Good morning Nigerians, welcome to Egalitarian Voice top newspaper headlines review in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 17th January 2023
1. Jonathan Worried Over 2023 Elections
Former President, Goodluck Jonathan on Monday expressed worry over the 2023 general elections.
Jonathan stated this during the commissioning of the 1.15 kilometre Afi-Uko Nteghe Uda bridge on Etebi-Enwang road, in the Mbo Local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The former president on Monday said he is worried over the negative energy that the 2023 electoral process has generated.
He called on politicians to market their politics with ideas, rather than fight, insult and abuse their opponents.
2. DSS Denies Viral Report About Arresting CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
The Department of State Services (DSS) has cleared the air on invading the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday.
There had been speculations that operatives of the secret police stormed CBN to arrest the Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele.
The news of the invasion broke the internet following the report that Emefiele had returned to office after his two weeks’ leave ended.
Emefiele’s resumption was confirmed by the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi in a statement released on Monday.
The spokesperson of DSS, Peter Afunanya, however, in a statement released on Monday said DSS did not invade CBN.
He further stated that the CBN Governor was not arrested.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23. This is fake news and quite misleading.”
3. Arrest Atiku Immediately For Alleged Corruption – Keyamo Tells EFCC, ICPC
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has called for the arrest of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, over corruption allegations.
Keyamo, who is the Chief Spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), made the call in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
According to the petition, Keyamo asked the chairmen of the anti-graft agencies to arrest or invite Atiku for questioning over allegations that he colluded with his then boss, ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, to fleece the country and steal public funds using what he termed as ‘Special Purpose Vehicles.’
The minister said the alleged offences border on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation, conspiracy, and other offences against the code of conduct for public officials.
He also vowed to get a court injunction compelling the agencies to arrest or invite the former vice president for questioning, if they failed to act on the petition.
4. PDP Crisis: ‘It’s A Fight To Finish, We Always Win’ – Wike Boasts Ahead Of 2023 Elections
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has maintained his stand on the 2023 presidential election, insisting that it is a fight to finish.
The Governor who spoke during a campaign rally in his state on Monday told the people of Rivers State that they should remain calm and follow his guidance, stressing that they know he always wins.
Wike spoke amidst the crisis that has engulfed the Peoples Democratical Party (PDP) with some aggrieved Governors popularly known as the G5 insisting they won’t work for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar except Iyorchia Ayu resigns from his position as the national chairman of the party and is replaced by a southerner.
With a few days to the February 25 presidential elections in Nigeria, Wike has again declared that Rivers State will emerge victorious in the face-off.
He said anyone that doesn’t have the interest of the state at heart would not get the votes of the people.
Speaking on how the people of Rivers should vote, Wike assured that the PDP would win the governorship, National, and House of Assembly elections but for the presidency, the people should await further instructions.
5. Emefiele: CBN Releases Official Statement Amidst Reports Of ‘DSS Invasion’
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged all Nigerians to support the policies of the bank in ensuring a stable financial system in the country amidst reports that operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) invaded their headquarters on Monday.
The apex bank on Monday through the Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi in a statement on stated its Governor, Godwin Emefilele resumed duty after his annual vacation abroad.
Osita maintained that the CBN governor will remain committed to performing the task before him in line with his oath of office and the policy direction of the president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Keeping mum on the alleged invasion of the apex bank headquarters, Osita thanked the public for keeping faith in the bank.
6. I Will Declare War On Power, Let’s See Who Will Stand On My Way – Peter Obi
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, said on Monday (today) that if elected as Nigeria’s next president, he will declare war on the power sector and would watch to see who will stand in the way.
Egalitarian Voice News reports that the former Governor of Anambra State said this today while speaking at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom (UK).
Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, are in the UK to further disclose their plans for Nigeria if elected to succeed the incumbent government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ahead of the February 25th presidential election, Obi lamented the poor state of the Nigerian power sector. Comparing the country’s power generation capacity to South Africa, the Labour Party presidential candidate said he will declare war on the sector when he becomes president.
7. 2023: PDP Fires Back Over APC’s Demand For Atiku’s Arrest, Says Tinubu Ineligible To Contest
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, is ineligible to contest for the office of the Nigerian president.u
The main opposition party claimed that the effect of Tinubu’s alleged conviction and forfeiture of the sum of $460,000 confirms his disqualification.
Egalitarian Voice News reports that the PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Monday alleged that the APC was engaged in an “irresponsible attempt” to divert public attention from the issues affecting Nigerians, APC’s “atrocious record” and its “vexatious misrule” by demanding that the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, should withdraw from the presidential race on account of “simulated allegations by the APC.”
It was learnt that the PDP reaction was following the demand of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, asking the PDP flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
8. Nigerian Military Bombs Two Notorious Boko Haram Commanders To Death
The Nigerian Military has recorded another victory in the fight against terrorists and insurgents in the country with the killing of two notorious Boko Haram commanders.
Egalitarian Voice News understands the Boko Haram commanders identified as Abu Ubaida and Mallam Yusuf Abba were killed during airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in Shiroro, Niger State.
The terrorist leaders were killed along with about 40 of their footsoldiers at an abandoned warehouse in Kurebe, a popular community in Shiroro Local Government Area according to reports obtained by PR Nigeria.
Quoting a defence intelligence operative, the publication narrated that Abu Ubaida and Abba were killed when airstrikes conducted by a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft attached to Operation Whirl Punch, raided their enclave, recently.
The successful airstrikes have been confirmed by the NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, who noted that the military would sustain the offensive operations against the Boko Haram elements.
9. Chatham House: Peter Obi Pledges To Dismantle Structure Holding Nigeria Captive
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has pledged to dismantle the “structure” holding Nigeria captive and hindering her advancement and progressive development.
The Labour Party flag bearer alleged that the “structure” currently in Nigeria is that of criminality and it has plagued the people into poverty.
Egalitarian Voice News reports that Obi made this pronouncement on Monday at the leading policy institute and think-tank forum, Chatham House in the United Kingdom.
Obi, who is a former governor of Anambra State, while discussing the topic, ‘Nigeria’s 2023 elections: A vision for policy change and institutional reforms’ claimed that oftentimes it has been heard that the Labour Party doesn’t have structure.
He advanced that “You have heard them say we don’t have structure; that is the structure we are trying to destroy – structure of criminality that Nigeria is being held captive; that structure is the structure that has impoverished Nigeria. We’ll dismantle it. It will not be there. I assure of you.”
According to him, Nigeria is faced with “alarming” insecurity that has led to the loss of many lives and property, a significant decline in food and economic output, immense mental trauma, and in some cases contributed to disaffection with the “Nigerian project.”
10. Nigeria Experienced Highest Inflation Rate Under Obasanjo Not Buhari – Keyamo
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has said the country experienced the highest inflation rate in its history under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Egalitarian Voice News reports that the Chief Spokesperson for the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated this during an interview on Arise TV on Monday.
The minister also denied media reports that the inflation rate under President Muhammadu Buhari is the highest in the history of the country.
He said Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar, who was a former Vice President, presided over the highest inflation rate which was 28 percent in 2005.
“This is not the highest inflation rate. In 2005, under Obasanjo and Atiku, we had a 28 percent inflation rate. Under Obasanjo and Atiku, we had the highest,” Keyamo said.
Keyaamo also said the APC flagbearer, Bola Tinubu, would build on Buhari’s legacy in terms of economy and security, among others, if elected president in the forthcoming elections.
Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Egalitarian Voice News.
See you again tomorrow.
