Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 9th October, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 9th October 2023.

1. Presidency Reacts As Atiku Files Fresh Evidence Against Tinubu

The Presidency has reacted to the new evidence filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, against President Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court.

Recall that Atiku presented the academic records of President Tinubu as new evidence for consideration in his appeal against the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court.

In a deposition he made to the Supreme Court on Friday, Atiku said submitting a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by a candidate is a weighty constitutional matter that the apex court must consider.

Speaking with The Punch on the issue, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, accused Atiku of misinforming the public out of desperation and selling lies to galvanize his base.

He said by ignoring last Tuesday’s deposition by the Registrar of Chicago State University, Caleb Westberg, Atiku is selling false hope to his funders and supporters, who are still disappointed in him for losing the February polls.

2. FG Gives Fresh Update On Why N-power Scheme Was Suspended

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu has given fresh updates on the decision by the federal government to suspend the N-power programme indefinitely.

She gave the update in a statement issued on her behalf on Sunday by the National Programme Manager of N-Power, Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, noting that the scheme was suspended for audit and better restructuring.

Naija News recalls Edu on Saturday announced the indefinite suspension of the program, adding that the government has launched an investigation into its activities.

She stated that the decision to suspend N-Power was due to some irregularities within the scheme, adding the government has launched an investigation into the utilization of funds since the inception of the program.

According to the Minister, some beneficiaries are not found in their place of assignment, yet they expect monthly stipends. She added that some beneficiaries who should have exited the scheme are still on the payroll.

Shedding more light on the decision by the government on Sunday, the Minister said several flaws have been noticed in the scheme.

She explained that some consultants were holding on to beneficiaries’ funds disbursed to them long ago, even when their contract ended in March 2023 without any renewal and some beneficiaries on their part now have full-time jobs but still collecting N-power allowances while those who truly worked were not paid.

Edu said the N-power scheme would be audited to determine the actual number of people in the programme as well as how funds are being utilized.

3. Atiku Presents ‘Fresh’ Evidence, Insists Tinubu Presented Forged Document To INEC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar has insisted that President Bola Tinubu submitted false documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atiku in a statement on Sunday by his media aide, Paul Ibe said the Nigerian president is only trying to push a false narrative to the public using the power of the media.

According to him, the Chicago State University (CSU) through its Registrar, Caleb Westberg, admitted under oath that the institution does not have a true and correct copy of the diploma issued to Bola Tinubu in 1979.

Ibe added that Tinubu also presented a non-existing Government College Lagos certificate to INEC with a claim of graduating from the school in 1970 when the school itself was founded in 1974.

The statement added that a certificate from another school in the United States that belongs to a female candidate was presented by Tinubu.

Furthermore, Atiku’s aide claimed the President’s NYSC certificate bears Bola Adekunle Tinubu, even when the CSU said under oath that the middle name of “A” was never interpreted in any document in his file with Tinubu’s handlers now attempting to introduce the middle name into the President’s public documents.

Ibe said it has become clear that Tinubu and his handlers are using one forgery to cover the other.

4. It’s An Erroneous Statement – FRSC Denies Seeking Govt Permission To Carry Guns

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has denied seeking the approval of the federal government for its officers to start bearing arms.

The Corps Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem made the denial in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, the statement credited to the representative of the Corps Marshal at the Passing Out Parade of Cadets at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kotangora, Niger State, does not reflect the current position of the Corps Marshal and the FRSC management.

He therefore urged members of the public to disregard the earlier information.

5. Supreme Court: Keyamo Tells Atiku Only Way To Prove Alleged Certificate Forgery Against Tinubu

The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has said the allegation of certificate forgery against President Bola Tinubu by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar does not hold water.

Keyamo on Sunday argued that the Chicago State University has not denied the authenticity of the certificate being paraded by Tinubu nor is there any forensic report that the certificate is fake or altered, hence Atiku has no basis for his claims.

He submitted that except the vendor who issued the replacement certificate on behalf of CSU also denies its authenticity, the responsibility remains on Atiku to prove his allegation.

Keyamo who boasted about his legal background said the only choice Atiku has is to fish out the vendor involved in Tinubu’s certificate scandal to be able to verify its authenticity or otherwise and prove his allegation of forgery, adding that they are ready to meet the former Vice President and his lawyers at the Supreme Court.

While arguing that Tinubu is clean, the Minister also highlighted the difference between the current controversy regarding President Tinubu’s academic records and the academic credentials of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

6. Sanwo-Olu Lists Markets To Be Demolished In Lagos

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, said markets like Jankara, Bombata and Pelewura in Lagos Island will be demolished to allow for urban regeneration of the area.
Naija News reports that Sanwo-Olu made this known when he inspected some drainage channels on the Island part of the state.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We have come here on a drainage and regeneration call. The entire stretch of Idumagbo Avenue is always flooded during the rainy season because of human activities, especially from the markets around the area.

“They have built on the canals and prevented the free flow of water, so we need to do a total rebuild.

“Hence, to allow for proper regeneration of the Lagos Island, Jankara and Bombata markets have to go, it will be ground zero. This thus serves as a notice, that the markets will be cleaned to allow our urban regeneration plans. The design for the new market is ready.

“We will, however, give adequate notice to those in Pelewura market because it has more traders, but this serves as the first notice.

“These markets have outgrown and outlived a market in a modern city, so they must give way for urban models.”

7. NLC President Speaks On Taking Bribe From Tinubu Govt To Suspend Strike

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has rejected suggestions that the labour leaders were monetarily induced by the government to suspend the recent planned nationwide strike.

Ajaero submitted that those spreading such narratives do not understand how labour relations and industrial practice operate.

Naija News recalls the organized labour on Monday, suspended the proposed indefinite strike over the removal of petrol subsidy and disagreement with the government over palliatives to cushion the effect of the policy.

Following the suspension, there were allegations that the labour sold out to the government of President Bola Tinubu on the matter.

However, in an interview with Vanguard published on Sunday, the NLC president denied such insinuation, arguing that persons saying such risk being sued to court.

According to him, those saying such are labour illiterates as there was no need to continue with the strike when the government had made offers and agreements had been signed.

8. Tinubu To Appoint Former Secretary As EFCC Chairman

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly set to appoint Olanipekun Olukoyede as the substantive chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Naija News understands that Olukoyede, a lawyer, had served as secretary of the anti-graft agency for two years during the reign of Ibrahim Magu as the acting chair of the commission.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2020 suspended Koyede, along with Magu, and was never recalled.

Before his secretary role, Olukoyede had served as Magu’s chief of staff.

Another source hinted that Olukoyede’s appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, would be made public “very soon.”

9. Tinubu’s Govt Plans To Gag Media Ahead Of Release Of FBI Files – Atiku’s Aide

Phrank Shaibu, media aide to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the Bola Tinubu administration has perfected plans to gag the media ahead of the release of documents containing his criminal investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a statement on Sunday, Shaibu said that the Tinubu administration had become frustrated with the Chicago State University (CSU) scandal and was planning a massive offensive in the coming days.

Atiku’s aide added that the threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction Arise Television was only the tip of the iceberg, among other means to gaga the media.

He said the NBC had been watching as media platforms loyal to the President like Television Continental (TVC) had been constantly attacking Atiku and had refused even to air opposition views.

Shaibu said the hypocrisy of the Tinubu government is legendary, stating that the Nigerian media should not show any weakness ahead of the release of documents that the FBI is set to release, which will expose details of the investigation on Tinubu.

10. Buhari Govt Failed To Fulfil Any Of The Promises Made To Nigerians – Dalung

The former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Solomon Dalung, has described the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a “failure”.
Dalung said the Buhari government failed woefully to meet Nigerians’ expectations and fulfil the promises to address the security situation, revamp the economy and fight corruption.

Speaking during an interview with Trust Radio, Dalung, who served under Buhari’s administration, said Buhari failed to fulfil the promises made to Nigerians during his campaign in 2015.

Dealing said as a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he has the responsibility to speak the truth because he is not a hypocrite.

Dalung described Buhari as a very honest leader who believed that the people around him were honest, but got his name dragged in the mud by the people he believed in.

The former minister believed that the former President is currently living in regret by trusting those around him.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.