Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 27th March 2021.
1. Insecurity: Buhari Has Run Out Of Ideas, Only Pushing Excuses – NEF
The spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has carpeted the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, saying it has run out of ideas.
Baba-Ahmed said banditry and kidnappings have grown so big to become an industry right under the nose of the president and the current government has failed to prove its capability in dealing with the monster.
The NEF spokesman made his submission on Friday during an interview appearance on Channels TV where presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu was also interviewed.
2. Sunday Igboho, Nnamdi Kanu, Others Are Charlatans – Presidency
The Presidency has described secession agitators as “charlatans” sponsored to bring down the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday, Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, said President Buhari will not be bullied or cowered.
He warned self-acclaimed Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and former Niger Delta militant leader, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, against sabotaging the Buhari government.
3. Petrol Price Increase: NLC Warns Buhari Govt
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has kicked against any plan by the federal government to increase in the pump price of petrol.
Recall that the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petrol Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Mele Kyari had disclosed that the federal government may be forced to increase the price of petrol again.
According to him, it no longer makes sense for NNPC to import petrol at market price and sell at N162 per litre. He added further that the actual market price should be between N211 and N234 per litre.
Reacting in an interview, Ayuba Wabba said another increase in pump price would be too much for Nigerians to bear because of geometric increase of unemployment and inflation rate.
4. NNPC Gives Update On Increasing Petrol Pump Price In Nigeria
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has declared that the pump price per litre of petrol won’t be increased until the federal government concludes negotiations with labour.
The group general manager, group public affairs division of NNPC, Kennie Obateru made the disclosure in a statement released on Friday.
The statement comes about twenty-four hours after the NNPC group managing director, Mele Kyari disclosed that the federal government may be forced to increase the price of petrol again.
5. Nigeria Is Under The Best Democratic Government – Presidency
The Presidency has insisted that Nigeria as a country is currently under the best democratic government.
Naija News understands that President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated this on Friday, March 26 while appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
The presidential aide insisted that Nigerians are enjoying the freedom of speech under his principal’s administration. According to Shehu: “The fastest way to reach President Buhari is to reach the press and reveal the wrongdoing that’s happening.
“People should be free to say whatever because this country is under the best democratic government that we have had since the fourth republic.”
6. Bandits Threaten Sokoto Residents, Demand Monthly Allowance
Bandits on Thursday stormed Dunkawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The criminals noted that they will not stop attacking communities in the area untill the government grants them amnesty and pays them monthly allowances.
A resident of Dunkawa that spoke with SaharaReporters disclosed that the bandits invaded the village with sophisticated weapons on Thursday and threatened that no one can help the residents unless their demands are met.
7. Ex-Army Chief Ihejirika Formally Joins APC
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika has officially joined Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressive Congress.
Naija News recalls that Ihejirika declared interest to join the ruling party in February following a meeting with stakeholders of the party.
In fulfilment of this, Ihejirika on Friday, March 26 had a meeting with Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni, Chairman APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
8. Gunmen Attack Jos Airport Quarters
The staff quarters of Jos Airport in the Heipang area of Plateau State was invaded by gunmen suspected to be bandits on Thursday night.
Naija News gathered that three people were abducted by the bandits, including a housewife and her husband.
However, the husband and other staff escaped, with the gunmen only leaving with the housewife.
9. After Meeting Sheikh Gumi, Same Bandits Attack, Kill Soldier, 30 Vigilantes
Reports have emerged that the bandits who attacked a military post in Koton Koro, Mariga LGA of Niger state, killing one soldier, had met with Sheikh Abubakar Ahmad Gumi.
Naija News had earlier reported that the bandits on Wednesday night also ambushed and murdered 20 vigilantes in Koton koro village.
This is coming weeks after the state Governor, Abubakar Bello, promised to empower vigilante group in the state with high calibre weapons to enable them to fight against bandits.
10. Joe Biden Suffering From Dementia, Will Be Declared Unfit – Fani-Kayode
Former Minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has claimed that US President, Joe Biden, was suffering from rock-solid dementia.
Naija News reports that the former minister was reacting to a press conference held by the US president on Thursday.
In a post on his Twitter page on Friday, Fani-Kayode declared that he was missing defeated former US president, Donald Trump.