Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday

Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday

1. Buhari Departs For Belgium To Attend EU-AU Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday departed Nigeria for Brussels in Belgium to attend the 6th European Union-African Union Summit.

It was reported that the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, made this known in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja.

He said the president will join European and other African leaders as well as heads of multilateral organisations at the summit scheduled for February 17 – 18, 2022 and return to the country on Saturday.

Shehu stated that issues surrounding economic matters, peace and security, climate change and energy transition, among other things would be discussed at the summit.

2. Abba Kyari: We Won’t Cover-Up Any Officials Involved – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has promised not to cover up any of its officials involved in the ongoing investigations into the alleged drug case linked to the embattled cop, Abba Kyari.

It was reported that the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, made this known on Tuesday while reacting to the statement credited to the Nigeria Police Force.

Recall that the Police had accused some NDLEA operatives of aiding the trafficking of drugs in the country, asking the anti-drug agency to immediately prosecute its officers involved in the drug case.

Reacting to the claims, Babafemi denied the involvement of some NDLEA officers, adding that the agency would not cover up for anyone, no matter how highly placed they are.

He, however, urged Nigerians to be patient on the ongoing investigations to unravel the mystery behind the drug case involving DCP Kyari.

3. 2023 Presidency: North-Central Deserves It More Than The South-East – Yahaya Bello

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has thrown his weight behind the option for a northern candidate to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

According to Yahaya on Tuesday, the north-central deserves a shot at the presidency than the south-east.

The Governor made the submission while speaking with State House correspondents in Abuja shortly after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Though he agreed that both zones have not had too many chances at leading the Nation, the Kogi State Governor insisted that the north-central is more deserving of the post in 2023 and other regions should await their turn.

Bello said this while countering the position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the south-east for fairness and justice.

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4. Abba Kyari: IGP Denies Shutting Down Intelligence, Special Tactical Squads

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has denied shutting down satellite units of the Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squads across the country.

It was reported that the IGP denied Shutting the bases down through the acting Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.

“The report is untrue, the IGP didn’t shut IRT and tactical squads in the country,” Adejobi told The PUNCH on Tuesday.

5. Hope Uzodinma Speaks On APC Convention Not Holding

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, on Tuesday stated that nothing would happen if the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress does not hold on February 26.

He further stated that the failure of the ruling party to sell nomination forms does not hinder the February 26 convention from holding.

Uzodinma noted that there are other means the party can use for electing party officers.

The Imo State Governor disclosed this while answering questions from State House Correspondents on Tuesday after visiting Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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6. Buhari Appoints Substantive NPA Managing Director

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the appointment of Mohammed Bello Koko as the substantive managing director for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

This was disclosed in a circular at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Naija News reports.

The statement signed by Eric Ojiekwe, director, press and public relations, reads in part: “Prior to this appointment, Koko was the executive director, finance & administration of NPA.”

7. Osun APC Reports Aregbesola To President Buhari, IGP

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Minister of Interior and former Governor, Rauf Aregbesola of causing trouble in the state.

To this end, the party has called on the presidency under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari to call the Minister to order.

It was reported the call was made in a statement on Tuesday by the Osun APC Chairman, Gboyega Famodun.

The statement accused Aregbesola of using the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to cause chaos in Osun State.

It, therefore, called on the presidency, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take notice of the situation and intervene in the matter.

8. Buhari Writes Senate, Seeks Approval Of N2.557trn Supplementary Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari has written a letter to the National Assembly, seeking the consideration and approval of N2.557trn supplementary budget for fuel subsidy.

It was reported that Senate President Ahmed Lawan made the content of the President’s letter known on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday plenary.

The President wants the legislature to approve the budget which contains N2.557trn meant to provide for fuel subsidy from June to December 2022.

Buhari said the amount approved for fuel subsidy from January to June was N443 billion and with the present request, the total amount stands at N3 trillion.

He said N106billion provided in the supplementary budget would be used as capital expenditure, while N43.87billion would be spent on recurrent expenditures.

9. Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Drops To 15.6% In January 2022 – NBS Reports

The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed in a report on Tuesday how Nigeria’s inflation rate dropped in January 2022 compared to the same month in 2021.

According to the report, the country in January last year recorded a 16.47 per cent increase in inflation.

It, however, reported on Tuesday that the consumer price index which measures inflation had increased to 15.60 per cent year-on-year in January 2022.

This is 0.87 per cent points lower than the rate recorded in January 2021.

The new figure shows that the headline inflation rate slowed down in January when compared to the same month in the previous year.

10. Executive Order 10: Buhari Was Misadvised By His Aides – Fayemi

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has said President Muhammadu Buhari was ill-advised to have signed Executive Order 10.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), made this known in an interview with Channels Television on Monday.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had signed Executive Order 10, granting financial autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary in the 36 states of the federation.

Days after signing the order, Buhari suspended its implementation and empowered the Accountant-General of the Federation to deduct funds allocated to states.

Following the suspension, the governors expressed their reservations and approached the court to prevent the arbitrary removal of funds from the federation allocation to the states.

On February 11, 2022, the Supreme Court ruled against the President and declared the Executive Order unlawful and unconstitutional.

Speaking further, Fayemi said the President was misled by some of his aides and officials after meeting with the governors to discuss the implications of his assent to the Executive Order.