Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 14th February, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 14th February 2023

1. Buhari Says Police, Service Chiefs Are Being Watched Ahead Of 2023 Election

President Muhammadu Buhari has told the police and service chiefs on Monday that the entire world is watching them and has high expectations for them to provide the necessary security to facilitate the successful conduct of the upcoming 2023 election.

Buhari praised the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for advancing his administration’s agenda for police reform and for several other initiatives he had brought to the Force while speaking at the Force Headquarters in Louis Edet House, Abuja.

While unveiling the newly acquired NPF’s significant operational assets, the President emphasized the importance of an efficient and responsive police force in advancing democracy while also outlining the fundamentals of the agenda for police reform and re-equipment that his government has assiduously pursued.

Buhari said, “You should, however, be reminded of my high expectations of your leadership, particularly, about the provision of requisite security that will engender not just stable security space ahead of the general election, but guarantee the credibility of the exercise.

“In this task, I call on the IGP and indeed, all law enforcement agencies that will be complementing the police in the election security process to note that the eyes of the nation and the global community will be on you all.”

2. Oduduwa Agitators, IPOB Plotting To Disrupt General Elections – Police IG

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has revealed that the Police has intelligence that the Oduduwa Nation Agitators have concluded plans to disrupt the peace, security and electoral process in the South West geo-political zone.

He stated this at a strategic meeting he held with Command Police Commissioners, Zonal AIGs and Deputy Inspector’s General of Police on Monday in Abuja.

The IGP said, “Furthermore, Illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) trafficking are being utilized to advance political violence, political extremism and intolerance, while cyber-bullying for political ends is on the rise daily. Also, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and thuggery some of which have political undertones or consequences constitute major security threats to our democracy.

“Similarly, violent secessionist campaigns by IPOB/ESN members which have been targeted at various symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, Police Stations and personnel as well as other security agencies and Federal Government infrastructures, all in an effort to disrupt the 2023 General Elections in the South East geopolitical zone.

“Other crimes of national security importance which could undermine our efforts towards entrenching a peaceful electioneering process, if not adequately curtailed include Banditry/Terrorism which has ravaged many communities in the North-west and North-Central with adverse effects on the economic and social wellbeing of the residents.

“Other major crimes are the growing activities of the Oduduwa Nation Agitators who, from intelligence sources, have been attempting to amass weapons and mobilize other resources towards disrupting the peace, security and electoral process in the South West geo-political zone.”

The IGP, however, charged the Police Strategic Commanders to ensure they stabilize the internal security order and create an enabling space for the peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

3. Labour Party National Chairman Denies Structure Collapse Into APC In Southwest

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, on Monday, debunked the report that the Southwest chapter of the party has collapsed its structure into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News had earlier reported that The National in its report noted that LP in the SouthWest alligned with APC ahead of the 2023 general election.

It was stated that the alleged Southwest LP chairman, Omotoso Banji, led the party leadership to collapse its structure in Akure, Ondo State capital.

However, the National Chairman of the party in a chat with a Naija News correspondent described the report as fake.

According to Abure, the alleged leader of the party in the region, Banji had been expelled from the party decades ago over his involvement in anti-party activities.

He further stated that Banji is not an official of the LP, hence he can not take such a stand or decision on behalf of the party.

Abure wondered why the APC would rely on the words of Banji that the Labour Party would collapse its structure in the region.

4. Partisan And Provocative Action: Peter Obi Camp Reacts To INEC Contract With MC Oluomo’s Committee

The camp of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi has rejected the contract arrangement between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Lagos transport committee led by Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo.

The Obi camp said the decision of INEC to give a logistics contract for the movement of election materials in the 2023 elections to MC Oluomo who is a known associate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu is provocative.

The LP camp accused INEC of trying to achieve a pre-determined election outcome with such an arrangement.

Speaking during a press conference on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation, Akin Osuntokun knocked INEC for choosing a partisan individual for the movement of sensitive election materials.

According to him, they had wanted to disregard the news that INEC had engaged the services of Lagos State Park and Garage Management Committee led by MC Oluomo for the movement of election materials but as it became real, it is also necessary to state that INEC is crossing some red lines.

5. 2023 Elections: FG Directs Closure Of All Polytechnics

The federal government on Monday directed all polytechnics in the country to be closed due to the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

This is coming a week after the National Universities Commission (NUC) ordered the closure of all universities for three weeks, to allow students, lecturers and workers to express their voting right.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu in a letter dated 10th of February, 2023 and signed by I.O Folorunsho, directed all polytechnics to be closed.

The minister in the letter made available to newsmen on Monday addressed it to the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Idris Bugaje.

The letter said the directive should be conveyed to rectors and provosts of all polytechnics.

It was stated that academic activities would be stopped between February 22 and March 14.

6. 2023: Don’t Be Deceived, I Am Fully For Tinubu – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has told supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State that they should not be deceived because he is fully in support of the party’s flag bearer, Bola Tinubu.

The president said they should forget about the rumour of him supporting another candidate other than Tinubu because it is not true.

According to him, he is fully in support of Tinubu’s presidential bid and he is strongly urging them to gather their support for him as the election draws nearer.

Naija News understands that the president made the clarification on Monday during the APC campaign rally in Pantami stadium in Gombe State.

President Buhari explained to the people of Gombe State that they should not be deceived by what they heard because Tinubu would deliver more dividends of democracy if he emerges as president.

The president, who was represented at the event by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, further noted that his administration has approved over 65% of projects in Gombe State and that if Tinubu emerges as the winner, he would ensure the gainful exploration of the Kolmani oil field in the state.

7. Coup: DSS Releases Fani-Kayode After Six Hours Of Grilling

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly released Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, from its custody after six hours of grilling.

Naija News reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was invited for interrogation on Monday morning following his allegation that certain politicians are collaborating with the military high command in preparation for a possible coup.

Fani-Kayode had alleged that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was secretly meeting with Army Generals to sabotage the forthcoming general elections.

The APC chieftain took to his Twitter page on Monday morning to say he is not scared of the DSS invitation because he has nothing to hide.

Hours after Fani Kayode’s presence at the office of the secret police, the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Tinubu/Shettima Campaign, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed via his Twitter page that the former Minister has been released.

8. “Stop Issuing Frivolous Travel Advisories On Nigeria” – Lai Mohammed Knocks Foreign Embassies

The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has warned foreign embassies in the country against issuing unwarranted travel advisories about Nigeria.

The Minister gave the warning on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the 25th edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series.

He also commended the security agencies for their all-round efforts in keeping the country, its citizens, and residents safe.

Naija News reports Mohammed spoke against the background of the travel advisories issued last year by foreign embassies including the US and UK about an impending terrorist attack on Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He said the alert made many people panic and flee Abuja but it is now clear that it was a false alarm raised by the foreign nations.

Mohammed used the opportunity to commend security forces for keeping the FCT safe despite the advisories and urged foreign nations to stop issuing frivolous advisories.

9. Police Detain House On The Rock Pastor, To Dismiss Inspector

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar, has recommended the dismissal of a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, who will be facing an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the Presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe.

Naija News understands that CP Abubakar made his recommendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba.

The Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja, has also detained Inspector Audu and Pastor Aigbe, according to The PUNCH.

Recall that Aigbe had caused a stir on Sunday when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who come from different parts of the FCT.

The clergyman had boldly walked the pulpit while carrying a gun and many members of his congregation wondered about the reason for his actions.

An unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his action had created, without looking at his worshippers.

10. 2023: Election Won’t Hold In 240 Polling Units – INEC Declares

No fewer than 240 polling units have been identified as locations where the forthcoming election 2023 election won’t hold.

Naija News reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that election will not hold in 240 polling units because there are no registered voters.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu made this revelation on Monday at a meeting with leaders of political parties.

The development is coming barely 12 days before the forthcoming general election.

The INEC boss revealed that polling units where elections will not hold include ones from Edo, Kwara, Rivers and Zamfara States to 38 in Imo State which has the highest.

He said with the exception of the 240 polling units, the election will take place in about 176,606 polling units across the country.

Yakubu at the meeting also warned party agents against fighting on the day of the election to avoid any confusion.

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