News on the Go: 5 things that should matter to you today

• Tinubu to mark 73rd birthday with special prayers
• Senate proposes same-day elections to reduce costs, voter apathy
• Makinde: Sharia panel free to operate in Oyo

We have highlighted the five most important developments in the news today, Friday, March 28, and present them below.

5 issues in the news that should matter to you today

1. Tinubu to mark 73rd birthday with special prayers: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will commemorate his 73rd birthday on Saturday, March 29, with a special prayer session at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday, March 28. 

According to a statement released on Thursday, March 27, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will join fellow Muslim faithful in the prayer session as part of his birthday celebration. 

2. Bill to bar Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, others from contesting elections passes second reading: The House of Representatives has advanced a bill that seeks to prevent individuals above 60 years from contesting for the offices of President and Governor in Nigeria. 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, successfully passed its second reading on Thursday, March 27.

3. Senate proposes same-day elections to reduce costs, voter apathy: The Nigerian Senate is considering an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022 that would introduce same-day elections nationwide as a cost-cutting measure and a strategy to boost voter participation.

The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.701), sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), also aims to shorten the campaign period, thereby reducing financial strain on political parties, candidates, and the government.

4. Makinde: Sharia panel free to operate in Oyo: The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has affirmed that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels in the state, emphasising that residents who wish to resolve disputes through the panel are free to do so.

Speaking at the 2025 Iftar programme organised by the state government at the Government House in Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the constitutionality of the Sharia panel’s existence in Oyo. 

5. Religious leaders urge National Assembly to regulate AI: Religious leaders in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to establish a legal framework for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.

The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence, which includes the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), the Institute of Church and Society (CCS-ICN), and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), made the appeal during a press conference held in Ibadan.