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I Never Imposed Curfew Without Tinubu’s Approval, Wike Replies Kingibe

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, says he didn’t impose curfew on the FCT for Saturday’s area council elections without the approval of President Bola Tinubu.

“It is unfortunate, I thought as a Senator she should be able to read. I never imposed a curfew on my own. I said with the approval of Mr. President,” Wike said after monitoring the FCT polls in areas such as Garki, Karu, Karshi, Wasa, Apo, and Ketti.

‘Curfew’

Wike had, in a special broadcast aired on national television and radio stations on Thursday, declared Friday a work-free day in the nation’s capital in preparation for the council polls.

The former Rivers State governor also announced a restriction on human and vehicular movement across the FCT from 8 p.m. on Friday to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

As a result, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, faulted the curfew, describing the minister’s action as unacceptable in a democratic society.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the lawmaker unequivocally stated that the decision to impose a curfew across the Federal Capital Territory, without broad consultation with critical stakeholders, is a direct affront to democratic governance and the constitutional rights of residents.

“The people of the FCT are not subjects under a dictatorship. They are citizens of a democratic republic. Any sweeping restriction on their movement and livelihoods must be justified by compelling evidence, subjected to scrutiny, and carried out with transparency,” she said.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, Kingibe emphasised that security concerns cannot serve as a blanket justification for “executive overreach.”

READ ALSO: Wike Not Willing To Work With Anybody, Kingibe Claims

But the minister chastised the lawmaker, saying he wouldn’t join issues with Kingibe.

“When you hear someone’s speech, why not take time to listen to what was said? She has her problem, I don’t want to join issues.

“At the end of the election, when the results come out, then we will know,” the former Rivers State governor added.

On the FCT poll, Wike said the exercise witnessed a low voter turnout, particularly in the city’s center.

He, however, commended voters for their peaceful conduct, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

The minister is grateful that, based on reports at his disposal, “no violence has been recorded yet.”

Rahm’s Ryder Cup future in doubt amid tour row

Adwaidh Rajan

BBC Sport journalist
  • 3 Comments

Jon Rahm’s Ryder Cup future remains uncertain after he was not included in a group of eight LIV golfers who have settled a long‑running dispute with the DP World Tour, leaving the Spaniard at risk of missing next year’s event in Ireland.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton, however, was among the eight who were granted conditional releases by the DP World Tour to participate in LIV Golf events this year, allowing them to retain memberships and remain eligible for Ryder Cup selection.

Rahm and Hatton were fined for competing in LIV events without permission while remaining members of the European-based tour.

Both appealed against the sanctions in 2024, which allowed them to play in enough events to retain their membership and be eligible for last year’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

    • 5 hours ago

They include paying outstanding fines reportedly in the region of £2.5m, withdrawing all pending appeals and taking part in stipulated DP World Tour tournaments.

“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting,” the DP World Tour said.

Rahm, a former world number one and two-time major winner, reportedly refused the conditions and chose to pursue his appeal against the sanctions.

European players are ineligible for Ryder Cup selection if they lose their DP World Tour membership.

Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith chose to remain with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf series rather than rejoining the PGA Tour last month.

The Spaniard was one of Europe’s key players at the Ryder Cup last year as they beat the US 15-13 to retain the trophy, but finished the season winless for the first time since turning professional in 2016.

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Ruthless Ireland hit record away win over England

Alastair Telfer

BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium
  • 1038 Comments

Men’s Six Nations

England (7) 21

Tries: Dingwall, Lawrence, Underhill Cons: Ford 3

Ireland (22) 42

A ruthless Ireland reignited their Six Nations title bid with a record away win over England at Allianz Stadium.

The visitors’ previous record-winning margin was a 17-point victory in 2022, with the defeat all but ending Steve Borthwick side’s championship hopes.

Andy Farrell’s side proved too quick and slick for the hosts, scoring three tries inside the opening 30 minutes.

England’s home form under Borthwick had become formidable, with the run ending at nine consecutive victories after a miserable afternoon that was meant to be a celebration of Maro Itoje’s 100th cap.

Lack of discipline, missed tackles and simple errors were consistently punished, with 22 points the fourth-most first-half points conceded by England at home.

Jamison Gibson-Park’s quick thinking caught England napping, before tries by wingers Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien.

Borthwick’s side, who were looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat by Scotland, finally crossed at the end of a frantic first half through Fraser Dingwall.

Ireland could still claim the Triple Crown, which they won last year, with Dan Sheehan’s try clinching the bonus point early in the second half.

The visitors are still in the running for the championship but may rue not picking up a late bonus point in last week’s win over Italy.

Centre Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill scored second-half tries for England, but Ireland were always too far clear because of the boot of Jack Crowley and a try by Jamie Osborne.

Ireland show class of 2023

In the opening two rounds, Ireland were a long way off the side that claimed back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.

With key personnel injured and players lacking form, Farrell’s team has a new look this championship.

And against England, Ireland’s multi-phase attack looked back at its best.

One player to benefit is Ulster wing Baloucoune, who was a standout performer against Italy last week – his acceleration and offload creating the initial break for Gibson-Park’s try.

His club team-mate Stuart McCloskey then burst up the middle of the pitch for Baloucoune to eventually dot down in the corner.

Full of confidence, Baloucoune – who was also excellent in defence – broke clear and found replacement O’Brien, on for injured James Lowe, for a third unanswered try.

Much of the build-up to the game at Allianz Stadium once again was dominated by the Ireland number 10 debate.

Crowley’s performance could well end it – for a while, at least – as he guided his side around the pitch brilliantly.

But his poor missed touch-finder against Italy, with the clock in the red and a bonus point a real possibility, may prove costly if France slip up.

Yet the game could mirror the 2021 win over England, which sparked Ireland’s first rejuvenation under Farrell before they reached world number one in 2023.

Pressure mounts on England

England lacked energy and dynamism in the early exchanges against Scotland, trailing 17-0 after 15 minutes.

The inclusion of Pollock and Tom Curry from the off against Ireland was meant to be the fix, but the same problems were evident.

Borthwick’s side, who lost their 12-game winning run in Edinburgh, were unable to deal with the speed and intensity of Ireland’s attack, and they once again came off second best in the air.

The hosts did have opportunities to score in the first half but lacked any sort of clinical edge.

Marcus Smith replacing full-back Freddie Steward, who spent time in the sin-bin, before half-time summed up Borthwick’s frustration.

Smith showed some sharp touches and was the player to send over Dingwall right on half-time.

Caelan Doris’ break at the start of the second half and subsequent yellow card for Pollock, which was followed by Sheehan’s try, quickly popped any hopes of a dramatic comeback.

Line-ups

England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Pollock

Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, M Smith

Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Match officials

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Fra)

Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (Fra) and Gianluca Gnecchi (Fra)

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‘World-Class Facility,’ Ojulari Hails Dangote Refinery

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has described the Dangote Refinery as a “world-class facility,” praising its scale, technology, and operational performance following a tour of the complex on Saturday.

Ojulari made the remarks while addressing journalists after inspecting several sections of the refinery, including the master control room, during a visit hosted by billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.

Speaking at the briefing, Ojulari said Nigerians should appreciate the leadership behind the project, noting what he called the “audacity” required to deliver a refinery of such magnitude.

“Nigerians, we should be grateful for the leadership and the inspiration of Alhaji [Aliko Dangote] and the Dangote Group for what my colleague called the audacity to embark on such a huge project,” he said.

READ ALSO: Dangote Hosts NNPCL CEO Ojulari At Refinery, Unveils Port Expansion Plans

He added that seeing the facility firsthand offered a clearer perspective on its sophistication.

“There’s nothing like being here physically to actually see things for yourself. What we are seeing here is what I call the frontline of world-class technology,” he said.

Drawing on his engineering background, Ojulari said initial concerns about the refinery’s single-train configuration had been allayed after observing its architecture and built-in redundancies.

“Coming here and seeing the architecture of the plant and the redundancy that has been given… you see that despite being a single train, it has an incredibly high availability,” Ojulari said.

The NNPC boss explained that the refinery leverages advanced digital, artificial intelligence, and mechanical systems, enabling it to benefit from global best practices.

‘Nigeria Should Be Proud’

NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, and Bayo Ojulari. Photo: Channels TV/Nosa Akhimien

Ojulari also expressed pride in the refinery’s output, revealing that performance indicators exceeded expectations.

“This plant has now been tested to its full capacity, above its full capacity… seeing it live, the parameters we are seeing are live parameters,” he said, adding that “every Nigerian should be proud that such an edifice is actually in Nigeria.”

Expansion plans

The NNPC chief disclosed that discussions during the visit also covered plans to expand the facility through replication of existing infrastructure to boost capacity and efficiency.

“The expansion of the plant is in hand, which means that we will double the capacity… leveraging all common facilities… which means replication will be coming at a much lower capex,” he said.

NZ-Pakistan match abandoned because of rain

Mike Peter

BBC Sport Journalist
  • 40 Comments

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Colombo

New Zealand: Did not bat

Pakistan: Did not bat

Match abandoned

The opening match of the T20 World Cup’s Super Eight stage between New Zealand and Pakistan in Colombo has been abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain.

Spectators arriving at the R Premadasa Stadium found the field under cover after precipitation in the afternoon, but conditions improved enough for a toss to be staged on time, with Pakistan winning and choosing to bat.

However the rain set in prior to the start of play and umpires called off the game just over two hours after its scheduled start time, with both sides taking a point for a no result.

Rain blighted fixtures held in the Sri Lankan capital during October’s Women’s World Cup, held during the island’s monsoon season, with seven of 11 matches held there affected by the weather.

This is only the second abandoned match of this tournament, after Ireland’s game with Zimbabwe in Pallekele was called off on Tuesday.

Both New Zealand and Pakistan finished second in the group stage, winning three fixtures and losing against their pool winners, South Africa and India respectively.

The tournament resumes on Sunday with England playing Sri Lanka in Pallekele (09:30 GMT) before India face South Africa in Ahmedabad (13:30 GMT).

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Yiaga Africa, CSO Raise Concern Over FCT Council Polls

Yiaga Africa has released its preliminary report on the FCT area council polls and has expressed reservations about the integrity of the ward coalition, which will begin shortly.

According to the agency, the observation mission says some critical lapses in the exercise, like the late arrival of election materials in some polling units, late notification of change of voting units to voters whose voting units had been moved due to an increase in the number of people at a voting unit.

It said every serious voter apathy was observed in most areas monitored, and the non-availability of critical voting materials was observed in some polling stations monitored.

Yiaga Africa also noticed that the deployment of security agencies seriously hampered the movement of election observers.

READ ALSO: Wike Monitors FCT Polls, Orders Traders To Close Up

The civil society organisation said, although this is a preliminary report, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has to do more to engage the people by giving them adequate information, and also seriously improve its logistics value chain, which is very flawed.

Another coalition of civil society organisations called ballot eye have also raised similar concerns on the last-minute change of voting stations for many potential voters, which its observers say led to many voters being disenfranchised.

They therefore called on INEC to give an explanation as to the last-minute change of voting stations, and also immediately deploy voter support mechanisms to help voters locate thier reassign poling units.

They also raised concerns about what they called huge voter apathy, as in some polling stations monitored in gwarinpa a polling station with a strength of about 750 voters had only 19 people voting in the elections.

Ballot eye also noted the late arrival of materials in places like Kayada in Kuje, Junior Secondary School Durumi 1, Government Secondary School Gwarinpa, Rugan Fulani in Bwari, and Abaji East Primary School.