Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 2nd June 2022
1. 2023: Status Of APC Govs’ Meeting On Consensus Emerges
Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reportedly could not reach a positive outcome on Wednesday after hours of deliberations in search of a consensus presidential candidate.
Reports reaching Naija News claimed that the first meeting of the governors today ended in a deadlock.
“No agreement yet. Meeting has been postponed to later this week,” said the source who spoke anonymously to The PUNCH shortly after the meeting.
Speaking on the resolution reached during the meeting, the party insider said, “The governors are still divided on the matter. Many things are being considered, including capability, region and religion.”
2. 2023: Atiku Receives Certificate Of Return As PDP Flagbearer
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday presented a Certificate of Return to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Naija News reports that this development is coming after the former Vice President won the presidential primary of the main opposition party last Saturday.
Atiku polled 371 votes to defeat his closest contender Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, who polled 237 votes.
The National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, presented the certificate to Atiku at the NEC Hall, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
3. Osinbajo Presides Over FEC Meeting Days Before APC Presidential Primary
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Naija News reports that Osinbajo presided over the FEC meeting following President Muhammadu Buhari‘s three-day state visit to Spain.
Buhari, who was invited by his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, will be visiting the Spanish monarch, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
Present at the FEC meeting were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and other cabinet members.
4. 2023 Presidency: Former Chief Judge, Peter Emerges APGA Presidential Candidate
Renowned Professor of Law and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Peter Umeadi, has emerged the presidential flag bearer of the Victor Oye-led faction of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
According to reports, Umeadi clinched the presidential ticket at a special convention attended by factional party leaders and members drawn from the six geopolitical zones of the country at the Katampe-Abuja national headquarters of the party.
The troubled party accredited 150 delegates, affirmed the candidacy of Umeadi by a voice vote.
Speaking about the election, Victor Oye, a factional national chairman of the party expressed optimism that Umeadi would be sworn in as President of Nigeria in 2023.
The party has been torn between Edozie Njoku and Victor Oye, both claiming to be the substantive national chairman of the party.
5. Nigerian Army To Question Methodist Prelate After He Accused Soldiers Of Involvement In Kidnap Activities
The Nigerian Army has reacted to the indictment of its troops by the Methodist Prelate of Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu.
The Army in a statement on Wednesday issued by its spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated that the claims by the Prelate accusing soldiers of working with Fulani kidnappers can’t be accepted but must be investigated and not just taken at the surface level.
It will be recalled Kanu was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Sunday in Abia State. The Bishop of Owerri, Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s chaplain were also abducted by the gunmen.
The abductors later made a demand of N100 million naira ransom which the prelate confirmed was paid before his abductors released him.
While narrating his ordeal after his release, the Methodist Prelate also indicted the Nigerian Army based in Lomara as he alleged soldiers were working with the “Fulani kidnappers” that abducted him in Umunneochi, Abia State.
The Army statement by Nwachukwu however said the military command was not officially notified or carried along in any of what transpired starting from the kidnap, to the negotiation of the ransom or the release.
6. PDP To APC: ‘Jonathan Should Feel Insulted Being Linked To Presidency’
Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa has said former President Goodluck Jonathan should feel insulted for being rumoured to be testing the presidential ticket again.
Naija News reports that Jonathan has been consistently linked with plots to seek reelection in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was gathered that some northern governors and close aides to President Muhammadu Buhari were behind plots to draft Jonathan into the presidential race.
A group had also purchased the 100 million naira Presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the APC for the ex-president.
But Jonathan did not turn up for the presidential screening of the APC which held on Monday and on Tuesday.
Speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, Bulkachuwa said it is laughable that there is a rumour about Jonathan aspiring for the APC presidential ticket despite.
The lawmaker said the former President was groomed politically by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) up till he became president.
7. Moneybags: Lawan Writes APC Delegates Ahead Of Presidential Primaries
The President of the Nigerian Senate and 2023 Presidential hopeful, Ahmad Lawan, has written to the All Progressives Congress, APC, delegates ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
Lawan who is aspiring to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari admonished delegates to consider competency than moneybags.
The Yobe-State politician charged the delegates to choose a person that would lead and not rule the country.
Lawan made the call in a letter written to the APC Delegates on Wednesday, Naija News understands.
He stressed that there is a need for the politicians to examine past behaviours of aspirants and their public engagement before now.
Lawan again, charged the delegates to look for a leader that will not buy their votes but one that is prepared to sell and deliver their dreams.
8. Buhari Govt Not Fighting Corruption – Buba Galadima
A former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, Buba Galadima has claimed that the present administration is not fighting corruption.
Galadima a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the arrest of the former Accountant-General of the federation, Ahmed Idris did not justify Buhari’s fight against corruption.
According to Galadima, Buhari only ordered Idris’s prosecution because his stealing had become too much to hide.
9. Why Buhari Choosing A Consensus Candidate Will Destroy APC – Lukman
The Vice Chairman North-West of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Salihu Lukman has warned President Muhammadu Buhari against going ahead to push for a consensus presidential candidate.
Recall that Buhari had on Tuesday asked APC governors to support him in picking his successor.
Reacting in an open letter to the president, Lukman said the move could destroy the party before the 2023 presidential poll.
He told Buhari that picking a consensus candidate will be highly risky to adopt as it can erode all his lifelong achievements.
10. Tambuwal To Join Senatorial Race After ‘Gifting’ Atiku PDP Presidential Ticket
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has commenced moves to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Sokoto South following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Tambuwal, who was instrumental to the emergence of Atiku as the PDP candidate, had shockingly withdrawn and backed the presidential ambition of the former Vice President.
Recall that Atiku defeated Nyesom Wike who was his closet rival at the presidential primary of the main opposition party on Saturday night.
Atiku gathered votes of 371 delegates while Wike, polled 237 votes.
The result were, Atiku Abubakar – 371; Nyesom Wike- 237; Bukola Saraki – 70; Udom Emmanuel – 38; Balla Mohammed – 20; Pius Anyim – 14; Sam Ohabunwa – 1; and Olivia Tariela scored 1. There were 12 void votes.
Tambuwal, whose second term as governor ends next year, has concluded plans to replace Aminu Bodinga (who was elected unopposed), as the party’s candidate during the national assembly election representing Sokoto South.
Sources close to the Sokoto State government told Premium Times that Tambuwal asked Bodinga, a former commissioner, to stand as a proxy for him.
Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News