Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 9th March, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 9th March 2022

1. “This Level Of Criminality Is Shocking” – Buhari Reacts As Bandits Kill 63 Persons In Kebbi

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the bandit terrorists’ attack which resulted in the killing of 63 persons in Kebbi State recently.

The President in his reaction, expressed shock at the level of disregard for human lives exhibited by the bandits and promised to bring the perpetrators to book.

He also sympathized with the families and loved ones of the victims.

It will be recalled Naija News had earlier reported that bandit terrorists killed no fewer than sixty-three local vigilantes in Kebbi State.

The dreaded group is said to have stormed the Zuru Emirate in the early hours of Monday to carry out the heinous act.

Reacting to the report, President Buhari in a statement on Tuesday by his special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu said the bandits have no regard for the sanctity of human lives.

He promised to tackle the monster decisively.

2. Court Sacks Governor Umahi, Deputy For Joining APC, Orders PDP To Produce Replacement Immediately

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, for dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Delivering judgement on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered Umahi and his Deputy to immediately vacate their officer, asking INEC to replace them with a candidate from PDP.

He held that the total number of 393, 042 votes Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and cannot be transferred to the APC.

Ekwo said that following the outcome of the governorship election, the office of the governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state, “belong to the Plaintiff and no other political party”.

He insisted that there is no constitutional provision that made the ballot transferrable from one party to the other.

3. Davido’s Uncle, Ademola Adeleke Emerges PDP Guber Candidate For Osun Election

Senator Ademola Adeleke has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary for the forthcoming Osun election.

Senator Adeleke, who is the uncle of award-winning international singer, Davido, emerged winner at a keenly contested primary in Osogbo on Tuesday.

The PDP primary, held at the 10,000 capacity Oshogbo stadium, was also contested by Dotun Babayemi.

The primary election held amid allegations of bias and litigations which led to the withdrawal of some governorship aspirants.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

4. PDP Names Nominees To Replace Umahi, Igwe As Ebonyi Governor, Deputy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has named Iduma Igariwe and Fred Udogwu as its nominees for Governor and Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State respectively.

Naija News reports that the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, made this known at a media briefing on Tuesday evening.

Ayu disclosed that the opposition PDP has submitted the names of its nominees to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the sack of Governor Dave Umahi and his deputy, and Eric Kelechi Igwe.

5. We Will Amend Electoral Act – Senate President Dares Federal High Court

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said on Tuesday that the National Assembly cannot be constrained from amending the Electoral Act.

Lawan asserted this while responding to a ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

Ekwo had okayed an ex-parte application by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, barring President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Senate President from tampering with the newly amended Electoral Act 2022.

He maintained that the Electoral Act has become a valid law and could not be altered without following the due process of law.

The court’s ruling came after a letter by President Muhammadu Buhari on 28th February 2022, requesting the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act.

Reacting to Justice Ekwo’s ruling that negated the President’s request, Lawan said the ruling violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution on Separation of Powers.

Lawan who spoke after the Electoral Act Amendment Bill scaled first reading at the plenary today, said the senate knows its due processes and as well know the limit of the judiciary.

6. I Am Still Ebonyi Governor – Umahi Rejects Court Ruling

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi has rejected the ruling of an Abuja high court which sacked him from office.

Speaking to newsmen in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Umahi said that the ruling should not be recognized by his followers.

He tagged the ruling by Justice Inyang Ekwo of Abuja Federal High Court as “jungle justice that was purchased.”

7. IGP Orders Removal Of Impounded, Accidented Vehicles From Police Stations

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has directed that all impounded, accidented, and unregistered exhibit vehicles should be removed from Police Stations nationwide immediately.

The Inspector-General said the vehicles have been causing a nuisance in the premises where they are parked.

He added that Police operatives abusing the administrative processes which makes it difficult for rightful owners to recover their vehicles should desist henceforth or face his wrath.

Naija News reports the IGP gave the order on Tuesday in a statement signed by the acting Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

He explained that the move is part of the IGP’s desire to “ensure conducive working environment for its personnel in order to set in motion such required strategies to combat crime and criminality in the country.”

The statement urged those with vehicles across police stations in the country to approach such stations with valid proof of ownership and proper means of identification to reclaim their vehicles.

8. Gender Bills: Reps Make U-turn, To Conduct New Voting

The House of Representatives has revoked its decision on three gender bills in the constitution amendment.

The U-turn is coming following the outcry the rejection of women-related bills generated.

The bills are; Citizenship: the bill seeking to amend section 26 of the 1999 constitution to provide for citizenship by registration for foreign spouses of Nigerian women.

The lower legislative chamber rescinded its decision on the bills after Hassan Fulata, chairman house committee on business and rules, moved a motion to that effect.

9. I’m Still APC Caretaker National Secretary – Akpanudoedehe Denies Resigning

The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe has denied resigning his position.

Naija News earlier reported that Akpanudoedehe had left the party’s national secretariat at Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, with all his belongings on Tuesday.

The former lawmaker reportedly tendered his resignation letter to the acting caretaker chairman of the APC, Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger State.

In a chat with reporters at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, Akpanudoedehe described the news as false and baseless, asking party members to disregard the news.

The former Senator stated that he has not tendered his letter of resignation to the party leadership, adding that he would do so when asked by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akpanudoedehe asserted that he is still the bonafide secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, adding that he is still waiting for Governor Mai Mala Buniof Yobe State to come back from his medical trip in Dubai.

10. APC Fixes Date To Release Zoning Formula Report

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State and acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee has said the report of the zoning formula has been submitted and adopted.

The governor stated that the report of the zoning formula will be released anytime from now, adding that the details of the report would also be made public.

Bello added that the zoning report was adopted after it was received from the Zoning Committee led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State.

He made these known in a chat with reporters after a meeting with CECPC members at the party’s National Secretariat on Tuesday.

Governor Bello also revealed that the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) would meet next week to put in place modalities ahead of the March 26 National Convention.

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