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Defection: APC Senators Hits 77 As Gov’s Planned Move Unsettle Party In Taraba

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The Senator representing Cross River North, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

His letter of defection was read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session during plenary on Tuesday.

Jarigbe’s defection brings the number of APC senators to 77.

Meanwhile, Governor Agbu Kefas’s anticipated defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stirred intense political debate in Taraba State, with many insiders viewing the move as a calculated attempt to neutralise powerful contenders such as Chief David Sabo Kente before the 2027 governorship race.

Political observers say the defection, already the subject of consultations between PDP and APC stakeholders in Abuja and Taraba, could drastically reshape Taraba’s political terrain.

Report suggests that agreements have been reached to grant automatic tickets to the governor and serving legislators, a development that could leave many long-time APC members sideline

“If this deal stands, it would mean that Kefas and other PDP defectors would have an open field, leaving committed APC members like Chief Kente without a level playing ground,” said Emmanuel James, an APC supporter in Ibi.

James added that “The governor is running into the APC to secure his political future, not necessarily to strengthen the party.”

Within APC circles, the development has triggered unease, especially among those who have long invested in building the party’s grassroots base.

Many members fear that Kefas’s entry could distort the internal balance of power and jeopardise the chances of loyal party men ahead of the 2027 primaries.

James Jonah, a politician in southern Taraba said there is already a growing suspicion in the APC that Governor Kefas move was to block Kente from getting the ticket of APC during the primaries.

Another APC loyalist, Dauda Bello argued that Kefas’s move, though politically strategic, could breed resentment.

“We have people like David Sabo Kente and Sani Danladi who sustained this party with their resources for years. If Kefas joins now and takes over, it will definitely cause a crisis,” he said.

Another party stalwart, Victor Lawal, described Kente, who is a sibling of Kefas’ political adviser, Josiah Kente, as a “formidable force” in Taraba politics whose influence extends beyond the APC.

“Kente’s grassroots support has always given the PDP sleepless nights,” Lawal said. “He’s been consistent, investing in the people through his DSK Foundation, and many view him as the natural candidate to lead APC in 2027.”

Both Kefas and Kente hail from Wukari Local Government in southern Taraba, where the governorship has been domiciled for over a decade.

Political analysts note that the southern zone is expected to complete its two-term cycle in 2027, making the region’s political rivalry even more intense, the report said.

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Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement 

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Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.

 

Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.

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Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup

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FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

 

The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.

Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.

Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.

The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.

The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.

Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.

The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.

According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.

For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.

The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.

The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.

The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.

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It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.

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Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.

 

According to Falana, the practice is illegal.

He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.

Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.

Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”

Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”

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