Street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable, has revealed that he was paid to endorse the All Progressive Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Portable had come under fire on social mediaPortable had come under fire on social media after declaring support for APC in the upcoming Osun State governorship election on his Instagram page.
In the video posted on Wednesday, he also asked Nigerians to vote for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
Portable, however, fired back at his critics, saying he was only doing his job, as the ruling party had paid him to support its candidates.
“If they pay you money, you have to work. I was once paid to insult Tinubu during the protests. That was a long time ago. Now, APC has said Akoi Tinubu.
“If they pay you, do your job, no ripping. When I was asked to insult Tinubu, I collected my money and did my job. Now Tinubu is the next. They’re the ones that gave me money, and I must do the work for the money I collected. Akoi APC,” he said in Yoruba.
Elon Musk Dragged To Court By Twitter After He Backs Out Of $44 Bn Merger Deal
Elon Musk and the Twitter saga continue even as Musk decided to back out of the USD 44 billion deal. In the latest development, Twitter is suing Elon Musk for breaching the billion-dollar contract.
Twitter even called Musk’s exit strategy “a model of hypocrisy” as revealed by the court documents.
The Tech giant decided to take the legal route and filed a case against Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the Delaware court.
“Musk’s conduct simply confirms that he wants to escape the binding contract he freely signed, and to damage Twitter in the process. Twitter has suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable harm as a result of defendants’ breaches,” the legal filing says.
Recall Elon Musk brought up the Twitter deal a few months back, aiming to acquire the microblogging site. Musk said he wanted to revamp the platform for better free speech. However, Elon Musk and his team have been asking for data concerning spam accounts or bots on the platform.
Twitter has refrained from providing accurate data when it comes to spam bots. On the other hand, Twitter said it was deleting nearly a million spam accounts daily. But without concrete data, Musk and his team didn’t want to go ahead with the Twitter deal. And so, Musk announced to back out from the USD 44 billion deal to buy Twitter.
A few days back, Musk and his legal team announced to withdrawal from the multi-billion-dollar Twitter deal. Soon after, Musk took to Twitter to share a meme of the ongoing legal battle. “They said I couldn’t buy Twitter. Then they wouldn’t disclose bot info. Now they want to force me to buy Twitter in court. Now they have to disclose bot info in court,” Musk joked via a tweet.
Currently, the ongoing battle could have any outcome. Twitter has now asked the court to enforce the deal and make it come through with Musk. On the other hand, Musk’s legal team would also urge Twitter to release the data required before proceeding further. As speculators, we can only wait and see how the Twitter deal goes through.
Aregbesola Fingers #EndSARS Over Attacks On Prisons
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has fingered the #EndSARS protests as prompting attacks on correctional facilities in the country.
This was revealed in a press statement by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, from his visit to the Kirikiri Maximum and Minimum correctional centres in Lagos on Tuesday.
While boasting that jailbreaks attempted by inmates have not been successful at any of the facilities, he expressed concerns that there had been more attacks from the outside on correctional facilities since the #EndSARS protests of October 2020.
He said, “So far, no jailbreak by inmates has been successful, we have successfully quelled all of them.
What we have recurring since the #EndSars protests of October 2020, has been a mass of people attacking our facilities from outside and setting the inmates free.
You’re On Your Own – Northern APC Christians Disown Tinubu. Northern extraction in the All Progressive Congress (APC) have said they can no longer campaign for the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, because of his choice of a Muslim running mate.
They made this position known in a communiqué issued to journalists, on Tuesday, following an emergency meeting of the group in Abuja where the issue of the religious colouration of the APC’s presidential ticket and its implication for the nation was on the front burner.
According to the communiqué jointly signed by Prof. Doknan Sheni (Chairman) and General Ishaya Bauka (Secretary), the group explained that Tinubu’s selection of a Muslim running mate had exasperated the Christians in the North, and portrayed the APC as a party that is insensitive to their yearnings.
It warned that if the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as the party’s vice presidential resident candidate is not reversed before July 15, there would be serious and grave consequences.
The communiqué read, “The christian politicians in the nineteen (19) Northern States within APC met in Abuja to deliberate on the issue of the party’s Muslim – Muslim president and vice president candidates and the implications for the nation.
“The meeting decided as follows: that as Christians within APC, we cannot in all fairness to our consciences and our faith go to our various constituencies to campaign for a Muslim – Muslim ticket.
“Nigeria is a multi religious and a constitutional democracy and NOT a theocracy. The current political atmosphere of the nation is different from what occurred in 1993 and therefore a Moslem-Moslem ticket is unacceptable.
“The selection of a Moslem vice presidential candidate portrayed insensitivity to the Christians in the Nation
“The fear of the Christians in the north and the nation in general is that the APC party will be viewed as an Islamic party, and that the Muslim – Muslim ticket was not possible in 2015, why should it be possible in 2023?
“More so, that we are apprehensive that the person picked might have had a hand in the Chibok girls’ saga and other terror activities.
“Muslim – Muslim ticket would undermine the election chances of Christians candidates in APC in the various states in the North.
“The Christians in the north and the whole nation are highly aggravated, considering that the chairman of the party is a Muslim, deputy chairman (North) is a Muslim, the president of the Senate is a Muslim, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are Muslims, and now both the presidential and vice presidential candidates are Muslims.
Shettima confirmed as Tinubu’s running mate as Ibrahim Masari Whithdraws.
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has announced Senator Kashim Shetima as his running mate in the 2023 general elections.
This is coming after former APC Vice Presidential nominee, Ibrahim Masari released a press statement informing the public of his withdrawal as he steps down.
He wrote; “ This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.
But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria. “
He however declared his steadfast support for Tinubu as he continues on the 2023 Presidential race.
Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: Protesters Set PM Wickremesinghe’s Home On Fire Over Ravaging Poverty
Protesters broke into Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence and set it on fire, angered by the unprecedented economic crisis.
Just a few hours ago with the demand for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, they stormed into the compound, tore down security cordons placed by police, took a dip in the swimming pool and romped through his kitchen and home.
Several journalists were also attacked by the security forces after which more protestors gathered in the area.
Earlier, the police fired tear gas at the protesters but despite that, they entered his house and set the house on fire.
Meanwhile, Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) fire brigade said they were informed that the Prime Minister’s private residence in Colombo was set on fire and its teams were unable to reach the location due to the unrest, according to Daily Mirror.
Wickremesinghe, who was appointed as Prime Minister in May, has announced that he will resign from his post in order to ensure the continuation of the government and the safety of all the citizens.
Taking to Twitter, Wickremesinghe said, “To ensure the continuation of the Government including the safety of all citizens, I accept the best recommendation of the Party Leaders today, to make way for an All-Party Government. To facilitate this, I will resign as Prime Minister.”
Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister said in a statement that he took this decision in view of the fact that island-wide fuel distribution is due to recommence this week, the World Food Program Director is due to visit the country this week and the Debt Sustainability report for the IMF is due to be finalised shortly.”
“So as to ensure the safety of the citizens, he is agreeable to this recommendation by the Opposition Party Leaders,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva said that the majority of party leaders had agreed on President and Prime Minister’s resignation and the Speaker to act as President for a maximum of 30 days. He further said that the leaders also agreed on the election of MP as President for the remaining term will be elected by the parliament.
“All party interim government to be appointed in the next few days,” he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe summoned an emergency Party Leaders meeting to discuss the situation and come to a swift resolution.
The Prime Minister is also requesting the Speaker to summon Parliament.
The worsening economic situation in the country has led to increasing tensions and over the last few weeks, there were reports of several confrontations between individuals and members of the police force and the armed forces at fuel stations where thousands of desperate members of the public have queued for hours and sometimes days. Police have used tear gas and water cannon at times in an unnecessary and disproportionate manner. On occasions, armed forces have also fired live ammunition.
Sri Lanka is suffering its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, which comes on the heels of successive waves of COVID-19, threatening to undo years of development progress and severely undermining the country’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The oil supply shortage has forced schools and government offices to close until further notice. Reduced domestic agricultural production, a lack of foreign exchange reserves, and local currency depreciation have fuelled the shortages. The economic crisis will push families into hunger and poverty – some for the first time – adding to the half a million people who the World Bank estimates have fallen below the poverty line because of the pandemic. (ANI)
Biden Signs Executive Order To ‘Expand Access To Abortion’ After Several States Ban Procedure
US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order meant to “protect and expand access to abortion” in response to several states banning the controversial procedure after the United States Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision.
In an executive order released Friday, Biden said his administration was “taking action to protect healthcare service delivery and promote access to critical reproductive healthcare services, including abortion.”
“It remains the policy of my Administration to support women’s right to choose and to protect and defend reproductive rights. Doing so is essential to justice, equality, and our health, safety, and progress as a Nation,” stated the order. Biden ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to give him a report within 30 days outlining strategies with the intention to “protect and expand access to abortion care, including medication abortion.”
This will include “launching a public awareness initiative,” sharing information with providers on abortion access, and to hold a meeting with “private pro bono attorneys, bar associations, and public interest organizations in order to encourage lawyers to represent and assist patients, providers, and third parties lawfully seeking these services throughout the country.”
“The Attorney General shall provide technical assistance, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, concerning Federal constitutional protections to States seeking to afford legal protection to out-of-State patients and providers who offer legal reproductive healthcare,” added the order.
You Can’t Snatch Wike from PDP, Saraki Tells APC Governors
Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has described last Friday’s visit by the Governors of Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos states, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Mr Olurotimi Akeredolu and Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to their Rivers State counterpart, Mr Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt as an exercise in futility.
Nigeria Youth Movement reports that Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos had a closed-door meeting with Wike. Ayodele Fayose, former Ekiti governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain also participated in the meeting.
Addressing reporters during the Eid celebration in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, Saraki stated that the Peoples Democratic Party can’t lose Wike because he’s important to the opposition party.
He said; “Wike is an important member of our party and I am very confident that in no distant time, we will sit down and address all the issues. There is no doubt about it that he has cause to feel the way he does, but there are better ways by which issue like this can be resolved.
“The good thing is that we are all talking to one another. We are on top of the situation and PDP will reunite and forge ahead to win the next elections. I assure you that PDP will definitely resolve its family issue that it currently has.
“The fact that some APC governors went to see their colleague, trying to capitalise on what they think is an issue is a gross miscalculation. At the end of the day, their visit is going no where.
“The APC governors know that it is this kind of a crack they need to latch on. Fortunately, we are not going to give him to them because the election ahead is too important. The destinies of millions of Nigerians are too important and even bigger than any party or individual. I appreciate that, all our stakeholders appreciate that and Governor Wike himself appreciates that.”
EFCC Rescue 17-Year-Old Yahoo Apprentice Abducted For Rituals By His Boss
A 17-year-old alleged yahoo apprentice, Destiny Peter, has been rescued by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), just before he was used for ritual in Abuja.
The EFCC, in a statement, said the teenage boy was rescued on July 1 from an apartment in Mpape, a suburb of Abuja.
On Friday, July 1st, Peter was able to get in touch with the anti-graft agency through its Twitter account, @officialEFCC, and he described how some alleged internet fraudsters (yahoo boys) abducted him with the intention of using him for money rituals.
“Good afternoon sir, I called the EFCC number and lay some complaints about some yahoo boys intending using me for ritual and he said I should send a screenshot of the location
The house is in Mpape, but don’t know the exact place so check google map and save the screenshot. I’m in the bathroom because I don’t want his boys to know what I’m doing. My name is Destiny Peter and the place is Mpape.
I don’t know the actual place but I used google maps and the people in the house now are his boys. Hold on let me try and do a video, sir”. Peter had written in a series of tweets.
He was then instructed to send a screenshot of his location to the EFCC using the Google Location App on his smartphone.
The commission mobilized a team of operatives to rescue the youngster from the location in Mpape after receiving the Twitter SOS.
When they arrived at the residence, they discovered Peter locked in a room and met four other suspects, who were later taken into custody.
The suspects were identified as Aboaba David, 16, Isaac Johnson, 18, in-house cook, Miracle Moses, 20, and leader of the syndicate, Jamilu Aliyu, 20, popularly known as Jamilu Smith.
Upon questioning, Peter disclosed that Jamilu Smith had threatened to have him sacrificed for rituals if he failed to cash out (defraud) victims within two weeks.
Sule Lamido: Obasanjo wrong to attack Atiku, he was unknown prisoner when Atiku formed PDP
Mr Lamido said Mr Abubakar was a major contributor to the platform upon which Mr Obasanjo ran for office in 1999.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was wrong to publicly criticise his former deputy, Atiku Abubakar, says former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido. He said Mr Abubakar was a major contributor to the platform upon which Mr Obasanjo ran for office in 1999.
Messrs Obasanjo and Abubakar were elected as president and vice president respectively on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party but they endured a fractured relationship that has yet to heal since their reign.
“Obasanjo is a senior man, somebody who is elderly. He has the right to talk down on his own children but that should be an in-house accusation. He can say Atiku you are this or that but when he says it publicly to the country he led, it is wrong,” said Mr Lamido in an interview with Vanguard newspaper.
Mr Lamido was reacting to a statement by Mr Obasanjo a few weeks ago wherein the former Nigerian leader said making Mr Atiku his deputy was a grave mistake but God saved him.
“I don’t want to sound rude but when PDP was formed, Obasanjo was in prison and the formation of the PDP had history,” Mr Lamido, a longstanding politician said. “We had a group led by Atiku and many others and also the progressives as symbolised by Solomon Lar, Abubakar Rimi, Jim Nwobodo and many others. It is right to say that when PDP was formed, Obasanjo was not politically known.”
Messrs Obasanjo and Abubakar fell out after the latter, looking to succeed his principal, truncated his unconstitutional third term bid.
Though attempts have been made to mend their relationship over the years, the portrayal of Mr Abubakar as a deeply corrupt politician by Mr Obasanjo continues to be a sore point in their relationship.
Peak News 
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