APC POSTPONES LAGOS GUBER PRIMARIES TO MONDAY, GIVES REASONS

Joe Igbokwe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in Lagos State has said the Lagos primaries was postponed until Monday because people have to go to church tomorrow. 

“People have to be in church on Sunday, so we have rescheduled until Monday unfailingly,” Mr Igbokwe told PREMIUM TIMES by telephone Saturday night. “There are other issues around logistics, but everything would be done by Monday.”

Mr Igbokwe did not immediately have an answer to PREMIUM TIMES questions about why the primaries would go on in other states but not Lagos and Imo, where internal wrangling amongst political heavyweights has dogged party affairs for weeks. 

The APC on Saturday, postponed the governorship primaries for Lagos and Imo States.

The party’s spokesperson, Yekini Nabena, told PREMIUM TIMES the two states would no longer hold their respective primaries on Sunday as previously scheduled.

The primaries would go on tomorrow in all other states but the two.

The announcement comes amidst stiff contest for the ruling party’s governor ticket between incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Jide Sanwo-Olu, who was until two weeks ago, considered an underdog in Lagos politics.

But 24 hours to the election, fast-emerging developments show Mr Sanwo-Olu was a shoo-in for the Lagos ticket.

He reportedly received the endorsement of 36 out of the state’s 40 lawmakers on Sunday afternoon. This came simultaneously as another governorship aspirant and challenger, Babatunde Hamzat, endorsed Mr Sanwo-Olu.

Mr Sanwo-Olu is widely believed to have the support of Bola Tinubu, the Lagos political juggernaut who commands tremendous loyalty amongst party members, especially the delegates who would vote in the primaries to choose the party’s flag-bearer.

In Lagos, crucial political meetings have been held since Friday night. One of them held at the residence of Mr Tinubu in Ikoyi, where an advisory committee reportedly urged Mr Ambode to stand down or be humiliated at the primaries. 

He reportedly rejected the advice, insisting that he would not back down for Mr Sanwo-Olu, a former state commissioner whom most of the state’s crucial political organs and pressure groups have endorsed. 

Another emergency meeting was also called for Saturday evening amongst party loyalists, and vice president Yemi Osinbajo, reportedly met with Mr Sanwo-Olu to seek an eleventh-hour truce with Mr Ambode. 

Mr Igbokwe did not comment on whether or not the postponement of Lagos primaries has anything to do with the standoff over Mr Ambode’s prospects of getting the party’s ticket to stand for re-election. 

This is the second time the APC would push back its primaries within a week. Originally, the primaries were scheduled to hold on Saturday, until a last-minute change was announced and a new date set for Sunday.

Credit - Premium Times

AFTERMARTH OF NYSC SCANDAL, MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS INDICATES READINESS TO DO NYSC

Nigeria’s minister of communications and a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Shittu, has said that he is willing to embark on the mandatory National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.

Mr Shittu, a lawyer, made this known in an exclusive interview with popular Ibadan-based broadcast journalist, Edmund Obilo, on his programme ‘State Affairs’.

Although Mr Shittu was later disqualified from the governorship race by the APC because of his failure to present his NYSC certificate on Thursday, the interview held earlier on Tuesday and was broadcast on Saturday.

PREMIUM TIMES had exclusively reported how Mr Shittu failed to carry out the mandatory one year of service.

The minister told this newspaper that he refused to serve because he was elected a lawmaker after graduating from the university, a reason faulted by the NYSC.

But speaking during the interview on Tuesday, barely 48 hours before he was disqualified by the party, Mr Shittu said he was willing to embark on the NYSC if it becomes necessary.

“Will you still like to go for Youth Service?” asked Mr Obilo. “Of course I will go; it will be a pleasant thing to go after I have been governor by the grace of God,” Mr Shittu said in response to the question. “Yes, why not?”

When Mr Obilo jokingly asked the minister whether he would like to serve in Daura, home of President Muhammadu Buhari, he responded in the affirmative.

ROTTEN TOMATOES CAN CAUSE CANCER - NAFDAC WARNS

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Friday warned Nigerians against the consumption of rotten tomatoes to forestall cancer.

Mrs. Christiana Essenwa, a Deputy Director with the agency, gave the warning in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha.

According to her, rotten tomatoes contain micro organisms that induce cancer.

She explained that “once tomatoes become rotten, it will have micro organisms, mostly fungi, and fungi in rotten tomatoes produce mycotoxins, which are deadly and induce cancer, and cause immune deficiency in man and animals.

“Mycotoxins are deadly, and can cause all sorts of poisoning in the body,” the director said.

She said that some research suggested that mycotoxins could also cause kidney damage.

According to her, some people think that rotten tomatoes, which are cheap, can be consumed after washing and heating.

She, however, stressed that the toxins could not be washed or killed by heating “because mycotoxins are heat-resistant.”

She, therefore, advised consumers to keep-off rotten tomatoes often sold cheap in the market, saying “it was better to spend money to prolong life than to use such money to buy death.”

MATCH REPORT - ARSENAL 2 WATFORD 0

Arsenal have developed a "winning mentality" under new manager Unai Emery, said defender Rob Holding after their seventh successive victory in all competitions.

Emery promised to return Arsenal to the European elite after they finished outside the Premier League top four in their final two seasons under predecessor Arsene Wenger.

A 2-0 victory over Watford at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, thanks to two goals in the last nine minutes, secured the Gunners' fifth league win in a row.

They now sit fifth in the table, behind fourth-placed north London rivals Tottenham on goal difference.

Emery pleased by Arsenal's patience

Defender Holding, 23, told Arsenal's website: "He said when he came in that he wanted to bring a winning mentality and I think you get that from wins and you go into each game confident.

"We're physically fit and we know that we can go and get the result."

Watford captain Troy Deeney criticised Arsenal's after their 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road last season.

But on Saturday he faced a more committed Arsenal, who prevented Watford from scoring in the league for the first time this season.

Alex Iwobi, introduced midway through the second half, was the catalyst behind Arsenal's win.

The Nigerian's driven low ball from the right resulted in Arsenal's opener, inadvertently turned in by Watford's Craig Cathcart.

Two minutes later Iwobi was involved in a one-two with Alexandre Lacazette, who delivered a low cross for Mesut Ozil to sidefoot home.

With the game goalless, Arsenal substitute keeper Bernd Leno made a great one-handed save to deny Deeney, while Isaac Success fired narrowly wide of the far Post. 

Arsenal players are eulogising about the Spaniard, they again look like a team capable of challenging for a top-four spot, while Ozil has rediscovered his scoring touch with three goals in four matches in all competitions.

Emery made two key tactical decisions against Watford, bringing on Iwobi for Aaron Ramsey and sticking by Lacazette in attack.

Ramsey, shook his head as he was replaced by Iwobi in the 63rd minute. The Wales international failed to influence the game, while Iwobi added pace to midfield to complement the speed of Arsenal's front two on the break

It was from two swift attacks that Arsenal broke the deadlock. Iwobi first sped down the left before delivering a cross that the unfortunate Cathcart converted under pressure from Lacazette.

Arsenal caught out Watford again moments later, Ozil capping a move that was typical of those created during the pomp of Wenger's reign.

Before the goals, Lacazette was the biggest threat on the pitch, but he wasted two good chances - a one-on-one with keeper Ben Foster and a header over the bar from eight yards.

However, Emery stuck by Lacazette - a £46.5m signing in 2017 - and he played a big part in the two goals.

EPL: WEST HAM PILE MORE MISERY ON MOURINHO'S MAN UNITED : MATCH REPORT

Manchester United recorded their worst league start in 29 years as Jose Mourinho's side were beaten by West Ham at London Stadium.

They have 10 points from seven games - the same as in 2013-14 under David Moyes - but inferior goal difference means this is their worst top-flight start since they picked up seven points in 1989-90.

The Hammers, with only one win in the preceding 19 top-flight meetings, were ahead after just five minutes through club-record signing Felipe Anderson's clever back-heeled finish from Pablo Zabaleta's cross - despite both players appearing to be offside.

And the hosts doubled their advantage on the brink of half-time in fortunate fashion, as Andriy Yarmolenko's shot cannoned in off Victor Lindelof and beyond the wrong-footed David de Gea.

Marcus Rashford responded for the largely pedestrian visitors on 71 minutes, but Marko Arnautovic restored the Hammers' two-goal lead less than three minutes later as Mark Noble's pass sliced through the visitors' unconvincing back-line. 

• Man Utd have 'big decisions to make' after latest loss
• The action as it happened

• Mourinho and Pogba's tense exchange

Mourinho's players fail to respond

Man Utd are lacking confidence - Mourinho

In a week that saw them dumped out at the third-round stage of the Carabao Cup by lower-league Derby, the talk surrounding Manchester United has focused as much on off-field troubles as it has on actual results.

Mourinho's relationship with £89m record signing Paul Pogba appeared strained once again on Wednesday, as a tense exchange between the two was captured by cameras at United's training ground. 

And, following the announcement that Pogba would not captain his side again, after criticising their approach to the home draw with Wolves last weekend, Mourinho reiterated his stance before this game, stating: "No player is bigger than the club."

Although French World Cup winner Pogba did start against West Ham, Alexis Sanchez - not thought to be injured - was left out of the squad entirely, along with Jesse Lingard, as United stumbled to defeat in east London.

The visitors appeared uninterested as Pellegrini's men exposed a shaky United defence, initially consisting of Scott McTominay, Chris Smalling and Lindelof, and United have now kept just one clean sheet in seven games having begun their last campaign with six shut-outs in the same period.

Romelu Lukaku struck the post with a header midway through the first half and Marouane Fellaini forced a magnificent save from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski 

But they were isolated moments and Pogba was brought off in the second half, having looked unable to influence the game, along with Anthony Martial, who failed to take the opportunity to impress as Mourinho's side struggled in attack.

Rather than receive a response from his players, Mourinho is now faced with bigger questions as his side drop a place to eighth in the table - after playing a game more than their rivals.

Impressive Hammers show progress

West Ham 3-1 Man Utd: Pellegrini happy and says 'today was the test we needed'

Manuel Pellegrini had endured a miserable start to life as West Ham manager as the Hammers lost their first four games - but that will now feel a distant memory after an impressive home victory.

A win over Everton backed up with a point against Chelsea last weekend saw the mood at London Stadium begin to lift - even before a thumping 8-0 midweek win over Macclesfield in the Carabao Cup.

Boosted by the return of Arnautovic from injury, they were full of determination and deserved their early lead courtesy of £36m Brazilian Anderson's excellent finish - ending a run of three home games without a goal.

Indeed, West Ham's front three of Anderson, Arnautovic and Yarmolenko shone throughout.

The immediate response to conceding, too, will be pleasing for the Chilean coach - a Premier League title winner with Manchester City - who was able to bring on academy graduate and scorer of two in midweek Grady Diangana for his league debut late on.

This was, without doubt, a huge result for the Hammers, who recorded just a second league win in 20 attempts against the Old Trafford side to climb to 12th.

EPL - MAN CITY GO TOP OF THE LOG WITH WIN OVER BRIGHTON: MATCH REPORT

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero sent Manchester City top of the Premier League with victory over Brighton.

City had to wait until nearest rivals Liverpool had drawn with third-placed Chelsea in Saturday's late game to discover whether their stay at the summit would be a brief one, but Pep Guardiola's side ended the day top on goal difference.

The outcome of this match was never in doubt once Sterling broke the deadlock after 29 minutes, sliding home Leroy Sane's cross after a swift counter-attack opened up the Seagulls defence for the first time.

The defending champions continued to dominate and Aguero made sure of the points on 65 minutes, firing home from a Sterling pass to finish a move he started.

City had 28 attempts at goal, while the visitors had just four.

And while Seagulls keeper Mat Ryan was kept busy throughout, the only action Ederson saw in the City goal was to comfortably collect an early looping header.

This was exactly the kind of emphatic win Guardiola will have wanted before his side attempt to get their Champions League campaign back on track against Hoffenheim this week.

City, surprisingly beaten at home by French side Lyon in their last home game, never looked like suffering a similar upset against the Seagulls.

Their Premier League record at the Etihad since the start of last season includes 20 wins from 23 games, and this was among the most convincing.

True, it took them time to find a way to break down a well-drilled Brighton side, but they had so much of the ball they always appeared in control.

City enjoyed 80% of possession and played 851 passes, compared to 210 by a Brighton side who sat deep and offered next to no threat on the counter-attack.

Brighton, who have not won on the road in the top flight since November 2017, are getting used to returning to the south coast empty-handed.

This was their 17th successive away league game without a win, and the 12th in that period in which they have failed to score.

There were few moments in this game when they looked like improving that record, and not many statistics offer them any encouragement to take away from Etihad Stadium.

The Seagulls had a late penalty appeal turned down when the ball appeared to hit Fernandinho's arm in the box, but otherwise their attacking threat amounted to three corners and six touches inside the City area. At the other end, the home side managed 61.

Chris Hughton's side as good as matched City in terms of work-rate, collectively covering only 1km less, but that was the only area on the pitch where there was not a noticeable gulf.

Their only positives came at the back - through the organisation of their defence and also a collection of fine saves by Ryan that helped keep the scoreline respectable.

EPL- DANIEL STURRIDGE LATE STUNNER RESCUES POINT FOR RAMPANT REDS AGAINST CHELSEA

Premier League season leaves Manchester City top of the table.

Eden Hazard's 25th-minute goal, struck low across Alisson, threatened to make him the Blues' match-winner against Liverpool for the second time in a week after his decisive strike in the 2-1 victory in the Carabao Cup at Anfield.

But the visitors wasted a host of opportunities and were facing their first league defeat of the season until substitute Sturridge curved a magnificent 25-yard left-foot drive high past Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with a minute of normal time left.

Jurgen Klopp's side fully merited their point, with the disappointing Mohamed Salah missing two chances and having a shot cleared off the line by Antonio Rudiger in the first half, before Xherdan Shaqiri missed an open goal and Roberto Firmino had a header swept off the line by David Luiz after the break.

Alisson also made crucial saves from Willian and Hazard as both teams remained unbeaten in the league but had to settle for a draw.

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri and Liverpool counterpart Klopp smiled and embraced warmly at the final whistle of a high-class encounter that left them with mixed emotions.

Sarri will have been disappointed to see Chelsea concede so late but will have taken much pleasure from aspects of a performance that confirmed they have the qualities to remain in the race at the top of the Premier League this season.

With this result on the back of the Carabao Cup in midweek, Sarri can look back on a highly satisfactory start to his Chelsea reign.

Klopp will feel the negative of the end of Liverpool's 100% start to the Premier League season - but he can reflect on a performance that resulted in so many chances created on opposing territory against a team they will rightly regard as close rivals in pursuit of the title.

He would have shaken his head in disbelief had Liverpool left Stamford Bridge empty-handed given the golden opportunities they let slip through their grasp. Liverpool, no matter how late they left it, deserved their point.

In the final reckoning, however, both Chelsea and Liverpool remain unbeaten with five and six league wins respectively - although the sight of Manchester City above them even after that superb opening is an ominous one.