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Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 14th March 2022

1. AGF Malami Denies Exonerating Embattled Abba Kyari

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has said he did not exonerate embattled DCP Abba Kyari.

AGF Malami, in a statement on Sunday, stated that he only asked for further probe into the activities of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Recall that the AGF in a legal advice forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had called for further investigations, noting that a prima facie case of money laundering had been established against the DCP.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, described as false the media reports that Malami’s Office had conclusively exonerated Abba Kyari.

According to the statement, there appears to be a misunderstanding regarding the issue.

Malami’s spokesman noted that it was a case of work in progress in respect of which the office of the Attorney General of the federation requested for further probe in relation to some aspects of the investigation.

He said that It was clear that the conclusion on the alleged contradiction on the issue was a clear case of misconception.

2. Buhari Administration Is A Certified Failure – PDP Fires President, APC

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lashed out at the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of failing by all standards.

The PDP in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba also accused Buhari of arrogantly leading his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) into multiple failures.

The PDP statement said President Buhari since taking over the affairs of Nigeria in 2015 has brought “unprecedented economic hardship, chaos, escalated insecurity, a state of anomie and hopelessness in our country.”

According to the opposition party, Buhari and the APC have almost collapsed the once buoyant economy handed over to them by the PDP.

It listed other ‘sins’ of the ruling party and Buhari to include failure to obey court orders, prosecute its members accused of corruption, and inability to address the leadership crisis rocking the party which has seen ‘two national chairmen’ laying claim to the party’s leadership structure.

PDP then called on Nigerians to end the misrule of the APC by voting out the party in 2023.

3. Terrorists Can’t Win The War In Nigeria, We Have Killed Many Of Their Leaders – Amao

Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has assured that the military will win the war against bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements in the country.

According to the Chief of Air Staff, the military has developed better strategies that have ensured the insurgents have been limited in their operations and activities.

Naija News understands Amao made the submission during a virtual media chat between journalists and service chiefs tagged – Open Ears Dialogue.

Amao added that most of the leaders of the insurgents have been killed during military operations and this has weakened the terrorists while many of them have been surrendering in droves.

4. 2023 Presidency: Buhari Will Support Tinubu Against Osinbajo, Fayemi – Ibrahim

A close confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abu Ibrahim has declared that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will get Buhari’s support for his 2023 presidential ambition.

Ibrahim said the northern region and particularly, northwest politicians will be at loss in the future if Buhari refuses to support Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition.

According to him, Asiwaju Tinubu mobilized southwest votes for Buhari in 2015 and it’s simply payback time. He added that should Buhari fail to support Tinubu, the north will be seen as traitors and won’t enjoy the trust and partnership such as brought Buhari into power.

“If we don’t support Tinubu, North-West politicians will suffer in the future as nobody will trust us again. So we have to make sure that this understanding is for our future politics,” he said on Sunday in an interview with Daily Trust.

On the possibility of any other southern aspirant making it impossible for Tinubu to achieve his dreams, Ibrahim said no politician can stand against Tinubu.

He specifically pointed out that Tinubu is a benefactor to both Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, hence both of them won’t want to rock the boat by contesting against the APC National Leader in 2023.

Speaking on the reported presidential ambitions of Osinbajo and Fayemi, the former lawmaker insisted that both of them won’t contest against Tinubu.

5. 2023: Allow Igbo Presidency Or Let Igbos Secede From Nigeria – EMTT

A coalition group identified as Equity Movement Turn by Turn has demanded that an Igbo man should take over the leadership of Nigeria after President Muhammadu Buhari, Naija News reports.

The group said it is paramount that the Southern region of the nation be allowed to taste the seat of power after a long while for fairness and equity sake.

EMTT stressed that the South-East would likely exit Nigeria if an Igbo man is denied the nation’s number one political position come 2023.

The group appealed to all former and present leaders of the country not to allow the next Nigerian President to elude the region.

The group stressed that if Nigerians cannot trust the Igbo, they should allow them to go in the best interest of the country.

6. I Don’t Believe Buhari Has Endorsed Adamu, I Remain In The Race For APC Chairmanship – Al-Makura

A former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura has declared he would not be withdrawing from the race to become the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Al-Makura, he can’t withdraw from the race simply based on speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Naija News recalls earlier reports have claimed the President has endorsed Adamu for the position and has refused to change his mind despite pressures from some Governors.

But Al-Makura on Sunday declared to journalists in Abuja that there is no authoritative source that can confirm Buhari has endorsed Adamu or any other person for the job.

Al-Makura who currently represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly also boasted that he has no record that will make him fail any security check for the APC chairmanship job.

7. Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB Sends Message To Judge, Gives Reason To Release Him In Next Trial

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has given reasons why Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court should acquit and discharge their leader, Nnamdi Kanu in the next court hearing.

IPOB stated that discharging Kanu on the next trial date which is on April 8, 2022, would prove that the judge is not biased and has not been compromised.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said this on Sunday in a statement.

He maintained that the 15-count charge against Kanu were ludicrous and empty with no substance.

8. Buhari Is A Serious Muslim That Wants People Of Different Religions To Live In Harmony – Osinbajo

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who promotes religious tolerance.

According to Osinbajo, though Buhari is a very committed Muslim, he understands and promotes religious tolerance.

The Vice President added that the religious tolerance of President Buhari is easily exhibited in the relationship between the two of them as they have not had any problem working together since coming into leadership in 2015.

The spokesperson for Vice President Osinbajo, Mr. Laolu Akande in a statement on Sunday, quoted his principal to have made the submission when he received the Senegal-based Grand Khalifa of Tijjaniya movement, Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim Niass.

Furthermore, Prof Osinbajo was quoted to have emphasized the need to promote religious tolerance and ensure the people of the country and Africa at large, live together in harmony despite having different religions.

9. Lagos: NDLEA Arrests General Overseer With Drugs

The General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Rev Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for drug peddling.

NDLEA arrested Ekwem while on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.

Ekwem was apprehended by operatives of NDLEA during outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.

The cleric has his church headquarters in Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra state and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja

The spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement titled, ‘Church General Overseer arrested with drugs at Lagos airport’, the NDLEA said when the drugs were tested, the 54 sticks proved positive to cannabis.

Babafemi disclosed that the cleric during preliminary interview revealed that he packed that quantity of illicit substance on his body to use during his three weeks crusade in Kenya.

10. Obasanjo Opens Up On His Journey In Islam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up about his knowledge of Islamic religion, Naija News reports.

The former leader while addressing a group of Islamic scholars on Sunday, said his Islamic journey ended as a child after he fled Arabic school because of flogging.

According to Obasanjo, the fear of torture by his then Quranic teachers made him abandon the Arabic school better known as Ile-Kewu in Yorubaland.

The elder statesman who holds a doctoral degree in Christian Theology, disclosed this while delivering a speech in Abeokuta, Ogun State during the inauguration and turbaning of Sheikh Salis Alao Adenekan as the Grand Caliph of the Tijaniyyah for Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

A 24-year-old intending groom, Chukwuka Igbonekwu has died after he allegedly drank sniper insecticide in Delta State.

According to Punch Metro, the deceased’s traditional wedding was slated for Tuesday, April 19, and Wednesday, April 20, 2022, respectively, according to his wedding card.

The incident occured at Dr. Ambrose Okereke street, behind Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

A source told the publication that the deceased died after meeting up with his girlfriend identified as Adaeze. The source also alleged that the soon-to-be-groom had told his Adaeze that he was leaving her to marry another woman.

“There was a fight between late Igbonekwu and his girlfriend on Thursday, March 10, 2022, after much quarreling and fighting, we decided to enter their room to enquire what was the problem.

“The lady who has been living together with him over the years until his death said that the fight was as a result of the late Chukwuka wanting to leave her for another lady.

“When we asked the deceased what was the issue, he said that he and the girlfriend are related and also both of them are the same AS genotype and therefore cannot marry.

“After the fight, they reconciled again and later we saw both of them coming out from a shopping mall and going home on Friday.

“Towards evening, the girlfriend raised alarm calling people that the late Chukwuka drank sniper, so immediately he was rushed to the hospital in Okpanam. The lady called the wife-to-be and she met them at the hospital, unfortunately, he died Saturday morning.

“They brought his corpse to the compound, after a while the family came and took the body together with the wife-to-be and the so-called girlfriend to the village without reporting to the police,” the source said.

The traditional marriage/wedding card indicated that the deceased hailed from Umuezeogwu village in Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State while the wife-to-be Blessing (surname held) also hailed from the same state.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as a perfect example of arrogance in failure. The PDP asserts that President Buhari presides over the most rudderless, corrupt, disunited, disorganized, arrogant political party and government in the history of our country; a fact that is already established by …

The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has declared there is a strong possibility that he would be joining the 2023 presidential race in Nigeria.

Saraki made the declaration on Sunday during an interview with Channels TV’s Sunday Politics where he spoke about his presidential ambition.

According to the former Kawara State Governor, he has every quality needed to become the next President of Nigeria.

‘Yes, there is a strong possibility,” Saraki responded when questioned about the possibility of running for the 2023 presidency.

He added that he is not someone who shies away from responsibilities, adding that he understands the challenges confronting Nigeria and has the qualities needed to address the challenges.

“I believe I have what it takes to lead Nigeria,” Saraki said.

“I am not someone who shies away from taking up challenges. I am not someone who does not know the issues or someone who does not have the energy and vibrancy to address those issues.

“More importantly, I am someone that can reach out across the political divide, based on my antecedents. I am someone who can reach out across the ethnicity divide and across the religious divide”.

On why he is yet to officially declare his intention, Saraki said he is consulting.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The Ogun State Police Command has apprehended two men Jato Abu Bello and Muhammad Suleiman, who allegedly kidnapped a nursing mother and collected a ransom of N3m in Abeokuta.

The victim, Salimot Ajibola who was kidnapped in front of her husband’s house around Rounder, Abeokuta, was freed after the payment of N3 million ransom.

The Ogun State police image maker, Abimbola Oyeyemi, revealed that the suspects were apprehended in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Their hideout, at the Rounder area of Abeokuta, was stormed by the police in conjunction with men of Ilupeju and Lafenwa divisions to get them arrested.

“The suspects have confessed being the gang that kidnapped one Ajibola Salimot Adejoke, who they traced and abducted in her house at Oke-Ode area, off Ayetoro road, Abeokuta on the 17th of February 2022,” Oyeyemi said.

The police revealed that the suspects were arrested over their roles in the series of kidnap cases in recent time.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, has directed that other members of the syndicate must be hunted.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that he tried as much as possible to avoid getting involved in politics.

Explaining, Obasanjo stated that as a trained soldier, his natural instinct was to avoid politics, hence his reason for attempting to stay away.

The former President however revealed that it seems the more he tried to run away from politics, the more power kept pursuing him.

Naija News reports Obasanjo made the observation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a symposium, organized by the national leadership of the Keggites Club of Nigeria through the Unity in Diversity Forum

The event with the theme: “Depreciating Cultural Values and Virtue in the Era of Social Media: Causes, Challenges and Solutions,” held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta as part of activities to celebrate the 85th birthday anniversary of the former president.

Before the comment by Obasanjo on his foray into politics, one of the speakers at the event, Dr. Yemi Faroumbi, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines had observed that Obasanjo never ran after power.

Responding to the observation by Dr. Faroumbi, Chief Obasanjo agreed with him, pointing out that in his case, it was power that was running after him.

He said “I was at a time as you (referring to Faroumbi) mentioned, reluctant to be in political power. I was trained as a soldier. One of my trainings is that soldiering and politics don’t go together and I stuck to that.

“But as you rightly said while I stuck to separation between soldiering and politics, power started chasing me and I ran, and I ran and I ran and until I could not run out of the reach of power. I believe that without being immodest, the fact that I was not looking for power, power was looking for me make a drought of business.”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Prophecy has emerged about four Nigerian politicians out of whom two are currently hopeful of becoming Nigeria’s President come 2023.

The General Overseer of Wisdom Church International Ketu, Lagos, Prophet Bisi Olujobi on Sunday claimed that God had revealed to him His plan for Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

While mentioning that God spoke to him also about former Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Prophet Olujobi said the four politicians are the future of Nigerians.

According to him, Governor Bello has been appointed as a future to reckon with.

Olujobi stressed that the politicians he mentioned would turn the tide around for Nigerians in the nearest future.

“God gave me some revelations about some youths that will come up to take the place of President and governors, the Lord showed me about three or four of them that are very essential, and we need to work over them.

“God said to me that he has appointed Yahaya Bello to be a future we are going to reckon with when the time comes. Also, Seyi Makinde will be among the people the Lord will raise for the glory of this country in the future. I don’t know how it will work, but that is one of the things he told me,” Olujobi said while addressing his congregation today, Naija News reports.

He said further that God has told him Governor Makinde would come back the second time, even though they will conspire against him.

“Bukola Saraki is also someone we need to reckon with in the future. God told me he would be one of the people anointed to make things work well in this country. Also, Ambode will be among the people the Lord will use to benefit this country,” the Cleric reiterated.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up about his knowledge of Islamic religion, Naija News reports.

The former leader while addressing a group of Islamic scholars on Sunday, said his Islamic journey ended as a child after he fled Arabic school because of flogging.

According to Obasanjo, the fear of torture by his then Quranic teachers made him abandon the Arabic school better known as Ile-Kewu in Yorubaland.

The elder statesman who holds a doctoral degree in Christian Theology, disclosed this while delivering a speech during the inauguration and turbaning of Sheikh Salis Alao Adenekan as the Grand Caliph of the Tijaniyyah for Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States today.

Naija News understands that the event held today in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, witnessed the presence of leaders and members of the Tijaniyyah sect from all the South West States, Edo and Delta as well as the representative of the sons of Sheikh Ibrahim Niass, from Kaolack in Senegal, led by Sheikh Abdullah Baye Ibrahim Niass.

In his brief remarks, Obasanjo enjoined people present at the Islamic gathering to strive for Al-Jannat (paradise) as the final abode of the righteous.

He submitted that whoever thinks of paradise as his or her final abode would not joke with his religious beliefs and practices.

Obasanjo said, “I am here to greet you. What we are gathered for has to do with religion. And one of our major goals, while living on earth is to make Al-Janat. Whoever knows there is Al-Janat, he or won’t joke about the religious practices during his or her sojourn on earth.

“I thank you all for the honour and celebration of our leader in Islam, Sheikh Adenekan. May your reign bring blessing to you and the organization.”

Sharing his Islamic knowledge, Obasanjo said “When I was young, I have told the story many times, that Koboko (horsewhip) did not allow me to learn Kewu (Arabic) effectively. But despite that, I still remember many of those songs that we used to render.”

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun who was also a guest of honour at the event described Ogun as the “religious capital of Nigeria.”

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Shuaib Salis, Governor Abiodun charged Muslims to ensure they perform their civic responsibility during the 2023 election to ensure “leaders that can bring prosperity to the country are elected.”

He described the newly turbaned Grand Caliph of Tijaniyyah as a “pious, a man of honour, integrity and worthy ambassador of the Islamic religion.”

Meanwhile, a popular Lagos-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa while delivering his message, warned those in leadership position against the misuse of power, saying they would all give an account of their stewardship on the judgement day.

Onikijipato Grand Mufti of Ilorin also challenged members of the Tijaniyyah sect for a common front and remain united as a body to fight for the interest of the ummah and also demand their rights further om the government.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Multiple award-winning Nigerian singer, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido has disclosed that his father recently gave him a land gift in Lagos State.

Davido is the son of billionaire businessman, Adedeji Adeleke, Naija News reports.

Taking to his Twitter account on Sunday evening, Davido revealed that his dad gifted him a piece of land in the prestigious Banana Island area of Lagos State.

He wrote: “Woke up to another Land from popsi in banana again ! Such a dope father ! Love u pops.”

See the post.

https://twitter.com/davido/status/1503066606137606144

He also went ahead to hint that the land will be used to build an edifice for the kids.

https://twitter.com/davido/status/1503067472643039232

Meanwhile, the singer recently revealed that his daughters often ask him the reason they don’t have the same mother.

The father of three said this during an interview with BBC.

He explained that his daughters are growing up and becoming more self-aware hence they often ask him questions like the reason they don’t share the same mothers and why they have to live separately.

This is not the first time a question like this is coming up as some time back David’s first baby mama, Sophia Momodu, posted a video of her daughter Imade Adeleke asking her why she and her sister Hailey don’t share the same mother.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lashed out at the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing it of failing by all standards.

The PDP in a statement on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba also accused Buhari of arrogantly leading his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) into multiple failures.

The PDP statement said President Buhari since taking over the affairs of Nigeria in 2015 has brought “unprecedented economic hardship, chaos, escalated insecurity, a state of anomie and hopelessness in our country.”

According to the opposition party, Buhari and the APC have almost collapsed the once buoyant economy handed over to them by the PDP.

It listed other ‘sins’ of the ruling party and Buhari to include failure to obey court orders, prosecute its members accused of corruption, and inability to address the leadership crisis rocking the party which has seen ‘two national chairmen’ laying claim to the party’s leadership structure.

PDP then called on Nigerians to end the misrule of the APC by voting out the party in 2023.

Below is the full statement.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as a perfect example of arrogance in failure.

“The PDP asserts that President Buhari presides over the most rudderless, corrupt, disunited, disorganized, arrogant political party and government in the history of our country; a fact that is already established by Nigerians across board.

“PDP’s position is predicated on the comments by President Buhari, who in his lame attempt to address the irreconcilable infighting in his fizzling APC fixated on the PDP, apparently discomfited by the renewed massive popularity of the PDP among Nigerians ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“The Buhari administration is a certified failure which has brought unprecedented economic hardship, chaos, escalated insecurity, a state of anomie and hopelessness in our country in the last six years.

“If Mr. President were ‘present’ as President and party leader, he should have known that the party that is “enfeebled and adrift”, plagued by ‘disunity, mismanagement and corruption”; “arrogance of power” and “self-aggrandizement” which he alluded to, is not the PDP but the evidently mismanaged and mutating crisis ridden APC.

“It is important to educate Mr. President on the arrogance of power in his refusal to timeously appoint an economic team or listen to wise counsel on the economy and security. This is why he completely mismanaged our national affairs and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world and the third country with the highest level of terrorism according to the World Terrorism Index.

“Such arrogance of power is manifesting in President Buhari and APC’s refusal to accept failure for the near collapse of our economy from the $550 billion economy (largest in Africa and 26th globally) handed over to them in 2015 by the PDP; the fall of the naira from about N197 to a dollar to almost N600 today and the hike in petrol price from N87 per liter in 2015 to between N300 andN400 per liter today.

“In addition to this, the price of diesel which is a critical component in the productive sector of the economy now stands at inconceivable N700 per liter under the APC.

“Is it not arrogance of power that informed the Buhari-led APC administration to import contaminated fuel, induce agonizing fuel scarcity on our citizens and yet had the effrontery to tell Nigerians that “heaven will not fall” over the fuel situation?

“The same arrogance of power accounted for the repeated refusal by the APC administration to obey Court Orders; for President Buhari’s repeated refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill until he was pressured by the PDP and Nigerians as well as his constant disdain toward the people in repeatedly refusing to address the nation on critical issues, notably during the October 2020 EndSARS protest and the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The arrogance and impunity of the APC administration also accounted for its refusal to prosecute APC leaders indicted for corruption; the barefaced denial that no one was killed in the EndSARS protest despite national and international evidence of bloody massacre of our youths at the Lekki Tollgate as well as the failure to account for the billions of naira Covid-19 Funds stolen by APC leaders.

“This is in addition to the recent arrogant, corrupt and criminal removal of electricity subsidy without reference to Nigerians among other thoughtless and inhumane actions of the APC government.

“Moreover, it is ludicrous that Mr. President who confirmed that the APC as a party of irreconcilable political warlords, is bedeviled by “the infighting we are seeing” instead of the expected “robust debate on the issues that matter”, is looking elsewhere for a lesson in “disunity, mismanagement and corruption”.

“Mr. President has so arrogantly mismanaged the APC that it is now plagued by two illegal national chairmen, multiple structures in States; enfeebled to the extent that it cannot conduct a valid National Convention or produce legitimate candidates for elections, with its activities no longer recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Since President Buhari has now agreed that government should not be “a vehicle for self-aggrandizement to be held at all costs” the PDP urges him to assist his party to wind up as Nigerians are now rallying on the platform of the united, cohesive, focused and dependable PDP in our mission to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from the arrogance and misrule of the Buhari APC government.”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has denied reports that his office has exonerated embattled police officer, Abba Kyari. POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that Kyari was indicted by the FBI after being identified as an accomplice  to disgraced fraudster, Ramon Olorunwa Abass a.k.a hushpuppi and laundering money for him. …

The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.

A close confidant of President Muhammadu Buhari and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abu Ibrahim has declared that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will get Buhari’s support for his 2023 presidential ambition.

Ibrahim said the northern region and particularly, northwest politicians will be at loss in the future if Buhari refuses to support Tinubu’s 2023 presidential ambition.

According to him, Asiwaju Tinubu mobilized southwest votes for Buhari in 2015 and it’s simply payback time. He added that should Buhari fail to support Tinubu, the north will be seen as traitors and won’t enjoy the trust and partnership such as brought Buhari into power.

“If we don’t support Tinubu, North-West politicians will suffer in the future as nobody will trust us again. So we have to make sure that this understanding is for our future politics,” he said on Sunday in an interview with Daily Trust.

On the possibility of any other southern aspirant making it impossible for Tinubu to achieve his dreams, Ibrahim said no politician can stand against Tinubu.

He specifically pointed out that Tinubu is a benefactor to both Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, hence both of them won’t want to rock the boat by contesting against the APC National Leader in 2023.

Speaking on the reported presidential ambitions of Osinbajo and Fayemi, the former lawmaker insisted that both of them won’t contest against Tinubu.

He went ahead to recall how Tinubu brought Fayemi from Ghana and established him as a politician in Nigeria, stating that without Tinubu’s help, Fayemi would lose elections.

He said: “It is normal, but the issue is: Can they stand Tinubu in the South-West? They can see what is coming up. I don’t want to start discussing this issue; it is a different topic.

“Fayemi, for example, knows very well that he is Tinubu’s boy. He was living in Ghana when Tinubu brought him. I once slept in his house in Accra.

“Tinubu brought Fayemi back to Nigeria. Above other leading contenders, he picked him to be the governor of Ekiti State. When we met at Bourdillon (Tinubu’s residence), he told me to thank my friend for him. He said Asiwaju even mobilised fund for him after nominating him to be governor.

“He won the election, but in the second tenure, he failed to even win his ward, and he was made a minister. When he wanted to go for this present tenure, I went to the president and I said Fayemi may not be able to win without Tinubu, so he called Asiwaju and gave him the responsibility to deliver Ekiti for him.”

And on Osinbajo, he said the Vice President respects Tinubu too much to contest against him.

“The vice president was his commissioner for justice. He never lobbied for the office; he just picked and gave him that position. I have discussed with the vice president many times. I went to his house and office and we discussed the party and everything, including his relationship with Asiwaju. I know how he felt or how he feels about their relationship. He respects Tinubu so much that I feel he may not be able to contest against him,” he said.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has said he did not exonerate embattled DCP Abba Kyari.

AGF Malami, in a statement on Sunday, stated that he only asked for further probe into the activities of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Recall that the AGF in a legal advice forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had called for further investigations, noting that a prima facie case of money laundering had been established against the DCP.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, described as false the media reports that Malami’s Office had conclusively exonerated Abba Kyari.

According to the statement, there appears to be misunderstanding regarding the issue.

Malami’s spokesman noted that it was a case of work in progress in respect of which the office of the Attorney General of the federation requested for further probe in relation to some aspects of investigation.

He said that It was clear that the conclusion on the alleged contradiction on the issue was a clear case of misconception.

“The office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice’s stance is that no conclusion has been reached in the direction of absence of evidence relating to the first report.

“The issues were raised for further investigation with a view to cover the field in investigation in order to arrived at informed decision,” he said.

Naija News reports that Kyari is wanted in the United States over an alleged involvement in a $1.1m scam carried out by self-confessed internet fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The embattled police officer is also facing eight counts of conspiracy, obstruction and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The other defendants in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022 are four members of the IRT, Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba and John Nuhu.

Two other suspects arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, were also listed as defendants.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to support former President Goodluck Jonathan in the upcoming 2023 elections.

Naija News reports that Isa Abubakar, NYCN president, stated this when speaking on Arise TV on Saturday.

He said that during the six years Goodluck Jonathan was the president of the country he was a purposeful leader.

Abubakar also revealed the plan of the group to pay Jonathan a visit concerning the 2023 election.

He said: “I think it is a great decision for former President Goodluck Jonathan. He was a purposeful leader for the 6 years that he ruled the nation.

“He is still very vibrant. While some Nigerians are still agitating for a youthful president, some youths are governors but are not doing enough to ensure that the state they govern enjoys the dividend of democracy in terms of infrastructure and welfare of its workers.

“President Buhari should consider endorsing Jonathan if he is ready to contest the 2023 election. We are planning to mobilize ourselves to pay him a visit to consider running for the 2023 presidential election.

“80 percent of them have refused to vote or participate in politics which has greatly led to voters’ apathy.

“Youth activists must call the youths to order. They must engage in massive sensitization campaigns to ensure that narratives change.”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has given reasons why Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court should acquit and discharge their leader, Nnamdi Kanu in the next court hearing.

IPOB stated that discharging Kanu in the next trial date which is on April 8, 2022, would prove that the judge is not biased and has not been compromised.

IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, said this on Sunday in a statement.

He maintained that the 15-count charge against Kanu were ludicrous and empty with no substance.

According to him: “The global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to raise concern over the continuous detention of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU in the Nigeria DSS custody.

“Only a judge that is manifestly compromised and biased will even contemplate not acquitting our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU come 8th day of April 2022. Justice Binta Nyako must be firm in upholding justice without fear and favour otherwise she will ridicule herself amongst judicial colleagues both internally and within the International community.

“This position is based on the fact that the 15 counts amended charges upon which his case is predicated are empty and has no iota of substance whatsoever. The emptiness of these laughable charges has been well marshalled out/comprehensively discussed in the 46-page objection filed by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s erudite legal team.

“Mazi Nnamdi KANU has never committed any crime and this position is very obvious going by the frivolous 15 count amended Charges which has nothing attached to it as evidence.

“The Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami completely agreed with the foregoing position in which his erudite and compelling Article was published in our penultimate press statement. You can’t turn the law upside down and as such, no court in Nigeria has the jurisdictional competency to try Mazi Nnamdi KANU.

“What is expected to happen on 8th Day of April 2022, is total acquittal and discharge of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and nothing more.”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

A former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Al-Makura has declared he would not be withdrawing from the race to become the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Al-Makura, he can’t withdraw from the race simply based on speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Naija News recalls earlier reports have claimed the President has endorsed Adamu for the position and has refused to change his mind despite pressures from some Governors.

But Al-Makura on Sunday declared to journalists in Abuja that there is no authoritative source that can confirm Buhari has endorsed Adamu or any other person for the job.

“The sources of information were not authentic. They were not genuine. And I know what Mr. President stands for, he always stands for what is right and due process. And unless I have an authoritative source of information that is clear. I still have my doubts. I have many avenues through which I can reach Mr. President and people around him.

“And since those speculation did not come through those avenues, I consider them as a speculation. That is why as I speak with you, my campaign is going with a different tempo, to ensure that my campaign is going far and wide to await the next line of action as directed by the party leadership.”

Al-Makura who currently represents Nasarawa South Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly also boasted that he has no record that will make him fail any security check for the APC chairmanship job.

Asked about the probability of failing security checks, he replied: “Thank you very much, I don’t think so. I discharged my responsibility as governor, to the best of my ability, and as I speak, there’s no single petition against me, or any case that has to do with my propriety or otherwise.”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao has assured that the military will win the war against bandits, terrorists, and other criminal elements in the country.

According to the Chief of Air Staff, the military has developed better strategies that have ensured the insurgents have been limited in their operations and activities.

Naija News understands Amao made the submission during a virtual media chat between journalists and service chiefs tagged – Open Ears Dialogue.

Amao added that most of the leaders of the insurgents have been killed during military operations and this has weakened the terrorists while many of them have been surrendering in droves.

“Bandits and terrorists recruit quickly. As we take them out, they recruit. But we are now taking them out faster than they are recruiting,” Amao said as quoted by Daily Trust.

“Most of the self-acclaimed leaders of terror are gone. Most of the false ideologies are being corrected. Most of their funding has been cut off. Most of their hideouts have been discovered,” the chief of air staff said.

“So some things are now more obvious to the terrorists. There is a higher probability to survive if they surrender.

“It is a war that they cannot win, so surrendering is the only way.

“More than 36,000 have surrendered. We expect thousands more to follow in the days ahead.”

Speaking further, Amao accused some leaders of the Niger Delta region of sponsoring illegal crude oil refinery sites.

The military chief warned that the attempt by the leaders of the region to keep everyone satisfied has created more problems than solutions.

He advocated that the option of modular refineries can be explored in the Niger Delta to curb security and other challenges facing the region.

“I cannot give you the formula for success in the Niger Delta, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody,” he said.

“We have observed that some leaders in the Niger Delta have been trying to please everybody. This has created more problems than solutions.

“We believe there should be more political will, followed by action. There is a growing gap in exemplary leadership in some of the local government areas. Some leaders have been accused of sponsoring illegal crude oil refining sites.

“What is required goes beyond security. Stakeholders have to dialogue, negotiate and design innovative means that leads to a win-win solution. For instance, the development of modular refineries should be explored, in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and communities.

“Currently, our operations in the Niger Delta have more emphasis on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).”

This article was originally published on Nigeria News

FC Barcelona Femeni has been crowned champions of this season’s Primera Division.

They nailed the championship for the third season in a row after beating Real Madrid on Sunday in a 5-0 thriller, Naija News reports.

Barca’s Sunday victory earned them 136 goals this season, leading the Primera Division with 22 points clear of their

immediate title contender, Sociedad.

The Blaugranes had won 24 matches straight and still have six games left to play.

Barca Femeni may yet make another history this season. They have already won the Spanish Super Cup, now the Primera Division title.

Barca is also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in which they will play Real Madrid again, this time over two legs, and the quarter-finals of the cup, with a game against Real Sociedad to come next week.

If things go on well for the club, it may clinch a historic treble by winning the league, Champions League, and Copa de la Reina, Naija News understands.

Meanwhile, the individual player award, Ballon d’Or will no longer be annual but summerly, organizers announced on Friday.

According to the French News Magazine, France Football, players’ performances would henceforth be observed during a season (August-July) and not a calendar year (January-December).

The changes mean that the next edition of the individual player award will be for the 2021/22 season and not 2022, Naija News understands.

The organizers also noted in their series of changes that the upcoming World Cup will count for the 2022/23 season.

The publication, Naija News understands, contained an entity revolution compared to what has been before now. Continue reading.

This article was originally published on Nigeria News