Nigerian Newspapers
Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 23rd September, 2020
Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 23rd September 2020
1. Edo: Obaseki Names Buhari Father Of Democracy In Nigeria
Governor Godwin Obaseki has again commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the role he played in ensuring the success of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.
The Governor singled out Buhari for praise because according to him, the President could have used federal might to secure victory for his party in the polls but he decided to do away with partisan politics.
He, therefore, declared that President Buhari should be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria because he “had a choice to ensure and insist that his party wins in the state but he rose above partisan politics and insisted the right be done.”
Obaseki spoke on Tuesday after he received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term in office as the Edo State Governor.
He also hailed the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, for the fatherly role he played before, during and after the elections in ensuring that peace prevailed.
While commending INEC under the leadership of its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Obaseki also called on all stakeholders including Osagie Ize-Iyamu to join hands with him in moving the state forward.
2. Minimum wage: Labour To Commence Street Protests Again
Labour leaders have announced plans to resume negotiations on the N30,000 minimum wage, which were suspended in some states in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in March.
Naija News understands that workers in no fewer than eight states have not been paid the minimum wage nine months after the Nigeria Labour Congress, gave a deadline to state governments.
Labour leaders had told newsmen that Osun, Kwara, Ekiti, Imo, Gombe, Kogi, Zamfara and Ebonyi state governments did not implement the minimum wage.
Naija News, however, learnt that due to the hike in fuel price and electricity tariff, workers were demanding fresh talks.
The Trade Union Congress said together with the NLC it would stage street protests in states where the implementation of the minimum wage had not started.
3. Edo2020: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Obaseki
A certificate of return thas been presented by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Godwin Obaseki as the elected governor of Edo state.
Obaseki and Philip Shaibu, his deputy, both of whom contested in the state governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were presented with the certificate in Edo today.
Obaseki was declared by the Commission as winner of the Saturday poll, after he got the highest votes.
While presenting the certificate of return to Obaseki, May Agbamuche-Mbu, INEC south-south national commissioner said Obaseki fulfilled all the constitutional requirements to emerge winner of the election.
4. Cabals Embezzled Over ₦10trn Fuel Subsidy Payment – Mele Kyari Says
The group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Mele Kyari has raised a fresh allegation against the cabals in the presidency of embezzlement of over ten trillion naira in fourteen good years.
Speaking during a Hausa programme on Liberty FM, Kaduna on Sunday, Kyari said subsidy was removed because it was characterised by fraudulent activities.
He explained that fuel subsidy was not beneficial to the masses who are the original target beneficiaries, therefore the federal government removed it with a plan to reinvest on projects that will have a direct impact on the masses.
“The crude oil is a global commodity and its price is not hidden, everyone can calculate and know how much is the cost of every final product from the crude at the international market. But, since the inception of oil importation, the government has been paying subsidy on petrol to make it cheaper for Nigerians to buy below the cost price,” Kyari said.
Speaking further that he stated the masses of Nigeria that were enjoying this subsidy, except some members of a cabal, who are rich and powerful.
5. Tinubu’s Position As APC Leader Not Constitutional – Obaseki
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 19 election, Godwin Obaseki, has taken a swipe at the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
The Edo State Governor noted that the position of the former Governor of Lagos State in the party is not constitutional.
Obaseki while speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday stated that he was surprised when he heard learnt that someone was being referred to as party leader.
“Tinubu and Oshiomhole are not constitutional actors. I was surprised when I was in the APC, that someone was described as party leader. It is out of respect, but it does not give constitutional roles”.
“They try to overlord themselves over people that have constitutional authority,” he said.
6. Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Opens In Benin
The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has opened its secretariat to receive complaints arising from the September 19, 2020 governorship poll in the state.
The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr. Sunday Martins in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that the High Court Complex in Benin, the Edo State capital, will be used as the venue of the exercise.
He said the secretariat is now open and ready to receive petitions from aggrieved candidates and political parties over the outcome Saturday’s election.
The statement read, “The general public is hereby put on notice that the Honourable President of Court of Appeal of Nigeria Hon. Justice M. B Dongban Mensem has established the Election Petition Tribunal Secretariat and accordingly constituted a panel in respect of the Governorship Election conducted in Edo State.
“The Honorable Chief Judge of the State-Hon. Justice E. A. Edigin has graciously approved the use of High Court Complex (Election Petition Court Hall), Sapele Road, Benin City for the Tribunal Exercise. The Secretariat is now open.”
7. Old False Stories – Atiku Denies International Banking Surveillance
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has denied reports that he and members of his family had been placed under international banking surveillance.
Naija News reports that the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an agency of the U.S. Department of Treasury, had placed Atiku and his wives under close watch.
According to Premium Times, some transactions linked to Atiku were flagged as suspicious by the FinCEN.
FinCEN files also revealed more details into how huge funds linked to the former Vice President may have been moved across international jurisdictions using shell companies.
FinCEN files, a new investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, BuzzFeed, and 108 media partners across the world, including PREMIUM TIMES, are a large volume of confidential financial reports relating to the transaction activities of world leaders, terrorists, drug dealers, and money launderers.
Reacting in a statement sent to Naija News, Atiku’s spokesperson Paul Ibe described the allegations as a rehash of old false stories.
8. Boko Haram: Your Excuses No Longer Tenable -Borno Elders Warn Service Chiefs
The North East leaders, under the aegis of Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development, have lamented the activities of Boko Haram.
The Chairman of CNEEPD, Zana Goni, in a statement titled, ‘We are tired of excuses, sack Service Chiefs now,’ warned that the excuses being tendered by the Service Chiefs” were no longer tenable.
They demanded decisive actions to end Boko Haram’s terrorism in the country.
The statement reads partly, “The worsening security situation in the country is further reinforcing the urgent need to inject new hands with fresh ideas to handle the nation’s security architecture. We have seen that the security situation under the current service chiefs has reached an unbearable state.
“There is no denying the fact that at this moment, the entire nation is distressed by the incessant mindless killing of our citizens and pillaging of defenseless communities by insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers. There is no denying the fact also that these have resulted in indescribable agony, anguish and torment to the Nigerian citizens.
“And following these mentioned above, we, the Coalition of North East Elders for Peace and Development, in the strongest terms, restate the call to President Muhammadu Buhari to honor the resolution of the National Assembly and positions of the majority of Nigerians to immediately remove the service chiefs and bring in new hands to effectively confront the security challenges staring us in our face as a nation.”
9. Nigerian Army Commander Killed By Boko Haram Buried In Borno
The remains of Colonel Dahiru Chiroma Bako, the Army Commander killed by Boko Haram ambush has been laid to rest at the military cemetery in Maiduguri.
As earlier reported by Naija News, Bako died on Monday following injuries sustained during an operation against Boko Haram at Dambo Local Government in the southern part of Borno on Sunday.
The Colonel died in the hospital where he was receiving treatment for injuries sustained. Until his death, Bako was the commander of 25 Task Force Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
He was buried on Tuesday according to Islamic rites.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, while giving a citation of the late commander, described the late officer as an extra-ordinary soldier who was highly respected in the military.
Also the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum donated a house and the sum of N20 million to support the education of the deceased’s children.
10. Visa Ban: US Government Speaks On Bello’s Protest Letter
The United Government has reacted to the recent letter written by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over the visa ban slammed on some politicians in the country over electoral malpractices.
The spokesperson for the Embassy of the US, Jeanne Clark, on Monday noted that the United States is yet to receive any letter from the Kogi State Governor.
However, she disclosed that it may be working its way through screening.
“We are not in receipt of the governor’s letter, but it might be working its way through our screening.”
“We have nothing further regarding the visa sanctions beyond the Secretary’s statement.” She said.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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