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Three Senators Absent As APC Holds State Congress In Kebbi

More than 1,000 delegates drawn from the 21 local government areas of Kebbi State participated in the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Birnin Kebbi, where Abubakar Kana was returned as state chairman for a second term.

The congress was attended by key APC stakeholders, led by Governor Nasir Idris. However, three senators who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC were absent.

Chairman of the state congress committee, Modibbo Bello, said the exercise was conducted peacefully and largely through a consensus arrangement under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the consensus approach ensured a smooth and orderly process.

READ ALSO: Oyo APC Elects Ex-Deputy Gov Moses Adeyemo As State Chairman

In his remarks, Governor Idris said former governors of the state between 1999 and 2023 had played significant roles in promoting unity in Kebbi. He added that his administration was building on that foundation to achieve greater progress.

“I congratulate all those elected and commend the committee from Abuja for ensuring a peaceful and transparent congress. I urge party members to continue working together for the progress of our party. This congress stands out as one of the best in the country,” the governor said.

In a development that drew attention, the three senators who recently joined the APC were not present at the congress, and none of their supporters was seen at the venue.

The lawmakers are Adamu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central; Yahaya Abdullahi, representing Kebbi North; and Garba Maidoki, representing Kebbi South.

Loyalists and close associates of the senators, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, alleged that since the commencement of the congresses, their members had not been included from the ward level through to the local government congresses.

The sources further claimed that in the case of Senator Aliero, a former governor of the state, none of his loyalists was given any position at the ward level, let alone at the local government level.

KSI buys minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge

Chris Peddy

BBC Sport, London & South East

YouTuber KSI has bought a minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge and says he wants to take the sixth-tier club to the Premier League.

Daggers announced on Tuesday that long-serving managing director Stephen Thompson would stand down from his role and position on the board at the end of March.

The club were relegated to National League South at the end of last season and are currently 13th in the table with 49 points.

“I’m so excited to start this journey. It’s gonna be a rollercoaster for sure but I hope to bring Dagenham & Redbridge back to the glory days,” KSI told the club’s website.

“And once we reach that point, I want to go even further. Reaching the Premier League would be a dream. And I believe it is 100% doable.

“It will take a long time, so to the Daggers fans, please be patient.

“I want you to know that I am fully committed to making sure Dagenham & Redbridge is a team that everyone will know worldwide, and will be an exciting team to watch and support.”

Andy Carroll holds a thumbs up signalGetty Images

KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, rose to fame as an online streamer and has more than 17m subscribers to his YouTube channel.

He is also a musician, former boxer and a current judge on Britain’s Got Talent alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.

Dagenham & Redbridge was formed in 1992 with the merger of two clubs – Dagenham and Redbridge Forest – and were promoted to League One for the first – and only time – in their history in 2009-10 but were relegated the following season.

They dropped out of the English Football League in 2015-16 and were relegated to National League South on the final day of last season.

KSI joins former England, Newcastle and West Ham striker Andy Carroll in investing in the club, following the recent takeover by Happy Fan Group Ltd.

‘Time feels right to step down’ – Thompson

Outgoing managing director Thompson has been made honorary life president after 45 years with the club.

Thompson joined the club’s management in 1981, before the merger in 1992, and became MD in 2007. He was awarded an MBE in 2013.

He has also served on the board of the National League and has been a vocal advocate for the league’s “3 Up” campaign, which would see a third promotion and relegation place added from the fifth tier to League Two.

“Firstly, can I say that it has been a privilege to have been associated with the club for so long and the part I have been able to play over the years,” he said.

“But with the takeover by the Happy Fan Group, I feel it is the right time to step down and hand the reins to the new owners.

Related topics

  • Dagenham & Redbridge
  • Football
  • National League

Gov Lawal Weighs Political Future Amid PDP National Leadership Crisis

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is considering his political options amid ongoing legal disputes affecting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level.

Lawal, who won the 2023 governorship election on the PDP platform in what was widely described as a major political upset after defeating then-incumbent governor Bello Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has begun consultations with party stakeholders across the 14 local government areas of the state.

His spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, told Channels Television that the consultations were necessitated by persistent legal issues surrounding the PDP’s national leadership.

He clarified that the governor has not taken any final decision on whether to defect to another political party.

READ ALSO: Court Affirms Ibadan PDP Convention, Recognises Turaki-Led Leadership

Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast Media, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, confirmed that Lawal is still engaging stakeholders and has not formally declared any intention to leave the PDP.

According to Kaura, the governor has consistently maintained that he does not wish to abandon his party. However, he expressed concern over pending cases at the Court of Appeal relating to the PDP’s national convention in Ibadan and the leadership of Tanimu Turaki, as well as the revised timetable for the general election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said if the Court of Appeal validates the PDP national convention in Ibadan and affirms the party’s leadership, it would resolve the uncertainty. But if no judgment is delivered within the next two to three weeks, the governor may consider alternative political platforms to ensure he has a viable ticket to contest.

Kaura added that Lawal has met with PDP stakeholders across the local government areas, briefed them on the situation, and asked them to consult further at their respective levels.

He stressed that the governor has not indicated any direct move to the APC, noting that other parties such as the ADC, Labour Party and SDP remain possible options should the need arise.

UK Rapper Jailed For 12 Years For Killing Student In Hit-And-Run

British rapper “Ghetts” was jailed on Tuesday by a London court for 12 years for killing a student while speeding and over the drink-drive limit.

The award-winning grime artiste, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, failed to stop after his BMW hit Nepalese national Yubin Tamang, 20, in northeast London last October.

The 41-year-old defendant admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

At his sentencing at London’s Old Bailey court, judge Mark Lucraft handed down the 12-year prison term and disqualified him from driving for 17 years.

He told Clarke-Samuel that CCTV footage showed a “quite appalling litany of incidents” leading up to the fatal collision, which was “simply shocking”.

The judge noted the father-of-two’s “genuine remorse” and letters of support, including from his partner, setting out how he had used his career in music to make a positive impact on his community.

READ ALSO: Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested After 13 Years In Hiding

Ghetts, who has collaborated on tracks with Ed Sheeran and won the best male act prize at the Music of Black Origin (Mobo) Awards in 2021, was said to be one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit before the crash.

He went through six red traffic lights, repeatedly veered onto the wrong side of the road and was driving at more than twice the speed limit in a 30-mph (48 kilometres per hour) zone before his car hit Tamang as he was crossing the road, the court was told.

The defendant made no call to emergency services and Tamang died in hospital from his injuries two days later.

Clarke-Samuel had 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes from the age of 16, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking and driving offences.

Sharmila Tamang, the victim’s mother, wept as she read out a statement about her only child in court.

“My son had come for his studies to the UK saying the UK had the best degree in the world,” she said.

Rivers Assembly Invites Commissioner-Nominees To Submit Credentials

The Rivers State House of Assembly has invited nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the Rivers State Executive Council to submit the required documents for screening.

This follows the dissolution of the State Executive Council by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a Government Special Announcement issued on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the Assembly directed the nominees to submit forty (40) copies of their curriculum vitae, photocopies of their academic and professional credentials, and evidence of tax compliance.

READ ALSO: Governor Fubara Swears In SSG, Chief Of Staff

According to the statement, all documents are to be submitted to the Office of the Clerk at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt.

The announcement was signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi.

Submission of the required credentials is a mandatory procedural step ahead of the screening and confirmation of the nominees by the Assembly.

The nominees listed in the announcement are:

Professor Datonye Alasia

Mr. Tonye Bellgam

Professor Temple Nwofor

Dr. Peters Nwagor

Mrs. Charity Deemua

Tamuno Williams, Esq.

Mr. Lekue Kenneth

Otonye TKD Amachree, Esq.

England Lions arrive back in UK from UAE

Timothy Abraham

BBC Sport Journalist

The England Lions squad and staff have arrived back in the UK following the cancellation of the rest of their limited-overs series against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates.

England’s development team – coached by Andrew Flintoff – had been in Abu Dhabi for the 50-over leg of their white-ball series.

They had been scheduled to play the second of those matches on Sunday, but it was cancelled after missile strikes across the Middle East.

Iran launched attacks throughout the region, including in the UAE, in response to American and Israeli strikes across its territory.

The party of 25 England Lions players and coaches boarded a commercial flight out of Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said they have now safely touched down in the UK.

“Our thoughts are with all those currently still in the Gulf who are seeking to return to the UK, and we hope they are able to get home soon.”

While most of the Iranian attacks appear to have been intercepted so far, some of the UAE’s most iconic buildings have been damaged – including the Fairmont The Palm hotel in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah area and the Burj Al Arab hotel.

Dubai International Airport has also been hit along with Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the decision to call off the series with England “was mutually agreed” as they make arrangements to bring home their contingent.

“The safety, security and wellbeing of the players and support staff remain the highest priority for the PCB,” added the PCB.

“The PCB remains in constant contact with the team management and players to ensure appropriate measures are in place to bring team back to Pakistan.”

England won the three-match T20 series against Pakistan Shaheens 3-0 and were 1-0 up in the five-match 50-over series.

Related topics

  • England Men’s Cricket Team
  • Pakistan
  • England Lions
  • Cricket

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    • 16 August 2025
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