Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, 18th April 2021.
1. Pantami Admits Controversial Comments On Al Qaeda, Taliban
Nigeria’s Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Ali Isa Pantami, has admitted making some controversial comments on Al Qaeda and Taliban.
Naija News reports that many Nigerians had called on the minister to resign over the comments which were interpreted as endorsing the extremist sects.
Speaking during his daily Ramadan lecture at Annor Mosque in Abuja on Saturday, the minister renounced the controversial comments on the terrorist groups.
According to Isa Pantami, he now knows better about some of the comments he made in the past.
2. Araraume vs Ibezim: Supreme Court Delivers Final Ruling
The Supreme Court has rejected the disqualification of Sir Frank Ibezim as the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Dec. 5, 2020 Imo North Senatorial election.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the suit which led to Ibezim’s disqualification for allegedly supplying false information to secure nomination was statute-barred at the time it was instituted.
The suit was filed by Asomugha Elebeke, one of the aspirants, who had expressed interest to contest the party’s primary for the bye-election.
3. FLASHBACK: Buhari Reveals Boko Haram Biggest Sponsors In 2012
Back in 2012 when he was still nursing his ambition to become Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, a presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), had revealed the sponsors of Boko Haram terrorist group.
While granting an interview in November 2012, President Buhari allegedly accused the leadership of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the biggest sponsor of Boko Haram.
He wondered why the Jonathan- led government, with all the military and resources, could not end the insurgency and was calling upon him (Buhari) to engage in talks with the sect.
4. I Am Not A Terrorist, My Driver, Secretary Are Christians – Isa Pantami
Nigeria’s Communications Minister Isa Pantami has denied links to any terrorist organization and reporters of ethnic and religious bigotry.
The embattled minister has disclosed that his personal driver, secretary and technical assistant are all Christians.
Naija News recalls that recently, Pantami has been linked with terrorism which he has blatantly denied and the allegations were withdrawn but again, there have been renewed calls for his sack by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting in an interview with PeoplesGazette on Friday, Pantami said he has never had issues with his Christian aides, friends and associates of many years.
5. Money Printing Saga: Obaseki Looking To Score Cheap Points – Atiku
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi stated has faulted claims by Governor Godwin Obaseki that the federal government printed N60 billion to share to states.
Atiku, who is the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), a group of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Obaseki’s claim did not reflect the true positions of things.
In a statement on Friday, he urged state governors to work collaboratively in tackling the economic challenges present in Nigeria “rather than resort to cheap and demagogic point scoring in our quest to rescue the economy.”
6. Jang Says Babangida Lied, Declares PDP Governors Never Worked Against Jonathan
Former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has denied an allegation that northern governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worked against the second-term bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
Jang was responding to an allegation levelled by former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu who claimed that the Northern PDP governors worked against Jonathan’s re-election bid because he reneged on an agreement not to seek a second term.
It will be recalled as earlier reported by Naija News that Aliyu on Friday while reacting to his suspension by the PDP in Chachanga Local Government Area of Niger, said the North would have lost out completely if Jonathan got reelected.
7. Osinbajo Rejects Christianisation Agenda, Lists Muslim Appointees
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has denied having a Christianisation agenda and only appointing Christians into sensitive positions.
A widely circulated article written by “Dr Musbau Akinbode” titled “Osinbajo’s Stealth Christianization Agenda” had accused Osinbajo of pursuing a narrow religious agenda by nominating or appointing mostly Christians into government.
Osinbajo denied the allegations through his Senior special assistant to the president on legal, research and compliance matters, Balkisu Saidu.
8. Today Marks One Year Since The Death Of Abba Kyari
One year has passed since the death of President Muhammadu Buhari‘s Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
Mr Kyari who was a powerful figure in President Buhari’s government died on April 17, 2020, due to illness.
Buhari who accepted the death as an inevitable will of God made his thoughts known in a media chat by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
9. Amotekun, Ebubeagu Set Up Kill Fulani – Miyetti Allah
The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore has alleged that Amotekun and Ebubeagu both established by the South West and South East governors are set up to kill Fulani.
National President of the group, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo, made the allegation in an interview with Saturday Sun.
Bodejo claimed that the federal government was not involved in the process of setting up both security outfits, adding that both security networks are targeted against the Fulani.
10. Prince Philip Laid To Rest At St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle [Photos]
Queen Elizabeth II on Saturday laid to rest her late husband, Prince Philip, in a royal funeral like no other, curtailed by coronavirus restrictions but reflecting his long life of military and public service.
Philip, who died on April 9 aged 99, was interred in the Royal Vault at St George’s Chapel, at Windsor Castle, west of London, after a 50-minute service attended by just 30 guests but watched by millions on television.