Good morning! Here’s today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers
1. One of the major contenders for the position of the Senate President in the incoming ninth National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, has assured that he would not step down for Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) even if invited to Aso Rock.
On why he cannot withdraw from the race, Ndume said “stepping down at this period will be disastrous to my political career and it’s not necessary because there’s no one and convincing reason for me to stepdown.”
2. President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Tanko Muhammad, on the appointment of additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The President wrote: ‘‘Pursuant to the provisions of Section 230(2) A&B of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to request that you initiate in earnest the process of appointing additional five Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to make the full complement of 21 Justices as provided by the aforementioned provisions of the Constitution.”
3. Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Sunday attended the funeral of 25 persons killed by bandits in a fresh attack which occurred on Saturday in three communities in Rabah local government area of the state.
Report had it that the bandits had in large numbers, raided Kalhu, Tsage and Geeri villages near Gandi and killed 25 persons.
4. President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday expressed deep shock and sadness over the death of dozens of people in the banditry attacks which occurred on Saturday in three communities in Rabah Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.
The President, who was briefed about the incident and the arrests so far made by the Police, condoled with Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the people of the State over the tragic incident.
5. Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have backed the candidacy of Senate Leader, Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila for the ninth National Assembly leadership.
Governor of Kebbi, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu and Chairman of the Forum while briefing newsmen at the end of meeting, said the governors took the decision in compliance with the directive of the party’s national leadership.
6. Hon. Ned Nwoko, husband of the sensational Nollywood star, Regina Daniels, was on Sunday denied accreditation by the management of the National Assembly.
The Delta-born politician was the first and earliest caller at the National Assembly complex on Sunday for documentation, ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration ceremony, but was, however, turned down by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Chief Mohammed Sani-Omolori.
7. The Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, on Sunday condemned claims that President Muhammadu Buhari is out to Islamise Nigeria.
AYCF insisted that such allegation was unfounded and unrealistic.
8. Apex Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere has issued strong warning to Fulani herdsmen dwelling in the Southwest region.
Afenifere said it welcomes the decision of Governors in the region to do something over the siege on Yorubaland by Fulani militia masquerading as herdsmen.
9. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against marginalising Christians in the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary arm of government during his second term.
It warned that the plots to undermine national unity by ensuring that only Muslims head all the branches of the central government started when Buhari’s administration instigated the “kangaroo trial resulting in the removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the only Christian to have held the position of Chief justice of Nigeria in 30 years over some phantomand substantially forged allegations.”
10. President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted Justice Walter Onnoghen’s voluntary retirement from service, as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, who confirmed this via his verified Twitter handle, noted that Onnoghen’s retirement is effective from May 28, 2019.
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