Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 5th September 2022
1. Disagreement Among Yoruba Leaders As South West Sends Secession Letter To Buhari
A letter by a Yoruba leader, Professor Banji Akintoye, addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari has caused division among the Yoruba leaders.
Contained within the letter is a demand for the peaceful secession of the Yorubas from Nigeria.
Akintoye, who wrote on behalf of the Yoruba Self-Determined Movement, YSDM, told Buhari that the South-West wanted a “peaceful break away” of the Yoruba nation from Nigeria.
He insisted that a lot of Yorubas wanted to leave Nigeria due to the economic hardship plaguing the country.
However, the letter has created a rift amongst the Yoruba leaders, the disagreement is between those who are in support of the Akintoye group’s move and those against it.
2. Atiku vs Tinubu: Asiwaju Is A Confused Candidate, APC Is A Dead Party – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the 2023 presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as a paper candidate.
The PDP further stated that Tinubu is confused and intimidated by the opposition candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The submission was made on Sunday by the PDP spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba in response to an earlier statement by Tinubu on Saturday who claimed APC is smarter and the PDP lacks direction.
However, Ologunagba in a response on Sunday said Tinubu is only trying to cover up the major issues, divert attention from the misrule of the APC and whip up sentiments.
The PDP spokesperson maintained that his party is ready to rescue Nigeria from the misrule and hardship imposed on citizens of the country come 2023.
He added in the statement that Tinubu has a lot of questionable baggage around his neck and is just demarketing the APC’s chances in the 2023 elections.
3. Boko Haram Attacks Borno Mosque, Kill Imam, Worshippers
Boko Haram terrorists have attacked a mosque in Borno, killing the Chief Imam and three other worshipers.
Truetells Nigeria understands that many people were injured in the attack that occurred on Friday in Ngulde community of Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
According to report, the Boko Haram terrorists launched the attack early by opening fire on worshippers who had finished their Fajir prayers at the Mosque.
The terrorists also looted livestock and foodstuff and set ablaze two vehicles in Ngulde community, which is located at some part of Sambisa forest in the state.
4. Atiku Vs Wike: Leave It To Me To Handle – Bala Mohammed Sends Strong Warning To PDP Members
The Governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, has advised stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to remain neutral in the ongoing feud between the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar and the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the PDP is currently in turbulence as Atiku is having a face-off with Wike, who lost to the former Vice President in the party’s presidential primary.
Speaking on the party crisis during a stakeholders’ meeting on Sunday, Mohammed advised all candidates of the party in the state to respect Atiku as well as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP.
The Governor stressed that the PDP candidates in the state must steer clear of the current controversy in the PDP at the national level in order not to be consumed with it.
5. ‘Why Should I Steal Public Money, When I’m Richer Than President Biden’ – Peter Obi
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi has opined that he cannot embezzle public funds because God has blessed him more than enough.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the former Governor of Anambra State made this known in a recent event while speaking to some Nigerians in the diaspora.
In a video sighted online, Obi issued a curse on himself if he takes a public fund that does not belong to him.
According to him, he was at a public event where the American President, Joe Biden said he is worth $8.9 million.
However, someone like him from a third-world country is richer than Biden hence questioning why he should steal public funds.
The LP flagbearer added that he is not looking for a private jet, sophisticated house, or eager to own a house in America.
6. EFCC To Arraign Ogun Speaker, Oluomo On Monday
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the embattled speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo.
Truetells Nigeria earlier reported that Oluomo was released on bail two days after he was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos state on September 1.
He was said to have been on the wanted list of the commission following his failure to honour the EFCC’s invitation several times.
Oluomo and his accomplices were accused of forging signatures and financial documents belonging to the state Assembly.
In a chat with The Punch, a source within the EFCC said Oluomo will be arraigned in court in Lagos State on Monday or later in the week, adding that the agency is currently preparing charges against him.
The source said some highly placed politicians are doing everything to frustrate the arraignment of the Ogun speaker, saying that agency will ensure that Oluomo is prosecuted.
7. Atiku, Ayu Are All Illegitimate, PDP Party Of Yahoo-yahoo Criminals – Fani-Kayode
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a party of scammers, carpet-baggers, vote-procurers, petty thieves, pickpockets & yahoo-yahoo criminals.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain stated that the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, and its national chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, are illegal and illegitimate.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Fani-Kayode was reacting to a statement purportedly made by former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye.
Dino Melaye, who is the spokesman of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, was quoted to have said, “All the PDP Governors spent money at our party’s Convention to get Ayu elected as National Chairman.”
In a lengthy post on his Twitter account, Fani-Kayode said Melaye’s statement is a public confession of a criminal offense made by a senior figure within the PDP cabal that committed the said offense.
8. Nine Dead, Many Others Injured In Abuja Road Accident
An early morning accident which occurred along the Yangoji-Abaji road of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday has resulted in the death of nine persons.
The public education officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bisi Kazeem confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
He added that ten others were injured as a result of the accident.
Kazeem explained that the accident occurred at about 6:05am on Sunday, and involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a Howo Sino truck.
Truetells Nigeria understands the bus was coming from Osun state and heading to Katsina, when it crashed into the truck as a result of dangerous overtaking.
Twenty-two persons involved in the crash are all males. The corpses of the injured persons have been deposited at the mortuary in the General Hospital, Kwali while the injured are receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Abaji following their rescue.
9. Ikeja Electric To Plunge Lagos Communities Into Darkness For 10 Days
The Ikeja Electricity (IE) distribution company has announced that it will plunge some areas in Alimosho Local Government of Lagos State into darkness for 10 consecutive days.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the power outage would start from Tuesday 6th September to Monday 15th September, 2022.
Ikeja Disco, in a statement on Sunday, said the outage will be caused by the replacement of old panels at its Igando injection substation.
The electricity company stated that the replacement of the panels is geared towards “improving the quality and quantity of power” to the areas that will be affected in the local government area.
10. Five Boko Haram Commanders, 150 Others Killed In Borno
Five Boko Haram commanders and 150 other terrorists have been reportedly killed by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Borno State.
Truetells Nigeria reports that a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a series of tweets via his Twitter handle on Saturday.
Makama said the terrorists were killed during a bombardment of their hideouts in Gabchari, Sheruri, Mantari and Mallum Masari, villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
The counter-insurgency expert stated that the air task force, troops of 199 Special Forces Battalion and 222 Battalion in an operation targeted the terrorists.
Makama named the five slain Boko Haram commanders as Abou Hauwa, Amir Shettima, Akura Buri, Abou Zainab, Abou Idris and their fighters.
He said the air task force in a joint attack with ground troops deployed two Super Tucano jets which resulted in the killing of 70 Boko Haram fighters with many who tried to flee drowning in a river.
