Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 6th March, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 6th March 2023

1. ‘Not Farmers’ – Obasanjo Reveals Those Responsible For Food Insecurity

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that political leaders should be blamed for Nigeria’s inability to attain self-sufficiency in food production.

Naija News reports that the elder stateman made this known on Sunday at a lecture organized to mark his 86th birthday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, stressing that farmers should not be blamed.

According to Obasanjo, Nigeria is created for great purposed but the government has failed to utilize its potential.

He further urged Nigerians to blame the country leaders for lacking the political will to turn Nigeria into the food basket of Africa.

Obasanjo also expressed concern that Nigeria and Africa have failed to take advantage of advancements in science and technology for the development of the agricultural sector.

2. Your Assurances On Credible Election Worthless, Unconvincing – Atiku Fires INEC Chairman

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has slammed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for promising to deliver credible governorship elections.
Naija News recalls that Yakubu had stated that he would ensure that INEC staff found to be negligent during the presidential election would be barred from engaging in the March 11 governorship poll.

Yakubu, had in a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners, promised to ensure the strict use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“All staff found to be negligent, whether they are regular or ad hoc officials, including collation and returning officers, must not be involved in the forthcoming elections. RECs must also immediately initiate disciplinary action where prima facie evidence of wrongdoing has been established,” the INEC boss stated on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, described Yakubu’s assurances as worthless and unconvincing.

Shaibu added that the INEC chairman was only trying to save face after conducting the worst elections Nigeria had ever witnessed since independence.

He asked Yakubu not to try to deceive Nigerians again after the shambolic performance of INEC in the 25 February poll.

3. Why Atiku, Peter Obi Rejected Election Outcome – Osoba

Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba has said the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, rejected the 2023 presidential election results in order to create chaos in Nigeria.

In an interview with Journalist Hangout, a programme on Television Continental (TVC) on Friday, Osoba expressed disappointment at Atiku and Obi for claiming victory in the just-concluded presidential election.

He said the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, clearly won the presidential poll, adding that the election is one of the most peaceful ever conducted in the country.

He added that Nigerians are wiser and would not allow themselves to be instigated or provoked into turning the country on fire.

4. Ayu, Okowa To Lead Protest At INEC Headquarters Monday

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, is set to lead a ‘black’ protest at the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

In a notice on Sunday by the Director of Administration, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Ibrahim Bashir, the party said the protest is to reject the result of the presidential election.

The PDP also asked its members to join the protest which would take off from the party’s headquarters, Legacy House in the Maitama area of Abuja by 10 am.

According to the party, all members are advised to dress in black uniforms.

5. What Tinubu Said During Visit To Oba Of Lagos On Sunday

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu has promised not to disappoint Nigerians while also working hard to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Tinubu who appreciated God and the entire people of Nigeria for voting for him in the February 25 presidential election, compared the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary and ten the actual election to a World Cup tournament which was tricky and unpredictable.

Naija News reports he stated this when he visited the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu at his Iga-Iduganran Palace. The purpose of the visit was to present Tinubu’s Certificate of Return to Lagosians and the Oba of Lagos.

Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is also the APC candidate for the March 11 governorship election.

According to a statement on Sunday by his media adviser, Tunde Rahman, TInubu reassured Nigerians that he would not disappoint them.

6. Amaechi Voted For Atiku Instead Of Tinubu – APC Chieftain

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, allegedly did not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer during the just concluded presidential election.

The APC chieftain allegedly snubbed his party’s candidate, Bola Tinubu, during the February 25th election and voted for the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

A former Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Government and member of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, alleged this while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Naija News understands.

Okocha accused the former minister of engaging in anti-party activity, asserting that Amaechi had long abandoned the party. He stressed that Amaechi is no longer the leader of the APC in Rivers State.

Okocha said Amaechi’s action naturally disqualifies him as a leader and that he (Okocha), who won the election with his own faction for Tinubu, is now the leader of APC in Rivers State.

7. Stop Lying, You Forced Peter Obi Out Of PDP – Okechukwu Tells Atiku

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechuhwu, has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his claim that Peter Obi left the PDP because he was scared of the governors of the party.

Recall that Atiku, while speaking at a world press conference on Thursday in Abuja, said Obi, the Labour Party (LP) was in a rush to become the president and was scared of PDP governors.

Atiku said he stayed in the party and fought the governors who wanted one of them to emerge as the presidential candidate and running mate.

The former Vice President also admitted that Obi took the votes of the PDP in the South-East and Southsouth.

But in a chat with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Okechukwu accused Atiku of lying and making false claim about the reason Obi left the PDP.

He knocked Atiku for deceiving Nigerians with the false narrative that Obi rushed out of PDP when in fact it was Atiku’s insistence to contest the zoning principle that propelled Obi to find an alternative platform.

Okechukwu recalled how the former Vice President brought his opportunism to APC to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari for the APC president zoning principle that propelled Obi to find an alternative.

8. Supreme Court Ruling: AGF Malami Distances Self From CBN Naira Swap Policy

The Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has stated that it is not his responsibility to advise on monetary policies.

Naija News reports that the Supreme Court had on Friday ruled that the old N200, N500 and ₦1,000 notes remain as legal tender until December 31, 2023.

Following the ruling, the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have kept mute on the judgment, refusing to advise Nigerians on the next line of action.

Malami could not be reached for comments on the Supreme Court ruling yesterday.

Contacted by The Nation, his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, said Malami’s brief excluded advice on monetary policy.

He urged the media to educate the public that his roles did not include advising on monetary policy issues.

9. Osinbajo Sends Message To Political, Religious, Traditional Leaders

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has called on political, religious, and traditional leaders in the country to drive their followers toward the pursuit of unity in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that Osinbajo made the call while speaking at the Archbishop of Abuja Unity Cathedral, Methodist Church of Nigeria, on Sunday.

The Vice President said leaders in all climes should encourage their followers in the pursuit of truth and justice, adding that the church is a place to deliver people from fear, oppression, and eternal condemnation.

10. Naira Policy: ‘CBN Communication Department Yet To Receive Detail On Supreme Court Ruling’ – Official

The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the old N200, N500 and ₦1,000 notes will remain legal tender until December 31.
The apex court also ruled that the N20,000 withdrawal limit set by the apex bank was illegal.

This is coming after some state governments filed a suit against the Federal Government on the naira swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Following the ruling of the apex court, CBN has refused to speak on the judgement.

However, on Saturday, an official of the CBN who spoke with The Nation said the communications department of the apex bank has not been informed of any new developments on the Supreme Court judgement.

The official when asked when CBN will start releasing cash to banks said, “don’t have that information”.

Without any official pronouncement from the CBN, Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) cannot act outside the last instruction by the apex bank that N20,000 will be the withdrawal limit for individual account holders.

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