NIGERIAN DAILIES: FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS FRIDAY

Image Credit: Punch Newspaper 

Here is today's Nigerian newspaper summary:

1. The military has once again warned against plots to destabilize the May 29 handover of power to President-elect Bola Tinubu. Major General Musa Danmadami, Director of Defence Media Operations, issued the warning on Thursday in Abuja.

2. The Archbishop of the Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, John Onaiyekan, stated yesterday that it "makes no sense" to swear in President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has completed its hearing. On Thursday, his claim sparked debate on social media.

3. Millions of energy customers may lose power in the coming weeks as the Federal Government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Market Operator, begins a massive disconnection of debtor electricity distribution businesses from the national grid.

4. Unidentified assailants attacked a police roadblock along the Umunze-Ihite Road in Anambra State's Orumba South Local Government Area, murdering three officers on the scene. According to reports, the gunmen stormed the place in huge numbers on Thursday and promptly opened fire on the security officials stationed at the checkpoint. Three cops were killed, while others escaped after a gun duel.

5. The Abia State House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker Chukwudi Apugo, has said that it will shortly launch an investigation into public office holders in the state. In a statement issued on Thursday, the House Committee on Anti-Corruption and Public Accounts stated that it had received a slew of petitions alleging various offenses by various elected and appointed state functionaries.

6. Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has encouraged disgruntled parties in the February 25 general elections to respect the court's sanctity and humbly accept its verdict in the coming days as final. Gowon made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the 15th edition of the PUNUKA Annual Lecture 2023 and symposium in memory of the late Supreme Court Justice Chike Idigbe.

7. Bail has been granted to suspended Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa-Ari, who is being investigated by police. Two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commissioners and other officials being interrogated at the Police Headquarters in connection with the Adamawa Governorship Election disaster have also been permitted to return home.

8. The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has joined the call for former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice to be granted asylum. It requested leniency from the UK government in the sentence of the two and their doctor, Dr. Obinna Obeta.

9. Nigeria's unity, according to President-elect Bola Tinubu, is non-negotiable. This is despite his pledge to make corruption in the judiciary unappealing. He said this Wednesday when he dedicated the Magistrates' Court Complex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, imploring Nigerians to be civil to one another.

10. On Wednesday, gunmen suspected of being cultists assassinated a youth leader identified as Ebenezer Matthew in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State. Mathew is believed to be the local government's President of the Abarikpo Community in Akoh kingdom.