Ondo election: Three candidates step down for Gov. Aiyedatiwa

November 14, 2024

By Ogaga Ariemu

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll in Ondo State, three gubernatorial candidates have stepped down for the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayedatiwa, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, confirmed on Thursday that Dr. Ajibola Falaye, Hon. Jenyo Ataunko, and Olaide Ibrahim of the Accord Party, the National Rescue Movement, and the African Democratic Congress have dropped their ambition.

The spokesperson to Ayedatiwa said the endorsement came when the three candidates paid a solidarity visit to the governor.

Speaking on behalf of the candidate, Dr. Falaye hinged their decision to back the governor on his commitment to public service, track record, and outstanding performance in office.

“We have been watching him, and his doors are always open to all,” Falaye stated, commending the governor for his inclusive approach to governance and for prioritising the welfare of residents.

He pointed to the governor’s record on security, stating: “The state has been experiencing relative peace under his watch, which reflects his commitment to safeguarding the lives of our people.”

The Accord Party candidate also noted the shared values of progressive politics and goals that NRM, ADC, and Accord find in alignment with the Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“We see the infrastructural development that has taken place even within this short period. It is clear that the governor is actively working for the people. This Saturday, we will turn our commitment into votes. We will vote for continuity in Ondo State.”

In his response, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed deep gratitude for the endorsement, calling it a quality decision made out of goodwill by the candidates and their parties.

“I didn’t call for this, but I am grateful that my colleagues in the race have voluntarily identified with my mandate and are ready to mobilise their supporters to vote for the APC,” the governor said.

Aiyedatiwa warmly welcomed the candidates’ decision to unite behind him, describing it as an act of statesmanship.

Acknowledging the short time remaining before the election, the governor said: “There’s no time left. I appeal to you all to encourage your members to come out in full force on Saturday and cast their votes for the APC.”

This comes as Benue Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the Director General of the campaign, Hon Abiola Makinde, among others, joined Governor Aiyedatiwa to receive the three candidates.

Reports on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, barely a day ago, warned voters not to be intimidated, backed his party’s candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi.

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AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Rohr begs Super Eagles for favour ahead of Rwanda clash

November 15, 2024

By Ifreke Inyang 

The head coach of Benin Republic, Gernot Rohr, is hoping that Nigeria helps their bid to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rohr’s men failed to beat the Super Eagles on Thursday day, with the qualifying fixture ending 1-1 in Abidjan.

Mohamed Tijani’s goal had given the Beninoise the lead in the 16th minute, before Victor Osimhen drew the game level in the 81st minute.

The result leaves the Squirrels with all to do in the final match of the qualifying series away to Libya.

A win of a low-score defeat will see Benin Republic qualify, only if Nigeria beat Rwanda in Uyo on Monday.

“We have to avoid defeat. But you don’t go to play for a draw,” Rohr said.

“So we will use our confidence from the performance today (against Nigeria) for the game in Benghazi.

“Hopefully, the Super Eagles will beat Rwanda in Uyo.”

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Eva Longoria opens up about choosing to live abroad

By Alli Rosenbloom; November 14, 2024

Eva Longoria has chosen to live her life outside of the US.

The “Desperate Housewives” star told Marie Claire in an interview published Wednesday that she and her husband José Bastón, along with their six-year-old son Santiago, no longer call Los Angeles home base. For years, her family has primarily lived outside of Hollywood and now split their time between Spain and Mexico, according to the publication.

Longoria said she has increasingly felt like the US is “a scary place” and that she feels it will continue to be following the results of the presidential election.

She acknowledged that she is “privileged” to be able to provide an escape abroad for herself and her family.

“I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren’t so lucky,” she added. “They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.”

The actor spent her summer campaigning for the Harris-Walz ticket in an effort to recruit Latino voters.

“I would like to think our fight continues,” she said of her work with the Democratic party.

Even before the pandemic, Longoria, who was born and raised in Texas, said she felt the country “was changing” for several reasons, but it really just boiled down to the fact that she wanted to begin anew.

“It just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.”

Most recently, Longoria starred in and executive produced the series “Land of Women,” and appeared in six episodes of “Only Murders in the Building.”

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Elon Musk met with Iran’s UN envoy, NYT reports

By Tara John; November14, 2024

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC, U.S. on November 13, 2024.

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC, U.S. on November 13, 2024.

Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest person and close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, met with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday, the New York Times reported, citing two Iranian officials.

The meeting between Musk and Iran’s envoy Amir Saeid Iravani was held at a secret location in New York and lasted more than an hour, the NYT reported, citing the Iranian officials, who reportedly described the discussion as focused on how to defuse tensions between the two countries.

CNN is reaching out to Musk and Trump’s transition team for comment. Iran’s mission to the UN declined to comment.

Biden administration officials at the UN were not notified that the meeting was happening, and still have not received independent confirmation it took place, a US official told CNN.

The reported meeting comes as experts speculate that the next four years could pose a significant test for Iran. Tehran under Trump’s scrutiny could lead to a return of the “maximum pressure” campaign he imposed during his last presidency, which increased Iran’s isolation and crippled its economy, experts say.

Since Trump left office in 2020, Iran has ramped up enrichment of uranium, increased its oil exports, stepped up support for regional militant groups, and has set a precedent by striking Israel in a direct attack twice.

Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump appears on a congratulatory digital billboard for the 2024 U.S Presidential Election in Jerusalem, November 6, 2024.

Here’s what’s at stake in the Middle East under Trump’s second term

The billionaire’s reported conversation with the Iranian official raises questions about what his influence might look like in the incoming administration, especially when it comes to US foreign policy.

Just last week, the day after the presidential election, Musk joined Trump’s call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to two sources. Trump put the call on speaker and Zelensky thanked Musk for his help with providing communications through Starlink to Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia, a source added.

Trump announced Tuesday that Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency” in his second administration. Musk, who is the CEO of Space X and Tesla, has benefitted from billions of dollars worth of federal contracts, including from NASA, the military and other US government agencies, and the announcement raised immediate concerns about potential conflicts of interest.

It is not immediately clear how the department – which Trump said would “provide advice and guidance from outside of Government” – would operate, and whether a Congress even fully controlled by Republicans would have the appetite to approve such a massive overhaul of government spending and operations.

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BREAKING: Nigerian soldiers, Bello Turji-led bandits in gun battle at Sabon Birni, Sokoto

November 14, 2024

Reports indicate that men of the Nigerian Army are engaged in a serious gun battle with bandits led by the notorious Bello Turji.

The ongoing clash between Nigerian troops and Turji’s men is reportedly taking place in the Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State.

On Thursday, a senior consultant and public affairs analyst, Abdulsalam Suleiman Izuagbe, stated that commuters can no longer travel from Shinkafi to Sabon Birni.

According to Izuagbe: “There is a war going on in Sabon Birni; Bello Turji is facing the Nigerian Army as I talk to you.

“They are exchanging fire in the Sabon Birni area. From Shinkafi to Sabon Birni is no longer safe for anybody to travel, as I’m presently speaking. To think it’s a normal business as usual is missing the point.”

At the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, had not responded to calls or texts sent to his phone.

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Nigeria to boycott AFCON qualifier against Libya after players claim they were left stranded at airport overnight

By Sam Joseph

Mon October 14, 2024

Soccer Football - Africa Cup of Nations - Final - Nigeria v Ivory Coast - Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan, Ivory Coast - February 11, 2024 Nigeria's Victor Osimhen and teammates look dejected after Ivory Coast's Franck Kessie scores their first goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Nigerian Football Federation said players were stranded at an airport for more than 15 hours.

The Nigeria men’s soccer team is back home after being stuck at a remote Libyan airport for over 15 hours, according to Nigeria’s football governing body and team captain William Troost-Ekong.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to play against host Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier in the city of Benghazi on Tuesday, but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has stated the players have decided not to play the match.

In an Instagram post, the NFF said that the squad was stranded overnight at Al Abraq airport outside of Al Bayda, Libya. It had originally been set to land over 200 kilometers (roughly 124 miles) away in Benghazi.

“The chartered ValueJet aircraft was, strangely and in a dangerous manner, diverted to the small airport away from Benghazi just as the pilot was completing his approach to the Benghazi Airport,” said the NFF. “We understand the Al Abraq International Airport is only used for hajj operations.

“Fatigued players and officials have remained nonplussed as the host Libyan Football Federation (LFF) failed to send any reception team or even vehicles to take the delegation members from the airport to their hotel, said to be 3 hours away in Benghazi.”

The NFF added that transport had been organized for the team but was no longer in place due to the flight’s diversion.

According to Reuters, the LFF said that it has “utmost respect for our Nigerian counterparts” and claimed that the flight diversion was not intentional.

“We firmly reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation,” the LFF said. “We hope that this misunderstanding can be resolved with understanding and goodwill.”

Last week, the NFF released a statement rejecting claims of poor treatment in Nigeria made by Libya captain Faisal Al-Badri and insisted that the LFF “created chaos for its own team.”

CNN has reached out to the LFF and NFF for comment.

On Monday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued a statement noting the governing body had been in touch with both national teams and “had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.”

The statement concluded, “The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”

Troost-Ekong said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the situation had been brought about as a result of “mind games.”

“12+ hours in an abandoned airport in (Libya) after our plane was diverted whilst descending,” he wrote early Monday. “(Libyan) government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink.

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST - FEBRUARY 11: William Paul Ekong of Nigeria looks on during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on February 11, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi

William Troost-Ekong in action for Nigeria earlier this year. Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi

“I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behavior. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

“This kind of behavior, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe,” the defender added later in the thread.

“We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued. We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with (international) football.”

The defender shared images of players attempting to sleep in the airport and implied once again that there had been a deliberate attempt to disrupt the team.

“We would NEVER treat a guest nation for a game in this way,” he said. “Mistakes happen, delays happen. But never on purpose!”

Later on Monday, Troost-Ekong said the team had traveled back to Nigeria.

BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND.

Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken.

Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome. Ive seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER. pic.twitter.com/AwGw4aQW2y

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) October 14, 2024

While the alleged situation played out, Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface described the team’s plight on X.

It is unclear what will happen if the match does not go ahead.

The Super Eagles defeated Libya 1-0 in the reverse fixture in Nigeria on Friday and are top of Group D with 7 points, while Libya is at the bottom of the standings on one point. Benin and Rwanda are second and third in the group respectively.

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Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for UN ambassador, declines to stand by previous support for Ukraine joining NATO

By Andrew Kaczynski

Published 5:30 PM EST, Wed November 13, 2024

Rep. Elise Stefanik is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference on November 13, 2024, in Washington.

Rep. Elise Stefanik is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference on November 13, 2024, in Washington.

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for US ambassador to the United Nations, is now refusing to stand by her previous push for Ukraine’s NATO membership — a stance she once framed as critical to regional stability.

Her office also declined to say whether she still believes Russia committed genocide in Ukraine, as she said in 2022.

In 2022, Stefanik urged NATO to admit the nation, especially as Russia’s invasion escalated. At the time, she argued for extensive military aid support, highlighting the Trump administration’s previous providing of Javelin missiles.

“I’ve seen how important Ukraine is for the region,” she said. “They need to be admitted into NATO and we need to do everything we can by providing them munitions and javelins, and remember, the javelins were supplied under the Trump administration.”

Her comments at the time reflected the strong pro-Ukraine stance that aligned with broad bipartisan support for Kyiv in the early days of the conflict.

Now, when asked if she still supports NATO membership for Ukraine, Stefanik’s spokesperson declined to specifically address her current position. Instead, her office signaled that she is aligning with Trump’s approach.

“Chairwoman Stefanik fully supports President Trump’s peace through strength policy agenda and will follow his lead as Commander in Chief on best practices to end the war in Ukraine,” her communications director, Ali Black, told CNN.

Stefanik’s non-answer on Ukraine’s possible NATO membership comes as public opinion on providing aid has shifted away from the early US support for Ukraine, with Trump and other Republicans voicing increasing skepticism about the role of American military and financial aid in the prolonged conflict that has gone on for more than two and a half years.

Stefanik’s actions in the House also have shifted with public opinion. She initially championed pro-Ukraine legislation and supported numerous sanctions against Russia along with multiple rounds of military aid for Ukraine. But in April, she voted against a $60 billion Ukraine aid package, citing concerns over the spending and saying it was better to prioritize the crisis at the southern border.

That stands at contrast with comments she made in April 2022, when she touted that she was among nearly 400 members of the US House of Representatives sanctioned by Russia, calling it a “badge of honor.” She described Russia’s actions as “genocide” against the Ukrainian people and labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin a “thug” and “war criminal.”

Her office declined to comment further when asked if she stood by her past comments that Russia was committing genocide in Ukraine.

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