News
President Bola Tinubu in Crucial Meeting Over Senate President, Speaker

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has turned his attention to a smooth take-off of the 10th National Assembly, with strike threat by Labour as an aftermath of petrol subsidy removal over.
Tinubu is expected to issue a proclamation giving effect to the commencement of a new legislative cycle next week, and also hold talks with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) today on preparations for the election of presiding officers, which is the first activity after the inauguration.
Tomorrow, the President will meet with APC National Assembly members-elect.
Yesterday, the President took a concrete step to unite the APC National Assembly members-elect for the purpose of arriving at a joint decision on the zoning of the principal offices.
He met with contestants for the post of Speaker who are challenging the party’s choice, Tajudeen Abbas.
Also yesterday, governors of Osun, Oyo and Rivers joined their other 23 colleagues to drum support for the APC’s preferred candidates for Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who said the Southsouth should produce the next Senate President, pointed out that anti-zoning campaigners in APC are laying a stumbling block for Tinubu.
Among the House of Representatives Speaker contenders at the meeting with President Tinubu, which started around 7 pm at the State House are Yusuf Gagdi (Pankshin/Kanke/Constituency); Sada Soli (Jibia /Kaita Constituency); Miriam Onuoha (Okigwe North Constituency); and Muktar Betara (Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwayar Kusar Constituency).
The President earlier met separately with Deputy Speaker Idris Wase.
The meeting was attended by the APC’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
A Senator, who is attending the meeting with the President today, said the parley became necessary to put the house in order before the inauguration.
He said: “The President will be meeting with the APC senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect tomorrow (today) to make a final appeal. APC governors and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) are expected at the meeting.”
The APC governors, who have repeatedly said they would support the party’s nominees for presiding officer positions are expected to join the president in persuading those challenging party’s position.
The intention is to arrive at a consensus to prevent election on the floor on inauguration day, it was learnt last night.
Tinubu pleads with Betara, Wase, Gagdi to step down for Abbas
President Tinubu pleaded with the aspirants for the Speaker to step down for Abbas.
He said his plea was in the interest of national cohesion and unity.
But the aggrieved aspirants, especially a leading aspirant, Aliyu Betara, promised to consult their supporters and get back to the President through Senator Iyiola Omisore, who led them to the meeting.
It was learnt that some of the aspirants may withdraw for Abbas in deference to the President.
Although none of the aspirants spoke with reporters, it was gathered that the President was willing to involve them.
A source said: “The President made a deft move to prevail on those aspiring to be the Speaker to step down for Abbas. He urged them to allow a seamless takeoff of the 10th House of Representatives.
“The session was a follow-up to the interaction he had with Betara on Monday.
“Tinubu brokered a no-winner, no vanquished situation. These aspirants will be accommodated in the power-sharing in the House.
“He has also granted the request of the candidates to consult with their supporters.”
A source said the ruling party is not comfortable with how a contestant for Senate President “has monetised and bastardised the process.”
The source said: “The aspirant has involved traditional rulers in the campaigns. His billboards are all over the place. He is engaged in all manner of propaganda. He is carrying on as if he is contesting a general election.”
The source said the supporters of the aspirant have hired a former Senate President as a consultant in a bid to repeat the 2015 scenario.
Predicting that the plot will fail, the source added: “The aspirant is not a ranking member, and the essence of ranking is that those who have legislative experience in the Senate should be presiding officers.”
25 governors support Akpabio/Jibrin ticket
The 25 governors are mobilising senators-elect across APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
They include governors of Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos, Ekiti, Osun, Kogi, Rivers, Cross River, Kaduna, Borno, Ebonyi and Ondo states.
The governors, the majority of whom are from APC-controlled states, have maintained that they will uphold the unanimous zoning decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
The governors, it was learnt, added that the NWC has made profound decisions that will promote institutional stability and the peaceful conduct of legislative proceedings in the 10th Assembly.
Wike chides anti-zoning lawmakers
Wike accused opponents of zoning of the Senate Presidency to the Southsouth of laying a stumbling block for Tinubu in the National Assembly.
He insisted that those who love the unity of the country and want the Tinubu-led government to succeed would work to ensure the emergence of the next Senate President from the Southsouth as already determined by the President and the APC leadership.
A statement by Wike’s media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said the former governor spoke in Port Harcourt.
He said: “My position is that the (Senate) presidency should come to the Southsouth.
“If you agree that (Senate) presidency should go to the south, tell me the truth, where should it go? It can’t be in the Southwest. It can’t be in the Southeast.
“Southsouth has only produced one Senate president, far back in 1979, Joseph Wayas. Southeast has produced over seven.”
Wike said those who earlier fought against Tinubu’s presidential ambition were still hellbent on laying a stumbling block for him at the National Assembly through their opposition to Akpabio, his preferred choice for Senate President.
He said: “The party (APC) and the President appear to have a soft spot for Akpabio. I would have thought that people will say, look, allow this administration to start on a very good foundation, so nobody gives us excuses that why this administration could not start on good footing is because of the rancour between the executive and the legislature.”
The former governor maintained that if there is no cordial relationship between the leadership of the National Assembly and the presidency, the country will be distracted by the unnecessary power conflict between the executive and National Assembly.
He added: “If Mr President doesn’t have a smooth administration, at the end of the day, who suffers? Is it not Nigerians? Let us believe that we are all one, let us give everyone a sense of belonging.”
Wike disclosed that President Tinubu and the APC national leadership preference for Akpabio, who is a Christian, is part of a deliberate strategy aimed at dispersing the misconception generated by the choice of Kashim Shettima, a Muslim, as the president’s running mate.
The former Rivers governor stressed that by backing Akpabio and appointing a former Benue State governor, George Akume, as Secretary to the Federation, President Tinubu had demonstrated his sincerity to balance the faith question.
He said: “Muslim-Muslim ticket was a problem, coupled with the abysmal performance of the last government, it was a double jeopardy. PDP campaigned against it that this country can’t have a President as a Muslim and Vice President as a Muslim.
“Somehow, by the president’s own luck, God being by his side, and his doggedness, he was able to make it.
“Mind you, a lot of booty traps were set for Mr. President not to emerge as President. A lot of booty traps were set even by people in his own party. It is correct. There is no government in this world which is a ruling party that can bring up policies that will make your party be unpopular during an election period.
“Within that period of election, you brought the issue of Naira redesign and brought the issue of there was no fuel – two things that affected the masses. You will know it was a booty trap set against Asiwaju not to emerge. Nobody can deceive me that that policy was not targeted at him.”
Wike dismissed the insinuation that his recent visit to the Presidential Villa was in connection to speculation that he was being offered a ministerial position.
He said Tinubu had never during any of their meetings made such an offer to him as was being speculated in the media.
“Every week, you see people reeling out different lists. What is my business? Mr President has not called me one day to say look this is what I want you to do, for me to say yes or no. But, you see people churning out lists. I’m sure this week another list will come out,” he said
Wike commended President Tinubu for his courage to end the fuel subsidy regime in the country.
He argued that the decision clearly distinguished the President as a man determined and prepared for leadership.
He said: “What President did was to tell Nigerians, I am prepared for this job, and that is why some of us we say give him a chance.”
Group: Zone Senate President to Southeast
The Forum of APC Support Groups rejected the zoning arrangement announced by the leadership of the party.
The group, which stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, demanded that the party leadership should correct the “lop-sidedness and imbalance decision” of the zoning arrangement.
Its National Publicity Secretary Adamu Isa’ah, urged the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) to come up with an arrangement that would be fair, equitable and just.
Crime
ALLEGED TERRORISM: Witness Says Kanu Founder Of Eastern Security Network

Government’s second witness in the ongoing trial of Biafra nation agitator, Nnamdi Kanu says the secessionist leader is the founder of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and operator of Radio Biafra.
At the resumed hearing on the matter, the second prosecution witness, identified as BBB, testified that he was assigned by the then Attorney General of the Federation to investigate Kanu.
But attempts by the prosecution to tender a letter authorising the investigation was objected by Agabi on grounds that the document was not front loaded.
This prompted the prosecution’s withdrawal of the document, a request granted by the court.
The court, therefore, ordered that all materials intended for the trial must be served in advance and listed properly, stressing that no document would be admitted unless previously disclosed to the defence.
In another aspect, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, has instructed that only 16 out of the 26 listed would be recognised in court.
This followed a bit of confusion about legal representation, where a certain Charles Ude claimed to be a member of Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team.
But lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, disassociated the team from Ude’s claim, with Kanu affirming that Agabi remains his official legal representative.
Similarly, the court has barred a relative of the defendant, Favour Kano, from attending three successive proceedings of the court, after she admitted doing a live stream while the judge was seated.
Justice Omotosho revealed she had also posted the content online. The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 7 for the continuation of the examination-in-chief of the second prosecution witness.
News
JUST IN: Reps, Benue gov clash Over Insecurity as NASS resumes today

As the National Assembly resumes from its long recess today, the House of Representatives and the Benue State Government have disagreed on the reasons for the spates of killings in the state in the past few months.
While the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese blamed Governor Hyacinth Alia for what it called his abandonment of the state anti-open grazing law for the increase in the killings of innocent citizens in recent times, the governor fired back, accusing Agbese of knowing next to nothing about how laws are suspended in state legislatures.
Attacks in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State in the past three weeks have left no fewer than 56 persons dead, with Gov Alia last week, appealing for Federal Government’s intervention to stem the tide.
Recall The two chambers had on March 27 proceeded on break to mark the Eid-el-Fitr and Easter celebrations and fixed Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as the resumption date. However, the Workers’ Days celebration on May 1 led to the extension of resumption by an additional week.
While on break, bandits in a senseless campaign of violence killed innocent Nigerians in Plateau, Benue and Zamfara States, culminating in calls for President Bola Tinubu to cut short his vacation in France to return home to lead the fight against insecurity from the front
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, said the leadership of the House is committed to speaking against all forms of criminality in the country, particularly the killings of defenceless Nigerians and destruction of their property.
He said, “As we resume tomorrow (Tuesday), we are prepared to tackle squarely the issue of insecurity across the country. We are tired of observing one-minute silence in honour of the dead all the time.
Like the Speaker, the Right Honourable Tajudeen Abbas always says, the life of every Nigerian is very important to the 10th National Assembly.
“To bring these issues to the attention of the government through urgent public importance is not a question we should be asking ourselves now.
We want to see action, we want to see Nigeria secure so that everyone can move freely without fear of being attacked or killed.
“During our sectoral engagement with security chiefs not long ago, they promised action, and we saw a reduction in these attacks. But that was then.
“Things have worsened again, and we cannot continue. We hope to engage them again, and if we are convinced that they don’t have fresh ideas on how to address the challenge of insecurity, we will recommend to Mr President to relieve them of their duties and appoint fresh hands to step in.
”Agbese also commended the leadership of the House, saying, “Since we came on board in June 2023, Speaker Abbas has continued to prioritise the well-being of Nigerians, and as part of this parliament, we are not prepared to rest yet.
Nigerians expect more from us and we can’t afford to let them down. What we must do as parliamentarians is to speak up when things are not going well.
“Killing Nigerians in their homes, farms or wherever should not be condoned. We are hopeful that as we resume our duty, we will lend our voices to the call for the safety of Nigerians wherever they are and that those tasked with maintaining peace and order, as well as the protection of lives and property, will step up their game and make this country secure for us all.
”On the incessant killings in Benue State over the past few months, Agbese who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of the State, blamed the governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia for his handling of the state anti-grazing law.
He said, “Before his (Gov Alia) election, there was an anti open grazing law in place. He completely abandoned that law and was busy claiming that there were no issues in Benue.
The governor kept referring to the ECOWAS Protocol which guarantees free movement of people and goods within the West Africa sub region.
“Truth as that may sound, the ECOWAS Protocol does not make room for reckless human transit without documentation, and this is what some of us pointed out to the governor.
“Before now, when herders came into new settlements, the law required them to give information about themselves to the locals.
They were known to the people, but Gov Alia came and changed everything. At a point, he said there was no problem in Benue. We are happy that he is beginning to realise that this is not the way to go.
Meanwhile, Mr Agbese has called on Gov Hyacinth Alia and his Zamfara State counterpart, Dauda Lawal, to appear before the House Committee on Public Petitions as directed by the Committee Chairman, Mike Etaba last week.
Last week, the committee summoned the two governors, along with the leadership of their Houses of Assembly to appear before them on Thursday, May 8, to explain why their functions should not be taken over by the House of Representatives.
According to the statement, the invitation, “Was sequel to a petition written by a civil rights organisation, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, urging the House to take over the functions of the two Houses of Assembly.
”The Committee insisted that its intervention is necessary “To ensure that the rule of Law is upheld at all times. The parties have a wonderful opportunity to state their cases clearly so that Nigerians can know what is going on.
Anarchy would never be given any space in our polity.
”Reminded that the State Assemblies have denied receiving the House summons, the Benue lawmaker urged them to move away from technicalities and appear before the Committee to enable Nigerians to hear their own side of the story.
“We can’t be hiding under needless technicalities all the time. If Nigerians are aware that there is a summon for the governors and State Assemblies to appear before a Standing Committee based on a petition, we expect the parties involved to appear before the committee.
“The National Assembly has the power to take over the functions of State Assemblies in line with the provision of Section 11 (4) of the Constitution. They should appear and let Nigerians know why that should not happen,” he said.
When asked if there will be consequences if they fail to appear, Agbese said, “Let us not discuss that yet. Let’s hope they will appear.
Thursday is not today, and I sincerely hope they will be here. There is no reason to think otherwise,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has asked the deputy spokesman of the House of Representative, Philip Agbese to go for further study on what democracy entails.
Responding to the allegations by the house deputy spokesman that the governor abandoned the anti open grazing law of the state leading to reckless attack on Benue communities.
The governor who spoke through his Technical Adviser on Communication, Media and Publicity, Solomon Iorpev said that in a democratic system, there are processes to repeal existing laws.
He said, “I don’t like to respond to those who do not know their right hand from their left hand because it’s only in a military regime that you hear about suspension of laws without following due process.
“But in a democratic system, you should know that there must be processes to suspend existing laws and since he (deputy spokesman) does not give evidence to that, it means the he doesn’t know anything about democracy.
Iorpev added that the governor had at several fora, reiterated his stance on the full enforcement of the anti open grazing law in the state.
News
JUST IN: All 133 Catholic cardinals arrive in Rome ahead of conclave to elect new Pope

All 133 Catholic cardinals eligible to vote for a new pope have arrived in Rome, the Vatican confirmed today, ahead of the conclave beginning this week.
They will enter into seclusion in the Sistine Chapel at 4:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Wednesday, voting in secret until one of them secures the required two-thirds majority to become the next head of the Roman Catholic Church, reports AFP.
Summoned following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the group — representing 70 countries across five continents — is the largest and most diverse conclave in the Church’s history.
At stake is the direction of the Catholic Church, a 2,000-year-old institution with huge global influence but which is battling to adapt to the modern world and recover its reputation after the scandal of widespread child sex abuse by priests.
The 133 so-called “Princes of the Church” who will vote — all those aged under 80, minus two who are absent for health reasons — will gather on Wednesday afternoon under the frescoed splendour of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.
Voting once that day and four times a day thereafter until a pope is chosen, they will stay at the nearby Santa Marta guesthouse but are forbidden from contacting the outside world until they have made their choice.
They will inform the waiting world of their progress by burning their ballots and sending up smoke — black if no candidate has reached the two-thirds majority of votes, or white if they have a winner.
This morning, technicians installed red curtains on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, where the new pontiff will make his first appearance.
At issue is whether the new pontiff will follow the popular Argentine pontiff’s progressive line or whether the Holy See will pivot towards a more conservative traditionalist leader.
Francis, an energetic reformer from Buenos Aires, ran the Church for 12 years and appointed 80 percent of the current cardinal electors.
But experts caution they may not choose someone in his model, with many warning there could be surprises.
Vatican affairs specialist Marco Politi told our correspondent that, given the unknowns, the conclave could be “the most spectacular in 50 years”.
‘Calm The Waters’
Cardinals met this morning for the latest in a series of preparatory meetings, so-called general congregations, and will gather again in the afternoon.
All cardinals are invited to these, not just those eligible to vote in the conclave, taking the opportunity to discuss the issues that will face Francis’s successor.
“Nobody campaigns, for crying out loud. That would be extraordinarily stupid and indiscreet, and improper and counterproductive,” said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.
“But you just want to get to know folks, and it works well,” he said on his own podcast.
Among the pilgrims and sightseers who gathered in the square on Monday, opinions varied widely about who could or should take over.
“Maybe more of Pope Francis than Pope Benedict,” said German visitor Aurelius Lie, 36.“
As long as he’s not too conservative (and) influenced by modern political leaders — (Giorgia) Meloni, (Donald) Trump,” he said, referring to the Italian prime minister and the US president.
“Maybe the Church will be thinking: ‘We need a tough pope now to deal with these people.’ But their terms will end in a couple of years.
”But Canadian priest Justin Pulikunnel did not hide his frustration at the direction Francis tried to take the Church, saying he personally sought a return to a more traditional leadership.
“Well, I hope and I pray that the new pope will kind of be a source of unity in the Church and kind of calm the waters down after almost a dozen years of destabilisation and ambiguity,” he said yesterday.
“Changing World’
The conclave begins on Wednesday afternoon and could continue for days, weeks or even months — although both Francis and Benedict XVI — who was pope from 2005 until his resignation in 2013 — were elected within two days.
Italy’s Pietro Parolin, who was secretary of state under Francis, is one of the favourites, as is Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
Among the so-called “papabili” are also Luis Antonio Tagle from the Philippines and Hungarian conservative Peter Erdo.
But many more names have been discussed, and just like when Francis — then an Argentinian known as Jorge Bergoglio — was picked in 2013, a surprise candidate could emerge.
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako of Iraq told reporters before today’s meetings that he wanted “a pastor, a father who preserves the unity of the Church and the integrity of the faith but who also knows the challenges of today”.
“The world is always changing. Every day there is news. The Pope must read the signs of the times to have the right answer and not be closeted in his palace.”
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