Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday

1. Buhari Govt Tackles Financial Times Over Damning Article On Nigeria

The Muhammadu Buhari government has slammed the Financial Times’ Africa Editor, David Pilling, over an article on the present administration published on January 31, 2021.

It was reported that Pilling had written an article where he condemned the present government over its handling of security and the economy.

Reacting in a letter to The Editor, Financial Times, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, accused Pilling of not being informed on the gains of the Buhari administration.

Garba Shehu said the Buhari administration is the first government to develop and implement the first comprehensive plan to curb clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

2. 2023 Presidency: Saraki Reveals Position On Zoning

Former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has revealed his position on the controversies surrounding calls for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to a particular region.

Saraki in his view submitted that zoning should not be the only factor to be considered in choosing the next President of Nigeria.

Though the former Kwara State Governor acknowledged that zoning was instituted as a way to ensure equity, other factors such as character, competence, and quality leadership must be considered by political parties in choosing their candidates.

Saraki made his mind known on the issue during a Twitter space chat on Saturday which was hosted by Rinu Oduala of the #EndSARS protest fame.

Saraki reiterated his position that young Nigerians want competent leaders, while also emphasizing that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), instituted zoning as a way to ensure that there was a sense of justice and equity in government by all parts of the county.

His declaration comes amidst clamours from certain political stakeholders for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the southern region of the country.

3. Bandit Terrorists Clash With Security Operatives, Vigilantes In Zamfara Community

Security operatives alongside local vigilantes (Yan Sakai) on Sunday clashed with bandit terrorists in Magami town of Gusau Local Government Area of in Zamfara State.

According to reports the bandits attacked the community on motorcycles but they were repelled by security operatives.

It was gathered that residents had gotten information about the impending attack by bandits, informing security operatives to lay ambush for them.

4. Embalo: Buhari Receives Details On Attempted Coup

President Muhammadu Buhari has received graphical details on the coup attempt to oust Guniea-Bissau President Umaru Sissoco Embalo.

Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina confirmed this in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.

It could be recalled that the attempted coup of President Embalo was aborted by loyalist forces.

Adesina, however, on Sunday (today) said Buhari was on Saturday presented the graphical representation of the aborted coup.

He said the President received the briefing while receiving updates on the sidelines of the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Adesina said the President met with Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau, Suzi Barbosa, “who gave a graphic presentation of the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order in her country.”

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5. I Faced Many Persecutions During My Tenure As The Senate President – Saraki

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has declared that he suffered many persecutions from the executive during his time as the head of the nation’s legislative arm.

He submitted that the executive was not happy with him because he stood for the independence of the legislative arm and didn’t run to them for favours.

It was reported Saraki made the declaration on Saturday during a Twitter Spaces discussion hosted by Rinu Oduala of the #EndSARS protest fame.

According to him, the National Assembly under his leadership between 2015 and 2019 recorded major achievements despite persecution from the executive arm.

He disagreed with the submission by activist and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG), Aisha Yesufu during the Twitter discussion that the eight National Assembly which he presided over didn’t perform well.

Yesufu had accused the eight National Assembly of lacking openness, transparency, and accountability but Saraki replied that there was no truth in the submission.

6. 2023 Presidency: Utomi Suggests Best Candidate To Succeed Buhari

Former presidential aspirant and political economist, Prof. Patrick Utomi on Sunday educated Nigerians on how to elect the next leader after President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was reported that the All Progressive Congress, APC, administration led by Buhari will finish its tenure in 2023.

Speaking ahead of the February 2023 elections, Utomi said the country at the moment needs a pan-Nigerian nationalist, a selfless and intellectual leader to take power after the incumbent administration.

The economists, while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, said Nigeria needs a person of competence and compassion, someone with a track record of a life of service.

7. ASUU Set To Commence Strike, Declares Monday Lecture-Free

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared Monday, February 7, 2022, as a lecture-free day.

This is as the academic union is preparing to embark on another industrial action following its lingering loggerhead with the federal government.

The Monday lecture-free day to help the varsity association to sensitize members of the public on its disagreement with the government.

The National President of the Union, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made the disclosure on Saturday evening during an interview with newsmen.

8. 2023: Wike Moves Against ‘Former Best Friend’ Tambuwal As Retired Generals Reportedly Back Saraki Over Atiku

With the 2023 presidential election getting closer, it brings with it political intrigues that will see old allies go their separate ways and many broken friendship as politicians position themselves for new alliances that serve their interests.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has so far proven not to be immune to such intrigues with many expecting the party to organize itself properly ahead of wrestling power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to reports, a cold war is brewing in the PDP over its decision to throw its presidential ticket open to allow all regions contest for who emerges as its flagbearer.

It was gathered that a camp of PDP governors led by Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is pushing for the resignation of long-time friend and ally Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State as the chairman of the party governors forum.

Wike and some governors are basing their demand for Tambuwal’s resignation on the insistence that he cannot be chairman of the influential Governors’ Forum and be a participant in the contest for the party’s presidential ticket.

9. Biafra: IPOB Alleges How Buhari Govt Confirmed Its Involvement In Nnamdi Kanu’s ‘Abduction’

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has alleged how the Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari confirmed culpability in the ‘abduction’ of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Recall that, the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and extradited back to Nigeria last year June.

He was then arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako who ordered his remand in the custody of the Department of State Services.

Kanu, who is facing an 11-count charge of treason, treasonable felony, terrorism and illegal possession of firearms, among others, jumped bail in 2017 and left the country, only to re-emerge in Israel and then in the United Kingdom.

A series of trials have been held after the rearrest of the agitator in Kenya.

Raising concerns about the continuous detention of the secessionist in DSS custody, IPOB in a statement on Sunday said the delay in clarification has confirmed the involvement of Nigerian and Kenyan governments in Kanu’s rearrest.

According to IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, the Kenyan government contributed immensely by allowing its airport to be used as an abduction ground.

Powerful also challenged Nigeria’s secret police, the DSS to explain to the general public its involvement in Kanu’s rearrest, Naija News reports.

10. I Thought Buhari Will Bring Change In 2015 But Left APC When It Became Clear No Change Will Happen – Saraki

Former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has opened up on why and how he supported Muhammadu Buhari (then as the APC candidate) to emerge President of Nigeria.

The former Senate President said he believed the change agenda been championed by Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) then.

However, he added that it soon became obvious that President Buhari had no meaningful change to offer Nigerians and hence the need to cut ties with him and his party.

Saraki made the disclosure on Saturday during a Twitter space discussion with Rinu of the #End SARS protest.

The former Kwara Governor said he like many others had high hopes of the Buhari administration but ended up getting disappointed.