Naija News And Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 7th October, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 7th October 2022

1. I Was Given A Country With Bombs Going Off In Cities – Buhari Laments

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that when he took over power in 2015 there were cities in Nigeria where bombs were being detonated with frightening frequency.

Speaking during the passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony of cadets of regular Course 69 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, in Kaduna on Thursday, the president said the insecurity issues in the country were overwhelming when he took over power.

He, however, insisted that his administration has being able to salvage the situation since he took over power in 2015.

Buhari said, “When this government came in 2015, we inherited a country at crossroads with bombs going off with frightening frequency even in our cities, and we came in to manage the crisis.”

Speaking further, he urged the cadets to make sure they replicate principles they have being taught in the NDA and live exemplary lives in the society.

A total of 239 cadets, including those from sister African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Niger Republic, Chad, and Uganda are passing out from the Academy as junior military officers.

2. Tinubu Returns To Nigeria From UK

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the former Lagos State governor returned to the country on Thursday after observing a 10-day rest in the United Kingdom.

He was received by a delegation led by his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima, former APC chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and others.

He alighted from the plane that conveyed him to a shout of ‘’Jagaban’’ and ‘’Asiwaju’’ in a video shared by the spokesman of his Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo and many other supporters on social media.

3. Buhari Meets Released Train Passengers In Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari has met with the released train passengers kidnapped on March 28, 2022, by Boko Haram insurgents.

Naija News reported that 23 kidnapped train passengers regained their freedom around 4:00 pm on Wednesday after being in captivity for six months.

In a statement on Thursday signed by the Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President paid an unscheduled visit to the freed passengers at the Nigerian Defence Academy Hospital in Kaduna State.

According to the statement titled ‘President Buhari meets freed Kaduna train passengers,’ the Nigerian leader visited the released passengers after commissioning Cadets of 69 Regular Courses (Army, Navy and Air Force) of the NDA, in Afaka.

The statement noted that the President appreciated the Nigerian military for their brave services in the rescue of the victims from Boko Haram terrorists.

4. 2023: Why We Haven’t Unveiled Presidential Campaign Council – LP

The Labour Party has said the reason for the delay in the unveiling of its presidential campaign council was due to the absence of its Chairman, Julius Abure and presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Naija News reports that the party has not unveiled its campaign council weeks after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (PAC) unveiled theirs.

Speaking with The Punch on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, said the council will not be revealed until Obi and Abure return from their trip abroad.

He stated that the inauguration of the council cannot be conducted in their absence and the inauguration date cannot be shared until they are back in the country.

Arabambi, however, disclosed that the constitution of the campaign council is being reviewed.

5. Rivers Assembly Strips Ex-Governor Of ‘His Excellency’ Title, Orders Refund Of Entitlements

Former Governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, has been ordered to refund all the entitlement he had enjoyed while heading the state.

This is as the State House of Assembly withdrew the title of ‘His Excellency’ by which Omehia was addressed with having ruled the state between May 29, 2007, and 25th October 2007.

Naija News understands that Omehia was the fourth governor to serve in the state.

However, at a plenary sitting on Thursday, lawmakers unanimously agreed that all the monetary entitlement Omehia had received as a governor as benefits amounting to N600 million within seven days be refunded.

The politician is also expected to return about N96.5 million he received as a pension. Naija News recalls that Omehia was removed in 2007 by the Supreme Court six months after he was declared winner of the state governorship election.

The court ordered that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi be sworn in as Governor. Omehia was, however, recognized as governor when Gov. Nyesom Wike came on board in 2015.

6. 2023: PDP Stealing From Itself, Will Loot Nigeria’s Treasury If Elected – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has cautioned Nigerians against voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections.

The Minister alleged on Thursday that the PDP does not have any good plans for Nigerians as the party’s only focus is to continue looting the nation’s treasury.

Mohammed who spoke with newsmen on the sidelines of attending the 65th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)’s Commission for Africa in Arusha, Tanzania, lamented that only meagre resources were left in the country’s coffers when the All Progressives Congress (APC) took over power in 2015.

He argued that if the PDP is able to reclaim power, the only agenda is to continue looting the country’s commonwealth.

CityNews reports the Minister spoke against the recent financial controversy that enveloped the PDP over the return of N122.4 million by some members of the PDP’s national working committee (NWC).

Mohammed called for a probe of the major opposition party’s finances.

7. Kwankwaso’s Camp Speaks On Delay Of NNPP Presidential Campaign Council

The Spokesperson of Rabiu Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ladipo Johnson, has said the delay in the announcement of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Presidential Campaign Council is not deliberate.

Johnson disclosed that the full list of members of the campaign council will be released before Friday.

He explained that the delay was a result of Kwankwaso’s consultation regarding the list and the candidate’s busy schedule which has seen him open up more offices across the country.

He said, “Our PCC is not being delayed deliberately. It will come out this week. It is just being done thoroughly. You will get a comprehensive list of the nominees this week.

8. 2023: He’s Now A Political Enemy – APGA Vows To Work Against Peter Obi

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has taken a stand against the presidential ambition of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Peter Obi.

The party in a chat with newsmen on Thursday by the National Coordinator, APGA Media Warriors Forum, Mr Chinedu Obigwe said anybody expecting them to work for Obi is living in a fool’s paradise.

He added that there’s no justification for APGA to leave its own candidates and be working for Obi and other Labour Party candidates.

Speaking further, he described Obi’s 2023 presidential ambition as an ill-conceived idea which is dead on arrival.

Speaking against the backdrop of the recent denial by the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo who debunked claims of working to truncate Obi’s ambition, Obigwe stated that the Governor doesn’t need to speak as APGA members know they only have their own party candidates to support.

9. Nigerian Troops, Bello Turji Bandits Clash As 26 Villagers Drown In Zamfara

Troops of the Nigerian military have repelled an attack by terrorists at Faru Village near their base in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack in Maradun, launched by bandits suspected to be loyal to the notorious Bello Turji had caused panic among residents of communities close to the military base.

According to PRNigeria, the swift intervention of military forces led to the elimination of scores of bandits-terrorists while others beat a hasty retreat after they were overwhelmed in a fierce gun battle by troops.

A security intelligence source, who confirmed the counter-offensive operation by a battalion of soldiers, stated that the bandits attempted to invade communities in Maradun axis.

10. Buhari Govt Declares Monday Public Holiday

The Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has declared Monday, October 10 public holiday to mark the Eid-ul-Maulud celebration.

Naija News reports that the Eid-ul-Maulud is marked to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

The Monday public holiday was declared by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, on behalf of the Buhari administration.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, on Thursday, October 6, 2022, Aregbesola congratulated all Muslims both at home and in the Diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

The Minister charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance, and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues and which Prophet Muhammad exemplified, adding that doing so would guarantee peace, security, and harmony in the country.

Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on CityNews. See you again tomorrow.