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“They Can’t Agree!” — Falae Blasts Opposition Over Failure To Produce One Presidential Candidate.

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Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Olu Falae, has said the opposition coalition stands little chance of presenting a single presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Friday during an appearance on Channels TV’s Inside Sources, the elder statesman argued that personal ambition and political interests among opposition leaders would make consensus nearly impossible.

Falae noted that from his experience in politics, once individuals decide to pursue public office, personal ego often overshadows reason, making it unlikely for anyone to step aside for another aspirant.

According to him, the opposition’s inability to unite behind one candidate would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing reelection, as no single opposition party currently appears strong enough to win independently.

He also faulted the growing use of consensus arrangements within political parties, insisting that genuine internal democracy must take precedence.

Falae argued that consensus should only be applied in exceptional situations rather than adopted as a standard approach, warning that it often amounts to imposition rather than democratic choice.

He stressed that parties that fail to practise democracy internally cannot be expected to govern democratically if elected into power.

On the issue of money politics, the former presidential candidate cautioned against excessive monetisation of elections, saying leadership contests should be driven by ideas, competence, and public confidence rather than financial power.

Reflecting on his 1999 presidential campaign, Falae revealed that despite lacking vast personal wealth as a civil servant, he successfully raised campaign funds through a fundraising dinner at Eko Le Meridien, where about ₦850 million was generated in one night.

He said he only added a modest personal contribution to the campaign, maintaining that issue-based politics, rather than money-driven contests, remains the ideal model.

Falae warned that as long as money remains the primary factor determining political success, the country may continue to produce governments that fall short of public expectations.

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CAF To Hold AFCON 2027 Qualifying Draw In Cairo On Tuesday.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) will on Tuesday hold the official qualifying draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking the start of the journey to the continental tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

CAF announced this in a statement on Sunday, confirming that the draw ceremony will take place at the Egyptian Football Association headquarters in Cairo.

According to CAF, the event will set the stage for 48 national teams to discover their qualification paths to the finals of a tournament already generating major anticipation before kick-off.

The statement added that the draw officially ushers in the next phase of the competition, which CAF says is designed to promote unity across the region under the theme “PAMOJA”, a Swahili word meaning “together.”

The 2027 edition, tagged AFCON PAMOJA, is scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will be the first time the tournament is hosted jointly by three countries. It also marks AFCON’s return to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.

CAF explained that the 48 participating teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two teams in each group qualifying automatically. However, due to automatic qualification for the host nations, only one additional team from each of their groups will advance.

The body also outlined that the qualifying matches will be played across three FIFA international windows between September 2026 and March 2027.

Fixtures for matchdays one and two are scheduled between 21 September and 6 October 2026, while rounds three and four will take place from 9 to 17 November 2026. The final round of qualifiers will be held from 22 to 30 March 2027.

CAF noted that traditional powerhouses such as Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa are expected to be strong contenders, though recent campaigns have shown increasing competitiveness across the continent.

It also highlighted the rise of smaller nations like Comoros and Gambia, pointing to a growing balance in African football.

For the host nations, CAF said the tournament represents more than sport, describing it as a major opportunity to boost infrastructure, tourism, and investment while showcasing East Africa’s culture and passion for football on a global stage.

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Tobi Amusan Finishes Third As Russell Dominates Shanghai Diamond League.

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World record holder Tobi Amusan began her 2026 Diamond League season with a third-place finish in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Shanghai meeting on Saturday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fresh off her gold-medal performance at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier in the week, Amusan produced a season’s best of 12.41s in a highly competitive field at the opening leg of the Diamond League.

Olympic champion Masai Russell stole the spotlight with a commanding run, setting a meeting record and a world-leading 12.25s, improving on her previous best of 12.40s. Bahamian hurdler Devynne Charlton came in second with 12.38s, delivering one of her strongest outdoor performances.

Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest ever recorded in the event, showed significant improvement from the 12.84s she ran while winning in Accra just days earlier.

The race featured a strong lineup including reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Jamaican athletes Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni, and American hurdlers Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.

Kambundji finished fifth in 12.82s, while Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s. Marshall and Williams were unable to complete the race.

Following her win in Accra, Amusan had expressed optimism about her season, posting on X that she remained grateful, motivated, and focused on continuing her progress as the campaign unfolds.

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APC Primaries Shock: ChiefPriest Speaks On Future Support For Tinubu.

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Popular Nigerian socialite and businessman, Okechukwu Pascal, widely known as Chief Priest, has denied claims that he participated in or lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary for Orsu/Orlu/Oru East Federal Constituency in Imo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that his clarification came via a post on his Instagram page on Sunday, countering an earlier viral video in which he suggested he had contested and secured only 14 votes while expressing regret over trusting local political elders.

Chief Priest explained that he never took part in the exercise, saying the party leadership had already resolved the matter through its zoning arrangement before the primaries were conducted.

According to him, he was informed in the early hours of Saturday that the APC had upheld zoning decisions which influenced the selection of consensus candidates, adding that he respected the party’s position and stepped down from any involvement.

He said the party leadership, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, explained that Orlu Local Government Area was due for continued representation based on internal arrangements and prior occupancy of the seat, which informed the decision.

Chief Priest added that although he initially aspired to contest based on his belief that the incumbent was underperforming, he ultimately complied with the party’s directive and did not appear at any polling venue.

He further stressed that his earlier comments were being misinterpreted online, insisting he was never part of the voting process and had no reason to claim participation in a contest he did not attend.

The socialite maintained that his political ambition was self-driven and not influenced by external pressure, adding that he holds no grievances over the outcome.

He also reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, pledging continued loyalty to the All Progressives Congress and the Renewed Hope agenda.

Chief Priest urged his supporters to remain calm and focused, saying he would continue grassroots mobilisation and political engagement within the party.

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