🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Wike-backed PDP faction sets 2027 presidential nomination form at ₦51m, governorship at ₦21m
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the costs for its presidential and governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 general elections. The presidential form is priced at ₦51m, and the governorship form at ₦21m. Umar Bature, the PDP National Organising Secretary of this faction, released a timetable detailing these fees and the electoral schedule. The expression of interest form for all positions costs ₦1m. Nomination fees are ₦2m for State Houses of Assembly, ₦3m for House of Representatives, ₦5m for Senate, ₦20m for governorship, and ₦50m for presidential aspirants. The sale of forms will run from April 27 to May 4, with a submission deadline of May 9. Screening for State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship aspirants is set for May 11, and for presidential aspirants on May 12. The presidential primary is scheduled for May 18, and governorship primaries for May 27. House of Representatives primaries are on May 21, Senate primaries on May 23, and State Houses of Assembly primaries between May 21 and May 24. Appeals are to conclude by May 30, 2026. Female aspirants will only pay the expression of interest fee. The PDP is currently divided into two factions, with ongoing court cases, and the Supreme Court is expected to communicate a judgment date to the parties.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Arsenal has initiated contact to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Emmanuel Mbemba on a free transfer this summer. The 18-year-old, who has been offered a new contract by PSG, is reportedly open to joining the Premier League champions. Training compensation for Mbemba is expected to be slightly over £150,000 when his current deal concludes at the end of June. Arsenal has presented a development plan to the France youth international, drawing parallels to William Saliba's progression. According to BBC Sport, Mbemba is said to favor a move to Arsenal, impressed by the club's stability and success under manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners are reportedly considering a European loan for the defender until January 2027 to facilitate a work permit for his eventual move to England. While primarily a center-back, Arsenal sees Mbemba as a long-term prospect for the left-back position. Mbemba recently captained PSG's under-19 team to victory in the French Youth Cup and is considered a promising young defensive talent.
Twenty years after the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, a select group of ten players from the 736 participants continue to play professionally in 2026. This group includes iconic figures such as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, and Luka Modric of Croatia, all of whom first appeared on the World Cup stage in 2006 and continue to compete at high levels. Other notable players still active are Sergio Ramos of Spain, Oscar Ustari and Guillermo Ochoa, both goalkeepers, Lukasz Fabianski of Poland, Lukas Podolski of Germany, and Roque Santa Cruz and José Montiel, both from Paraguay. These players have demonstrated remarkable longevity in their careers, with some, like Santa Cruz, still playing at 44 years old, and Ronaldo at 41. While many of their peers have transitioned into other roles within football, these ten individuals defy age by remaining active in the sport.
Workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, represented by the Unite Here Local 11 union, have voted to authorize a potential strike during the upcoming World Cup. The union, which includes approximately 2,000 food and beverage workers, is seeking improved pay and assurances that federal immigration agents will not be permitted to enter the venue. A significant 96 percent of voters approved the strike call, granting them the ability to walk off the job at any time. Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have reportedly not made substantial progress on economic and workplace safety issues. New talks are scheduled for Monday, ahead of the first World Cup match on US soil at SoFi Stadium on June 12. The union has also demanded that workers be allowed to leave if Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel are present at SoFi during matches and create a reasonable fear for their safety. Workers have also voiced concerns about sharing personal information with FIFA for World Cup accreditation, fearing data could be shared with ICE.
Mirra Andreeva secured her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. The 19-year-old Russian became the youngest Roland Garros women's singles champion since Monica Seles in 1992 and the first player born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam. This victory adds the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen to Andreeva's trophy collection, which already includes two WTA 1000 titles. Chwalinska, despite the loss, concluded an impressive run, having won nine matches through qualifying to become the first qualifier in the Open era to reach the final. Her performance will elevate her world ranking to 21, ensuring regular participation in major tournaments. The match saw early nerves and blustery conditions, with both players trading breaks. Andreeva ultimately demonstrated resilience, breaking Chwalinska to take the first set and maintaining her momentum in the second, despite a late break by Chwalinska. Andreeva sealed her victory with a backhand winner, surpassing her coach Conchita Martinez's 2000 Roland Garros runner-up finish.