Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Monday, said it would not call any witness to defend its case against the petition filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. When the tribunal called INEC to open its case, the electoral umpire’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), affirmed before the tribunal that it would not be necessary on the grounds that the evidence extracted from the petitioners’ witnesses during cross-examination was in support of the commission’s case.
2. A Kaduna High Court, on Monday, fixed August 5, 2019 to rule on application for medical attention filed by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat did not appear in court yesterday. Their lawyer, Femi Falana, gave an update on their health and why they should be granted. Court proceedings was held under heavy security as operatives manned roads and the building and some flash points.
3. Femi Falana (SAN), lawyer of Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, Zeenat, on Monday, claimed that his clients have pellets of bullets lodged in their bodies, responsible for the high level of lead poison in their blood. He made the revelation while speaking with newsmen after the Kaduna State High Court adjourned the ruling in the application filed by El-Zazaky to travel for medical attention.
4. The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday, criticized those attacking President Muhammadu Buhari over the credibility of the 43 ministerial list submitted to the Senate for screening. He said the ministerial list, contrary to statements that it was based on political patronage, was meant to boost formation of an all-inclusive government.
5. The leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Monday, reacted to the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. It warned the Buhari government to be ready to harvest the crop of massive violence which the administration has systematically enthroned.
6. Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial district on Monday, urged a ministerial nominee, Babatunde Raji Fashola, to accommodate Senators’ plea for employment slots to their constituents. The female lawmaker remarked that she hadn’t asked for employment slots in Fashola’s Works and Power Ministry in the last administration, but said all Senators should be considered this time.
7. The National Assembly/State Houses of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu was, on Monday, told that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, allegedly announced the Enugu North Senatorial District election result even before the final collation. This position was canvassed by the counsel to the petitioners, Mr. H.A Bello while adopting his final address before the Tribunal. Bello told the 3-man Tribunal that the election ought to be quashed over the INEC’s alleged failure to comply with the provisions of its own guidelines, as well as the Electoral Act.
8. Former governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, spoke on his rumoured planned defection from the All Progressive Congress, APC, to the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Habib Aruna, Ambode’s spokesman, said any information of his principal leaving the ruling party was “totally untrue.” He debunked the news as an attempt to malign former Lagos helmsman, and appealed to the public to disregard mischievous persons and their sponsors.
9. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, on Monday, opened his defence at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, calling 13 witnesses. Ikpeazu is the second respondent in the petition filed by Dr Alex Otti, the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), challenging his (Ikpeazu) declaration as the winner of the March 9 poll. Otti and APGA are seeking the cancellation of the poll’s result in 15 of the 17 local government areas of the state.
10. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, yesterday, strongly condemned the recent spate of attacks against civilians in Nigeria, including the Boko Haram attack on 27 July in Borno. He expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Nigeria. Guterres said he hopes those responsible for these attacks will be swiftly brought to justice.
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