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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 21st October, 2024
1. Shettima To Represent Tinubu At CHOGM 2024
President Bola Tinubu has tasked Vice President, Kashim Shettima, with leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
In a statement issued on Sunday by Stanley Nwokocha, the spokesman for the Vice President, it was confirmed that Shettima will represent Nigeria at this significant international gathering, which is set to take place in Apia, Samoa, from October 21 to 26.
The upcoming CHOGM will see participation from King Charles of England and leaders from 56 member countries, all converging to discuss critical issues affecting the Commonwealth.
The theme for this year’s meeting is “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”
2. Nigerian Army Says Chief Of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja Is Not Dead
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports which claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead.
The report had claimed that Lagbaja passed away in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48 hours ago due to stage three cancer.
However, the Nigerian Army, in a post via its official X handle on Sunday, dismissed the report and labelled it as fake news.
Naija News recalls following concerns about the whereabouts of Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army had assured the public that there is no leadership vacuum within the service despite the ongoing official leave of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, clarified that Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been designated to act on behalf of the COAS during Lagbaja’s absence.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu emphasized that the necessary protocols are in place to ensure the seamless operation of the Army.
Explaining that the COAS’s absence has not stalled promotions for officers, Onyema added that the results of the Captain-to-Major promotion exam had been released following the approval of the Chief of Policy and Plans.
3. “Some Politicians Who Are No Better Than Criminals Have Compromised The Judiciary” – Bode George Cries Out
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has cried out on the need to restore the integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria.
According to George, some politicians have compromised the integrity of the judicial system, and there are allegations that some judges are even on the payroll of influential politicians.
He, therefore, called on the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to ensure the integrity and esteemed status of the judiciary is restored.
Naija News reports George made the call in a statement on Sunday “The Time to End Judicial Rascality is Now.”
The former military governor of Ondo State added that it is worrisome and embarrassing that courts in the country have frequently been giving conflicting rulings on the same matter, with the situation now becoming an embarrassment to Nigerians.
He cautioned that if left unchecked, these actions could destabilize the country’s democracy.
4. Tinubu’s Ministers Not Adding Value To His Government – APC Chairman, Okocha
The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers Caretaker Committee, Tony Okocha, has voiced concerns over the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers, stating they are failing to add value to the current administration.
Okocha made these remarks on Sunday in Abuja during a session at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) news forum.
He highlighted that President Tinubu’s accomplishments have been significantly underreported, suggesting that the ministers are not adequately informing Nigerians about the administration’s successes.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by the current government, Okocha noted that despite inheriting a difficult situation, the Tinubu-led administration has made strides that deserve recognition.
He contrasted Tinubu’s administration’s performance with former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he criticized for poor governance.
5. Why We Arrested Labour Party Vice Chairman – Police
The Abia State Police Command has provided clarification on the arrest of the Labour Party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-East, Ceekay Igara, stating that the action was based on a petition from the party’s acting state chairman, accusing him of impersonation.
This was revealed in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka.
The statement explained that Igara, along with three others, was invited by the police for questioning over allegations of impersonation, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and obtaining by false pretence.
It was further disclosed that Igara was questioned by detectives and released on the same day after giving his statement, with investigations still ongoing.
Recall that the Labour Party had called for the release of Igara, claiming his arrest was ordered by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.
6. How I Handled Insecurity During My Tenure – Obasanjo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has disclosed that his administration prioritised security while in power.
He urged current leaders to take proactive measures to combat the growing insecurity menace plaguing the nation.
The politician expressed his concern over the increasing insecurity in Nigeria during a visit to Bauchi on Sunday, where he met with the Emir, Dr Rilwanu Adamu.
He asserted that tackling insecurity requires the cooperation of local leaders, as many criminals live within communities.
The elder statesman advised that the best way to fish out the perpetrators is to practice community policing.
7. Damagum Can’t Legitimately Complete Ayu’s Term, PDP National Chairman Must Come From The North Central – Ologbondiyan
The immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has insisted that the North Central must produce the party’s substantive National Chairman.
According to him, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Illyasu Umar Damagum, cannot legitimately complete the tenure of Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Ologbondiyan, therefore, urged the members of the PDP from the North Central to maintain their demand for the party’s National Chairman position, adding that their agitation is in line with the party’s constitution, based on Section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution, amended in 2017.
Naija News understands the former PDP spokesperson made the submission during a recent meeting with PDP youth from the North Central region.
He asserted that their demand is “constitutional, legitimate, and aligned with democratic principles of equity, fair play, and justice.”
He highlighted that the zone enjoys broad support from various party organs and other regions, reinforcing the legitimacy of their claim based on Section 47 (6) of the PDP Constitution, amended in 2017.
He stressed that the party’s zoning framework allocated leadership positions among geopolitical zones and called on party leaders and stakeholders to uphold truth and justice and reject sit-tight politicians within the party.
8. #EndSARS Memorial Protest Is Illegal – Police
Lagos State Police Commissioner, Olanrewaju Ishola, has declared that the #EndSARS memorial protest is illegal and will not happen.
Naija News reports that demonstrators gathered at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos on Sunday to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest and remember those who lost their lives during the shooting at the Lekki toll gate in October 2020.
In an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Ishola said the protesters failed to seek clearance and permission before starting the demonstration.
The CP explained that the police authorities were not unmindful of the constitutional rights of citizens but stressed that while exercising their rights, they must consider the place of the laws of the land above other considerations.
According to Ishola, police operatives have manned strategic parts of the state to avoid any planned breakdown of law and order.
9. Nigerian Civil War: Why I Celebrated Gowon’s 90th Birthday – Peter Obi
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has explained why he celebrated former Head of Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, on his 90th birthday anniversary.
Naija News reports that Peter Obi faced backlash online over his goodwill message to Gowon, given his leadership during the Nigerian Civil War, which had a devastating impact on the Igbo people.
Some Nigerians questioned Obi’s decision, as an Igbo man, to celebrate Gowon, citing the harm inflicted on people of the southeast region during his rule.
In response, Peter Obi, in a statement via his X handle, said he needed to show the world that the ultimate heroism is forgiving the enemy and moving forward.
He admonished all those angered by his greetings to Gowon to bear with him and join him in the mission to create a country where hate, unforgiving spirit, and other vices will give way for justice.
10. Tinubu Govt Misusing DSS To Silence Us – SERAP
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu and his government “to stop the ‘weaponization’ of the country’s security agencies to target Nigerians simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.
In the open letter dated 19 October 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the group asked Tinubu to direct the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately withdraw the baseless defamation lawsuit by their proxies against the organisation.
Recall that two DSS officials last week filed a defamation lawsuit against SERAP, following allegations by the organization regarding the recent invasion of its Abuja office by some officials of the security agency.
Reacting, SERAP expressed concern that Tinubu’s government seems to be weaponizing the DSS and misusing defamation laws as a tool of repression and to target those who defend human rights.
The group called on the Tinubu administration to instead address the allegations of widespread corruption in the oil sector and the worsening economic situation in the country, and reducing the cost of governance.
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