Senator Ali Ndume (Borno South) has said that the All Progressives Congress has secured the support of 69 out of 109 senators-elect for Senate President aspirant Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President aspirant Barau Jibrin.

The Borno lawmaker said the 69 Senators-elect are members of the ‘Stability Group’ and have already appended their signatures for their aspiration.

Ndume who led the Akpabio campaign team to Lagos for a meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the former Akwa Ibom governor will win with a clear majority.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has said that the May 29 inauguration date remains sacrosanct while giving out a warning to politicians and political parties.

Giving the warning on Monday, May 15, the police chief said they’ve been working closely with the national intelligence community to stop any incident that will affect the country’s security interests.

He said;

“Following the successful conclusion of the 2023 General elections, it has been observed that some major political actors that the outcome did not favour, have been issuing public threats that are directed at instigating actions to frustrate the Presidential inauguration ceremony on 29th May, 2023.

“The Nigeria Police and the national intelligence community have been closely monitoring the activities of these political elites as well as other elements who have formed themselves into unpatriotic brands whose only fantasy, in recent times, is to subvert our national security interests.

“In so doing, they seem to be bent on deploying extra-judicial and undemocratic means to truncate our democratic heritage in advancement of their narrow personal political considerations.”

The ‘Abia State Re-dedication and Dr Alex Otti’s Thanksgiving Service’ organising committee has declared a seven-day prayer, fasting and thanksgiving.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the chairman and secretary of the committee, Uzor Nwachukwu and Bertrand Okeomah, respectively.

The committee stated that the programme was part of the activities lined up for the inauguration of Otti as the 10th Governor of Abia on May 29.

It also stated that the spiritual cleansing was slated to begin with prayer and fasting on Sunday, May 21 and end on Friday, May 26.

According to the committee, the event to usher in a new wave of spirituality would be rounded off with a ‘Re-dedication Retreat’ at the Ngwa High School, Aba, on May 27.

It further stated that the spiritual retreat already had the support of the Abia chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leadership.

“Similarly, a post-inauguration state thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, June 4, at the Umuahia Township Stadium by noon prompt,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, CAN has called on all its member churches in Abia to observe the prayer and fasting sessions.According to a statement by CAN secretary Mgbeahuru Okey, the directive was issued by the Abia CAN chairman, Emmanuel Agomoh.

“Let’s join hands with other faithful in this all-important assignment for a new Abia of our collective dream,” the CAN statement stated.

The Nigerian Navy says it would parade 16 warships, three warships from Spain, Brazil and Ghana as well as six helicopters and fighter jets from the Nigerian Air Force in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Presidential Fleet Reviews are events practiced by navies across the world in order to honour their sovereigns or heads of government as a sign of loyalty and allegiance to the state.

The presidential fleet review will also provide an avenue for the president to assess the navy’s preparedness to defend the state in case of an attack.

Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Thursday, May 11 the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, said the Presidential Fleet Review (PFR) 2023, is scheduled to hold from May 19-22, 2023 in Lagos.

He said the review themed: “Fleet Readiness for National Prosperity” was carefully chosen to underscore the essence and value of the Nigerian Navy as a responsive naval force poised towards the attainment of national prosperity.

Gambo, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Suleiman Garba, said a total of 20 capital ships were procured for the Nigerian Navy during Buhari’s 8 year tenure.

“The ships comprise offshore patrol vessels, landing ship transport, hydrographic survey vessels, seaward defence boats, helicopters as well as over 300 inshore patrol vessels and assault crafts.

“The president also commissioned two locally built ships in 2016 and 2021 and laid the keel for two more, which will be ready by 2024.

“The Nigerian Navy deems it appropriate to honour the Commander-in-Chief for his support to the service.

“The 2023 Presidential Fleet Review is therefore organised in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his generous contribution to the service and the nation at large”, he stated.

The Osun House of Assembly on Thursday constituted seven ad hoc committees to midwife the smooth inauguration of the 8th Assembly in the state on June 6.

Mr Simeon Amusan, the clerk of the Assembly, while constituting the committees on the assembly floor, said the committees were constituted to avoid unnecessary vacuum and constitutional crisis.

“In facilitating a smooth and seamless inauguration, the management has approved the setting up of a number of ad hoc committees to take charge of different aspects of the programme to ensure its overall success,” he said.

Mr Amusan said that the committees were; Publicity, headed by Laide Lawal; Protocol/Invitation Committee, headed by Raheem Sanusi; and Security/Crowd Control Committee, headed by Muyiwa Ayeni.

Others are; entertainment/decoration committee, headed by Mrs Olanike Oyajide; technical committee, headed by Tajudeen Alade; sanitation committee with Taye Elutilo as chairman; and medical committee, headed by Mrs Mulikat Akinola.

He urged all the committees to work in synergy so that the inauguration of the 8th Assembly would be a success.

Speaking to newsmen after the inauguration, Mr Laide Lawal, the chairman of the publicity committee and director of information of the Assembly, solicited media support for coverage of the inauguration.

Lawal tasked journalists to work with him to give the inauguration proper and befitting coverage, saying they were also part of the publicity committee for the inauguration.

The Osun State 7th Assembly, led by Speaker Timothy Owoeye, would be winding down on June 5 while the 8th Assembly would be inaugurated on June 6.

President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday afternoon, May 10, left Nigeria for Europe on a working visit.

A statement released by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, says Tinubu will use the opportunity of the trip to fine-tune the transition plans, programs, and his policy options with some of his key aides without unnecessary pressures and distractions.

‘’During the visit, the President-elect will engage with investors and other key allies with the goal of marketing investment opportunities in the country and his administration’s readiness to enable a business-friendly climate through policies and regulations.

Already, meetings with multi-sectoral actors in Europe’s business community including manufacturing, agriculture, tech and energy have been lined up.

Asíwájú Tinubu hopes to convince them of Nigeria’s readiness to do business under his leadership through mutually-beneficial partnerships premised on jobs creation and skills acquisition.

Reviving the country’s economy forms a major plank of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the meeting is part of his efforts to re-establish Nigeria’s importance in the global economic chain and create empowering opportunities for the country’s huge youth population.

”Rahman said Rahman added that the President-elect has hitherto promised to hit the ground running and the visit is reflective of his commitment to the promise as he has already begun talks with global actors in the important areas of the economy and security.

‘’Before he left the country, Asíwájú Tinubu met with the House of Representatives candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker endorsed by his party, the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who were presented to him by Joint Task Team of the House. He is scheduled to return shortly for preparations towards his official swearing in as the 16th President of the country on May 29, 2023.” the statement in part read

President Buhari has sent a letter to the Senate seeking approval to take a loan of $800 million from the World Bank to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.

Recall that in April, the Federal Government announced that as part of its subsidy palliative measures, it has received an $800 million World Bank grant targeting 50 million vulnerable Nigerians or 10 million households.

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who disclosed this, said the disbursement of the grant is in light of the planned subsidy removal in June 2023.

Ahmed added that engagements are ongoing with the newly established Presidential Transition Council (PTC) and the incoming administration, to drive the palliative program, which includes the need for buses among various considerations.

President Muhammadu Buhari reiterated his satisfaction with the conduct of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria before some Commonwealth leaders.

He based his happiness on the turnout of voters and the generally peaceful atmosphere under which it took place.

Addressing colleagues at the Commonwealth Leaders Summit on Friday in London, the Nigerian president said the country learnt lessons which would make subsequent polls even better.

His media adviser Femi Adesina released a statement detailing Mr Buhari’s submissions at the London summit.

Many world leaders are currently in the United Kingdom to witness the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III as King of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Commonwealth.

“These elections saw a remarkable turnout of voters and proof that Nigeria’s democracy is maturing,” Mr Buhari said.

“Despite some pockets of violence, we have demonstrated that a government can be elected peacefully and fairly.”

He said further,

“Lessons have been learnt and moving forward, we hope to perform even better.

“Based on this, I am delighted to note that we have taken another step towards deepening our democracy with peaceful, transparent and credible outcomes.

“Though we are aware that challenges still exist, we are committed to working towards a greater participation of all Nigerians in the democratic process, including those in the diaspora.”

The Nigerian leader noted that the Commonwealth sent a team to witness the conduct of the elections, adding that the elections were generally free and fair.

According to him, the mood of the nation after the announcement of the winners so far shows that democracy in Nigeria is maturing and can only get better.

Mr Buhari highlighted the key role Nigerian youths played during the elections as well as in support of national development. He attributed a great part of the youth participation in the general elections to the assent of ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Bill signed into law by his administration in 2018.

He announced that Nigeria would also host the Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit for African Region, with the theme, ‘Making Change Happen’, in Abuja from May 9-11, this year.

The Nigerian leader used the opportunity to bid farewell to his colleagues, expressing joy at shared aspirations and values within the period.