Carnival Calabar to host presidential candidates

The Cross River Government has invited all the Presidential candidates of political parties contesting in the 2019 general elections to take a week-long vacation from campaigns and participate in the annual event scheduled for Dec. 28.

The state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, disclosed this on Sunday in Calabar while flagging off the third and last dry run of the 2018 Calabar carnival which has the theme `Africanism’.

Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Ayade said that the carnival has no political or religious affiliation, adding the show was open to all.

“This is the final dry-run and the event is looking as if today is the grand finale,” Prof. Esu said.

“This shows that our first and second dry run was successful.

“I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of the state governor to invite all the candidates of various political parties to come for this year’s carnival.

“We want them to take off one week rest from their campaigns and come and enjoy themselves. Carnival Calabar does not know any political party or religion.

“When you come to Calabar for the carnival, you are as free as air. I will like to invite them to come here and relax and as the people see them, maybe those who are able to dance better may attract more votes.

“So, we want to see the candidates who can come here and rock it better, in such a way some people may be encouraged to vote for them.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, said that the carnival has become the melting pot of Africa’s hospitality.

Onah said that the `wonders on wheels’ had earlier had their dry-run where over 200 bikers participated.

He said that the state had sustained the hosting of the largest street party in Africa for a record 14 years, adding that it has promoted the talents of budding artists and has equally united the people of Cross River and Nigeria at large.

The Chairman said that the five competing carnival bands and others were designed to tell the African story from the African perspective.

He commended DSTV and MTN Nigeria for their partnership and support for the carnival over the years.

The President of Federation of Tourism Association, Alhaji Sabo Saleh, said that the association was in the state to underscore and study the carnival with a view to find areas of partnership and support.

Saleh said that tourism plays an important role in the economy of any nation or state, adding that the association under his leadership would continue to support Calabar carnival because Cross River has placed Nigeria’s tourism on the world global map.

“This is one of the biggest events that is coming out of Africa and it is sponsored by the Cross River Government.

“They are doing this to support the local people because tourism is multi-faceted and this helps the local economy to grow.

EPL: Mourinho reveals why Manchester United lost 3-1 to Liverpool

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has admitted that his side lost 3-1 to Liverpool on Sunday, because the Reds are a better team.
Sadio Mane gave the hosts the lead, before Jesse Lingard pounced on Alisson Becker’s error to equalize.
Jurgen Klopp introduced Xherdan Shaqiri from the bench and the Swiss forward scored twice to secure victory and ensure they return to the top of the Premier League.
“They had a strong team. They showed they had the stronger team. It’s hard to accept the way the goals happened. We couldn’t cope with their fantastic intensity in the first 20 minutes, after that we were calm.
“If you want to speak about fortunate then you speak about their second and third goal. Our goal was the result of a good action. Their keeper made what I call a half mistake,” Mourinho told Sky Sports afterwards.

Buhari: Why I Refused to Sign Electoral Bill

•President’s refusal to sign bill threat to nation’s existence, says Wike
By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate, explaining why he refused to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.
Buhari’s clarification is coming as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his refusal to sign the amended Electoral Act is a threat to the country’s existence as it will generate deadly political tension in 2019.
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the president’s letter at yesterday’s plenary.
Buhari’s letter to the senators reads: “Pursuant to Section 58 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the Senate, my decision on  December 6, 2018 to decline Presidential Assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.
“I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2019 general elections, which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.
“Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.
 “This leads me to believe that it is in the best interest of the country and our democracy for the National Assembly to specifically state in the Bill that the Electoral Act will come into effect and be applicable to elections commencing after the 2019 general elections.”
Continuing, Buhari explains, “It is also important for the following drafting amendments to be made to the Bill:
”A. Section 5 of the Bill, amending section 18 of the Principal Act should indicate the subsection to which the substitution of the figure ’30” for the figure “60” is to be effected.”
“B. Section 11 of the Bill, amending Section 36 should indicate the subsection in which the provision is to be introduced.
“C. Section 24 of the Bill which amends Section 85(1) should be redrafted in full as the introduction of the “electing” to the sentence may be interpreted to mean that the political parties may give 21 days’ notice of the .. intention to merge, as opposed to the 90 days provided in Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act which provides the provision for merger of political parties.”
“D. The definition of the term “Ward Collection Officer” should be revised to reflect a more descriptive definition than the capitalized and undefined term “Registration Area Collation Officer.”
The President concluded his letter with greeting to the lawmakers: “Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After Saraki finished reading the President’s letter, Senate Leader moved that all items on the Order Paper be stood down to another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded the motion and the plenary adjournedto Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Meanwhile, Wike, has declared that the refusal of President Buhari to sign bill is a threat to the nation’s existence as it will generate deadly political tension in 2019.
The governor also declared that the essence of not signing the Electoral Act by Buhari was for him to rig the 2019 elections.
Wike spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday during the visit of the Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo.
“This present administration does not want the existence of one Nigeria. We don’t know if there will be Nigeria after the 2019 General elections.
“The National Assembly tried to cure the defects of the Electoral Act that led to controversies during the 2015 elections. After the passage, the President kept on giving countless excuses why he wouldn’t sign the amended Electoral Act.
“The whole essence of not signing the Electoral Act is to rig the 2019 General elections. And in the plot to rig the 2019 elections, Rivers State comes first and Akwa Ibom State is the second on their list,” Wike explained.

EPL: Iwobi reveals who caused Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Southampton

Arsenal star, Alex Iwobi has blamed himself and his teammates for their 3-2 loss to Southamton on Sunday.
The defeat ended Arsenal’s 22 games unbeaten run.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery was forced into changes ahead of the game and started with a back three of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Laurent Koscielny, and Granit Xhaka.
Southampton’s Danny Ings made the most of the makeshift defence in the first half, twice giving his side the lead with his head.
Two goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Arsenal twice draw level after Ings’ goals, once in the first half and once at the start of the second.
However, Charlie Austin’s late goal ensured Ralph Hasenhuttl picked up a crucial first win as Saints boss.
Speaking after the clash, Iwobi lamented his side’s lacklustre performance.
“We weren’t concentrated through the 90 minutes,” he told Sky Sports.
“There were spells where we didn’t defend well as a group.
“Southampton deserve credit.
“They had a game plan and they stuck to it, but it’s disappointing by us.
“We’re frustrated the unbeaten run is over.
We had chances to win the game.
“But we should give ourselves some credit for going on the run.
“Now we have to keep going and try to go on another run.”