Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 21st March 2022
1. ‘Deeply Distressing’ – Buhari Condemns Attack On Obiazor’s Home, Police Assets
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned as “deeply distressing” the destruction in Imo State, of buildings and assets of the Police and the home of Professor George Obiozor, the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Naija News earlier reported that unknown gunmen burnt down the residence of the former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States in Awo-Omanma, Oru East Local Government Area of the state.
The gunmen who arrived at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader’s home in vehicles razed the house with Explosives Ordinance Disposals.
The former ambassador was not at home when the gunmen attacked his property.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday by his Media Assistant, Garba Shehu, Buhari strongly condemned the violence in the subregion.
He urged everyone to maintain peace, adding that the law and order capabilities in the Southeast are being strengthened.
While this is being done, Buhari called on the people of Imo State in particular and the subregion in general to maintain peace as the police and other agencies are working to ensure that normalcy is restored at the earliest.
2. 2023 Presidency: Shina Peller Roasts Atiku, Describes Him As A Liar And Enemy Of Nigeria
Nigerian entrepreneur, politician, and current member representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa Federal constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, Shina Peller has carpeted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a typical politician who manipulates the truth for his selfish interests.
Taking to his Instagram page on Sunday, Peller described Atiku as someone who intentionally misleads people with his utterances.
Speaking further, the lawmaker described the former president and 2023 presidential hopeful as an enemy of Nigeria.
Naija News reports Peller’s position comes as a reaction to Atiku’s position on why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the south.
While speaking last Tuesday with members of the PDP Board of Trustees in Abuja, Atiku argued that out of the sixteen years the party was in power, fourteen was used by the south, hence the 2023 ticket shouldn’t compulsorily go to the region again.
He argued that though the party invented zoning as a way to ensure every region in the country has a sense of belonging, the PDP is not constrained to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the south.
But reacting on Sunday, Peller said Atiku is a disappointment for intentionally leaving out some facts about the sixteen years of the PDP in power.
He wondered why the former Vice President didn’t mention the tenure of Alh. Umar Musa Yar’Adua which was cut short by his untimely death.
The lawmaker added that after eight uninterrupted years of the north in power through President Muhammadu Buhari, only an enemy of the country will stand against power rotation in 2023.
3. Buhari Is An Absentee President Inflicting Hardship On Nigerians – PDP Fumes
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that it is unpardonable for President Muhammadu Buhari to be less concerned about the many challenges facing Nigeria and its citizens.
The PDP in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba held that the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have failed Nigerians but remain arrogantly unconcerned about it.
Ologunagba added in the statement that President Buhari has not only failed, but also abdicated his responsibilities and the frustration in the country can trigger another round of protests worse than the recent #EndSARS protests if the situation is not addressed immediately.
He highlighted some of the challenges to include “a collapsed national grid, protracted fuel crisis, distressed aviation sector, plummeting currency, crippled production and commercial activities” warning that many citizens and businesses are suffering as it seems the government is kneeling on the knecks of Nigerians.
The PDP added that insecurity is on the increase, businesses are folding up and inflation is on the rise due to the inhumane policies of the current government led by Buhari and the APC.
The opposition party urged the President to show concern and empathy to the citizens in the face of the many challenges.
4. 2023: Atiku Is Desperate, Will Go Into Extinction If He Loses PDP Presidential Ticket – Afegbua
A former campaign spokesman for former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Kassim Afegbua has declared that the 2023 presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should be zoned to the south.
This is as he argued that Atiku and other northern aspirants do not deserve to get the PDP ticket based on justice, equity, and fairness.
Afegbua in a statement on Sunday added that once Atiku loses the 2023 presidential ticket, it is the end of his political career as he would run away to Dubai and go into extinction.
He said contrary to the declaration by Atiku that the PDP will go into extinction if he doesn’t clinch the party’s ticket, the PDP is a viable party that is bigger than any individual and would continue to exist.
5. Top ISWAP Leader, Sani Shuwaram Killed
A top leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Sani Shuwaram has been killed.
Naija News understands the notorious leader of the dreaded group was killed alongside other terrorists in airstrikes by Nigerian troops in the Marte axis of Borno State.
Troops of the Nigerian Air Force recorded the latest victory after using Super Tucano jets and other aircraft to launch multiple strikes in the axis where Shuwaram’s camps were located.
Naija News understands that Shuwaram in particular, was killed by gunshots when military fighter jets raided ISWAP camp at the Sabon Tumbuns general area of Lake Chad.
The NAF are said to have launched a series of attacks on the terrorists in February 2022 where Shuwaram was also injured.
However, while trying to recover from their wounds from previous attacks, the NAF in the counter-insurgency operation in the North-Eastern region of the country, bombarded the hideouts of the terrorists and Shurwaram was killed in the process.
6. 2023: Saraki, Bala Moh’d, Tambuwal To Pick Consensus Candidate To Battle Atiku For PDP Ticket
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State are set to pick a consensus amongst themselves to battle for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.
Naija News reports that whoever is picked among the trio will battle for the ticket against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who has already purchased the party’s presidential nomination form.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday after a meeting in Bauchi State, Saraki said the PDP is the only alternative to a collapsing All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Kwara State governor, who was speaking on behalf of Tambuwal and Mohammed, disclosed that their meeting was about picking a consensus Northern aspirant.
7. IPOB Gives Condition To Work With Anambra Governor, Soludo
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned the governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo against going after any of its members.
IPOB warned the newly elected governor not to get swayed by those advising him to arrest, imprison and kill IPOB members as this will mark the beginning of Soludo’s failure as a governor.
The spokesperson of the group, Emma Powerful also warned the governor not to make the same mistake as his predecessor, Willie Obiano.
However, Powerful stated that the group was ready to work with the governor.
IPOB statement is in response to Soludo’s recent comment that he was willing to work with the group to tackle insecurity in the State.
8. Ali Modu Sheriff Withdraws From APC Chairmanship Race
Former Governor of Borno state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has withdrawn from the national chairmanship race of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that this is coming days before the national convention of the ruling APC, scheduled for 26 March, 2022.
Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman said he decided to step down due to the zoning arrangement in the party which has ceded the office to North Central.
According to him, he would only rejoin the race should the ruling party change its mind between now and Friday.
Recall that the APC had zoned its chairmanship position to the North-Central with Senator Adamu Abdullahi, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, George Akume amongst others all from the zone gunning for the top position.
9. Police Kill Four Suspected IPOB Militants, Recover Undetonated Bombs
Four hoodlums suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have been killed by operatives of the Nigerian Police.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Sunday by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Micheal Abattam.
He said the hoodlums were neutralized early Sunday morning when they tried to carry out an attack on the Omuma Police Station in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
The police spokesperson added that five undetonated bombs were also recovered from the hoodlums.
According to Abattam, security operatives have gone in search of other fleeing hoodlums who sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
10. DSS Raises Alarm On Plans To Attack Some States In Nigeria
The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has uncovered plans by some criminal elements to attack some states in Nigeria, particularly the North Central.
The DSS said the sponsors are planning to make it look like an ethno-religious crisis and organize protests similar to the #EndSARS protest.
The alarm was raised in a statement on Saturday in Abuja made available to Naija News by the Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Peter Afunanya.
He observed further that the plot is to use students, striking University lecturers, labour unions, disgruntled individuals, and other strategic groups to carry out the protest.
The statement however added that the service has put measures in place to avert any form of breakdown of law and order in the identified states and the entire country.
The DSS also warned citizens and residents to be law abiding, stating that those who behave contrary will face the full wrath of the law.
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 Nigeria News