Betara’s Meeting with Tinubu in France Divides G7 in Intense Speakership Race

There are indications that a major division has emerged among the G7 aspirants vying for the position of Speaker ahead of the highly anticipated inauguration of the 10th House of Representatives.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the rift was triggered by a visit made by one of the contenders, Muktar Aliyu Betara, to President-elect Bola Tinubu in France.

Sources reveal that Tinubu, alongside Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima, successfully persuaded Betara to step down in favour of Tajudeen Abbas, who has received the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the next Speaker.

This trip has left other aggrieved aspirants feeling excluded from the unfolding scheme, catching them off guard and provoking discontent, The Nation reports.

However, Betara has shown unwavering determination, vowing to take on Abbas in a head-to-head battle on June 13.

According to insiders, he is relying on the support of incoming members of the House from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to secure victory.

Meanwhile, the opposition lawmakers, under the collective banner of Greater Majority, clarified that they have not yet endorsed any candidate for the Speakership.

This visit to France has further deepened the cracks within the G7 camp.

In response, Deputy Speaker Idris Wase made a counter-move by welcoming the President-elect back to the country at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The G7 aspirants for the Speakership position include Wase, Betara, Adamu Yusuf Gagdi, Aminu Sani Jaji, Sada Soli, Miriam Onouha, and Ado Doguwa.

However, Doguwa publicly declared his support for Abbas on May 17, leading to his exit from the group.

The remaining six aspirants are in disarray and have been working behind the scenes to undermine Abbas’s chances.

A reliable source disclosed, “All is not well in the G7 or now G6 camp since Betara visited the President-elect in France. Other aspirants fear losing out in the power struggle if the APC and the President-elect succeed in securing Abbas’s election as the 10th Speaker.”

Source: Politics Nigeria

Kogi 2023: PDP leaders dump Dino Melaye, join Yahaya Bello's camp

Members of the PDP from Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi state has defected to the ruling APC under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello.

The defectors were led to Bello’s office on Monday by former caretaker Chairman of Igalamela LGA, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, alongside Mr Adama Sani and Aikoye Anu, and other defectors from Ajaka Ward one and two.

Other notable PDP leaders who also defected to the APC included former President of the PDP National Youth Movement, Ahmed Mahmud, and Saidatu Ogohi, the Ajaka Ward 1 Women Leader.

The governor, who received the defectors at Government House Lokoja, expressed appreciation to them for recognizing the achievements of his administration and for choosing to join the APC.

The governor assured the former PDP members that they would have equal rights and opportunities within the APC, just like the existing members.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Abdullahi pledged their support for the APC governorship candidate, Usman Ododo against Dino Melaye and other opponents in the upcoming Kogi 2023 elections.

Abdullahi explained that their decision to join the APC was based on the remarkable achievements of the current administration, which had positively impacted on all local government areas in Kogi.

He specifically highlighted the rehabilitation of the Umomi-Akpagidigbo-Ugwolawo-Ajaka-Idah road, saying it was a significant infrastructure project in Igalamela.

Abdullahi further mentioned that Bello’s accomplishments had led to an influx of opposition party members joining the APC, and they were determined not to be left behind.

He emphasized that the APC, being a progressive party, welcomed all individuals who were willing to contribute to the development of the state.

Source: PM News

Ray Stevenson: Thor and Star Wars actor dies aged 58

The actor Ray Stevenson, who appeared in major TV shows such as Rome, Vikings and Dexter, has died aged 58.

He was known for roles in the Thor films and the Divergent series, as well as several UK TV shows like Band of Gold, Peak Practice and Murphy's Law.

His US-based publicist firm, Viewpoint, confirmed his death to the BBC but did not provide any further details.

No cause of death has been revealed but he was reportedly hospitalised during filming on the Italian island Ischia.

At the time of his death, he was working on an action movie, Cassino in Ischia.

His death was announced four days before his 59th birthday.

Stevenson was born in Northern Ireland but moved to England when he was eight years old.

His father was stationed with the Royal Air Force (RAF) near Lisburn, County Antrim, at the time of his birth in 1964.

His family relocated to Newcastle upon Tyne and he spent much of his childhood in England.

Stevenson was inspired to become an actor after seeing John Malkovich in a play at a West End theatre in London.

He studied acting at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and one of his first TV roles was in the Catherine Cookson drama The Dwelling Place.

He later appeared in a wide range of British TV shows including Waking the Dead, Dalziel and Pascoe and At Home with the Braithwaites.

Source: BBC

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