Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 26th May 2022
1. Peter Obi Dumps PDP, Submits Resignation Letter
What has drawn massive media attention has been the ambition of the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and his chances of grabbing the presidential ticket of the main opposition.
Peter Obi, who many see as unwilling to dole out huge cash to sway PDP delegates to his side, may be sidelined and outmuscled by others willing to dole out dollars.
Speculations had emerged claiming that the former banker has concluded plans to dump the PDP for a yet to be announced political party.
Truetells Nigeria gathered that Peter Obi on Wednesday tendered his resignation letter at the PDP National Secretariat, through his campaign director, Doyin Okupe.
2. Osinbajo Reacts, Condemns Killing Of Jubril And Her Four Children In Anambra State
The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has reacted to the killing of a pregnant woman and her four children in Anambra State, describing it as a terrible tragedy.
Osinbajo who spoke on Wednesday in Makurdi, the Benue State Capital said added that the killing of the woman, Mrs. Harira Jubril and her children is a callous act that must be condemned.
The Vice President made his view known while speaking with journalists shortly after meeting with delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State.
He said all Nigerians must be careful and avoid the degeneration of the situation which he pointed out is capable of becoming an ethnic war.
3. Terrorists Release Another Video As Abducted Train Passengers Appeal To Buhari Govt
Terrorists who kidnapped over 60 passengers on an Abuja-Kaduna train have released a fresh hostage video showing their victims.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the insurgents attacked the Kaduna-bound train on March 28 and killed at least eight persons during the attack.
Recall that the terrorists had in a video demanded the release of their children kept in a facility in Yola before they could begin negotiation for the release of the abducted train passengers.
In a new video seen on Wednesday, the terrorists displayed six abducted passengers, including a Pakistani.
One of the terrorists who wore a military uniform was seen standing behind the abductees in the new video obtained by Arise News.
4. Senator Stella Oduah Didn’t ‘Complete NYSC’, May Be Disqualified By PDP
Senator Stella Oduah’s bid to return to the Nigerian Senate through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket may have suffered a set back.
This is coming as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says the lawmaker representing Anambra-North senatorial district did not complete the mandatory one-year NYSC programme.
The NYSC in a letter marked NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/Vol III by the Director-General of the NYSC which was signed on his behalf by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa, said Oduah commenced her NYSC programme in 1982 but absconded.
According to The PUNCH, the letter was in response to an inquiry by a group known as the Concerned Anambra North PDP Stakeholders.
The group had in a previous letter written to the NYSC accused some of its officials of colluding with Oduah to hide the truth.
5. EFCC Moves Against Rivers State Accountant General, 54 Others Over N435bn Fraud
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has announced that it is in search of the Rivers State Accountant-General, Fubara Siminayi, alongside 54 others.
Siminayi and 58 other persons were declared wanted over alleged N435 billion fraud.
Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s head of media and publicity, announced the development on Tuesday, May 24.
Uwujaren alerted the public to help the EFCC with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.
6. IPOB: Soludo Declares Curfew In Seven LGAs In Anambra
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State on Wednesday evening declared a curfew in seven Local Government Areas of the State.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the seven Local Government includes Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Orumba South.
The governor made the declaration in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday.
The curfew which takes effect from Friday will be in force until normalcy returns to the affected areas.
7. CBN Speaks On Emefiele’s Sack By President Buhari
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday denied that its Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been sacked.
There have been several reports online alleging that the CBN governor was sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.
While some social media users believe the president may need to go through legislative processes before sacking the governor, others have continued to spread rumours of his alleged sack.
Speaking with newsmen, the Head of Corporate Communications of the Central Bank, Osita Nwanisiobi denied the rumoured sack.
8. IPOB: Buhari Condemns Killing Of Fatima, Four Children And Six Others, Warns Against Reprisals, Sharing Of Videos
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday condemned the killing of a lady identified as Fatima, her four children and six other people by unknown gunmen in Anambra State.
It was gathered that the pregnant woman and her children were killed at Isulo, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Many had accused the militant wing of IPOB, Eastern Security Network (ESN) of carrying out the attacks but the pro-Biafra group has constantly denied been behind such killings.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) had warned that it would carry out reprisal attacks in the North.
The Spokesperson of CNG, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman had said the North will no longer remain passive under the allegedly deliberate and sustained attacks on its people and interests.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, Buhari warned against reprisal attacks, asking Nigerians to allow security agents carry out investigations.
9. Abia: Abaribe Withdraws From Governorship Race, To Announce Next Move
A governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has withdrawn from the governorship primary of the party scheduled for today (Wednesday).
The Senate Minority Leader while stating his reason for withdrawal cited the use of an “imaginary delegates list and lack of transparency”.
Abaribe further stated that there was no three-man delegate selection held by the PDP in the state, adding that the list was created by those who want to impose their candidate on the party.
He further in a statement he signed that his next political move would soon be made public.
10. Justice Nyako Fixes New Date For IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu Trial
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed the continuation of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for June 28th.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the trial judge had earlier fixed tomorrow May 26th, 2022, for the continuation of the trial of the pro-Biafra activist.
But in an update on his Twitter handle, Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor said Justice Nyako is indisposed.
He wrote: “Please be informed that we have just received communication from the Federal High Court’s Registrar, notifying us that the Court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, 26th May, 2022, on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“According to the Registrar, this is because His lordship, Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to the 28th day of June, 2022 for