Newspaper headlines for today Tuesday 29th March 2022

1. Hungry And Desperate PDP Trying To ‘Demolish’ Nigeria – FG Raises Alarm

The federal government on Monday, accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of attempting to cause trouble in Nigeria.

 

The government said the opposition party kidnapped the fortunes of the entire nation during its sixteen years in power but is now trying to rubbish the corrective efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari by spreading false information.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the allegation during a press briefing in Abuja where he said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is still cleaning up the mess of the PDP.

The Minister questioned why the PDP would be threatening Nigerians with another protest similar to the #EndSARS event saying because the opposition party is not in power is not enough reason to try and tear the country apart.

It also charged the PDP to wait till 2023 to test its popularity at the polls rather than make false claims of declaring the APC National Convention illegal.

2. Court Acquits Ex-minister Turaki Of Money Laundering Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki, of money laundering charges.

Naija News reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) had arraigned the former minister and three others in 2020, on a 16-count charge bordering on unlawful and criminal misappropriation of funds to the tune of N715 million.

The EFCC alleged that the ex-minister used two companies belonging to his aide to illegally transfer funds.

After the EFCC closed its case, rather than open its defence, the defendants filed a no-case submission.

Delivering a ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defence, Justice Inyang Ekwo said the EFCC failed to link Turaki and his co-defendants with the offences contained in the 16-count charge.

The presiding judge said the prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against them.

3. Sanwo-Olu Visits Apongbon Bridge Fire Site, Says Quit Notice Won’t Be Extended

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had warned that his administration’s seven-day ultimatum issued to occupiers of open stalls under the razed section of Eko Bridge at Oke Arin Market in Apongbon will not be extended.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said all illegal traders under the damaged bridge have till Wednesday (next two days) – the day the ultimatum will lapse – to vacate the site and remove their belongings.

He stated that after the expiration of the ultimatum Environmental Taskforce officers will move in to clear wreckage left under the bridge, following last Wednesday’s fire outbreak allegedly caused by inflammable materials stored under the bridge.

Sanwo-Olu was on the site of the inferno at Apogbon area alongside his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and cabinet members, for an on-the-spot assessment of the level of damage to the 48-year-old infrastructure.

4. 2023 Presidency: Any Aspirant Above 70 Years Shouldn’t Be Contesting – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that aspirants above 70 years should shelve their 2023 presidential aspirations.

He made this known on Monday when he received former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, governors of Sokoto and Bauchi States, Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohammed respectively, at the Government House in Makurdi.

Ortom stated that Nigerians cannot afford to vote for another old and analogue president, adding that it is time to computerise and digitise governance.

He stressed that the nation needs a young president who is computer literate and has the capacity to address the country’s various challenges.

5. Alleged Drug Deal: Court Denies Abba Kyari, Co-defendants Bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja has denied the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari and Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sunday Ubua, bail.

Naija News reports that the former Commander of the Intelligence Response (IRT) commander and his team member had filed a bail application before the court.

This was after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/57/2022, had charged Kyari and four others for alleged involvement in drug dealings.

Others charged are Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, John Nuhu, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne.

Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty, while the sixth and seventh defendants pleaded guilty and begged the court to “have mercy”.

In a ruling on Monday morning, Justice Emeka Nwite held that the prosecution has placed sufficient materials before the court to warrant the refusal of bail to both senior police officers.

The judge also rejected the bail applications of Inspector Simon Agirgba; Inspector, John Nuhu.

6. APC Presidential Ticket – Bello Shuns Zoning, Vow To Contest

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on Monday expressed confidence that he would clinch the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress in 2023.

The Presidential aspirant is not giving up on his ambition despite the new National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu emerging from the North-Central which is his (Bello’s) geopolitical region.

Bello believes he can defeat the likes of Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the party, David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State to clinch the presidential ticket of the ruling party.

The Kogi State Governor while speaking with Channels TV on Monday said other zoning issues will be sorted out after he emerges as President in 2023.

He added that he would emerge as the flagbearer of the party if it decides to use consensus or voting in its presidential primary.

7. Gunmen Attack Imo Police Station, Two Officers Injured

The Otoko Divisional Police Headquarters located in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State on Monday was attacked by unknown gunmen which saw two police operatives injured.

Residents of the affected area disclosed that the incident started around 3 am and lasted for a long time.

A villager who spoke with Punch on the incident said, “We didn’t sleep last night. The sounds of the weapons were terrifying. While many ran into the bushes, others took cover in their houses. You know the Police Divisional Headquarters is situated on the Owerri-Umuahia express road.

“Police officers engaged the gunmen and the situation became more terrible. It was as if the world was coming to an end. It was a consistent exchange of gunshots. We haven’t seen this one before. Two policemen were terribly injured and had been rushed to an undisclosed hospital.”

8. SSANU, NASU Begin Strike, Cripple Activities In UNILAG

Activities at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have been shut down as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied and Educational Institutions (NASU) have commenced their warning strike.

Naija News understands the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the unions shut down electricity and water supply to the institution on Monday.

This is as the union members join their counterparts across the country for a two-week industrial action over some disagreements with the government.

The strike began at midnight on Sunday, March 27, 2022.

The Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Showunmi Olushola, in the company of his NASU counterpart, Comrade Aderibigbe Ayooluwa while addressing members of the union in front of the UNILAG Senate building on Monday, directed all members to stay at home while the strike action lasts.

The union leaders threatened to go on a total strike if the government fails to meet their demands at the end of the warning strike.

9. Osinbajo Meets Obasanjo Ahead Of High-level Dialogue

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday, played host to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Ogun State.

Osinbajo’s visit to the elder statesman was coming barely 24hours after the conclusion of the 2022 National Convention of the All Progressive Congress, APC at the Eagles Square in Abuja, Naija News reports.

Osinbajo was received by Obasanjo ahead of his participation in a high-level dialogue organized by the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA).

The dialogue entitled ‘West Africa: Rising To The Challenge Of Consolidating Democratic Governance’, is expected to witness the presence of top political wigs across the board and will hold at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta today through Tuesday, March 29.

10. 2023: Jonathan Gives Presidency Condition To Join APC – Source

The reported plan to bring in former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress seems not to be ending anytime soon.

The focus of the ruling party will now turn to searching for a presidential candidate after its successful national convention on Saturday.

With the emergence of Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the party there are high probabilities that the APC might zone its presidential ticket to the South in 2023.

There are reports that the presidency is working underground to bring in Jonathan as the party’s candidate despite the declaration of Bola Tinubu, David Umahi, Rochas Okorocha and some others.

According to Daily Independent, the presidency believes Jonathan has the upper hand because he is a Southerner and also a Christian, which is important given the fact that President Buhari is a Muslim.

There are plans to return power to the North, as Jonathan can only serve for one term in office since he had served in 2015.

That's today's summary from all the Nigerian Newspapers. Share with others after reading. See you again tomorrow, same time, same platform.