Today's Headlines Saturday, 26th March 2022

1. National Convention: Whither Democracy As APC Goes Consensus

Coming on the heels of political theatrics, mutual suspicions and cold calculations in its top echelon, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will, barring any last-minute hitch, hold its much postponed national convention. The epic event has been at the planning stage since the Adams Oshiomhole-led national working committee (NWC) was unceremoniously dissolved in 2020. While the ruling party is on the verge of disappointing naysayers who anticipated another shift in date, it did not disappoint pessimists who hold the view that there is no democratic fiber in the party’s being. This is on account of APC apparatchik’s preference of consensus as to the mode for constituting members of its NWC. The euphemistic “constituting” was advisedly used as against “electing”. What they have ingeniously resolved to do at Eagle Square, Abuja on Saturday is a flat-out imposition. It is what it is.

2. United States Take Action Against Six Nigerians Sponsoring Boko Haram Activities (Full List)

The United States of America has taken action against six Nigerians convicted of supporting Boko Haram activities in Nigeria.

According to a statement on Friday by the U.S. Department of States, the six persons have been sanctioned and added to the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.

The statement released by the Department of States spokesperson Ned Price further identified the affected persons as Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.

Price in the statement said the US government will continue to coordinate with regional partners to target those who support terrorism in the region and worldwide.

3. Buhari’s Minister’s Son ‘Kidnapped’ In Bauchi Found

A son of the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Ali Isa Pantami, who was reportedly kidnapped in Bauchi State, has been found.

Alamin Isa Ali Pantami, who lives with his grandmother, was found at a checkpoint in Dambam, a Local Government Area in Bauchi State, on Friday.

Confirming his release, one of the victim’s guardians told Daily Trust that, “We just left the house; he is back home now. He was found in Dambam, where his abductors dropped him. They dropped him at a checkpoint and from there, he was brought home.”

4. Supreme Court Upolds INEC’s De-registration Of Political Parties

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday upheld the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to de-register 22 political parties.

The electoral body had scrapped and banned the political parties from contesting in elections in 2020.

Justice Ejembi Eko in his ruling on Friday, voided and set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal which had nullified the de-registration.

According to Justice Eko, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the affected parties without hearing from other parties in the matter.

5. Osun 2022: Former Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuff Dumps APC

A former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, on Friday announced his decision to dump the All Progressives Congress.

Yusuf contested in the governorship primary of the ruling party in 2018 but lost to the current Governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola.

The former deputy Speaker in his aspiration to govern Osun State contested in the 2022 primary election but emerged third behind Moshood Adeoti, the anointed candidate of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

 

The governorship primary of the ruling party was won by the sitting governor of the state, Oyetola with wide margins between him and other contenders.

6. Court Fixes New Date To Decide On Ayade’s Removal As Cross River Governor

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the judgement on the suit seeking to sack Ben Ayade as the Governor of Cross River State.

The suit seeking Ayade’s removal from office was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the Governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Joined in the suit is also the Cross River Deputy Governor, Ivara Ejemot Esu.

The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/975/2021 was filed by the PDP lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN)

7. Troops Storm Sambisa Forest, Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Burn Camps (Photos And Video)

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed scores of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists hiding in some areas of the Sambisa forest in Borno State.

This was made known on Friday in a statement released via the official Twitter handle of the Nigerian Army which was obtained by our correspondent.

According to the statement, the troops who carried out the operation are part of those deployed under Operation Desert Sanity.

During the clearance operation, the soldiers destroyed ISWAP/BokoHaram enclaves around Ukuba and Camp Zairo in Sambisa forest.

8. National Convention: “Don’t Destroy Our Chances In 2023” – Buhari Warns APC

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned members of the All Progressive Congress, APC to desist from taking any action that would jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming 2023 election.

The president made the statement on Friday ahead of the party’s national convention which will be held on Saturday at Eagle Square in Abuja.

He reminded the party chieftains of the limited time frame of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable, noting that the party does not have time for any frivolities that would not benefit the party positively.

9. Just Like ASUU, SSANU And NASU Embark On Strike

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions have announced that it will be embarking on a strike.

NewsroomNaija reports that the two-week warning strike action will commence March 27.

This was made known in a letter titled “Commencement of Two-Week Warning Strike”, released on Friday by the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU and signed by SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi.

The national bodies of SSANU and NASU asked its members in universities and inter-university centers to begin the warning strike.

10. Human Rights: Nnamdi Kanu Demands ₦25b From Federal Government

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu on Friday demanded ₦25 billion compensation from the Federal Government over his arrest and repatriation from Kenya.

The IPOB leader urged a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, to order president Muhammadu Buhari-led government to compensate him with ₦25 billion.

According to Kanu, the fund is compensation for the abuse of his fundamental human rights by the federal government.

Kanu’s plea was convened in a suit filed through his Special counsel, Aloy Ejiofor, adding that his arrest in Kenya was illegal.

That's today's summary from all the Nigerian Newspapers. Share with others after reading. See you again tomorrow, same time, same platform.

Chijioke Ogbu - Enugu