Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 23rd May 2022
1. 2023: APC Planning 3rd Term Agenda For Buhari – PDP Alleges In Fresh Alarm
The PDP in a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said the APC is planning to destabilize the polity, cause insecurity, and use the excuse to extend the stay in office of President Muhammadu Buhari beyond May 29, 2023.
It however cautioned that such a plan won’t work and the APC should start packing its bags as Nigerians are tired of the party and its policies.
It alleged that President Buhari is yet to sign the amended 2022 Electoral Act because it is part of their plans to remain in office beyond what is constitutionally allowed.
The PDP statement said the plan of the APC is to undermine the 2023 electoral process so it can extend the tenure of President Buhari.
It however warned that any plan to extend the tenure of President Buhari beyond what the constitution allwd will be firmly resisted by the PDP and Nigerians at large.
2. Biafra: Your Agitation Is Useless And Senseless – Umahi Fires IPOB
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has described the continuous sit-at-home in the Southeast over the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as senseless and useless.
Speaking in an interview with some editors, Umahi also said the agitation by the pro-Biafra group is ‘nonsense’.
According to the governor and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), even if Biafra is achieved, Ebonyi State will not be part of it.
3. 2023: Fayemi Reveals 5 APC Presidential Aspirants That Are Contenders, Says Others Are Pretenders
Ekiti State Governor and 2023 presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi has submitted that the ruling party has more pretenders than contenders seeking its presidential ticket.
According to Fayemi, there are only five contenders out of the twenty-three aspirants seeking the APC presidential ticket.
He identified the contenders as aspirants that have been transversing the country to seek the support of the party delegates ahead of the APC primary election while he designated others as mere pretenders.
Truetells Nigeria reports he made the submission at the Government House in Minna while speaking with APC delegates from Niger State.
4. PDP: You Were Unknown When I Made You Ekiti Deputy Governor – Fayose Tackles Eleka
Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose has asked his former Deputy, Prof Kolapo Olusola-Eleka “not to forget history that soon”.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant stated this while reacting to a letter to the party’s leadership by Olusola-Eleka.
In a letter to the PDP National Chairman personally signed, the former Deputy Governor had claimed that he entered the campaign because of pressure from former State Governor Ayodele Fayose.
He claims that the Fayose, who pushed him into the campaign, has since decided to support another contender for the same position.
Reacting in a letter of his own to his former Deputy and the PDP NWC, Fayose stated that he never wanted to join issues with Eleka.
He however stated that it is important to set the records straight, especially over his deputy’s use of words like deceitful and arrogant in addressing his person.
The governor asked Olusola-Eleka not to forget history so soon, by allowing himself to be taken over by emotions to the extent that he begins to speak ill of a man he once described as his “greatest political leader.”
5. Gunmen Vow To Kill More Lawmakers In Anambra
The lawmaker representing Aguata II constituency in the Anambra State, Okechukwu Okoye was beheaded on Saturday days after he was abducted.
Recall that Okoye was kidnapped in Aguata on the 15th of May, while his head was found in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
Less than 24 hours after killing the lawmaker, unknown gunmen have threatened to murder more Anambra lawmakers.
A resident of Nnobi that spoke with Daily Trust disclosed that a note was dropped beside the head of Okoye which was dumped by the roadside.
6. Intelligence Report Explains Why Lawan Joined APC Presidential Race
A possible reason Senate President Ahmad Lawan was drafted into the crowded 2023 presidential race on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) has filtered into the open.
According to a political risk consultancy firm that gave insight into the game plan in its weekly intelligence report on Nigeria, Nigeria Politics & Security, there are likely to be some defections before APC’s presidential primaries on June 1 by those who now believe that they have little or no chance of being selected for the party’s ticket.
According to the intelligence report, Lawan is one of those who submitted the forms on time, adding, ‘’despite his late entry into the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, he has emerged as one of the frontrunners as the APC seeks ways to respond to the possibility of facing a northern candidate representing the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
7. Deborah Samuel: Why National Mosque Imam Should Be Sacked – Soyinka
Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, has called for the immediate sack of the Chief Imam of the National Mosque in Abuja, Ibrahim Maqari.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, Deborah Samuel, was lynched to death and burnt over alleged blasphemy.
Following the sad incident, the Islamic cleric insinuated that Deborah was responsible for her death by crossing one of the red lines of Islam.
In a tweet via his Twitter handle, Maqari said if Muslim grievances are not properly addressed, then Nigerians should not be criticized for addressing them themselves.
Reacting, Soyinka described Maqari’s statements as unfortunate and sad, adding that the cleric has backed the killing of the female student with his words.
The playwright also stated that the Islamic cleric has directed his followers to take laws into their own hands through his comments
8. 2023: Doguwa Reveals Those Misleading Buhari On Electoral Act Amendment
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, has accused some presidential aides and top APC leaders of misleading President Muhammadu Buhari on the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
Truetells Nigeria recalls that the National Assembly had amended the Electoral Act to allow statutory delegates to participate in congresses, primaries and conventions of political parties.
Both chambers of the Assembly particularly amended Section 84(8) of the Act to allow automatic delegates to be involved in the forthcoming party primaries.
Following the amendment, the clerk of the National Assembly, on May 13, transmitted the amendment bill to the President for assent and Buhari had yet to sign the bill over a week ago.
In a chat with The Punch, Doguwa said some people in the Buhari cabinet and top APC leaders are advising the President not to assent to the bill.
The lawmaker said a calculated attempt to ambush the presidential primaries by declining assent to the amended clause of the Electoral Act would be rejected by Nigerians.
9. 2023: Why I Dropped Igbo Presidency To Support Ahmad Lawan – Uzor Kalu
Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has defended his decision to drop his agitation for a 2023 southeast presidency in support of the presidential ambition of Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Uzor Kalu in a personally signed statement on Sunday, held that no one loves the Igbo race more than he does and he took the step in the best interest of the southeast.
It will be recalled that Kalu who was until recently a presidential aspirant himself, dropped out of the 2023 race and declared support for Senate President Lawan who is from the northeast.
His decision has sparked several reactions including condemnations. One of the reactions came from Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi.
But Kalu in a swift response took to his Facebook page on Sunday to shed more light on his decision and why he feels he has done the right thing.
The former Abia State Governor in a statement titled ‘Mbazuluike Amaechi: “North East, Only Alternative To South East Presidency “- Orji Kalu’ explained that since it had become clear that other regions were not going to support zoning which would have encouraged the call for a 2023 Igbo presidency, he had to realign so the region won’t lose out completely.
10. I Pray Buhari Doesn’t Pick Bola Tinubu As Successor – Bode George
Elder statesman and former Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to anoint Bola Tinubu as his successor.
According to George, a Bola Tinubu presidency will be disastrous for the country.
Speaking to The PUNCH, he stated that the PDP is working hard to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress in Lagos State.
Asked if he thinks Buhari will hand over power to Tinubu in 2023, Olabode George said: “That is between them but I pray that God will go into his (Buhari’s) mind so that that kind of character doesn’t go near government. We know what the outcome is from Lagos.”
The former military officer also accused Tinubu of cornering Lagos State wealth for himself, family and friends.