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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 27th December, 2024
1. FG Debunks Niger’s Allegations Of Plotting Destabilization With France
The Federal Government has dismissed allegations by Niger Republic’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, accusing Nigeria of colluding with France to destabilize his country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the accusations as baseless and an attempt to deflect attention from the challenges facing Tchiani’s administration.
The government emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as ECOWAS Chairman, has consistently pursued diplomatic engagement with Niger, even after the military coup that disrupted democratic governance in the country.
The statement highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to regional security, pointing to its active role in countering terrorism through the Multinational Joint Task Force.
It labeled claims that Nigeria would conspire against its neighbor as “preposterous and unfounded.”
Specifically, the government denied allegations of ceding Nigerian territory to foreign powers or establishing terrorist bases in Sokoto State.
The statement referenced recent military operations, including ‘Operation Forest Sanity III’, as evidence of Nigeria’s proactive approach to neutralizing threats in the region.
Additionally, the government dismissed claims of sabotaging Niger’s pipelines and agriculture, citing Nigeria’s substantial contributions to Niger’s economic growth through projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and the Kano-Maradi Railway.
2. CDS Visits Sokoto, Insists Military Bombed Terrorists And Anybody With Them Was Also A Criminal
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Thursday, insisted that the military only bombed terrorists and criminals in Sokoto State.
According to General Musa, who spoke when he visited Sokoto State amidst the controversy surrounding an airstrike targeted against Lakurawa terrorists, submitted that those targeted were terrorists and anyone found with them during the airstrike was an accomplice.
Naija News recalls a fighter jet bombed two communities in the Silame Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday, killing at least 10 civilians and injuring several others.
The Sokoto State government claimed that some of those killed in the strikes were “innocent villagers”, while the military insisted that the strike was against criminals.
The CDS, while briefing newsmen at the Giginya Cantonment Sokoto during his visit on Thursday, also insisted the military airstrike was targeted at terrorists but added, however, that an investigation would be launched into the matter.
He submitted that the criminals were only trying to twist the narrative in the media to favour them.
3. Why Atiku Can’t Take Over Power In 2027 Despite Being Qualified – Okupe
Former spokesperson and ex-Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe has stated that it is unfair for the North to take over power in 2027.
According to Okupe, geopolitical considerations indicates that the South, not the North, should produce Nigeria’s next president.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, Okupe admitted that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is eminently qualified to run in 2027 but would face the same challenges as in 2023 when his bid was perceived as disrupting the North-South power rotation.
The ex-presidential spokesman said the problem with the idea of Atiku’s presidency in 2027 is geopolitics, not age, adding that the South should be allowed to complete its eight-year term, just as the North did before Tinubu’s coming.
4. Tragedy Hits Jigawa Governor, Namadi As Son Dies In Auto Crash A Day After His Mother’s Death
The family of Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has been hit by another tragedy as his eldest son, Abdulwahab Umar Namadi, has died in a fatal car accident.
Naija News reports that the incident occurred barely 24 hours after the governor lost his mother, Hajiya Maryam Namadi.
According to Channels Television, Abdulwahab was returning from Kafin Hausa to Dutse with his friends when his vehicle lost control and somersaulted.
While his friends sustained various degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment at Dutse General Hospital, Abdulwahab was pronounced dead at the scene.
Funeral prayers for the late Abdulwahab were held at the Kafin Hausa Central Mosque, attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders.
Governor Namadi gave a brief address after the burial, expressing his grief but asking for prayers and patience.
5. ‘Why I Removed Secondus As PDP Chairman’ – Wike Opens Up, Tackles Omehia
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has openly acknowledged that he masterminded the removal of Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike stated on Thursday that Secondus wanted his cousin, Tele Ikuru, to be the next Governor of Rivers State against the will of the people and didn’t support the candidacy of Siminalayi Fubara.
The FCT Minister said Secondus was removed because of his actions.
Naija News reports Wike made the disclosure while speaking at the Ahoada East and Ahoada West PDP end-of-year thanksgiving held in Ochigba, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He also berated former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia, and Governor Fubara over recent comments during the commissioning of projects in Rivers State.
Responding to Secondus, who allegedly labelled him an “enemy of the state,” Wike questioned the newfound alliance of the former PDP Chairman with Governor Fubara.
The former Rivers State Governor also claimed he has done more for the state than any other Governor in the history of the state.
6. Adeleke Exercises Prerogative Of Mercy, Pardons Man Sentenced To Death For Stealing Fowl
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has pardoned Segun Olowookere, who was sentenced to death for allegedly stealing fowl in the state.
Naija News reports that Segun’s case recently gained public attention after his mother appeared on the podcast of Nollywood actress, Biola Adebayo, and pleaded for intervention in her son’s plight.
The story went viral on social media, prompting Adeleke to direct the state’s attorney general to begin the process for his pardon.
Olowookere, who was 17 years old at the time of his arrest in November 2010, was convicted and sentenced to death by an Osun State High Court on December 17, 2014, for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, robbery, and stealing.
In a statement released on Thursday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke announced the pardon of Segun, alongside his co-convict, Sunday Morakinyo and 51 other inmates.
7. Sokoto Airstrike: This Is A Gross Violation Of Humanity Itself – Atiku Knocks Military Over Death Of Civilians
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the December 25 accidental bombing by the Nigerian Air Force.
Naija News reports that the bombing resulted in the death of 10 people in Rumtuwa and Gidan Sama communities of Sokoto State.
Villages located near the Surame desert, a known hideout for the Lakurawa terror group suffered significant losses in the airstrike.
Speaking via a post on X, Atiku described the airstrike as “an outrage that must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
He questioned the lessons learned from past tragedies, referencing the December 3, 2023 airstrike on a religious gathering at Tudun Biri, near Kaduna, which claimed the lives of many innocent people.
He called for an end to the “tragic cycle of death” and urged the government to learn from previous mistakes.
8. Ibadan Stampede: Keeping Queen Naomi In Jail Would Discourage Others From Helping Nigerians – Okonkwo
Politician cum actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called out the federal government for keeping the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola, in jail over the recent Ibadan stampede that led to injuries and loss of lives.
Okonkwo, in a post on Thursday via his X account, said the former Queen never intended to murder those who lost their lives during the stampede in Ibadan in an attempt to get Christmas gifts.
He insisted that keeping ex-Queen Naomi and others involved in the case in jail would discourage other benefactors who are willing to help needy Nigerians.
The former Labour Party chieftain agreed that the deaths and injuries from the Ibadan stampede are regrettable, but the former Queen shouldn’t be blamed for the occurrence.
He insisted that the root cause of the death of these people is hunger and hardship.
9. Lawmaker’s Kidnap: ‘Insecurity Will Consume Us If Left Unchecked’ – Peter Obi Warns
Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed sadness over the abduction of the lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.
Naija News reports that Azuka was kidnapped on Tuesday night by unidentified gunmen along Ugwunapampa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha while returning home for the Christmas holiday.
In a post via X on Thursday, Peter Obi frowned over the insecurity situation in the country, noting that it will consume everyone if left unchecked.
The former Governor of Anambra State appreciated everyone on the frontline, ensuring the security of lives and property in Nigeria and urged them to make more efforts to conquer insecurity.
10. 2027: All Alliance Against Tinubu Will End In Futility, Nigerian Politicians Not Matured – Doyin Okupe
Former presidential spokesperson and Director-General of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, has said that it is impossible for an alliance of the opposition to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
According to him, alliances against Tinubu will fail because the participants will not be willing to give concessions.
Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, the former LP chieftain argued that Nigerian politicians have not attained the level of maturity to give rational and reasonable concessions.
On the alliance that brought ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Okupe said that though he criticised the alliance, the leader of the alliance, Tinubu, conceded everything to make it work.
He expressed doubt in the readiness and willingness of opposition leaders such as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, mulling an alliance against Tinubu in 2027, to concede for one another.
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