Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 2nd November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 2nd November 2021

1. Why Buhari Govt Is Worse Than Gowon, Abacha, IBB, Others – Ortom

Nigerians were better under the military regime of General Sani Abacha, IBB, Obasanjo and others than under the present Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

Naija News reports that this was made known by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, a fierce critic of the present government.

He stated this while speaking to newsmen in Makurdi after his return from Abuja where he attended the PDP national convention which produced new executives for the main opposition party.

According to the Benue governor, had no time in our history has Nigeria been so divided under religious and ethnic lines.

2. Justice Odili: IGP Baba Takes Fresh Decision After Illegal Invasion

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered detailed investigations into the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili.

Naija News reports that security operatives had on Friday, 29th October, 2021 stormed the Abuja residence of the Supreme Court Judge acting on a purported court warrant to carry out a search on her home.

Reacting in a statement to Naija News signed by Force PRO, DCP Frank Mba, IGP noted that the leadership of the police is not aware and did not at any time order its operatives to carry out such assignment.

The police boss described the reported violation of the sanctity of the residence of the Justice of the Supreme Court as unfortunate and unacceptable.

3. PGF DG Blasts Lai Mohammed Over Submission That Bandits Are Not Terrorists

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, Salihu Lukman has tackled the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed over his recent submission that bandits are not terrorists.

Lukman who described Mohammed’s position as illogical said he expected better coordination in the public position of top government officials on such matters.

Naija News recalls the Information Minister had submitted that the fact that bandits are imposing levies on communities does not mean they have taken control.

The PGF boss who spoke in a statement on Monday however said the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi gave a better submission when he stated that the process to label the bandits as terrorists is still in progress.

Lukman said Mr Mohammed should have adopted the same explanation given by the Defence Minister.

4. Police Arrest Ousted Plateau Speaker Abok Ayuba, 10 Other Lawmakers

Reports from Plateau state say security operatives have arrested the speaker of the State House of Assembly who was ousted last Thursday, along with 10 other lawmakers who supported him.

Naija News understands that police arrested the Honorable Abok and the other lawmakers around 3:15 p.m after laying a siege on the parliament building for about 8 hours.

Ayuba, when repeatedly asked by reporters if he was under arrest, replied: “I cannot say whether I am under arrest at the moment.”

Naija News had earlier reported that a group of youths loyal to the impeached Speaker stormed the assembly this morning displaying placards with different inscriptions to protest the removal of the politician.

5. Anambra 2021: IPOB Deserves To Be Heard – Soludo

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 2021 Anambra governorship candidate, Professor Charles Soludo has submitted that the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) deserve to be heard.

According to Soludo, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6, 2021 polls, he has never hidden his position about the separatist group.

Soludo made his view known on Monday during the Anambra governorship election debate organized by Arise TV when he was asked by the presenters about his view on the activities of IPOB in the southeast.

The governorship candidate said though he believes in one Nigeria, the agitations of IPOB members can’t be shut down completely. He added that government has to dialogue with them and reach agreements.

6. Governors Have Not Become ‘godfathers’ Over PDP NWC Members – Osita Chidoka

Former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka has submitted that the governors and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have different roles to play in ensuring the success of the party.

The PDP chieftain spoke against the background of the roles played by governors elected on the platform of the party in resolving the recent crisis which threatened to derail the party.

Naija News recalls the governors played critical roles in planning and executing the PDP October 30 and 31 National Convention which has now produced a new set of NWC members to drive the affairs of the party.

However, Chidoka has now moved to allay fears that the governors will be the ones controlling the party structure and the NWC members will become their ‘boys’.

Speaking on Monday, as a guest on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme, Chidoka said while truly the governors played key roles in stabilizing the party and resolving the crisis, the new NWC members will be given the free hand to drive party affairs.

He added that the governors remain leaders and stakeholders in their own rights but won’t interfere or drag party management with the new NWC members but would rather work together as partners in progress.

7. Many Trapped As 21-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos

Many persons have been trapped after a 21-storey building located along Gerald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State collapsed on Monday.

Naija News gathered that the collapsed building is under construction, and many persons have been feared dead in the incident.

Rescue officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) among others have been mobilized to the scene to rescue the persons trapped.

The Director-General, LASEMA, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency response plan was swiftly activated following the distress call.

8. Bandits Are Naive Criminals, Don’t Compound The Problem By Calling Them Terrorists – Gumi Stirs Controversy Again

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stirred another controversy with his recent submission that labelling bandits as terrorists will compound a simple problem.

The cleric, who is popular for his defensive position when it comes to the issue of bandits, said bandits can’t be compared to established terrorists such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.

He described bandits as naive criminals who are only looking for a means of survival.

Speaking at the enrolment of the third group of students into the free orphans’ healthcare and education support programme organized by the Kawo Islamic Foundation in Kaduna, Gumi reiterated his stand that the government shouldn’t label bandits as terrorists.

In his view, if the bandits are labelled as terrorists, as many stakeholders have been calling on the federal government to do, they may join forces with the real terrorists and cause more harm.

Instead, the cleric said the government should dialogue with them.

9. Probe How Your Party Spent Funds Raised For Its National Secretariat – PGF DG Tells New PDP Chairman

The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, Salihu Lukman has called on the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu to probe how past party leadership spent funds meant for the building of its national secretariat in Abuja.

Lukman in s statement on Monday said about N30 billion was raised for the project, while about N16 billion has been spent so far but the 12-storey PDP National Secretariat located on Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja has not been completed, and seems abandoned.

Though the PGF boss congratulated the PDP for the successful conduct of its National Convention, he said the probe of the funds for the party secretariat should be a major task before the party’s newly-elected executive body.

He said before the PDP can claim to be able to fix Nigeria, it must show it can fix its internal issues first by showing accountability.

10. Matawalle Reopens Weekly Markets In Zamfara, Retains Ban On Animal Sale

Due to the reduction in bandits attacks in Zamfara State, Governor Bello Matawalle has reopened some weekly markets that were closed some months ago.

The governor directed the immediate reopening of the markets in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information, Ibrahim Magaji Dosara, on Monday.

The commissioner noted that the markets, which were closed due to the insecurity situation in the state, were reopened due to the improvement in the security situation and a series of requests by members of the public.

Dosara, however, disclosed that the ban on the sales of animals in those markets is still in effect, warning against any act of violations of law and order in the markets

He stated the markets reopened are Nassarawa Burkullu in Bukkuyum Local Government, Talata-Mafara market in Talata-Mafara Local Government, Gusau market in Gusau Local Government and Shinkafi market in Shinkafi Local Government.

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