The Obi-Kwankwaso Movement has criticised Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over her distribution of cash gifts to constituents during an empowerment programme, describing the exercise as an alleged attempt at vote-buying.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District faced backlash after photographs and videos showing her handing out cash at an event commemorating her third anniversary in the 10th National Assembly emerged on social media.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, explained that the decision to give beneficiaries cash instead of other forms of assistance was informed by their preference for direct financial support.

Reacting to the development, the OK Movement, in a statement issued in Abuja by its Director-General, John Ughulu, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the exercise over allegations of vote-buying.

The group also threatened to deploy its political resources to campaign against the senator’s return to the National Assembly, accusing her of undermining democratic principles by publicly distributing millions of naira to constituents.

The statement read:

“The OK Movement strongly condemns the reported cash empowerment exercise by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The action is an apparent case of open vote-buying and a serious affront to democratic principles.

“We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding this exercise and, where evidence of wrongdoing is established, prosecute those responsible in accordance with the law.”

The movement described the exercise as a disgrace to the Senate, arguing that elected officials should not use financial incentives to influence the electoral decisions of citizens.

“This development is a total disgrace to the Nigerian Senate as an institution. Elected public officials must understand that public office is a position of responsibility, not an opportunity to compromise the electoral choices of citizens through financial inducements.

“The OK Movement will not remain silent in the face of practices that undermine our democracy. We condemn this conduct and declare our intention to mobilise every legitimate political resource within our reach to campaign against Senator Natasha’s return to the Senate.

“Nigeria deserves leaders who respect democratic values, uphold accountability and earn the confidence of the people through competence, integrity and service, not financial inducements,” Ughulu added.

Como produced a historic performance in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 4, demolishing French club Lens 9-1 away from home. Anastasios Douvikas scored a hat-trick, while 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli marked his senior debut with a goal.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Cesc Fabregas’ side put on a stunning display at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, finding the net nine times to record one of the biggest victories in the competition’s history. The result also extended Como’s winning streak across all competitions to six matches.

Douvikas got Como off to a flying start in the seventh minute, turning in a cross after Máximo Perrone had knocked down Luis Milla’s delivery from a short corner.

The Greek striker struck again in the 32nd minute, finishing from close range after Álex Valle directed Nico Paz’s delivery across the face of goal.

Paz added a third for Como five minutes before the break, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle after receiving a pass from Douvikas. The Argentine celebrated by displaying a shirt featuring the image of Jesús de Miguel, a footballer who died earlier in the week following an on-field accident.

Como continued their dominance after the restart, with Lucas Da Cunha making it 4-0 just two minutes into the second half following a one-two combination with Paz.

Marc-Oliver Kempf increased the advantage in the 53rd minute, heading home Milla’s cross before Douvikas completed his hat-trick four minutes later. The forward ran on to Paz’s pass and calmly beat Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.

Mattia Liberali added Como’s seventh goal in the 62nd minute, finishing from an angle, but Lens managed to pull one back three minutes later through Ruben Aguilar, who volleyed home from a corner.

Martin Baturina restored Como’s seven-goal cushion before Papaccioli sealed the emphatic victory in stoppage time. The 18-year-old initially saw his effort ruled out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision, confirming his first senior-team goal.

The result secured Como a place in Champions League history, making them the first team to score nine goals in an away fixture in the competition.

Meanwhile, Arsenal climbed to third place in the Champions League standings after securing a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic.

Noni Madueke opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Viktor Gyökeres sent him through behind the defence.

Gyökeres doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 38th minute following a combination with Declan Rice and Mikel Merino, before finishing from a tight angle.

Slavia Prague came out strongly after the interval and reduced the deficit in the 90th minute through Wiktor Nowak. However, Arsenal held on to claim all three points.

The win moved Arsenal to 10 points from four matches and extended their unbeaten away run in the Champions League to a club-record 10 games.

Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has urged President Bola Tinubu and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, arguing that both men are too old to seek the nation’s highest office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oyinlola made the call on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The retired military officer said Tinubu and Atiku had already made significant contributions to the country and should give younger Nigerians the opportunity to lead.

“Tinubu and Atiku are too old to contest the 2027 presidency. They should step aside for younger people,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience as governor of Osun State, Oyinlola recalled that he had previously advocated an age limit for governorship aspirants.

“When I was in Osun, I made a declaration based on my experience in office that anybody above 50 should not aspire to be governor of a state,” he stated.

In a related development, the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement has appointed Olujuwon Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as its Special Adviser on Political Affairs.

Olujuwon formally assumed the position on Wednesday during a visit to the movement’s national secretariat in Abuja. The group’s National Coordinator, Sunday Asuku, received him before he was taken on a tour of the facility.

Speaking after the visit, Olujuwon said he accepted the appointment because he believed the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration should continue beyond 2027.

He also called on Nigerians, particularly young people, to support the President’s bid for re-election.