Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 12th May 2022
1. Buhari Directs Amaechi, Ngige, Malami, Others With Political Ambition To Resign
Buhari gave directives during the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed revealed this while addressing State House Correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting.
However, the directive does not affect Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is an elected official.
2. 2023: PDP NEC Announce Decision On Zoning
The 96th National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has thrown the contest for the presidential ticket of the party open.
The main opposition party reached this decision during the party’s NEC meeting, Wednesday, in Abuja.
The party also appointed former President of the Senate, David Mark as the Chairman of the Convention Committee ahead of the presidential primary.
The NEC of the main opposition party commended the dedication of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Iyorchi Ayu for effectively piloting the affairs of PDP.
3. ASUP Fixes Date To Begin Two-Week Warning Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced that it will commence a 2-week warning strike.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the two weeks industrial action will effect from Monday.
It was gathered that the Union reached the decision at an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council on Wednesday.
According to ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe, the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government was responsible for its planned strike.
ASUP in its statement said the federal government has refused to meet its demand.
4. Senate Names Danjuma Laah As New Deputy Minority Whip
The Nigerian Senate has named Senator Danjuma Laah as the new Deputy Minority Whip.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmaker was first elected to represent the Senatorial District in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019, having defeated Yusuf Barnabas Bala of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a tweet via its official Twitter page on Wednesday, the Ninth Senate said Senate President Ahmad Lawan announced Laah as the new Deputy Minority Whip during plenary.
5. House Of Reps Amends 2022 Electoral Act
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has amended the Electoral Act 2022 to allow statutory delegates to participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.
The decision to amend the law was reached on Wednesday by the lawmakers after Hon Abubakar Hassan Fulata, sponsored a bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No 13, 2022; and for Related Matters (HB. 1984).
Recall that the act, which was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari in February 2022, had prevented statutory delegates from taking part in party primaries.
Statutory delegates include the President, Vice President, Governors and their deputies, Federal and State lawmakers, Local Government Chairmen and their vice, Councillors, political party chairmen in all the 774 LGAs, political parties’ National Working Committee members, state Party Chairmen and Secretaries.
The amendment of the electoral act would allow statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties, to vote during congresses and conventions to elect candidates for various political offices.
6. Appeal Court Takes Decision On Section 84(12) Of Electoral Act 2022
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has taken a decision on the provision of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that the Federal High Court in Umuahia had in a judgement, voided the provision of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The court in a judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike held that the section was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect.
In a ruling on Wednesday, the appellate court set aside the judgment of the lower court in Umuahia which voided the provision of the controversial section of the Electoral Act.
According to the unanimous ruling by a three-member panel of the court headed by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, the lower court had no jurisdiction to have entertained the case and the suit lacked merit.
7. Adamu Garba Dumps APC Over N100 Million Presidential Form
2023 Presidential hopeful, Adamu Garba has withdrawn his membership with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The politician confirmed this in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the party on Wednesday.
The letter sighted by Naija News on Garba’s official Twitter handle, stated clearly that his withdrawal from APC was because the party has drifted from its ‘original calling’.
Garba who recently announced his withdrawal from being a presidential aspirant under the umbrella of the ruling party said on Wednesday that it was clear to him that APC has chosen money over competency by pegging its presidential forms at N100million Naira.
8. ISWAP Kills Top Commander, Abu Sadiq Over Alleged Betrayal
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly gunned down one of its top Commanders, Abu Sadiq popularly known as Burbur.
Burbur was the Deputy Militant Chief in Charge of Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle, and former Aide-de-Camp to late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
He was in charge of coordinating attacks on military formations and towns including Michika, Madagali, Askira Uba and other parts of Adamawa State.
As one of Shekau’s most trusted lieutenants, Bubur was always seen standing in the background in the late Boko Haram leader’s videos.
Truetells Nigeria learned that the ISWAP Operation Commander was killed over his alleged betrayal and purported plans to surrender to the Nigerian military.
9. 2023: Obasanjo Reveals Region That Must Produce Next Nigerian President
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has thrown his weight behind calls for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the southeast.
Chief Obasanjo maintained that in the interest of peace, justice and equity, the southeast must be allowed by other regions to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.
He added that in the event that the southeast is unable to produce the next Nigerian leader, the position should still remain within the southern region.
Truetells Nigeria understands the former Nigerian leader made his position known when he hosted members of the Political Action Committee (PAC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
10. Ngige Reacts To Buhari’s Call For His Resignation, Reveals Plan
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has reacted to President Muhamadu Buhari’s order calling for the resignation of all his ministers vying for office in 2023.
Recall that Naija News had earlier reported that the president, while at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting on Wednesday informed cabinet members who had declared their presidential ambition to resign on or before Monday 16th of May.
Responding to the mandate, Ngige stated that he is not in a hurry to resign and he would have to consult with the president and his constituents before tendering his resignation.
He explained that Buhari had given some time for those that need clarifications on his pronouncement to meet him.