
Sports
Gulak: Uzodimma fires back at Fani-Kayode..’Nigerians know what you represent’


Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has replied former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for insinuating that he (governor) had a hand in the murder of Ahmed Gulak, former Special Adviser to former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Gulak, was shot dead in Owerri on Sunday, on his way to catch a flight at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, after a visit to the state, sparking off a lot of reactions amongst Nigerians, with Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, exchanging hot words over the issue.
Joining in the fray, Fani-Kayode, debunked that the late All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was killed by the Indigenous People Biafra (IPOB), through the Eastern Security Network (ESN), saying it was nonsensical to make the suggestion.
Regardless of the report by the Imo State Police Command, on the same day that they wiped out the ESN gunmen, who carried out the attack, the former Minister said the governor had some questions to answer over the matter.
Using his Twitter handle, he posed some questions, which he directed at the governor, which read, “Why did the Gov. of Imo not provide security for Gulak? Why was Gulak dressed in jeans & a baseball cap as if he was in disguise?
“I have known Gulak for 15 years, I never saw him in jeans and a baseball cap. Why did he sneak out of the hotel in a car hire without any security?
“Who were the men in the car with him and who was the driver? How come we have not heard from them? Why did the Gov. not supply Gulak with a car to drop him at the airport? Is it true that they fell out badly over some unresolved issues?
“Why did the governor quickly say that this was a political assassination within 24 hours of the incident? How did he manage to conduct this investigation in record time?
“Why did they try to give the impression that IPOB and ESN killed Gulak & how can we be sure that those they killed later & claimed were Gulak’s assasins really were Gulak’s asssassins?
“These are just some of the questions that need to be answered. Whether they are answered or not one thing is clear to me: the suggestion that IPOB or ESN killed Gulak is nonsensical and absurd.
“I do not believe that for one minute. Someone is trying to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it.”
But in a quick riposte, the governor gave it back, describing the former Minister as flippant character, with intent to reap as usual from the unfortunate situation, while a groundswell of credible Nigerians were in sadness.
Conveying his position through his spokesman, Oguwike Nwachukwu, the governor, said: “Fani-Kayode in his characteristics of always trying to reap from ugly situations has taken to his Facebook wall to make insinuations that suggest he does not want those behind Gulak’s assassination unveiled.
“Explanations had been offered that Gulak was not Governor Uzodimma’s guest as of the time he was killed in Imo, but had come to the State on the invitation of the organisers of the 1999 Constitution Review Committee of the Senate as a Consultant.
“The questions are: Why should what Gulak wore be the issue to Fani-Kayode? Why should he fret at the mention of political assassination? Is it out of place for desperate politicians, like Fani-Kayode, to engage miscreants to harm their political opponents? How would those the Police said they killed and that they have reasonable suspicion they were involved in the assassination of Gulak, detract from the fact that they may have been hired/used?
“Governor Uzodimma, as the Chief Security Officer of Imo State, gets briefed on every situation in the State and Fani-Kayode knows that, yet the former embattled Minister decided to raise issues that tend to portray him as supporting those who killed Gulak.
“It is even laughable that Fani-Kayode was talking about falling out “badly over some unresolved issues,” and you ask yourself if he has any moral justification criticising merchants of fake news, rumour-mongering and blackmail when he is the arrow head.
“Ordinarily, one would not have bothered responding to the balderdash Fani-Kayode posted on his Facebook wall because Nigerians know the character that is in him, but for the unsuspecting members of the public who may not know the reason behind his comments.
“Investigations into the killing of Gulak are still ongoing, and God willing, all those behind the dastard act would be unmasked for Nigerians to see.”
Uzodinma, however cautioned Fani-Kayode and others to desist from heating the polity, allow police to investigate Gulak’s killing.
Uzodinma also warned Femi Fani-Kayode and his ilk to desist from raising issues over Gulak’s assassination since they are not in power.
Sports
BREAKING: Manchester United Sack Michael Carrick As Manager

Manchester United have reportedly sacked Michael Carrick following an internal review conducted by the club over the past 48 hours.
Carrick was informed of the decision on Thursday, November 12, 2026, bringing his spell in charge of the Premier League giants to an end.
The decision reportedly followed a series of internal discussions and an assessment of the club’s current situation, with the management deciding to part ways with the former Manchester United midfielder.
Carrick’s departure marks another managerial change at Old Trafford as the club looks to chart a new course and revive its fortunes.
The club is yet to officially announce his departure.
Sports
Toxic Politics: NFF Officials Block Peter Obi From Greeting Flamingos

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting members of the country’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, at an airport.
Obi claimed that the officials were afraid of losing their jobs if they allowed him to approach and welcome the players.
The former Anambra State governor made the allegation in a post on his X handle on Monday, expressing concern over what he described as the growing culture of toxic politics in Nigeria.
According to him, he arrived at the airport around 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he sighted the Flamingos, who had just returned to the country and were preparing to leave the airport.
Obi said he subsequently asked his Protocol Officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could approach the players and congratulate them.
However, he alleged that the NFF officials turned down the request, insisting that he should not be allowed to interact with the team.
“I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs,” Obi wrote.
He further claimed that the incident was not the first time he had been prevented from interacting with members of a Nigerian national team.
Recalling an incident on March 25, 2025, Obi said that when he travelled to Uyo for a World Cup qualifying match, the state governor warmly received him at the VIP stand.
He alleged that after the match, when other government officials went to greet the players, he was prevented from doing the same, with officials reportedly citing fears of losing their jobs.
Obi expressed concern that what he described as the culture of toxic politics had continued to worsen since 2025, adding that the situation appeared to deteriorate with each passing year.
He maintained that political differences should not be allowed to undermine national unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.
“It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” he added.
The Flamingos arrived in Abuja on Monday following their 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Sports
Brazilian Referee Issues 51 Red Cards After 40-Minute Football Brawl

A football referee in Brazil has reportedly issued 51 red cards following a mass brawl involving players and officials during a youth football match between Uberlandia and Mamore.
The incident occurred during a Minas Gerais Under-20 Second Division encounter on Sunday, with the confrontation reportedly lasting about 40 minutes before military police intervened.
According to Brazilian newspaper O Tempo, the violence erupted in the 54th minute after Mamore player Davi allegedly taunted the opposing team’s bench while celebrating his side’s third goal.
The situation reportedly escalated when Uberlandia’s goalkeeping coach, Paulo Sérgio Dias Dos Santos, ran onto the pitch to confront the player.
A video of the incident, which went viral on Thursday, showed the scale of the chaotic confrontation.
Chairs and stretchers were allegedly used as weapons during the melee, while the referee’s report claimed that ball boys representing Uberlandia also joined the violence, throwing punches and kicks.
The match official, Drosghic Modesto, further alleged that he received death threats and other threats of violence from different individuals following the incident. He subsequently filed a police report over the threats.
The match was suspended for 40 minutes before it was eventually abandoned.
The referee reportedly issued 51 red cards, comprising 43 players and eight members of the two teams’ technical crews.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record for the highest number of red cards in a single football match was 36, recorded during an Argentine Primera D fixture in 2011.
The latest incident has drawn attention to the disturbing level of violence that can erupt during football matches.
Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Hangs Up Boots, Retires From International Football At 41

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 41, bringing an end to his 23-year career with the national team.
Ronaldo announced his decision on Thursday in a video shared on his official Instagram account, expressing gratitude to the Portuguese people for their support throughout his international career.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made 234 appearances for Portugal, scoring 146 goals to become the country’s all-time leading scorer and the highest goalscorer in men’s international football.
In his retirement message, Ronaldo said it was time to hand over the iconic number seven jersey to the next generation of Portuguese players.
Sports
Super Falcons Receive $100,000 Each as Tinubu Fulfils Reward Pledge

Nigeria’s Super Falcons players have received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while members of the technical crew and officials received $50,000 each, following the fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s financial pledge to the team for winning the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The National Sports Commission (NSC) announced the payment in a statement on Monday, describing it as the completion of the financial component of the presidential reward package for the team’s record-extending 10th continental title.
The players had earlier received title documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja, alongside certificates of the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his promise, describing the gesture as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to recognising sporting excellence.
“The Super Falcons made Nigeria proud, and Mr President has honoured his commitment to them in full. This means a great deal to the team and to Nigerian sports,” Dikko said.
He expressed appreciation to the President for ensuring that the promised rewards were delivered within a short period.
The commission attributed the successful payment to collaboration between the NSC and the Ministries of Finance, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Housing and Urban Development.
Dikko noted that the fulfilment of the promise represented a departure from previous experiences in which Nigerian athletes had to wait several years before receiving rewards announced by the government.
He urged Nigerian athletes to draw encouragement from the development, assuring them that their sacrifices and achievements would be recognised.
The Super Falcons clinched their 10th WAFCON title in July 2025 after staging a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final in Rabat.
Tinubu announced the reward package during a presidential reception for the team on July 28, 2025, promising each player the naira equivalent of $100,000 and members of the technical crew $50,000 each.
He also promised the team three-bedroom apartments and national honours.
The development follows a similar reward arrangement for Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, whose players received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each in September 2026 after winning their fifth consecutive Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025.
Members of the basketball team’s technical crew and officials also received $50,000 each, alongside housing documents and OON certificates.
In December 2025, the Federal Government also presented housing title documents and national honours to members of the Super Eagles following their silver-medal finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
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