Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 25th January 2021
1. The Government Of Buhari Has Disappointed Nigerians – Jega
A former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega has lashed out at the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying many have been left disappointed so far.
Jega, who presided over two general elections in the country – 2011 and 2015, pointed out that many Nigerians are worried about the direction Buhari and his team are leading the country, emphasizing that the current administration has fallen far below the expectations of many Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the former head of the nation’s electoral umpire, however, noted that there is still time for President Buhari to make things write before his tenure ends in 2023.
2. FG Reacts To Viral Video, Speaks On Paying N100bn To Miyetti Allah To Stop Kidnapping
The federal government of Nigeria on Sunday denied paying N100bn to members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for them to stop killings and kidnappings in Nigeria.
The government reaction comes after a past video claiming the government negotiated with the group and agreed to pay them the huge amount resurfaced on the internet over the weekend.
The video which has gone viral and has been viewed by hundreds of thousands of Nigerians claimed the government offered money to Miyetti Allah in 2019 for them to stop kidnapping people.
However, a reaction from the official federal government Twitter account @NigeriaGov, denied the claims in the video.
3. Police Commissioner, Govt Delegation Visit Igangan
The Oyo Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, and a state government delegation on Sunday visited Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area (LGA) to resolve the crisis between herders and residents.
In a statement released by the spokesman of the Oyo state police command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, the team visited the town following the attack on a Fulani settlement in the town.
4. INEC Gives Update On Resumption Of Continuous Voter Registration Exercise
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has debunked rumours that it plans to resume the Continous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise on Monday, 25th January.
INEC in a statement on Sunday via its official Twitter account urged members of the public to ignore the news on the resumption of the exercise.
5. I’m A Fulani Man But It Doesn’t Make Sense For Cows To Be Roaming The Streets In 2021 – Adamu Garba
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former presidential candidate, Adamu Garba has taken a position on the issue of cattle rearing in Nigeria which has caused a lot of controversies recently.
Garba in a statement on Sunday, made available on his Twitter account, submitted that it doesn’t make sense for cows to be roaming the streets in the 21st century.
He urged the rich and enlightened Fulani herders to assist and acquire land for grazing in order to avoid the constant clashes between farmers, herders, and host communities.
He also called on the government to be bold and speak up about land ownership in Nigeria as he noted that all lands in Nigeria belong to either the federal, state, or local governments, and no person or group can lay claim to any land without proper authorization.
6. Okorocha Speaks On Dumping APC For Another Party
Former Imo State Governor, and current Imo West Senator, Rochas Okorocha has rubbished rumours that he is set to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for another party.
The politician argued that he is one of the founding fathers of the party but it is rather unfortunate that some people who joined later have hijacked the party.
Despite this submission, Okorocha while addressing the State Working Committee (SWC) members, zonal, LGA and ward executives of his faction of the party in the state at the weekend, clarified that he remains a full member of the APC and has no intention of dumping the party.
7. Troops Kill Several Bandits In Forest Along Kaduna-Abuja Highway
Troops of the Nigerian military deployed in the Operation Thunder Strike have killed several armed bandits in Chikwale forest on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche who confirmed this in a statement on Sunday, noted that the operation took place on Saturday, 23rd January.
Based on credible intelligence reports, the troops with Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunship launched several coordinated attacks against the bandits, killing scores of them while others escaped with wounds.
8. Herdsmen: Miyetti Allah Tables Fresh Demand Before President Buhari
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a factional herdsmen group, has called on the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to restructure the country and allow Fulani to go their separate way.
Naija News reports that the demand was made by the National Secretary of the herdsmen group, Saleh Alhassan, in an interview with The Punch on Sunday.
According to Alhassan, herdsmen were being marginalised in the country and that it was best if they were on their own where they would be protected.
9. Taraba: Kidnapped LG Boss Found Dead
Suspected kidnappers have killed the Chairman of Ardo-Kola Local Government Council in Taraba State, Hon. Salihu Dovo.
According to information gathered, Dovo was abducted by gunmen at his residence in Jalingo early hours of Sunday.
It was reported that barely six hours after his abduction, the kidnappers called an official of the Local Government to announce the killing of the Local Government Council Chairman, according to a family source.
10. Ex-Buhari Minister Says APC Has Failed Nigerians And Is A Dying Party
The Minister of Sports during President Muhammadu Buhari’s first democratic term in office, Solomon Dalung has submitted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not lived up to the expectation from Nigerians.
He expressed the feeling during an interview with BBC Hausa where he lamented the alarming and unchecked rate of crime in the country.
Dalong, who noted that though he remains an APC member, the truth must be said.
In his view, the country has never had it this bad in terms of insecurity not only in the Northern region of the country but also other parts of Nigeria.