President Bola Tinubu is expected back to Nigeria today, Monday, after a trip to France, Europe. He embarked on the trip on April 2nd, attracting condemnation from major opposition leaders. Both former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party ex-presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi criticised his absence at a time when killer herdsmen and bandits were running riot. However, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a terse statement on his X account Monday, wrote: "President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will return home today.” The presidency had earlier said Tinubu can run the country from any part of the world.

The process will soon commence for the replacement of the deceased Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis. NATIONAL POST reported that Pope Francis died Monday morning, aged 88. Eight cardinals are among those in line to succeed him. They include: Peter Turkson, 76 The former Bishop of the Cape Coast, would be the first black Pope and would have the appeal of reaching out to Africa. Born in Ghana, he was sent by Pope Francis as a peace envoy to South Sudan. Luis Antonio Tagle, 67 Tagle is a frontrunner this time round and is considered one of the more liberal candidates Pietro Parolin, 70 Parolin has worked closely with Pope Francis but has upset some with his views on China. He is seen as a moderate, though not as close to the liberal wing as Francis has sometimes appeared to be. Peter Erdo, 72 From the Eastern bloc, Erdo is a deep conservative and has spoken against divorced or remarried Catholics receiving holy communion. Jose Tolentino, 59 As the relative youth candidate, he has advocated that biblical scholars engage with the modern world by watching films and listening to music. Matteo Zuppi, 69 Zuppi has been Archbishop of Bologna since 2015 and was appointed a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019. Two years ago, the Pope made him the Vatican peace envoy for Ukraine. Mario Grech, 68 Cardinal Grech has played a key role in advancing Pope Francis’s vision for a more inclusive and participatory Church. He served as the Bishop of Gozo and is now the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. Robert Sarah, 79 Born in French Guinea, Sarah is another possibility as the first black pope. A conservative, he has denounced gender ideology as a threat to society. He has also spoken out against Islamic fundamentalism.

Roman Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis is dead. News of his demise filtered in on Monday. Francis died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. In a post on the social media platform X, the Vatican said that the pontiff died in his residence. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, disclosed that Pope Francis died at 7:35 am on Easter Monday. Speaking at the Casa Santa Marta, Farrell said: "Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. "At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. "With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God." Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

Super Falcons player, Peace Ogebe is in a lamenting mood over the widespread killings in Benue State. The midfielder, in a post shared via her social media handle, lamented the ceaseless bloodshed ravaging her home state, stating that she’s been unable to sleep in recent days due to the disturbing news filtering in from the region. According to her, "I am just having sleepless nights these days because of what is happening in Benue State. “Like seriously, I can't just sleep. Why all the killing? What is their aim? I keep asking myself this question yet there’s no answer.” While accusing the authorities of not doing enough, she added: "Why is the government quiet over these killings? “Is it that they don't know what to do, or they just intentionally want to be mute.” Benue has remained under severe attacks by herdsmen, with tens of people already killed, many displaced and properties burnt.

Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana, (SAN) has come hard on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Falana spoke in response to Wike, who taunted him “for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court.” He said it was laughable that even though he appeared regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  “Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. Falana’s detailed response below: “In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case, which he had won at the Supreme Court. Even though I appear regularly in domestic and regional courts in Africa,  Mr Wike dubbed me “a television lawyer”. I did not join issues with him on that occasion because Wike is the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court. Another reason for ignoring Wike’s vituperations is that it is no crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court. In other words, only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts. A couple of days ago, Wike subjected me to another scurrilous attack in a press conference held in Abuja to showcase the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. In the course of the press conference, he veered off and was alleged to have accused me of lying about the defection status of certain legislators during an appearance on Channels TV. While referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling that addressed the issue of defection, stating, “A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection.” He then said, “If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it is very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.” He expressed concern that such misinformation, especially from a respected legal figure, could escalate tensions if not addressed. Specifically, Wike accused me of lying against the Supreme Court over its decision on the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Contrary to Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court in respect of the judgment in question. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent justices of the apex court. My comment was based on the undeniable fact that the vexed issue of the defection of the 27 legislators was pending in the Port Harcourt judicial division of the Federal High Court at the material time. In addition, there are video tapes and a sworn affidavit where the 27 legislators had confirmed their defection from the People’s Democratic Party  to the All Progressive Congress. It is public knowledge that Wike had praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision on the defection of the 27 legislators. However, he decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment without any legal justification. I wish to state, without any fear of contradictions, that my fundamental right to criticise the decisions of courts is guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. I would have ignored the minister’s latest gratuitous attack but for the fact that he had recently called on the Body of Benchers to discipline lawyers who had the temerity to criticise the judgments of Nigerian courts. However, unlike Wike, who calls judges names whenever they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised the judgments of domestic and regional courts with the utmost decorum and in good faith. While Wike believes that it is a professional anomaly to criticise the decisions of Judges, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has always welcomed the criticism and review of its judgments because the justices believe that they are prone to make mistakes like all mortals. It is undoubtedly clear that Wike is not familiar with the case of Adegoke Motors Limited v Dr Babatunde Adesanya 2 1989 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250 at 274, where Oputa JSC of blessed memory said,  “We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final.” About five years ago, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, said to lawyers, “As critical stakeholders in the task of justice delivery, you have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”  Justice Muhammad further stated that it would not be out of place for lawyers to subject justices in the country to criticism where necessary as a step to ensuring improvement in the justice delivery system. From time to time, many respected justices commend my criticism of the judgments of courts and the defence of the judiciary. It is on record that at a recent valedictory service held in Abuja, a retiring justice of the Supreme Court referred to one of my critical comments pertaining to the Nigerian Judiciary. In the light of the foregoing, Wike deliberately set out to incite the Supreme Court against me as the allegation levelled against me by him is spurious and tendentious in every material particular. Since he has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct. No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection of legislators from the political party that sponsored them to another political party. In their wisdom, their lordships said that defection can only be proved with the production of the register of members of political parties. My fear is that this decision will be waived by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution in Nigeria. In the interest of political stability and national morality, I have respectively called on the Supreme Court to continue to rely on the cases of the Attorney-General of the Federation 𝐯. Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT.1041) 1 at 178, Dapialong v Dariye (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt 1036) 332 and Abegunde 𝐯. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588(SC), where it had been held that the consequence of a defection by a legislator is the automatic loss of his or her seat in the legislative house. Falana (SAN), a lawyer and human rights advocate, writes from Lagos

Contrary to the denial by the Nigeria Police, the Emir of Yashikira, Umoru Seriki, Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State says a new terrorist group, 'Mahmuda' is allegedly occupying some parts of the Kwara North Senatorial District and Niger State. He claimed that concerned authorities have abandoned communities under attacks by the terror group. The Emir lamented that "the situation is that we are totally demoralized, we are not happy with what the authorities are saying that there is no presence of terrorists in our domains. "We are not happy and we feel abandoned by the government and left on our own, but as the situation is, we have no choice than to continue to defend ourselves.” "It is very unfortunate that we have complained about this thing earlier and nobody seems to pay attention to our plight," DAILY POST quoted him as saying. The attacks, according to the traditional ruler, are not only in Baruten and Kaiama local governments of Kwara state, but also Borgu Kingdom in Niger State. Seriki, while confirming last week's attacks by the terrorists, disclosed that the security vehicle bought by the people for operations by the vigilantes was bombed by the terrorists. "We are just lucky that our vigilantes survived the attacks though some suffered some bruises. "The casualties we suffered were not actually 15, but we suffered some casualties and the terrorists also suffered some casualties. "So that is the situation, what the social media is actually reporting is the truth, we are just praying to God to help and protect us in the current situation we are facing," he added. The Kwara State Police Command last week refuted the alleged emergence of a terror group named 'Mahmuda' within Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of the state. The command also categorically dismissed the claim that 15 vigilantes have been killed by the terror group, describing it as false and devoid of any factual basis. A statement by the spokesperson of the command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, said comprehensive and continuous threat assessments, intelligence surveillance, and tactical reconnaissance operations in the said areas have yielded no evidence of insurgent activity, coordinated terrorist formations, or mass casualty incidents as described.

A security expert, Bulama Bukarti has raised the alarm over prominent activities of Boko Haram members on social media. Bukarti, a senior fellow of the Extremism Policy Unit at Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the terrorists were not prominent on TikTok and other platforms where they host live sessions. He said this while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “Right now, when you go on TikTok, you will see Boko Haram members’ accounts, "They host live programmes and live shows where they propagate Boko Haram’s ideology. "They justify the group’s violence, which they do in the Hausa language. They field questions from the audience and answer comments that are written. “Even this week, there was a Boko Haram member who posted a 10-minute video on TikTok attacking me for speaking up against the escalating violence of the group. But it’s not just that. "We know that Boko Haram now operates unmanned drones. They surveil military formations in the northeast with unmanned drones, “What we have seen over the past three months was over seven Boko Haram attacks on super camps, on Nigerian military super camps. "In Sabon Gari and lots of other places, they overran the camps. They dispersed the military, killed some, captured others and stole weapons, food, medicine and other equipment from those areas and fled into the bush.”

An activist and two-time governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to investigate the incumbent Governor, Professor Charles Soludo and three of his appointees, for receiving a donation of N30 million from 60 support groups, backing the Governor for the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in the state. The money was meant to cover the governorship nomination fee of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Governor Soludo's re-election ticket. Recall that on April 5, 2025, the support groups under the aegis of All Soludo Support Groups (ASSG) presented a dummy payment bank cheque of N30 million to Soludo, during the "APGA for Governor Charles Soludo’s second tenure rally" at the International Conference Centre Awka. According to the donors, comprising political office holders, senatorial aspirants, government officials and other key stakeholders, this gesture showcased their commitment solidarity and trust in his leadership. But in his petition dated April 14, 2025, Okonkwo accused Soludo, the Commissioner for Finance, Anambra state, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, Special Adviser on Political Matters, Dr. Obi Obiogbolu and Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of Soludo Fans Club, of breaching the mandatory provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers under the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The petitioner also accused the aforementioned public officers of fraudulent misrepresentation, money laundering and abuse of public trust. In addition, he alleged that the action of the Governor and his appointees, violated their oaths of office as public officers, not to allow their personal interest to influence their conduct or official decisions, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, and abide by the Code of Conduct for public officers, among other commitments. He urged the bureau to urgently investigate the allegations against Governor Soludo and his appointees, to protect the integrity of governance in the country. A copy of the petition, which was sighted by this reporter at the weekend, read: “Complaint against Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (Governor of Anambra State) (Public Officer) pursuant to paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8, 9 & 13, Code of Conduct for Public Officers for committing: “Acts prohibited by this Code by himself and through nominees, trustees or other agents in flagrant breach of the community reading of paragraphs 1, 6 (1), 8 and 9 “to wit: “1: A public officer shall not put himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities. “6 (1): A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person, on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties. “8: No person shall offer a public officer any property, gift or benefit of any kind as an inducement or bribe for the granting of any favour or the discharge in his favour of the public officer’s duties. “9: A public officer shall not do or direct to be done, in abuse of his office, any arbitrary act, prejudicial to the rights of any other person, knowing that knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.” Highlighting briefly the facts of the petition, Okonkwo noted that Dr. Obi Obiogbolu, the Special Adviser on Political Matter who was among the notable attendees at the event, described the gathering as a strategic move to build momentum for Soludo’s re-election campaign. According to the petitioner, Mr. Izuchukwu Okafor, the Commissioner for Finance and convener of Solution Youth Movement of Nigeria (SYMON) praised Governor Soludo’s fiscal prudence and governance, while Chukwuemeka Julius, the governor’s nominee and team leader of the Soludo Fans Club, expressed pride in the administration’s growing popularity and development initiatives. "Anambra youths also showed their support, making a donation of N10.5 million for Soludo’s re-election,” he stated. He further supported his petition with the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, containing the Oath of Office of Governor of a State and the Oath of Office of Vice-President, Deputy Governor, Minister, Commissioner or Special Adviser. He added: “Further reliance in support of this petition shall be the “Seventh Schedule: “The Oath of Office of Governor of a State: “That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to the law without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly, communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as the Governor of ……state, expect as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as Governor, and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria.” Okonkwo prayed the CCB Chairman to urgently investigate his complaint against Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and his nominees/agents to protect the integrity of governance in Nigeria.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu State chapter, weekend, vowed that it will block the state Gov, Dr Peter Mbah from decamping to the party. This is as no less than 150 members of the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC. Speaking while receiving the defectors, during the expanded stakeholders meeting of the party, at the party Secretariat in Enugu, the state chairman of APC, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, vowed that the APC would defeat the PDP government under Mbah in 2027. APC accused the PDP government of failure to prioritize the security of lives and property of the people, alleging that killer herdsmen have turned Uzo-Uwani LGA, Isi-uzo LGA and other parts of the state into a killing fields as they rape, kill and destroy several communities without let or hindrance. Among the decampees to APC were: former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Enugu State, Barr Peter Okonkwo, who joined from PDP; Hon Nonso Ochi, LP House of Assembly candidate for Awgu North Constituency in the 2023 election; Hon Onyeka Chukwuedo, PDP House of Assembly aspirant, Awgu South Constituency in the 2023 election; Chief John Edeh, PDP House of Rep Aspirant from Nkanu West LGA; and Chief Tony Chigbo, former Chairman of Uzo-Uwani LGA and former Member of Enugu State House of Assembly under PDP, among others. Reading a communique at the end of the meeting, the APC State chairman, Agballah, said the party would no longer tolerate indiscipline, warning that anyone caught indulging in anti-party would be suspended. He attributed the failure of APC to win political positions in Enugu State to activities of those he described as paid moles, adding that efforts are on the top gear to weed out the moles. While hinting APC was fully committed to takeover the Lion Building (Enugu's Government House) in 2027, Agballah disclosed that the party has a competent and capable candidate to takeover from Governor Peter Mbah, who he noted has misgoverned the state. "The meeting welcomes new members who joined our party and assure them of equal treatment with other members. "The leaders note with excitement that our party has witnessed significant growth with influx of new members in the last one year. "The number of new decampees that we received today is evidence of such influx across the local government areas and wards," he said. Agballah decried rising kidnapping and killing in Isi-uzo and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas in the state in recent time, especially along the Ugwogo-Nike-Opi-Nsukka road. "The leaders condemned the apparent inaction of the state government and its strenuous efforts to suppress the news of the killings. "The party declared that the Peter Mbah-led government has failed in its primary duty of protecting lives and property of citizens of Enugu state. "They wondered why the state prefers to engage in deceit of showcasing what they call Command and Control Center that could not resolve security breaches beyond 10 kilometers radius from the capital city. "The huge population of the citizens in the rural areas are left at the mercy of killer herdsmen and other criminals. "The stakeholders endorsed the suspension of Senator Chukwuka Utazi and mandated the State Executive Committee to ratify the suspension in her next meeting and forward same to the Zonal leadership of the party," Agballah said. One of the decampees, Mr. Peter Okonkwo, promised to collapse the PDP structures in Nsukka zone in the forthcoming election, adding that he would make APC popular in the zone.

Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigeria’s deepening crises of insecurity, hunger, and despair. The outspoken Bishop said this in his Easter message. Kukah likened the state of the nation to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, stating that Nigerians have been “dangling and bleeding on this cross of pain and mindless suffering for too long.” While bemoaning the level of suffering and challenges in the country, he told Tinubu, “Mr. President, bring us down from this cross of evil." “We all admit that you neither erected this cross nor effected our collective crucifixion. Nonetheless, you are now in a position to bring us relief. “A culture of cynicism and self-doubt over our capacity to secure peace for ourselves pervades our land," he added. Kukah expressed deep concern over the worsening state of national security, warning that “marauders, murderers, savages, and ravenous predators” threaten to overrun the country. “Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future. The road to our collective discouragement in Nigeria has been laid by these forces of darkness. Mr. President, immediately rid our dear country of them," he added. The Bishop also criticized the persistent hunger and economic hardship plaguing millions of citizens, calling for food security to be recognized as a fundamental human right. “Hunger, sickness, and desolation stalk the land. We still believe removing fuel subsidies was the right move, but Nigerians must now see tangible benefits. “Mere palliative distribution diminishes the dignity of citizens. Mr. President, bring us down from this painful cross of hunger,” he stated. Referencing past statements by political figures about enabling insecurity to achieve political goals, Kukah lamented how the situation has deteriorated into a full-blown crisis. “Some of our public officers confessed that they brought our current killers into the country to gain power. "Today, that strategy has grown into a cancer of insecurity and violence threatening the very foundation of our country,” he said. He warned that bandits and kidnappers have become entrenched in everyday life, turning Nigeria into a nation gripped by fear and lawlessness. “Kidnapping is now a dog whistle for undermining the structure of our country. We now hang on the cross at the mercy of these forces of darkness. "Mr. President, please bring us down from this cross of insecurity.” Bishop Kukah further challenged President Tinubu to lead with courage, justice, and compassion, calling on Nigerians to unite and restore the nation’s lost hope. “We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” he said, urging collective effort to push back the darkness. “Is the persistence of insecurity a reflection of the incapacity of our armed forces, or are some benefitting from prolonging this crisis? Mr. President, step up, get to the finishing line, and bring us down from this cross of shame,” Kukah admonished.

Days after the Dangote Refinery reduced petrol price, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPLC has followed suit. It could be recalled that Dangote Refinery last week slashed the ex-depot price of petrol to N835 per litre from N865. The NNPCL has now toed the same line, reducing its price from N950 to N935 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The recent price adjustments are in connection to the downward slope in the global price of crude, which was attributed to the sweeping economic policies of United States President, Donald Trump. Nigerians have been made to pay more for petrol since coming on board by President Bola Tinubu, with petrol selling at over N1300 per litre. However, the price has been moving downwards.