Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Friday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has warned those planning a mega rally and inauguration of a group loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, that such gathering is capable of igniting crisis in the state. Diri, who also raised the alarm about a plot to breach the peace, warned that the state government would not condone any act that would disrupt the peace of the state.

2. The Senate on Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act 2022, to provide for the conduct of all elections in one day. The bill, sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha, is also seeking a shorter campaign period to cut the cost of elections and provide a legal framework for elected officeholders to serve as ad hoc delegates in party congresses.

3. The House of Representatives on Thursday rescinded its decision on the second reading passage of an amendment bill seeking to strip vice president, governors and deputy governors of their immunity. The House also rescinded its decision on the second reading passage of a bill seeking to amend the constitution to review capital punishment in the constitution on Wednesday.

4. Manager of Century Home Hotel, in Owheologbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, and three others, have been arrested by police operatives over the mysterious death of a lodger. It was also gathered that the hotel owner and his wife were invited for questioning, but have since been released after being found innocent.

5. The House of Representatives yesterday passed for second reading a bill seeking to stop anyone above 60 years from contesting election into the office of president and governor. It was sponsored by Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, a lawmaker from Imo State.

6. President Bola Tinubu will on Friday join fellow Muslims at the National Mosque in Abuja for a special prayer session for the nation to mark his 73rd birthday, which is on Saturday. “He will also use this occasion to thank God for preserving and supporting him in the onerous task of piloting the nation’s affairs,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement he signed Thursday.

7. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says the country has recorded a total of 807 suspected cases of cerebrospinal meningitis, and 74 deaths from 22 states as of March 26, 2025. The NCDC stated that the Case Fatality Rate is at 9.2 per cent as of March 26, 2025.3.27.

8. Hundreds of shop owners and market leaders from the Owode Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing demolition of their market. The protesters, who marched from the Lagos State Fire Service headquarters, displayed placards with messages such as, “Sanwo-Olu, call LASBCA and its thugs to order”, “No prior notice of market relocation”, and “Babajide Sanwo-Olu, save our souls”, among others.

9. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he never collected any money from Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos for his 2023 election campaign. This is contained in a statement issued by Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe in Abuja on Thursday. He denied the reports making the rounds that Sanwo-Olu gave money to the former vice-president for his 2023 presidential election campaign.

10. The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, fixed May 8 for judgment in a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). MultiChoice is seeking to stop the FCCPC from sanctioning it over its recent increase in the DStv and Gotv subscription.