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2023: Labour Party To Challenge REC Appointment; Alleges Partisanship

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Akinwale Kasali

The Labour Party, LP, has vowed to challenge the appointment of the Resident Electoral Commissioners, REC, by  Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, alleging that four of the 19 REC nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari “fell short of the threshold of partisanship and impeccable character.”

The Party followed the footsteps of  a Group under the aegis of  Coalition of Civil Society Organisation, which had earlier raised alarm over the appointment of the REC officers.

Among the four, the group named Prof. Muhammed Bashir (Sokoto REC) and claimed that he contested as a governorship aspirant in the APC in 2015.

They also named Sylvia Agu (Enugu REC) as the sister of the APC Deputy National Chairman, South East, Emma Enukwu.

However, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Arambambi Oluwafemi, said that the Labour Party would  challenge the appointment of a Resident Electoral Commissioner.

They claimed that he was a one-time governorship candidate of the ruling party, The All Progressives Congress, APC.

Arabambi made this statement at the press briefing and reaffirmation, on Tuesday, that Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is the Labour Party Governorship Candidate in Lagos State.

It would be recalled that Rhodes-Vivour defected to the LP after losing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Gubernatorial Primary to Olajide Abdulaziz Adediran popularly known as Jandor and was not considered as his running mate, leading to his exit from the PDP to LP to actualize his ambition.

While clarifying the lingering crisis between the former state Chairman of the party, Ifagbemi Awamaridi, and the party, the National Publicity Secretary also presented the new state executives of the party.

According to his statement, the Lagos State Labour Party is headed by the Chairman, Kayode Salako, six deputy chairpersons; Chief Seyi Sowunmi, Adeola Adebanjo, Lanre Adenuga, Tony Obi, Mr Ayinla and Olubunmi Odesanya, and the Secretary, Okpala Emeka.

While calling on Nigerians to vote for the Presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, he challenged the APC,  saying, “We have a Mr President appointing people of questionable character against section 156 Subsection 1b, that says, people that have questionable character should not be appointed.

“A President will now appoint a former Governorship candidate of the APC as a REC. So they think they can rig the election. I am telling the APC, your national chairman, your presidential candidate, and even President Buhari, that you cannot rig this election.

APC should be prepared to vacate offices when Nigerians change the tide of elections and vote massively for a candidate of their choice. We are not only warning the APC, we are still going to challenge that appointment in court. The APC made their people Resident Electoral Commissioners, it is not acceptable. We are all joint owners of the Nigerian project.”

When asked about the name of the party’s Governorship candidate on the list of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Arabambi said that although the name of Awamaridi, who reportedly served as a placeholder governorship candidate, remained on the INEC list, the name of the Governorship and House of Representative Members of the Party would be changed by INEC in October in accordance with the substitution primaries won by Rhodes-Vivour.

Arambambi said, “Simply to put the records straight, Awamaridi was the Chairman of the LP of the Lagos caretaker committee at one point. He was made a placeholder for the Governorship primary election, thus his name was submitted as the Governorship candidate since Lagos LP was yet to conclude all the required processes.

“The placeholder status given to Awamaridi was one from which he formally tendered an official resignation. Awamaridi’s resignation was willfully, voluntarily and clearly signed and tendered. Of course, documents don’t lie.

“Meanwhile, it is not in doubt that if he, Awamaridi, by any stretch felt or feels aggrieved, he knows that the courts are open to seeking legal redress because his tenure has expired as the chairman of the caretaker committee. He added, “He will have to prove whether he committed perjury or we committed perjury.”

He added, “LP, officially, and very strongly, re-affirms with authority that the winner of the substitution election on the platform of the LP, as the governorship candidate for 2023 for Lagos State, is Gbadebo Rhodes-Viviour.”

After receiving the Certificate of Return of the Governorship primary of the party, Rhodes-Vivour, in his speech, said, “It is time to move from a government of transformation by taxation to a Government of transformation by genuine development.” He promised Lagos residents to deliver “Lagos that works for all.”

You Are Rare Gift To Your Generation, Gov Fayemi Tells Bishop Kukah

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Revd Matthew Hassan Kukah as a voice for the vulnerable and less priviledge.

In his congratulatory message to Kukah on his 70th birthday, the Governor saluted his courage and dodgedness despite occasional harassment.

Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Yinka Oyebode, described Kukah as a special breed and a gift to Nigeria and humanity.

The Governor said Bishop Kukah has been a voice for the vulnerable and the less privileged; adding that the priest has an irrevocable commitment to fighting injustice and human right violations.

The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) hailed Kukah for his patriotism, which is evident in his contributions to national discourse; stressing that the priest cum scholar has never shy away from speaking truth to power.

Eulogizing Kukah’s virtues of integrity, hard work, resilience and humility; Dr Fayemi said these attributes have endeared the priest to the people across tribes and faiths in Nigeria.

“Bishop Kukah embodies humility, courage, integrity and diligence. His passion for the masses, especially the vulnerable and less privileged is second to none. Such a man can best be described as a special gift of God to his generation.

” On this occasion of his 70th birthday, I wish him long life and good health so that he can continue his selfless service to humanity.

“On behalf of my wife, the Government and the good people of Ekiti State, I congratulate Bishop Kukah and wish him many more years of celebrations.”

2023: Activist Adeyanju Alleges APC Using Jonathan To Score Cheap Political Points

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The visit of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some members of the Party to the residence of former President Goodluck  Jonathan in Abuja has continued to generate controversy.

Mixed reactions trail the development, considering how mean and rude and insulting Tinubu was to Jonathan when the former President was in office.

Social Commentator and Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, in his reaction to the visit said that the All Progressives Congress is planning to use and dump Jonathan.

Adeyanju reminded the former President of the role the APC cabals played during its presidential primary, saying he earlier warned him of ‘use and dump.’

Bola Tinubu And Jonathan
Bola Tinubu And Goodluck Jonathan

Tinubu was accompanied by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, alongside five APC governors, that included the Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of his Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong,his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawale, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Reacting via a Facebook post, Adeyanju said, “Dear Goodluck Jonathan, you won’t die if you don’t support anyone in this election. During the APC primaries when the cabal were deceiving you, hope you remember all my warnings to you that they just wanted to use and dump you. A word is enough for the wise.”

Adeyanju added that the APC Cabals are trying to use him to score cheap political points, which was the purpose of their visit to his house.

He however warned him to be careful and shouldn’t fall for their plot.

But a PDP Chieftain who pleaded anonymity asked the activist to shut up, and not be dabbling into things he hardly understood. He said Jonathan is a former President, and Tinubu visited him as he visited other former Leaders. He asked: “When Tinubu visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, was he using Obasanjo to dump him? One expected this activist to  commend Jonathan for confirming that he is a true statesman by receiving, especially, Tinubu and Shettima, in audience. Did Peter Obi not visit Jonathan? And is anybody stopping Atiku Abubakar, who also stabbed Jonathan at the back, from visiting him? We should be reasonable in this country. Perhaps, the so- called activist wanted Jonathan to act uncivilised and tell Tinubu not to visit him. Jonathan is too civilized for that sort of childish behavior.”

Insecurity: Governor Akeredolu Beefs Up Security At Motor Parks

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Akinwale Kasali

The unprecedented situation in Nigeria, has prompted Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to urge Commercial Drivers’ Unions in Parks all across the State to always be security conscious at time.

Akeredolu said that there is the need for the drivers at parks to check the luggage of the passengers and the passengers themselves before boarding their vehicles, as part of security measures.

He gave the charge at a two-day training organised by the state Ministry of Transport in conjunction with High Point Nigeria Limited, for the executive and members of the State Chapter of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, held at Oba Ile in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state, on Tuesday.

The Governor who was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Transportation, Tobi Ogunleye, said the training was to sensitise members of the association on their security and security of their passengers on the road in the light of recent security challenges in the country.

He said, “There is a need for us to have a culture of empathy. You have the right to check loads of your passengers at parks; you need to know your passengers. We want you to partner with Amotekun; we want you to be part of security and surveillance in the fight against insecurity in this state.”

He also warned the Vehicle Inspection Officers across the state to desist from the act of extorting motorists on the road, saying the current administration in the state “has zero tolerance for corruption.”

Adetunji Adeleye, Ondo State Amotekun Corps Commander,  also urged the commercial drivers to assist the corps in the fight against insecurity in the state, as security is everyone’s busy regardless of what you represent.

Adeleye who was also represented by the Head of Operation and Surveillance of the Corps, Adebayo Ayeni, the Amotekun boss, said it was necessary for drivers to check passengers’ luggage at parks. He also admonished them to install closed-circuit television in their parks as part of the security measures.

“Be security conscious when you are travelling on the road. When passengers come to your parks, ensure you check their loads and if you see anybody hiding anything suspicious under the clothes, quickly alert us. Also ensure that CCTV is installed in your parks to monitor the movement of the people,” he charged.

In his keynote address, the state Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele, said there was a need for the drivers to be more security conscious while on the road.

The HoS said, “You would all agree with me that the nation’s security challenges are not only connected to one means of transportation or the another, but it is also a major medium for perpetuating them.

“As a result, our drivers and riders must be more security conscious, as many of these evil men use commercial vehicles to carry out their evil plans. It is on this note that I would like to enjoin us all to endeavour to be more security conscious, which is one of the issues to be addressed in the course of this training programme.”

2023: Omokri Hails Jonathan’s Maturity, Says Tinubu Attacked Former President For Five Years

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

A former aide to former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Reno Omokri,  has hailed the tenacity, maturity and composure displayed by Jonathan while receiving the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who was on a courtesy visit to Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday .

Omokri while reacting and sharing pictures from the visit on Wednesday, said from 2010 to 2015, Tinubu attacked the person of Jonathan while he was in the saddle as President.

The social commentator described Tinubu’s attack on Jonathan as uncalled for, stressing that in spite of all the attacks on his person, the ex-President never bore a grudge against Tinubu.

He described Jonathan as the best leader Nigeria has ever had.

The Tuesday meeting between Jonathan and Tinubu was held behind closed doors at Jonathan’s residence. It was in continuation of Tinubu’s nationwide consultation with critical stakeholders as the 2023 Presidential Election gathers momentum.

Tinubu was accompanied on the visit  by his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, and five APC Governors.

They included the Governor of Plateau State and Director-General of his Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong, his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawale, Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

While the details of the meeting was not made public, a source in Tinubu’s camp revealed that the visit was an extension of the APC national leader’s consultation with major stakeholders in the polity ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri

“His visit to Jonathan shouldn’t come to anyone as a surprise. Tinubu holds no grudges with any political leader whether within the party or in the opposition,” the source had said.

Reacting via a tweet, Omokiri said, “H.E @GEJonathan, the best leader that Nigeria ever had. Look at his Godly gesture. Bola @officialABAT spent the five years between 2010-2015 insulting, attacking and lying against Jonathan. Even after GEJ left office, he continued. Yet, Jonathan never bore a grudge!”

Edo Govt Intervenes, Orders Release Of Detained Village Heads

By
Ayodele Oni
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Protest of Arrest of Monach in Edo State

By Ayodele Oni

Following the protest by the people of Ulegun community in Edo state, and to douse tension, the detained Head of the community and its Chief Priest have been released.

People of Ulegun in Okha Local Government, had embarked on protests since Monday over the detention of the Village Head, Eghosasare Omoregie and the Chief Priest Philip Uwuoroya by the Police on the orders of the Oba of  Benin.

The Village Heads were said to have been invited to the Palace of the Benin Monarch a week ago to resolve an issue of land dispute but were abducted and detained at a Police post close to the Palace.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, on Wednesday ordered the release of the Village Heads following the intervention of the State Government.

The people had protested the alleged demolition of over 80 houses in their community, as well as the arrest and detention of the Enogie and Ohen at the Oba Market Police Station by a group of Chiefs, led by the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

The duo was said to have been invited by Irabor towards finding a lasting peace over a disputed land when they were arrested, but have now regained freedom following the intervention of the State Government and the Commissioner of Police.

During the protest at the Government House, in Benin City, on Monday, the community’s Queen Mother, Rose Omoregie, alleged that the community Head was called for a meeting last Wednesday and that since then, he had not returned home.

Mrs. Omoregie explained that the Enogie inherited the land in dispute between the Ulegun Community and Ikhiri Community from his grandfather, and that the said land belongs to the Ulegun Community.

Urging the immediate release of the Enogie and Ohen, she said the dispute over the land has since 1974 been settled and resolved in favour of the Ulegun community from the Palace of Oba Akenzua up to the Supreme Court.

Akeredolu Flay’s Award Of Pipeline Surveillance Contract To Private Individual

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has called for a thorough scrutiny of Nigeria’s security architecture, especially those put in its charge.

Aketi, as being fondly called, frowned at the award of controversial pipelines surveillance contract to a private security outfit.

There has been outrage over the award of a contract to a private company, owned by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, to secure oil pipeline in the Niger/Delta axis of Nigeria.

Governor Akeredolu, in a statement he personally signed that it is  shocking that the Federal Government awarded the contract to such a security outfit.

The Governor pointed out that “it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying same privilege to the States, the federating units.”

According to him,  engagement of private organisations to handle serious security challenges reinforces the belief that the whole defence architecture in the country needs an urgent overhaul.

The NNPC had explained why the Federal Government awarded the controversial pipelines surveillance contract to a former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari stated that it was not the first time that individuals within the Niger Delta region were awarded a contract for pipeline surveillance, noting that the contract was for the interest of the people.

He said it was his belief that the Federal Government has taken the right decision to hire private contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide.

Kyari argued that although the security agencies are doing their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders.

However, Akeredolu in a statement titled WHO ACTUALLY NEEDS WEAPON? said: “The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, has been consistent in its refusal to accede to the request by some States in the Federation to strengthen the complementary initiatives adopted to protect lives and property.

“This is done in spite of the knowledge that the very issues which necessitated the creation of these outfits support providing adequate weaponry.

All attempts to persuade the Federal Government to look, critically, into the current security architecture have been rebuffed despite the manifest fundamental defects engendered by over-centralization.

“It is, therefore, shocking to read that the Federal Government has maintained the award of the contract to ‘protect’ the country’s pipeline from vandals to private organisations.

“This story, if true, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The NSA will, obviously, not advise the President to approve the award of a contract of such magnitude if the operators have not displayed sufficient capacity to checkmate the criminal activities of equally powerful groups.

“Consequently, it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying same privilege to the States, the federating units.

“The award of contract to private organisations to protect vandalisation of pipelines raise fundamental questions on the sincerity of the advisers of the Government on security issues.

“The open and seeming enthusiastic embrace of this oddity, despite the constant and consistent avowal of the readiness by the Security Agencies in particular the Navy to contain the pervasive and deepening crises of breaches and threats to lives and property, attracts the charge of insincerity bordering, deplorably, on dubiety.

“If the State Governments, which are keenly desirous of protecting their citizens, establish ancillary security outfits and there has been pronounced reluctance, if not outright refusal, to consider permitting them to bear arms for the sole purpose of defence, granting private individuals and or Organisations unfettered access to assault weapons suggests, curiously, deep-seated suspicion and distrust between the Federal Government and the presumed federating units.”

2023: Nigerians Express Shock As Tinubu, Jonathan Meet

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Tinubu Visits Jonathan Good

Reactions have continued to trail the visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The APC flagbearer and former governor of Lagos state visited the former Nigerian leader in his Abuja home on Tuesday as part of his efforts to gain his support for his presidential bid next year.

Tinubu who is currently facing a serious backlash over his decision to pick Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim as his running mate has recently paid a similar visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Even though sources informed the magazine that Tinubu was well received by Jonathan, keen observers of political events in the country have expressed shock over the development considering that the former Lagos helmsman led the coalition that ousted the PDP government of Jonathan from power in 2015.

The opposition APC had during the runup to the keenly contested election labeled Jonathan’s government clueless, apart from other verbal attacks against the former leader from key APC leaders.

“Politicians are shameless. Could anyone have thought that the same Tinubu who rubbished Jonathan and called him all manner of names will go to the former president to ask for his support? It only points to one thing, that Nigerian politicians are without principle,” a PDP chieftain who spoke in confidence said.

He said he was not surprised at the recent turn of events. “Honestly, I’m one of the people who are not shocked by what happened.  After all, the same Jonathan had recently rumoured to have joined the APC in order to contest the 2023 presidency. They are all the same,” he said.

Former President Jonathan before the APC presidential primary in June was said to have joined the ruling party to contest next year’s presidential election, which Tinubu later won after defeating close rivals Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The dalliance between the two politicians, many say will continue to surprise not a few Nigerians considering their political antecedents, particularly after the role played by Tinubu to stop Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

The former Lagos governor had recalled recently how he played a critical role in Jonathan’s ouster from office, by ensuring that Buhari became president after failing three times.

Speaking on how Buhari became president, Tinubu said, “If not for me talking to you today, Buhari would not have been president. It is over 25 years that I have been serving them. This one sitting behind me, Dapo Abiodun, he could not become the governor without me.

………..“If not for me that stood behind Buhari, he wouldn’t have become the president. He tried the first time, he failed, the second time, he failed, the third time, he failed.

“He even wept on national television and vowed never to contest again but I went to meet him in Kaduna and told him he will run again; I will stand by you and you will win, but you must not joke with Yorubas and he agreed,” Tinubu said in June ahead the APC presidential primary.

Meanwhile, analysts insist that the meeting between the two leaders is a normal thing that happens among politicians particularly when election is getting close. “Nothing is personal in politics. What is permanent is interest, and so long politicians share a particular interest they will always have reasons to meet,” an analyst said on Wednesday.

NNPC Reveals How Churches, Mosques Steal Nigeria’s Crude

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, has accused some churches and mosques of crude oil theft.

Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of NNPC disclosed this barely a month after the personnel of the Nigerian Navy arrested a Very Large Crude Carrier, VLCC with IMO Number: 9858058 is a 336-meter-long tanker carrying stolen crude from Nigeria.

Oil thieves and pipeline vandals, according to government records have reduced Nigeria’s Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC production quota to 1.8 million barrels per day, and a consequential revenue loss of more than $7 million a year.

To stop the theft, the federal government has also recently contracted a firm owned by repentant militant Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo predominantly popular as Tompolo to stop oil theft, mostly in the oil bearing states of the Niger Delta

But the NNPC has now introduced a new dimension to the issue which before now was thought impossible; that religious houses are now used to steal crude from the pipelines.

Speaking during the 49th session of the weekly State House ministerial briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Kyari said churches and mosques now harbours stolen petroleum products from pipelines connected to their premises.

The NNPC chief executive said a larger part of the nation’s communities, including security agencies are involved in the problem.

According to him, “When a fire outbreak happened in one of our pipelines, we discovered that some of the pipelines were actually connected to individuals’ homes. And not only that, and with all sensitivity to our religious beliefs, you know, some of the pipelines and some of the products that we found, are actually in churches and in mosques.

“That means that everybody is involved. There is no way you will take products, bring them in trucks in populated neighborhoods, load them, and leave without everybody else knowing about it. Everybody includes members of the community, members of the religious leaders and also and most likely government officials of all natures, including security agencies personnel.

“They are everywhere. And I’ve seen this even in the Niger Delta. There’s no way you would deliver a volume and lose up to 30% and you will continue to put those products in this line.”

The Federal Government had revealed that Nigeria lost about $1 billion in revenue to pipeline vandals and oil thieves in the first quarter of 2022.

Oil theft which can also be referred to as illegal bunkering, and not a new menace in the oil and gas industry, has become quite brazen and risen to an alarming level, with some oil companies disclosing that they lose between 80% and 95% of their crude oil production to the activities of these oil thieves

Gorbachev, Former USSR Leader, Dies At 91

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

 

Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the United Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR who ended the Cold War with the West, without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, is dead.

Hospital officials in Moscow where the former Soviet leader said he died at the age of 91.

Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and bring about the reunification of Germany.

But his internal reforms helped weaken the Soviet Union to the point where it fell apart, a moment that President Vladimir Putin has called the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the twentieth century.

“Mikhail Gorbachev passed away tonight after a serious and protracted disease,” said Russia’s Central Clinical Hospital.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has expressed “his deepest condolences”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax, adding that “tomorrow he will send a telegram of condolences to his family and friends”.

Reuters

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