Top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 7th March 2022
1. Buhari Jets Out To London For Medical Checkup
President Muhammadu Buhari has embarked on a medical trip to London, United Kingdom.
The Nigerian leader departed Abuja on Sunday, Truetells Nigeria reports.
Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina had announced last month that the Nigerian leader would visit his doctor in London for “routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks”.
Another announcement, however, followed shortly that President Buhari has rescheduled his planned trip and returned to Abuja after the United Nations event in Kenya.
On Sunday afternoon, the Nigerian leader eventually departed the shores of Nigeria for his medical checkup in London, UK.
2. Osinbajo To Preside Over The Country’s Affairs During My Absence – Buhari
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will be in charge of the affairs of the country and preside over important meetings for a few days.
President Muhammadu Buhari made this known in a chat with State House correspondents at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday.
Truetells Nigeria reports that the Nigerian leader departed Nigeria for London in the United Kingdom for his routine medical checkup and did not officially hand over the government to Osinbajo.
President Buhari stated that Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, are capable of running the country effectively in his absence.
3. Our 2023 Elections Timetable Not Out, Circulating Report Is Fake – PDP
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from a circulating 2023 general elections timetable of the party.
Truetells Nigeria understands that a report had earlier circulated the internet space, revealing guidelines and schedules for the opposition party’s primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Reacting in a statement released through its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Sunday, PDP described the viral posts as fake.
Ologunagba maintained that the activities whatsoever for the 2022/2023 electioneering year did not emanate from the party.
While reiterating that the election timetable was the handiwork of mischievous elements who seek to create confusion in its party, the PDP spokesman added that no such document was signed and released by the National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Umar M. Bature.
4. Allowing Female Police Officers To Wear Hijab Illegal – Adegboruwa
Nigerian lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has condemned a new dress code that allows female police officers to wear a hijab while in uniform.
Truetells Nigeria reported that the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had approved a new dress code for female police officers.
In a statement on Friday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the new dress allows female police officers to wear hijab and stud earrings while in uniform.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Saturday, Adegboruwa said the approval of a new dress code is illegal and unconstitutional.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria asserted that the IGP’s approval negates Section 10 of the 1999 constitution that stipulates the neutrality of government agencies in religious matters.
He stated that the police chief is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion, adding that the religion of police officers should be a private matter to them.
5. Life In Nigeria Is Very Hard – Moghalu
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 2023 presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu has lamented the deplorable situation of things in Nigeria.
Speaking on Sunday via the micro-blogging site, Twitter, Moghalu said the failure of governance is responsible for the hardship Nigerians are facing.
He listed some of the challenges to include petrol scarcity, lack of power supply, perpetual ASUU strikes, insecurity such as kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism.
The former CBN Deputy Governor, therefore, called on Nigerians to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and vote for the right leaders in the forthcoming 2023 presidential and general elections.
6. 2023 Presidency: “Lagos Is Different From The North” – Arewa Youths Reject Ganduje’s Endorsement Of Tinubu
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has rejected the idea that the entire north has endorsed the 2023 presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The AYCF stated that the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje who endorsed Tinubu and claimed the entire north has no other choice can’t speak on behalf of the people of the region.
The AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima who made the stand known declared that Ganduje is only out for political favours and seeking a soft retirement plan but can’t force his personal opinion on the entire northern region.
Truetells Nigeria reports Shettima was reacting to the declaration by Ganduje who said it is time for the north to pay Tinubu back for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ganduje had said he and the entire north are behind the 2023 presidential ambition of Tinubu.
However, Shettima says Ganduje spoke based on selfish interests and is only trying to remain politically relevant.
7. Buhari’s Anointed Candidate For APC Chairmanship Gets N10m Donation
Nasarawa State Senator Abdullahi Adamu has received a donation of ten million naira as support to fuel his All Progressive Congress national chairmanship bid.
President Muhammadu Buhari is said to have endorsed the former state governor for the position, Naija News understands.
In a statement on Sunday, the chairman, Council of All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders in Nasarawa State, Dr Kassim Muhammed Kassim, said they have raised N10 million from stakeholders in the North-Central to buy nomination and expression of interest form for Adamu.
Kassim while addressing journalists in Lafia, said the rationale behind the contribution was to show solidarity to Adamu and a way of saying ‘thank you’ for establishing high institutions in the state during his time as governor, which enabled them to acquire higher education.
He urged those who claimed to be supporters of the president and opposed his choice to have a re-think.
8. APC Convention: ‘Wait And See’ – Buhari Tells Critics
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to surprise critics who are of the assertion that the All Progressives Congress, APC, lacks the ability to conduct its national convention on March 26.
The president said this while entertaining questions from State House correspondents just before departing the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for London on Sunday.
He said: “Well, they (critics) should wait and see. How did we come as a party to take power from the ruling party who had been there before us for so many years?
“So we have the capacity, everything will be alright.”
9. Electoral Act Won’t Guarantee Free, Fair Election – APC Chieftain
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mazi Jones Onwusoanya, has said there is no guarantee that the 2023 general elections would be free and fair.
Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has assured that the forthcoming elections would be credible.
Many Nigerians have also believed the same following the signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Onwusoanya, however, has noted that the APC and the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would continue to explore new tricks to manipulate poll results in their favour.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the immediate past Publicity Secretary of APC in Imo State stressed that the new Electoral Act is nothing but a bait meant to give Nigerians a false hope that something is going to change with the nation’s electoral process.
Truetells Nigeria reports that Onwusoanya stated this during an interaction with newsmen on Sunday.
10. Man City Beat United 4-1, Top EPL With Six Points
Sunday’s Manchester Derby was devastating for Ralf Rangnick’s side, losing 4-1 to Pep Guardiola’s city.
Manchester City are now six points ahead of rival, Liverpool, though with a game in hand for the Reds.
Truetells Nigeria understands that Jadon Sancho had given the Red Devils a beam of hope after scoring an equalizer in the first half which ended 2-1.
United’s best was, however, not enough as Guardiola’s boys made the Etihad Stadium unconducive for the visitors.
Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez both scored twice, creating a 22-point gap between the clubs.