Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 15th September, 2024.
1. I Never Stated I Would Be Vice President To Anyone – Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has denied saying he is ready to be a vice-presidential to a particular candidate.
Recall that Peter Obi had, in a recent interview with News Central spoken about his presidential ambition, the Labour Party, Nigeria’s economic situation, amongst others.
During the interview, the former Anambra State Governor dismissed claims that he was desperate to be president, adding that he is ready to work with other presidential candidates.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Peter Obi stated that part of his interview was deliberately distorted.
He restated his openness to working with other presidential candidates, provided their intentions were not centred on state capture.
2. Edo Poll: I Will Not Support Obaseki, PDP Gov Candidate – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the September 21 Edo State governorship election, has said he wouldn’t support Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Wike stated this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He also pledged not to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who has the support of the outgoing Edo State Governor.
The FCT Minister also described the governor as an ingrate.
He revealed that Governor Obaseki, approached him to seek support for his preferred successor, Ighodalo, but he told him to his face he would not because his support for Obaseki in the past earned him nothing but unending insults.
While admitting that the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, is his first cousin, Wike said, just like him, “Nobody can intimidate my cousin, not even the INEC Chairman. Nobody born of a woman can intimidate my cousin into doing what is not right.”
He noted that the Edo REC was posted to the state over one year ago, he wondered why those claiming to be the PDP at all levels were raising the issue now.
3. ‘Edo No Be Lagos, You Can’t Steal Votes Here’ – Atiku Warns APC Ahead Of Saturday Election
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a caution regarding any efforts to manipulate the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
Naija News reports that next Saturday, September 21, Edo State residents are expected to troop out en mass to vote for their next governor.
Atiku, who was in the state today alongside other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to support the party’s candidate, emphasized that Edo is not like Lagos, where, as he claims, the All Progressives Congress (APC) can orchestrate electoral fraud.
The 2023 presidential candidate for the PDP made these remarks in the Ekenwan area of Edo State during the concluding event of the party’s campaign rally for the governorship election.
Atiku also encouraged the citizens of Edo to safeguard their votes to prevent any potential rigging.
4. Massive Mobilization As NNPC Deploys 300 Trucks To Dangote Refinery For Petrol Loading
At least 300 trucks from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have arrived at the Dangote Refinery.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement by NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye on Saturday on his X handle (formerly Twitter).
Soneye confirmed that the trucks are in a position to commence the loading of petrol, scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024.
“NNPC Ltd. trucks are arriving at the Dangote Refinery in preparation for the scheduled petrol loading on Sunday,” Soneye said. “By the end of today, at least 300 trucks will be stationed at the refinery’s fuel loading gantry.”
5. Fubara Lied Against Me, I Can Never Support Him Again – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of lying against him.
Wike, who made the declaration on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, vowed never to support Governor Fubara in his political life again.
According to him, Governor Fubara would not have emerged victorious at the polls if not for the labour of those who supported him and built structures.
During the interview, Wike also refused attempts by the anchor to describe Governor Fubara as his political godson.
The Minister denied allegations of demanding funds from Fubara or the Rivers State government, adding that the Governor has abandoned those who worked for him and spreading lies about him demanding money.
6. FG Spent ₦701 Million On Remi Tinubu’s Foreign Trips In Three Months — Report
A report has claimed that the Federal Government spent approximately ₦701 million to fund foreign trips of the country’s First Lady, Remi Tinubu in the span of three months.
Naija News recalls that in 2023, the Federal Government allocated ₦1.5bn for the procurement of vehicles for the Office of the First Lady.
The budgetary allocation was outlined in the ₦2.1tn supplementary budget for 2023 approved by the National Assembly.
A breakdown of the budget shows the government planned to spend ₦2.9bn on sport utility vehicles for the Presidential Villa and another ₦2.9bn to replace operational vehicles for the Presidency.
Former Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, however, claimed that the ₦1.5bn budgeted for vehicles was for the Presidency and not for the First Lady’s office.
However, a report by Punch showed that the government paid out the sum of ₦700,707,532 over three months for the First Lady’s foreign trips to five countries, including two African nations.
The publication confirmed the development using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses Federal Government’s spending.
7. Maiduguri Flood: ‘Some Boko Haram Leaders May Have Escaped From Prison’ – Gov Zulum
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has expressed concern that several leaders of the Boko Haram terrorist group, who are currently incarcerated, may have managed to flee from the state’s correctional facility.
Naija News reports that Zulum’s worries come after a devastating flood hit Maiduguri, the state’s capital.
The extent of the damage caused by the flood, resulted in fatalities and the loss of properties which are valued in millions of naira.
Reports also have it that the flood damaged a section of the old prison, where many prisoners were relocated to the newly constructed maximum security prison in Maiduguri.
There have been speculations in some quarters that prisoners are being evacuated and some of them escaping following the recent flood incidents.
Speaking in an interview with BBC, when asked about his concerns regarding the escape of Boko Haram leaders, Governor Zulum confirmed that he was indeed worried about it.
8. After Halilu Sububu, Nigerian Troops Eliminate Other Bandit Terrorist Leaders
In a major victory against armed banditry, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji have successfully eliminated four notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara State.
Naija News understands that the criminals, identified as Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri, were killed during a military operation that also neutralized Halilu Sububu, a key figure behind numerous terrorist activities in the North West.
Meanwhile, military forces apprehended another wanted terrorist kingpin, Hosseini Osman, in Plateau State.
He was captured in Ganawuri village, Riyom local government area, where he confessed to organizing several deadly attacks, including a recent assault on Ganawuri village that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.
Osman also revealed his involvement in a local kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of abductions.
Using information obtained from Osman, troops swiftly mobilized to Kyaram village in Kanam local government area, where they successfully rescued several kidnapped victims.
In a separate operation, PRNigeria sources confirmed that troops launched a strategic ambush on fleeing terrorists from the Sambisa Forest heading towards the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza local government area.
This led to significant casualties among Boko Haram fighters and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and ammunition.
Additionally, in Kaduna State, troops raided a suspected terrorist hideout in Gobarawa Forest, Birnin Gwari.
The operation caused the criminals to flee, leaving behind five AK-47 rifles, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and five motorcycles, as confirmed by a military source.
9. Dino Melaye Is Part Of The Problem In PDP – Damagum
The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Iliya Damagum, has claimed that former senator Dino Melaye is responsible for some of the crisis plaguing the party.
He raised concerns about internal party loyalty, citing Melaye’s actions during the recent Kogi gubernatorial election.
Speaking during an interview with Daily Trust, Damagum addressed remarks made by Melaye, who had referred to the PDP as a “once upon a time party.
The PDP Chairman went on to question Melaye’s role in allegedly harming the party’s image, stating that anyone given the party’s platform has a responsibility to uplift its fortunes.
“Let me remind you about that statement credited to Dino. He’s part of the problem. Why? Because he ran for governor in Kogi State and didn’t even vote for himself. Put that on record: he didn’t go out to vote in his own election.
”Even as the candidate. So, I’ll leave it to you to judge based on that. Who’s really damaging the party? If the party is generous enough to give you its platform to run, you have a duty to improve its fortunes. Yes, you can win or lose, but at least lose credibly if you must,” Damagum said.
10. Economic Crisis: It’s Not About Giving Rice – Rema To Nigerian Politicians
Popular Afrobeats superstar, Divine Ikubor, also known as Rema, has urged Nigerian leaders to implement effective measures to address the hardship in the country.
He asserted that temporary relief would not assuage the suffering of the people.
The singer encouraged Nigerian leaders to establish sustainable platforms to provide for the masses consistently.
He shared his thoughts during an appearance on The Breakfast Club.
Rema also stated that he has been advising Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on some of his policies whenever they meet.
He said, “It’s not about giving rice. Do you know if some kids have an allergy to rice? What about tomorrow? What are they going to eat tomorrow?
“It’s better to create a platform that would consistently provide. Create a platform that would consistently educate. Create a platform that would consistently clothe. Create a platform that would consistently shelter the hungry people.”
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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