Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 27th October, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 27th October 2023.

1. Supreme Court Affirms Tinubu’s Victory

Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court, on Thursday, affirmed the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the winner of the February 25th presidential election.

The court proceeding led by the Presiding Judge, Justice John Okoro, dismissed the petitions filed by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi on the ground that they lacked merit.

The Supreme Court held that the candidate of the PDP failed to prove that he won the election, stating that there was no alternative figure of votes to counter that validly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Okoro, who read the judgment, said the Supreme Court could not manufacture votes in support of Atiku and PDP.

2. All Former Presidents Are Ethnic Leaders Except Obasanjo – Amaechi

Former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo is the only person near the point of Nationalism as others are ethnic leaders.

Naija News reports that Amaechi asserted this while speaking at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture themed “Why We Stride and Slip: Leadership, Nationalism, and the Nigerian Condition,” held on Thursday in Lagos.

The former Governor of Rivers State said Nigeria is still searching for national leaders, and its democracy needs serious rethinking in scope and focus.

While lauding Nigerian nationalists who fought for independence, Amaechi said genuine nationalistic leadership transcends ethnicity.

3. Supreme Court Has Failed Nigerians – PDP Reacts As Tinubu Floors Atiku In Court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the verdict of the Supreme Court on Thursday regarding the outcome of the 2023 presidential election as disappointing.

The PDP in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the majority of Nigerians are alarmed, disappointed and gravely concerned with the reasoning of the Supreme Court.

It added that the confidence of many Nigerians in the judiciary has been shaken by the Supreme Court ruling.

Naija News recalls the apex court on Thursday affirmed the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the winner of the February 25th presidential election.

The court proceeding led by the Presiding Judge, Justice John Okoro, dismissed the petitions filed by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on the ground that they lacked merit.

The Supreme Court held that the candidate of the PDP failed to prove that he won the election, stating that there was no alternative figure of votes to counter that validly declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Okoro, who read the judgment, said the Supreme Court could not manufacture votes in support of Atiku and PDP.

Reacting to the court judgement, the PDP said the Supreme Court has failed Nigerians.

It submitted that the position of the apex court is against the constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act and Nigerians are surprised as to how the court failed to take cognizance of the reported violation of electoral rules and guidelines, brazen manipulations and alterations of election results by the APC.

4. Senate Confirms Musa Aliyu As ICPC Chairman

The Senate has screened and confirmed the appointment of Musa Aliyu as the substantive chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had written to the Senate on Wednesday seeking confirmation of Aliyu as chairman of the agency.

Subsequently, on Thursday, the lawmakers screened Aliyu during the plenary.

Naija News understands that the screening exercise started around 11:50 a.m. today after the leader, Bamidele Opeyemi, raised a point of order to suspend relevant senate rules to allow strangers into the chamber.

Aliyu, a lawyer and Attorney-General of Jigawa State, was screened at the Committee of a Whole chaired by the Deputy President, Jibirin Barau.

5. Stop Engaging In Media Trials Before Court Ruling – Supreme Court Tells Atiku, Obi

The Supreme Court, on Thursday, slammed Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) for engaging in media trial and reaching conclusions before court rulings.

A ruling read by the presiding justice of the seven-man panel, Justice John Okoro, dismissed the argument made by Atiku and the PDP that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) used disparaging words against them.

Okoro said the tribunal didn’t use disparaging words against the appellants in its judgement evincing hostility and bias against the appellants, thereby violating their right to a fair hearing.

6. Tinubu Speaks On Supreme Court Ruling On 2023 Presidential Election

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the ruling of the Supreme Court on the appeals against his victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Naija News reported that the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals filed by the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, against the election of President Tinubu.

In a unanimous verdict delivered on Thursday, the court ruled that the appeals filed by Atiku and Obi were baseless and lacked merit.

In a statement he personally signed and released by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President said now that the court cases are over, it is time to build the country together with his rivals.

He said with today’s judgment, the nation’s electoral jurisprudence and constitutional democracy are further consolidated and embedded more indelibly in our national identity.

The president commended the diligence and undaunted professionalism of the Honourable Justices who presided over the matter.

Tinubu also appreciated all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country, promising to meet and exceed their expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God.

7. ‘Shocking And Surprising’ – Labour Party Rejects Supreme Court’s Affirmation Of Tinubu’s Presidency

The Labour Party (LP) has rejected the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25th presidential election.

Naija News reports that the apex court on Thursday dismissed the petitions of Peter Obi of the LP and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging Tinubu’s victory.

Reacting to the judgement in a statement to newsmen, LP national chairman, Julius Abure, called on the international community to rise and defend democracy in Nigeria, describing the judgement as “shocking and surprising”.

8. Ondo Deputy Governor Begs Akeredolu

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has apologised to his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Naija News reports that the embattled Deputy Governor tendered his apology when addressing a world press conference on Thursday.

Aiyedatiwa called for an end to what he termed needless crisis in the SouthWest State.

According to him, he was saddened by the embarrassment and discomfort due to the barrage of negative news over the crisis in the last few months.

The Deputy Governor said there were no issues between him and the Governor but political actors capitalised on his boss’s absence to create crisis for their selfish interest.

9. Ethiopian Airlines Reveals How Buhari Govt Asked Them To Paint Nigeria Air Logo On Their Aircraft

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Mesfin Tasew, has shed more light on the controversy around the setting up of Nigeria Air.

Speaking on the involvement of the East African Airline in the setting up of Nigeria Air, Tasew said they almost withdrew but the government insisted it should continue with the process.

Naija News recalls that the Minister of Aviation under ex-president Muhammadu Buhari-led government, Senator Hadi Siriki floated the airline on May 27.

Days after the unveiling, it was discovered that a plane belonging to ET was used to conduct a demonstration flight against the dictate of the process for the establishment of a new airline.

Tasew while addressing some Nigerian journalists in Addis Ababa, said that the East African carrier never had any plan to set up an airline in Nigeria but was invited by Buhari’s government to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air.

It also explained that the federal government requested that the Nigeria Air logo be painted on the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft for inspection and the airline agreed.

10. Obi, Atiku Will Wait Till 2031 – Ganduje

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has said the judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the victory of President Bola Tinubu is proof that the February 25 presidential election was not manipulated.

Ganduje stated this in a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, on Thursday.

The former Governor of Kano State called on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is counterpart in the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi to wait till 2031 when Tinubu would have rounded off his second term.

Ganduje, who congratulated Tinubu, said the judgement has laid to rest all claims by the opposition parties.

Ganduje said the Supreme Court verdict would pave the way for President Tinubu to concentrate on implementing the “Renewed Hope” mandate of the APC for the benefit of Nigerians.

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