Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 5th May 2022
1. Gruesome Murder Of Two Soldiers In Imo Barbaric – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the gruesome murder of two soldiers, Master Warrant Officer Audu Linus and Private Gloria Matthew.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that unknown gunmen killed the couple while on their way to their traditional wedding in Imo State.
In a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president expressed shock and sadness over the sad incident and condemned the barbaric act.
The Nigerian leader accused the members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being behind the killing of the military couple, adding that the Nigerian Army has fingered the proscribed group for the inhumane act.
President Buhari added that the killing of the military officers shows that IPOB and ESN are perpetrating acts of terrorism in the Southeast.
2. Buhari Meets UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres In Abuja
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has met the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Nigerian leader received the UN Chief at the forecourt of the State House before leading him to the executive room to have a closed-door meeting.
It is understood that the two leaders discussed issues surrounding Boko Haram/ ISWAP activities and the humanitarian crisis in the North East and other regions.
Briefing State House correspondents after their meeting, Buhari commended the UN scribe for the visit to the country at a time the world’s attention is focused on the Russia-Ukraine war.
President Buhari stressed the importance of the world body in the fight against terrorism and its role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the North East region.
3. Why Nigeria Needs A ‘Mad Man’ As President – Wike
The Rivers State Governor and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike has said Nigeria needs a mad man as President.
He stated this while speaking on Wednesday to PDP delegates in Kogi State, Naija News reports.
According to him, only a mad man can turn the situation of Nigeria around.
While urging the opposition party delegates to vote for him, Wike promised to take Nigeria to the promised land.
4. 2023 Elections: Fayemi Finally Declares Presidential Ambition
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has officially declared his intention to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
The governor made his interest to contest for the office of the President in the 2023 elections known at the Hilton Hotel, Abuja, the nation’s capital city on Wednesday.
Governor Fayemi said he will be contesting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket during the party primary on May 30, 2022, and promised to run a decent presidential campaign.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) said his decision to join the growing list of presidential aspirants was not easy after rounds of consultation.
Fayemi promised to restructure the Armed Forces to tackle insecurity in the county well and build on the infrastructural successes of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
5. Nigeria Under Buhari Is A Failed State, Akintoye Tells UN Chief
The leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, has said Nigeria is a failed state under the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Akintoye made this known in a statement issued by his spokesman on Wednesday, Truetells Nigeria reports.
He told the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, that Fulani herdsmen and terrorists have destroyed the Southern and Middle Belt regions.
The Professor added that Buhari has mismanaged Nigeria’s diversity and ethnicity which allowed Fulani terrorists to kill and rape innocent citizens in the South and other regions.
He, however, urged the UN Chief to visit scenes of herdsmen and terrorists attacks and not to listen to President Muhammadu Buhari.
6. Military Couple Murder: IPOB Denies Responsibility, Condemns Nigerian Army
The Indigenous People of Biafra on Wednesday distanced itself from the killing of a military couple in Imo State.
This is coming after the Nigerian Army accused the group of being responsible for the murder of the couple.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in the statement released on Wednesday described the accusation by the military as fallacious.
Recall that unknown gunmen killed the couple while on their way to their wedding in Imo State.
Powerful in his reaction to the murder accused the military of being responsible for their deaths.
7. PDP Governorship Aspirant, Dagogo Taken To Hospital From Police Custody
A governor aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Farah Dagogo has been taken to the hospital from police custody.
Recall that the lawmaker representing Degema/Bonny Constituency was arrested last Thursday on the order of the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Dagogo was arrested during the screening of governorship aspirants at the party secretariat in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike had declared him wanted on allegation of disrupting the PDP screening of aspirants for State Assembly alongside some cultists last Wednesday.
Dagogo was later remanded in police custody by a magistrate court in Port Harcourt.
The media aide to the lawmaker, Ibrahim Lawal in a statement released on Wednesday disclosed that Dagogo complained of stomach and chest complications before he was taken to the hospital by the police.
8. Oshiomhole Officially Joins 2023 Presidential Race
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has on Wednesday, officially joined the 2023 presidential race.
Oshiomhole, also a former Governor of Edo State made his official declaration at a press conference held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
This is after he had earlier indicated an interest in the Senatorial seat of his constituency before changing his mind and opting to join the list of aspirants interested in Nigeria’s number one political job.
He promised to get the textile and automobile industry booming again which will lead to more job opportunities for the youths if elected the next President of Nigeria in 2023.
Oshiomhole also promised a progressive tax system which will see the rich pay more tax and the fund can be used to provide social amenities for the poor.
The presidential aspirant said not only petrol should be subsidized but education and agriculture should also enjoy subsidies.
9. Nigerians Are In Serious Distress – Gumi
Controversial Islamic cleric, Abubakar Gumi, on Tuesday lamented that Nigerians are in one form or the other in serious economic distress.
He called on Nigerians not to forget people currently in the den of kidnappers across the country.
Gumi charged Nigerians to pray for the safe return of kidnap victims hoping that the next government in 2023 would be able to address the issues.
The cleric expressed optimism that Nigerians would join hands together to vote for a government that can address the security issue in the country.
10. Terrorists Have Taken Over My Constituency – Deputy Speaker Cries Out
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, has cried out over incessant kidnapping and terrorist activities in his constituency.
The lawmaker who is representing Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State appealed to the government to come to the aide of his people who can not now sleep with their two eyes closed.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Wase raised the alarm on Wednesday while speaking on a motion of matter of urgent public importance moved by Abdullahi Salame from Sokoto State.
He said: “Virtually, every day in my constituency today, I have one kidnap report or the other every day.”
Salame had begged for the establishment of a national task force to combat insecurity.
Mr Wase, however, opposed the establishment of a new security outfit, noting that the existing security outfits should be allowed to discharge their duties.