Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 13th February 2021.
1. Herdsmen: Why Sunday Igboho Won’t Succeed In Oyo – Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has insisted that the strategy used by popular Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, well known as Sunday Igboho, cannot succeed in the state.
Makinde, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, said evicting herdsmen cannot solve the security challenges confronting the South-West state.
He stated this on Thursday during a virtual town hall with the International Alliance for Justice and Peace, a Diaspora-based civil society organisation with interest in Nigeria.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Fulani Herdsmen’s Violent Rampage In Ibarapa: What Is The True Situation?’, Adisa said evicting a particular tribe would only lead to repercussion for Yoruba in other parts of the country.
2. Boko Haram Establishes Military Bases In Yobe, Adamawa [Full List]
Members of the Boko Haram insurgents have allegedly established new bases in some parts of Yobe and Adamawa states, security sources revealed.
According to SaharaReporters, Boko Haram established hideouts in Geidam and some other parts of Yobe State.
Other new bases of the insurgents were established in Tarmuwa and Yunusari local governments areas of Yobe State; Mubi, Madagali and Gombi local government areas of Adamawa State.
3. Fani-Kayode Meets Zamfara Governor As Defection Looms [Photos]
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode on Thursday met with Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara at his Abuja residence.
Naija News reports that Fani-Kayode made this known in a post on his Twitter page on Friday morning.
He wrote: “I had the honor, pleasure & privilege of spending much of Thursday evening with my friend & brother Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state in his Abuja home.
“We had a frank, cordial & productive meeting about the way forward for our nation. Thanks be to God.”
4. Sheikh Gumi Accuses Military Authorities Of Making Millions From Terrorism
Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Thursday alleged that military authorities are not interested in end terrorism in the country because they making billions of naira from it.
Gumi who has been having meetings with bandits in an attempt to negotiate with them, stated this while speaking on Arise TV on Thursday.
According to Gumi, the bandits are ready to drop their arms and return to the fold if the Nigerian government will accede to their demands.
He said, “The military is not encouraging matters at all because they are the beneficiaries of this insecurity.”
5. NBA Sues Buhari Over Extension Of IGP Adamu’s Tenure
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the tenure extension of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu.
In a suit filed by the Public Interest Litigation Committee of the NBA on Thursday, the association said it is seeking an order “setting aside the purported elongation of the tenure” of the IGP
According to the NBA, Adamu’s continuous stay in office is in contravention of the provisions of section 215(1)(a) of the 1999 constitution, as amended.
6. Real Reason Buhari Appointed Ex-Service Chiefs As Ambassadors Revealed
The presidency on Thursday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the immediate past service chiefs as non-career ambassadors as a reward for their service and loyalty.
The special adviser media and publicity to the president, Mr. Femi Adesina made the submission in an opinion article titled ‘ex-service chiefs as ambassadors and why not.”
He also denied that the immediate past service chiefs were appointed as non-career ambassadors to avoid prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as non-career ambassadors had no immunity from probe.
7. ‘I Have Been Vindicated’ – Ortom Reacts As Northern Governors Accept Ranching
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has hailed Northern Governors’ Forum for finally accepting to support and encourage ranching instead of open grazing of cattle by herdsmen.
Speaking on Thursday, the Benue governor said ranching was the only solution to the constant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.
Ortom recalled that he was called names and castigated by those who did not mean well for Nigeria when his government enacted the law prohibiting open grazing.
He noted that he has been vindicated following the decision by northern governors to encourage the same ranching they had opposed vehemently.
8. Ortom Roasts Bauchi Governor Over Comment On Herders Carrying Guns
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has faulted the comment made by his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, that Fulani herdsmen carry firearms to protect themselves.
Naija News had reported that Mohammed said herders carry guns to protect themselves against cattle rustlers who attack, kill and take away their possessions.
He also condemned Ortom for handling the farmers and herdsmen clashes poorly and accused Ortom of fuelling the criminalisation of the Fulani tribe in the country.
”My brother and my colleague Ortom started all this as regards herders clashes with other tribes. That’s why I must commend the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, NGF Solomon Lalong, he is a hero in the promotion of peace despite his diverse and minority background, he put an end to the Incessant fighting between herdsmen and other tribes in Plateau,” he had said.
9. Ambassadors: Civil Societies Petition 31 Embassies To Disqualify Buratai, Other Ex-Service Chiefs
Thirty-one foreign missions in Nigeria has been charged by a coalition of civil societies to disqualify the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.) his air force and navy counterparts, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.), and Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (retd.) and the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Abayomi Olonisakin (retd.) and also declare the former service chiefs as non grata in their countries.
The coalition forwarded the petition to the foreign missions through their Ambassadors and High Commissioners as well as the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and the United Nations.
The coalition said the step was taken due to the alleged war crimes, massacres, and gross human rights violations perpetrated by the former military chiefs, particularly Buratai, under whose watch the Obigbo, Lekki, and Zaria massacres, among others, took place at various times.
10. Ex-Lagos Governor, Lateef Jakande Laid To Rest (Photos)
A former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who died on Thursday at the age of 91, has been buried today (Friday).
Naija News reports that the burial service was attended by the deputy governor of Lagos, Obafemi Hamzat, former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, friends and family of the late elder statesman.
The former governor’s pre-burial prayers took place in his house at number 2 Bishop Street Ilupeju, Lagos State around 9am.