Synagogue: TB Joshua loses bid to stop coroner’s inquest

The coroner probing the September 12 Synagogue building collapse, Magistrate O.A. Komolafe, has dismissed an application seeking a temporary suspension of the inquest.

Komolafe, while dismissing the application on Wednesday, described it as an abuse of court processes.

The Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua, filed the application asking Komolafe to put on hold further inquisition into the cause of death of the victims of the collapsed building.

No fewer than 116 persons lost their lives while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the tragic incident.

Atiku Accepts Defeat, Congratulates Buhari

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has pledged to support General Muhammadu Buhari to victory in the 2015 presidential election.

In a message this afternoon in which he conceded defeat at the presidential primary in Lagos, he expressed confidence that the former Head of State will provide the needed leadership to turn Nigeria around.
Congratulating Buhari, he said, “I have no doubt that you will work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to protect our citizens, improve our economy, create jobs, improve education, reform governance and fight corruption. You will indeed bring the change Nigerians have been yearning for.”

2015: I will not let Nigerians down, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has promised not to let Nigerians down as he begins the campaign for the 2015 general elections.

The President said this in his acceptance speech after he was ratified as the presidential candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party at the party’s special convention which ended in the early hours of Thursday in Abuja.

He told the delegates that having placed great faith in him and chosen him as the party’s presidential candidate, he would not fail them.

2015: Wike fires more shots- Your propaganda won’t deceive Rivers people – Wike tells APC

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike has said that the people of the state will not be swayed by alleged sponsored propaganda against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him, the people already knew the reality on ground. Wike, who stated this in Port Harcourt yesterday, was reacting to comments credited to the chairman of APC in the state, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya.
He had described the emergence of the immediate past minister of state for education as the governorship candidate of the PDP as a continuation of the party’s war against the state.
But speaking through his special assistant on media, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, said, Ikanya’s obsession with the affairs of the Rivers State PDP showed he had accepted their impending fate in next year’s election.

Buhari declared winner of APC primaries

Former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), on Thursday secured the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket after edging out four other aspirants at the party’s primary election held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

According to the result announced by the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Dr. Kayode Fayemi,

Buhari polled 3, 430 votes to brush aside competition from

Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recorded 974 votes.

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar came third with 954 votes.

While Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, got 624 votes,

the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Dr. Sam Nda –Isaiah, garnered 10 votes.

16 votes were declared invalid by election officials.

The election result was signed by agents of the five presidential aspirants.

"People talk about me because I am a great man"-say Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

The General Overseer and Head Pastor of Believers Love-world aka Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has described the recent public outcry and negative reportage about him in the media and the purported divorcee rumour making rounds with his wife of over twenty year as an act of being a popular pastor that most people take as leader that is worthy of emulation,.
He said a man's greatness is measured by the number of people that cares about him and would want to know how such leader fairs and when it comes to an incident of challenge, they would want to inquire what happen, perhaps they can proffer solution to the perceived challenges the leader is being faced, His word, "A man's greatness is measured by the number of those who care about what

Falcao’s wife hits back at Van Gaal

Manchester United forward Radamel Falcao is “100 per cent ready to give everything” according to wife Lorelei Taron who hit back at manager Louis Van Gaal’s suggestion that the Colombian is only fit enough to play 20 minutes.

Van Gaal said Falcao must play in the second team before he would be considered to start a game and “was not interested” if the 28-year-old was unhappy with his current role, AFP reports.

“He is not fit enough to start a game yet. He needs to play 45, 60 or even 90 minutes in the second team but I haven’t been able to do that because I needed him on the bench when James Wilson missed the Hull game and Wayne Rooney was injured for the Stoke game,” Van Gaal told a press conference.

Adebayor flies home

Emmanuel Adebayor will miss Thursday’s Europa League tie against Besiktas after Tottenham allowed him to return home to Togo.

In a brief statement on their website, the club said: “We can confirm that Emmanuel Adebayor has been given permission to return home for personal reasons. This is a private matter and so we will not be providing any further comment.”

The Londoners are certain to qualify from Group C along with their Turkish opponents, and avoiding defeat would ensure they finish top.

Outraged Nigerians want power-drunk policeman, DPO punished

There has been widespread outrage at the action of a policeman, Dada Ogunsanya, who allegedly brutalised a photographer, Ejeh Smith and his wife, Grace, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

Among those that called for the sanction of the officer was a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and a constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, who also stated that the Ikoyi Divisional Police Officer, Aisha Haruna, deserved harsher punishment for abetting the brutality.

The PUNCH online readers were unanimous in their condemnation of the act, with some calling for the sacking of the officer and the demotion of the DPO.

I’m not Obasanjo’s concubine –Ezekwesili

A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, on Wednesday denied having any amorous relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ezekwesili’s denial followed the widespread circulation of a photograph showing her in a very warm embrace with Obasanjo.

In the trending photo, the former President is seen holding Ezekwesili from behind and giving her a peck on the cheek.

The controversial picture was taken on Tuesday during the public presentation of Obasanjo’s three-part autobiography entitled, ‘My Watch’.

Many online commentators expressed displeasure with Ezekwesili and Obasanjo for behaving in such a manner in public.