Here are the stories that you should be monitoring today:

Saraki challenges Tinubu over budget padding allegations

Senate President Bukola Saraki has challenged the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to substantiate his allegation that he and other lawmakers have the habit of padding budgets.

Mr Saraki, in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said Mr Tinubu’s attack was unfounded and not predicated on facts.

The Senate President was reacting to a statement credited to Mr Tinubu, where he alleged that Mr Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have been padding Nigeria’s budget since 2015.

Three governors, ministers, in race for Buhari’s cabinet

Ahead of the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, the race for cabinet appointments has begun. A former Military Administrator, three outgoing governors and 15 ministers are jostling for cabinet seats. There were indications last night that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) may be zoned to the  North-Central in favour of a Christian candidate.

Besides, there is pressure on the President to revert to a 42-man cabinet structure as part of his pledge of inclusiveness.

We have depreciated Boko Haram’s efficacy – FG

The Federal Government on Monday reiterated its position that it has “largely depreciated the efficiency and efficacy of Boko Haram” insurgents.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the government position when he featured on a live TVC News Programme, “This Morning,” monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja. Mohammed said that for anyone to correctly assess the administration’s performance in fighting insecurity, particularly Boko Haram, the individual must understand what the situation was before the inception of the administration in 2015.

IGP orders speedy investigation into Gombe killings

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has ordered for speedy and comprehensive investigation into the Easter day accident in Gombe wherein eleven people died. Eleven persons were reportedly killed including the driver of the vehicle, a personnel of the NSCDC, who rammed into a procession celebrating Easter on April 21, along Gombe-Biu road.

I’m not manipulating NSS – Tinubu

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied reports of manipulating process for nominating leadership of the National Assembly  (NASS), describing the insinuations as injurious to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting to media reports that he was carrying out the manipulation to position himself for a presidential run in 2023 election, Tinubu said the claim was not only utterly false, but injurious to President Buhari’s historic quest to reform Nigeria.