BlackBox Nigeria

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The Lagos State Peoples Democratic state primary election is now in top gear at Yard58, Oregun, Lagos.

#08:45 Mushin is the 15th local government to be voting as voting gradually comes to an end.

#08:30pm about 7 local governments have voted including Badagry and Alimosho...voting continues!

#07:55 Female candidate withdraws Moments before voting commenced, the only female contestant in the poll Mrs. Modupe Chukwuneke has announced her pulling out of the election. She cited several reasons saying she was giving her support to one of the other leading contenders...

*Late update»»»Aspirant came to the venue wearing a bullet proof vest It was indeed quite an incident when PDP guber aspirant Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi arrived the venue wearing a bullet proof vest. BOG simply revealed that due to events that occurred earlier on, he was simply securing himself... “I am wearing the bulletproof vest because I am afraid of being shot at but I am urging all my supporters to come and not be intimidated. “There is fear of intimidation and some people in the party want to intimidate the delegates but we will ensure that everyone will vote fearlessly and as it pleases them", Gbadamosi stated!

#07:30pm»» voting commences amidst tension in the air

#06:50pm aspirants are now sitted with top contenders Musiliu Obanikor and Jimi Agbaje sitting beside each other...voting yet to commence!

#05:15 another top aspirants for today's primaries, Jimi Agbaje just arrived to loud cheers from supporters!

*Accreditation is now ongoing...

*Nomalcy has returned at the venue after police men fired shots in the air and tear gas canisters. It was is also reported that some hoodlums were earlier seen sharing guns from a bag outside the venue.

Combatant police officers at the venue

#04:15 reports say heavy gunshots is currently being fired by suspected thugs at the venue...

#Bode George arrives...
One of the first dignitaries to arrive was party chieftain, Chief Olabode George who came in company of his lovely wife, Roli Adeniyi. They were accompanied by police escorts numbering up to about half a dozen.


#KoroBuchi's entrance...
Moments ago, one of the leading candidates, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro also made a grand arrival to the venue amidst cheers from supporters.

The venue is filled to capacity and supporters of the two leading candidates, Jimi Agbaje and Musiliu Obanikoro are chanting songs in praises of their principals to the detriment of the other.
An altercation was also earlier witnessed when some journalists were engaged in war of words with some policemen attached to the venue

* Our sources also reports that some supporters (or thugs) of one of the aspirants earlier on beat up a supporter of the opposing aspirant...

Special thanks to KennyRhoda, PorscheClassy and the BBN Crew on ground for the updates»»»

More details coming...stay glued to this space...

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BlackBox Nigeria can announce that former Minister of State for Education, Mr Nyesome Wike has emerged as the candidate of the People's Democratic Party in Rivers states after a landslide victory over four others.

Mr. Nyesome polled a total of 1,083 votes of of the available 1,408 while the second place person has merely 21 votes. This follows reports that about 16 aspirants earlier boycotted the primaries and are now threatening to defect to the APC.

Wike would now face Hon. Peterside of the APC in the 2015 governorship election in the state.

In a related development, the PDP National Working Committee has cancelled today's primary election in Ogun state over what remains uncertain circumstances, a later date would be announced.

In Lagos, an earlier altercation between men of the media and the Nigeria police almost marred activities at the venue after a police officer said something annoying to a group of journalists.

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A 2011 Governorship candidate of the People's Democratic party in Lagos State, Dr. Ade Dosumu has emerged a candidate of the party for Lagos Central Senatorial district. Dosumu defeated the 2007 governorship candidate of the Aliance for Democracy(AD) Hakeem Gbajabiamila with 130 to 83 votes. Another aspirant who is a son of Elder statesman Tunji Braithwaight; Olumide came a distant third with 7 votes.

The senate President, Senator David Mark however got an automatic ticket after his main rival Mr. Onoja stepped down at the final minutes of the election.

Former minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah also got a Senatorial Ticket in her Anambra state while Benue Govenor, Gabriel Suswan also emerged a Senatorial candidate after the withdrawal of former PDP Chairman, Barnabas Gemade.

In Ogun State, controversial politician and Chairman, Organising and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Buruji Kashamu won the Ogun East Senatorial ticket. He defeated two others with a maddive majority following the withdrawal former Governor Gbenga Daniel from the race.

Also, a former deputy Governor in Ekiti State, Mrs Abiodun Olujim have won the PDP ticket for Ekiti South Senatorial district.

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So far! It has been a great experience for Nigerian entertainers who have decided to venture into the murky waters of of politics because so far only Desmond Eliot in Lagos and Tony 'One week' Muonagor in Anambra has been aboe to clinch their party tickets ahead of next year's election. For the others, it appears it's an impossible mission.

9ice Looses To Monarch's Son


Despite his heavy preparations, branding and distribution of several souvenirs, the jouney has ended for Abolore Akande on a very sad note as he was over the weekend defeated by the son of his town monach, Prince Akeem Oyewunmi.
Adigun contested for the Ogbomosho North constituency tocket but lost to the more politically popular Ogbomoso Prince who would now be contesting on the platform of the APC at next year's polls.

Kate Henshaw...Politics is beyond Nollywood,PDP shows her

For delectable actress; Kate Henshaw, she must have learnt that politics is absolutely nothing like getting movie roles or translating scrpits in front of the camera as she lost out of the PDP primaries during the weekend. Kate lost to the incumbent Hon. Bassey Otu as they slugged it out for the ticket to contest the election for their Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency.
However, unlike some of her colleagues Ms Henshaw showed that she might have gained some
political maturity as she quickly congratulated the winner on social media accepting that the election was rancour free.

Funke Adesiyan, Muma Gee's fate still unclear
As at the time of filling this report, it was still unknown if the duo of yoruba actress; Funke Adesiyan and musician; Gift 'Muma Gee' Eke emerged successful in their quest to clinch their party tickets. While Adesiyan was contesting to get a ticket to the Oyo State House of Assembly, Muma Gee was seeking to get the nod to represent Abua / Odual and Ahoada constituency of Rivers state.

D1, Tony Tetuila, KSB, all crashed out too
Earlier on, the trio of Dayo D1 Adeneye, Tony Tetuila and Kenny Saint Brown who incidentally are all connected to the prestigious Kennis Music record label were all schemed out of the State House of Assembly primary elections held last Tuesday. While Tony Tetuila reportedly thrown out of the Primaries as his name was not qualified for delegates to chose from, reports say Dayo Adeneye and Kenny St. Brown lost the battle to powerful forces within their party. It was reported that Otunba Adeneye was prevailed upon to step down for an associate of the Ogun state governor while Kenny lost out to the son of APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Folajimi Mohammed.

Kenneth Okonkwo Too...
For popular actor, Kenneth Okonkwo who was initially contesting to get the PDP ticket for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, he quickly stepped down earlier last week after the Governor of Enugu state openly declared support for another candidate who happens to be a former chairman of the party in the state. Nothing is however know of his political future!

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As at last count, 13 House of Representatives members on APC platform will not return when the eighth Assembly convene in June, 2014 from Lagos state.

Six of them: Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ikorodu Federal Constituency; Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Lagos Island Federal Constituency 1; Monsuru Owolabi, Lagos Mainland Federal Constituency; Dauda Kako-Are, Mushin Federal Constituency 1; Ganiyu Hamzat, Mushin Federal Constituency 2; and Rafeequat Onabamiro, Badagry Federal Constituency; all withdrew from the race. Seven of them were beaten in the primary conducted today, Sunday, 7th December, 2014.

The shock of the primary was the defeat of Deji Jakande in Mushin Federal Constituency 1.

He was humiliated by immediate past Chairman of Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, Taofeek Adeyemi Alli.

Alli scored a whopping 235 delegate votes while Jakande was left with a paltry eight votes.

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu will not be smiling right now. His son, Fouad was beaten in the race to pick APC ticket for Lagos Island Federal Constituency 1 after the withdrawal of the incumbent, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas from the race.

The ticket was won by current Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, on Youths, Sports and Social Development, Dolapo Badru.

To pour salt on the Akiolus' injury, Fouad came a distant fourth in the race with 21 votes. Badru had 128 votes; Fatade, 67; and Ayo, 58.

Another incumbent, Alao Batola was also defeated by Hon. Jide Jimoh for the Lagos Mainland federal Constituency ticket.

In Ojo federal constituency, immediate chairman of the local government Mr. Yinki Durosinmi also won the incumbent, Hon. Suarau to emerge candidate.

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It was a jolly ride for the governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio as he emerged as the candidate of the PDP for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district after the incumbent senator, Aloysius Etok honourably stepped down.

Akpabio however contested against and defeated two others in what can be described as an easy ride.
While stepping down only moments before the primaries held, Senator Etok acknowledged Akpabio for persuading those who challenged him when he was seeking a second term in office to step down.
He further urged all his supporters to give full support to the Governor.

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While most people in the entertainment industry might have gotten their fingers burnt in their quests to obtain their party tickets, the reverse was the case for Entertainment mogul and Chairman of Silverbird Television as he emerged as the candidate of the PDP for the Bayelsa East Senatorial district. 

Ben Murray-Bruce who is also a former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority defeated three others overwhelmingly to be declared winner. While Bruce polled 138 votes, his close rival Mr. Anthony Ikoli (SAN) had 11 votes. Others didn't do any better as Mr. Nelson Belief got two votes and Mrs. Irene Digitemie Opuene polled four votes.

Also in Bayelsa, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas, Downstream Sector, Senator Emmanuel Paulker won three others to get the chance to recontest for his Bayelsa Central Senatorial district.

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The Nigerian military has released the detained Russian cargo plane which they seized yesterday morning after France admitted ownership of the aircraft.
It said that the flight was covered by a diplomatic clearance given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, noting that the Autonov 124 Russian commercial plane was forced to land at the Kano airport because of dense air traffic at Ndjamena airport, Chad.

A statement from the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, on Sunday, stated that the Antonov plane had to divert to an alternate international airport and the  closest airport facility being Kano, the Russian crew decided to fly there, to refuel, and to take off again to reach Njamena Airport.

He denied that the plane was carrying arms and ammunition, stressing that it was conveying two light Gazelle helicopters, spare parts and maintenance items belonging to the French Army.
Labriolle further explained that due to the nationality of the aircraft, and the nature of the cargo, airport authorities in Kano, decided to check the flight plan, the clearance and the cargo manifest before authorizing the plane to leave.

In a related development, sources at the Aminu Kano International Airport, where the plane was detained has revealed that a former Borno state governor who has been linked to sponsoring the deadly Boko Haram sect, Ali Modu Sheriff visited the Kano airport at about 10 p.m. on Saturday and held discussions with some officials on the possibility of releasing the aircraft.

It was learnt that on arriving the airport, officials allowed the former governor a secret tour of the aircraft, during which he inspected its consignments.
"I was there and I saw him and two airport security officials accompanying him to inspect the plane. I saw the black helicopters and two bullet proof SUVs," one of our sources said. "I also heard him (Mr. Sheriff) say verbal directive had been given from Abuja for the release of the plane but that authorities of the airport were insisting on written directive."

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The prestigious Future Awards Africa held over the weekend in Lagos to so much poise and pageantry but the major highpoint of the event was when songbird Bukola Elemide popularly known as ASA climbed the stage to dish out some of her globally acclaimed tunes.

Adorning a SS 15 collection from Iconic Vanity, Asa performed hits from her recent album Bed of Stone including 'Eyo' and 'Satan be gone'.

A model for Iconic vasity with the same outfit

BlackBox Nigeria has obtained that the Senatorial ambition of former House of Representatives member and Chief of Staff to the Edo state Governor, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon might be facing major challenges as the All Progressive Congress holds its primary election today in the state.

Obahiagbon faces a tough task as he seeks to obtain the Edo South Senatorial ticket ahead of Samson Osagie who is currently the minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives.

It was also gathered that Secretary to the Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere is challenging incumbent Domingo Obende for the Edo North Senatorial ticket.

In Edo Central, Chief Francis Inegbeneki. Prince Joe Okogie and Theo Oko battles for who get the senatorial ticket.

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AHEAD the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries today in Lagos, the party's Elders' Council are of the opinion that Senator Musiliu Obanikoro's aspirations for the governorship seat is not feasible.

The PDP Elders' Council, Lagos State, headed by Chief Olabode George, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, among others said Obanikoro was not electable.

Ogunlewe, who addressed newsmen on Saturday night, at the Ikoyi residence of Chief George, noted that the group and Lagosians were quite familiar with the image of Obanikoro, as well as his records, declaring that "never again; we will never again return to Babylon."

The former minister, who vowed that Senator Obanikoro would not be picked by delegates at the PDP governorship primaries holding today to fly the party's flag in the 2015 poll, however, counselled him to "be a game player and not a game spoiler."

The PDP chieftain, while alleging that the leadership of the party had it on authority that the governorship aspirant was working for the opposition, said his group came about its position on Obanikoro in the interest of the electorate and Lagosians in general.

"We are thinking about the general election, what would you do as electorate? What would you as electorate do? You would not vote for us, why are you pretending?" Ogunlewe said in reaction to a question.

He further said: "We will never pick him, we will never return to Babylon. We will do what the electorate want. We will never, never, never pick him. I have answered you, we will never return to Babylon, never.

"We will not vote for him, never. The leadership has agreed that it would not subject the people of Lagos State to that kind of impunity again, never. Never, because we are thinking of the electorate, a lot of us; and a party that does not think of the electorate is a foolish party. And what are the electorate saying? You as part of the electorate in this state, which type of governor do you want to work with? You are not going to say no, no you don't care; which school will your children attend?

" We are all stakeholders for God's sake, don't let us plunge our state into disrepute again. There is nothing I am saying that you don't know about. You can ask questions the way you like, but I know that you know in your heart of heart the type of governor you want for this state.

"We are in this battle on behalf of the electorate, I am not talking about myself. To protect the electorate, we don't want to put the lives of the electorate in jeopardy.

"We will never return to Babylon. Koro is not electible."

Speaking further, Ogunlewe said the party was poised to produce a governorship candidate, who would be believed by Lagosians, adding that the lucky candidate must be a professional with appropriate pedigree, among others.

According to him, the PDP would not by anyway go lower to pick anybody who possessed qualities lower than Fashola's.

This is just as he declared that Dr Adetokunbo Pearse, who claimed to have been hounded out of Lagos governorship race, was a migrant politician and itinerary lecturer who did not obtain expression of interest form.

"He didn't belong to the PDP, he had been in ACN; he is a migrant politician. He should tell us which local government he belongs.

"We don't want hooligans again that will be carrying guns and fighting on the streets. We have passed that stage. We must move forward, Lagos is the centre of economic activities," Ogunlewe added.

Ogunlewe, while expressing strong view on statement credited to Senator Obanikoro that he was contesting the governorship primaries against the former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George, and not Agbaje, described such statement as unfair and equally uncalled for, noting that Obanikoro was merely biting the finger that fed him.

He reiterated that party leadership and members were no more ready to answer questions concerning character and pedigree of party candidate for election.

He, therefore, cautioned all the aspirants to give due respect to elders and leaders of the party as demanded by Yoruba culture, adding that respect was part of Yoruba culture.