NEWS

*We must take very drastic action, senators vow as IG ignores third summons*

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has, for the third time, failed to appear before the Senate. It was the third invitation within one month. Idris had been summoned to address the Senate on the alleged inhuman treatment of Senator Dino Melaye during his arrest and detention by the police over alleged gun-running; and the spate of killings by armed herdsmen and militias across the country.

While the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Mr. Joshak Habila, had been sent to represent the police boss the previous times, there was no representation on Wednesday (today). The Majority Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who said efforts by him to reach out to the IG in two days failed, described the non-appearance as “unusual and unfortunate.”

Also, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha called for a closed session for the lawmakers to determine the action to be taken by the Senate against the IG. “We need to take a very drastic action. We cannot take this embarrassment any longer. This is a national disgrace,” he said. Similarly, Senator Isa Misau pointed out that a senator is superior to the IG by the provisions of the Constitution and could be invited by any of the lawmakers.

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*Ekiti Election: Tinubu, Aspirants Meeting Deadlocked, Fayemi Stages A Walkout*

The marathon meeting between some Southwest chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the 33 aspirants seeking the ticket of the party in the Ekiti state gubernatorial election held in Abuja on Tuesday ended in deadlock. It was gathered that the aspirants rejected moves by the party leaders for a consensus candidate among the 33 of them.

But the former chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, told journalists that a decision that would be in the best interest of the party was taken at the meeting. He, however, said the decision, which he did not reveal to journalists, would be communicated to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

He explained that the party's constitution allowed for the emergence of a candidate through consensus. “Primary elections are already written in our constitution, but all we are after is the happiness of the generality of the leadership, the contestants and our party in general," Akande stated.

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*Nigeria leads South Africa in foreign reserves*

Nigeria is leading South Africa in net foreign reserves as Nigeria’s reserve hits $47.37 billion (N17 trillion) in March 2018 to beat South Africa which has $43.15 billion. Nigeria which recently recovered from economic recession with less than $21 billion in foreign reserves has built up its reserves massively over one and half years. The increase in the country’s foreign reserves is reported to have stabilised its foreign exchange which had gone haywire in the past.

South Africa’s reserves fell to $43.115 billion in April from $43.384 billion in March, the Reserve Bank said on Tuesday. The forward position, which represents the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, was lower at 1.933 billion dollars from 1.996 billion dollars in the previous month.

“The decrease of 440 million dollars in the gross reserves reflects the foreign exchange payments made on behalf of the government and the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against most currencies,” the central bank said. Nigeria’s new figures rose from about $46.2 billion realised at the end of March.

To read full article - http://v.duta.us/ErlJogAA