The Presidency on Saturday criticised representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria for their conduct during a recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the clerics are not the sole custodians of the truth about the state of the nation.

Also, the Independent National Electoral Commission released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, bringing months of political uncertainty to an end.

Several prominent politicians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party claimed to have presented to INEC as its presidential candidate, did not make the final list. Senator Ned Nwoko was also absent.

These and many other major developments are the trending stories this morning.

1. Presidency rebukes Catholic bishops after Onaiyekan’s outburst

The Presidency on Saturday slammed representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria over their conduct during a recent meeting with
President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the clerics were not the sole custodians of truth on the state of the nation.
It also faulted the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, for publicly disclosing details of the closed-door meeting, describing his comments as inappropriate and a breach of the confidentiality expected of such high-level engagements.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/presidency-rebukes-catholic-bishops-after-onaiyekans-outburst/

2.2027: INEC releases candidates’ list, Jonathan, Nwoko, Goje missing

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, ending months of political suspense.

Several high-profile politicians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party claimed to have presented to INEC as its presidential candidate, did not make the list.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-inec-releases-candidates-list-jonathan-nwoko-goje-missing/

3. Gala reject Gyökeres plus €30m for Osimhen – Report

Galatasaray have rejected an offer from Arsenal involving striker Viktor Gyökeres plus €30m in a bid to sign Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Turkish journalist Ömer Faruk Özcan, via Nexus Sports, reported that senior Arsenal officials travelled to Istanbul in an attempt to convince the Turkish champions to part with their prized striker, but that the Turkish giants refused to consider the proposal, which would have seen Gyökeres move to Galatasaray in exchange for Osimhen alongside the additional cash.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/gala-reject-gyokeres-plus-e30m-for-osimhen-report/

4. Fubara biggest loser in Rivers crisis — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said on Saturday that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the biggest loser in the political crisis that rocked the state.

Wike further said the governor lost the opportunity to return for a second term in office because he was listening to and acting on wrong advice from his supporters, who deceived him and worsened the crisis in the state.

Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/fubara-biggest-loser-in-rivers-crisis-wike/