Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 13th April 2021
1. Ballots, Not Courts Should Decide Election Winners – Jonathan
Former Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, said ballots and not court cases should determine election winners in the country.
Jonathan stated this in Abuja when he visited the digital pan-African news network, the TOS TV network, led by Ms Osasu Igbinedion.
He called on youths in the country to get involved in politics, adding that politics controls everything around the world and they should not be left out.
He was quoted to have said: “Ballot papers should be the basis of selecting political officeholders. If it is the judiciary that should select them then we are not yet there.”
“I am not saying the judiciary is not doing well but our laws should suppress the idea of our judiciary returning candidates. The ballots should decide who occupies the councillorship seat up to the presidency; that is democracy.”
2. Ramadan Starts Tuesday In Nigeria -Sultan
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs on Monday announced that Ramadan in Nigeria will commence on Tuesday, April 13.
The announcement was made by the NSCIA President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a broadcast.
He called on Muslims to start fasting, urging them to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah throughout the fasting period.
He also urged them to seek Allah’s intervention in the security situation of the country and COVID-19 pandemic.
The Sultan prayed Allah to assist Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty and urged Muslims to observe COVID-19 protocols during sermons.
3. Arms Funds Probe: Attahiru Finally Appears Before Reps
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has finally appeared before a committee of the House of Representatives to brief the lawmakers on the procurement of arms and ammunition.
Naija News reports that the Army Chief appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee on the Need to Review the Purchase, Use and Control of Arms, Ammunition and Related Hardware by Military, Paramilitary and Other Law Enforcement Agencies. around 3:00 pm on Monday.
Recall that the committee had invited Attahiru and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, twice to answer questions on the procurement of arms and ammunition.
4. Makinde vs Fayose: Arapaja Defeats Olafeso To Emerge PDP Southwest Chairman
Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja has emerged winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Southwest chairmanship election.
He was declared the winner on Monday evening by the chairman of the Congress and Benue Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu.
Naija News reports that Arapaja defeated Dr Eddy Olafeso in the hotly contested seat which is believed in political quarters to be a battle of supremacy on who controls the PDP party structure in the region.
Arapaja polled 343 votes to defeat Olafeso, who scored 330 votes.
While Arapaja is believed to have the blessing of Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde, Olafeso is understood to be the candidate of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.
5. I Was Not Elected To Pay Salaries Only – El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Monday noted that his administration was not elected to just pay salaries but to develop the state.
Recall that the state government last week relieved 4000 workers across 23 local government area of the state from their service.
The governor further added that he “was elected to promote equality of opportunity, to build and run schools and hospitals, upgrade infrastructure and make the state more secure and attractive to the private sector for jobs and investments.”
El-Rufai in a statement released through his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, said the public finances of the state have increased due to the high wage bills when revenues from the Federation Account Allocations Committee (FAAC) have not increased.
6. Boko Haram: NAF Denies Hiding Information On Missing Fighter Jet
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has declared that the missing Alpha jet which disappeared from the radar on Wednesday, March 31 while on a mission against Boko Haram is yet to be found.
The NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet made the declaration while reacting to allegations that the Air Force was hiding some things about the missing jet.
He noted that the NAF authorities are concerned not just about the missing jet but the pilots who were on board when it went missing.
Gabkwet explained that efforts to locate the crashed site of the jet and the pilots are still ongoing while members of the public will be briefed appropriately on any development.
7. APC Leaders May Kill The Party Before 2023 Except… – PGF DG
The Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Salihu Moh. Lukman has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) may become weak before 2023.
According to the PGF DG, the strongest enemy of the APC at the moment is within the party itself, warning that the conduct of some party leaders may spell doom for the APC in 2023.
Specifically, he noted that the APC caretaker committee headed by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni must conclude its work quickly and hand over party structures to normal organs as contained in the constitution of the party.
Lukman handed down the warning in a statement on Monday titled ‘determining factors for 2023 contests in APC’ noting that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can only return to power if the APC implodes before 2023 due to internal fights.
He however added that if APC can manage its internal disagreements very well, then it will continue to enjoy electoral victories beyond the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari which expires in 2023.
8. Pantami Reveals What Will Happen To Nigerians Who Don’t Do NIN Verification Of Their SIMs
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami has warned that the government will soon take action against Nigerians yet to link their National Identification Numbers (NIN) with their SIM cards.
He stated this on Monday as part of his reactions to an allegation that the United States government placed him on a terrorism watchlist for links with the Boko Haram group.
However, Pantami as part of his reaction stated that criminals who are feeling the heat based on the government policy on NIN-SIM linkage are behind the fake news on his link with the terrorist group.
The Minister noted that he won’t be intimidated as there is no going back on the policy in line with the directives of President Muhammadu Buhari which is targeted at improving security in Nigeria.
9. Gov. Ortom Apologizes To Army, Family Over Killing Of 12 Soldiers In Benue
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has apologized to the families of the 11 soldiers and one officer killed while on official duty in Bonta Village, Konshisha Local Government Area of the state.
The Governor while speaking on Monday during the burial of the soldiers at the military cemetery close to Wurukwum roundabout in Makurdi promised that the killers would be fished out and dealt with according to the law.
Ortom added that the soldiers paid the supreme price to keep others safe and their sacrifice must not be allowed to be in vain.
The Governor added that any uncomplimentary remarks that might have originated from him about the incident are deeply regretted as he spoke based on information available to him at the time.
10. Twitter Snubs Nigeria, Opens First Africa Office In Ghana
Social media company, Twitter, has announced that it would be opening its offices in Ghana, the first of its kind in Africa, thus shunning Nigeria which holds a sizable chunk of the continent’s social media engagers.
CEO Jack Dorsey made the announcement on Monday in a tweet post.
“Today, in line with our growth strategy, we’re excited to announce that we are now actively building a team in Ghana. To truly serve the public conversation, we must be more immersed in the rich and vibrant communities that drive the conversations taking place every day across the African continent,” the social media company wrote in its blog.
The blog post describes Ghana as a “champion for democracy”, as the neighbouring country supports free speech and online freedom.
It also noted Ghana’s plans to host the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area which falls in line with Twitter’s goal to be present in West Africa and eventually across the continent.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
source https://www.naijanews.com/2021/04/13/top-nigerian-newspaper-headlines-for-today-tuesday-13th-april-2021/
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