Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday, 1st November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 1st November 2021

1. Buhari Travels Abroad 48 Hours After Saudi Arabia Trip

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja for Glasgow, Scotland to attend the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Naija News reports that presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday made available to reporters.

Shehu stated that the President is scheduled to deliver his national statement at the High-Level segment for Heads of State and Government at the conference on Tuesday, November 2.

He added that President Buhari will participate in some side-line events at the conference hosted by US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The statement added that President Buhari will thereafter travel to Paris, France on an official visit to French President Emmanuel Macron and to attend the Paris Peace forum 2021.

2. Be Responsible, Reveal Those Behind Attack On Odili Residence – Wike Tackles Buhari Govt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has charged the federal government to reveal those behind the recent raid on the Abuja residence of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili.

The Justice is the wife of a former Rivers State Governor, Peter Odili who served between 1999 and 2007.

Naija News recalls her Maitama, Abuja residence was invaded by security operatives on Friday, 29th October and no one has so far officially claimed responsibility for the raid but the EFCC as well as the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami have since denied any involvement.

Speaking on the matter at a gathering of some leaders from Rivers State on Sunday, Wike said it is not enough for the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami and others to simply deny their involvement in the raid.

He called on the government to unravel those within the raid within 48 hours, saying Nigerians deserve to know what actually happened.

The Governor also wants the identities of the police officer, the supposed whistleblower, the Chief Magistrate, and other key players in the raid made public.

3. APC Allowed Secessionist Agitations To Thrive – Abaribe

Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of dividing the country and allowing secessionist agitations to thrive.

Abaribe added that the ruling party is clueless and incapable of solving the security challenges and other myriads of problems facing the country.

Speaking on Saturday at the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, Abaribe stated that the ruling party will reclaim power in 2023 and provide Nigerians with better opportunities.

4. Why Buhari Should Release Nnamdi Kanu – South East Leaders

The Council of Traditional Rulers and Christian leaders in the South East have demanded the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the monarchs and Christian leaders said the release of Kanu will stop the killings and destruction in the South East.

The leaders disclosed that they would seek an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the release of Kanu and the secession agitations in the South East.

They asked the President to immediately address the heightened inequality and marginalisation of Ndigbo in the polity and take deliberate steps to run the government based on fairness, equity, justice and non-discrimination.

According to the statement, the leaders asked the government to immediately withdraw troops of the Nigerian Army from the region so that peace can reign in the region.

The leaders, however, urged Buhari to de-proscribe the IPOB and release all its members being held in various detention facilities in the country.

5. Army Accuses IPOB Of Spreading Fake News To Gather Support

The Nigerian Army has accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of spreading fake news to gather support and stay relevant in the South East.

The Army Spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made the accusation in a statement titled, “Conspiracy Pretext Employed by IPOB/ESN, a Hoax” on Saturday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu denied a recent allegation that the Department of State Services (DSS) created and funded Biafra National Guard (BNG) to enforce the sit-at-home order in a bid to discredit IPOB.

The Army spokesman stated that such fake news was part of the plans of the outlawed group to whip up sentiments and galvanize support in the region.

He stated that the spurious allegation by the outlawed group was unfounded and could be absolutely described as a hoax.

He, however, stated that the activities of IPOB have undoubtedly assumed a violent dimension in recent times following the killings in Imo, Anambra, and other parts of the region.

6. Tinubu Meets Buhari, Reveals Reason For Visit To Aso Rock

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as an “exceptional leader”.

Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State, stated this on Sunday after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents, Tinubu said he came to the Villa to thank the President for visiting him in London where he sought medical treatment.

The former governor stated that the President’s visit to him in the UK shows he has empathy and cares for the well-being of the citizens.

7. Buhari Dragged To Court Over Missing N881bn In 367 MDAs

President Muhammadu Buhari has been sued over his failure to probe allegations that over ₦880bn of public funds are missing from 367 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) made this known in a statement on Sunday signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

According to the statement, in the suit number, FHC/ABJ/CS/1281/2021 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP asked the court to direct and compel President Buhari to promptly investigate the alleged missing N881bn of public funds.

The organisation also urged the court to ensure the prosecution of those suspected to be responsible, and the full recovery of any missing, mismanaged or diverted public funds.

SERAP noted that the suit follows the allegations contained in part 2 of the 2018 annual audited report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation that ₦880,894,733,084.811 was spent by 367 MDAs without any appropriation.

Joined in the suit as respondents are the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN; and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

8. Ex-Senate President Ayu Emerges Chairman As PDP Elects New NWC

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected a new set of National Working Committee (NWC) members ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Naija News reports that the new PDP NWC, headed by the party’s chairman will oversee the day-to-day running of the party and ensure that the PDP reclaims the 2023 Presidency.

At its National Convention on Saturday at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the PDP elected a former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, as its National Chairman and a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja, as Deputy National Chairman (South).

Ayu, who was earlier adopted as the consensus candidate for the position, won the election unchallenged with 3,426 votes, while Arapaja polled 2,004 votes to defeat a former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who scored 705 votes.

9. Buhari Meets Chief Of Naval Staff At Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met with the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Naija News reports that the closed-door meeting took place at the official residence of the President, with his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, in attendance.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Gambo said he was at the villa to brief the President on the new Boat built by the Nigeria Navy expected to be commissioned soon.

10. Osuntokun Lists Qualified Aspirants For Igbo Presidency

Akin Osuntokun, former political adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has listed some possible candidates for the Igbo presidency.

During an interview with Arise TV on Saturday, Osuntokun says that he will be supporting a Southern presidency, adding that an Igbo president is what the country needs.

The former presidential aide listed a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, a former Education Minister, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, and a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Kingsley Moghalu as suitable candidates for the 2023 presidency.

According to Osuntokun, an Igbo President is very important in uniting the country, stopping various agitations and strengthening democracy.

Those are the top Nigerian newspapers headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.