Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, 20th February 2022. 2023 Presidency: List Of Persons Who Have Declared Interest In Becoming Nigeria’s Next President
Ahead of the February 18, 2023 date for the conduct of the presidential election in Nigeria, some politicians have already openly declared interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.
The nation’s political space is still expected to witness more declarations in the coming days even as political parties also put structures and strategies in place.
One other item that has remained recurring in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election is the call for zoning. Those in support of zoning want a 2023 southern presidency while some northerners who are against zoning say competency should prevail arguing that zoning is not a constitutional issue.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, February 18, 2023 for the conduct of the next presidential election in Nigeria.
Indecisive, Slow-moving Goodluck Jonathan Was Destined To Fail – Dora Akunyili
Nigeria’s former Minister of Information and Communication, Dora Akunyili, had described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a slow-moving and undecided leader who was destined to fail.
This was made known in an biography of the former director general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control titled, ‘I am because we are’ and authored by Chidiogo Akunyili-Parr, the daughter of the late Dora Akunyili.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the 382-page book published by Safari Books Limited was presented in the first person narration as though she told the story herself.
Akunyili-Parr quoted her mother as saying she knew the Goodluck Jonathan administration will fail after the former president announced his cabinet.
Why Nigeria Needs More ‘Rebels’ – Obasanjo
Nigeria needs more ‘rebels’ who are ready to damn the consequences and speak the truth to power, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said.
He stated this while speaking during the unveiling of the autobiography of the Babanla Adinni of Egbaland, Chief Tayo Sowunmi, in Abeokuta, ‘Footprints Of A Rebel’, to commemorate his 80th birthday on Saturday.
The former Nigerian leader noted that speaking truth to power is one of the greatest steps towards rebuilding the nation.
Obasanjo stated that whoever wants to live a life of honesty and integrity must be rebels ready to stand and speak the truth always.
“I Begged Oyetola For Two Years” – Aregbesola Reveals More Details Of Fight With Osun State Governor
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has opened up and revealed more details about the ongoing fight between him and the incumbent Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola.
According to the Minister, Oyetola is on a vengeance mission because he (Aregesola) didn’t support his gubernatorial political ambition in 2018.
Aregbesola revealed further that when he noticed Gov.Oyetola was hell-bent on destroying his legacies in Osun State as a former Governor, he sent people to him and continued begging for two years but all his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Truetells Nigeria reports the Minister made the revelation while speaking on Friday during a political meeting with supporters and stakeholders at Isale Abata in Ikire, Osun State.
Buhari, Jonathan, Sambo Attend Anyim Pius Anyim’s Birthday Party
President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday graced the birthday celebrations of former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim.
Naija News reports that Anyim’s 61st birthday celebration was held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, was accompanied by aides and other government officials.
Also at the event are former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and ex-Sokoto state state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others.
ISWAP Fighters Invade Borno Village, Rustle Cattle
Fighters of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) have invaded Mallamti village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
Naija News reports that Security Analyst and Counter-Insurgency Expert, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Friday night.
He stated that the terrorists, numbering about nine, stormed the village at about 8pm on Friday in three motorcycles.
According to Makama, the terrorists later robbed livestock belonging to the villagers, then headed toward Gajiganna road.
2023: Anyim Speaks On His Relationship With Obasanjo
A presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, Anyim Pius Anyim, on Friday said he does not have any personal issue with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The former President of the Senate noted that Obasanjo was an outstanding president Nigeria had, as he was focused on all he wanted to do.
He disclosed that they had a little disagreement with the elder statesman and it was an issue of the National Assembly and the Executive.
According to Anyim, what brought about the disagreement was a motion moved by Senator Idris Abubakar from Gombe and not a motion moved by him.
Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana, Others Increase Ticket Prices
Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Saturday announced the increase in the price of flight tickets for economy class to N50,000.
Naija News reports that the decision to increase the price of economy ticket was taken at the meeting of the operators in Lagos.
Giving reasons for the increase, the airline operators stated that the decision was taken following the high cost of jet A1 fuel, scarcity of foreign exchange, double-digit inflation, increase in ground handling charges and cost of buying and importing spare parts.
It was gathered that tickets from Lagos to Abuja in economy class, which used to cost between N29,000 and N35, 000, are now N50, 000. Economy tickets from Lagos to Abuja start at N50,000 on the websites of Dana Air, United Nigeria, Azman Air, Air Peace, and Max Air. Ibom Air costs N53,00, while Aero Contractors, which used to cost N26,000, now costs N48,365, and Arik Air costs N48,500. Green Africa, on the other hand, which used to sell for N20,000, is now selling for N39, 000, excluding luggage costs.
2023: Judge Me, Tinubu, Others Based On Competence Not Age – Orji Kalu
Presidential hopeful and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has appealed to Nigerians to judge all presidential aspirants based on competence, knowledge and not age.
In January 2022, the former Abia state governor declared his intention to succeed President Muhammaudu Buhari in Truetells Nigeria reports.
In a post via his verified Facebook page on Saturday, Kalu said the emphasis on the age of presidential aspirants should be disregarded, noting that the important thing is who the people believe will give the right leadership.
17 Injured, 1 Killed As Fire Guts Borno IDP Camp
A fire incident has been reported at the Kalari Muna Elbadawy Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Maiduguri, Borno.
No fewer than seventeen people reportedly sustained varying degrees of injury in the inferno that claimed one life.
The incident was confirmed to newsmen in a statement released by the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) on Friday, Truetells Nigeria reports.
