Democratic strategist, Theryn Bond has called for the party to replace Joe Biden and named three potential alternatives. The call comes after Biden’s poor showing in the Thursday night debate with former US president Donald Trump. Joe Biden is three years and seven months older than former President Donald Trump but in the debate, the gap between the 81-year-old incumbent and his 78-year-old challenger seemed much larger as he made gaffes continuously in the debate. Theryn Bond said California governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer could be candidates, but the “mostly likely replacement” is Vice President Kamala Harris. But the strategist said Harris could not deliver a victory for the party because the US was “not ready” for a Black woman to be president. “Unfortunately as much as I want the US to be ready for a Black woman to be president, they are not ready,” she said to Sky News. “This country is not ready. This country is too divisive, unfortunately, we’re just not there. I don’t think she would be the one to take the Democratic Party to victory.” ‘’Without a replacement, the country will be forced to choose between a convicted felon and “somebody in mental decline”, she said. She added: “What we saw was mental acuity being diminished in real time and that’s very sad when you know what someone’s professional trajectory looks like and then you see a decline in real time.” When asked at the debate whether he would urge Joe Biden to end his campaign, Newsom said no, appearing to rule out a challenge. David Axelrod, a key adviser behind Barack Obama’s successful presidential campaigns, said Biden wouldn’t be inclined to leave the race. “This is a guy with a lot of pride… who believes in himself,” he told CNN. Biden allies have dismissed the idea of change, with a potential alternative, Governor Gavin Newsom, rejecting the idea the president should end the campaign. But, some Democrats expect calls to oust Biden to grow. “The chatter of replacement is absolutely going to explode,” a veteran Democratic strategist told NBC. “There is no coming back from this disaster.”
A 65-year-old pastor, Mr Francis Ogwu, has been arrested for allegedly defiling his seven-year-old domestic help in Awka, Anambra State.
The suspect, a native of Imo State, was arrested after concerned residents raised alarm about his activities.
Ogwu, the General Overseer of Jesus House of Joy Church, Awka, is accused of raping the minor three times.
Narrating her ordeal, the seven-year-old victim told the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, that the suspect rapes her and then gives her money.
She said: “He usually gives me money, from N500 to N1000, after each experience.
“Sometimes, his wife accuses me of snatching her husband from her.
“What prompted my leaving the house was the repeated beating I received from the daughter over irrelevant issues.”
The victim’s mother, Destiny Nwabueze, a native of Awka, said she handed the daughter over to the Ogwu family because of the long-standing relationship they had enjoyed. She however said she was shocked when her daughter returned to her to report the ugly incident.
She said: “I quickly invited the Oga to my house. But when he came, he denied the allegations, which made me to raise the alarm that attracted other persons.”
During interrogation, the suspect denied allegations of penetration as claimed by the victim.
He said: “I just fingered the girl once.”
Asked why he defiled the girl, the suspect said, ” I was tempted because my wife usually gives excuses that she’s fasting whenever I want to have quality time with her.”
Reacting, the Commissioner vowed to ensure the victim got justice.
She, however, advised women to always be vigilant and stop starving their husbands of sex. She further charged women to always protect their children at all costs.
The suspect’s family begged the Commissioner’s office for pardon but the matter was reported to the police.
By Wisdom Joseph 28/06/24.
