Nigeria, welcome to Truetells Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 25th August 2022
1. 2023: President Buhari Reveals Candidates He Will Support
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday declared that only candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will get his support in the 2023 elections.
The President in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu stated that those who defected to other parties or instituted court cases against validly elected APC candidates and the party will not get his support.
He also cautioned those who have defected from the APC to stop linking him with their actions as he remains absolutely committed to the party.
According to Buhari, the APC brought him to power and he won’t do anything that will undermine or jeopardize the chances of the party in the forthcoming election.
2. 2023: Details Of Meeting Between PDP NWC And Governorship Candidates Emerge As Ayu Talks Tough
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu has unveiled the details of discussions between the party’s leadership and governorship candidates across the country.
Truetells Nigeria recalls the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Wednesday met with the party’s governorship candidates behind closed doors to discuss issues concerning the 2023 election.
The meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Ayu said they had fruitful deliberations and the candidates spoke their minds about happenings in their respective states.
The PDP Chairman added that the aim of the party is not just to win the 2023 presidential election but to win at least the governorship election, national assembly and state assembly positions in 25 states.
3. Wike Slams Lamido, Blames Him For PDP’s Defeat In 2015
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has slammed former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido over his recent statement.
Truetells Nigeria earlier reported that Lamido, during an interview on Channels television on Tuesday, described Wike as a bluff.
Lamido said this while reacting to the rift between the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Wike.
The former Governor, when asked if the people of Rivers State would follow Wike’s directive, said they can decide to be slaves to Wike whom he called an emperor.
In a statement through his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, on Wednesday, Wike described Lamido’s comment as disgusting and disdainful.
He noted that Lamido has no right to malign him especially when his contributions to the party are evident.
The statement further revealed that it is appalling for Lamido to make such a statement when efforts are being made to unite the party and resolve all issues.
He revealed that Lamido and his cohorts were responsible for the defeat of the party in 2015, adding that he might cause a repeat of history with his recent scheme.
4. FG Gives 2 Major Reasons Abuja-Kaduna Train Service Is Yet To Resume
The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo has explained why the federal government is yet to resume the Abuja-Kaduna train service months after it was attacked by terrorists.
Speaking on Wednesday while addressing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Sambo explained that it will be the height of insensitivity to resume train operations when some victims of the March 28 train attack are still in the captivity of their abductors and their families are still traumatized.
He added that the government also needs to install surveillance equipment for security and monitoring purposes before services can resume on the route.
Truetells Nigeria reports while some of the victims have been released in different batches by their abductors, others remain in captivity and their fate remains unknown.
The Minister however stated that the government was already looking at available options on the surveillance including concessioning it in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
5. 2023: Only God Will Decide Nigeria’s Next President – Kumuyi
Ahead of the 2023 election, the General Overseer of the Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, has revealed that only God will decide who becomes the next president of the country.
Naija News reports that the cleric made this known on Wednesday, during a visit to the Palace of Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo.
This publication gathered that the visit was part of the church’s preparation for a six-day crusade tagged ‘Global Crusade with Kumuyi”, which would be held in the town.
Speaking on the 2023 election, Kumuyi said everything concerning the change of power is in God’s hands and Nigerians will rejoice over the election’s outcome.
6. Osinbajo Physically Attends FEC Meeting After Knee Surgery
The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo physically attended the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Wednesday.
It marks the first time the vice president would physically attend the weekly meeting after a successful knee surgery in Lagos State.
Recall that Osinbajo had knee surgery at the Duchess International Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos on the 16th of July after getting a knock while playing Squash.
Weeks after the surgery and rehabilitation were carried out, the Vice President was discharged from the hospital.
Osinbajo ever since the knee surgery was done had not attended the FEC meeting physically.
7. Six Boko Haram Terrorists Killed As Troops Raid Illegal Market In Borno
Troops of the Nigerian Army have in a collaborative effort with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) recorded success in neutralizing some members of the Boko Haram terrorists in a recent raid in Borno state, Naija News reports.
Renowned counter-insurgency expert and security analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama confirmed in his recent update that the security agents killed at least six Boko Haram insurgents in their most recent operation.
Makama disclosed that the troops of 21 Amoured Brigade stationed at the Bama Local Government Area of Borno stormed an illegal market established by the terrorists on Wednesday morning and engaged the assailants in gunfire.
Commercial activities according to him were halted at the Daula Market in the Bararam village in Bama this morning around 11 am when the troops engaged the terrorists.
Makama explained that the terrorists opened fire upon sighting the troops but were swiftly engaged.
8. EFCC Arrests NDDC’s Account Director Over N25bn Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) has arrested the Director, Finance and Account of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Eno Ubi Otu.
Otu was arrested by operatives of the commission at about 11:15 am in a case of alleged diversion of over N25 billion in tax remittances.
A source at the anti-graft agency who spoke with Daily Trust on condition of anonymity disclosed that Otu is still in custody.
The official noted that Otu was arrested as part of a larger investigation of the forensic audit report of the NDDC.
9. 2023: Afenifere Leader Discloses Reason For Backing Peter Obi
Leader of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Ayo Adebanjo has said that Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, shares the same values with him.
Recall that Adebanjo and the leadership of Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMBLF) had on Tuesday met with the LP presidential flagbearer.
Speaking on the meeting with the former governor of Anambra in an interview on Channels TV, Adebanjo said that Obi believes in the restructuring of the nation and is also fighting for oppressed Nigerians.
He went on to condemn the present constitution the country is operating with, insisting that it was a fraudulent one that is not beneficial to the growth of the country.
10. 2023: We Are Aware PDP, APC Are Strong Parties – Kwankwaso’s NNPP Says, Keeps Mum On Peter Obi’s LP
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has said that it is very much aware of the strength of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming election but plans are underway to take the country by surprise.
The National Chairman of the Party, Prof. Rufai Alkali, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
Alkali insisted that the kind of leadership the NNPP would be bringing is totally different from what others are offering or have been offering.
He argued that the NNPP is waxing stronger daily and are getting ready for the campaign.
While he acknowledged the strength of the APC and PDP, he, however, kept mum on Peter Obi’s Labour Party.
