Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 4th October 2022
1. ASUU Strike: NANS Knocks Buhari, Condemns Proposed National Honour For Adamu
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the planned national honour for the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu as an insult to students in the country.
Speaking against the backdrop of the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), NANS spokesperson, Tope Giwa said it is an indication that the Muhammadu Buhari government does not care about the plight of the students.
In his words, “Nigerian students have been taken for a ride.”
Naija News reports that 437 Nigerians have been listed to be conferred with National Awards at a ceremony billed for October 11, 2022, and the Minister of Education is on the list, expected to receive the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).
Reacting, the NANS spokesperson said in a statement that Adamu is to be blamed for the ASUU strike which has lingered for about eight months, hence, there’s no justifiable reason to give him an award.
He added that the step rubbishes the integrity claims of the Buhari administration because the educational sector has completely collapsed under the Minister’s watch.
2. FG Denies Viral List Of Citizens To Be Awarded National Honours
The Federal Government has asked Nigerians to shun a purported list of nominees for national honours being circulated on digital media platforms.
Naija News understands that a list had surfaced online earlier containing the name of President Muhammadu Buhari’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and 436 other nominees for the 2022 National Honours Award.
The report earlier revealed that the investiture is billed to hold on 11 October 2022 at the State House in Abuja.
A statement on Monday, however, coming from the desk of the Director Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, stated that the authentic list for the said award is not released yet.
Jacobs assured that the main list would be published at the appropriate time and medium. The government official advised members of the public to disregard the viral list as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.
3. 2023 Presidency: Tinubu Fled Nigeria In 1993 To Defend Democracy – Al-Makura
Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Al-Makura, on Monday praised the role of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in defence of Nigeria’s democracy.
He said Tinubu has been actively defending Nigeria’s democracy since as far back as 1993.
The Nigerian lawmaker who was analyzing those contesting the 2023 presidential election, said no other party candidate stood the chance of the former Governor of Lagos State, Naija News reports.
According to him, Tinubu has paid the price having sacrificed his time and comfort by going abroad for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy about three decades ago.
Al-Makura stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi cannot match Tinubu’s competence, achievements, and vision altogether.
4. PDP, Atiku To Give Senate Presidency To S/West, S/East For SGF
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and leaders of the party have reportedly zoned the Senate Presidency to the South-West.
Naija News gathered that this was done to garner support for the party’s presidential candidate.
In a new power-sharing deal, Atiku agreed that the region should produce the next Senate President, while the South-East should get the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
“To give further bite for a possible inroad into the southeast, the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has been zoned to the region,” a former member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) told Vanguard.
The source expressed worry over the decision of the Governor Nyesom Wike’s group to pull out of Atiku’s presidential campaign and the return of the ‘housing allowance’ giving to some members of the PDP NWC.
5. 2023 Presidency: It Is Not Yoruba’s Turn To Be President – Adebutu
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has said it is not the turn of the South West to produce the next President.
He stated that the North-East should be allowed to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor, adding that the region has never produced Nigeria’s leader before.
Adebutu said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and interim Head of State Ernest Shonekan from the South-West region have been Nigerian leaders at separate times.
He, however, advised the Yoruba people not to be selfish but to support the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general elections.
Adebutu stated this during a campaign to garner support for his governorship ambition and that of Atiku on Monday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
6. 2023: It’s Not About First To Start, APC Will Soon Overtake Labour Party – Umahi Boasts
The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has declared that the early campaigns of the Labour Party does not automatically guarantee victory for the party in the 2023 polls.
This is as he boasted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will overtake the LP when the ruling party commences its rallies and mobilisation nationwide.
Naija News reports Umahi, who is the South-East Chairman for the APC presidential campaign council made the submission on Monday during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He stated this when he was asked about the seeming delay in the commencement of the APC presidential campaigns while the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have rolled out some programmes including rallies in major cities.
Defending the delay from APC, Umahi said it is nothing to worry about and there is still enough time to run credible campaigns.
7. Senatorial Race: Resign Honourably Or Face Disgraceful Defeat – Etiebet Warns Akpabio
Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been warned to withdraw from the race for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial seat.
The warning was handed down by former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet who noted that it is not the turn of Akpabio’s region in Akwa-Ibom State to produce the candidate for the seat.
He added that should Akpabio insist and contest the election, he would be disgraced at the polls because the people won’t vote for him.
Naija News reports Etiebet bared his mind on the matter while speaking with newsmen over the weekend.
Defending his position, Etiebet submitted that it is the turn of Abak 5 federal constituency not Ikot Ekpene federal, where Akpabio hails from, to occupy the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district seat.
He, therefore, called on Akpabio to concede the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Retd).
8. Housing Allowance Scandal: Why We Can’t Go After PDP Officials — EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reacted to the financial scandal rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News had earlier reported that some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the main opposition party returned money sent to their account for housing allowance by the party.
EFCC in its reaction on Sunday stated why it may not invite the national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu and other NWC members.
The commission while reacting to the call to invite Ayu and other NWC members said it cannot invite PDP officials as nobody has written any petition on the financial scandal.
A top official of EFCC who spoke on condition of anonymity stated this in a chat with Daily Independent.
The EFCC official said that even if a petition is written on the issue, it might be difficult for the anti-graft agency to invite the party leaders now that the 2023 general elections campaign has started.
9. 2023: I’ll Compare Tinubu To Awolowo, Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello – Al-Makura
Former Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Umaru Al-Makura, has compared the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the leaders of the First Republic.
Speaking with reporters on Monday, Al-Mukra said Tinubu is in the same category as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ladoke Akintola, and Sir Ahmadu Bello.
He said Tinubu has also played a prominent role in helping Nigeria secure its independence, adding that he sacrificed his time and comfort for the sake of democracy.
Al-Makura pointed out that the former Governor of Lagos State has mentored a lot of young leaders and has continued to be relevant in politics and governance.
10. NDLEA Discovers 13 Million Tramadol Pills In Lagos Mansion
A mansion in the Lekki area of Lagos State where Tramadol was stored has been busted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The spokesman of the Agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement released on Monday, said the mansion which was busted belongs to a drug baron who has been apprehended.
According to Babafemi, NDLEA recovered 13 million pills of Tramadol 225mg from the mansion.
Reacting to the latest drug haul, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.) commended the officers and men involved in the operation for their diligence while also appreciating Nigerians for supporting the Agency in its arduous task of ridding the country of the menace of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.”
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 Naija News
