Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 21st January, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 21st January 2022

1. There Was An Attempt To Bomb Me In Kaduna – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday recalled an attempt to bomb him near the Kawo Bridge, while traveling to Katsina State in July 2014.

Naija News reports that the president stated this while speaking at the newly constructed Kawo bridge executed by the Governor Nasir El-Rufai administration.

He said ”there was an attempt to bomb me here…there was a market nearby.”….but his security escort were vigilant.

As part of Buhari’s visit to Kaduna, the president commissioned the ultra-modern sports and shopping complex at Murtala Square Kaduna, where he reiterated the likelihood of his staying in Kaduna after leaving office.

Buhari commended the foresight and developmental strides of the El-Rufai administration.

He pointed out that Kaduna would be difficult for a long-time visitor to recognize.

2. Fuel Subsidy Removal: Obaseki Gives Update On Petrol Price Increase After NEC Meeting

Governor Godwin Obaseki has revealed that no concrete decision has been taken yet by the government over plans to increase the pump price of petrol in Nigeria.

This disclosure is coming amidst reports that Nigerians may soon pay more for petrol after the National Economic Council, NEC, allegedly recommended that petrol pump price should be increased to ₦302 per litre.

Speaking on Thursday after the National Economic Council NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Edo State Governor disclosed however that the council has not reached any final decision on the matter.

Obaseki said consultations are still ongoing on the fuel price/ fuel subsidy removal matter which NEC has been deliberating on for over one year.

He added that the question of whether to continue paying subsidies or not has remained unanswered despite trillions of naira that is constantly going into subsidizing petroleum products in the country.

The Governor further observed that less than one-third of the states consume all the resources put into subsidy.

3. 2023: I’m Disappointed With Adebanjo, Clark, Others – Atiku

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his disappointment with the leader of Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark and other leaders of regional groups.

Delivering a speech at the 19th edition of the Daily Trust Dialogue on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku said the leaders of the ethnic groups have not conducted themselves well on the controversial issue of power rotation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain advised the leaders to watch their utterances and not cause ethnic violence in the country, adding that the country needs peace and development.

Atiku opined that the only way to resolve issues regarding the 2023 presidency is through dialogue and understanding among the various ethnic nationalities across the country.

4. Ortom Signs Amended Grazing Bill Into Law

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has signed into law the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Amendment Bill 2017.

The bill was passed by the State’s House of Assembly, on Tuesday, after a clause by clause consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources during plenary.

It was gathered that the Benue governor had asked the Assembly to review the bill due to some lacuna which needed an amendment.

According to reports, the amended bill signed into law now stipulates that any person found moving livestock on foot within or across urban centres, rural settlements or any part of the state would pay N500,000 as fine for first offender while subsequent offender would be liable to pay N1 million with appropriate prison terms and options of fine.

The amended law also stipulates a 14-year jail term with an option of N5 million fine for anyone who engages the services of an underaged child to break the law with equally various fines for confiscated livestock which includes N50,000 fine per cow, N10,000 per pig, ₦5,000 per goat and ₦1,000 per poultry bird.

5. 90 Percent Of Governors In Nigeria Are Not Competent – Baba Ahmed

The spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Thursday said 90 percent of governors in Nigeria do not have business being in power.

Baba-Ahmed while speaking at the 19th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja said he made the statement based on the fact that “they don’t have the preparation, the background, the competencies to govern”.

He further stated that wrong people are ruling over people that are eager for new and effective leadership.

The NEF spokesman called for the restructuring of the country, saying “what we really need to do is put the federal system on the table and ask what is wrong?

6. House Of Representatives Pass Amended Electoral Bill, Remove Compulsory Direct Primary Clause

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed an amended version of the electoral bill after the lawmakers removed the compulsory direct primary clause.

Instead of the compulsory direct primary option, the clause was amended to allow political parties to choose the option of direct or indirect primaries in selecting their candidates.

Naija News reports the amended bill was passed during plenary on Thursday after it was read for the third time the same day.

The clause which mandated political parties to only select candidates through direct primaries was removed and the bill now allows the parties to use other available options.

7. Nnamdi Kanu: IPOB Gives FG Only Condition To Drop Biafra Agitation

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed to continue its agitation for the creation of a sovereign state of Biafra.

The group has however given the federal government of Nigeria a single condition that can make it suspend the agitation for Biafra.

A statement on Thursday by the IPOB publicity secretary, Emma Powerful stated that the only thing that can stop the agitation for Biafra is for the government to announce a date to conduct a referendum.

He stated this as part of the reaction to Tuesday’s court order from Justice Benson Anya of the Federal High Court in Umuahia which directed the Federal Government and the Nigeria Army to pay N1billion to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

8. Petrol Price Increase Will Heighten Poverty In Nigeria – Abdulsalami

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd), on Thursday warned against the increase in the pump price of fuel.

There are reports that Nigerians may soon pay more for Petrol after the National Economic Council, NEC, allegedly recommended that pump price should stand at ₦302 per litre.

Abubakar while speaking at the 19th Daily Trust Dialogue in Abuja warned that the increase will push more Nigerians into poverty.

9. 2023 Elections: Repeat What You Did In Anambra – INEC Tells Security Agencies

The Independent National Electoral Commission has asked security agencies to replicate the energy it displayed during the 2021 Governorship Elections in Anambra State.

Naija News reports that the request was made by INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke in Abuja on Thursday.

Addressing the press during the commission’s meeting with Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security at the nation’s capital, Mahmood said the level of professionalism displayed by the security men during the recently concluded polls in Anambra would be needed in all areas for the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the governorship election in Anambra State passed off peacefully despite the tension and actual violence preceding it.

Yakubu said the Anambra poll would go down in history as a remarkable accomplishment.

10. 2023: Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With Babangida Emerge

The details of the meeting between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has emerged.

Naija News earlier reported that Tinubu arrived at the hilltop residence of Babangida at about 2.30 pm on Thursday to discuss his 2023 presidential ambition.

In a chat with reporters after the discussion, the former Lagos governor said he met with the former military President to intimate him of his desire to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu stated that the former Nigerian leader prayed for success for his presidential ambition and promised to continue to contribute his quota to the development of the country.

The APC chieftain said his mission to Niger state was part of his ongoing consultations to brighten his chances of becoming the next president, adding that he wouldn’t stop seeking extensive consultations before the 2023 general elections.

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