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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 27th October, 2024.
1. Don’t Incite The Military Against Tinubu, He Is Not Weak – Presidency Warns
The presidency has condemned suggestions and spoken against the call for military intervention in the administration of Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Saturday, submitted that there is no justification to incite calls for military intervention based on transient difficulties and hardships Nigerians are going through.
Speaking against the backdrop of an article published by The Guardian Newspaper, Onanuga said the author is fanning the flames of military intervention under the guise of journalism while neglecting the tenets of responsible journalism.
The presidential spokesperson accused the platform of propagating negative narratives about the actions and policies of the administration of President Tinubu.
He argued further that President Tinubu has consistently called for understanding and patience amid the nation’s challenges, adding that the President’s plea is not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of his dedication to a brighter future for Nigeria.
Onanuga submitted that the recent policy changes initiated by the federal government are yielding positive economic indicators.
2. Tinubu Betrayed Me After I Emptied My Bank Account Campaigning For Him – Asari Dokubo
Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying him after the 2023 elections in the country.
Dokubo, in a viral video trending on the internet, said he emptied his bank account and spent all his money to campaign for Tinubu in the 2023 election, but the President has now turned his back on him.
According to him, the current Tinubu is not the Tinubu he used to know.
The former warlord vowed that he and his people would not work with the Yoruba people again but would now form fresh alliances with the north.
“From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me after I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him. The Tinubu I know now isn’t the Tinubu I used to know. We will take this message across that only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people,” Dokubo said in the video.
3. Nigerians Under 18 Banned From Buying SIM Cards
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has implemented a new policy, prohibiting Nigerians under the age of 18 from owning Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.
This decision, according to sources within the commission who spoke with PremiumTimes, is designed to safeguard minors from the responsibilities and liabilities associated with SIM usage.
Senior officials at the NCC explained that the move is part of broader efforts to tighten telecommunications regulations to bolster national security and protect the young population.
Under the new rules, parents and guardians are permitted to obtain SIMs in their names for their children and wards, thereby accepting any ensuing responsibilities.
“This measure ensures that minors are protected while also strengthening our national security framework,” one NCC official stated.
The commission views the acquisition of a SIM card as a contractual agreement that necessitates legal capacity, which minors do not possess until they reach the age of consent, set at 18 years in Nigeria.
4. Five Major General Pulled Out Of Nigerian Army
In a solemn ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps (NAOC) headquarters in Abalti Barracks, Surulere, Lagos, five retired Major Generals were officially pulled out of service.
The event, held on Friday, marked the culmination of their distinguished careers in the Nigerian Army.
The ceremony was attended by military personnel and retirees’ families.
The reviewing officer, Maj.-Gen. Omotomilola Akintade, spoke on behalf of his colleagues, reflecting on the challenging yet rewarding journey through their military careers.
Akintade expressed gratitude for the honour of a valedictory parade, symbolizing their formal disengagement from active service in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces at large.
He highlighted the privilege and pride felt by each general as they transitioned from their roles, thanking the army for the recognition and celebrating the conclusion of their duty to the nation.
5. Atiku Provides Solution To National Grid Collapse, Blackouts
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has lamented Nigeria’s continous struggle with epileptic power supply and frequent national grid collapse.
Naija News reports that most states in the North are currently in darkness following faults affecting transmission lines. The recent blackout in the North happened a few days after the national electricity grid had collapsed multiple times.
Reacting in a statement on his X handle, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on government agencies to be quick in its intervention and restore electricity back to the distressed geopolitical zones.
He stated that there is a need to grant states the power to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity for themselves.
6. Why We Cannot Suspend Wike Yet – PDP Govs Forum Chairman
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, has revealed why the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has not been suspended from the opposition party.
Naija News reports that there have been calls by some chieftains of the PDP for the suspension and expulsion of Wike for working against the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general election.
Wike is also at loggerheads with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, which has led to a division in the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Speaking to Daily Trust on why the party’s Board of Trustees have not take action against Wike, Mohammed said: “You can’t suspend him without the involvement of the NWC. We are influential as governors, but the BoT is only an advisory body, not a decision-making one. That’s why we are working on resolving this issue, not because we are against Wike.
“If Wike had officially joined the APC, I would still support his return to the PDP because he’s a friend. After all, many others have left the PDP and returned to hold significant positions.”
7. ‘No One Will Stop Me’ – Bala Mohammed Opens Up On 2027 Presidential Ambition
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said he is yet to decide on contesting in the 2027 presidential election.
He, however, added that if he decides to via for the presidency in 2027 no one can stop his ambition.
Naija News reports that he stated this in an interview with Daily Trust which was published on Saturday.
According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum Chairman, he is more concerned about making the party strong and cohesive.
8. ‘Atiku Not Involved In PDP Crisis’ – Aide Claims
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has dissociated himself from the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his aide confirmed
Amid reports of suspensions and counter-suspensions that drew intervention from the PDP Governors’ Forum, Board of Trustees, and the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shuaibu, stated unequivocally that Atiku was not involved in the party’s disputes.
The PDP has been embroiled in conflicts that many believe stem from long-standing disagreements between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Atiku, although neither was present at the crucial stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday.
With the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting approaching on November 28, there are concerns that the internal strife could intensify.
Responding to inquiries about whether Atiku’s camp was mobilizing legal actions concerning Justice Peter Lifu’s order preventing the removal of the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, Shuaibu described any claims of Atiku’s involvement in the crisis as bizarre.
9. When You Were Governor You Created Local Govts, Now You Tell Us Not To Interfere – Bala Mohammed Tackles Tinubu
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has tackled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pushing for local government total independence from state governments
Naija News reports that the federal government had secured a Supreme Court ruling that had given local governments financial independence.
Speaking to Daily Trust on the powers of governors, Bala Mohammed stated that governors are significantly less powerful that the President of Nigeria.
He said that Governors are chief executives in their states, but President Tinubu has reduced their powers.
According to him, unlike former governors, they are not exerting the same pressure on the presidency.
10. APC Declares Kano LG Elections Illegal
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has labelled the local government elections held on Saturday by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) as illegal, referencing an existing court ruling.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), APC chieftain Rabi’u Bichi argued that a Federal High Court order, issued by Justice Simon Amobede in Kano, remains in force and effectively nullifies the election.
According to Bichi, the court found KANSIEC’s leadership biased toward the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), rendering the commission’s conduct as partial.
“The party’s stance is informed by a court order by Justice Simon Amobede of the Federal High Court, Kano, which still stands, and which has rendered the election null and void.
“The judge ruled that the leadership of KANSIEC was partisan and biased towards the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the state.
“Since the judgment has not been appealed, the APC considers any outcome of the election illegal,” he said.
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