Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 27th August 2021
1. ‘Garba Shehu Needs Serious Help’ – Ortom Replies Presidency
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has claimed that the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, was “under the influence of some negative substances” during an interview on Wednesday.
The governor made this known in a statement on Thursday signed by his media aide, Terver Akase while reacting to the Presidency’s response to his earlier comment.
Ortom stated that the Presidency has never hidden its hatred for him and the people of Benue, saying that Shehu’s response only confirms that fact.
The governor berated the Presidency for failing to address the issues he raised in his earlier statement and attacking his personality.
Ortom, however, demanded an apology from the Presidency for accusing him of stirring ethnic tensions and calling for genocide.
2. Hushpuppi: IGP Usman Receives Panel Report On Abba Kyari
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba on Thursday, 26th August, 2021, received the report of the NPF Special Investigation Panel (SIP) investigating the alleged indictment of the erstwhile Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari.
Naija News reports that Abba Kyari was indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during its probe of confessed fraudster Ramon Abba aka Hushpuppi.
In a statement signed by Force spokesperson, DCP Frank Mba, the report was submitted by the chairman of the SIP, DIG Joseph Egbunike, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
MBA disclosed that DIG Egbunike, while presenting the report, appreciated the IGP for the confidence reposed on him and the members of the Panel to conduct the probe.
3. Buhari Grows Nigeria’s Economy To Strongest Point Since Jonathan Era
The Nigerian economy, currently being managed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari grew by 5.01 per cent, year-on-year, in the second quarter of 2021, the strongest growth since the fourth quarter of 2014 when President Jonathan was in charge.
Naija News reports that this is according to the second-quarter GDP report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday.
The development also marks three consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020. The Q2 2021 growth rate was higher than the -6.10 per cent growth rate recorded in Q2 2020 and the 0.51 per cent recorded in Q1 2021 year on year.
This growth is also an indication of the return of business and economic activity near levels seen prior to the nationwide implementation of COVID-19 related restrictions.
4. It Is Good That Boko Haram/ISWAP Terrorists Are Surrendering To The Army – Buni
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala-Buni has opined that it is a good development that Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists are laying down their arms and surrendering to government troops.
He said Nigerians should be optimistic that the insurgents are renouncing terrorism and surrendering to the Nigeria Army in Borno State and other areas.
Naija News recalls many of the terrorists alongside their family members have recently been submitting themselves to the government troops and asking for forgiveness.
The Governor in a statement on Thursday, signed by his DG, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed observed that what Nigerians should do is to hope like him that the repentance is real.
5. Former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Defects To APC
Amid the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, has dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that the Senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly left the opposition PDP to the ruling APC on Thursday.
The lawmaker was unveiled as an APC member by the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, at a brief ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday.
Present at the ceremony includes Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Senator Andy Uba.
6. PDP Appoints New Acting National Chairman Amid Crisis
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has named its Deputy National Chairman (South), Yemi Akinwonmi, as the acting National Chairman.
Naija News reports that the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, made this known to reporters on Thursday after the closed-door meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja.
Akinwonmi’s appointment follows the suspension of the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus by a court sitting in Port Harcourt, River State.
The presiding judge, Justice O. Gbasam, had ordered Secondus to stop parading himself as the national chairman pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Speaking further, Ologbondiyan stated on Thursday that the emergence of Akinwonmi as the party leader is in line with the provision of the party’s constitution.
7. Jos Crisis: No One Should Be Above The Law – Sultan Tells Buhari Govt
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has dismmised the recent viral video by a popular Muslim cleric in Zaria who swore that there would be reprisals along ethnic and religious lines over the recent killing of 22 travelers in Jos, Plateau State.
He said it was disheartening that any respected leader could make comments that threatened the security of lives and property without being immediately arrested and prosecuted.
The royal father stated this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Quarterly Meeting of the Nigeria Interreligious Council, NIREC, in Abuja, on Thursday.
He also described as worrisome the situation where security agencies were unable to unmask the identities of criminals who breach national peace and security in the guise of ‘unknown gunmen.’
8. ‘Presidency Lied’ – Umahi Denies Receiving ₦6bn For Ranching
Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has berated the Presidency for saying it has released ₦6 billion naira for cattle ranching.
Naija News reports that Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, had in an interview on Wednesday said the Federal Government has released ₦24 billion to Katsina, Yobe, Ebonyi, and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the establishment of cattle ranching.
Shehu disclosed that the four states received ₦6 billion each, adding that eight other states will also receive theirs as soon as their applications have been processed.
But in a statement on Thursday signed by his spokesman, Francis Nwaze, Governor Umahi said the state government never at any time received any money for ranching.
The governor stated that the state government has always maintained that it has no land for ranching, adding that ranching is a private business and a personal venture.
9. There Were Visible Evidences Buhari Govt Will Fail – Ndudi Elumelu
The leader of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, has stated that there were glaring evidence that the Muhammadu Buhari government will fail.
Naija News reports that the lawmaker stated this in Lagos on Wednesday while contributing at the Ripples Nigeria Dialogue entitled: Rebuilding Trust in a divided Nigeria; Advancing the Conversation’.
According to the lawmaker, bad governance has nothing to do with the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He however stated that it is left for Nigerians to choose who would lead them.
Elumelu urged Nigerians to look at the personality of politicians asking for their votes during elections.
10. Ortom vs Buhari: NBC Summons Channels TV Presenters Over Interviews
The National Broadcasting Commission has reportedly summoned Channels Television presenters, Chamberlain Usoh and Kayode Okikiolu.
It was gathered that the NBC invited Usoh, Okikiolu, and two other anchors of the TV’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme on Thursday.
The presenters were invited to explain their roles over some comments made against President Muhammadu Buhari by two guests on the programme this week.
Sources told PUNCH that Usoh and his colleagues left Lagos this morning to honour the invitation.
It was also gathered that the presenters arrived the Abuja office of the NBC alongside their lawyers.
Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Naija News