Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 2nd March 2022

1. “We Have Zero Tolerance For Kidnapping” – Buhari Blows Hot

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his administration will deal decisively with those involved in the criminal act of kidnapping, particularly those involving school children.

The President made the vow on Tuesday while declaring open the National Security Seminar organized by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) in Abuja.

According to Buhari, his government through the relevant security agencies will not spare any effort in securing the lives and property of citizens and residents of Nigeria.

He was quoted by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina to have made the promise in a statement titled ‘President Buhari urges Nigerians to get more involved in security, hails security agencies, service chiefs for courage.’

2. House Of Reps Rejects Life Pension For Senate President, Speaker, Others

The House of Representatives has on Tuesday rejected the proposal to grant constitutional life pension to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and their deputies.

Naija News reports that 162 lawmakers voted to knock out the proposal, 28 members voted to grant them life pension while three lawmakers stayed away from the voting exercise.

After the voting exercise, a total of 193 votes by the members of the House of Representatives were recorded.

3. National Convention: Details Of Buhari’s Meeting With APC Governors Emerge

The details of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have emerged.

Naija News reports that President Buhari met with APC governors on Tuesday inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

In a chat with reporters after the meeting with the President, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Atiku Bagudu, said the national convention of the ruling party will go ahead as planned.

The Governor of Kebbi State added that the ruling party will stick with the March 26 date and not postpone the event.

Speaking further, the Kebbi governor stated that the report of division among APC Governors is false, adding that the governors are on the same page regarding the national convention.

Bagudu asserted that the governors congratulated the President for signing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and as well on the victory of the APC in some of the by-elections conducted over the weekend.

4. 2023 Presidency: Don’t Be Desperate, Support A Younger Candidate – Ohanaeze Ndigbo Fires Atiku

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against contesting the 2023 presidential elections in Nigeria.

The Chidi Ibeh-led group made the submission in a statement on Tuesday signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro where it pointed out that it is the turn of the south and particularly the Igbos to produce the next President of Nigeria.

The group further warned that Atiku would be going against the political tide in the country if he decides to contest the 2023 presidency.

Instead, it advised the former Vice President to support a younger person and retain his status as an elder statesman.

Ohanaeze however added that if Atiku ignores the voice of caution, then he will be disgraced right from the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

5. Why Tinubu Was Absent From Reconciliation Meeting With Aregbesola – Rahman

A presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has revealed why he was absent at the meeting between the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday.

The National Leader of the APC while speaking on the peace meeting disclosed that he was not invited.

Naija News had earlier reported that the meeting was held at the private residence of Alaafin in a bid to end the political differences of Tinubu and Aregbesola.

The media adviser to Tinubu, Tunde Rahman, while speaking on the meeting noted that his principal was not against the reconciliatory effort.

6. NASS Rejects Special Seats For Women, Inclusion Of VAT On Exclusive List

The National Assembly on Tuesday voted against the provision of special seats for women in the legislature.

Members of the two chambers rejected the provision during voting on clause 68 being considered in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

The proposed Bill on VAT reads: “A Bill for an Act to Alter Part I of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to include Value Added Tax on the Exclusive Legislative List; and for Related Matters”.

Naija News reports that both the Senate and the House of Representatives moved against moving Value Added Tax (VAT) to exclusive legislative list.

At the House of Representatives, 209 members voted against moving VAT while 208 members voted against the provision of special seats for women.

7. I Have Started Political Dialogue With Buhari To Release IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu – Umahi

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Tuesday revealed that talks are ongoing with President Muhammadu Buhari to find a political solution to the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

This is as he assured the Igbo people that Nnamdi Kanu has not been abandoned and will soon regain his freedom.

Umahi also stated that it is time to put an end to the sit-at-homes, pointing out that those clamouring for the lockdown of the southeast region are not even in Nigeria so are not affected by the killings and economic challenges posed by the sit-at-home order.

He appealed to the people of the region to embrace peace and dialogue, assuring once again that the IPOB leader will soon be released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

8. Reps Empower Judges To Begin Conduct Of Trials Online

The House of Representatives has empowered judges to begin the conduct of court proceedings over the internet.

Naija News reports that the development is coming as the constitution review process kicks off earlier today.

The lawmakers on Tuesday voted 276 to allow court or Tribunal proceedings to be conducted remotely, virtually, online or through any media platform.

9. Buhari Travels To London For Medical Checkup, To Attend UNEP Summit In Kenya

The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday departed Abuja for Nairobi where he would be attending the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Environmental Programme, scheduled for 3rd – 4th March 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.

President Buhari after the meeting in Kenya will travel to London, the United Kingdom for a medical check-up which will last for two weeks.

The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta has invited the Nigerian President to attend a Special Session themed ‘Strengthening UNEP for the Implementation of the Environmental Dimension of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’

The development was disclosed in a statement titled ‘President Buhari attends a special session on UNEP@50 in Kenya’ released by his aide, Femi Adesina.

Buhari is expected to deliver the National Statement of the country and participate in High-Level Dialogue Sessions on the Environment.

10. National Assembly Grants Local Govt, Judiciary Financial Autonomy

The National Assembly has granted financial autonomy to Local Government and Judiciary.

During the plenary on Tuesday at the Senate, 92 out of the 109 Senators voted in support for the financial autonomy to the local government areas in the country while 88 voted to pass administrative autonomy of LGAs.

At the Green Chamber, the House of Representatives members also voted for financial and administrative autonomy for local government, State Legislature and Judiciary.

Earlier, Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Ovie Omo-Agege, had presented a report on the amendment bill before voting commenced.

In his remarks, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said that senators will use electronic voting and not the voice-vote method they use for the confirmation of nominees and the passing of bills and motions.

Lawan said only bills that are passed in both chambers of the national assembly will be sent to the state houses of assembly.

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