Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 8th March 2022
1. APC: Buni ‘Sacked’, Niger Governor Bello Takes Over
The Governor of Yobe State and Chairman caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni may have been removed from his position in the ruling party.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that the Governor of Niger State has taken over as the chairman caretaker committee of the party.
Bello on Monday presided over a meeting of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and State chairmen of the party.
The Niger State Governor in an interview with newsmen at the end of the meeting said, “The states chairmen, took their oath of office today.
“We discussed progress made so far on convention and what needs to be done next so that we will achieve the March 26 date for the convention.”
When asked why he presided over the meeting said, “Acting Chairman; I have been acting for a while since the chairman (Buni) travelled.”
He, however, failed to speak on his appointment as the new chairman of the Caretaker Committee.
2. Benin Republic Govt ‘Releases’ Sunday Igboho
The Benin Republic Government has released Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo Ighoho to Yoruba Leader, Professor Banji Akintoye.
This was made known in a statement to Truetells Nigeria on Monday by the Communications Secretary to Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye.
The activist was released on Monday to Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Prof. Banji Akintoye, and a French Language Expert/Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.
Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a Triumph of Truth over Darkness in Yoruba Land.
However, Sunday Igboho’s counsel, Mr Yomi Alliyu, SAN, told Vanguard that he was released to attend to health in a Beninese hospital.
3. Abba Kyari Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ As Two Co-defendants Plead ‘Guilty’
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari, has pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges levelled against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Truetells Nigeria earlier reported that Kyari and six others were arraigned by the anti-narcotics agency on Monday over drug trafficking-related offences.
During their arraignment on Monday, Kyari and police co-defendants ( ACP Sunday J. Ubua, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agirgba, Inspector John Nuhu) pleaded not guilty to count four of the eight charges that were read to them.
The suspended IRT commander begged Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja not to remand him in prison custody.
Kyari, through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court to allow him to remain in NDLEA custody pending the hearing and determination of his fresh application for bail.
Meanwhile, two civilians charged alongside the police officers, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, pleaded guilty to the charge levelled against them by the NDLEA.
4. Electoral Act: Court Rules Against Buhari, AGF Malami, Senate President, Others
Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation, the Senate President and others to stop any plans of tampering with the newly amended Electoral Act 2022.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Justice Ekwo gave the ruling in response to an ex-parte application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP had dragged Buhari, AGF Abubakar Malami, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate Leader, House of Representatives Leader and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Also joined as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2022 are Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Deputy Senate Leader and Deputy House of Representatives Leader.
The main opposition party had asked Federal High Court for an order of interim injunction restraining Buhari and other defendants from refusing to implement the duly signed Electoral Act or in any manner withholding the Electoral Act from being put to use, including the provisions of section 84 (12) of the said Act pending the resolution of the suit.
5. Why Buni Was Absent At National Headquarters – APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has given the reason the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, was absent at the national headquarters.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State presided over a meeting of the committee held on Monday at the party National Secretariat in Abuja in Buni’s absence.
In a chat with newsmen after the meeting, Secretary of the committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said Buni was absent due to medical reasons.
Akpanudoedehe stated that the Yobe governor is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on a medical trip.
6. FG Moves To Stop Nigerians From Joining Ukraine Army
President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is set to restrict Nigerians from volunteering to join the Ukrainian army to fight against Russia.
Recall that some Nigerians volunteered to join the Ukrainian army after the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky called on people across the world to join the fight.
The spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, while reacting to the call by the Ukrainian President said the Nigerian Government would not tolerate the recruitment.
Omayuli further stated that the Nigerian Government would engage with the Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria and other relevant authorities to prevent its citizens from joining the force.
7. APC Crisis: I Have Buhari’s Support To Take Over From Buni – Niger Gov
Governor Sani Bello of Niger State has reacted to his assumption as the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that Bello presided over a meeting of the committee held on Monday at the party National Secretariat in Abuja amidst tightened security.
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, the governor said President Muhammadu Buhari gave his support and blessing to take over from Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.
Bello stated that he would be in charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention, stressing that the success of the much-anticipated event is his priority for now.
The Niger governor added that he would be visiting the party’s national secretariat on a daily basis to discharge his duties following his new role as the party’s caretaker chairman.
He stated that the presence of armed security men at the party’s national secretariat to forestall any breakdown of law and order and to maintain peace during the presentation of a report of the party’s zoning committee.
8. Buni Had Too Many Unknown Agendas – Itse Sagay Reacts To APC Power Change
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Itse Sagay has accused Governor Mai Mala Buni of running so many hidden personal agendas instead of leading the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the right path.
Sagay stated this on Monday while reacting to the purported removal of Governor Buni as the Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC.
According to Sagay, Buni’s removal is a welcome development and a pleasant surprise.
He said Buni was brought in to hold forth on a temporary basis but turned the position into a permanent job but now that he has been replaced, the party can make progress starting with the scheduled National Convention billed for March 26, 2022.
9. 2023: Why Defection Should Always Happen In Politics – Kwankwaso
Former Minister of Defence and ex-governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said party defection should always happen.
Kwankwanso pointed out that defection should be encouraged in order to test a politician’s popularity and acceptance amongst the people.
The former Senator added that defection shows that a politician knows politics very well and can cope with all its challenges.
He made this known during a meeting with his supporters and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus of the state at his residence in Kano on Sunday.
The former governor asserted that there is nothing wrong with politicians decamping from one party to another, saying that it is legal and constitutional.
10. Oluwabamise Ayanwole’s Murder: Driver Of Lagos BRT Arrested
The Lagos State police command has arrested the driver of Bus Rapid Transit(BRT), who drove Oluwabamise Ayanwole who was murdered.
The development was confirmed by the spokesman of the state police command, Adekunle Ajisebutu on Monday.
He further stated in a chat with Punch that the remains of the 22-year-old fashion designer who was declared missing a few days ago had been found.
According to Ajisebutu, the killers of Ayanwole who went missing after boarding the bus would face justice.
Ajisebutu noted that the remains of the deceased were dumped on the Carter Bridge by Ogogoro Community by her abductors.
