Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 13th July, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 13th July 2022

1. Buhari Govt Shortlists 14 Directors For AGF Position

The Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government has shortlisted 14 Directors for the job of Account Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF).

Recall that Buhari had replaced Mr. Chukwuyere N. Anamekwe as the acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF).

Naija News gathered that Anamekwe was replaced over allegations of corruption and investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hanging around his neck.

It was further gathered according to reports that he was replaced with a former TSA (Treasury Single Account) Director, Mr. Okolieaboh Ezeoke Sylvis.

It will be recalled that Anamekwe was appointed in an acting capacity after Ahmed Idris was suspended after his embroilment in an N80 billion fraud case leading to his subsequent arrest by the EFCC on allegations of money laundering through real estate investments in Kano and Abuja.

Naija News understands that a fresh circular from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) signed by Mariya A. D. Rufai, Director (Administration) was received by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS) on July 6.

According to Rufai, the circular was in response to the directive from the HoS requesting for a list of eligible Directors one of whom will become the Accountant General of the Federation.

Most Directors of Finance and Administration (DFAs) in the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are more often deployed from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

2. Why Goodluck Jonathan Stayed Off PDP Activities — Clark

The Convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark on Tuesday said former president, Goodluck Jonathan is angry with the Peoples Democratic Party over the 2015 betrayal.

According to Clark, Jonathan is angry because of how party members led by the former National Chairman of the party and ex-governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu betrayed him in 2015.

Clark noted that this is why Jonathan stopped attending meetings of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He further stated members of the party from the north worked against Jonathan, claiming that it was the turn of the north to produce Nigeria’s president.

Clark disclosed that many PDP leaders in the region funded the All Progressives Congress and its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated this while at his Asokoro residence in Abuja when the Delta Central APC Leaders of Thought, DECALT, led by its National Leader, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi visited him.

3. Tinubu-Shettima: Northern APC Christian Leaders Reject Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Northern Christian leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the decision of the party to field a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in 2023.

The leaders in a statement issued after their meeting on Monday described the move as a display of crass insensitivity to the plurality of Nigeria and the existence of Christians.

The statement signed by Doknan Sheni, Ishaya Bauka and Saidu Ibrahim added that the development will make it difficult to convince Nigerians that the APC is not pursuing an Islamization agenda.

They added that as Christians, their conscience and faith will not permit them to campaign to their people when the party is presenting a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

4. Kuje Jailbreak: Osinachi’s Husband, Wadume Still In Custody – NCoS

The report-making round that suspected kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume and Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi escaped during the recent attack on Kuje Custodial Centre,

Abuja has been dismissed by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
The spokesman of the FCT Command, NCoS, Chukwuedo Humphrey, on Tuesday confirmed that the suspects are still in custody.

There had been claims that Peter and Wadume escaped during an attack July 5th attack on Kuje custodial centre.

Humphrey said he had to dispel the reports making round because of the claims that Wadume and Osinachi’s husband escaped.

5. Lagos PDP Gov Candidate, Jandor Confirms Funke Akindele As Running Mate

The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor has defended his decision to pick Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele as his running mate.

Adediran on Tuesday called on electorates in Lagos State to work with him and his running mate, adding that she will add more value to his candidacy.

He further stated that Akindele has a track record of service and advocacy.

Adediran stated this on Twitter on Tuesday while confirming the actress as the PDP deputy governorship candidacy.

6. Why I Won’t Be Voting For APC In 2023 – Edwin Clark

The convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, has revealed the reason he will not be voting for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 presidential election.

Naija News reports that the Ijaw leader said was considering voting for the ruling APC but would not support the party because of the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Speaking on Tuesday when he received some members of the APC at his residence in Abuja, Clark said he would have loved to vote for the party because it zoned its presidency to the South.

The elder statesman asserted that he would have voted for the APC if he was to vote between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling party due to his belief in power shift.

Clark said if he was to vote and only APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are on the ballot, he would have voted for the APC for zoning presidency to the South.

7. Top PDP Official Resigns Position, Dumps Party Over Unfair Treatment Of Wike

The North-East zonal treasurer of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Galadima Abba has resigned from his position over what he described as the unfair treatment of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike by the party.

He also said he is quitting the PDP over how Wike was treated by the party leaders during and after the presidential primaries won by Atiku Abubakar.

His letter of resignation was addressed to the Ward Chairman, Itas Gadau Local Government Area, Bauchi State on Tuesday.

According to him, the emergence of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate of the PDP for the 2023 election is not according to the principles and ideologies of the party.

He added that recent activities show that PDP is not ready to reclaim power in 2023.

8. Kuje Attack: Presidency Admits Hardship, Criminality In Nigeria

The Presidency has admitted to the hardship and criminality being faced by Nigerians, adding that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is doing its best.

Speaking on Channels Television on the recent Kuje Prison attack, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, stated that he has not known anyway suggested that there is no hardship in the land.

He said, “I’m a Nigerian, I have family members that live in the society, I don’t come from the moon, I feel it, and I have never in any way suggested that there’s no hardship in the country. I have never in any place or position indicated that there’s no criminality.”

Shehu, however, urged Nigerians to stop paying ransoms to terrorists and kidnappers, saying that it only fuels terrorism.

Buhari’s spokesperson said families who have had loved ones abducted should call the bluff of the kidnappers and allow security agencies to do their jobs.

9. Tinubu, Atiku Or Peter Obi? Afenifere Leader Reveals Best Presidential Candidate

The leader of Afenifere, a pan Yoruba socio-political organization, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has backed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for the 2023 election.

Speaking on Yoruba Gbode, an online radio programme, on Tuesday, the elder statesman said he has no faith in Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively.

He accused Tinubu of selling President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigerians in 2015, stressing that the former Lagos State Governor would continue Buhari’s failed policies.

He stated that it is only the Labour Party’s presidential candidate that can rule the country without listening to any godfather.

According to the Afenifere leader, Peter Obi would not disappoint Nigerians if he wins the 2023 presidential election.

10. Amaechi’s Ally, Tonye Princewill Dumps APC Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Prince Tonye Princewill, ally of immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
The former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State also announced his resignation from the APC with immediate effect on Tuesday.

Naija News reports that this development comes days after some loyalists to the former minister started dumping the APC in Rivers.

Princewill announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Ward 3 (Royal Ward), Buguma City, in Asari Toru Local Government Area of the state.

Princewell said he dumped the party following the decision of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu to pick a Muslim and former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

The former governorship candidate stated that he cannot defend the decision of his party in fielding a Muslim Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Princewill opined that he cannot continue to argue for equity in Rivers state and defend inequity in the country despite protests from well-meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.

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