Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 10th May 2022
1. Goodluck Jonathan Gets N100m APC Presidential Form
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has picked up the presidential nomination and expression of interest form of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News learned that a Coalition of Northern groups picked up the presidential form on behalf of the former Nigerian leader on Monday at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Speaking with reporters after picking up the form, members of the coalition said Jonathan is the most qualified to take Nigeria to the next level in 2023.
Members of the coalition were spotted wearing face caps and t-shirts with the inscription ‘run Jonathan run’.
2. ASUU Extends Strike By Three Months
The lingering strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities has been extended for another 12 weeks.
ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, in a statement on Monday, said the extension was to give the federal government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.
It also stated that the roll-over strike was effective from 12.01 am, May 9, 2021.
The academic body noted the decision was taken after its National Executive Council meeting which started on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.
3. 2023: Details Of Saraki’s Meeting With Obasanjo Emerge
The details of the meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and presidential aspirant, Bukola Saraki have emerged.
Truetells Nigeria earlier reported that the former Senate President met with Obasanjo at the Penthouse residence of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Monday.
Saraki was accompanied by former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kawu Baraje, and other members of his campaign team.
Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Saraki said he came to inform the former President that he was in Ogun state to meet PDP delegates about his presidential ambition.
The former Governor of Kwara state added that he came to see how well the former president is doing and learn from his wealth of experience.
Speaking further, Saraki said the country is in a very delicate situation and needs an experienced leader who can unite the people.
4. Orji Kalu Withdraws From 2023 Presidential Race, Gives Reason
The Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu has announced his withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race.
Truetells Nigeria reports the former Abia State Governor announced his decision in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
Explaining his decision not to proceed with his plans to seek the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kalu stated that his decision is based on the party’s refusal to zone its ticket to the southeast or any region.
While revealing that he has picked the forms to contest for the Abia North Senatorial zone, Kalu declared his support for any candidate from the southeast that emerges from the APC primaries.
In the event that none emerges from the region, he would be supporting a candidate from the northeast.
5. Senate President, Lawan Joins Presidential Race
The President of the 9th Senate, Ahmed Lawan, on Monday expressed his intention to battle for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress.
Lawan joined the long list of presidential aspirants under the ruling party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Senate President becomes the 24th presidential aspirants to pick the N100m APC expression of interest and nomination forms.
He would be hoping to clinch the presidential ticket of the party ahead of the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and others on the 30th of May.
A group of his friends led by Chief Sam Nkire, a member of the National Caucus of the party and 15 other Senators, purchased the form for him at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
6. 2023: I Have Other Plans – PDP Presidential Aspirant Reveals
Presidential aspirant and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed on Monday disclosed that he has other plans if he fails to clinch the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Mohammed stated this during a consultation with PDP stakeholders in Minna ahead of the party’s presidential primary.
He asked if it was wrong for him to have another plan if eventually, he does not emerge as the presidential candidate of the party.
Mohammed further stated that he would accept the party’s decision on the choice of the presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He noted that zoning is not a problem but a formula to bring devolution of power to ensure equity and justice that was commendable.
7. Malami, INEC Summoned Over CBN Governor’s Move To Contest 2023 Presidency
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Independent National Electoral Commission to appear on the reason a motion ex parte filed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, should not be granted.
Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, filed the motion exparte on Monday urging the court to direct all relevant authorities to maintain status quo till the main suit challenging the unconstitutionality of Section 84(12) of the Election Act 2022 vis-a-vis 137 of the 1999 constitution is interpreted.
“By Wednesday, 11 May, 2022, the timeline for collecting the form for expression of interest will expire.
“The timeline for the congresses and conventions of the political parties for the presidential election which he is interested in (the primaries) comes up on the 30 May.
“The motion is seeking that the court should grant an order for maintenance of status quo.
“Let my lord not allow anybody to do anything,” against the interest of my client, Ozekhome prayed the court.
Subsequently, Justice A.R. Mohammed ordered that the INEC and the AGF should be put on notice.
8. 2023: APC Gives All Aspirants Nine Conditions They Must Fulfil
Ahead of the primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has given aspirants interested in the party’s ticket some conditions they must abide by.
The conditions affect presidential aspirants as well as those seeking the party’s ticket for other elective positions including governorship, National Assembly and State assemblies, Truetells Nigeria understands.
The conditions are contained in the nomination forms given by the APC to the aspirants after paying huge sums of money to obtain the form.
Part of the conditions include that the aspirants are not expected to take the party to court without first exhausting all avenues for internal redress in case of any grievance that may arise from the conduct of the party primaries.
They are also expected to fall in line and support whoever emerges as the party’s choice for various elective positions for the 2023 general election.
9. 2023: Wike Declares Himself As The PDP Presidential Candidate
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared himself as the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Truetells Nigeria reports Wike made the boast ahead of the party’s primary election which has been scheduled for May 29, 2022.
According to the Governor, he can no longer be referred to as an aspirant because he believes he has done enough to emerge the PDP candidate and the delegates will give him the needed votes to win the party’s ticket.
He spoke on Sunday at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Port Harcourt during a special thanksgiving service to mark last Friday’s Supreme Court judgement that returned 17 oil wells to Rivers State.
10. Nigeria-Ghana Match: Presidential Investigative Committee On Vandalism Of Moshood Abiola Stadium Submits Report
The Presidential Investigative Committee on the vandalism of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Monday submitted its report to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.
In his submission, the Chairman of the Committee, DIG Sanni Mohammed (Rtd) thanked the Federal Government through the Minister for finding the committee members worthy of the assignment.
He stated that the Committee adhered strictly to the terms of reference and did its utmost to make far-reaching recommendations.
The Chairman revealed that in the course of their assignment, the Committee undertook a physical inspection of the Stadium, went through its investigation adopting standard best practices.
He advised that in subsequent committees of similar jurisdiction, the terms of reference should include powers to investigate “any other incidental matter relating to the subject matter”.
