Political activities intensified on Thursday as the All Progressives Congress prepared for the kick off its primaries amid intense lobbying and behind-the-scenes negotiations, with aspirants and power blocs jostling for tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is as former House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that he once nearly lost his position as Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu because of Desmond Elliot.
On national security and anti-graft operations, controversy trailed an EFCC operation at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where a medical doctor alleged that operatives assaulted hospital staff and forcibly took him into a van.
Here are the quick reads of major stories this morning:
Fierce lobbying, tension as APC primaries begin
Fresh tensions have erupted across several states as the APC commences its primaries, with party leaders loyal to President Bola Tinubu intensifying consultations to avert internal crisis.
Protests, collapsed consensus talks, and accusations of imposition mark the process in states like Taraba, Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, Yobe, and Abia.
Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/fierce-lobbying-tension-as-apc-primaries-begin/
I nearly lost Chief of Staff position because of Desmond Elliot — Gbajabiamila
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that he almost lost his position last year due to alleged involvement of actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot in the Lagos State House of Assembly speakership crisis involving Mudashiru Obasa.
Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu confronted him based on intelligence reports linking Elliot to efforts to destabilise the assembly.
Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/i-nearly-lost-chief-of-staff-position-because-of-desmond-elliot-gbajabiamila/
Ooni welcomes twin princes with Olori Mariam
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, announced the birth of twin princes with his wife, Olori Mariam Ajibola.
The monarch expressed gratitude to God, noting that both mother and children are in good health.
Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/ooni-welcomes-twin-princes-with-olori-mariam/
EFCC operatives assaulted hospital workers, dragged me into van — UUTH doctor
A Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Prof. Eyo Ekpe, accused EFCC operatives of harassing and assaulting him and hospital staff while attempting to arrest him over an alleged fake medical report.
The incident led to chaos, with claims of tear gas, threats, and injuries; hospital management confirmed the report was fake.
Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/efcc-operatives-assaulted-hospital-workers-dragged-me-into-van-uuth-doctor/
Nigerian jailed 115 months for $`700,000 romance scam in US
Charles Nnamdi Emesim, 53, was sentenced to 115 months in a U.S. prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering linked to romance and other internet scams that defrauded victims of over `$700,000.
Read the full story below: https://punchng.com/nigerian-jailed-115-months-for-700000-romance-scam-in-us/
2027: Why Obi may lose South-East support — Kenneth Okonkwo
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would struggle to win support across the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the “Obi or nothing” slogan associated with some of his supporters as “an abomination in Igbo land.”
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-why-obi-may-lose-south-east-support-kenneth-okonkwo/
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