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NIGERIA - Bola Tinubu, a political ‘godfather’ famed for his strategic deftness and clout, never hid his ambition to be president of Nigeria.
The 70-year-old has now fulfilled his ‘lifelong’ goal by winning the presidency of Africa’s most populous nation with 8.8 million votes, according to final election results.
Despite lingering questions about his health and past corruption allegations, the two-time Lagos governor will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, a former army general he brags of helping put into power.
His ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) faces accusations of electoral fraud in Saturday’s election from its two main opponents. But electoral officials and the APC dismissed those claims.
Often referred to with the chieftain’s title of ‘Jagaban’, Tinubu had spent years building his Lagos powerbase into a nationwide network of contacts from Lagos market cooperatives and transport unions to political operatives.
But in a surprise result from Saturday’s polls, rival Labour Party candidate Peter Obi won in Lagos State - Tinubu’s traditional bastion of support.
“You win some, you lose some,” Tinubu said of the result, urging his supporters to remain calm.
LONDON - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to be ‘stunned’ by King Charles’ decision to evict them from Frogmore Cottage.
His Majesty has reportedly cut short the Sussexes’lease on their grace-and-favour British home in the grounds of Windsor Castle - and incredibly offered the keys to Harry’s disgraced uncle, Prince Andrew.
The Sussexes’ favoured royal reporter, Omid Scobie, has claimed that sources close to the couple informed him that they were in shock - and at least two members of the Royal Family were ‘appalled’. He does not name them but the Sussexes are known to be close to Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
A friend of the couple told him: “It all feels very final and like a cruel punishment. It’s like (the family) want to cut them out of the picture for good. Harry and Meghan have until early summer to vacate. Initially they were given just weeks, but now they have at least until after the coronation.’’
It was claimed that King Charles started the process of throwing Harry and Meghan out of Frogmore days after Spare was released. The couple have started planning how to move their belongings to California. Royal sources have declared: ‘‘This spells the end of Harry and Meghan’s time in the UK.’’
Harry and Meghan were happy as they pitched up at Hollywood hotspot San Vicente Bungalows, the top private club and eaterie in Los Angeles for A-list actors, music stars and studio executives.