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Governorship candidates of all registered political parties in Imo State, except Governor Rochas Okorocha, yesterday honoured the invitation of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the state for an interactive session at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Egbu. Flagging off the discussion, the Anglican Bishop of Okigwe South, Rt. Rev. David O.C. Onuoha, who also chaired the event, admonished candidates, not to overheat the polity, as whosoever was not lucky this time, should look forward to 2019. “Any candidate that fails to clinch the governorship seat this time, should look forward to 2019. We can only have one governor at a time. “We look forward to seeing a situation when other candidates will gladly congratulate the successful candidate,” Bishop Onuoha pleaded. Continue...

Bobbi Kristina Brown's family is still praying for a miracle, and tonight several hundred people gathered for a vigil with that goal in mind. The "Shining a Light for Healing" vigil began at 7 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Riverdale Town Center in Riverdale, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, and was open to the public. Continue..

Sagir Koli, the Nigerian Army Captain, who exposed the planning and rigging of the 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State by top government officials and the military, has given details how his younger brother was arrested and tortured at a military facility in Ibadan Oyo state after he fled the country. In a video made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Mr. Koli said 15-year-old Adamu Koli who lived with him before his escape, was arrested in his house in Akure, Ondo state where he was serving. Continue..

The former Marine accused of killing " American Sniper " Chris Kyle has been photographed in court for the first time in months as preparations for his trial wrap up. Eddie Ray Routh was pictured clean-shaven with a buzz cut -- a marked difference from the scruffy beard he had when he was arrested in February 2013. Rather than appearing in the striped prison jumpsuit that he was seen in last year or the orange jumpsuit he was wearing when his mugshot was taken on the day of his arrest, Routh was wearing an olive-colored collared shirt, a grey blazer and glasses. Routh was also noticeably larger than he was at the time of his arrest. Continue...

The National leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, has flayed the decision to postpone the general elections, describing the security concerns given as a cover for the desperation of President Goodluck Jonathan to avoid defeat.  Continue...

Ivory Coast announced a public holiday on Monday to celebrate its dramatic win over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations final. A 9-8 victory on penalties on Sunday night gave the Ivorians their second title, in a repeat of the 1992 final. The game was followed by joyous celebrations on the streets the country's biggest city, Abidjan. Ivory Coast's win brings to an end a 22-year drought during which they lost twice on penalties. President Alassane Ouattara announced the paid holiday on public radio and television after the game. Continue...

Suspected militants from Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram have hijacked a bus in northern Cameroon, abducting at least 20 people, residents say. Militants reportedly seized a bus carrying market-goers and drove it toward the border with Nigeria. Some reports put the total number kidnapped in Cameroon as high as 30.\ Boko Haram has escalated its attacks outside Nigeria in recent weeks, targeting neighbouring Cameroon and Niger. The insurgency has forced a postponement of Nigeria's presidential and parliamentary elections from 14 February to 28 March. The bus was seized near the border area of Koza and driven towards the Nigerian border 18km (11 miles) away, a resident told the Associated Press news agency.