Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 14th May 2022.
Blasphemy: We Demand #JusticeForDeborah And End To Barbarism
It was quite horrific watching videos circulating on social media on Thursday, particularly the one which captured the moment Ms Deborah Samuel was murdered in the most gruesome murder by those who should be teachers in training. No, she wasn’t at the receiving end of some xenophobic rage in South Africa or Ghana, the highly cringing scene was in Nigeria where the life of a promising Nigerian was cut short in her prime by some savages who should be her compatriots. If their beastly tendencies had been visited on bandits who have made their lives so miserable, perhaps Nigerians will not have been as incensed. Yet, the civilized world wouldn’t excuse such jungle justice on even the vilest offender, not to talk of being visited on someone who was just exercising her inalienable right of expression in her country! Even if Deborah was reckless with her tongue and “insulted the Holy Prophet”, shouldn’t she have been handed to the police and allowed the law to take its course?
Tinubu’s Ally, Abdulmumin Jibrin Joins Kwankwaso In NNPP
A former member of House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin has officially joined the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Recall that the Jibrin, who was the director General of the Bola Tinubu Support groups had announced he was leaving the All Progressives Congress in a post on his Twitter page on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
Kofa though did not publicly revealed why he dumped APC, but boasts in his terse notification that he had give enough to the ruling party and it was time to move on.
2023 Elections: What Buhari Told Outgoing Ministers During Meeting
President Muhammadu Buhari has wished ministers who resigned from his cabinet to pursue their political ambitions the best of luck in their endeavours.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the President made this known on Friday during a valedictory session organised for them at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari commended the outgoing ministers for serving the nation sacrificially with dignity and honour.
The Nigerian leader commended the outgoing ministers for their decision and courage to contest for elective offices and their compliance with his directive.
The President, however, informed the exiting political appointees that they will be replaced “without delay”.
2023: Court Grants Emefiele’s Request To Contest For Presidency
The Delta State High Court sitting in Kwale division has granted the request of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to contest the 2023 presidency.
The presiding judge, Justice DC Maidoh delivered the judgement on Thursday, May 12 and adjourned the case to May 25.
Naija News reports that the court granted an order restraining the CBN Board and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from stopping Emefiele from contesting in the 2023 general elections.
According to The Punch, Emefiele had secretly filed an application on May 5, 2022, for a court order to enable him to continue as the CBN boss and contest for the Presidency.
Following the judgement, the court has blocked the CBN board and INEC from stopping Emefiele from seeking to become the next President in 2023.
‘Enough Is Enough’ – CAN Condemns Killing Of Deborah By ‘Islamic Extremists’
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday condemned the gruesome murder of a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel by some extremist fellow students.
Naija News had reported earlier that a young lady identified as Deborah was lynched and set ablaze by her Muslim colleagues for allegedly insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
The angry mob had stormed Deborah’s hostel, dragged her out before beating her to death and setting her body ablaze.
Reacting in a statement sent to Naija News and signed by CAN’s General Secretary, Joseph Bade Daramola, the association stated that the unlawful and dastardly action of the perpetrators must not only be condemned by all right thinking people but the security operatives must fish them out, prosecute them as it is expected of them.
CAN stated that it is the failure of the security agencies and the government to rise up to such criminalities in the past that gave birth to terrorists and bandits.
It stressed that as long as the State fails to bring these beasts and criminals amidst us to book, so also the society will continue to be their killing fields.
Ngige Withdraws From 2023 Presidential Race
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has dropped his 2023 presidential ambition and abandoned the steps towards securing the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports the Minister announced his withdrawal from the 2023 presidential race in a statement on Friday.
According to Ngige, his decision to withdraw from the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari follows consultation with his family, supporters and other stakeholders.
“Having also consulted widely with my family, constituents, supporters and well-wishers, it is my pleasure to announce the withdrawal of my interest and earlier decision to contest the office of the President in the 2023 general elections,” the minister’s statement read in part.
Emefiele Reportedly Withdraws From 2023 Presidential Race
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has reportedly jettisoned his 2023 presidential ambition.
Naija News has learned that Emefiele has decided to withdraw from the presidential race and has intended to continue as the apex bank chief.
“CBN Governor has withdrawn from the presidential race and has communicated his intention to continue as CBN Governor,” a source told Business Day.
Emefiele’s final withdrawal from the race came weeks after speculations were rife that he would contest for the 2023 presidency under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Why Buhari Ordered Ministers With Political Ambitions To Resign – Presidency
The Presidency has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Ministers and political appointees contesting in the 2023 general elections to resign.
Recall that Buhari had during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting asked Ministers to resign on or before Monday 16th, May 2022.
In a circular on Thursday, Buhari also directed all heads of agencies, departments, parastatals and ambassadors with political ambitions to turn in their resignations.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha signed the circular which directed all heads of agencies with political ambition to resign.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Buhari’s Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said the political appointees were asked to resign to save the APC from crisis resulting from the controversial Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to Adesina, Buhari and the APC are playing safe until the Supreme Court rules on the controversial section 84(12).
President Buhari Condemns Killing Of Deborah Samuel, Demands Justice
The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State.
President Buhari in a statement on Friday said the incident is a matter of concern as the law does not allow anyone to take matters into his/her hands no matter the circumstances.
He further called for peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among all Nigerians while commiserating with the family of the deceased.
The statement from the President through his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu comes after the killing of Deborah on Thursday by her colleagues for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Deborah Samuel: She Crossed Her Boundary – Imam Of Abuja National Mosque Reacts
The Imam of Abuja’s National Mosque, Ibrahim Maqari has defended the brutal murder of a Christian female student, Deborah Samuel, accusing her of crossing the red lines of the Islamic faith.
Mr Maqari, while absolving the perpetrators, warned that there are grave consequences for persons who crossed the religion’s red lines, adding that such conduct will not be accepted.
“It should be known to everyone that Muslims have some red lines which MUST NOT be crossed.
“The dignity of the Prophet (PBUH) is at the forefront of the red lines.
“If our grievances are not properly addressed, then we should not be criticized for addressing them ourselves,” said a statement posted on the Imam’s Twitter account.