Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 22nd July 2024
1. ‘Anyone Visiting Buhari With Conspiracy To Unseat Tinubu In 2027 May Be Disappointed’ – Atiku’s Ex-Aide
The former spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Showunmi, has stated that northern politicians visiting former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the intention of unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 may be disappointed.
Naija News reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, in an interview with Punch, said Buhari is straightforward and would not join any conspiracy to unseat Tinubu.
According to Showunmi, Buhari will have no choice in 2027 but to return the favour President Tinubu did to him in 2019.
Speaking further, the PDP chieftain said Nigerians will also determine the fate of Tinubu in the next election based on his performance.
2. ‘To Those Who Spread Falsehoods About Me, I Hold No Malice’ – Peter Obi Speaks Out
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Sunday, declared that he holds no grudges against those spreading lies and falsehoods about him.
Obi, in a personally signed statement released via his X account, said he understands that those spreading lies about him are doing the bidding of their masters, but urged them to, instead of spreading lies about him, channel their energies towards helping Nigerians who are suffering due to the unfriendly economy.
The former Anambra State Governor submitted that his political journey has not been rooted in any personal gain, but the principle of genuine love for the people.
The declaration by Obi follows a recent allegation by the special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who accused Obi of being behind a planned protest by some Nigerians against the government.
The LP presidential candidate, however, said rather than fabricating and spreading lies about him, it is better to pay attention to the plight of the citizens who are crying out due to the hardship in the country.
3. ‘I Will Fight So That Governors Will Respect Their Deputies’ – Shaibu
Reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has stated that his legal battle against impeachment was a fight to protect the dignity and office of deputy governors across Nigeria, which he believes has been ridiculed since the return of democracy in 1999.
Speaking after a thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin on Sunday, Shaibu described his court victory as a win for democracy and an act of God.
He emphasized the need for the National Assembly to enact laws that would safeguard the office of deputy governors, ensuring they are treated with the respect and consideration they deserve.
Shaibu expressed dismay over the treatment of deputy governors by some state governors, highlighting the systemic disdain despite both offices running on the same electoral ticket.
He stressed that his struggle was not just personal but aimed at setting a precedent that upholds the integrity of the office of the deputy governor.
The deputy governor also called for an investigation into the death of Police Inspector Onu Ako, who was killed on Thursday during Shaibu’s exit from Benin Airport alongside All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
4. Cocaine, Loud Consignments Hidden In Candles, Ladies’ Clothing Seized In Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized illicit shipments of Cocaine and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, concealed in incense candles, game packs, dry hibiscus leaves, and ladies’ native wears at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi disclosed that suspects linked to them were also arrested.
Speaking via a statement on Sunday, Babafemi said a businessman, Abdulwahab Owolabi Alebiosu, was on Thursday 18th July 2024 arrested at his Horizon Court, Lekki, Lagos residence after a consignment of 40 parcels of Loud weighing 20.30 kilograms hidden in packs of chessboards, scrabbles, checkers, and poker set, brought in from Canada on a British Airways flight was intercepted at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport during a joint examination of the cargo with men of Customs Service.
According to the statement, a search of his home also led to the recovery of more exhibits including some drug paraphernalia, such as a weighing scale, and cannabis potency test kit, while four vaping machines were recovered from his business premises on Admiralty Way, Lekki.
Babafemi said a Mikano black truck with registration number FST 657 HP was also recovered from his house.
He said in the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA on Friday 19th July intercepted two jumbo bags going to Pakistan.
Babafemi explained said the bags contained dried hibiscus leaves, dried bitter leaves, and other food items, which were used to conceal four parcels of cocaine and 14 parcels of Loud, both weighing 1.360kg.
According to the statement, further investigations led to the arrest of a businesswoman, Eze Queen Ogechi who claimed she was sending the illicit consignment to Pakistan on the instruction of her brother, Eze Nnamdi Promise based in the South Asia country.
5. Yobe Police Speak On Video Of Northern Youths Destroying Tinubu’s Billboard
The Yobe State police command has debunked reports that some northern youths destroyed a billboard erected by the state government to welcome President Bola Tinubu into the state.
Naija News understands that a video clip which captured the alleged incident has been making the rounds on social media since Sunday morning.
According to X microblogging users who posted the video, the incident occurred shortly after the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, visited the state on Saturday.
Shettima was in Damaturu, the state capital, on Saturday to launch the Yobe State Agricultural Empowerment Programme.
However, when Daily Post reached out to the Yobe State Police to confirm the situation, they stated that no such incident happened in the state.
The State’s Public Relations Officer, Dungus Abdulkarim, said, “I saw that video too but I don’t think it is in Yobe. When Shettima visited, we conducted the program peacefully and nothing happened.
“There was no single challenge. Nothing like that happened.”
6. My Time As Chief Of Army Staff Difficult – Buratai
In a candid reflection, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), described his tenure as a “very difficult period,” marked by intense challenges and internal opposition.
Buratai, who served as the COAS from July 2015 to January 2021, highlighted the severity of the Boko Haram insurgency and the complexities within the sociopolitical landscape of the North East.
Buratai’s comments were made during the Annual General Meeting of the 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Borno State.
In a statement released by his Media Assistant, Ibrahim Danfulani, Buratai emphasized the volatility, uncertainty, and complexity of the period, with Boko Haram terrorists wreaking havoc across the region.
Reflecting on his time in office, Buratai noted the significant opposition and mischief that compounded the already dire situation.
Despite these challenges, his tenure was marked by strategic military efforts to combat the insurgency and restore peace to the troubled region.
Buratai’s tenure witnessed several military operations aimed at dismantling Boko Haram’s strongholds, although the insurgency remained a persistent threat.
His leadership faced scrutiny and criticism, but he continued to emphasize the progress made under his command.
7. ‘PDP Is Not Cursed’ – Segun Showunmi Speaks On Protracted Crisis
A former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has dismissed insinuations that the major opposition party in the country is cursed following its protracted crisis, leading to its losing elections.
Naija News reports that Showumi, in an interview with Punch, stated that PDP, as the only democratic party in the state, is bound to experience some of the issues happening in the party.
He admitted that a protracted crisis has plagued the PDP, and the National Working Committee (NWC) is taking steps to resolve the situation in the party.
8. Biden Steps Down From US Presidential Race
United States President, Joe Biden, has stepped down from the presidential election.
Naija News reports that Biden made the announcement in a statement on Sunday.
The US president stated that he intended to seek reelection as President, but his decision to quit the race was in the best interests of his party and country.
Recall that Biden’s presidency has been marred with controversies regarding ill-health and fitness.
The issue reached its height after the former President, Donald Trump, defeated him by a wide margin in a presidential debate two weeks ago.
While announcing his decision to step down, Biden said he would remain President and Commander-in-Chief until his term ends in January 2025.
9. Orji Kalu Proposes Part-Time Legislative System For State, Federal Lawmakers
Former Governor of Abia State, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, has supported the push for a part-time legislative system for both state and federal lawmakers.
The former Senate Chief Whip, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Abia North senatorial district, mentioned that this approach could assist the country in reducing expenses and improving the public’s confidence in the government.
He made this statement during a conversation during the weekend.
Senator Kalu asserted that this would be included in efforts to cut expenses in governing, suggesting that regional governance could serve as a suitable alternative.
Kalu explained that contrary to misconceptions among Nigerians, senators are not paid enough.
10. Court Declines To Stop Fubara From Spending Rivers Funds
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to order a shutdown of all expenditures by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/984/24, instructed that the plaintiffs notify all defendants in the suit rather than granting the immediate injunction sought.
The judge did, however, grant the plaintiffs’ request to serve the 5th to 10th defendants through substituted means by publishing the process in national newspapers.
The matter has been adjourned to August 7 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had suspended all expenditures by Governor Fubara on July 15, giving him a seven-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 budget, which the Assembly claims has expired.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on NATURENEX. See you again tomorrow.
