Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 18th September 2021.

DSS Raid: Igboho Wins Against Buhari Govt As Court Orders FG To Pay Him ₦20b

The embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho has on Friday, recorded another court victory against the federal government of Nigeria.

This is as the Oyo state high court sitting in Ibadan ordered the federal government to pay Igboho the sum of ₦20billion.

According to the court order, the sum is for damages caused by the invasion of his Ibadan residence by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in July.

The order was given by Justice Ladiran Akintola who said the invasion by the secret police was illegal and prejudiced.

Fani-Kayode’s Defection Linked To Jonathan’s 2023 Agenda For APC Ticket

A public affairs analyst, Christie Obiaruko Ndukwe has reasoned that the defection of former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is an indication that former President Goodluck Jonathan will soon be jumping ship, and that it was to make way for the latter’s emergence as President in 2023.

Naija News had reported that the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni led Fani-Kayode, a staunch ally of Jonathan, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Thursday after which the former critic of the President and his party, announced his defection.

He went on to tell a bewildered nation that he was led by the Spirit of God in his decision and that he joined the APC to help unify the country as he was against anything that would cause the disintegration of Nigeria.

Ebonyi Won’t Collect VAT, Some States Will ‘Die’ If VAT Collection Is Taken Away From FG – Umahi

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi has declared that he doesn’t believe it is the right thing for states to start collecting Value Added Tax (VAT) directly.

He added that if all states start collecting VAT individually, states that are unable to generate sufficient funds will suffer, therefore the federal government should continue with the role.

To this end, he called on his colleagues pushing for VAT collection to be done at state levels to reconsider their stand and show concern for other states that don’t have much resources accruing to them and would be cut off if the federal government no longer collects VAT.

Tinubu Loyalist Laments Aso Rock Reception Of Fani-Kayode When Lagos APC Supporters Are Hungry

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe, who is a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of the strongman of Lagos politics, Bola Tinubu, has regretted the red carpet reception extended to the defecting Femi Fani Kayode at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari and some top shots of the party.

Naija News had reported that Fani-Kayode was, on Thursday, presented to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, by the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of APC, and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, who was joined by Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State.

Reacting to the development, Igbokwe, in a viral social media clip, stated that the former minister of Aviation will not add any value to the electoral fortunes of the APC.

How Pantami’s ‘Professorship’ Led To Suspension Of CAN Chairman

For writing a letter congratulating the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on his controversial promotion to the rank of professor, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has suspended its Gombe State Caretaker Chairman, Sunday Congo.

Naija News recalls that the Caretaker Chairman had written a letter to congratulate Pantami on his recent “promotion to the rank of a professor of cyber-security by the governing council of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri”.

But a scathing editorial published on Thursday questioned the Minister’s promotion to the rank of professor thus: “both Pantami’s doubtful assumption of a position he may not have genuinely attained and a federal university’s perfunctory handing out of an academic position to a serving minister who has never featured on its faculty list are matters which deserve to be investigated.

“Our high public officials have no business desperately hustling to obtain laurels they have not earned,” read the ThisDay editorial, which added that, “there is no evidence that the university authorities observed extant due process before awarding Pantami’s so-called promotion”.

Why I Can’t Expose Boko Haram/ISWAP Sponsors – EFCC Boss, Bawa

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes, Abdulrasheed Bawa, on Thursday stated that he can’t expose the financier of terrorism in the country publicly.

Naija News had earlier reported that the United Arab Emirates authorities in the course of the week identified six Nigerians as financiers of terrorism.

The Nigerians placed on the watch list were Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.

Strike: Court Orders Resident Doctors To Return To Work

Striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have been ordered by the National Industrial Court to return to work immediately.

The order was given on Friday by the Industrial Court sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Naija News recalls the doctors had commenced their strike action on August 2, accusing the federal government of failing to implement agreements it had with the union and its members.

However, after negotiations broke down, the federal government had dragged the striking doctors before a court of law, asking the court to order them back to work.

The government in its argument said the doctors were essential workers and therefore, not entitled to go on strike.

2023: APC Gives Jonathan Condition For Presidential Ticket

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that no special status will be accorded to former President Goodluck Jonathan should he defect to the party and show interest in its 2023 presidential ticket.

The party said Jonathan must like all other party members, pass through the nomination and internal democratic process through which party candidates emerge.

Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe made the clarification on Friday in a statement where he observed that some erroneous notions are spreading in some sections of the media that the party is ready to grant Jonathan ‘superior’ waivers and an automatic presidential ticket should he join the party.

‘An Insult On My Person’ – Umahi Says Fani-Kayode Lied About Bringing Him From PDP To APC

The Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi has described Femi Fani-Kayode as a liar for saying he was instrumental in the decision he (Umahi) took to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor stated that the claim by Fani-Kayode is false and called on him to withdraw his statement.

Naija News recalls that Fani-Kayode who officially returned to the APC on Thursday after dumping the PDP, said he was instrumental in bringing three serving governors to the ruling party.

Fani-Kayode who was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa by the national caretaker chairman of the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni claimed that he played a vital role in the defection of Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara, and David Umahi of Ebonyi to APC.

2023: If Jonathan Joins APC To Contest For President, I Will… – Wike Reveals

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has said he will turn his back on former President, Goodluck Jonathan, if he ever defects to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Naija News understands there have been rumours circulating the cyberspace that Jonathan is on his way to dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling party.

The assertions, however, have been debunked by the former leader, Naija News reports.

Governor Wike who hails from the same South-South region as Jonathan, has vowed not to support Jonathan if he defected to APC to contest in the 2023 presidential election.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow

This article was originally published on Naija News