Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 2nd September, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 2nd September 2022

1. President Buhari Appoints In-Law As NSPMC MD

Ahmed Halilu has been confirmed as the new Managing Director of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC Plc.

Naija News reports that his appointment was confirmed on Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Halidu’s appointment reportedly came following his recommendation by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who serves as the NSPMC board chairman.

Naija News understands that the appointee is an elder brother to Buhari’s wife, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

Halidu had headed NSPMC in an acting capacity following the resignation of Abbas Masanawa on May 16. He also participated in the Senior Executive Course 39, 2017 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, Jos, culminating in the award of Member of the National Institute.

2. I Wonder What They Smoke At Aso Villa – Ortom Fires Buhari’s Aide Over Comment On Insecurity

The executive Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has replied to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, following his response to the latter’s comment earlier on the ongoing security issues in the country.

Ortom had earlier claimed in a statement that some high-ranking military officials who confided in him, said President Buhari had warned them against repelling attacks on armed herdsmen.

In a swift response, Shehu mocked the governor saying Ortom expects Nigerians to believe top security personnel would share high-level confidential information with him.

Replying to the presidential aid through his (Ortom’s) Principal Special Assistant (New Media), Raymond Magen, the governor said he has once wondered what they (those living inside Aso Rock Villa) smoke.

Magen said well-meaning Nigerians know the governor as a man who does not make baseless comments on sensitive issues.

3. 2023: INEC Fixes Date To Release Final List Of Presidential, Governorship Candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed a date to release the final lists of presidential and governorship candidates.

The Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu announced the dates on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu spoke at a meeting organized by the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja with the theme, “Conducting Nigeria’s 2023 Elections in Volatile Security Environment.”

According to Yakubu, the final list of the presidential candidates contesting in the 2023 race would be released on the 20th of September.

He further stated that the list of governorship candidates will be released by the commission on the 4th of October.

Yakubu took the opportunity to charge political parties and their candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2023 general elections.

4. The People You Call Children Will Help PDP Lose The Election – Wike Threatens Ayu

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has threatened to help the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, lose the 2023 election.

Wike’s statement is in response to recent comments by the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu who called those calling for his resignation children.

Speaking during the commissioning of the internal road in Omerelu community in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers on Thursday, Wike stated that Ayu’s comment shows he is arrogant.

He said “Doctor Ayu said we are children. Yes, the children brought you from the gutter to make you chairman.

“Now we have seen that you don’t want the party to win election, we will help.

These children you said we are, that brought you from nothing.

5. 2023: Peter Obi Replies Okowa Over Comment On Attending Churches

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted to a statement made by the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa.

Naija News had earlier reported that Governor Okowa of Delta State had in an interview with reporters in Kano State on Wednesday cautioned Obi to stop whipping up sentiments through the church.

Okowa had said the church should not be dragged into politics and the LP candidate should stop trying to use the Church or drive Christians into politics because it is not their calling.

He was reacting to Obi’s recent visits to several churches including the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja and the Redemption City of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where he was warmly received.

Reacting in a statement issued on Thursday, the Obi Campaign Media Office refuted Okowa’s statement that the LP candidate is fanning religious sentiments, adding that his accusation was baseless.

The statement pointed out that Obi has visited churches even before he became the present run for the presidency, stating that any attempts to restrict him into any sector will fail.

6. Bandits, ISWAP Terrorists Killed As Military Airstrikes Bombard Kaduna, Borno Communities

Scores of armed bandits terrorists and members of the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) have been eliminated by the Nigerian military Air Task Force with the support of special forces on the ground at different communities in Kaduna and Borno States.

A defence intelligence source told PRNigeria that the military raids were in continuation of intensive air and ground troop operations on terrorists and their enclaves.

According to him, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch on 30 August 2022 conducted air interdiction missions against identified terrorist hideouts at Alhaji Isiaka location and Kuduru in Igabi Local Government Area of the State.

7. 2023: Bola Tinubu Speaks On His Age

The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has spoken about his age ahead of the 2023 general elections.

There has been controversy around the age and other details about the identity of the former Governor of Lagos State.

Tinubu on Wednesday said he is a few months older than the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah.

The presidential candidate stated this while speaking at the 70th birthday celebration of Bishop Kukah.

Tinubu commended the cleric for building an institution in honour of his age, adding that he (Tinubu) can also contribute even though he is older than Kukah.

He called on Kukah to help build Nigeria, claiming that the responsibility of building the country is on his shoulder.

8. 2023: Arrogance, Ingratitude Won’t Take You Anywhere – Wike Blasts Ayu

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has reacted to a statement credited to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.
Ayu on Wednesday had described people calling for his resignation from office ahead of the 2023 general elections as children.

The PDP national chairman who insisted that he would not resign, added that he would not allow people calling for his resignation to destroy PDP.

Wike, in his reaction to the statement on Thursday, condemned Ayu for showing ingratitude and arrogance after being helped to emerge as the party’s National Chairman.

The Rivers State Governor called on Ayu to show himself as a man of honour and resign from office as he had earlier promised.

There are claims that Ayu promised to resign from office if the presidential candidate of the party emerge from the north.

Wike further stated that the N14bn the main opposition party realised from the sale of forms of primaries last May can be put to use to the advantage of the party.

9. Tinubu, Shettima Distancing Themselves From Buhari’s Government – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday, accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, and his running mate, Kashim Shettima, of distancing themselves from President Muhammadu’s Buhari administration.

PDP claimed that both Tinubu, Shettima and other APC Stakeholders were trying to identify with former President Goodluck Jonathan in a bid to deceive Nigerians.

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that the recent meeting amongst the trio was an attempt to clean up Tinubu and Shettima’s image.

10. EFCC Arrests Ogun House Speaker, Oluomo

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo has been arrested.

Reports obtained by Naija News confirmed that the lawmaker was arrested on Thursday morning by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was gathered that Oluomo was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

Sources in the know told Vanguard that the politician was taken to the office of the anti-graft agency to answer questions bordering on alleged financial crimes.

An official of the commission who spoke on anonymity admitted that the Ogun State Speaker had been invited by the EFCC several times but failed to honour the invitations.

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