Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, 19th September 2021.
‘Edo PDP Received Billions From Obaseki Before Re-election, Still Want To Dictate Cabinet Appointees’
As controversy continues to trail Governor Godwin Obaseki’s refusal to name his cabinet almost a year after his re-election, details have emerged on why the Edo State governor has chosen to bide his time.
Recall that following his disqualification during the screening of governorship aspirants for the 2020 governorship election over discrepancies in his certificate in All Progressives Congress (APC), Obaseki had defected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki who was first elected in 2016 on the platform of the APC was reportedly pushed out of the party by the former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
But since his swearing in for a second term on November 12, 2020, Obaseki is yet to appoint commissioners and other aides.
Officer Abducted From NDA Facility, Major Datong, Regains Freedom
The Nigerian Military officer abducted by bandit terrorists during an attack at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, Major Christopher Datong, has regained freedom.
It may be recalled that daredevil terrorists had attacked the NDA on August 24, 2021, killing two officers and abducting Datong.
In a statement to newsmen in Friday night, Deputy Director Army Public Relations 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Colonel Ezindu Idimah, said Datong was rescued by troops.
2023: What Jonathan Will Give Tinubu For APC Presidential Ticket – Sokoto Rep
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Sokoto State, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, believes that the strongman of Lagos politics, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is in a pole position to be the standard-bearer of the party in 2023 because of all the zones in the South, APC is most dominant in the South-west which is the former governor’s stronghold.
Naija News reports that the House of Reps member who chairs the House Committee on Petroleum (Upstream) however noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan will give Tinubu a good fight for the APC presidential ticket if he eventually defects to the ruling party
A pundit had posited that the defection of former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC was an indication that Jonathan will soon be jumping ship, and that it was to make way for Jonathan’s emergence as President in 2023 under the platform of the APC.
Why Rich Pastors Must Pay ‘Pentecostal Tax’ – Osinbajo
The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on Friday charged religious leaders, especially well-to-do pastors, to pay their ‘Pentecostal tax’ which will go a long way in telling their stories, achievements and life experiences in the Ministry to affect generations.
Naija News reports that he made this call in Lagos during the Public Presentation of the biography of the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry entitled “Kumuyi: Defender of the Faith”.
The Vice President asked religious leaders in the country to emulate early apostles of the gospel who also discharged the responsibility of paying tax, stressing that religious leaders in the country owe this as an obligation.
Fani-Kayode A Beggar, Featherweight And Political Liability – PDP Congratulates APC Over Ex-Minister’s Defection
The Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West has congratulated the All Progressives Congress, APC, over the defection of former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Naija News recalls that Fani-Kayode on Thursday officially left the PDP to the APC, a move that did not come as a surprise to Nigerians following his meetings with chieftains of the ruling party.
Speaking after his defection, the former Minister had stated that he was led by the Spirit of God to join the APC, adding that his previous attack on President Muhammadu Buhari was only political.
President Buhari To Travel To New York For UN Meeting
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari will be away from the country from tomorrow, 19th September till Sunday, 26th September, 2021.
The Nigerian leader is travelling to New York in the United States of America where he will participate in the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA76), Naija News reports.
The UNGA session opened on Tuesday, September 14.
Apart from the UN meeting, the President will also hold some high-level meetings and interactions while in the United States.
‘You’re A Shameless Liar’ – Ugwuanyi Knocks Fani-Kayode Over Defection Claim
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has refuted the claim by Femi Fani-Kayode that he is planning to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News recalls that the former Minister of Aviation who officially dumped the PDP on Thursday, had hinted at the possibility of the governors of Bauchi, Enugu and Oyo states defecting to the APC.
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, gave the hint while speaking to journalists.
Buhari, Governors And Others Who Visited Tinubu In London Within Two Months (Full List)
The National leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu in the last two months has receive at least thirty politicians in the United Kingdom.
There had been speculation that the former Governor of Lagos State is nursing a presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Meanwhile, the health issue of the APC leader has been a major concern, but his media aide, Tunde Rahman has noted that he is hale and hearty.
‘I Shall Continue To Build Bridges Of Unity, Love With You’ – Fani-Kayode Tells Pantami
Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has appreciated the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, for inviting him to dinner at his Abuja residence.
Fani-Kayode made this known in a series of tweets alongside pictures of his visit to Pantami’s residence on Twitter on Friday, a day after he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
FFK, who visited the minister’s residence alongside Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state, described Pantami as his friend and brother.
Why South Will Not Support Any Northern Presidential Candidate In 2023 – Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said the south would not support any political party that gives its presidential ticket to a northerner.
Naija News reports that there have been several calls for the two major political parties – Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress – to zone their presidential ticket to the south after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
The southern governors forum had in two separate meetings called on political parties to zone it’s ticket to the region for justice and fairness.
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