Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Monday, 8th February 2021
1. No Provision For Independent Candidacy In Electoral Act Bill – Senate
The senate committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the electoral act amendment bill cannot accommodate independent candidacy.
The House of Representatives had in 2020 proposed the legislation that gives legal backing for individuals not sponsored by any political party to contest for elective positions.
Speaking at a NAN forum, Senator Kabiru Gaya, chairman of the committee, said the provision cannot be considered as part of the bill because it has no constitutional backing.
He said unless the constitution is amended, the electoral act cannot adopt provisions for independent candidacy.
2. Herdsmen Crisis: Soyinka Reveals Position On Sunday Igboho, Blasts Buhari
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has made his view on the actions of Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho as regards Fulani herdsmen known.
Soyinka in his submission noted that Igboho responded to a situation that pushed him to explosion point in the way he knew how, adding that whatever excesses or errors noticed in his actions is for others to help or correct him.
The Professor noted that the most important thing is that Igboho was bold enough to respond to an unacceptable situation which has become a source of worry to many Nigerians.
3. I Am Ready To Fight Boko Haram – Sunday Igboho
Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has said he has what it takes to defeat Boko Haram insurgents.
In a video interview released in 2020, Igboho said he was ready to fight Boko Haram without the government’s support.
He said: “That which I will use in the fight against Boko Haram, I have it already.”
Speaking further, Igboho claimed that the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, will be ineffective under government control.
4. Kaduna: Gunmen Invade Birnin Gwari, Kill Over 19 Persons
Gunmen have invaded about 30 communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing not less than 19 persons during the attack.
Naija News gathered the armed bandits invaded Kutemeshi village of Kuyello District in Birnin-Gwari around 5pm on Saturday.
The bodies of those killed during the attack have been buried in the early hours of Sunday, a youth leader in the community disclosed to PR Nigeria.
The youth leader who spoke on condition of anonymity said the bandits operated unchecked for about two hours, killing many villagers in the process while 10 persons sustained gunshot wounds and others lucky ones were able to escape.
5. Buhari Says Nigeria Ready To Work With WHO, Others To Provide COVID-19 Vaccines
President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerian would work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other countries to help develop and manufacture safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for Africa.
The president stated this during his participation at the virtual 34th ordinary session of the African Union from the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He stated that the country also welcomed the decision to establish the coronavirus African Vaccine Acquisition Capacity to accelerate the financing and procurement of coronavirus vaccines for the continent.
6. Osun Declares 24-hour Curfew Over Communal Clash
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has declared a 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas of the State following the clash between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities.
This was made known in a press statement on Sunday titled, ‘Osun declares 24-hour curfew in Irepodun, Orolu’, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji.
According to the statement, the curfew was declared to quell the tension in the area following the killing of two people on Saturday.
7. CBN Breaks Silence, Reveals Why It Ban Cryptocurrency
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Sunday said itis determined to protect Nigeria’s financial system from activities of “fraudsters and speculators”.
Naija News recalls that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered banks in the country to shut down the accounts of cryptocurrency traders.
The ban has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar calling on CBN to reserve the directive.
But in a statement signed by Osita Nwanisobi, its acting director of corporate communications, on Sunday titled ‘Response to Regulatory Directive on Cryptocurrencies’, the Apex bank insisted that it will continue to do all within its regulatory powers to educate Nigerians to desist from the use of cryptocurrencies – despite growing criticism.
Listing various reasons for its action, the central bank said not only are cryptocurrencies issued by unregulated and unlicensed entities, the patrons and users value “anonymity, obscurity, and concealment” and there are risks of “loss of investments, money laundering, terrorism financing, illicit fund flows and criminal activities”.
8. Insecurity: Why We Will Continue To Support Buhari – Northern Elders
A group of Northern Elders has revealed why it would continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led federal administration.
The elders, under the aegis of the Coalition of Northern Elders for Peace and Development (CNEPD), said the Buhari government is trying its possible best to address the high level of insecurity in the country.
In a statement on Saturday, the National coordinator of CNEPD, Engr. Zana Goni urged Nigerians to be patient and believe in the Buhari government.
9. Gov. Umahi Reveals Major Problem With PDP
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted him to constantly tackle President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that Umahi had in November 2020 defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Saturday as a guest of Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, Umahi accused PDP of playing politics of bitterness and anger.
10. Why I Backed Reopening Of Lekki Tollgate – Segalink
Social media activist and former leader of the #EndSARS movement, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, has revealed why he backed the reopening of the Lekki tollgate plaza.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry investigating the alleged extrajudicial activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) had approved the reopening of the Lekki tollgate.
In a series of tweets to explain why he voted to reopen the Lekki tollgate, Segalink wrote: “I’m not the enemy, by the time you figure that out it may be too late already. Society may have frustrated any rationality in doing good or taking responsibility for the sake of the collective. We’re our own problems & we’ve refused to take responsibility but point fingers.