Top Nigerian Newspapers Headlines For Today, Friday, 27th May, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspapers headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 27th May 2022

1. Buhari Departs Abuja To Attend AU Summit Few Days To APC Presidential Primary

President Muhammadu Buhari has departed Abuja to attend the African Union (AU) meeting in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday.

The presidential spokesman said Buhari will take part in the African Union (AU) Extraordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

According to Shehu, the President will participate in the two AU summits – the ‘Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference’, and the ‘Extraordinary Summit on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa’.

The presidential spokesman said that the summits which begin from May 25 to 28 will specifically be focused on security, adding that the President will meet with some leaders during the meeting.

He disclosed that the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who is the President of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, will accompany her husband to the meeting.

2. Section 84 (12): Supreme Court Takes Fresh Action In Buhari, Malami’s Suit Against National Assembly

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, reserved judgement in the suit before it bordering on Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The suit, filed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami seeks to void Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The President and the AGF want an order nullifying the provisions of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 for being unconstitutional, illegal, null and void and having been made in excess of the legislative powers of the National Assembly as enshrined in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

Naija News reports the suit marked SC/CV/504/2022 has the National Assembly as the sole defendant.

On Friday, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court reserved judgement in the case after lawyers to the parties made their final submissions on Thursday.

Justice Musa Dattijo Mohammed who spoke on behalf of the panel said the apex court would communicate all the parties on the date for the delivery of judgement when a final decision has been taken.

3. Goodluck Jonathan Speaks On Ongoing Primaries In APC, PDP

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday described the ongoing primaries being conducted by the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and other parties as a mess.

According to Jonathan, the practices employed in the primaries are not standard practice, adding that the process has failed.

He further stated that the process can not be used to elect the President, governors, Senators, House of Representatives members and others.

The former president stated that he hopes what happened in 2022 would not happen again in Nigeria.

Jonathan stated this while speaking in Abuja at a book launch titled “Political Party Governance” authored by Dr Mohammed Wakil, a former Minister of State, Power.

4. Sanwo-Olu Grabs Lagos APC Governorship Ticket

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday grabbed the Gubernatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek reelection.

Naija News reports that Sanwo-Olu, who will be seeking a second-term will now slug it out against Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election.

Speaking after his victory, Sanwo-Olu invited his co-contestants to join hands with his administration

He said: “I am grateful to God, the distinguished delegates and the leadership of the APC for the chance to continue the good work of governance that we have begun in our great state.

“With this resounding victory in the primary election, I am confident that we are united and ready to continue to be a beacon of hope and service to this great state.

“To the other contestants, I congratualte you for being a part of this very democratic process and invite you to join hands with me.”

5. 2023 Presidency: Fayemi Opens Up On What He Knows About Jonathan As APC Member, Consensus Candidate

Ekiti State Governor and 2023 presidential aspirant, Kayode Fayemi has declared he is not aware that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Governor submitted that the official status of former President Goodluck Jonathan in APC is unknown to him.

Naija News reports Gov. Fayemi made the submission during an interview with Arise TV which was released on Thursday amidst the speculations surrounding the rumoured plans by Jonathan to defect to APC and contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the ruling party.

He made the declaration when he was asked by the anchor about the possibility of Jonathan emerging as the consensus candidate of the APC for the 2023 presidential election.

In his response, Fayemi said “Maybe I don’t have the right information.

6. Prison Service Breaks Silence On Abba Kyari’s Alleged Attack In Kuje Prison

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has responded to former Deputy Commission of Police Abba Kyari’s assertion that he was not safe in detention.

Kyari and three of his co-defendants requested Justice Emeka Nwite to grant them bail, claiming that their lives were in danger at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where they were remanded.

Reports also made the rounds earlier today that Abba Kyari was assaulted by some inmates and he escaped death.

Reacting, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Francis Enobore refuted the claim that Kyari was assaulted by his fellow detainees

According to Francis Enobore, “the story is false, reckless and mischievous.”

Enobore claimed the report was the creation of some unemployed charlatans posing as journalists who lacked the intellectual capacity to question what they conjure or hear before feeding the public.

He emphasized that Abba Kyari was safe and sound and goes about his daily routine like any other inmate unharmed.

7. Gov Soludo Reveals Identity Of Unknown Gunmen

The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo has revealed the identity of unknown gunmen behind violence in the state.

According to the former Central Bank Governor, the unknown gunmen behind attacks in the state are Igbo.

Soludo who declared a curfew in seven Local Government Areas of the state on Wednesday condemned the violence in the state.

He said the curfew would remain in place until peace is restored.

8. I’ll Ensure Candidates With Integrity Emerge In 2023 – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to ensure that candidates with integrity emerge in the 2023 general elections.

Naija News reports that an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Kano Central Senatorial district seat, Senator Basheer Lado, made this known after meeting with the President.

The former Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) quoted Buhari as saying that he is committed to ensuring fair and peaceful 2023 general elections.

According to him, Buhari declared his commitment to credible elections that would ensure the emergence of candidates with integrity.

Lado made this known while addressing State House Correspondents after his meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

9. Ex-Zamfara Gov, Yari Withdraws Court Cases Against APC

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State may be ending soon as former Governor of the state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari has ordered the immediate withdrawal of four cases he filed against the leadership of the party.

Before now, there was a serious rift between the camps of the state Governor, Bello Matawalle; his predecessor, Yari; and Senator Kabiru Marafa.

Party stakeholders have tried to settle the rift but to no avail. The defunct caretaker committee of the party under the leadership of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, also tried to resolve the issues but all fell to nought.

However, recently, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, stepped in and reconciled the camps. The development, Naija News understands opened a new chapter for the APC in the state.

The PUNCH reports that Yari’s withdrawal of the suits was made by Marafa at the end of a consultative meeting of stakeholders held at Garba Nadama Hall in Gusau on Wednesday.

10. 2023 Elections: Osinbajo Meets Buhari Ahead Of APC Presidential Primary

Vice President and Presidential hopeful, Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, shortly before President Buhari departed Abuja to attend the African Union (AU) meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

Naija News learned that part of their discussions was the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) fixed for May 29 to 30 and the emergence of a consensus candidate.

It is also understood that Osinbajo briefed Buhari on his recent consultations with party delegates and stakeholders across most states of the country.

The meeting comes a few days before the APC’s special convention to elect its presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.

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