Gist Arena

T he national leadership of the All Progressives Congress has asked a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff, who has expressed his desire to join the ruling party in Abuja, to do so at his ward. Sheriff was scheduled to storm the national headquarters of the party in Abuja by noon on Thursday with his supporters, where he would have declared for the party. He was billed to be received by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the party’s National Working Committee. However, our correspondent observed that none of the national officers of the party was on ground to receive the former governor of Borno State. This action, it was gathered, was an indication to Modu-Sheriff and his supporters that the party was not favourably disposed to his joining the party. A three-paragraph statement was nevertheless issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party, Mallam Bola...

T he Senate on Thursday re-summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before the senate plenary on Wednesday. Mr Idris was on Wednesday summoned by the Senate to answer questions on the arrest of Dino Melaye and the recent insecurity in the country, but he snubbed the lawmaker on Thursday. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday said the summon was necessary as he had not been able to reach Mr Idris for some days. The chairman, senate committee on police affairs, Abu Ibrahim, informed the senate that the IGP was in Bauchi and could not honour the invitation of the senate. He said the Deputy Inspector- General (DIG) Operations was sent to represent him. The announcement was greeted with anger from senators who felt Mr Idris’ failure to appear was a disrespect to the institution. The Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Ibn Na’ Allah, said the senate had approved in its votes and proceedings that the IGP should appear and no ot...