Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 10th February 2021
1. Buhari Can’t Speak On Every Matter, Including Herdsmen Crisis – Presidency
The presidency on Tuesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot respond to every matter including the herdsmen crisis rocking parts of the nation.
Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media, Femi Adesina, stated this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
Recall that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State had called on the Senate to enact a law that would stop herdsmen from taking their cows from the north ot the south to prevent clashes with farmers.
Asked Buhari’s reaction to Ganduje’s suggestion, Adesina pointed out that it was an idea and the president cannot comment on every idea.
2. We Are Very Poor, Suffering – Nigerian Lawmakers Cry Out
The House of Representatives has stated that Nigerian lawmakers are among the poorest in the world, stressing that undue pressure from constituents is taking a toll on federal lawmakers.
Naija News reports that this was made known on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the House of Reps, Benjamin Kalu, while speaking to newsmen.
Speaking after the House adjourned plenary in honour of Ossy Prestige, who died in Germany on Monday, Kalu said people ask lawmakers to perform tasks that are the prerogative of the executive.
3. Oshiomhole Backs Tinubu, Akande, Says APC Revalidation Unconstitutional
Former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has said the revalidation exercise conducted by the party’s Interim Caretaker Committee is illegal.
He stated this while speaking to newsmen after revalidating his membership of the party at Unit 1, ward 10, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The former Edo Sate Governor said it would be meaningful for those who decamped to APC to register while those who have left should be deleted.
4. Nigerian Army Appoints New Spokesperson
The Nigerian Army has appointed Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima as its new Director of Public Relations, Naija News understands.
It is understood that Yerima, who was at a time, the director of defence information was until his latest appointment, the deputy director reserve at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
He takes over from Sagir Musa who has been redeployed.
5. Why Buhari Will Never Allow Fani-Kayode Rejoin APC – PGF DG
The Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman, has revealed why President Muhammadu Buhari will never allow the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News had reported that the former minister was allegedly planning to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC after meeting with the National Chairman of the APC caretaker committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello in Abuja
However, in a statement titled, ‘APC: Reminder about Our Values,’ released to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, Lukman said President Buhari will never weclome such move because of Fani-Kayode’s personality.
The APC chieftain added that the reports linking Fani-Kayode to APC is disturbing and worrisome.
6. “This Is No Time For Politics” – BUA Slams CACOVID, Confirms Payment For COVID-19 Vaccines
BUA Group has tackled the Coalition Against COVID-19, (CACOVID) for rejecting the company’s donation of one million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Nigeria.
BUA on Tuesday alleged that it is aware that some members of CACOVID were not happy the organization took the initiative before them but warned that politics should not be played with the life and health of Nigerians.
It will be recalled as earlier reported by Naija News that BUA Group announced on Monday that it has paid for one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for Nigeria.
The firm said the vaccines are expected to be delivered next week and distributed at no cost to Nigerians through CACOVID.
However, there was a twist in the plot as CACOVID debunked the statement by the BUA group, as its operations committee denied that BUA would singlehandedly secure the doses.
7. Senate Receives Buhari’s Request To Confirm New Service Chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded a formal request to the Senate for the confirmation of the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, read the letter dated 27th January 2021 during plenary on Tuesday, 9th February.
The letter reads: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria 2004, I hereby forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the under listed officer as the Chief of Defence Staff and Services Chiefs of the Armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
8. Zamfara Govt Allegedly Paid Bandits’ Leader Behind Kankara Schoolboys Abduction Millions To ‘Repent’
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has been accused of paying millions of naira to the mastermind of the abduction of Kankara schoolboys, Auwalun Daudawa, to facilitate his repentance.
Recall that Daudawa, while taking his oath of acceptance, had said he accepted to surrender his arms and ammunitions because of the sincerity of the state governor, Bello Matawalle.
He added that his lieutenants are not seeking money from any individual, group, or government, saying that his gang surrendered 20 AK 47 rifles, ammunition, and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher.
But sources familiar with the negotiation told SaharaReporters Daudawa was paid millions of naira as compensation for some of his gang members killed by security operatives.
9. COVID-19: Nigeria’s Economy Can’t Recover Earlier Than 2022 – IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revealed that Nigeria’s economy is not expected to recover from the COVID-19 impact earlier than 2022.
This is as the international finance agency noted on Monday that the dependence of the nation’s economy on oil and the fluctuating prices in the global oil market are major concerns.
It made the submission in its report titled ‘IMF executive board concludes 2020 Article IV consultation with Nigeria.’
10. Fani-Kayode Breaks Silence On Dumping PDP, Reveals Why He Met APC Leaders
Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has spoken for the first time since the rumours of his planned defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged on Monday.
The ex-Minister in a series of tweets on his Twitter account on Tuesday morning denied holding the meetings with APC leaders because of defection plans.
While noting that the project of saving Nigeria transcends every political barrier, he added that in the coming days, he would meet with leaders of other political parties in Nigeria.