MORNING NEWS
The Headlines
2027: Rep Member, ADC Chieftain Disagree Over Obi, Others’ Defection
Senate Restricts Its Presidency To Returning 10th Assembly Members
Alleged Coup: Suspect Says He Was Misled In Video Statement
Makurdi cult clash claims three lives, residents flee as youths threaten reprisal
US declares Iran offensive over, warns force remains an option
Saka Fires Arsenal Into First Champions League Final In 20 Years
THE DETAILS
Uzokwe, and the National Deputy Financial Secretary of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Oladimeji Fabiyi, have disagreed over defections from the party in recent days.
A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who also contested the 2023 presidential poll, and some members of the National Assembly recently left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing several issues, like multiple court cases.
Others cited the influence of certain members of the ADC, like ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Uzokwe, representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo in the House of Representatives, claimed that Atiku pushed them out of the ADC. “We left ADC because His Excellency Atiku Abubakar said that the coalition was formed in his house, that ADC is his party, that nobody will tell him anything,” he said on the show.
In a major shift to its internal rules, the Senate has amended its standing orders to restrict eligibility for the office of Senate President to members of the 10th National Assembly.
The decision followed a marathon closed-door session on Tuesday, after which lawmakers agreed on new criteria aimed at reinforcing parliamentary hierarchy and experience. Under the revised rules, only senators who have served two terms will be eligible to contest for principal offices.
The amendment further stipulates that at least one of the two terms must be the immediate term preceding the nomination, effectively narrowing the field of contenders.
The amended Order 4 states, “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
“The order of ranking are (i) former President of the Senate, (ii) former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, and (vi) in the absence of i to v, Senators elected into the Senate for the first time.” By implication, only senators currently serving in the 10th Assembly who secure re-election into the 11th Senate will qualify to vie for the Senate presidency and other principal positions. The Senate said the move is intended to strengthen adherence to the tradition of ranking within the legislative chamber
The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, has denied knowledge of any plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, insisting in a recorded statement played in court that he was “misled”. Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with a construction company, made the claim in a video recording previewed by the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence against the six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
In the video played in open court, Umoru told investigators that he first came in contact with persons linked to the case through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered was Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
According to Umoru, he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman interested in offering him electrical work at a building under construction. “I was misled,” he said in the video, insisting he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or had “any intention beyond business dealings”. While defence counsels argued for the case to be adjourned to a further date, prosecution counsels and Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to stand by its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the case. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11, 12, and 13 for the continuation of the trial.
Residents of the Agwan Jukun axis of Makurdi town have been thrown into panic following a bloody clash between suspected rival cult groups that reportedly left three persons dead and several others injured. The incident, which occurred yesterday evening around 8pm, forced many residents to flee their homes while business activities in the area were abruptly halted as shop owners shut down for safety.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers stormed the community in a coordinated manner, targeting specific individuals. “They came into the area around 8pm and moved straight to their targets. It was clear they knew who they were looking for,” the source said.
According to the resident, one of the victims was killed along Market Street, while others were attacked on Wukari Street. The killing, he noted, was an organized cult attack.“The way they operated showed they were not just random attackers. It looked like they came from outside the community but had insider information about their targets. There are usually people within who monitor movements and pass information to these groups,” he said.
The aftermath of the attack, he said created fear in the community in particularly around the market area near a small mosque, where tension remained high. Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive details of the incident.
FOREIGN NEWS The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, even as Washington warned it was ready to unleash a “devastating” response to any new attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio’s remarks came after Washington’s top military officer said American forces remain ready to resume combat operations if ordered, as clashes in the vital waterway threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire
The warnings came after Iran’s chief negotiator said Tehran “had not even started yet,” following a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route. President Donald Trump urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and make a deal, saying he did not want to kill more Iranians even as the ceasefire teetered.
SPORTS NEWS
Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta’s side settled the semi-final second leg with Saka’s strike late in the first half at an ecstatic Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid last week, held firm after Saka’s goal to go through 2-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.
Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semi-finals last year, have a 5-4 lead ahead of the second leg in Munich on Wednesday. It was a cathartic night for Arsenal, who are back in the Champions League final for the first time since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their only previous appearance in the showpiece in 2006. Now just four games from immortality, Premier League leaders Arsenal were given a huge boost in the title race when second-placed Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday. The Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their last three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
2027: Rep Member, ADC Chieftain Disagree Over Obi, Others’ Defection
Senate Restricts Its Presidency To Returning 10th Assembly Members
Alleged Coup: Suspect Says He Was Misled In Video Statement
Makurdi cult clash claims three lives, residents flee as youths threaten reprisal
US declares Iran offensive over, warns force remains an option
Saka Fires Arsenal Into First Champions League Final In 20 Years
THE DETAILS
Uzokwe, and the National Deputy Financial Secretary of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Oladimeji Fabiyi, have disagreed over defections from the party in recent days.
A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who also contested the 2023 presidential poll, and some members of the National Assembly recently left the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing several issues, like multiple court cases.
Others cited the influence of certain members of the ADC, like ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Uzokwe, representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo in the House of Representatives, claimed that Atiku pushed them out of the ADC. “We left ADC because His Excellency Atiku Abubakar said that the coalition was formed in his house, that ADC is his party, that nobody will tell him anything,” he said on the show.
In a major shift to its internal rules, the Senate has amended its standing orders to restrict eligibility for the office of Senate President to members of the 10th National Assembly.
The decision followed a marathon closed-door session on Tuesday, after which lawmakers agreed on new criteria aimed at reinforcing parliamentary hierarchy and experience. Under the revised rules, only senators who have served two terms will be eligible to contest for principal offices.
The amendment further stipulates that at least one of the two terms must be the immediate term preceding the nomination, effectively narrowing the field of contenders.
The amended Order 4 states, “Nomination of Senators to serve as Presiding Officers shall be in accordance with the ranking of Senators and shall be strictly adhered to.
“The order of ranking are (i) former President of the Senate, (ii) former Deputy President of the Senate, (iii) former Principal Officers of the Senate, (iv) Senators who had served at least one term of four years, (v) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, and (vi) in the absence of i to v, Senators elected into the Senate for the first time.” By implication, only senators currently serving in the 10th Assembly who secure re-election into the 11th Senate will qualify to vie for the Senate presidency and other principal positions. The Senate said the move is intended to strengthen adherence to the tradition of ranking within the legislative chamber
The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, has denied knowledge of any plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, insisting in a recorded statement played in court that he was “misled”. Umoru, an employee in the maintenance department of the Presidential Villa working with a construction company, made the claim in a video recording previewed by the court as part of the prosecution’s evidence against the six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
In the video played in open court, Umoru told investigators that he first came in contact with persons linked to the case through the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to a man identified as Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered was Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
According to Umoru, he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman interested in offering him electrical work at a building under construction. “I was misled,” he said in the video, insisting he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or had “any intention beyond business dealings”. While defence counsels argued for the case to be adjourned to a further date, prosecution counsels and Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to stand by its earlier order for accelerated hearing of the case. Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter till May 11, 12, and 13 for the continuation of the trial.
Residents of the Agwan Jukun axis of Makurdi town have been thrown into panic following a bloody clash between suspected rival cult groups that reportedly left three persons dead and several others injured. The incident, which occurred yesterday evening around 8pm, forced many residents to flee their homes while business activities in the area were abruptly halted as shop owners shut down for safety.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers stormed the community in a coordinated manner, targeting specific individuals. “They came into the area around 8pm and moved straight to their targets. It was clear they knew who they were looking for,” the source said.
According to the resident, one of the victims was killed along Market Street, while others were attacked on Wukari Street. The killing, he noted, was an organized cult attack.“The way they operated showed they were not just random attackers. It looked like they came from outside the community but had insider information about their targets. There are usually people within who monitor movements and pass information to these groups,” he said.
The aftermath of the attack, he said created fear in the community in particularly around the market area near a small mosque, where tension remained high. Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said she was yet to receive details of the incident.
FOREIGN NEWS The United States has completed its offensive operations against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, even as Washington warned it was ready to unleash a “devastating” response to any new attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Rubio’s remarks came after Washington’s top military officer said American forces remain ready to resume combat operations if ordered, as clashes in the vital waterway threatened to unravel a fragile ceasefire
The warnings came after Iran’s chief negotiator said Tehran “had not even started yet,” following a spate of attacks in the crucial trade route. President Donald Trump urged Iran to “do the smart thing” and make a deal, saying he did not want to kill more Iranians even as the ceasefire teetered.
SPORTS NEWS
Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Mikel Arteta’s side settled the semi-final second leg with Saka’s strike late in the first half at an ecstatic Emirates Stadium. The Gunners, who drew 1-1 in the first leg in Madrid last week, held firm after Saka’s goal to go through 2-1 on aggregate.
Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final in Budapest on May 30.
Holders PSG, who beat Arsenal in the semi-finals last year, have a 5-4 lead ahead of the second leg in Munich on Wednesday. It was a cathartic night for Arsenal, who are back in the Champions League final for the first time since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in their only previous appearance in the showpiece in 2006. Now just four games from immortality, Premier League leaders Arsenal were given a huge boost in the title race when second-placed Manchester City drew at Everton on Monday. The Gunners will be crowned champions if they win their last three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.