Appeal Court Ruling, Victory For Lavun/Mokwa/Edati People, Democracy- Gana
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Hon. Joshua Audu Gana of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency, Niger State (2023-2027). Responding to the historical judgement, Hon Gana said: “My dear Constituents on Wednesday, 1st November 2023, the Court of Appeal Abuja delivered a historic ruling on Appeal CA/ABJ/EP/HR/59/2023 where the Judges unanimously affirmed the mandate you freely gave me on February 25, 2023 election as the duly and rightful winner of that election.” It could be recalled that that the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal on September, 11th 2023 nullified Gana’s election and of which Hon. Gana appealed that judgement at the appellate Court. “The affirmation by the Court of Appeal truly brings to rest the contest for our Federal Constituency,” he said. The Court of Appeal on Wednesday, a three-man member unanimously upheld the argument by the lawyer of Gana, that the Tribunal was wrong to have held in favour of the petition, Abdullahi Usman Gbatamagi and the All Progressive Party (APC). Describing the judgement, Gana said: “Our victory at the Court, which is a clear reflection of what happened on Election Day reinforces the principle that the judiciary is the final hope for the common man and democracy.” Still speaking on the judgment, he said that when the Election Petition Tribunal ruled against him on September, 11th 2023, he was sure that it would not stand, “I was optimistic that the tribunal had erred and that travesty of justice was not going to stand and today, their Lords at the Court of Appeal agreed with us that we won the elections,” he said. He promised all inclusive representative saying, “We will not take the electorate for granted. We see the judgement as an opportunity to serve our people as a means of deepening the democratic culture and all hands must be on the deck in serving our people,” he promised. To his constituents, he made more promises to them saying, “I wish to assure you my good constituents that I am more than ever ready to serve and will be more focused and consistent in drawing attention to issues affecting our constituency and follow through until solutions and resolutions are found.” He called on his APC counterpart not to see the judgement as a blow, but to join hands with him in bringing development to their constituents. “I urge my brother and friend Hon. Abdullahi Usman to see the outcome as a true expression of the people’s will and God’s doing and give all the support that is required for the good of our people as we shall be magnanimous even in victory,” he said. Hon. (Dr) Joshua Audu Gana, member Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency, Niger State (2023-2027).
Basketball: Rivers Hoopers Hold Off Late Batons Surge To Claim 74-62 Victory
Four-time champions of the Nigeria Premier League, Rivers Hoopers saw off a late surge to defeat Police Batons 74-62 in their first game of the 2023 NBBF Premier League in Asaba on Tuesday. Mustapha Oyebanji led other Hoopers with 22 points including six 3-pointers, Johnson Anaiye contributed 12 points while Victor Anthony Koko and Victor Mohammed added 10 points apiece for Hoopers. Chris Wilson shot back to back buckets and a buzzer beater as the Port Harcourt based team held a 12-point lead at halftime 38-26. Hoopers struggled on the offense in the third quarter and could only manage 8 points and were outscored 8-16. Police Batons cut down the deficit to one with eight minutes left to play (48-47) in the game. Oyebanji buried a clutch three-pointer to make it a 10 point game 61-51 with just 3 minutes remaining and Hoopers ensured they ran away with the win. Hoopers guard Johnson Anaiye said they could have executed the game better but was happy they ran away with the victory. ”The game was great even though it was scrappy at the beginning but in the end it was great. We were rushing the game and it was a game we should have taken our time to execute every offense one after the other, but we rushed it and wanted to end it quickly. I feel that is what affected us in the game.” The KingsMen play Lagos Legends in their second game on Wednesday, but Anaiye is confident they will emerge victorious. ”The first game of a tournament is always scrappy but I believe we will pick up in the next game and put in our best and follow all we have been taught. At the end of the day we will be victorious,” said Anaiye.
APM Withdraws Appeal Challenging Tinubu’s Victory At Supreme Court
The Allied Peoples Movement, (APM) Monday, withdrawn the appeal instituted at the Supreme Court to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s election victory. In the appeal, the party is contesting that Tinubu’s running mate and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was nominated twice for different positions by the All Progressives Congress, APC, in relation to the 2023 general elections. APM had in its 10-ground of appeal, maintained its position that Tinubu was not eligible to participate in the presidential poll that held on February 25. However, at the hearing, Counsel to the party Mr. Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, SAN, withdrew the matter shortly after it was called up for hearing. A seven-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, berated the party for filing an appeal the appeal for trying to over labour the court. According to the panel, APM appeal is a total waste of time and amount to an academic exercise since the party only wanted the apex court to “state the law.” “If we are idle, then maybe we will state the law. If there is nothing for you to gain from an appeal, you don’t just come to court for interpretation. “If for instance that you win a case, there must be something to be gained from the victory. We have read your appeal, there is absolutely nothing in it. You are not asking for your candidate to declared winner or anything of such, all you want is for the President to be removed. “If we remove the President, then what next? There are two other appeals here that are asking for something substantial,” Justice Okoro held. Also reacting to the appeal, Justice Emmanuel Agim, noted that issues the APM raised in its appeal, was previously decided by the Supreme Court. “We are not bound to hear every appeal. What you are asking us is to overrule ourselves. Did you not read our decision on the issue of double nomination.” Consequently, Ume, SAN, withdrew the appeal and it was accordingly struck out.
Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles Beat 10-Man Mozambique 3-2
In an international friendly, the Super Eagles secured a 3-2 victory over a 10-man Mozambique team in Portimão, Portugal. Terem Moffi, Frank Onyeka, and Moses Simon scored crucial goals, marking Nigeria’s first friendly win in 55 months. The last friendly win dated back to March 2019 when Paul Onuachu’s early goal led to a triumph over Egypt. Despite falling behind due to Catamo’s early goal, Moffi equalized in the 19th minute, and Onyeka put Nigeria in front at the half-hour mark. In the added time of the first half, Moses Simon added a third goal from the penalty spot. Despite playing with a numerical disadvantage following a red card in the first half, Mozambique managed to score a second goal through Bangal ten minutes into the second half. This victory boosts the Super Eagles as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 34th AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
Benue: Tribunal Dismisses PDP’s Suit, Upholds Gov Alia’s Victory
The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi, on Saturday upheld the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia of the APC in the March 18 Governorship Election. In an unanimous decision, the tribunal dismissed the petition brought forward by Titus Uba and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Chairman of the Panel, Justice Ibrahim Karaye, ruled that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to address pre-election issues raised by the petitioners, Titus Uba and the PDP. He clarified that only the Federal High Court had exclusive jurisdiction to handle matters concerning pre-election issues. Furthermore, he deemed the petitioners’ case as an abuse of court processes, noting that the same case had been filed by them before the Federal High Court Abuja Division, and its judgment had not been challenged. Justice Karaye also pointed out that the petitioners lacked the legal standing to challenge the nomination of the 2nd and 3rd respondents by the 4th respondent, as they were not members of the 4th respondent. Additionally, he stated that the petitioners had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their allegations of forgery against the 3rd respondent. Concluding the judgment, Justice Karaye affirmed that the 2nd and 3rd respondents were qualified to contest the March 18 Governorship Election, ultimately dismissing the case brought by the petitioners. The petitioners, Titus Uba and the PDP, had initially taken their grievances to the tribunal, challenging the declaration of the respondents—INEC, Hyacinth Alia, Dr. Sam Ode, and the APC—by INEC. Their primary arguments centred on the eligibility of the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Governor Alia and Dr. Ode, to participate in the election. They also alleged irregularities in the nomination of the governorship and deputy governorship candidates by the 4th respondent, the APC. Furthermore, they accused the 3rd respondent of presenting a forged certificate to INEC. In their plea, the petitioners requested the nullification of the election results and the declaration of themselves as winners, having obtained the second-highest number of lawful votes. They also called for the invalidation of their votes and the withdrawal of certificates issued to them by INEC due to their purported disqualification. It’s important to note that the petitioners did not contest the election results but rather the qualifications of the candidates. However, the respondents argued that the suit should be entirely dismissed as it constituted an abuse of court processes. They emphasized that the Federal High Court Abuja Division had previously ruled on the same matter before the election, and the petitioners had not appealed that judgment. The respondents further maintained that all the issues raised were pre-election matters, falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. They contended that the petitioners lacked the legal right to challenge the nominations of candidates from other political parties as they were outsiders in those party affairs.
Champions League: Arsenal Return With A Bang, Madrid Win; Man United Lose
Arsenal made a triumphant return to the Champions League, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium in their first campaign in six years. The Gunners displayed an electrifying first-half performance, storming to a 3-0 lead on a rainy night in north London. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring after eight minutes, capitalizing on a rebound when PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez could only parry Martin Odegaard’s shot into the path of the England winger. Saka played a crucial role again, setting up Leandro Trossard’s goal to double Arsenal’s lead 12 minutes later after Gabriel Jesus broke clear. Jesus continued his impressive performance, adding Arsenal’s third seven minutes before half-time with a powerful rising shot that left Benitez with no chance. In the second half, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made several changes with an eye on Sunday’s derby against in-form Tottenham, but his team maintained complete control. Odegaard sealed the victory with a powerful 20-yard strike, making it 4-0 with 20 minutes remaining. In another Champions League match, Manchester United faced a tough challenge against Bayern Munich, with Harry Kane playing a pivotal role in his new team’s 4-3 victory. Kane contributed an assist and scored from the penalty spot, bringing his goal tally this season to five in all competitions. United’s Rasmus Hojland scored his first goal for the club early in the second half, giving them a glimmer of hope at 2-1. However, an error by goalkeeper Andre Onana allowed Leroy Sane’s shot to slip under him in the 28th minute, giving Bayern a 1-0 lead. Four minutes later, Serge Gnabry scored a precise low shot to make it 2-0. United made an effort to mount a comeback, but injuries and a lack of options from the bench hampered their ability to compete. Casemiro managed to score a second goal for United, providing a glimmer of hope, but Mathys Tel’s late strike for Bayern sealed the 4-2 victory. In another Champions League match of the night, Jude Bellingham secured a late 1-0 victory for Real Madrid with an injury-time tap-in against Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu. This marked Bellingham’s sixth goal in six matches since joining Real Madrid this summer. Federico Valverde’s 94th-minute shot deflected into Bellingham’s path, allowing him to tap into an empty net. Union Berlin, making their Champions League debut, were unable to respond in the final minute, as Real Madrid claimed the late win.
AFCON Qualifier: Osimhen Nets Hat-trick As Eagles Maul Sao Tome 6-0
Ballon d’Or nominee, Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick that took his tally to 10 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and also ensured Nigeria finished as group winners in the race to Cote d’Ivoire. Having drubbed their opponents 10-0 in both teams’ first encounter in the Moroccan city of Agadir in June 2022, the Eagles, who had already qualified for the finals no matter the scoreline, were in no danger on the lush turf of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. They expectedly started on the front foot, in front of a capacity crowd of 30,000 spectators, but Semi Ajayi’s firm header off a corner kick by Kelechi Iheanacho in the second minute was punched away by goalkeeper Ronaldo Silva. Silva was by far the busiest of the two goalies on the night, and had to be alert and active four minutes later as England-based forward Taiwo Awoniyi turned and struck a fierce one inside the box. He would however, have no answer when Osimhen, with seven goals in five previous qualifying matches, rose above the defence to head in from close range off a corner kick by Ademola Lookman. Awoniyi’s header missed narrowly three minutes later, but the visiting goal-tender again had to pick the ball from his net in the 27th minute when Lookman received a pass from on-field captain Wilfred Ndidi and sashayed past two defenders before tucking it past the goalie for Nigeria’s second of the evening. Seven minutes into the second half, Awoniyi had the crowd on his feet when he chested a flick by Iheanacho and blasted past Silva from close range. Everything was on a roll and Osimhen scored his ninth goal of the qualifying campaign in the 70th minute, when he won and converted a penalty kick with Silva sent the wrong way. With 10 minutes left, the goal king did his Ballon d’Or nomination no harm with a third goal after a flowing move that had substitute Samuel Chukwueze and Awoniyi contributing. There was still time for Chukwueze to score a sixth, with five minutes left, after he was picked out by fellow substitute Victor Boniface on the left side of the visitors’ defence. Osimhen deservedly won MTN’s Most Valuable Player of the Match award and pocketed the sum of N1 million naira, while Lookman was selected the Man of the Match and picked up a cheque for N1 million from Nigerian Breweries PLC. Next up for the Super Eagles is a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Lesotho’s Crocodiles also in Uyo on 17 November.
MLS: Messi inspires Inter Miami to Leagues Cup triumph
In a thrilling culmination of the League’s Cup, Inter Miami emerged victorious by triumphing over Nashville SC in a captivating final. The match, which concluded with a 1-1 draw, was eventually settled through a marathon penalty shootout that ended 10-9 in favour of Inter Miami. Adding to the intensity of the occasion was the continuation of Lionel Messi’s impressive winning streak since his arrival at the MLS side. The Argentine maestro’s impact was felt once again as he propelled his team to a seventh consecutive victory. Messi’s influence manifested early in the game, as he masterfully opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. His sensational strike, a fierce shot from a considerable distance, eluded multiple defenders and found its home in the top left corner of the net. This marked his 10th goal in the inaugural tournament. Nashville’s Fafa Picault countered for the home team in the 57th minute, equalizing the score and setting the stage for an exhilarating second half during which both teams came agonizingly close to seizing the lead in a rollercoaster-like fashion. In the climactic shootout, it was Nashville’s goalkeeper, Elliot Panicco, who missed the decisive penalty, paving the way for Inter Miami’s triumph. This victory held special significance as it secured Inter Miami, an MLS franchise established in 2020, their very first trophy. The jubilant scenes that followed were truly captivating, as Messi’s elated teammates hoisted him into the air in celebration. Meanwhile, Miami’s co-owner, David Beckham, could be seen exultantly raising his fists in a display of triumph. Reflecting on the momentous victory, Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender expressed his immense pride: “Contributing to our inaugural win in a final is an immense honor. This team’s dedication and hard work, day in and day out, culminated in this incredible outcome. The resilience and belief displayed are truly remarkable.” Callender’s standout performance earned him the title of man-of-the-match, having saved two crucial penalties during the shootout and confidently converted his own penalty. The transformation within Inter Miami’s gameplay has been palpable since Messi’s arrival, despite the team having a challenging season in the MLS. The infusion of Messi’s talents sparked an offensive surge, resulting in the squad netting an impressive 22 goals over their last seven matches. For Messi, this triumph marked his 44th trophy—an unparalleled achievement. The seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient was rightfully bestowed with the title of player of the tournament, which brings together teams from both MLS and Liga MX. Miami’s head coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino, reflected on the closely contested game: “It was a closely matched encounter where either team could have clinched victory. The tie seemed just, and the eventual penalty shootout required composure, exceptional goalkeeping, and ultimately led to our victory.”
Premier League Recap: Arsenal, Newcastle triumph; Brighton overwhelm newcomer Lutton
Arsenal embarked on their fresh Premier League journey with a tense 2-1 victory at home against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The opening half witnessed goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka, securing Arsenal’s win while Newcastle exhibited a remarkable performance, crushing Aston Villa 5-1. During the Arsenal encounter, Taiwo Awoniyi of Forest and Nigeria momentarily unsettled the Gunners with a late goal, narrowing the lead to 2-1 after trailing for the majority of 79 minutes. Despite this, the win propelled last year’s runners-up to three points, level with leaders Manchester City. The victory margin, however, placed them second due to goal difference, as the reigning champions outperformed Burnley 3-0 on Friday. The match’s kickoff experienced a 30-minute delay at Emirates Stadium due to turnstile issues, hampering the fans’ timely entry. Nevertheless, Arsenal initiated the game with vigor, asserting dominance through possession and penetrating Forest’s defense. Although an early defensive mishap provided Brennan Johnson an opportunity to approach the goal, his shot soared over the bar, leaving Forest’s manager Steve Cooper in exasperation. Arsenal’s perseverance paid dividends as they overcame Forest’s resilient defense. This breakthrough occurred when Gabriel Martinelli’s exquisite pirouette baffled defenders, setting up Nketiah to slot the ball past former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner. The lead doubled merely six minutes later when 21-year-old Saka seized the ball at the edge of the box and elegantly curved his shot from a distance, thwarting Turner’s chances of a save. Brighton Shatters Lutton’s Premier League Return with Convincing 4-1 Win In one of the exhilarating goal-filled fixtures on Saturday, Brighton and Hove Albion dampened Luton Town’s aspirations for a successful comeback to top-tier football. Brighton achieved this through a comprehensive 4-1 triumph against Lutton in their Premier League clash. Lutton, reentering the top division after a 31-year absence, found themselves on the defensive for a significant portion of the game. They visibly fatigued towards the end, enduring the consequences of Brighton’s dominance. Solly March initiated a 1-0 lead at halftime, followed by Joao Pedro, a new signing, converting a second-half penalty to amplify the home team’s advantage. Despite Carlton Morris pulling one back for Lutton through a penalty and late goals from substitutes Simon Adingra and Evan Ferguson displaying Brighton’s dominance, the overall narrative showcased Brighton’s prowess. Noteworthy was March’s precise header from Kaoru Mitoma’s cross in the 36th minute, epitomizing Brighton’s control over the game. Joao Pedro, secured in the preseason from Watford, extended the lead through a penalty, following a debatable decision involving Lutton captain Tom Lockyer. While Lutton managed to reduce the deficit with a goal from the penalty spot by Morris, Adingra capitalized on a defensive lapse to reinstate Brighton’s two-goal lead. Ferguson concluded the match with Brighton’s fourth goal in injury time, underscoring Lutton’s return as a sobering experience. Newcastle’s Brilliant Display Decimates Aston Villa 5-1 Alexander Isak’s clinical finishing propelled Newcastle United to a resounding triumph over Aston Villa in the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. Newcastle commenced the game at St James’ Park with fervor, and new signing Sandro Tonali translated their dominance into a goal by converting Anthony Gordon’s inviting cross in the sixth minute. Moussa Diaby responded for Aston Villa within five minutes, elegantly controlling a half volley with his weaker foot after Ollie Watkins’ flick on. Amidst the dynamic start, Isak restored the lead for Newcastle as he adeptly slotted home Sven Botman’s cut-back across the box. Isak further showcased his skill by delicately chipping the ball over Emiliano Martinez for his second goal, granting the home side a comfortable two-goal lead after Ezri Konsa’s mishap in his own penalty box. Callum Wilson contributed another goal following a seamless passing sequence, while Harvey Barnes capitalized on a clear run to mark his competitive debut with a goal. This victory continued Newcastle’s strong momentum from the 2022-23 campaign. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged his team’s progress as they secured a Champions League berth for the first time in two decades the previous season. The challenge now lies in sustaining their top-four standing amidst a highly competitive Premier League season, coupled with their participation in Europe’s premier competition. In contrast to the prior season, which lacked domestic cup success and European engagements, Newcastle now faces six midweek Champions League matches between September and December. To address the increased demands, Howe made three summer signings, with Tonali standing out as a prominent addition. Tonali, a former AC Milan player, immediately made his Premier League debut, contributing not only a goal but also harmonizing effectively with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in a promising and dynamic midfield. Gordon, initially slow to acclimatize after joining from Everton, demonstrated an impressive transition from his standout performance in the summer’s European Under-21 Championship. Gordon’s effectiveness, along with the contributions from new signings, hints at Newcastle’s readiness to compete on both domestic and European fronts.
EPL: ‘Early’ Haaland kicks off golden boot race in City’s 3-0 win against Burnley
2022/23 Premier League Golden Boot winner, Erling Haaland wasted no time in resuming his goal-scoring spree, propelling Manchester City to a comfortable 3-0 triumph against top flight returnees Burnley as they began their Premier League title defense on Friday night. The prodigious striker, who netted an impressive 52 goals in City’s triumphant Treble-winning season last year, rekindled his form by striking within just 185 seconds of kickoff. Haaland’s swift impact left Burnley struggling to recover, and his two first-half goals ensured City’s dominance. His first goal came courtesy of a swift reaction in the box, capitalizing on a header from Rodri off Kevin de Bruyne’s cross. His second goal showcased his finesse, curling a brilliant left-footed shot into the top corner, leaving Burnley’s keeper James Trafford helpless. The contest effectively ended with this stunning goal at the 36-minute mark. Despite Burnley’s spirited efforts, they were unable to overturn City’s control. Rodri sealed City’s victory with a third goal, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Burnley’s side, burying a free-kick with 15 minutes remaining. City’s victory, though routine, was marred by yet another injury for De Bruyne, who was replaced by Mateo Kovacic after just 23 minutes. Burnley’s Anass Zaroury received a red card in injury time, following a VAR review for a reckless tackle on Kyle Walker. Pep Guardiola’s animated demeanor on the sidelines illustrated Man City’s occasional rustiness, despite their winning start. Haaland, despite his impressive goals, received a stern talking-to from Guardiola during halftime, emphasizing the manager’s pursuit of perfection. While Haaland’s involvement might have seemed limited, his goal-scoring prowess remained undeniable. His impact, as showcased by his two goals from just six touches, underlined his contribution as City’s linchpin. Kovacic’s smooth entry as De Bruyne’s substitute provided a silver lining, but the Belgian’s recurring injury concerns are a worry for Guardiola. De Bruyne’s ability to create opportunities was evident as he set up Haaland’s opening goal, but his exit from the field was visibly disappointing. City remains hopeful that De Bruyne’s injury is not severe, as they navigate the opening stages of the Premier League campaign with overall satisfaction.