ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: THURSDAY

12 May ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: THURSDAY

🌎Buhari’s earth-quaking order

In a fresh earth-quaking directive, President Buhari has extended his resignation order to political appointees in his administration, who are seeking to contest in the 2023 elections, to tender their resignation.

* A circular, issued by SGF Boss Mustapha, was addressed to all serving ministers, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service and heads of extra-ministerial departments, Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of parastatals, agencies and government-owned companies among others.

* Three ministers have resigned, some others are confused or jittery because one year as a minister is far more worth than the uncertainty of the higher office of presidency. But some were pushed here by ego and praise singers seeking to make money.

* Those who have resigned include the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, who left before the directive; the Niger Delta Affairs Minister Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu.

🌎Highlights of FEC Meeting: The Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its weekly meeting Wednesday presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari gave the following approvals.

* N2,024,935 approved for the purchase of 52 operational vehicles for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). They comprise of 27 Buffalo Double Cabin, MG 2021 model, 15 Toyota hilaux four wheel drive premium package 2020 modal and 10 Toyota Hiace ambulance bus with full option.

* Council also approved three major contracts aimed at enhancing the performance of the national grid with the view to improving power supply. The grid in three states, Osun, Edo and Ondo, has been weak for some time.

🌎Oil Monitor: Prices dropped more than 1% on Thursday in a volatile week as economic concerns and recession fears dogged global financial markets, outweighing supply concerns and geopolitical tensions in Europe. Brent crude futures slipped $1.32, or 1.2%, to $106.19 a barrel by 0646 GMT.

🌎The National Judicial Council has issued fresh policy directions on political and election-related cases to the head of courts in Nigeria as part of efforts to eliminate to the barest minimum incidences of issuance of conflicting orders and judgments capable of disrupting the ongoing electioneering process.

🌎The Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, will today chair a tripartite meeting to address the lingering labour crisis in the Nigerian university system, some 3 months after President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive.

🌎The House of Representatives has passed Section 84(8) of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2022 to allow statutory delegates participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.

🌎The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced a two-week strike following the alleged failure of the Federal Government to meet the demands of the union as contained in the Memorandum of Action signed last year.

🌎Security Stories: A Catholic Priest, Alphonsus Eboh, abducted by gunmen in Akwa Ibom State on Sunday has been freed after spending four days in captivity. Rports say ransom was paid for his release. He was abducted around 7 p.m. on May 8 at his residence, inside the parish house — St Pius X parish — Ikot Abasi Akpan, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.

* At least four people have been killed in an attack on Ayilamo town in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

🌎2023 Politics: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has thrown open its 2023 presidential ticket to all sections of the country. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this at the end of the PDP’s National Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

🌎Russia-Ukraine War: Finland’s President and Prime Minister announced on Thursday their support for joining NATO, moving the Nordic nation – which shares an 800-mile border with Russia – one step closer to membership of the US-led military alliance.

* Sweden could also join NATO in coming days and Russia has issued warnings to both countries that they will face consequences. On Wednesday UK PM Boris Johnson offered security guarantees to Sweden and Finland

* All the civilians who were sheltering in the Azovstal steel plant are likely out, according to a Ukrainian officer inside the besieged facility in Mariupol.

* Russian soldiers shot two unarmed civilians in March as they walked away after an encounter on the outskirts of Kyiv.

* For the first time, a civilian in Russia has reportedly died as a result of cross-border shelling from Ukraine; and Ukrainian forces have been pushing Russia’s army further back around Kharkiv.

Ukraine will suspend some of the Russian gas exports to Europe that flow in pipelines through the country due to interruptions at key transit points, its gas transmission system operator said.

The US House of Representatives approved an additional $40 billion in supplemental funding for Ukraine.