Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 30th November 2022
1. Buhari Raises Alarm, Says Weapons From Russia-Ukraine War Are Now Shipped To Africa
President Muhammadu Buhari has raised an alarm over weapons proliferation in African countries.
According to him, some weapons used in the lingering war between Russia and Ukraine are being shipped into the Lake Chad Basin region.
Lake Chad region is an economically and socially integrated area in West and Central Africa straddling Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Nigerian leader raised the alarm while delivering a speech at the 16th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), held at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Violent Situations In Sahel Region Compounded Boko Haram Terrorism In Lake Chad Basin
Chairing the Summit, Buhari said the situation, which had heightened the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, called for a reawakening of the border security of the countries of the region.
He stressed that the unending war between Russia and Ukraine and other violent situations in the Sahel region of West Africa compounded Boko Haram terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin region.
2. 2023: Wike Speaks On Presidential Candidate To Support
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike is not done with his battle for justice and fairness in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Wike ahead of the 2023 presidential election on Tuesday said he would soon decide on the presidential candidate to support.
The Rivers State Governor and his party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar have not been on good terms over the decision of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to remain in office.
Wike while commissioning the Rukpoku-Rumuapu-Izo-Ogbodo-Ogwuruta project in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State asked residents to vote for candidates of the party, except the presidential candidate of the party.
He urged the people of Rivers State to wait until he revealed the presidential candidate to support.
3. Fuel Scarcity: Adebutu Enjoins Nigerians To Endure, Says Only Six Months To The End Of APC Govt
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has enjoined Nigerians to endure the hardships in the country, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has just six months to go.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that Adebutu, who made this call while addressing pressmen at the 2022 Akesan Day festival in his Iperu hometown, said the hardship would not tarry, so Nigerians should please bare it till the APC is out of power.
Adebutu expressed optimism that the APC would not stay in office beyond May 29, 2023, noting that he has confidence that “the people will vote them out with their PVC.”
His reaction is against the backdrop of the current fuel scarcity rocking most parts of the country, which is characterized by long queues and hikes in the cost of the product in most states.
Truetells Nigeria understands that fuel is sold in states between N200 and N300 per litre, while residents in border towns get the product for up to N500 per litre.
The situation has caused a hike in transport fares, including the cost of food and other items, creating hardships for the people.
4. Primary Election: I Will Make Sure Common Sense Prevails – Aisha Buhari Reacts To Adamawa APC Crisis
The first Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari has weighed in on the crisis rocking the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Truetells Nigeria recalls that the senator representing Adamawa central, Aishatu Binani, had defeated a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu and Jibrilla Bindow, former governor of the state, to win the governorship primary held on May 26, 2022.
Ribadu was however displeased by the outcome of the election and challenged Binani’s victory in court.
Consequently, a federal high court in Yola, the Adamawa capital, had annuled the primary in October.
However, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, November 24, an appeal court in the state upturned the lower court judgement and restored Binani’s candidacy
Aisha, who was reportedly supporting Ribadu, broke her silence on Tuesday.
The first lady, who is a native of the state, said she would intervene in the situation to ensure that common sense prevails.
5. 2023: APC Debunks Rumour Claiming Tinubu Will Move FCT Back To Lagos
The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dispelled rumours about the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, moving the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from Abuja to Lagos if elected president in 2023.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the APC campaign council has described such rumour as false and that its flag bearer has no intention to do such if elected as president.
The information is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign council, Bayo Onanuga.
The APC spokesperson alleged that the rumour being spread by the opposition was in continuation of their campaign of calumny and character assassination of Tinubu.
6. Court Sentences IGP To Three Months In Prison For Contempt
The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba on Tuesday was sentenced to three months in prison for disobeying a court order.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that the ruling was passed at a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The presiding judge, Mobalaji Olajuwon passed the judgement on Tuesday following a suit filed by Patrick Okoli.
The judge warned that the IGP would be committed for another period if he fails to purge his contempt.
Okoli who is a former police officer had claimed that he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian police force.
7. ‘Small Men Like Us Don’t Mind Prostrating’ – Udom Speaks On PDP G-5 Grievances
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has aired his opinion on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Emmanuel on Tuesday expressed optimism that the internal crisis in the main opposition party would be resolved before the 2023 races.
The Chairman of the PDP presidential campaign council in an interview with ThisDay said PDP is making progress in resolving the crisis in the party.
He noted that you can not allow anyone to dump the party, adding that every vote is important if PDP must win the forthcoming election.
Udom, who described some of them as small men in the party, said they don’t mind prostrating to appeal to the five aggrieved Governors of the party identified as the G-5.
He added that the party has made mistakes, however, he believes that the mistakes would not break the party.
8. 2023: Atiku, PDP Can’t Win Any Polling Unit In Borno – Zulum
Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has said that no opposition political party will win any polling unit in the state in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said this while reacting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, visiting Maiduguri a few days ago.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that barely three weeks ago, some hoodlums attacked the convoy of the former Vice President when he visited Borno for his electioneering campaign.
Gunshots were reportedly heard in Maiduguri during the rally, a development that sent a group of PDP supporters running in different directions to escape being killed or injured.
It was also gathered that the hoodlums vandalized vehicles in the convoy of Atiku at Ramat Square in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Speaking ahead of the 2023 general elections, Zulum on Monday vowed that under his leadership, the APC will ensure that no opposition party win any unit in the forthcoming polls.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Zulum stated this while addressing party supporters and stakeholders during the inauguration of Chairmen, Secretaries and over 800 members of the Campaign Council at the Government House, Maiduguri.
9. What Will Happen If Buhari Govt Continues To Withhold Our Salaries – ASUU Reveals
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that a new crisis in the education sector would happen if the Federal Government kept withholding their salaries.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the University of Ilorin, ASUU Chairman, Prof. Moyosore Ajao, stated this at a special congress held at the university’s main auditorium on Monday.
She urged interested parties and well-meaning Nigerians to pressure the Federal Government into paying its members’ withheld eight-month salaries across the country.
Ajao added that the university lecturers had staged a solidarity rally within the university’s campus to protest against the ‘no-work-no-pay’ rule of the Nigerian government.
10. PDP Backs Adeleke Over Sack Of Local Council Chairmen, Others
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has backed the decision of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to withdraw the Certificate of Return of local council chairmen elected in the October 15 local government elections.
Truetells Nigeria reported that Adeleke had issued six executive orders reversing decisions made by his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, including the appointments of workers and installation of traditional rulers.
He also directed the suspension of the Chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Segun Oladitan, alongside six members of the Commission with immediate effect, among others.
In a chat with The Punch on Monday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, asserted that all the decisions made by the new governor were in order.
Ologunagba stated that Adeleke chose to prioritise his programmes, and correct the reported mistakes perpetrated by the previous administration.
The PDP spokesman claimed that the state was in the jugular of reckless and irresponsible government for eight years, hence the clean-up by governor Adeleke.