Today’s Headlines: Former APC deputy spokesperson tells Tinubu to quit 2027 presidential race after Abuja mosque incident; Nigeria’s progress hindered by poor leadership recruitment -Jonathan

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to abandon his re-election ambition and ensure a free, fair and credible election in 2027.

Frank made the call in a statement on Sunday, warning that any attempt by the President to force his way back into office could plunge the country into crisis.

This comes amid controversy surrounding an alleged protest against Tinubu after Friday prayers at the Shehu Shagari Mosque in Area 1, Garki, Abuja.

Although the Presidency dismissed reports of a protest against Tinubu, a viral video appeared to suggest otherwise.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday noted that Nigeria’s poor leadership recruitment process, especially using religion, language and ethnicity to recruit potential leaders was hindering the country’s progress and development.

He, therefore, called for far-reaching reforms in the country’s democracy, noting that such poor leadership recruitment process might ensure the failure of the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at the maiden Herbert Macaulay Colloquium, organised by the Macaulay Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. He was chairman of the event.

With the theme, “Nationalism and Nation Building,” the event was held to celebrate the 162nd birthday of Nigerian nationalist, Herbert Macaulay.

𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗜𝗝 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the arrest, detention and remand of Foundation for Investigative Journalism correspondent, Daniel Ojukwu, at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, demanding his immediate release on bail.

The Guild described Ojukwu’s criminal prosecution as an attack on press freedom and the right of Nigerians to receive information.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the NGE said the journalist was being prosecuted for raising questions about the expenditure of public funds.

Representatives of 54 African countries are expected in Abuja from 17 to 20 November for the maiden General Assembly of the African Asset Recovery Practitioners’ Forum (AARP-F), as the continent seeks stronger cooperation in tracing and recovering stolen public funds.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Hassan Mohamed, announced this on Saturday at a pre-conference media briefing in Abuja.

Mr Mohamed, who is also the Director of Special Services at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), noted that some countries would participate virtually.

He explained that the meeting would bring together anti-corruption agencies and other institutions involved in asset recovery to share experiences and develop common strategies for tackling cross-border financial crimes.

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