Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has declared his intentions to run for president in 2023.
Ayade made the declaration after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.
 
Ayade said Buhari said he should run but advised him to consult widely with leaders of the party from south-south Nigeria.
 
The Cross River Governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress In May 2021, announcing the decision after a closed-door meeting with six APC governors and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, at the executive chamber of the Governor’s Office in Calabar.
 
The governors in attendance were Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe; Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi; Hope Uzodinma of Imo; and Simon Lalong of Plateau.
Following his declaration contest for the APC presidential ticket, Ayade said he would concentrate on power, security and economy if he eventually emerges as Nigeria’s President.
Ayade joins a long list of politicians who have signified interest to run on the platform of the APC, which include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu; ex-governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
But according to Ayade, he was ready to align with any candidate of Buhari’s choice.
He also said he would support former President Goodluck Jonathan if he is chosen as the presidential candidate of the party.

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A Nigerian woman, Layomi Omowunmi has put herself and her daughter up for adoption as a result of hardship under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
 
Omowunmi, who took to her Twitter handle on Tuesday, said she is willing to serve as a home help for anyone who will adopt her and her daughter and also take responsibility for her mother's feeding.
 
The woman wrote, “Who can adopt me and my daughter, I will be doing the cleaning of the house, even if you don't pay me just sponsor my daughter to school and also be feeding my mum, please don't air me really need this house help work, I have never been employed before.”
 
https://twitter.com/LayomiOmowunmi/status/1518722028685205504?t=S7jOL8BWO259Zsjj4cA38Q&s=19
Some people have offered to assist the woman and her family but some have also noted that it could be a scam or a scheme by a lazy woman to lie in order to get free money from the public, which is common in Nigeria.
However, Nigerians have suffered biting economic challenges under President Muhammadu Buhari's regime which may not be unconnected to the lack of effective policies in the administration.
 
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food insecurity has been on the rise since Buhari was elected into power in 2015.
 
While data shows that demand for food has continued to increase since 2014 due to the country’s rising population, there is no corresponding growth in the amount of food production largely due to surging insecurity, inconsistent government policy, and poverty among others.
 
Though the government has introduced different financing initiatives to improve agricultural finance in Nigeria, and between 2018 and 2020 committed over half a trillion naira in budgetary allocation to Nigeria’s agriculture sector, none of them has shown a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.
Also, since Buhari came into power in 2015, there has been sustained inflation in the country which has continued to make it difficult for many, particularly low-income earners, to eke out a living.
 
Since the inception of the Buhari administration, the cost of staple food items has continued as Nigerian households struggle to feed.

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A radical political movement with the backing of human rights activist, Femi Falana, The Peoples Alternative Political Movement, (TPAP-Movement) has asked Ahmed Zainab, Minister of Finance to provide information on the upward review of the budget amount for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy for 2022 to N4 trillion.

PMS is also known as petrol.

President Muhammadu Buhari recently had his request for an additional N3.557 trillion for fuel subsidy approved by the National Assembly.
The President had sent a request to the National Assembly for adjustments in the 2022 fiscal framework.
According to Buhari, N442.72 billion was earmarked for fuel subsidy in the 2022 budget (January-June), but because of the hike in the price of crude oil, Nigeria is paying more for petrol subsidy. He had noted that, therefore, the country would require an additional N3.557 trillion for subsidy.
Buhari blamed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the activities of the oil vandals for the proposed fiscal adjustments.
 
In a freedom of information (FoI) request signed by Mr. Jaye Gaskiya and Prof. Toye Olorode, the finance minister was asked to provide information on the details of the said sum of N4 trillion within seven days in accordance with the act.
 
“Whereas the sum of N443 billion was spent on the so-called fuel subsidy from January to June 2022, the National Assembly has just approved the sum of N4 trillion budgeted by the Federal Executive Council for fuel subsidy from July to December 2022,” the letter read.
 
“Since the members of the National Assembly passed the supplementary money bill without debate, whatsoever we are compelled to request information on the details of the said sum of N4 trillion.
 
“The request has become necessary in view of the claim of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva to the effect that ‘…as a country, we cannot tell the exact volume of petroleum products we consume on daily basis.’
“As this request is anchored on the Freedom of Information Act 2011, you are required to accede to our request within 7 days of the receipt of this letter.
“Take notice that if you fail to refuse to furnish us with the requested information, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court to compel you to furnish us with the requested information.”

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A Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Tunde Balogun to seven years imprisonment with hard labour for threatening a woman.
According to NAN, Balogun is charged with theft, damage to property and threat to life.

Delivering judgment, Chief Magistrate Patrick Adekomaiya, on Monday, held that he found Balogun guilty of stealing and threatening the life of Ms Ruth Gbemisola, the complainant.
Adekomaiya did not give the convict an option to pay a fine, saying it would serve as a deterrent to others.
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, ASP Akpan Nko said that Balogun committed the offence on March 28, in Badagry, Lagos.
He said the convict broke into the house of Gbemisola, the complainant, and stole a generator and other valuables.
Nko said the convict damaged a window burglary and a padlock by cutting both with a saw.
He said Balogun also threatened the life of the complainant, adding that during the cause of the investigation, the police recovered some of the stolen items.

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That time has finally come when the biggest question in our political life will be asked and answered. Who succeeds Buhari? It is the million dollar question that everyone is trying so hard to answer. It should not have been this difficult but for the nature of the President, who is for ‘everybody and for nobody’. He seemed to have outsmarted us all, as if we were all caught unawares about the issue of his successor. The body language did not give him out so clearly, this time around, thus making the task of unravelling the man/woman to succeed the President to be an arduous task, even for the politicians. The two dominant parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC are both in deep quandary in determining their presidential candidates. Governors from the Southern part of the country are insisting on zoning, in line with clear provisions of the constitution of the parties and that of Nigeria. Their counterparts from the North have indicated their preference for a level playing field for all candidates to be given the fair opportunity of aspiring to the highest office in the land. The race is more intense in the APC, not for any special reason other than the fact that it is the ruling party that produced the current President.

 

There is absolutely no reason for the PDP to seek to jettison its own constitution to favour any particular candidate. Article 7 of the Constitution of the PDP provides as follows:

 

 “7. (1) The Party shall have a manifesto which, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, shall be implemented by all organs of the party and governments elected under its platform.

 

(2) The Party shall strive to –

(b) promote federalism and an equitable revenue sharing formula.

(3) The Party shall pursue these aims and objectives –

(c) adhering to the policy of the rotation and zoning of Party and Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.”

 

The above provisions are very clear and unambiguous. It is not open to the leaders of the PDP to seek to maneuver their ways out of the constitution of the party. As light follows day, the presidential candidate of the PDP must come from the South. So far, I have not seen any serious contender for that post, save His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi. Extending the theory of zoning to its logical conclusion, the PDP should narrow down its choice for the 2023 presidential ticket to the South-East zone for many reasons. Since the party was founded, that zone has demonstrated uncommon faithfulness in loyalty, support and voting. There is no other way to reward the Igbos other than for PDP to concede its ticket to that zone. To do otherwise would be totally uncharitable and immoral. Why Peter Obi? By available records, he has served as head of Fidelity Bank, where he distinguished himself without blemish. He served meritoriously as governor of Anambra State for eight years and he has no pending issues with his administration, as at the time of writing this piece. Many accounts have surfaced of his frugality, his commitment to the common good and his love for transparency and accountability. To my mind, he can easily be trusted with the affairs of Nigeria and I fear no challenge on this point at all.

 

Comrade Omoyele Sowore is another viable contender for the office of the President, under the platform of African Action Congress, which he co-founded and has nurtured. Many have asked about the experience of Sowore to lead a complex nation like Nigeria. Believe it or not, University of Lagos or indeed any other university in that class, represents the totality of Nigeria. The Students’ Union of the old generation universities, is akin to the government of Nigeria, consisting mainly of the Executive Council, the Students’ Representative Council and the Judicial Council, all functioning together but performing independent roles as leaders of the students. I have been there and I can say very boldly that anyone who has led a complex institution such as the University of Lagos can lead Nigeria. What is more, Sowore has run Sahara Reporters successfully for so many years, creating a new regime in news reporting, daring the status quo and going where no one else dared to tread. He has by his sheer acts of courage redefined the concept of investigative journalism and has truly brought to bear the provisions of section 22 of the Constitution by holding the government accountable to the people. His RevolutionNow struggles have incurred upon him the wrath of the powers that be, for which he has paid heavily in constant arrests, trumped-up charges and severe persecutions, all of which he has weathered with so much courage and a sense of purpose. I consider Sowore as a serious contender for the presidency in 2023. What is needed is for all revolutionaries, all our comrades, the labour and civil society coalition, students, activists, market women/men and all lovers of freedom to team up together to support Sowore to defeat the enemies of Nigeria, for once.

 

Some people look up to the APC to produce the next president after Buhari purely because of the incumbency factor, nothing more. If we go by the records of its (non) performance, the party does not deserve the vote of any reasonable person. It has taken the nation backwards in many respects, it has no quantum of integrity, it could not defend its manifesto to the people of Nigeria when it mattered most and it has led us on a roller coaster trip of empty promises, monstrous propaganda and media manipulations. It succeeded wonderfully as the opposition party but failed woefully as the ruling party when it was entrusted with power. Unlike the PDP however, the APC has already zoned its presidential ticket to the South, which ordinarily should be a commendable idea but for the latent mines planted along that tricky route. Undoubtedly, the leading contenders for the APC ticket as of today are His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency Professor Yemi Osinbajo and His Excellency Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. Take it or leave it, Tinubu has written his name in gold in the annals of the political history of Nigeria. I say this based purely on my own knowledge and experiences, of and concerning him. Lagos State as of today, has become the model for other States of the Federation, in terms of planning, infrastructure and development. It could not have been the product of guesswork or lazy administration. When he took over the reins of power in 1998, Tinubu committed himself to a master plan, for which he set up a strong team which travelled all over the world to understudy major cities in order to recreate a new Lagos. Yes, that master plan has been hijacked and bastardized by self interest in some ways, but the idea remains the best that has emerged from any politician after the Action Group regime of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Tinubu then invested in men and women, all of whom he partnered with for the implementation of the Lagos Master Plan. Those men would later spread their tentacles to Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Kwara and even far away Ghana and the Gambia. So if we should talk about experience, surely Tinubu should be rated as one of the best materials for the presidency in 2023. I can say a lot more about the positive influence of Tinubu on our national polity but this is not the forum or time. I have had cause to disagree with a good number of his policies based purely on my conviction and principles, but this will not detract from the laudable vision that he outlined for Lagos when he came on board. Be that as it may, we cannot overrate an individual above the Constitution.

 

It may be that Tinubu has contributed immensely towards the political fortunes of His Excellency the Vice-President, the latter who has been his personal counsel, his official Attorney-General as Governor and one of the brains behind the several legal exploits that Tinubu has accomplished in his checkered political career. Now I have read so much on social media on why Tinubu should and why Tinubu should not declare for the presidency in 2023. I personally believe he should not and I will tell you why. The Vice-President is so far the greatest product of Tinubu’s political school, which is yet to produce the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, being the only position that has not been attained by that group. If it is correct to say that Osinbajo is a product of that school, then there is no reason why he should be denied the opportunity of representing that school for the highest office. No matter the role that Tinubu may have played in the political life of Nigeria, it will be unfair to his reputation to say that he did all that he has done for the selfish and personal ambition to become President or that he has raised men and women all the while purely for his own good. Nobody should play godfatherism to such an extent that he sits down to encourage people to aspire to the best of their potentials only to create a ceiling or barrier for them. You cannot raise a person to the office of Vice-President and then suddenly turn around to ask him not to run for the highest office on account solely that it has been your life ambition. Surely the nation is greater than any individual and no one should rate himself so high as to hold the nation to ransom by declaring himself as the only one fit for any particular office. In fact if we should turn the argument around, the better way to put it is that those who have sacrificed their lives, their thoughts and destinies alongside Tinubu have been the ones who have sustained him so far and he should be the one to show gratitude and loyalty to them while he retires peacefully and successfully to watch them grow.

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Nigeria's secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed plans by criminals elements to launch attacks on critical infrastructure and frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres during the holidays and festive periods.
 
The Service, in a statement issued by Peter Afunanya, its Public Relations Officer on Tuesday, said the criminals are planning to return the country to the insecurities characterising the former President Goodluck Jonathan era.
 
It further warned patrons, owners and managers of the targeted places to take note of the development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.
 
A statement from the service reads, “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby draws public attention to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.
 
“Though there are already reported cases of such incidents in some areas, the Service has uncovered a ploy by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.
 
“The objective is to achieve some self-serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The Service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country.
 
“Following these, patrons, owners and managers of aforementioned public places are advised to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.
 
“While the Service is committed to the disruption of this trend and pattern of violent attacks, it will continue to partner with other security agencies to ensure that necessary drills are emplaced in order that public peace and order are not jeopardized.
 
“To this end, residents are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and share, with security and law enforcement agencies, useful information on the activities of criminals.
 
“Meanwhile, the DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi, fwc wishes all and sundry a hitch-free Workers’ Day and Sallah celebrations.”

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“There is nothing in Nigeria to go back to,” Chukwuemeka Nnamdi, a Nigerian student studying in Ukraine tells SaharaReporters.

 

Since Russian soldiers crossed the Ukraine border on February 24th, about 1,842 civilians have been killed and 2,493 people have been injured. Ukrainian cities like Donetsk, Luhansk. and Mariupol are currently under Russian control and citizens all over the country are making plans to escape. 

Amid this invasion and multiple bombings, countries like India, Morocco, China and Nigeria have evacuated their citizens, especially students studying in Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, about 80,000 international students were studying in Ukraine before the war and Nigerians made up 12,000 of them.

 

As early as 24th February, the day the invasion began, the Nigerian government started making plans to evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine. With help from its embassy in Warwick, Nigerian citizens were directed via press releases to escape through Poland, where arrangements had been made to return them to Nigeria… but many refused.

 

The government had approved 8.5 million dollars to evacuate her citizens on 2nd March and even waved pre-departure COVID-19 tests for them, yet some Nigerian students, including Nnamdi Okafor, Treasure Bellgam and Edidiong Ukpakha have made headlines for refusing to return to their home country. One even went as far as telling reporters “What am I coming back to Nigeria to do?... I would rather remain here as a refugee than return to Nigeria.”

 

The Question Is Why?

 

In an exclusive interview with Chukwuemeka Nnamdi, a Nigerian second-year clinical intern at the Sumy State University in Ukraine, he said, “This is a touchy situation, truthfully there’s nothing in Nigeria to go back to. The situation back home is appalling. It’s one bad news after another. No steady power supply, there is insecurity and there is no ideal working system.

 

“I was able to leave for Hungary two weeks after the attack began and there was panic everywhere. It was a very stressful time for me, especially when we had to go into the bunkers… yet I never had plans of going back to Nigeria.

 

“Nigeria experiences the same situation as Ukraine daily. But in Europe, there’s hope. Some of us have gotten jobs, and some have been transferred to schools here. See how fast that is?” he asked. “Professors in Nigeria are still on strike and university students like myself are doing nothing at home.”

 

Indeed Nigerian lecturers under their umbrella union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had been on strike before the war began. The Association claims that the Nigerian Government has failed to uphold its part of their 2009 agreement to provide better salaries and allowances for University lecturers and that they will not resume teaching until these conditions are met. 

 

The strike was extended by two months after ASUU failed to reach an agreement with the government during the initially one-month strike, which expired on March 14. ASUU has insisted on receiving 1 Trillion naira (2,388,600,000 USD) from the Nigerian government but the government has said there is no money to give. 

The Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige told pressmen on March 3rd that the government made those promises during a different administration and Nigeria isn’t as rich as it was before. Oil was sold between $100 and $120 per barrel during the Goodluck Jonathan Administration, "but things are not as good now."

 

All 170 universities are currently on strike in Nigeria and Chukwuemeka asked: “Why would anyone want to go back to Nigeria?”

 

One Nigerian lecturer from the Federal University Oye-Ekiti shared his sentiments. Dr. Oluwaseun Osadola, a senior lecturer at the Department of History and International Studies, laughed and said, “If a lot of people get the opportunity to travel outside of this country, trust me they will never want to come back. I read in the dailies when one of the Nigerian students in Ukraine said he would rather die in Ukraine than come back to Nigeria and face hardship.”

 

“Look at me,” he said. “My one month's salary isn’t enough to pay my house rent and I have a PhD in history and international studies. Everything is messed up and those students abroad know it... It’s like moving from fry pan to fire.”

 

Some Nigerians in the country have volunteered to fight for Ukraine – many of them, especially those who have no combat experience whatsoever, in desperate attempts to leave their country. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Nigerian, Ottah Abraham, told reporters on 16th March, “We know that it’s war, it’s not child’s play…But being a soldier in Ukraine would be better than being here.” 

 

As of May 2020, almost 83 million people lived below the country’s poverty line of 137,430 naira ($381.75) per year in Nigeria. According to a recent World Bank report, that number has climbed with only 17% of working Nigerians earning enough to lift them out of poverty in a country of about 250 million people.

 

And when the Ukrainian embassy in Nigeria asked these volunteers to pay $1,000 each for tickets and visas to Ukraine, prove evidence of military experience and provide passports among other things, the number was reduced. Some Nigerians took to grumbling on Twitter. One said, “the Ukrainian embassy’s demand is absurd and unbelievable and thinks that the embassy is sabotaging the President of Ukraine’s effort”. 

 

Another tweeted, “To fight what exactly? The only time you are allowed to enter a country is when they want you to fight their war….like pay money to die….no one told us death is expensive.” Hundreds of Nigerian refugees have returned so far, but many have refused to go back even though the situation in Ukraine is dire.

 

What It Is Really Like In Ukraine

 

Early this April, SaharaReporters spoke with Stephen Atolagbe, a first-year Nigerian medical student studying at Sumy State University. He is one of those lucky enough to escape the war and he describes it as "terrible".

 

"Until I left, we woke up to the sound of Russian missiles every morning. When the alarms would go off, we would run to bomb shelters as soon as we got the signal... Some of the bomb attacks shook our dormitory buildings at Sumy State University," he said. 

 

"It happened suddenly and I couldn't let my family know how I was. One of the days my friends and I were trying to leave the city, we heard a Russian missile close by and we had to run. We didn't know where it was coming from or going to until after.

 

"For three days, we didn't have access to water or power supply. It never happened before. I couldn't plug my phone to call my parents in our part of the city anymore so we had to leave. We made our way to Hungary.

 

"I have lived in Ukraine for over a year now and I know the Ukrainians are strong people. It may take some time, but they will win. I will return to Ukraine." 

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Moscow on Tuesday said it was expelling three Swedish diplomats after Stockholm expelled three Russian diplomats over the conflict in Ukraine, despite Sweden saying four were dismissed.
 
Russia’s foreign ministry said it summoned the Swedish ambassador to Russia and “strongly protested” the expulsion of Russian diplomats and Sweden’s “military support to the Kyiv regime.”
 
It also accused Sweden of “covering up the crimes of Ukrainian nationalists against the civilian population of Donbas and Ukraine,” referring to a region in eastern Ukraine, parts of which are controlled by pro-Russia separatists, Alarabiya News reports.
 
“In response to this, the Russian side decided to declare persona non grata three diplomats of the Swedish embassy in Russia,” the ministry said.
 
In early April, Sweden said it was expelling three Russian diplomats who conducted “illegal operations,” following similar moves by other EU allies.
 
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde said the action was “very regrettable,” but said that a total of four diplomats had been expelled – three from the embassy in Moscow and another at the Swedish consulate in Saint Petersburg.
 
In a written response to AFP, Linde stressed that Sweden expelled the Russians because they had conducted operations that “violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” but claimed the Swedish diplomats had conducted “traditional diplomatic activities.”
 
“Sweden will respond in an appropriate manner to Russia’s unwarranted and disproportionate actions,” Linde said.

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An Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has reserved judgement to a later date in an appeal filed by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, challenging a high court judgment on the leadership of the African Action Congress (AAC).
 
Sowore had in an appeal marked CA/A/812/2019 challenged the judgment of Justice Inyang Ekwo declaring Leonard Nzenwa as Acting Chairman of the AAC.
 
At the resumed hearing of the appeal on Tuesday before a three-man panel headed by Justice A. J. Adah, Sowore's lawyer, who is also the National Legal Adviser of the party, Barr. Inibehe Effiong, urged the court to set aside the judgment of the lower court and grant all the reliefs sought by the appellant.
 
He prayed the court to be lenient in fixing a shorter date for the judgement considering the timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the party primaries.
Effiong who later addressed journalists on the court premises, said, "Our appeal is predicated on lack of subject matter jurisdiction, breach of Sowore and Dr. Malcom to a fair hearing and lastly on improper evaluation of evidence.
 
"The matter has been delayed since 2019 for several reasons but thanks to the Glory of God today we have finally come to the last bus stop in this matter.
 
"Because today I am to announce that our appeal was heard and judgement has now been reserved for a date that will be communicated.
"You are also aware that after the hearing of the appeal, I did call the attention of my Lords to the INEC timetable regarding the time for primaries in pleading with the court that in fixing a date for judgement, That date should be taken into cognisance and my Lords said they are aware of it.
 
"The obstacles to the hearing of the appeal on the merit were defeated today. INEC which is supposed to be an unbiased umpire filed a brief of argument and when you open the next page, you see preliminary objection and they did not respond to any of our arguments.
 
"INEC agreed with us that the lower court had no jurisdiction. The same INEC speaking with the other side of their mouths said no, even though they agreed with the appellant that the federal high court had no jurisdiction. They asked that our appeal should be struck out which we had replied to.
 
"INEC had no option but was forced to withdraw their objection, asking that Sowore’s appeal be struck out. That application by INEC no longer exists.”

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The Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has described himself as energetic.
Amaechi on Monday evening said no president can lead Nigeria from the hospital bed during a meeting with Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun and APC delegates in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The former Rivers governor, while canvassing votes from the delegates ahead of the 2023 election, said that even though he had been told that being energetic was not enough to lead a state, no one can lead from a hospital bed.
Amaechi stated this as one of the reasons why he should be chosen above Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is from the state.
Amaechi is 56 years old while Osinbajo is 65. The national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is also contesting, turned 70 in March.
Last October, Tinubu returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical trip to the UK.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s incessant travels to the United Kingdom for medical treatment have cost Nigeria over 200 days since he assumed office in May 2015.
Buhari’s penchant for foreign medical help is in stark contrast with the ongoing crisis in the country, from economic to health and insecurity.
Amaechi, however, said, “I know that there is a candidate from this state, our Vice President, a man of honour, he is a good candidate, but I think that if you look well, my experience matters.
“I come with experience, I’m 56 years old, I will be 57 in May, so I’m the bridge between the young and the old. I have energy and people have said, no, being energetic is not enough to preside over a state, but you can’t preside over a state in the hospital.”
 
Amaechi and his team also visited the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, at his palace in Abeokuta.
The transportation minister earlier in April ran round the Port Harcourt stadium in Rivers State during his official declaration as a presidential aspirant for 2023 elections.
He later said he did that to check how fit he was to “carry the problems of the country”.
 
“Age will not be an issue. I am like a bridge between the young and the old,” Amaechi said.
He added, “People have asked me why I ran round the stadium. I was checking to see how fit I am, so I had to run round the stadium to confirm to myself that I’m strong enough to carry the problems of the country, whether it is mentally or physically.
 
“Because you need both mental capacity and physical fitness to manage this country.
 
“You have to be physically strong and have the mental capacity to make decisions on behalf of the country.”

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Twitter founder, Jack Dorsey, has given the reason the microblogging app was sold to United States’ billionaire, Elon Musk.
Musk on Monday night reached an agreement to buy Twitter for approximately $44 billion.

The 50-year-old acquired the company at $54.20 a share, the same price named in his initial offer on April 14.
Giving reason for selling Twitter, Jack said Elon Musk is the only solution to achieving the purpose of Twitter being run for the public good.
According to him, he trusts Elon’s goal of creating a platform that is “maximally trusted and broadly inclusive.”
His tweets read, “I love Twitter. Twitter is the closest thing we have to global consciousness. The idea and service is all that matters to me, and I will do whatever it takes to protect both. Twitter as a company has always been my sole issue and my biggest regret. It has been owned by Wall Street and the ad model. Taking it back from Wall Street is the correct first step.
“In principle, I don’t believe anyone should own or run Twitter. It wants to be a public good at a protocol level, not a company. Solving the problem of it being a company, however, Elon is the singular solution I trust. I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness.
“Elon’s goal of creating a platform that is “maximally trusted and broadly inclusive” is the right one. This is also @paraga’s goal, and why I chose him.
“Thank you both for getting the company out of an impossible situation. This is the right path…I believe it with all my heart.”
Jack assured that Twitter will continue to serve the public conversation.

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The Nigerian Army has said troops have neutralised several members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram in Borno State.
The army said the operation was carried out in conjunction with the Civil Joint Task Force (CJTF) on Tuesday.

It noted that weapons and ammunition were recovered by the joint assault team of the army and CJTF.
In a post on its official Twitter handle on Tuesday, the Nigerian Army said, “Gallant troops of 195 Battalion in conjunction with members of CJTF on a clearance operation neutralized several ISWAP/BokoHaram at Kasha Kasha In Borno State today 26 April 2022. Weapons & ammunition amongst others were also recovered.”
 
Similarly, the Nigerian Army on February 10, 2022, tweeted, “Troops of 149 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with CJTF while on fighting patrol today 10 Feb 2022 neutralized scores of BHT/ISWAP terrorists in Dunga Lawanti village near Gubio in Borno State. Troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, two motorcycles amongst other items.”

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While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to announce the opening of election campaigns, principals of secondary schools in Oyo State have begun campaigning for the governor of the state, Seyi Makinde. 
The principals have also mandated all teachers and non-teaching staff members to join the campaign on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, irrespective of their party affiliation or view about politics. 

Some of the principals have told their school teachers and other workers that attendance will be taken at the event, stressing that they are all expected to attend. 

SaharaReporters learnt that principals summoned staff members in their respective schools to a meeting last week, where the teachers and non-teaching staff members were told about the plan to campaign for Makinde. 
Tagged 'Emergency Meeting, the staff members of the schools were told that their attendance at the event to hold this Wednesday, April 27, 2022, was mandatory. 
"In my school and other secondary schools in Zone 4, the so-called 'emergency meeting' was held last Wednesday. We were told about the plan to have school teachers campaign for Governor Makinde. It took many of us by surprise," a teacher told SaharaReporters on Tuesday. 
On Monday evening, some school principals sent memos to all staff members on WhatsApp, reminding them about Wednesday's event. 
In a memo sent out to the teachers, a copy of which was obtained by SaharaReporters, the principals asked all teachers to be on their seats at the Single Lawn tennis court, Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan by 8.30 am on Wednesday.
SaharaReporters learnt that in some schools, principals are threatening the teachers to ensure they attend because attendance would be taken and anyone who failed to attend was toying with their job.
The memo reads in part; "I have the directive to remind you once again about the celebration of love and appreciation in the life of our God-sent Governor, His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, as a matter of duty, kindly pass the information to everyone who might have not heard. Thanks. The Venue is Single Lawn tennis court, Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan."
"At 8:30 am, please note that attendance is necessary. Everyone must be seated on or before 8:30 am," the message added. 
Further investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that some members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among the principals had provided some financial inducements to their teachers and some members of staff to convince the others.
However, some teachers and non-teaching staff members in public secondary schools in the state have been grumbling, asking why a political rally to support the governor would be made compulsory for government workers. 
"When did it become compulsory for civil servants to be politicians and be part of the campaign for the governor? Some teachers are members of APC (All Progressives Congress) or other parties while some of us do not even support any party. 
"Was I employed by the state government because I was qualified for the job or because I belonged to a particular party? Why are they bringing politics into public schools and the civil service? Is it stated in my appointment letter that I would have to become a member of a party or that I would be required to teach diligently? I don't understand what this country is turning to," a teacher told SaharaReporters. 

"It is true. Fine, the governor has done well for us but why must it be compulsory? For some of us who are not having any relationship with the PDP, does it mean that we don't have a choice? I will still get the names of those behind it," another source in a school promised.
 

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President Muhammadu Buhari has invited the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and 2023 Presidential aspirant, Bola Tinubu and 17 other dignitaries to Iftar dinner on Tuesday evening.
According to the invitation letter, others invited to the meeting include; former APC chairman, John Oyegun, former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomole, former Osun State governor, Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu-Sheriff.

Others invited include Oserheimen Osunbor, former Zamfara State Governor, Ahmed Yarima, former Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamako, former Yobe State Governor, Bukar Ibrahim, General Muhammed Magoro, Senators Lawal Shuaibu, Aba Aji, Tijjani Tumsah, Fati Bala, Abubakar Guru, and Nasiru Danu.
The letter dated April 22, 2022, read; “I write to inform you that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has directed that invitation be extended to the attached list of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to join the President to break Ramadan fast on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 1830 hours in the Presidential Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.”
“In this regard, you are kindly requested to invite them to attend. The leaders are to arrive at the Pilot Gate at 1630 hours for Rapid Covid-19 testing at the State House Conference Centre and be seated at the venue by 1800 hours.”
 

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The Nigerian Army has said its troops neutralised two gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra and its Eastern Security Network along Orlu-Orsu Road, Imo State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday obtained by SaharaReporters.

He said the gunmen were overpowered on Monday after they engaged the troops in a fierce encounter while enforcing “the illegal sit at home order on law abiding citizens going about their legitimate businesses.”

The statement read, “The troops, while on routine patrol made contact with elements of IPOB/ESN around the general area of Aluminium Company and All Saints Church. On sighting the patrol team, the criminal elements opened fire and launched grenade attack on the troops.

“The vigilant troops responded with superior firepower neutralizing two of the criminal elements, compelling others to flee in disarray. In a hot pursuit that followed the encounter, troops arrested four of the fleeing gunmen and recovered one AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one police grenade launcher, two Baofeng communication radios, five mobile phones, one IPOB Beret, two motorcycles, four SIM cards, five wallets containing different ID cards, afrodisiac, charms and the sum of N6,460.

“Preliminary investigation on the suspects' mobile phones reveals gory pictures and videos depicting scenes of cold blooded murders, corpses displayed in shrines and other heinous atrocities committed by the criminals.”

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The Senate, on Tuesday, adjourned plenary till Wednesday, April 27, 2022, over the death of Hon. Ekpenyong Nse Bassey.

Bassey, until his death, was the member representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives.

The upper chamber adjourned plenary upon resumption from a one-week recess to mark the Easter celebration, Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, Special Assistant (Press) to the Senate President, said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The sitting on Tuesday was presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central). 

The motion for adjournment was moved by the Deputy Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, and seconded by the Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda. 

The lawmaker was reported to have died on Sunday in Uyo, at 4 pm.

The Senate, moments before adjourning till Wednesday, held a minute silence to mourn the demise of the lawmaker. 

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Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked several villages in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A former Kaduna lawmaker, Shehu Sani, disclosed this in a tweet on Tuesday.

According to Sani, one of those affected in the attack is a local chieftain of the ruling party.

The tweet read, “Yesterday’s night, terrorists invaded some villages in Kagarko LG, Kaduna State; they killed, they kidnapped and they stole cattle; one of the victims is a local chieftain of the ruling party. We keep praying for an end to this tragedy.”

The local chieftain of the APC, Aribi Ward, was identified as Iliya Auta. He was the chairman of the APC in the ward.

In recent months, Kaduna has witnessed a spate of violent attacks which has led to killings and abduction of residents.

On March 28, a Kaduna-bound train was attacked by gunmen, which led to the death of eight people and several persons missing.

Some of the abducted people are currently in the custody of the gunmen.

Days after the train attack, 11 soldiers were killed in an attack by gunmen on a military base in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.

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President Muhammadu Buhari and the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, have met behind closed-door at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

Tambuwal is one of the front runners for the opposition People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential ticket.

The meeting with Buhari is coming days after the PDP’s consensus arrangement structured for four northern presidential aspirants hit the rocks.

The PDP presidential aspirants involved in the arrangement include Tambuwal; his Bauchi counterpart Governor Bala Mohammed; former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Managing-Director of FsB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Only on April 10, Tambuwal had said Buhari and his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) had turned Nigeria into an ungovernable state since they took over power in 2015.

He had stated this in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, adding the Nigeria was directionless with no leadership at the centre.

Tambuwal, who is also the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, further said that the current situation in the country made most Nigerians feel there was no government.

 

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Human rights activist and presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, has reacted to calls for zoning the 2023 presidency to a candidate from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria.

Sowore, who appeared on Arise TV on Tuesday morning, said zoning the Presidency to the South-East region would make no difference if the candidate elected on that basis was not the right candidate.

He argued that the presidency should rather go to the geographical area or intellectual area known for competence and great character.

There have been calls in different quarters for Igbo Presidency. Some of the supporters of the idea had explained that it was ideal a presidential candidate emerges from that part of the country to lay to rest the permanent feeling of disenchantment amongst the Igbos.

Reacting, Sowore said the decision to zone the presidency to a certain region was “undemocratic” adding that some of the people of the region were not even interested in who becomes the next President but rather, achieving their own nation.

He said, “An Igbo man becoming the president will not make a difference if he’s not the right person to lead. Each time there is an election cycle, the political elites in Nigeria who make this decision, which is undemocratic, will throw a bone at the Nigerian people. And their singsong this time around is that they want an Igbo to become the president. It’s not a decision that was taken with consent and the affirmation of the Nigerian people.

“If you go to Igboland today, they are not even interested in the elections. How do you tell IPOB members that it’s their turn to be president when they are agitating for a referendum and self-determination. Nobody went to the Yorubas to say who they wanted. Nobody went to Nigerians.

“All Nigerians are entitled to good governance and progress. An Igbo man becoming the president will not make a difference if he’s not the right person to lead. We should zone the presidency to the geographical area or intellectual area known as competence and great character.

“It’s a very divisive strategy to make people believe that if you bring an Igbo president, suddenly Nigeria will become El-Dorado.”

 

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Police officers, on Monday, invaded the headquarters of the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and beat up the state commandant after which they allegedly killed his orderly.

Leadership reports that the NSCDC commandant was stripped to his boxers after which he was beaten severely. Civil defence officers who tried to intervene were also beaten.

According to the report, heavily armed men of the Squadron-18 Mobile Police, Owerri, stormed the NSCDC office, and allegedly shot sporadically in the air, forcing residents of the area to scamper for their safety.

Meanwhile, the trouble started after a heated argument between the driver of the NSCDC commandant and a police officer in mufti, who blocked the exit way of the commandant's entourage who was said to be returning from Abacheke, the oil bunkering site where scores were burnt to death in Egbema.

A civil defence officer, who gave his name only as Ikechukwu, explained that “when asked by the commandant’s security escorts to move aside, the police officer who was not on uniform vehemently refused without even disclosing his identity. He was, however, ignored on the commandant’s directive.

“However, rather than go his way, the police officer, unknown to the men of the corps, put a call through to his colleagues, who mobilised to the command’s headquarters, while he followed the entourage to Owerri.

“On reaching the Corps office, while the commandant made to enter the command, the man blocked the NSCDC boss, brought out a pistol and announced that he was a police officer. On sighting that, he was immediately rounded up and arrested by NSCDC officers who also seized the pistol to avert danger.”

Another officer, who did not want his name in print, said, “After he was released, he returned with heavily armed enraged MOPOL men who went into beating, shooting and attacking both officers and their facilities at the premises.”

The commandant, Ogar, who was already in his office, rushed out to address the situation on hearing the gunshots, but the enraged policemen attacked and beat him up with his uniform torn, after which he was stripped down to his boxers before being whisked away.

It was also gathered that the enraged MOPOL officers who threatened to shoot at the state commandant allegedly boasted that nothing would happen.

The civil defence said the policemen subsequently released their colleague who was arrested and detained for invading its premises.

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