Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian NeNewspapers:
1. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the order of a Federal High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt which last year barred the All Progressive Congress (APC) from conducting any primary election pending the determination of a suit brought before it by a team of 22 aggrieved members of the party. With the decision of the Apex Court, the hope of APC in fielding candidates for the forthcoming election appears to have hit the rocks.
2. The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday ordered the sack of Mr Friday Eluro, who was caught in a video assaulting a woman. The Governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, frowned at the unwarranted assault on a woman especially from an appointee of government who ought to ensure that the rule of law is observed in all situations.
3. The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) on Friday demanded that security agencies and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should investigate and document the recent comments by Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai because they constitute infractions on the electoral laws of Nigeria. The TMG made the demand in a statement by its chairperson, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi.
4. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Friday condemned the reported directive by the Buhari Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to shut down the venue of its Presidential campaign rally in Abuja billed for Saturday. It also alleged that the action was borne out of desperation, insisting that nothing can stop it from rallying in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Spokesman of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
5. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it agrees and supports the alleged threat by the Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, that any foreigner who intervenes in Nigeria’s elections will go back in “body bags”. In a statement Friday night by the APC National Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party said it stand fully by the comment.
6. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) on Friday accused the Buhari government of “protecting” Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information in a fraud allegation. Imo Ugochinyere, CUPP spokesperson, in a statement, expressed concern over the alleged pressure being mounted by the presidency on the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, to discontinue the investigation of a N2.5billion Digital Switch Over (DSO) fraud rocking the National Broadcasting Commission because Mohammed, whose ministry supervises the commission, was allegedly linked to the fraud.
7. The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards to Monday, February 11, 2019. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this Friday at a meeting with states Resident Electoral Commissioners RECs in Abuja. Yakubu explained that the commission extended the deadline following appeals by Nigerians to review the process.
8. Nigeria’s U-20 team have qualified for the World Cup in Poland, following a 1-0 win over Niger Republic, in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Kano Pillars midfielder, Alhassan Adamu, scored the only goal of the game from a free-kick in the 73rd minute. The victory also ensures a semi-final berth for the Flying Eagles.
9. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Friday night stood down its Presidential mega rally earlier scheduled to hold today, Saturday, February 9. It explained that this development was due to the refusal by the federal government and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to grant its party access to the venue of the rally. The party’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan made this known through a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
10. A faction of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, has adopted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2019 Presidential election. This is coming three weeks after another group headed by Senator Abubakar Mahdi adopted President Muhammadu Buhari. The group said to be chaired by Chief Dapo Sarumi, a former minister and a Lagos based politician declared its position is a communiqué signed by Sarumi, who was a former Minister of Information, and six others, Dubem Onyia (South East), Chief Bode Ajewole (South West), Chief Ejiofor Onyia (South-South), Dr Bala Tafida (North Central), Alhaji Kabir Bawa (North East) and Fatima Abba (North West).
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