Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 3rd March, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 3rd March 2022

1. Buhari Govt Approves $8.5m To Evacuate 5000 Nigerians From Ukraine

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved $8.5 million for the immediate evacuation of Nigerian citizens from Ukraine.

In a statement to newsmen, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, said no fewer than 5,000 citizens will be evacuated.

The approval was issued earlier today at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

In preparation for the evacuation, Air Peace and Max Air airlines have been reportedly contracted to provide three aircraft to facilitate the rescue.

Naija News understands that the evacuation became necessary following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

2. 2023: ‘This Is Nigerian’s Last Chance’ – Atiku

Presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar has assured Nigerians once more that his desire to be president is borne out of his need to see Nigeria grow and not his personal agenda.

The former Vice-president opened up on his desire for the country during a meeting with the party’s House of Representatives caucus in Abuja.

He stated that it was important Nigerians vote right in 2023 as it would lead to doom if the wrong leader was elected.

He, therefore, sought the support of Nigerians for his 2023 aspirations.

3. ASUU Strike: Ngige Reveals Details Of Wednesday Meeting With ASUU

The federal government of Nigeria on Wednesday revealed that progress has been made in the negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the ongoing strike by members of the union.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige who gave the update on Wednesday at the end of the meeting with ASUU said both parties have reached an agreement on some issues and ASUU is expected to present the government’s position to its members and revert before the week runs out.

He expressed optimism that the one-month strike embarked upon by ASUU will soon be called off.

Ngige gave the updates while speaking with newsmen at the end of the meeting between the union and the government delegation.

4. Electoral Act: Edwin Clark Disagrees With Buhari, Says Political Appointees Must Resign

Prominent Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has stated that the clause in the recently signed Electoral Act 2022 which mandates political appointees to resign their positions before participating in party primaries is in order.

Clark disagreed with the position of President Muhammadu Buhari who stated that the clause runs contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian constitution and would disenfranchise political officeholders.

Naija News reports that Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 reads: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

But President Buhari while signing the bill into law last Friday, called on the National Assembly to amend the portion which bans political appointees from participating in election primaries. He also sent a letter to the lawmakers officially conveying his request.

However, Clark in his reaction to the clause said it is a welcome development as it will stop impunity and restore sanity in Nigeria’s electoral system.

He added that the clause in the electoral act does not in any way contradict the provisions of the constitution.

5. Protesters Storm National Assembly Over Rejected Gender Bills

Women protesters have stormed the National Assembly to kick against the outcome of the voting on constitutional amendment.

Naija News recalls that four bills promoting the interest of women were rejected by members of parliament on Tuesday during the electronic voting process.

The rejected bills are special seats for women in the legislature, reserve quota for women on appointments, citizenship and 35 percent party leadership.

On Wednesday, the women groups across the country blocked the Federal Secretariat axis entrance of the National Assembly to protest against the rejection of the bills.

The protesters, who were not allowed into the legislative complex by security operatives, called on the lawmakers to reconsider the rejected gender bills.

6. 2023: APC Appoints Zoning Committee For National Convention

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed an eight-member committee to work on the party’s zoning arrangement ahead of its planned National Convention.

This was released in a statement on Wednesday signed by the National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudodehe.

According to the statement, the committee headed by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak was approved by the National Chairman of the APC CECPC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.

The Committee is expected to submit its report on Monday 7th March, 2022.

7. Senator Ali Modu Sheriff Reveals Only Condition To Drop Out Of APC Chairmanship Race

Former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has revealed what would make him drop out of the race to become the national chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the former Senator stated that he is still in contention for the APC national chairmanship seat, adding that he would not drop out if President Muhammadu Buhari officially endorses any of the aspirants.

Ali Modu Sheriff, however, dismissed the alleged endorsement of former Nasarawa governor, Abdullahi Adamu, by Buhari.

According to him, he would obey Buhari’s decision to endorse a candidate as a loyal party member.

8. CAN Reveals Biggest Threat To 2023 Election

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said security challenges occasioned by the criminal activities of terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers in the country are the biggest threat to next year’s general election.

Naija News reports that this was made known on Tuesday by the CAN President Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle in an interactive session which some Christian leaders had with the European Union Delegation led by the EU Chief Election Observer, Ms. Maria Arena.

The EU Delegation wanted to know the position of the Association on the preparation of all the stakeholders – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the security agencies, and the political parties.

Dr Ayokunle who also doubles as the Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) explained that the security situation in the country might not allow the general election to be credible, free, and fair if the voters are not allowed to go out to exercise their inalienable rights because of fear of being harmed or kidnapped or killed.

9. We Hope No Harm Will Befall Nigerians In Ukraine – FG

The Federal Government has expressed optimism that Nigerians stuck in Ukraine will be safe from the Russian invasion.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, made this submission in an interview with reporters after the Federal Executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

According to the minister, the Nigerian government expressed hope that Russian troops will obey the rules of engagement and not attack Nigerians stuck in Ukraine.

Dada disclosed that the Nigerian government has asked Ukraine and Russia’s ambassadors to ensure that Nigerians remain safe.

10. 2023: Reckless Elites In Charge Of Governance – Jega

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said that Nigeria is in the process of total collapse.

The immediate Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega on Wednesday lamented that misrule and misgovernance have damaged Nigeria.

Jega further stated that there is a need to attend to the state of things in the country before it is late.

He noted that the mission to rescue Nigeria can not be achieved without the involvement of Nigerian workers in their organizations.

According to the former INEC Chairman, Nigeria is in the process of collapse, as reckless elite in control of the governance process are blindly running the country.

Jega stated this at the 2022 Workers’ Political Conference organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

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