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Okonkwo’s Full Speech After Dumping Peter Obi

A former spokesman for the opposition Labour Party presidential campaign council, Kenneth Okonkwo has dumped the party.

Okonkwo said he decided to leave the party after its former presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, failed to solve the party’s internal crisis.

Okonkwo Full Speech

I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments built around ethnicity, religion, sex, or circumstances of birth.

It’s obvious that the APC or PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria. Indeed their combined leadership is trying to cripple Nigeria as this blessed country is now down economically, politically, and in every other index, leaving the people with no other option than to protest for their survival. They can see no hope for the future.

Unfortunately, by our Constitution, we need a solid political party with solid grassroot base to be able to wrestle power from these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. We, therefore, need a decisive leader who will be able to build such a party of integrity and character from the grassroots because eventually, majority of the people that will populate a government will eventually proceed from the political party of the leader. A party is like a political tree that produces the fruit of the leadership cadre in government. A corrupt tree will never birth good fruits no matter the integrity and good intentions of the leader. Nigeria problems today come from lack of internal democracy in the parties which become a breeding ground for the production of incompetent and corrupt leaders in government.

We also need a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such leader, because these corrupt and incompetent leaders are not willing to conduct free and fair elections and will always grab, snatch power from any weak and indecisive leader, and run away with it. Our judiciary has not proved to be equal to the task in preventing the emergence of electoral bandits who steal electoral victories at gunpoint in the public glare of everyone.

I am ernestly searching for such a leader who has the integrity and also the commensurate charisma and bravery to mobilise the people to sustain the victory, in the event that Nigeria votes for such a person. The time for calm down is over.

I recall how we suffered and risked all to liberate Nigeria from the shackles of these kakistocrats and kleptocrats in 2023 only for the victory to be stolen. It is obvious that the judiciary will not give us democracy because of abuse of the judicial process. The people must take their destiny in their hands. They must be willing to vote the right person as the President and must be willing to fight to ensure that the person is sworn in as President. However, the person must be willing to be in the forefront of such endeavour. The suffering Nigerians are going through now from the people they didn’t vote for, but who snatched power, cannot be allowed to continue. These people will still remain in power come 2027 unless a decisive leader emerges to stop them with the votes of the people.

What is happening in Labour Party today has inspired in me a determination to chart a new course for my political journey. After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes on Labour Party. I believed that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone will fall in line.

I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria problems. I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to no where politically?

However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems. to no avail.

PO also publicly demanded that the Abure led National Working Committee must organise an all inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time has expired. Every member of Labour Party is confused today as to the future of Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself. I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.

I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP. The Labour Unions now have the unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.

I am of course in full support of the Labour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.

However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.

It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At anytime I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined myself to his campaign, I made it public, now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know.

This has nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP. I will perpetually be joined to the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a new, better, and great Nigeria.

There’s also absolutely nothing personal with my decision to adjust my relationship with HE Peter Obi. It’s 100% based on principles and my conviction that I need a more decisive, bold, brave leader with integrity and team spirit who can confront these kakistocrats and kleptocrats head on. I will continue to respect him and cherish the periods we worked together.

With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to consolidation of Labour Party.

Nigeria must regain its greatness, whether the kakistocrats and kleptocrats like it or not.

Protest is a democratic right of the people. Nobody should prevent the people from protesting, even as the protesters should endeavour to be peaceful. The government must deploy all its wisdom and exercise extreme restraint in the management of the protest of the people. The best method of avoiding protest is good governance. With bad governance, protest is inevitable.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Chairman National Sports Commission Mallam Dikko receives members of victorious Scrabble Team

The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, received members of the victorious Team Nigeria to the 15th Pan African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday at his office in Abuja.

Team Nigeria won the top honours in the male, female individual categories and the overall team title at the Championship attended by 92 players from 11 countries. Oluwatimilehin Doko won the diadem ahead of two other Nigerians George Ezinore and Noble Onoshevwe while Delta born Tuoyo Mayuku was the best female and Adebisi Adekansi was second.

Nigeria also retained the team title for the 15th time in a row while Doko a graduate of pharmacy at the University of Lagos became the youngest winner of the male’s crown at age 24, it’s the 14th time Nigeria is winning the male event.

The elated Chairman told the team that the Sports Commission is very proud of their achievements and he promises they will support the team in their future outings.”I’m very impressed with the team’s performance.

You know we are very new but from my personal earnings, I will give the team two million naira as a token of appreciation for being the first national Federation to win continental honours for the National Sports Commission,” Dikko said. 37 self sponsored players represented Nigeria at the African Scrabble Championship after the Sports Ministry under the inept leadership of Senator John Enoh, refused to fund the trip to Kigali, citing lack of funds.

This is not the first time the defunct Sports Ministry will be citing lack of funds for major Scrabble Championships.

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), will also be presenting the trophies won by Team Nigeria to the Nigeria Senate President, God’swill Akpabio who is the grand patron of Nigeria Scrabble Federation.

The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) on arrival from Kigali, Rwanda told the media they are dedicating the victory to the Senate President for his contribution to the growth and development of the mind game in Nigeria and the continent.

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Tinubu to attend joint Arab-Islamic summit in Saudi Arabia 

President Tinubu Promises Affordable Minimum Wage
President Bola Tinubu is set to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Saudi Arabia

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit. The summit will focus on the current situation in the Middle East. 

The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. 

It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. 

Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.

Key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. 

Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed. 

After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, however, was not explicit on the exact date the President will return to Abuja.

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EPL: Lawrenson predicts match day 11 fixtures

Liverpool icon and football analyst, Mark Lawrenson, has shared his predictions for the upcoming Premier League matchups this weekend.

Known for his candid commentary, Lawrenson offers insights into the potential outcomes of several key fixtures, including matchups featuring Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea, which are set to unfold across England.

Among the anticipated fixtures, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, will travel to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening. Liverpool, fresh from an impressive run, will take on Aston Villa at Anfield in a high-stakes Saturday night clash.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea welcomes their London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in what promises to be an intense encounter.

Lawrenson, speaking via Paddy Power, laid out his predictions for the weekend matches, hinting at potential outcomes based on each team’s current form and recent performances.

Below are the scores Lawrenson forecasts for each game:Wolves vs Southampton: Lawrenson sees Wolves pulling off a narrow win, predicting a 2-1 victory at Molineux. With Wolves showing resilience at home, they might edge out Southampton in what could be a closely contested fixture.West Ham vs Everton: In this encounter, Lawrenson tips West Ham to defeat Everton, predicting a 2-0 scoreline. West Ham’s defensive stability and Everton’s struggles on the road contribute to this prediction of a straightforward victory for the Hammers.

Brentford vs Bournemouth: Brentford is favored in this matchup, with Lawrenson forecasting a 2-1 win. The Bees have been strong at home, and Bournemouth’s recent struggles could leave them vulnerable in this outing.

Crystal Palace vs Fulham: This fixture is expected to be a tight contest, with Fulham narrowly edging Crystal Palace by 1-0, according to Lawrenson.

He believes Fulham’s disciplined defense might help them secure an away win.Brighton vs Manchester City: Lawrenson predicts a 1-2 win for Manchester City.

Though Brighton has shown attacking prowess, the defending champions’ quality is likely to see them through with a hard-fought win.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: At Anfield, Lawrenson anticipates Liverpool overcoming Aston Villa with a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool’s home advantage and strong lineup give them the edge against a capable Villa side.Manchester United vs Leicester City: At Old Trafford, Lawrenson predicts Manchester United will secure a 2-0 victory over Leicester. United’s recent form and home advantage could be the deciding factors in this matchup.

Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Lawrenson foresees a draw, with both sides holding each other to a 1-1 finish. Nottingham Forest’s solid home form and Newcastle’s resurgence might result in a balanced game.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town: Tottenham is expected to have the upper hand, with Lawrenson predicting a 2-0 win. Spurs’ attacking depth might overwhelm Ipswich in this encounter.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: The weekend’s standout fixture, Chelsea vs Arsenal, has Lawrenson predicting a 0-2 victory for Arsenal.

Chelsea’s mixed form and Arsenal’s cohesive play could tip the balance in favor of the Gunners, who are on a strong run this season.

These predictions add an exciting layer of anticipation for fans eager to see how the weekend unfolds.

Lawrenson’s insights reflect current trends and team dynamics, offering fans a glimpse into potential outcomes.

With teams battling for points and positions, this weekend’s matches promise drama, goals, and competitive action across Premier League grounds.

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Tragedy in Burkina Faso: Al-Qaeda-Affiliated Attack Leaves 22 Dead in Solhan Village

A brutal assault on the village of Solhan, located in the Bangaba district of Burkina Faso’s northern Sahel Region, has left 22 civilians dead and four others wounded.

The tragic event unfolded on Friday during the early hours when a group linked to al-Qaeda targeted residents as they gathered for morning prayers.

The attackers reportedly belonged to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an extremist organization with a history of violence in the region.

The news, disclosed on Saturday by counterterrorism and insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, highlighted the increasing violence plaguing Burkina Faso’s Sahel Region. Makama, in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter), noted that the attackers struck shortly after dawn, initiating chaos and fear among the defenseless civilians.

Witnesses described a scene of devastation as the community was thrown into panic, with the assailants showing no regard for life or the sacredness of the prayer gathering.

Local emergency responders confirmed that all the casualties were civilians.

Those who sustained injuries were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.

The region has been grappling with heightened violence over recent years, leading to significant internal displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

This incident adds to the ongoing instability in Burkina Faso, particularly in areas bordering Mali and Niger.

The Sahel, already marked by volatile security conditions, has seen a steady rise in extremist attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel.

The proximity of Burkina Faso’s northern regions to conflict zones in Mali and Niger has exacerbated the challenges faced by both the local population and national security forces.

The situation in the Sahel Region has spurred a massive humanitarian response, but the continuing violence has made it increasingly difficult to provide effective assistance.

Local communities in the affected areas are frequently forced to flee their homes, leaving behind livelihoods and social networks.

The displacement crisis, combined with the deteriorating security conditions, has led to growing calls for international support to stabilize the region.

Burkina Faso’s security forces, stretched thin by ongoing counterinsurgency operations, face significant challenges in preventing such attacks, especially in remote regions.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and stronger international collaboration to address the underlying causes of extremism and the ongoing conflict in the Sahel.

The Burkinabe government, along with regional allies and global partners, is confronted with the formidable task of curbing the influence of terrorist groups like JNIM and restoring stability for the affected civilian population.

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Japa: Canada tightens visa rule for Nigerians, others

Canada has introduced new guidelines for tourist visas, signaling the end of its previous practice of routinely issuing 10-year multiple-entry visas to eligible visitors.

Under the revised rules by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers now have greater discretion to determine both the type and duration of visas based on individual assessments, moving away from automatic long-term validity as a standard approach.Previously, Canada offered two primary types of tourist visas: the multiple-entry visa and the single-entry visa.

While the multiple-entry visa was the standard for most applicants, allowing travelers to enter Canada repeatedly for up to 10 years or until one month before their passport expired, single-entry visas were reserved for specific cases such as official government visits or single-event participation.

Now, IRCC guidance no longer considers the 10-year multiple-entry visa as a default option, allowing officers to choose the appropriate visa type and validity period according to each traveler’s circumstances.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document,” explained the IRCC. “Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.

“The IRCC clarified that the change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing Canada’s temporary immigration numbers more effectively while addressing ongoing infrastructure and economic challenges, such as rising housing costs and limited housing availability.

The new visa guidelines reflect a wider effort by the Canadian government to adapt immigration policy to balance infrastructure capabilities with immigration levels.

With recent increases in immigration contributing to housing shortages and elevated living costs, the government is seeking to limit pressures on resources by adjusting both temporary and permanent immigration flows.In line with this shift, the IRCC has also announced reductions to Canada’s permanent resident admissions targets.

The target, which was previously set to reach 500,000 by 2025, will now be lowered to 395,000, with further reductions planned for 2026 and 2027.

These changes underscore the Canadian government’s goal of aligning immigration with sustainable economic and infrastructure development.

While the visa application fee remains CAD 100 per person, the change in policy could lead to increased costs for frequent travelers, who may now need to renew their visas more often due to potentially shorter validity periods.

Although applicants will still have the option to apply for multiple-entry visas, the new guidelines mean that each application will be evaluated individually, with officers making decisions based on specific travel needs, applicant history, and purpose of the visit.

By tailoring visa durations to the traveler, Canada hopes to more effectively manage visitor numbers while ensuring its resources are able to accommodate both residents and visitors.

This policy update highlights Canada’s commitment to a balanced immigration approach that considers the country’s current infrastructure challenges while still welcoming tourists, students, and temporary workers.

As the IRCC continues to refine its immigration policies, travelers are encouraged to review the latest guidelines and understand that their visa validity and type may vary based on this new case-by-case assessment approach.

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EPL: Mikel Arteta Speaks on Arsenal defeating Chelsea on Sunday

Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal to bounce back from their difficult spell in Sunday’s crucial clash with Chelsea after sensing his players’ hunger during a team meeting this week.

Arteta’s side are without a victory in their last three Premier League games and have won just three of their last eight in the competition.

Beaten 1-0 by Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, following last weekend’s loss at Newcastle, the north Londoners are desperate to end their slump in this weekend’s London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal were expected to challenge for the title after finishing second to Manchester City in each of the past two seasons.
Arteta is confident his side will rise to the challenge of turning their season around.

“Obviously, when you don’t win, it affects the mood and the energy. The positive is there is nobody inside or outside of this building who wants to win more than I do,” he told reporters on Friday.

“Today, I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight away.

“They are paying attention, they are hungry, they want to work. Their desire is unbelievable. They are a joy to work with.”

Chelsea are currently one spot above the fifth-placed Gunners, who trail leaders Liverpool by seven points.

Arsenal’s only wins in their last six matches in all competitions came against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston in the League Cup.

Another defeat this weekend would be a huge blow to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2004.

‘We don’t need a reset’

Despite their struggles, Arteta is certain they will be able to claw their way back into contention.

“The problem is quite identifiable and very resolvable,” added the Spaniard.

“Watching the Inter match back twice, I have never seen my team do that to anyone. You think, how on earth haven’t we won that game?

“The team is doing 10 times better than last season, but at the end of the day you have to win. The margins become smaller and smaller when you don’t.”

Odegaard came off the bench as a late substitute against Inter as the Norway midfielder finally returned from the ankle problem sustained on international duty in September.

He could start against Chelsea, and Arteta said: “Certainly having a player like Martin helps because he has shown how important he is over the last three or four years.

“He tried his best to be involved while he was injured, but not having him in the squad is different.

“We hope he is going to help because he has been incredibly good. He has been out for a while, so let’s see how he impacts the team.”

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