Why northern govs supported Tinubu – Masari

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has revealed why he and other Northern governors supported the presidential ambition of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

Masari made the revelation on Thursday in Daura during a farewell visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar.

According to him, the northern governors under the All Progressives Congress supported Tinubu in order to respect the zoning formula of the party.

He said, “God had saved us from shame during the last general elections in the country where our party, the All Progressives Congress APC recorded huge successes.

“Anyone in this country with foresight should thank God again because had it been our party did not win the election, people may think that the Federal Government failed Nigerians.”

“Whatever someone planned in this country, God has helped President Muhammad Buhari to defend his integrity, because if we had failed in the election, he would be the first to be blamed.”

Terrorists kill seven in Kaduna

Suspected Fulani militants attacked and killed about seven persons in Warkan village, Atyap land in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The PUNCH gathered that several houses were also razed down by the attackers with the number of those injured yet to be ascertained.

A source told our correspondent that the attackers stormed the village in their numbers, saying that a search is ongoing to ascertain the casualties in the area.

He stated that the most worrisome is the inability of those in authority to take proactive measures to avert the ugly incident that has been going on for years, particularly in Atyap land.

He further explained, “One hardly understands the rationale behind these organised attacks and killings that have become the order of the day in Atyap land. Most worrisome is the inability of those in authority both at the federal and state levels to take proactive steps to bring an end to the attacks.”

Meanwhile, efforts to get reactions from both the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Jalige, and the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, proved abortive as they did not respond to calls put across to them by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

Fresh suit seeks to stop Tinubu’s swearing-in on May 29

With barely 17 days to the scheduled swearing in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, five residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for an order to halt the ceremony.

The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, applied for an order, restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.

They further want a declaration that, “the plaintiffs and other FCT residents have a legal interest and constitutional rights to be heard on the question of whether a President-elect must secure at least 25% of votes cast, on the first ballot, in the FCT, Abuja.”

“A declaration that no state of the country is at the same time the FCT for any propose whatsoever, including, in particular, under section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.”

“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.”

Benue Assembly suspends plenary over unpaid salaries

Following the non-payment of their six months’ salary arrears and allowances, the Benue State House of Assembly members have suspended their plenary.

As a result of the suspension, the controversial Executive Pension Bill sent to the house by Governor Samuel Ortom for approval is on hold.

The bill reportedly grants past Governors of the state four new cars every four years and permanent accommodation. And also proposes hiring six personal staff for ex-governors and three for their deputies.

The bill, which has passed its first reading, provides free medical treatment for the governor’s family, including four of their children under 18.

Just4Gist (
)