Newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 19th April 2022.
1. Not Buhari, Presidency Reveals Those Who Divided Nigeria With Their Mouths
The presidency on Monday rejected claims that President Muhammadu Buhari has divided Nigerians since coming into power in 2015.
The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina who made the denial added that those accusing Buhari of dividing Nigeria are the very ones who have divided Nigeria with their mouths.
He added that the situation where the president is being accused by his critics of dividing Nigeria is a sad one, stressing that no wicked intention shall come to pass.
He wrote: “Those who divided Nigeria with their mouths, with evil, unguarded speaking, are the ones now accusing President Buhari. How sad! Their wicked intentions shall not come to pass.”
2. More Than 35,000 Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists And Commanders Surrender In Borno
Over 35,000 terrorists who belong to the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups have willingly laid down their weapons and surrendered to the government in Borno State.
This disclosure was made on Monday by the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum who noted that some of the commanders of the terrorists are part of those who surrendered.
He said in a statement by his Senior Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Mallam Isa Gusau which contained the Governor’s Easter message to the people of the state that the development is an answer to prayers.
He commended the security forces, residents of Borno State, and the government at all levels for the sacrifices and commitment to making the feat achievable which he said has moved the state closer to ending the insurgency.
He urged Christians to continue to embrace and display the lessons of sacrifice, forgiveness, and being able to emerge stronger from challenges which the Easter season preaches.
3. Lagos Govt Shuts Down Chrisland Schools
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government on Monday shut down all Chrisland Schools in Lagos State indefinitely.
This comes after the immoral act linked with students of the school during their trip to Dubai.
The shutdown notice was contained in a press statement on Monday.
The statement reads in part, “the attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the alleged sexual violence case involving students of Chrisland Schools which occurred in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
4. We’re Not An Appendage Of Buhari’s Presidency – Senate Replies Ningi
The Nigerian Senate has dismissed a claim by a former deputy Senate leader, Abdul Ningi, that it is an appendage of the Muhammadu Buhari presidency.
In an interview on Monday, Senate Ajibola Basiru, the spokesperson of the Red Chamber, said the Senate is loyal to Nigerians and not to President Buhari as claimed by Ningi.
Basiru stated that the Senate’s focus has been on impactful legislations which bother on the economy, security and livelihood of Nigerians.
The Senate spokesman was reacting to a statement made by Ningi that the National Assembly was too soft on President Muhammadu Buhari to the detriment of good governance.
During a recent meeting to Bauchi State, Ningi said the National Assembly had failed to challenge the presidency on the issues facing the country to the detriment of good democratic governance.
5. Lagos GAC Backs Sanwo-Olu For Second Term
Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) on Monday threw its weight behind the second term bid of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Truetells Nigeria reports that this was made known on Twitter by Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile.
He stated that the Lagos governor was also given pass mark for staying through to the developmental agenda of Lagos.
According to Akosile, the decision to back Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid was taken at a meeting in Lagos on Monday.
6. I Introduced VP Osinbajo To Bola Tinubu In 1999, He Is Principled – Buhari‘s Aide
The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu has revealed that he introduced Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking to in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the media entrepreneur, Ojudu said he linked both men when Tinubu wanted an attorney-general when he became governor in 1999.
While stating that Osinbajo performed excellently as Lagos attorney-general, Ojudu said the nation’s vice-president is passionate about federalism.
Ojudu, a former journalist, insisted that he would return back to his farm if President Buhari backs the presidential ambition of Tinubu.
According to him, he can’t be forced to support someone he does not believe in.
7. Anambra: APGA Denies Assassination Attempt On Soludo
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has denied reports that the convoy of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State was attacked by gunmen.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, made this known while addressing reporters in Awka on Monday.
Several reports emerged over the weekend that the governor narrowly escaped death when some unknown gunmen invaded his country home, Isuofia community on Friday night.
According to Obigwe, the assassination attempt report was an orchestrated plot by “mischief makers” to instil fear in the minds of the people “just as it is condemnable”.
He confirmed that there was indeed an attack on the community, adding the gunmen did that to frighten the residents of Isuofia and to blackmail the governor.
Obigiwe maintained that the governor would not yield to the “evil wishes” of the criminal elements who want to hold the state spellbound.
He, however, confirmed that the governor was not involved in any attack in the community and was not near the area some criminals stormed.
8. Boko Haram Terrorists Attack Nigerian Army Base In Borno
Dreaded Boko Haram terrorists on Monday engaged gallant men of the Nigerian Army in a gun battle in Borno State, Truetells Nigeria learnt.
A report monitored by this media platform on Sahara Reporters, revealed that the Insurgents, a faction of the Islamic State West Africa Province stormed the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Molai in the evening hour of the day.
The terrorists according to reports, invaded the town after iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan.
They reportedly forced their way into the location shooting sporadically as residents of the community fled into the forest for safety.
The report had it that the terrorists stormed the community with no fewer than 10 gun trucks.
9. Senator Marafa Denies Dumping APC For PDP
Senator Kabiru Marafa has dismissed reports of dumping the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State.
The former lawmaker stated that he and a former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji AbdulAziz Yari, are yet to finally join the main opposition party.
He stated that they are currently in negotiations with many political parties that have invited then to join in the state.
Speaking in a telephone interview with Leadership, Marafa described news of their defection to the PDP as fake news.
He however disclosed that many political parties have approached the Yari’s faction following the injustice meted to them and the people of Zamfara by the former APC national leadership led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
10. Army Kills Suspected ESN Member During Gun Duel In Imo
A suspected member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) has been gunned by the Nigerian Army at Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
In a statement on Monday released by its spokesman, Brig-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army said the ESN member was killed during a gun duel with its troops in the area.
Nwachukwu said the troops who were on routine patrol encountered the IPOB/ESN members who fired sporadically at Banana Junction to enforce the illegal sit at home order.
He said one of the gunmen was killed while others fled in disarray during a shootout with the troops, adding that troops are combing the area to track down the fleeing dissidents.
The army spokesman added that troops recovered an operational vehicle belonging to the outlawed group.
