Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 20th March, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Sunday, 20th March 2022.

2023 Presidency: Why Bola Tinubu May Dump APC For SDP

Reports emerged on Saturday claiming the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has perfected plans to dump the ruling party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) if he fails to get the 2023 presidential ticket.

Tinubu, who is presently the leading aspirants, is aware of plots by some party stalwart and governors to deny him the party’s ticket.

According to the report, Buhari, who had refused to name his preferred candidate over fear he or she would be killed, is said to be favouring a younger aspirant.

Tinubu, who is refusing to be caught off guard, is reportedly “working on an alternative party” to vie for the 2023 presidency.

2023: Atiku Picks Date And Venue To Officially Declare Interest In 2023 Presidency

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar is set to officially join the race for the 2023 presidency, Naija News reports.

A statement on Friday by the chairman of the technical committee of his campaign group, Chief Raymond Dokpesi said Atiku will declare officially on Wednesday 23rd March 2022.

It added that the declaration will be done at the International Conference Centre, Abuja at 11 am.

Atiku who was the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to seek the ticket of the PDP again for the 2023 presidency.

We’re Not Aware Of Court Case On Electoral Act – House Of Reps

The House of Representatives has disclosed it is not aware of the court case on the Electoral Act 2022.

Recall that the Federal High Court sitting in Umahia, Abia State on Friday directed the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to delete Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike noted that Section 84 (12) is unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the constitution.

The Judge ruled that sections 66(1)(f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(f) and 182(1)(f) of the 1999 constitution already stipulated that appointees of government seeking to contest elections were only to resign at least 30 days to the date of the election.

EFCC: Obiano Did Not Steal Anambra Money – Senator Umeh

Former national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Senator Victor Umeh has stated that former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano will defend himself.

He stated this while reacting to the arrest of Obiano by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hours after he handed over to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Speaking on Saturday at the 80th birthday celebration of foremost Nigerian philosopher and president general of Alaigbo Development Foundation, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala in Enugu, Umeh said it has become the tradition of the anti-graft agency to go after ex-governors.

According to the former lawmaker, Obiano used Anambra money to build infrastructure visible to everyone, which has angered the opposition.

Gunmen Set Home Of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leader Ablaze In Imo

Unknown gunmen have reportedly set ablaze the home of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, in Imo State.

Naija News gathered that the home of the Ohanaeze leader was burnt down in the early hours of Saturday in Awo-Omamma village, Oru East Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the gunmen set ablaze the residence of the former Nigerian Ambassador and that of his brother’s houses with Improvised Explosives Devices, IED and petrol bombs.

A resident of the village told Vanguard that the unknown gunmen drove into the compound about 6:15 am, shot indiscriminately for over 15 minutes before they set ablaze the house.

APC Convention: Seven Aspirants To Go Head To Head, Submit Forms To Contest National Chairman Position

No less than seven contenders interested in becoming the next National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) beat the Friday deadline to submit their expression of interest and nomination forms.

Naija News understands some of them were physically present at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja to submit their forms while others did so by proxy.

Apart from those interested in the National Chairman job, others interested in occupying various National Working Committee (NWC) offices also scrambled to beat the Friday deadline ahead of the APC National Convention scheduled for Saturday, March 26.

Some of those seeking to take over as APC National Chairman and duly submitted their forms yesterday were the Senator representing Niger East, Senator Sani Musa; a former governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura; a former governor of Benue State and current Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume.

Gunmen Bomb Imo Police Division, Kill Officers

Gunmen in the early hours of Saturday bombed the Umuguma Divisional Police Headquarters situated at the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state.

The attack also led to the death of two police operatives who were on duty.

It was gathered that the gunmen attacked the divisional headquarters with guns and explosive ordnance disposals.

A further report had it that the gunmen after blocking the roads leading in and out of the station immediately opened fire at the divisional headquarters.

2023 Presidency: Tinubu Meets Gombe Governor, Goje In Abuja

Presidential hopeful, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday met with the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya, at his Abuja home.

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was accompanied by the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and former Borno governor, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Naija News gathered that the former Lagos governor met with governor Yahaya over his presidential ambition and to solicit for his support ahead of the APC’s presidential primaries

Later, the presidential aspirant visited the former Governor of Gombe state and Senator representing Gombe State, Danjuma Goje, in his home in Abuja.

2023: Wike, Fayose, Others Meet Goje in Abuja [Photos]

Former Governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje received some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his Abuja residence on Friday.

Naija News reports that Goje met with his predecessor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Philip Aduda and former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose.

The Senator representing Gombe Central in the National Assembly dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014.

It was learned that the PDP stakeholders came to see Goje in order to convince him to return to the opposition party ahead of the 2023 elections.

2023: ‘I Will Never Support Tinubu’ – President Buhari’s Aide

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu has revealed what he will do if his principal decides to support Bola Tinubu for presidency.

According to Ojudu, he would go back to farming if Buhari choses the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress as his presidential candidate.

Ojudu stated this during an interview with Chude Jideonwo.

The presidential aide when asked if he would support Tinubu if President Buhari chooses him as his candidate said he would never.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.