Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Monday, 22nd November, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 22nd November 2021

1. 2023: Region Buhari Is Supporting To Produce Next Nigerian President Revealed

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is throwing his weight behind the calls for a 2023 Igbo presidency.

He dropped the hint on Sunday while speaking with newsmen in Abuja, noting that the support for Igbo presidency comes with several benefits to the government, the people of the region, and Nigeria as a whole.

Okechukwu, who is also a well-known chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) however added that the President has not yet openly revealed his stand because of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The government official who observed that a 2023 Igbo presidency would bring to an end the agitations for secession and feeling of marginalization by the region, therefore, called on IPOB to drop its agitation and secession threats.

Apart from the President, the VON DG said other strong politicians from across the nation are also tactically supporting the emergence of a 2023 Igbo president.

2. #EndSARS: US Threaten To Halt Military Aid To Nigeria Over Human Rights Abuses

The United States Government has threatened to stop rendering military assistance to Nigeria if the country is indicted in carrying out human rights abuses.

In an interview with CNN, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, urged the federal and Lagos State governments to sanction those found to have violated human rights during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.

Recall that the Lagos State EndSARS panel had in a leaked report indicted the Nigerian Army, Police in the shooting of unarmed peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.

Following the indictment, the Lagos stated government constituted a committee to look at the panel findings and come out with white paper report.

Speaking in the interview which was made available on Sunday, the US govt official warned that the Leahy law may be evoked to stop the sale of hardware to Nigeria.

3. Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Reveals Govt Official That Can Release IPOB Leader Unconditionally

Aloy Ejimakor, a counsel to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has disclosed that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has the power to release his client.

In a post on his Twitter handle, Ejimakor stated that Malami is empowered by law to discontinue any legal proceedings he initiated.

Citing Section 174 of the Nigerian constitution, the IPOB lawyer maintained that the Executive and not the Judiciary has the power to release Nnamdi Kanu.

Ejimakor wrote: “Sec. 174 of the Constitution says: ‘The Attorney General of Nigeria shall have the power to DISCONTINUE any criminal proceedings instituted by him.

“The UNCONDITIONAL release of #NnamdiKanu lies with the Executive, NOT the Judiciary.”

4. NDLEA Discovers Drugs In Lagos Airport Toilet, Arrest Suspected Dealer

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of a suspected drug dealer, Okafo Okwudili Moses in connection with the chunk of illicit hard drugs found in one of the toilets of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos.

The drugs (cocaine), weighing about 2.55 kilograms were discovered in a toilet at the E-Arrival hall of the MMIA according to a statement on Sunday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

The statement explained that the drugs were discovered at the airport toilet on Friday 12th November where it was dropped by the trafficker over the suspected fear of getting arrested by narcotics officers at the airport.

The owner of the consignment was picked up the next day as he arrived from Brazil and has confessed to being the owner of the discovered drugs.

5. Bafarawa Slams Governors Who ‘Retire’ To Senate, As He Announces Retirement From Active Politics

Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa has announced his decision to take a break and retire from active politics.

The former Governor stated that he feels he has done his best already and the time has come to allow others who are younger to play their role in active politics.

According to the 67-year-old chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while he won’t contest any elective office or accept a political appointment again, he would readily make advice available to whoever politician seeks it from him.

Bafarawa in his submission also questioned some state Governors who have the habit of seeking to go to the Senate after finishing their terms as Governors.

According to him, it is greed to finish Governorship and then aim for Senate as if there are no other qualified persons.

6. SERAP Drags Buhari To Court For Failing To Name Looters Of ₦6tn NDDC Funds

President Muhammadu Buhari has been dragged to court over his failure to publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of over six trillion Naira in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

In the suit before the Federal High Court Abuja, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) urged Justice Binta Nyako to compel President Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, to bring to justice anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged missing funds and to fully recover any stolen public funds.

Naija News understands that the said fund was stolen between 2000 and 2019, as documented in the recent Forensic Audit Report on NDDC.

Justice Nyako is expected to attend to the suit with the number FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021 on November 29, 2021.

SERAP had argued in the suit that it is in the public interest to promptly publish the names of those involved in the audit report and to ensure that they face prosecution, as appropriate.

7. Why It Is Dangerous To Release IPOB’s Nnamdi Kanu – Shettima

The National President of the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yerima Shettima, has kicked against releasing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Naija News reports that there have been calls by Southeast governors, traditional rulers and leaders in the region on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the Biafra activist.

Some Igbo leaders had last week met with the President to ask for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra activists.

Buhari had during the meeting promised to consider their request, although he described what they are asking him to do as too ‘heavy’.

Speaking to Daily Post, Shettima has now advised the federal government against granting the request of these Igbo leaders.

According to the Arewa Youths leader, the release of the IPOB leader would further complicate the insecurity situation in the country.

8. Former Ekiti Senator, Gbenga Aluko Is Dead

A former governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Senator Gbenga Aluko, has reportedly collapsed and died at his office in Abuja.

Naija News reports that the Ode-Ekiti-born politician was said to have died on Saturday after he slumped.

It was gathered that the former lawmaker was rushed to a hospital but medical doctors were unable to revive him.

He was said to have not been sick and he had shown no sign of illness before his death.

Another source disclosed that the late politician, who was the son of the late economist, Professor Sam Aluko, died of a heart attack.

Aluko in 2018 contested the governorship ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State.

9. Military Jets Bomb Home Of Notorious Bandit, Bokkolo In Sokoto, Mother, Wife Trapped

Nigerian security forces have executed an air raid on the residence of a notorious bandit leader in Sokoto State known as Bokkolo.

The raid was said to have been carried out in a joint operation by operatives of the Nigeria Army, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and others.

The security forces were led by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Naija News gathered.

During the raid which commenced on Friday, the residence of Bokkolo was reported hit and his wife and mother, including other relatives, were reportedly caught in the fire.

Though several bandits were killed by the airstrikes, it is unsure if Bokkolo himself was killed or survived.

Speaking on the air raid, a resident of the area told Daily Trust that many bandits loyal to the notorious leader were killed.

10. Official: Manchester United Part Ways With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United on Sunday has confirmed that embattled legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has left his role as the club’s manager.

Naija News reports that the decision to terminate OGS contract was announced in a statement on the club’s official website on Sunday.

The statement reads in part: “Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision.

“While the past few weeks have been disappointing, they should not obscure all the work he has done over the past three years to rebuild the foundations for long-term success.

“Ole leaves with our sincerest thanks for his tireless efforts as Manager and our very best wishes for the future.

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