What lies ahead for UK after May's resignation

British Prime Minister Theresa May has announced she will step down as leader of the Conservative Party on June 7, starting a process that will lead to a Conservative Party leadership contest and a new British prime minister who will lead the government during the Brexit process. Here are answers to some questions about what this means.

HOW CAN THERE BE A NEW PRIME MINISTER WITHOUT A NEW ELECTION?

Under Britain's parliamentary system, a party in power can change its leader in a variety of ways, and can choose its new leader by following its own party rules. Whoever is chosen as the new party leader will become the new prime minister, with the right to hold that position until the next general election, which is set for 2022. That date could conceivably be moved forward — for a so-called snap or early election — if the government loses a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

It is not unusual in Britain for a prime minister to take power without an election being held. May followed Prime Minister David Cameron to power without an election in 2016, after Cameron resigned following his failure to convince voters to remain in the European Union in the Brexit referendum. Gordon Brown followed Tony Blair as prime minister the same way in 2007.

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HOW WILL THE NEW PARTY LEADER BE CHOSEN?

It's a two-part process open to any of the 313 Conservative Party legislators in Parliament. Candidates who want to run declare their interest, and the lawmakers hold a series of elimination votes until there are only two candidates remaining. The decision between those two is then made by a vote open to the roughly 120,000 Conservative party members nationwide.

The contest is officially supposed to begin around June 10, with May remaining as a caretaker prime minister while a new one is chosen, but the jockeying for position started weeks ago as May's influence ebbed.

Party officials hope to have the contest resolved by late July. The process moved quickly in 2016 because all the leadership candidates but May dropped out, making it unnecessary to move on to a full party membership vote.

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WHAT DOES MAY'S RESIGNATION MEAN TO BREXIT?

It's too early to say with certainty but many of the main contenders hoping to become Britain's next prime minister favor a hard Brexit rather than maintaining economic ties with Europe.

May's departure does not change the situation in the British Parliament, which remains deeply divided over what should happen next in the process to fulfill voters' wishes to leave the EU. Parliament does not support a "no deal" Brexit but its ability to stop it may well be limited if the new leader chooses that course. As things stand, Britain is scheduled to leave the EU on Oct. 31 unless it seeks an extension — and the EU unanimously agrees.

There is no consensus in Parliament yet about the best way forward. Some lawmakers favor a second referendum on whether to stay in the EU, others argue that only a hard Brexit will honor the results of the 2016 referendum, and no compromise stance has emerged.

Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn tried in January to trigger a general election by calling for a no-confidence vote , but he failed to get a majority in Parliament as Conservatives stayed loyal to May. He is free to call for another no confidence vote at any time, and may choose to do so again if he believes that some unhappy Conservative lawmakers are willing to back the measure.

For that to work, a small group of Conservative members of Parliament would have to be so unhappy with the new prime minister's Brexit policy that they are willing to call for a new election that could see their own party ousted from power.

The situation is made more complicated by deep divisions within the Labour Party over whether to go along with Brexit or try to reverse it with a second referendum. Many party members would like to keep Britain inside the EU, but Corbyn is willing to see Britain leave the bloc if some economic ties to it and worker and environmental protections guaranteed by the EU can be kept in place.

- AP

Sir Alex Ferguson admits Man Utd made mistake giving Solskjaer job

Legendary Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, believes the club should have appointed Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, ahead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Daily Mail reports.

After Jose Mourinho was dismissed in December, United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward decided to give Solskjaer a contract until the end of the campaign.

But the Norwegian hit the ground running at Old Trafford by winning his first eight games, while he also guided United to a remarkable comeback victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

However, since that 3-1 victory in Paris on March 6, United won just two matches and lost eight of their remaining 12 games in all competitions.

Solskjaer was given a three-year contract at the end of March and is now tasked with a major rebuild of his United squad, who will play in the Europa League next season.

Ferguson feels that United should have made an attempt to lure Pochettino away from Tottenham, before Solskjaer was given a permanent contract.

The Scot is understood to be a huge admirer of the 47-year-old, who has guided Spurs to the Champions League final this season.

Ferguson is also, “disappointed” that he has been marginalised by Woodward and is forced to keep up to date with the team’s plans via Solskjaer’s assistant Mike Phelan, who worked alongside the Scot during his time.

- DAILY POST

Residents cry out over alleged threats by Fulani herdsmen to kill monarch in Ondo community

The people of Gedegede Community in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State are currently in panic mood after alleged threats by suspected herdsmen to kill their monarch, Oba Walidu Sanni.

DAILY POST gathered that nine suspected Fulani herdsmen had during the week invaded the palace of Onigedegede of Gedegede over the stance of the monarch on the activities of the herdsmen in the community.

According to the monarch, he disclosed that the suspected herdsmen stormed his palace, harassed and threatened him.

He hinged the alleged threat on the recent report he lodged with the police as regards the continued destruction of his subjects’ farm produce and farmlands.

Oba Sanni also raised the alarm over threat posed by Fulani herdsmen to his life, his immediate family members and the entire community.

The monarch said he reported the case to the police after he seized a gun and a cutlass, which he deposited to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Okeagbe Police Station, Mr. Johnson Akintola.

The traditional ruler also noted that the incident was reported to the Chairman Akoko North West Local Government Area, Samson Akande, as well as fellow traditional rulers in the area.

According to him, his subjects were spoiling for a showdown following the herdsmen’s invasion of his palace and subsequent harassment, but the timely intervention of government saved the situation from snowballing into huge crisis.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ parley initiated by the state government in order to douse tension and apprehension in the council area, the monarch the timely intervention of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who deployed his Special Assistant on Security Matters, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, to douse the tension saved the tensed situation.

Dojumo, however, reiterated that carrying of arms and ammunition were prohibited while grazing in any part of the state.

Also, he said grazing between 6am and 6pm in the state was prohibited while no under-aged children should graze in the state.

Dojumo urged herdsmen to live with their host communities peacefully, assuring them that the governor would soon invite all the stakeholders for talks in a bid to find lasting solutions to the incessant clashes.

- DAILY POST

Inmate freed with Kim’s help receives job offers from Nigeria

Out-of-jail Paul Algarin says he is now in global demand as multiple job offers are pouring in every day.

Kim Kardashian’s advocacy for prison reform had contributed immensely to Algarin’s freedom.

Algarin, who served seven years at Central Prison in North Carolina told TMZ that he has been getting hit up by people from Nigeria, UK and beyond who want to team up with him in some fashion.

Among the works are modelling and to work in a tattoo parlour.

Kardashian and her husband Kanye West early in the month facilitated Algarin’s freedom from jail and eventually helped to remove his face tattoo.

This gesture came after it was revealed Kardashian had reportedly helped free as many as 17 inmates by secretly funding a criminal justice campaign.

Algarin, a twin, was charged in 2013 with bringing guns to a Fayetteville high school.

With the job offers rolling in, it is believed that the ex-convict would become useful to himself, family and the society.

- PM NEWS

England must win FIFA Women’s World Cup to support equal pay talks

England must first win the women’s World Cup before they can start a discussion on equal pay with their male counterparts, Lionesses forward Fran Kirby has said.

England finished in third place at the 2015 edition and are currently ranked third in the women’s world rankings.

They are among the bookmakers’ favourites, along with hosts France and the U. S., to win the 2019 Women’s World Cup which begins on June 7.

“Ultimately we need to grow the women’s game,” Kirby told reporters.

“That’s the biggest issue, it always has been. Then you can talk about equal pay and everything else.

“We need to win the World Cup to have a leg to stand on in those situations. But if we keep improving the game on and off the pitch, those arguments can start to creep in.

“We’re doing the same job as the men but I understand that we’re not filling out stadiums — that makes it difficult to have that argument.

“As the women’s game improves and progresses, then they’re the conversations we can start to have.”

The U.S. women’s national football team, who are the defending champions and ranked number one in the world, sued the country’s federation in March.

They presented allegations of gender discrimination with complaints about wages and working conditions.

The U.S. players said they have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts even though their performance has been superior to the men’s team.

Kirby said winning the World Cup allowed them to make such demands.

“The U.S. are in dispute at the moment but they’re selling out arenas,” the 25-year-old added.

“They’ve won the World Cup and have some of the best players in the world in their team.

“They’re in a position to do that.”

England begin their World Cup campaign in Group D against Scotland on June 9 before taking on Argentina on June 14 and 2011 champions Japan five days later.

- PM NEWS

Court jails fake estate agent 2 years over N1.5m fraud

Justice P. Mallong of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna State has convicted and sentenced Mohammed Shuaibu to two years imprisonment on a one-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.

The count reads: “That you, Mohammed Shuaibu, sometime in 2014 in Zaria, Kaduna State within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N1,500,000 (One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Aisha Maman Bashir under the false pretence that you have a house located at Hauwa Low Cost, Sabon Gari, Zaria, a pretence you knew is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act 2006, and punishable under Subsection 3 of the Same Act.”

Shuaibu was arraigned on January 23, 2018 and he pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.

Over the course of the trial, the EFCC called three witnesses to testify in the case and also tendered several exhibits against him.

The prosecution and the defence had on April 2, 2019 filed and adopted their final written addresses, prompting the trial judge to adjourn to May 23, 2019 for judgement.

Prosecuting counsel, Onyeka Ekweozor, urged the Court to convict and sentence him, accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, Y.M. Hassan, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Upon delivering judgement, Justice Mallong convicted and sentenced him to two years in prison without an option of fine and equally ordered him to restitute the complainant the said sum fraudulently obtained.

- PM NEWS

Investigation: US Fraud Conviction Against Gbajabiamila Not True

Investigations have revealed that the ongoing smear campaign to truncate the chances of Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, being elected Speaker of the House of Representatives will fail.

The alleged US fraud conviction being levelled against Gbajabiamila by a Nigerian, Philip Undie, is not a new allegation.

PMNEWS gathered that it is an old case which was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution by an Abuja High Court last year when the plaintiff, Registered Trustees of Social Justice And Civil Rights, failed to appear in court to defend the allegation based on overwhelming evidence produced by Gbajabiamila.

Following their absence, the court struck out the matter in favour of the defendant.

Undie, in a suit marked HC/ABJ/CS/539/2019 which he filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, wants the court to declare Gbajabiamila unfit to be elected as a member or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He said Gbajabiamila was convicted for fraud and dishonesty in the United States of America in 2007.

He also contended through his lawyer, Ayodele Justice, that by the virtue of Section 66 of the Nigerian Constitution, the judgment of the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia allegedly convicting and sentencing Gbajabiamila for fraud and dishonesty, the lawmaker was unfit to be elected as a member or Speaker of the House of Representatives.

But in dismissing the allegations against Gbajabiamila, The State Bar of Georgia (Office of the General Counsel) on August 30, 2010 absolved Gbajabiamila of any criminal conviction in a statement.

It wrote: To Whom It May Concern

”On February 26 2007, the Supreme Court of Georgia entered an order accepting Femi Gbaja’s petition for Voluntary Discipline suspending him from the practice of law in Georgia for a period of 36 months. I have attached a copy of the Court’s order.

”Mr Gbaja’s professional discipline was based upon his admitted violation of Georgia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15(1)(Safekeeping Property), and was not related to a criminal conviction. Mr Gbaja is currently an active member in good standing of the State Bar of Georgia.”

The letter was signed by Jenny K. Mittelman, Deputy General Counsel.

See the evidence below:

The document absolving Gbajabiamila of any criminal misconduct

The Abuja High Court order dismissing allegations against Gbajabiamila

- PM NEWS

Yahoo fraud : Corps member, others sentenced to prison

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan zonal office, on Thursday, secured the conviction of four internet fraudsters.

A statement from the anti-graft agency confirmed that three of the convicts, Alimi Azeez Oluwadamilare, Paul Opeyemi Omotunde and Igberase Hope Odianosen, were tried in the Federal High Court, Abeokuta Division, while the other, Okuneye Opeyemi James, got the reward for his criminal act at the Ibadan Division of the court.

Alimi, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Omotunde, a 2019 graduate from the Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB), were convicted and sentenced to four months in prison by Justice Ibrahim Watilat of Federal High Court 1, Abeokuta.

Also in Abeokuta, Justice Mohammed Abubarkar of Court 2 jailed Igberase for four months

The trio were re-arraigned on a one-count amended charge of criminal impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(iv) of the Cyber Crime Prohibition Prevention Act, 2015 and punishable under the same Act.

The fresh arraignments were sequel to the plea bargain arrangements between them and the EFCC which reduced the number of charges in the initial charge sheets to one.

Besides sending them to jail, the presiding judges also ordered that they refund sums of money in United States Dollars to their respective victims as restitution.

All items recovered from them during their interrogation are equally to be forfeited to the Federal Government.

In the same vein, Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Ibadan sentenced Okunoye Opeyemi James (a.k.a. James Kosta) to four months in prison.

The 24-year-old was facing a one-count amended charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(iv) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.

He was arrested for internet-related offences on April 11 by officers of the Nigeria Police Force who later handed him over to the Ibadan zonal office of the EFCC for further investigation.

Investigations by the Commission revealed that the convict’s modus operandi was to illegally hack into people’s accounts to gain unrestricted access to vital and sensitive information, and covert same to fraudulent use.

He eventually pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of criminal impersonation preferred against him on Thursday. He was accordingly convicted and sentenced by the presiding judge.

The court also ordered the convict to make restitution of the sum of N889,995 (Eight Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira), being benefit he derived from his fraudulent act.

He is similarly to forfeit one Iphone 7, and one Huawei handset to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

- DAILY POST

Masari signs law approving death penalty for kidnappers, cattle rustlers

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina state, has signed a law that prescribes death sentence for anyone convicted of kidnapping or cattle rustling in Katsina.

Under the law, anyone convicted of rape is a liable to a mandatory life sentence in addition to a fine and compensation to victim.

Speaking during a brief ceremony where he assented to the law, Masari said the state is currently facing security challenges, hence the need to revisit the penal and procedural laws to deal with those involved in those crimes.

Masari expressed hope that it would stem the tide of violence and insecurity in the state.

“The decision to make these offences serious with the above punishment cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

“It is hoped and prayed that they will serve as deterrence to those that may be convicted. And those that have the intention of committing them.”

In January, the governor had said the state was under siege by bandits, armed robbers and kidnappers, leaving citizens and visitors in vulnerable.

In May, Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police, had listed Katsina among the states with a high rate of crime.

- THECABLE

John Terry tipped to coach Chelsea before Lampard

Former Chelsea captain, Dennis Wise, has predicted that John Terry will manage the club before Frank Lampard.

Terry is currently the assistant manager at Aston Villa, while Lampard is the Derby boss.

Both are Blues legends but Wise thinks Terry will win the race to be the head coach at Stamford Bridge.

Wise told the UK Sun: “If I had to have a bet, if I was really pressed, then I would say John will get the Chelsea job before Frank.

“They will both want it, I’m sure of that and it is a race against the clock — a race against each other — in many ways.

“John is doing it differently to Frank because he has gone in as an assistant at Villa to Dean Smith — and that’s a shrewd move.

“It means he can listen to some conversations in the manager’s office that he has never heard before.

‘Players can look up to, respect and admire, people like Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti out on the training field, or the way they conduct themselves around the club.

“What the players don’t see is the planning, preparation, the tactical analysis and conversations that go on inside the manager’s office.”

Terry and Lampard will come up against each other on the sidelines, at Wembley in the Championship play-off final between Villa and Derby on Monday.

- DAILY POST

UI short of 1,834 staff, lecturers overstretched – VC cries out

The Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Idowu Olayinka has declared that the university is currently understaffed with 1,834 in all category, making lecturers and other workers overstretched.

Olayinka said with a student population of 32,228, full-time equivalents and the current number of staff at about 2,736, it means the university is short of 1,834 staff in all categories.

The VC made these revelations while addressing the audience at the third edition of the institution’s stakeholders’ meeting held at the Alumni Association auditorium of the institution on Thursday.

The Forum, which was anchored by the Director of Centre of Excellence, Dr. Akin Olubunmi, had in attendance staff of the university, parents, students and other stakeholders.

The Vice-Chancellor while addressing the audience said “The University is currently understaffed as a result of difficulty being experienced in hiring new staff and placing them on the payroll. A number of our colleagues are retiring, some have resigned while unfortunately, some died.

“We currently have 1,490 academic staff, 456 senior technologists/technical staff, 286 senior administrative staff, 196 senior secretarial staff, 155 junior technical staff, and 153 junior administrative staff.

“With a total student population of 30,105 in terms of the headcount of full time students and a total full time equivalent of 32,228, and using the NUC norm, there is a shortage of 374 academic staff, a shortage of 397 in the senior technologist cadre, a shortage of 931 in the junior technical staff cadre and shortage of 132 in the junior administrative staff category”.

Olayinka then submitted that the analysis “suggests that our staff are over overstretched even while at the same time they are overworked. We cannot thank them enough for their patience and forbearance. we are making representation to the relevant authorities in Abuja so that we would be able to engage new staff, especially at the lower levels”.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Akin Onigbinde (SAN) in his opening address urged the management of the institution to continually be proactive and be innovative in its ways to improve the standard of the institution

Onigbinde said, “The university of Ibadan must constantly continue to think out innovative ways of reinventing itself, and transforming itself for relevance and development. It is commonly acknowledged that one of the greatest areas of our national needs is in the area of leadership; leadership across the board.

“University of Ibadan must continually identify the areas of needs and address these directly and frontally. The University of Ibadan will also do well to create niches in addressing the most critical areas of need of pain and challenges of Nigeria, Africa, and promote their areas of greatest promise and prospects.

“It must engage in the kind of innovative thinking that created the likes of the Chatham House. Ibadan has the means, and the men and women to make it happen”.

- DAILY POST

NIMC takes diaspora enrolment to US

In continuation of enrolment of Nigerians in Diaspora into the National Identity Database, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has taken the programme to the United States of America.

Mr Aliyu Aziz, Director-General, NIMC disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Loveday Ogbonna, Head Corporate Communications, in Abuja.

He said that the programme was ongoing in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

According to Aziz, the National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment exercise will involve the demographic and biometric data capture of all Nigerian citizens residing in the USA.

He said that NIMC was in collaboration with Thebez Global Resources Ltd,Defcon Systems Limited and National eAuthentication Limited (NeAL) to carry out enrolment services across the globe with a view to ensuring best-in-class services and inclusivity.

He reiterated that the extension was in line with NIMC’s mandate to ensure that all Nigerian citizens at home, Diaspora and legal residents were enrolled into the National Identity Database and issued the NIN to applicants upon successful enrollment.

“The programme will make it easier for Nigerians in Diaspora to be identified, as the Federal Government of Nigeria has made the possession of NIN a mandatory requirement for elections, bank account opening.

“Others are land transactions, access to legal and health services, acquisition/renewal of the international passport, driver’s licence and the ECOWAS travel document, among others.”

Aziz also said that “The programme is scheduled to go live from May 28 in Washington DC at 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 160 Rockville, MD 20852.

“Other locations and commencement dates across the United States are:
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 5050 (Level 5) Houston **9894 Bissonet Street, Suite 745 Houston, Texas, TX 77036.

“370 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1505, New York, NY 10017, 336 West 37th Street Suit 500, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018, on May 30 while 918 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 204 Roswell,Atlanta, Georgia, GA 30076 will have on May 31.”

The director said that additional locations in other cities across the globe where Nigerians reside would be announced in due course.

Aziz said that the enrolment would be for both Nigerian adults and children in the Diaspora.

- PM NEWS

Buhari showers encomiums on Ganiat Fawehinmi

President Muhammadu Buhari has showered encomiums on Ganiat Fawehinmi, wife of late legal luminary and human rights activist on her 70th birthday, praising her for carrying on with the work of her husband.

Both Buhari and Ganiat met last year at the State House when she picked a posthumous award, GCON, for her husband, Gani Fawehinmi.

President Buhari commended Ganiat Fawehinmi for always sharing her experience, insights and wisdom with upcoming leaders, and inspiring many to live for the greater good of humanity.

According to a statement by Special Adviser, Femi Adesina, President Buhari joined Fawehinmi’s family and friends in the joy of celebrating another auspicious milestone.

“The President believes the matriarch of the Fahewinmi family epitomises the resilience, wisdom and loyalty that drives every nation to greatness, particularly carrying on with the work of charity and sacrifice, and standing by reason, justice and truth that characterised her husband’s life.

“As Mrs Fawehinmi turns 70, President Buhari affirms that her zeal to see a better life for Nigerians, especially the poor and underprivileged remains indelible, underscoring the many risks involved, pains suffered and the frustrations she has endured in seeing that the country turns out greater”.

- PM NEWS