Here are the stories that drove the conversation today:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the federal government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of commencing what it called a total clampdown on the entire opposition and dissenting voices across the land.

The party made the allegation Saturday at a press conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, part of which read that “the clampdown is tailored to silence opposition as well as those who refused to join or support the APC in their unlawful design to emasculate other political parties, undermine our laws and electoral system, foist a one-party state and perpetuate their incompetent, dysfunctional and anti-people rule on our nation.”

The party also alleged that “apart from allegations of corruption, there are plots to clamp down and detain opposition leaders for charges bordering on treason and we are aware that some compromised judicial officers have been enlisted to give convictions and jail members of opposition as well as dissenting voices, on flimsy grounds.”

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The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says it has started recalling cough syrup containing Codeine from its stakeholders in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government.

The Registrar of PCN, Mr Elijah Mohammed, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, revealed that in view of the ministerial directive and in order to facilitate the recall, the council has met with the leadership of the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicines Vendors (NAPPNVs), Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), among other stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mohammed, who emphasised that Codeine containing cough preparation was not included in the approved medicines list of PPMVs, however urged them to desist from the sales of codeine and other unethical drugs in order to guard against sanctions.

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The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has urged state governments to partner with the various electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to ensure improved power delivery in the country.

On a courtesy visit to Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Saturday, Fashola said the partnership was to identify areas of intervention by states in power distribution, adding that the federal, states and local governments are part owners of DisCos.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the rift between the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company and the state government and called for amicable resolution of the differences.

“If I may advice, quarrelling with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company is not the way to go and my advice is based on what I know.”

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The 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna has challenged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna state chapter to back up their allegations of the military’s involvement in the recently concluded Kaduna local government elections with evidence instead of making  baseless allegations.

 This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Muhammad Dole, which  disclosed that “On Saturday 12 May 2018, General Mohammed accompanied the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai to pay condolence visit to the families of late Sheikh Isyaka Rabiu in Kano and thereafter visited Depot NA in Zaria before returning to Kaduna in the evening after the conduct of the local Councils elections.”

The statement maintained that the military personnel are conscious of their roles in the conduct of any election exercise and strictly abide by the code of conduct. Likewise, military hierarchy always emphasises apolitical stance of its troops in all the occasions.

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Forty health workers of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) chapter of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) were involved in an accident along the Benin-Auchi Road on their way to a function on Saturday.

Nineteen out of the 40 members were said to have been severely injured and rushed to a nearby hospital in Irrua, Edo State, where they were being treated by doctors and consultants on duty.

The President of the Association of Resident Doctors at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Dr Esteem Tagar, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said no death was recorded in the accident.

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And stories from around the world:

Prince Harry and US TV star Meghan Markle were married in Windsor Castle on Saturday in a star-studded and emotional ceremony watched live by cheering crowds and beamed into homes around the world.

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the world’s Anglicans, declared the couple husband and wife after they exchanged vows and rings.

Queen Elizabeth II had earlier conferred titles to her grandson Prince Harry and his bride-to-be, American actress Meghan Markle.

In a statement by the Royal Family, on marriage, “Prince Harry of Wales will now become the Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel while will become the Duchess of Sussex.”

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United States First Lady, Melania Trump returned to the White House on Saturday after undergoing a procedure to address a “benign” kidney condition.

Mrs. Trump underwent an embolization procedure, according to her communications director, Stephanie Grisham.

“She is resting comfortably and remains in high spirits,” the White House said in a statement.

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China has for the first time landed bombers on disputed territory in the South China Sea, its air force said, prompting fresh U.S warnings that it is destabilising the region.

Beijing’s defence ministry did not specify where the bombers landed but said the training involved simulated strikes against sea targets.

An H-6K pilot, Ge Daqing, was quoted in a statement as saying that the training “sharpens our courage and enhances our capabilities in a real war”.

A Pentagon spokesman told Reuters news agency that the United States “remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

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A Mexican pilot, Marco Aurelio Hernandez who once flew the leased passenger plane that crashed in Cuba, killing 107 people on board, said he had previously complained about alleged sub-standard practices by the aircraft’s owner.

Hernandez told the Mexican newspaper Milenio on Saturday that the Mexican aircraft leasing firm Global Air exercised poor plane maintenance, had a ban from flying in Chile, and had flights fly at night in Venezuela without radar.

Another former Global Air employee, Ana Marlene Covarrubias, who was a flight attendant at the company for seven years, told Mexican media that she had never observed any anomalies on the company’s planes.

“There was never any mishap, especially with Global,” she said, adding that things can go wrong “at any time, even with brand new planes.”

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London side, Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 to lift the FA Cup, thanks to Eden Hazard’s 22nd-minute spot-kick at Wembley on Saturday to salvage a disappointing season.

Chelsea reigned on the field to salvage a campaign in which they failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

In what is still widely expected to be Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s final game in charge, the Blues withstood a second-half onslaught from United to ensure Jose Mourinho’s men end the season trophyless.