Northern politicians and some of their Southern allies, seeking for better relevance in the post-Yar‘Adua’s era, are directing arrows at the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and other potential rivals, Vanguard learnt, weekend.

At least, three choice properties believed to have been acquired by the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa,with alleged stolen public funds, have been traced by the Economic and other Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC)

That medical trip was coming barely three months after the President went on the same mission to Saudi Arabia. He had also been there for same purpose about a year ago.

The much-touted good response to treatment by President Umaru Yar’Adua may not be the whole truth, after all, if authoritative feelers by Vanguard, are considered

Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Maurice Iwu said yesterday it is unlawful for political parties that do not have candidates to campaign, just as the commission released names of 24 governorship candidates and their deputies for the next February governorship election in Anambra State, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not fielding any candidate.

Amid growing concern and uncertainty over President Umar Yar’ Adua’s health, there are indications that the North is divided over a possible successor in 2011 just as the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, governors, particularly those of Northern extraction insist that the President’s successor must come from their fold.

The Federal Government is in a fixed on how to generate more non-oil income for next year.
The direct implication is that the noose will be tightened around tax evaders while some concessions are to be withdrawn.

A member of the extended family of President Umaru Yar’Adua, Hajia Binta Kuraje, yesterday rose in strong defence of her brother, for the first time, describing those calling for the resignation of the ailing President as corrupt.
Speaking on behalf of the family, in Kaduna, she lashed at the anti-Yar’Adua forces, explaining that they were opposed to the Federal Government’s anti-graft war.

Akure – THE Police in Ondo State, yesterday, quizzed the senator representing Ondo Central, Chief Gbenga Ogunniya and three members of the House of Representatives for allegedly being in possession of two boxes containing already thumb printed ballot papers during the bye-election into the Akoko South-West / South East constituency of the state.

The 2010 World Cup draws took place in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, before a world live and television audience of close to 200 million people with Nigeria, for the third time in 15 years, facing Argentina in Group B.