Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 6th October, 2024.
1. ‘I Have No Problem Deputizing Peter Obi’ – Kwankwaso
The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has hinted at the possibility of serving as the deputy to his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, in the upcoming 2027 elections.
In a trending video clip on the X microblogging platform, the former governor of Kano State, speaking in Hausa, expressed his willingness to consider the deputy position if certain conditions are met.
Kwankwaso asserted that he believes he is politically more significant than Obi but indicated a readiness to engage in meaningful discussions with the LP leader to establish a potential agreement.
During the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi secured a significant number of votes, winning the majority in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He finished third in the election, garnering approximately 6,101,533 votes.
In contrast, Kwankwaso achieved substantial support in his home state of Kano, winning in 38 of the 44 local government areas and accumulating a total of 1,496,687 votes.
He said, “I’m bigger than Peter Obi politically, I’m his elder brother, I’m a PhD holder, I performed better than him when I was a governor of my state. I’ve no problem with deputizing Peter Obi, but only if certain conditions are met.
“We are willing to engage in discussions, provided that trust is established.”
2. President Tinubu Set To Reveal List Of Sacked And New Ministers Following Reshuffle
Strong indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu has finalized the list of names and designations for his reshuffled cabinet.
Multiple sources within the Presidency disclosed to Saturday Punch that the president has completed the selection process, identifying which ministers will be retained and which will be dropped.
The much-anticipated announcement is expected to be made on Thursday night, shortly after Tinubu arrived in the United Kingdom for his two-week annual leave.
The looming reshuffle comes in the wake of significant economic hardship and nationwide protests experienced last August.
President Tinubu has faced mounting pressure from both within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the broader public to remove underperforming ministers.
Despite periodic warnings from the president regarding performance standards, his cabinet had largely remained intact, with the only notable change being the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, in January 2024.
3. Tinubu Bows To Pressure, Confers New National Honour On House Of Reps Speaker
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bowed to pressure from lawmakers and conferred the nation’s second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Naturenex reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Recall that in his 64th Independence Anniversary Speech on 1 October, President Tinubu conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic( CFR) on the speaker and the deputy senate president.
This development led to a debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, calling on the President to confer a higher honour on the Speaker.
Onanuga stated that President Tinubu was persuaded by the House of Representatives’ position and has decided to remedy the historical error and oversight.
“Thus, he has decided to upgrade the Speaker to GCON from CFR, in accordance with the National Order of Precedence.
“The speaker, the Senate President, other principal officers of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice of Nigeria will be formally decorated with their new honours later,” he wrote.
4. FCT Threatens To Revoke Lands Owned By Buhari’s Children, Gbajabiamila, Abbas, Saraki, Others in Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a stern warning to prominent Nigerians and corporate organizations, threatening to revoke the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) for plots of land in the Maitama District of Abuja.
The ultimatum comes as a result of outstanding payments that must be settled within two weeks.
In a notice addressed to 3,273 allottees of the plots, the FCTA outlined the urgency of the situation, emphasizing the need for compliance to avoid penalties.
The notice, titled “Demand Notice for Payment of Right of Occupancy Bills for Issuance of Certificates of Occupancy on All Lands Allocated at Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja,” was obtained by Premium Times on Friday.
The announcement has sent ripples of concern among the affected landowners, many of whom are high-profile individuals and established corporations.
Among those listed as as owners of the plots are the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege,
Others are former Governors Theodore Orji (Abia), Rochas Okorocha (Abia), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Joshua Dariye (Plateau),
5. RSIEC Announces Winner Of Rivers LG Election
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced the outcome of Saturday’s local government election.
According to the electoral commission, Action Peoples Party (APP) secured 22 out of the 23 chairmanship positions in the October 5 poll.
Naturenex reports that RSIEC chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, announced the election results in Port Harcourt.
He mentioned that the declaration of results for Etche Local Government Area has been put on hold due to the continuous process of tallying the votes.
He further stated that the declaration for Etche Local Government Area will be made in conjunction with the declaration for the 319 council seats in the area at a future time.
Enebeli characterized the election as free, fair, and credible despite numerous challenges. He noted that the polls closed at 3 PM, reflecting a significant voter turnout.
He commended the residents for their patriotic spirit in participating in the voting process.
6. Peter Obi Politically Bigger Than Kwankwaso – Buhari Ex-Aide
Former media aide to ex-President Muhammad Buhari, Bashir Ahmed, has asserted that Peter Obi is politically bigger than Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Recall that both Peter Obi and Kwankwaso were presidential candidates in the 2023 general election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) and the
New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), respectively.
However, in a post via his X handle on Saturday, Ahmad, an indigene of Kano, asserted that Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, is politically bigger than Kwankwaso, a former governor from his home state.
Ahmad backed his claims making reference to the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, where Obi garnered more votes than Kwankwaso.
He wrote: “Even though I have never been a Kwankwasiyya loyalist, but I have always admired and respected Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and see him as one of the progressive political figures we have in this country. However, I do not agree with his recent statement during his interview in Kano, where he claimed to be politically bigger than Peter Obi.
“Looking at the results from the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi garnered 6,101,533 votes and led in 11 states, demonstrating significant national support. In contrast, Senator Kwankwaso secured 1,496,687 votes and led in just one state, Kano.
“These numbers clearly suggest that, at least in the context of the 2023 election, Peter Obi has significantly more political influence across the country.
“So, Peter Obi is bigger than Rabiu Kwankwaso, politically.”
7. World Teachers Day: Tinubu Promises Better Welfare
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian teachers as they mark World Teachers Day.
President Tinubu said his administration would continue to put policies that would ensure better welfare and a conducive working environment for teachers.
He noted that the roles of teachers in children’s development and national growth cannot be overemphasized.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu said this on Saturday while speaking in Abuja on the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education”.
8. Eno Appoints Daughter As Acting First Lady
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has named his daughter, Mrs. Helen Eno Obareki, as the Acting First Lady of the state following the passing of his wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.
This decision has been met with praise from Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who lauded the move as a way to honour the late Pastor Patience’s legacy.
Senator Tinubu visited the Eno family in Uyo to offer her condolences and show support for Helen’s new role.
Drawing comparisons to similar practices abroad, she emphasized that this appointment is a thoughtful gesture to continue Pastor Patience Eno’s charitable efforts, particularly through her initiative, the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).
Accompanied by Hajia Nana Shettima, the wife of the Vice President, and several wives of state governors and National Assembly leaders, Senator Tinubu expressed her confidence in Helen Eno Obareki’s ability to carry on her late mother’s work.
Governor Umo Eno, reflecting on his late wife’s life, shared their journey together, recalling how they married when she was 19, and he was 22.
9. 2027 Presidency: APC Govs, Chieftains Back Tinubu For Re-election
Several prominent figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and the success of all All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Naturenex understands that some of the APC chieftains include former National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and governors from Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti States—Dapo Abiodun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Biodun Oyebanji expressed their support for President Tinubu’s re-election and the success of all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
However, President Tinubuhas stated that his primary focus is not on the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
The number one citizen said he is instead focused on revitalizing the economy to enhance the welfare of the Nigerian populace.
Naturenex reports that Tinubu made these remarks during the 2024 South West Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which took place on Saturday at Victoria Island under the auspices of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who serves as the Zonal Coordinator of the APC.
10. ‘Return The Tithes You Collected, Your Apology Means Nothing’ – Charly Boy Tells Pastor Adeboye
Renowned Nigerian singer and presenter, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, has called out the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, following his recent apology on tithing.
Naturenex reports that Pastor Adeboye’s name has been trending on social media after the revered clergyman tendered a public apology over his sermon of many years ago, in which he declared that people who do not pay tithe would not make it to heave.
Pastor Adeboye tendered this apology during his church’s Internation Youth Convention (IYC) at the Redemption City of God, Mowe, Ogun State.
“I’m apologizing for saying,’If you don’t pay tithe, you won’t make it to heaven.’ I’m sorry, that’s wrong, and it’s not in the Bible. What the Bible says is, ‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see God,” Adeboye had said.
The apology has elicited mixed reactions on and off social media.
Reacting, in a post via his social media account, Charly Boy said Adeboye’s apology does not mean anything until he returns the tithes he collected from his congregation.
