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Reps Deputy Speaker Make Moves for Kanu’s Release

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Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has given indication that a political solution may be in the offing for the eventual release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The Deputy Speaker said he was in discussion with the President for a possible political solution, saying that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.

Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu who disclosed this in a statement, said Kalu was speaking at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme on FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State on Monday.

There have been insinuations that despite the launch of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), Kanu may have been abandoned to his fate.

But the Deputy Speaker, who said he can never abandon the IPOB leader, also gave indication that Igbo leaders will soon meet with the President to discuss a number of issues, including the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

He said: “The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconcilation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize  the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth.

“I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace.

“But we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.

“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.

“The last time I was with Mr. President, I discussed with Mr. President on the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him. And I know that one of the topics that will come up there is this our brother and also SEDC. We will also thank him for all the good things, the appointments he has been giving to Igbo people.

 “So, while  the court is doing what they are doing, I will not truncate legal processes but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. Any other thing can follow up after that.

“So, that is what is going on at the moment and those  who are close to him will assure you we are working closely on this mandate. Is it achievable? The answer is yes

“And I am happy with the statement that he made the last time he was in court. He said all those who are causing violence are not IPOB people, that anybody who is using his name to be causing violence is a hater of Ndi Igbo.

“Look, Igbos are not known for violence. We are known for trade, being creative. Call it Nollywood, we are the engine room that started the creative industry. We are not thieves, not known for violence. We put our energy towards creating wealth.

“We are not life killers and anybody coming now to introduce what is strange to us, it’s either the person is not an Igbo man or we should question where he is coming from.

“Burning things down is not how we show our strength. How we show our strength is that when we enter your community, we make wealth to better our lives. That’s our strength.

“I am happy he sounded that warning. I am happy we are coming together to achieve it. And I want to thank the people. Since we launched this programme about 4 months now, there is a little bit of peace and it is the combined effort of everyone coming together, understanding that it is true we need peace.

“Let’s be calm. Let’s support this government. And I want to thank the people of the south east for not joining the protest. The I want to thank Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for sending out messages and saying no, we should not protest too. Number one reason: The President from the south. He didn’t create the problem. He’s also giving us appointments. So, we must give him the support.

“As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us South East Development Commission, we  must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”

Speaking on the state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.”

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Man City Strike Twice Late on to Beat Bournemouth

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Manchester City scored two late goals to earn Enzo Maresca a win in his first Premier League game in charge – and deny Marco Rose the perfect start as Bournemouth boss.

The Cherries took the first-half lead through Marcus Tavernier, who was left in loads of space to slam in after Evanilson’s incisive low ball across the area.

Erling Haaland, usually at his most prolific in August, missed a host of chances for City as they looked set for a frustrating afternoon.

But Marc Guehi, playing in defensive midfield for only the third time in his career, nodded in Rayan Cherki’s corner with six minutes to go.

And it got even worse for Bournemouth when Josko Gvardiol guided a shot into the bottom corner in injury time.

The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but given after a video assistant referee review.

It was Bournemouth’s first defeat in any competition since January, ending their club-record 18-game unbeaten run.

City showed improvement from the side who were bashed 3-0 by Arsenal in last Sunday’s Community Shield – but for most of this game it looked as if Maresca was going to start with consecutive defeats.

Replacing a legend is always difficult – as David Moyes experienced when Sir Alex Ferguson left neighbours Manchester United in 2013 – and the late comeback will come as a major relief in their first Premier League game without Pep Guardiola in a decade.

City did not exactly promote from within when hiring Maresca, who quit as Chelsea manager at the start of 2026, but the Italian was Guardiola’s City assistant in 2022-23 and would perhaps be seen as something of a continuity candidate.

It was a very shaky start though and they went 1-0 down at home on the opening day of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 1995-96 – the season they ended up being relegated.

Maresca’s team selection confused many, with six players who have played most of their City games in defence starting on Sunday – including Guehi in midfield.

But all’s well that ends well and Guehi looked as if he had rescued a point before defender Gvardiol added two more from another Cherki pass.

Things would have been more comfortable if Haaland had brought his shooting boots.

The Norwegian has scored 22 goals in 14 Premier League games in the month of August – but failed to take any of his five chances.

Bournemouth fans would have feared a dip after enjoying the best season in their history last campaign. Sixth place took them into Europe for the first time ever.

And it was a surprise when boss Andoni Iraola announced in April he would be leaving in the summer – eventually joining Liverpool.

Ex-Salzburg and Leipzig boss Rose was confirmed soon after – replacing Iraola at the end of last season, giving him plenty of time to watch from a distance and get to know his new team.

Only one of the side who started against City was a new signing, with Portuguese defender Antonio Silva the replacement for Marcos Senesi, who left for Tottenham.

The Cherries showed plenty of the aggressive, positive play that they produced under Iraola thanks to such dangerous attackers on the break – including Rayan, Evanilson and Tavernier, who all linked up well for the opening goal.

Letting the lead slip late on will be hugely frustrating and ends their long unbeaten run, but Rose, and Cherries supporters, should still have seen plenty to encourage them from a game they would not have expected to win.

And if they had picked up Guehi from a corner maybe they would have done.

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Edo Assembly Dissolves Standing C’ttees, Constitutes Panel to Probe Ex-Speaker

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The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved all its standing committees and constituted an investigative panel to probe allegations levelled against the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, announced the decision during the plenary session.

He said that the dissolution became necessary to enable the house to “re-evaluate legislative duties, improve administrative efficiency and give members new committee experience”.

Idaiye subsequently inaugurated a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate Agbebaku over allegations of corruption, including inflated procurement costs for cars.

The committee, which was mandated to report back in two weeks, is chaired by Bright Iyamu.

Other members are representatives of Akoko Edo II; Ovia North East II; Etsako East; and Esan North East II.

Recall that Agbebaku resigned from office on Monday, August 17, following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety against him.

The house also received and adopted reports on the screening of nominees for key state commissions.

Dr David Osifo was confirmed as a member of the Edo Judicial Service Commission, while Oscar Onaiwu was confirmed as a member of the Local Government Service Commission.

The house also received a letter from Gov. Monday Okpebholo for the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Chairman and members of the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Shittu Shaibu was named to chair the screening committee for the nominees.

The house later adjourned sitting until August 19, 2026. 

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Brain Jotter Cries out after Harassment by Lagos Touts

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Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.

Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.

Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.

He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.

In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.

Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”

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