Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 17th March 2022
1. Buhari Backs Buni, Issues Fresh Directive To Atiku, El-Rufai, Akeredolu, Others
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday intervened in the uncertainties currently rocking the ruling All progressives Congress (APC).
In a letter personally signed by him, addressed to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State who is also the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, President Buhari said the multiplicity of cases currently rocking the party has the prospect of invalidating the activities and actions of the Party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This was disclosed in a statement sent to Naija News on Wednesday and signed by Buhari Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
In the letter which was also copied to the Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), the Acting Chairman of the CECC, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the Director-General of the DSS as well as the Inspector General of Police, Buhari said that since the party could not change the leadership of the CECC without infringing on the time limit set by INEC, and the fact that the current uncertainties and controversies “pose a real threat to the party.”
Buhari directed that the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC) should immediately return to status quo ante.
2. National Grid Restored As FG Explains Why Nigerians Have Been Having Poor Power Supply
The federal government has told Nigerians that there are various issues responsible for the epileptic power supply been witnessed in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu explained that scheduled maintenance of facilities, vandalization of pipelines as well as the disputes around the availability of gas and payment for gas contracts between gas companies and power generating companies are some of the factors responsible for the nationwide poor power supply.
He however told the journalists that the issues are receiving attention.
Particularly, Aliyu disclosed that the national power grid that collapsed twice in 24 hours has been restored.
3. I Promised Buhari I Won’t Step On His Toes – Bola Tinubu Tells APC Senators
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and presidential hopeful, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has revealed that he told President Muhammadu Buhari he won’t step on his toes.
Naija News reports that the former Lagos State governor revealed this during a meeting with APC Senate Caucus at the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Speaking at the meeting, Bola Tinubu stated that Senate President Ahmed Lawan has shown unusual leadership since he assumed the leadership of the National Assembly.
He stated that he came for the counsel, partnership and support of APC Senators.
According to the former Lagos State governor, he believes that they can back him to achieve his life time ambition.
The APC stalwart also revealed that he is not blinded by his ambition to step on toes, including that of the president.
4. Panic As Gunmen Kill Two Prison Officials In Imo
Residents of Okigwe town in Imo State have been thrown into panic after unknown gunmen killed two prison officers on Wednesday.
The attack which happened at the Umulolo session of the town in the morning left other officers injured.
It was gathered that the gunmen ambushed the security officers of the Imo correctional center in their vehicles.
A security personnel told The PUNCH that, “Two Hilux vans of officers of Imo correctional center were on Wednesday morning attacked by gunmen at Umulolo Okigwe.
“Their attackers threw dynamites on their vehicles. Two officers were killed on the spot while others were rushed to the hospital. While one Hilux van was destroyed by the dynamite the other was not affected.
5. 2023: What APC Senators Told Tinubu About His Presidential Ambition Emerges
The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the Senate has assured Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of their support in his bid to clinch the party’s 2023 presidential ticket and succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senators gave their backing on Wednesday when Tinubu held a meeting with them at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
The APC senators were led to the meeting by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Naija News had earlier reported that Tinubu during his meeting with the lawmakers, revealed that he told President Muhammadu Buhari he won’t step on his toes.
In his response, Lawan assured the former Lagos State Governor that the Senators were with him and believed in his dreams and abilities.
6. “I Especially Apologize” – President Buhari Reacts To Fuel Scarcity, Electricity Shortages In Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has broken his silence and apologized to Nigerians over the fuel scarcity and electricity shortages that have befallen the nation in the past few weeks.
According to the President in a statement on Wednesday, the situation is regrettable but the government is working hard to restore normalcy.
Buhari in a statement on Wednesday which was issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu apologized for the strain caused by the situation on both individuals and businesses.
He assured that in the coming days, the ques are expected to disappear nationwide as the government is working with relevant stakeholders to resolve all issues.
7. Court Trashes Nnamdi Kanu’s Request For DSS DG Oral Evidence On Health Status
A Federal High Court in Abuja, has trashed the request of the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for the Director-General of the Department of States Services (DSS) to give oral evidence on his state of health, Naija News reports.
At a hearing of a suit filed by the secessionist on Wednesday, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in the ruling, held that fundamental rights cases are special cases “sui generis” which mode of commencement are affidavit evidence as prescribed under Order 2, Rule 2 of the Fundamental Human Right Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009.
He declined the Biafra agitator’s request stating that though there were various modes of commencement of action, including fundamental right cases, the applicant (Kanu) chose to commence his “under the Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure Rules that stipulates affidavit evidence.”
According to the judge, having carefully perused all the affidavits of the applicant and the respondents before him, he was of the view that there were no irreconcilable conflicts in the affidavits.
Justice Taiwo thereby adjourned the matter until April 13 for the hearing of the substantive application.
8. PDP Pegs Presidential Form At ₦40m, Governorship At ₦21m
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday fixed N40 million as the cost for its presidential aspirants to obtain form.
Naija News reports that while the expression of Interest form is put at N5 million, the Nomination Form is put at N35 million
According to the PDP, it was approved at the 95th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party which held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Those eyeing the governorship ticket will purchase the Expression of Interest form for N1 million while the Nomination Form is N20 million.
For Senate, the Expression of Interest is N500,000 while the Nomination Form is put at N3 million.
The House of Representatives, Expression of Interest is N500,000 while Nomination Form is N2 million.
All youthful aspirants would enjoy a 50 per cent reduction of the payment for various positions.
9. President Buhari Appoints New Chairman, Members For NBC Board
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa as Chairman Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The President also approved the appointment of other members of the board.
The appointments were contained in a statement on Wednesday issued by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
The statement signed by the Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi said the new appointments followed the expiration of the tenure of the former Board.
10. Soldiers Eliminate Bandit Terrorists In Benue State
Nigerian Military troops have killed four of the bandits operating in Kastina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) launched an attack on Tuesday after encountering the terrorists during which the bandits fell to the superior firepower of the soldiers.
At least four of the bandits were killed while many others were injured while trying to escape as the troops gave a hot chase.
The development was confirmed by the Chairman of Kastina-Ala LGA, Alfred Atera, who added that the leader of the bandits, identified as Terna Gide, had threatened to carry out reprisal attacks on some villages following the killing of his men.
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