Newcastle stun Liverpool in League Cup final to end 56-year trophy drought
Newcastle United ended their 56-year trophy drought in dramatic style as defender Dan Burn and forward Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday. Eddie Howe’s side made history at Wembley with a superb display that left the runaway Premier League leaders shell-shocked. Burn put Newcastle ahead late in the first half and Isak’s 27th goal in all competitions doubled their lead after the interval. Federico Chiesa got one back in the closing seconds, but Newcastle held on for their first major silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. That success in the predecessor to the Europa League is a relic of a bygone era, but this long-awaited triumph will be forever etched in the memories of the Newcastle fans who turned one half of Wembley into a roiling sea of black and white with their ecstatic celebrations. First domestic cup win in 70 years It was also Newcastle’s first major domestic prize dating back 70 years to the 1955 FA Cup. Since the Magpies lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, 30 different English teams had won silverware, while Liverpool had clinched 38 major trophies in that time. But after losing the 2023 League Cup final against Manchester United, Howe’s team returned to Wembley and set the record straight at last. “We were well aware of the history and we wanted to do the club proud. We wanted to score, we wanted to perform and we wanted to win,” Howe said. “We are breaking new ground. I thought we were magnificent today.” Eddie Howe’s side had endured five relegations to the second tier since their last trophy, with club legends like Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Malcolm MacDonald failing to win silverware in their time on Tyneside. Aside from a brief period when Kevin Keegan’s self-styled “entertainers” challenged for the title in the 1990s, Newcastle have endured decades of underachievement and self-inflicted wounds that rendered them a laughing stock for long periods. All that changed in 2021 when a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover from unpopular owner Mike Ashley and quickly hired Howe as their manager. Thanks to Howe’s astute leadership and the Saudi financial backing, Newcastle have been transformed from relegation candidates to silverware winners. The defeat was another painful blow for Liverpool just days after their Champions League last 16 exit on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain. But despite failing to win their first trophy under boss Arne Slot, Liverpool still sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, within touching distance of a record-equalling 20th English title. “It’s a very disappointing result. The game went the way Newcastle wanted it. They deserved to win. We were out-played in their style. They won more aerial duels than us,” Slot said. Newcastle make history Liverpool are 23 points ahead of sixth-placed Eddie Howe’s side in the league and hadn’t lost to them for 17 games dating back to 2015. But Howe’s men were in no mood to be cowed by past failures Newcastle fans unveiled a banner before kick-off urging their team to “write your name in the history books”. They rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion, snapping into tackles and counter-attacking with purpose, while Liverpool were sluggish and sloppy in possession. Newcastle’s desire and drive were clear to see when Joelinton tracked back from midfield to stop Jarell Quansah in his tracks and celebrated with a fist-pumping roar. Despite nearly being caught out by Burn’s aerial prowess earlier in the game, Liverpool failed to heed the warning as the towering centre-back put Newcastle ahead in the 45th minute. Bizarrely left unmarked, with only the diminutive Alex Mac Allister anywhere near him, Burn was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Kieran Tripper’s corner as he thumped a powerful header into far corner from 12 yards. Burn’s goal – Newcastle’s first in a cup final since 1976 – capped an incredible week for the journeyman centre-back, who received his first England call-up on Friday. With Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah completely anonymous, the lethargic Reds had no answer as Isak put Eddie Howe’s side into dreamland after 52 minutes. Eddie Howe’s side dominated in the air again as Jacob Murphy met Tino Livramento’s cross with a header that found Isak, who drilled a superb first-time finish past Caoimhin Kelleher from 10 yards. Chiesa’s stoppage-time strike set up an anxious finale, but good things come to those who wait. And all across Wembley, Newcastle players and fans celebrated with abandon as a party over half a century in the making got into full swing. READ ALSO: Salah penalty brace seals comeback for Liverpool over Southampton
Vatican releases 1st photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalisation
The Vatican press office released a photo of Pope Francis on Sunday in a private chapel of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. The photo shows the 88-year-old pontiff seated in his wheelchair in front of an altar. It is the first photo released of the pope since he entered the hospital on Feb. 14 and was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. Pope Francis on Sunday, March 16, 2023, in his private chapel in his 10-floor apartment in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Vatican The photo was taken in the private chapel of the pope’s 10-floor apartment in Gemelli, according to the Holy See, the Vatican’s press office. It was unclear who concelebrated Mass with the pope. The Vatican press office said the pope had no visitors on Sunday. The pope continued with respiratory and motor physiotherapy and “benefitted from it,” according to the Vatican. The pope also “did a bit of work” on Sunday, according to the Vatican. Sunday marked the 31st day the pope has been in the hospital. The Vatican press office previously released an audio recording of the pope made on March 6, which was broadcast that day at the start of the rosary held in St. Peter’s Square. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” the pope said in the recorded statement made in Spanish.
NDLEA foils drug trafficking to US, Saudi Arabia, Others
Nigerian authorities have frustrated the plans of some Drug Trafficking Organisations (DTOs) attempting to traffic hard drugs to the United States of America (US), Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In a document shared on the agency’s website on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy, stated that drugs such as cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly, among others, were concealed inside prayer beads, packs of board games, and female clothing. The drug dealers attempted to ship the consignment via logistics firms and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Two suspects have reportedly been arrested after a team from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) aborted their mission at MMIA, Lagos. “One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” Babafemi stated. About 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed inside her luggage were recovered after a search operation. Babafemi disclosed that the 43-year-old businesswoman confessed to having bought the drugs with the intention of reselling them in Italy. Similarly, on March 11, a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Ayinla, was arrested at Lagos airport while attempting to ship 400 grams of skunk hidden inside clothing bound for New York, United States of America. Read Also:NDLEA nabs cocaine kingpin in Lagos On the same day, along the Kabba-Obajana highway in Kogi State, no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were found inside a commercial bus en route from Lagos to Abuja. “At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of loud, molly, tramadol 365mg, and 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female clothing to the US were thwarted by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI). “Other shipments of 230 grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes, and packs of board games heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland, and the UAE were also intercepted between Monday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 12.” Authorities on March 12 recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg at the Chalawa area in Kano State from a 40-year-old suspect, Hassan Harun. On March 13, Idris Hamza, 21, was apprehended with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg after a raid in Kachia, Kaduna. Similarly, on March 14, in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LGA, the anti-drug agency recovered 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg from a 25-year-old, Aminu Magaji. On Friday, March 14, NDLEA operatives recovered 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg from Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara State. A day earlier, on Thursday, March 13, officers also seized 21,700 capsules of the same opioid from a suspect, Salisu Usman, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin. In Taraba State, NDLEA officers arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, on March 14 at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk. Similarly, in Osun State, a commercial bus from Lagos Island was intercepted on March 13 in front of King University, Ode-Omu, carrying 48.7kg of Ghanaian Loud, Colorado, and Canadian Loud, all variants of cannabis. Read Also: NDLEA nabs Nollywood filmmaker for drug offences Nine suspects were later arrested in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow-up operations. Meanwhile, in Abuja, a 58-year-old suspect, Ade Esan (aka Pastor), was arrested along Gwagwalada expressway on March 11 with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg. That same day, another suspect, Usman Mohammed, 26, was nabbed with quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. In Abia State, NDLEA operatives raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, on March 15, arresting a 34-year-old suspect, Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money). Seized from him were 274 grams of heroin, 141 grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4 grams of cocaine, and cash amounting to N753,015. In addition to these arrests, NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization programs in schools, worship centers, workplaces, and communities across the country. Educational sessions were held in Lagos, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra, and Ekiti states, among others. Chairman and CEO of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers of various commands, including MMIA, DOGI, Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and FCT, for their dedication to combating drug trafficking with their renovative approaches.
Asake buys father new house, funds medical bills
Rave-of-the-moment singer, Ahmed Ololade Ayinde Odunsi, better known as Asake has bought a house for his father, Fatai Odunsi, and also sent money to take care of his medical bills. This comes few days after the father took to social media to accuse Asake of abandoning him, since his health began deteriorating in 2022. Odunsi, who has been battling a stroke, also alleged that Asake has not been financially supportive despite his fame and success. However, in a new video released on Sunday, Asake’s father revealed that his son has reached out to him. Speaking in Yoruba, Mr Odunsi said “I am proud of him” as he showered prayers on Asake. He added that he called Asake out because it has been long he saw him. Mr Odunsi said: “His mother ought to ask him when last he saw me. That was what got me angry, but we have sorted out all the problems. We are no longer fighting.” He further confirmed that Asake has told house agents to get him a new house, saying “Asake said he will do everything that I want. We have settled, no more problems. They are now looking for a new house that he will buy for me. He has settled everything.” The older Odunsi also confirmed that Asake has agreed to take care of his 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat. Odunsi said: “He has never denied his child, but he has now promised to take full responsibility on the child.” He added that he will also be going to hospital tomorrow as Asake has sent him all he needed.
Macron to EU colleagues: Stop buying American, buy European
“Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35 should be offered the Rafale,” French president says. French President Emmanuel Macron’s comments come as European NATO members have become even more dependent on U.S. weapons than ever before. French President Emmanuel Macron wants to lead a charm offensive to convince EU countries to stop buying U.S. defense equipment and buy French and European instead. Macron, who has been calling for years to direct defense spending toward EU products, said he wants to convince other European countries that are currently “buying American” to shift to local options. “My intention is to go and convince European states that have become accustomed to buying American,” he said on Saturday in an interview with several French media including Nice-Matin and Le Parisien. “Those who buy Patriot should be offered the new-generation Franco-Italian SAMP/T. Those who buy the F-35, should be offered the Rafale. That’s the way to increase the rate of production,” he said. Macron’s comments come as European NATO members have become even more dependent on U.S. weapons than ever before. This month, the Netherlands and Belgium confirmed they would still buy American-made F-35 fighter jets, while Portugal is wobbling about replacing its U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets with more modern F-35s because of “the recent position of the United States, in the context of NATO.” Macron said he has asked French defense companies to cut red tape and reduce costs to become a more attractive option, Nice-Matin reported. The French president also clarified what a possible deployment of European troops to help Ukraine could look like. The goal is to “deploy a few thousand men per nation, at key points, to carry out training programmes” and “show our support over the long term,” he said. Macron said that the conditions laid down by Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine “are unacceptable.” “This would mean a partial invasion of Ukraine and a freeze on the conflict, without offering any security or guarantees for the future,” Macron said. Macron announced for “the coming weeks” a reform of the so-called “Service National Universel” — a voluntary service for people aged between 15 and 17 that includes sporting activities, civic education and a stint at a state organization or nongovernmental organization — “to meet the nation’s needs and the priorities we have identified.” The French president, however, ruled out a comeback of compulsory military service.
59 killed in ‘catastrophic’ fire at illegal North Macedonia nightclub
Dozens of people were killed when a fire ripped through an illegal nightclub in North Macedonia’s southern city of Kocani, prompting a bribery and corruption investigation that has led to the arrests of several local officials who allegedly allowed the club to remain open, authorities said Sunday. At least 59 people — all aged 18 to 23 — were killed and 155 others injured, North Macedonian Interior Minister Panche Toshkovski said during a news conference on Sunday. Among the victims was a police officer, who was in the Club Pulse nightclub on duty, Toshkovski said. The nightclub had been operating illegally for more than a year with a fake license and no valid permit, according to Toshkovski. At the time of the fire, the nightclub was packed to twice its official capacity of 250 people, and there was only one exit for people to escape, Toshkovski said. Toshkovski said more than 20 people are suspected of wrongdoing, including 15 who were being questioned by police on Sunday. One of the main organizers of the nightclub was arrested on suspicion of being directly responsible for the deadly blaze, Toshkovski said. The names of those arrested or undergoing questioning were not immediately released. But Toshkovski said they include the former secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy, as well as a senior official from the ministry. Toshkovski also said the region’s former director for protection and rescue and three other employees of the institution were also being questioned as part of the investigation. He added that some of the suspects involved in the illegal nightclub were killed in the fire. All individuals with outstanding arrest warrants have been located, Toshkovski said. An aerial photograph shows the site of a nightclub in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Mar. 16, 2025, following a massive fire in the nightclub early Sunday. Armin Durgut/AP Toshkovski said the Ministry of Economy and Public Prosecutor’s Office are collecting documents related to the nightclub and those alleged to have been responsible for the tragedy. Dr. Kristina Serafimova, the head of the Kocani General Hospital, told ABC News that those who perished were killed by smoke inhalation, burns and a stampede triggered by the fire. Serafimova said there was only one exit from the nightclub. Another 155 people were injured in the incident, all of whom are aged between 14 and 24, Serafimova and Toshkovski said. At least 27 of those injured are in critical condition and are on respirators and fighting for their lives, Serafimova and Toshkovski said. At least 13 of the critically injured victims were transferred to hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece, for treatment, Toshkovski said. A switchboard operator at one of the hospitals treating victims told ABC News, “It’s a catastrophic tragedy.” The manager of the band DNK, which was performing at Club Pulse when the fire broke out, told ABC News that the venue had a maximum capacity of 500 to 700 people. The band, which consists of eight members, was performing at the time of the fire and some of them were among the injured, the manager said. The mayor of Strumica, Konstantin Kostantinov, told ABC News that the 24-year-old drummer for DNK is among those who died in the nightclub fire. Kostantinov also expressed condolences and support for families who lost loved ones, adding that the whole of North Macedonia is in shock and mourning over this tragedy. Pope Francis, who remains hospitalized in Rome for treatment, sent a telegram to Bishop Kiro Stojanov in Skopje, North Macedonia, expressing his condolences, according to the Vatican. In the telegram, which was signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, the pope said he is praying “for those who lost their lives” and for their loved ones. Relatives of victims are overwhelmed by emotion outside a hospital in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Mar. 16, 2025, following a massive fire in the nightclub early Sunday. Armin Durgut/AP As more details of the incident emerged, the families of the young people who attended the concert — some of them underage — appealed for information on social media, sharing phone numbers and personal details in the hope that those still missing can be found. Serafimova told ABC News that only around half of the victims were carrying identification. Family members of the missing have been asked to come to Kocani hospital to help identify their loved ones, she added. The blaze began around 2:35 a.m. local time, according to Interior Minister Toshkovski, who said the venue’s roof was set on fire by pyrotechnics used by clubbers. North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski wrote on X, “The loss of so many young lives is irreparable, and the pain of the families, loved ones and friends is immeasurable.” “The government is fully mobilized and will do everything necessary to deal with the consequences and determine the causes of this tragedy,” Mickoski added. “In these times of deep sadness, when our hearts are broken with pain due to this terrible tragedy, I call for unity, solidarity, humanity and responsibility.” Among those offering condolences from abroad was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I wish those who were injured a speedy recovery,” he wrote in a post to X. “Ukraine mourns alongside our [North] Macedonian friends on this sad day.” Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said his nation was ready “to provide any assistance that may be needed.” European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said on X that she was “deeply saddened” by the “terrible tragedy.”
2025 Budget: Rivers Assembly denies receiving Fubara’s letter, says gov insincere
The tussle between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara appears to be getting worse with the lawmakers accusing the governor of frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, particularly the directive requiring him to re-present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers. Making the accusation through its Chairman, House Committee on Information and spokesperson, Dr Enemi George, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Sunday, the Assembly, which is loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, urged the public to pressure the governor to follow due process in presenting the 2025 budget, rather than attempting to gain public sympathy by portraying lawmakers as obstacles. He challenged the governor to produce an acknowledged copy of the letter he claimed to have sent to the House. George said, “Last week, we were told that on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor made a stopover at the gate of the House of Assembly Quarters to grant an interview to the press. “In that interview, he claimed that he had sent a letter to the House of Assembly indicating his intention to visit and present the appropriation bill, a claim we found rather astonishing as no such letter was received by the House of Assembly. “His aides later alleged that they forwarded a letter through WhatsApp to some members of the House, which was also awkward, unprofessional and embarrassing.” George added, “As I speak, the social media space is awash with stories about a purported letter from the governor to the House of Assembly expressing his intention to visit the house to present the appropriation bill for the year 2025. “Nothing can be farther from the truth. We want to state categorically that there is no such letter before the House of Assembly nor any of its staff. “We challenge the governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgement copy of such a letter or any evidence that such a letter was sent or received by the House of Assembly. It is absolutely untrue and unfortunate. The general public must as a matter of importance ignore such claim. “It is now very obvious that if at all there was such a letter, the intended recipient was not the legislature, but the public, and the clear intention was to play to the gallery, whip up public sentiment, demonize the House of Assembly and set the public against us. This is demeaning, denigrating and perilously unfortunate.” George further said the governor frustrated all the House’s efforts to work with him to resolve the lingering crisis immediately after the Supreme Court judgment, particularly on the aspect of presenting the Appropriation Bill in the interest of the state. George stated, “Recall after the recent Supreme court judgment on the budget of our state, it became absolutely necessary for the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, to present the appropriation bill to the legislature for consideration and passage. “Also recall that immediately after the judgment, this house wrote to the governor, calling on him to immediately present the budget for speedy consideration. “It was our hope that by the 15th of March, 2025, we would have concluded the process of passing the appropriation bill into law, so as to give us enough time to approach the Federal Government to release funds meant for our state which have been seized by the judgement of the Supreme Court. “This we did in the interest of our dear state and in pursuit of peace, recognising that no government can function optimally without a harmonious co-existence between the executive and the legislature.” According to George, House staff members who attempted to deliver the letter to the Government House were assaulted and turned away. The Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers then resorted to using a courier service, but the governor still did not respond. He added, “The governor did not heed to our call, nor did he demonstrate any intention to. “Recall again that the judgment of the Supreme Court invalidated the appointment of most of the commissioners of the state. To bridge this gap and avoid a vacuum, this house immediately wrote to the Governor to submit the list of commissioners for immediate screening. “Our letter was again rejected at the government house and we once again resorted to deliver the mail through a courier service. Rather than heed our call, the governor instructed them to go to court against us, which they have now done. “The governor went further to instruct all ministries, agencies and departments of government not to receive any correspondence from the Rivers State House of Assembly nor communicate with us in any manner”. George said the governor must be reminded that the House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive and its members are not his slaves, bondservants and serfs. “We are an independent arm of government in line with the principles of horizontal separation of powers as expressed in Section 4, Section 5, and Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. “It is in responding to the attitude that the supreme court said in its judgement,” George said. He said the Assembly was the worst hit in the ongoing crisis, lamenting that the lawmakers had suffered untold hardship insisting that the governor must be stopped from extending such punishment to Rivers people. George said, “This Assembly has borne the brunt of this crisis. We have endured immense hardship. We have been battered almost beyond our carrying capacity. We have been punished unduly and unfairly for trying to perform our constitutional duties. “Our governor must not extend this punishment to Rivers people. No, please no. We must not allow it. “We have seen hell: Our hallowed chamber was burnt down by the governor. The House of Assembly Complex was brought down by the Governor, totally demolished alongside our personal effect and belongings. “Our Speaker’s residence was brutally attacked. Our residential quarters was brutally invaded by the governor.” He warned
Controversial TikToker, Murja Kunya arrested for Naira mutilation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano State has arrested controversial TikToker, Murja Ibrahim Kunya on charges of Naira mutilation and abuse, specifically for spraying money—an act that violates Nigerian law. NEW DAILY PRIME gathered that the popular TikTok star, who has had brushes severally with law officers, was arrested by EFCC operatives at a social event on Sunday. A source within the commission confirmed to Freedom Radio Kano that Murja is currently in EFCC custody. The EFCC has been intensifying its crackdown on individuals who engage in the indiscriminate spraying of money at events such as parties and birthday celebrations. In recent times, the commission also arrested other TikTok influencers, including Al’amin G-Fresh and Ashir Idris, on similar charges. As of now, neither the EFCC nor Murja Ibrahim Kunya’s legal representatives have issued an official statement regarding the matter.
TRAGIC! Police inspector shoots self dead in Ogun
In mysterious circumstances, a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, has reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a ceramics company in Igbesa, Ogun State, where he was stationed as part of the security team. Confirming the story on Sunday, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, said the tragic incident took place on Thursday. The Public Relations Officer said that another officer, Tolorunloju Stephen, from the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, discovered the situation upon his return from Ikeja at around 1:20 p.m. Odutola said Stephen found Oloyede resting his head on a table inside the security office. When he inquired about his condition, Oloyede reportedly assured him that he was fine. However, further details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear. Odutola said Stephen then placed his bag and pistol on the table and stepped into the restroom. Moments later, a gunshot was heard. Odutola stated that Stephen allegedly found Oloyede lying in a pool of blood. Thr PPRO said, “With the help of private security personnel, the wounded officer was immediately taken to Ota General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. “Police officers visited the scene, and the deceased’s pistol was recovered. His body has been deposited at Ota General Hospital for autopsy, while we have begun notifying his family.” She disclosed that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran for further investigation.
I’m not dumping APC for SDP, says ex-Senate President, Lawan
Senator Ahmad Lawan, who was the President of the 9th Senate, has denied reports and posters in circulation insinuating that he is set to leave the ruling party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The former senate president has restated his loyalty and commitment to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District and presently chairs the Senate Committee on Defence, declared in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo and released on Sunday that “the reports are entirely false, baseless, and without any merit.” The statement said Lawan “remains a steadfast and loyal member of the APC, a party he has proudly associated with and contributed to since its formation”, adding that ”he remains a key stakeholder in the APC and will continue to work with the party and the government to ensure the success of their collective goals.” “For the record, throughout his political career spanning twenty-five years as a member of the National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan is one of Nigeria’s few politicians with no defection record since inception. “In 1999, he was elected into the House of Representatives; and transitioned to the Senate in 2007, on the platform of the All People’s Party (APP), which was later renamed ‘All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP)’. “The ANPP was amongst the three minority parties that merged to birth the All Progressives Congress on 6th February, 2013. “Senator Lawan is a firm believer in the vision and principles of the APC, and he continues to work tirelessly with other party leaders and members to strengthen the party and advance its agenda for the betterment of our nation,” it stressed. The statement further reiterated the full support of the former Senate President for Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, “in his commendable efforts to deliver good governance and improve the lives of the people of the state”, saying that he remains committed to working with him to achieve the shared vision of a prosperous state. It also expressed Lawan’s strong support for the policies and reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, declaring his believes in the administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria and addressing the challenges facing the nation. “We urge the general public, party members, and supporters to disregard these unfounded rumours and posters, as they are nothing but the handiwork of mischief-makers seeking to create unnecessary distractions and buzz for a mapped out political agenda,” the statement pleaded. It added that “Lawan remains focused on his responsibilities as a lawmaker and a leader, and he is committed to supporting the APC-led administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in delivering good governance and sustainable development to all Nigerians.”
