Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Thursday, 28th April, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 28th April 2022

1. Senate Bans Nigerians From Paying Ransom To Terrorists, Kidnappers

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday prohibited the payment of ransom to terrorists, bandits and kidnappers in the country

Naija News reports that the Red Chamber made the prohibition during the passage of a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013.

The bill was passed by the Senate after it scaled third reading on the floor and renamed Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, submitted by its Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

In his presentation, Bamidele said the bill seeks to ban the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers, and terrorists for the release of any person who is in captivity.

2. Wike Declares Rivers PDP Governorship Aspirant Wanted For Alleged Cultists Attack

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has directed the Rivers State Police Command to go after and arrest a House of Representatives member and governorship aspirant, Farah Dagogo.

Naija News reports that this is coming after the Rivers governor declared Dagogo, who is a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wanted.

Wike accused the federal lawmaker of using cultists to attack the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt, to disrupt the screening of aspirants for various elective positions.

The Governor, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said: “The Police must as a matter of urgency arrest Farah Dagogo, wherever he is, and must be made to face prosecution.

3. 2023: NDLEA Pushes For All Presidential Aspirants, Others To Undergo Drug Tests

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is important for all political office aspirants to undergo drug tests before getting clearance to contest positions in the country.

The NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Buba Marwa made the stand known on Wednesday in Abuja during the agency’s 2022 First Quarter Best Performing Commands Awards ceremony.

He said it is important for the drug tests to be carried out so Nigerians won’t end up voting for a drug addict/user who will start using public funds to consume hard drugs such as cocaine.

4. 2023: Moghalu Takes Position On Zoning, Says Leadership Has Failed In Nigeria

2023 presidential aspirant and political economist, Professor Kingsley Moghalu has opened up on his stand on the controversial issue of zoning in Nigeria.

Naija News reports the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a series of tweets on Wednesday argued that zoning promotes inclusion in a multi-faceted country like Nigeria.

He argued however that beyond zoning, equity is an important factor in Nigeria’s democracy and zoning can be used to drive equity and justice.

He knocked politicians who accepted zoning when it favoured their interests and regions but are now against zoning in favour of merit and competence now that their region is not favoured by the arrangement.

Moghalu argued further that, unlike federal character, zoning is not explicitly supported by Nigeria’s constitution and can only be a form of agreement among politicians or political parties.

5. 2023: Another Buhari’s Minister Joins Presidential Race, Obtains APC Nomination Form

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has officially joined the 2023 presidential race.

The minister will be contesting for the 2023 presidency under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nwajiuba showed his intention to become the next president by obtaining his Nomination and Expression of Interest forms valued at N100m on Wednesday at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.

The minister, who became the first of many aspirants to obtain the APC presidential forms, said a group of Nigerians reportedly sourced the funds for him to purchase the forms.

6. Kaduna Train Attack: We’re Ready To Negotiate With Terrorists – Victims’ Families

The families of the kidnapped victims of the Abuja-Kaduna-bound train attack have expressed their willingness to negotiate with the terrorists in order to secure the release of their loved ones.

The leader of the families of the victims, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, stated this in an interview with The PUNCH in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Jimoh said the families are ready and willing to dialogue with the terrorists since the Muhammadu Buhari government has failed to free their loved ones from their captivity.

He stated that the federal government has not reached out to them regarding efforts to secure the release of the victims since the terrorists said they can only discuss with the government.

7. 2023: Keep Off Southeast – IPOB Warns Wike

The Governor of Rivers State and Presidential aspirant, Nyesom Wike has been warned by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stay away from the South-East.

According to IPOB, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain had denied having any link with the Southeast in the past, hence the call for him to stay off the region to canvas for votes.

The spokesman of the group, Emma Powerful issued the warning to the Rivers State Governor following his recent visit to the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

Power said the PDP chieftain should be ashamed of himself for begging Igbos for votes.

8. Dapo Abiodun Begs APC Chairman Not To Disqualify Him From Ogun Guber Election

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has urged the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Abdullahi Adamu, not to pay any attention to a petition written against him.

Naija News reports that a criminal petition was written against the Ogun governor seeking his disqualification from participating in the 2022 governorship primary in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kunle Somorin in a statement on Wednesday said Abiodun through his legal team from the Chambers of Afe Babalola, SAN, described the petition as a move to deprive him of the opportunity to set the records straight.

According to the governor, the petition was characterized by falsehood, malice and should be disregarded.

He said the petition, which was based on hearsay, is full of spurious and unfounded allegations meant to mislead the party into disqualifying him from participating in the 2023 governorship election.

9. ‘Only People Like Us Will Decide If Igbos Will Leave Nigeria’ – Okorocha Slams IPOB

Former governor of Imo state and presidential aspirant Rochas Okorocha has stated that only people like him will decide if Biafra will emerge from Nigeria.

The senator, sharing his thoughts during an interview with BBC Pidgin said that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, lack the capability to separate Igbos from Nigeria.

He said, “Only people like us can decide whether Igbos will leave Nigeria. The decision is not for our children to make because what we see while sitting down, they won’t see when they stand.

10. Tambuwal’s Deputy, SSG, CoS, 11 Sokoto Commissioners Resign

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Wednesday accepted the resignation of his Deputy, Alhaji Manir Dan’iya.

Naija News reports that Manir Dan’iya resigned to pursue his political ambition.

Amongst those to tender their resignation include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Saidu Umar, and 11 other top appointees.

This was made known in a statement by Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, in Sokoto.

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