, the governor admitted that pressure is being mounted on him to declare for presidency.
He, however, debunked reports that he is one of the enemies of President Buhari.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/you-are-too-old-to-govern-nigeria-tambuwal-tells-buhari

Super Eagles’ and Bursaspor defender, William Troost-Ekong, has joined Italian side, Udinese, according to Sky Sport Italia.
The Dutch-Nigerian turns 25 next month and plays as a centre-back.
He moved to Bursaspor a year ago for €1 million, having previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Groningen, Dordrecht, KAA Gent and Haugesund.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/troost-ekong-joins-udinese

Senate President Bukola Saraki has told Bloomberg that he is considering running against President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general elections.

“I am consulting and actively considering it. I believe I can make the change,” Bloombergquoted Saraki as saying in an interview conducted on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Senate President defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and will be seeking to actualise his ambition on the new platform.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/2019-im-consulting-actively-considering-running-against-buhari-saraki

Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song has signed a two-year contract with Sion of the Swiss Super League, the club announced on Tuesday.

Song, 30, joined Sion after parts of two seasons with Rubin Kazan, having left the club in January when FIFA intervened to terminate his contract because the club were falling behind on paying players’ wages.

According to the Telegraph, Song was still owed £7.9 million by Rubin in June.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/former-arsenal-midfielder-alex-song-signs-two-year-deal-with-sion

Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State has reacted to an allegation that the All Progressives Congress (APC) rigged last Saturday’s Bauchi South senatorial district bye-election in the state.

Earlier in a press briefing, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the administration of widespread and open vote buying and colluding with the Independent National Electoral Commissioned (INEC) and security agencies to rig the election.

Governor Abubakar, in an interaction with journalists, on Monday evening, said that the PDP was free to challenge the outcome of the bye-election.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/bauchi-by-election-governor-abubakar-reacts-to-allegation-of-rigging

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has released dates for its primary elections to choose its candidates for the 2019 general elections nationwide.

According to a statement issued by the party, State House of Assembly primaries would hold on September 15, while the Federal House of Representatives primaries would hold on September 19.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/apc-releases-date-for-primaries

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has come under serious attack over his demand that President Muhammadu Buhari should set up an independent panel of inquiry into last week’s invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services.
Saraki had on Tuesday on his Twitter handle made the demand, which as at press time had drawn no fewer than 251 Replies, 422 Retweets and 782 Likes in about one hour.
Many of those who responded insulted the embattled Senate president for his refusal to reopen the National Assembly for the consideration of the Independent National Electoral Commission 2019 elections budget.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/breaking-saraki-under-attack-over-demand-for-inquiry-into-national-assembly-siege

Following the abortion of the much-touted National Assembly reconvening, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, and senators of the ruling party, last night met in Abuja, for the fifth time since his emergence in June.

Although the meeting was still ongoing at press time, it was gathered that the issue of Bukola Saraki and his continuous stay in office as Senate President as well as plans to stop more APC lawmakers from defecting, dominated discussions.

Beside Oshiomhole and the APC senators, top security agents were alleged to have attended the meeting, which held in Abuja.

Read More at: [url]APC senators in crucial meeting with Comrade Oshiomhole[/url]

Former Senate minority leader, Godwill Akpabio, has said he and the Senate President Bukola Saraki are as guilty as others, as far as recent defections of lawmakers from one political party to the other is concerned.

At the weekend, one of the national dailies, reported that Saraki was planning to declare Akpabio’s seat vacant as senator representing Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, in line with provisions of section 68 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution.

The section specifies that a lawmaker can only defect from the party upon which he won election into the parliament to another party, if there is a division in the party down the line, a provision Akpabio, according to the report, did not meet before defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week.

Read More at: https://www.thenewsbook.net/defection-were-both-guilty-senator-akpabio-tells-bukola-saraki