Top 10 Nigerian Newspaper Headlines Today Monday 25 April 2022

Kingsley Moghalu has stated categorically that he remains a member and 2023 presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Naija News reports.

Moghalu in a Twitter thread on Sunday morning, April 24, 2023, revealed that he has been consulted by both the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to pick their tickets for the 2023 presidential election.

The economist has, however, turned down the offers, pledging his allegiance to the ADC.

Moghalu revealed in the opening of his thread that he has also been wooed by a Coalition of 57 Northern Youth Support Groups under the leadership of the Arewa Youth Assembly to contest 2023 presidential under the umbrella of the APC.

2. 2023: Saraki Reacts To Northern Elders’ Decision On PDP Consensus Presidential Aspirants

Former president of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has lauded the decision of the Northern Elders’ Forum to endorse him and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consensus presidential aspirants in the north.

Infoexpert24 reports that the NEF ahead of the 2023 general election on Friday, confirmed Saraki and Governor Mohammed as the consensus aspirants for PDP.

The NEF is said to have followed some processes before concluding on the duo ahead of the 2023 presidential primaries of the party.

Though Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and some other stakeholders have since rejected NEF’s decision claiming it was not based on the principle of equity and transparency.

Reacting, however, to his name on the consensus list, Saraki in a short message on Sunday through his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the process of arriving at the Northern PDP consensus aspirants was pain-staking, thorough and transparent.

3. I Didn’t Steal Money Or Land, But I’m Not A Saint – Ogun Former Governor, Gbenga Daniel

Otunba Gbenga Daniel former Governor of Ogun state has said though he is not a saint, reiterated that he didn’t steal money or land while in office.

Daniel was the Governor of Ogun state from 2003 to 2011 and was succeeded by Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

At a Special Thanksgiving Service held at the Abraham Tabernacle in Sagamu on Sunday, the former governor recounted how he was tried for 11 years despite serving Ogun State for eight years.

Speaking to journalists, the Ogun East senatorial aspirant maintained that he neither stole lands nor money as governor.

While conceding that he is not a saint, Daniel, however, said he did everything right to the best of his knowledge.

When asked if he was not worried during his trial when some of his fellow former governors being tried were sent to jail for funds misappropriation, Daniel said he used to feel strongly that God would vindicate him, but he got worried at times.

“What I was sure of is that I am not a saint, but I did everything right to the best of my knowledge. I don’t know how anyone will say I stole the land on which this (Abraham Tabernacle) church was built. I don’t even know who the complainant is. The land was paid for, the church is not for profit-making. We donated the church back to the Baptist convention.

4. Buhari reacts as over 100 persons die in Imo illegal refinery site

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the explosion that rocked an illegal crude oil refinery in Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State as a national disaster. He directed the armed forces, security, and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries following the reported deaths of tens of people in the disaster.

5. Consensus: Northern Elders Deny Endorsing Saraki, Mohammed

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has distanced itself from reports that it has endorsed former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed as consensus presidential aspirants of PDP from the North. The announcement of Mohammed and Saraki as northern consensus presidential aspirants of the PDP by Prof. Ango Abdullahi on Friday has continued to generate reactions.

6. Alaafin: Gbajabiamila’s Installation As Aare Baasofin Suspended

A planned chieftaincy title installation ceremony for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has been put on hold till further notice.

Infoexpert24 understands that the lawmaker was to be installed as the Aare Baasofin of Yorubaland (the Supreme Lawmaker of Yorubaland) in May 2022.

However, the installation event has been suspended following the demise of a top Yoruba monarch, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

Alaafin of Oyo had died on Friday night at the age of 83, Naija News reports.

Oba Adeyemi died after serving as Alaafin of Oyo for 52 years. The respected monarch has been mourned by top political and traditional rulers across the country, including the entire Yoruba race.

In this regard, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Gbajabiamila revealed in a statement on Sunday that the chieftaincy title conferment ceremony earlier scheduled for Friday, May 27, 2022, would no longer hold as planned.

7. 2023: Atiku Should Step Down For Me – Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has asked former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to step down for him, saying he has accumulated a gamut of experience to run the affairs of the country if elected president of Nigeria in 2023. The former FCT minister said he is more prepared as he is young, strong, and agile.

Bala Mohammed said if the contest is made to be north versus south affairs, it would not be healthy for the PDP.

He added that he has friends in the south and he believes if, given the ticket, his friends in the region will support him.

The Bauchi State Governor, however, said that the recent endorsement of his presidential ambition by the Northern Elders Forum does not mark out any contender from the race.

8. 2023: Details Of Aisha Buhari’s Meeting With Presidential Aspirants Emerge

The details of the meeting between the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and some presidential aspirants at the State House have emerged.

Infoexpert24 learned that Mrs. Buhari had asked the presidential aspirants to choose women as their running mates ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The First Lady said the purpose of inviting the presidential hopefuls to dinner at the Presidential Villa was to solicit their cooperation and support for more women’s involvement in governance.

She spoke on Saturday night when she hosted presidential aspirants from various political parties to a Ramadan (Iftar) breaking of fast at the State House, Abuja.

The wife of the President urged political parties to give women the chance to contest elections for various elective positions across the country, adding that fair play for women in politics is important.

9. PDP To APC: Dogara Appeals Court Judgment, Vows To Reclaim Seat

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reacted to his sack by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday.

Infoexpert24 had reported that the court sacked the former speaker over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a ruling, Justice D.U. Okoronkwo declared the seat occupied by the lawmaker representing Tafawa Balewa/ Bogoro/Dass federal constituency in the Green Chamber vacant following his defection.

Reacting to the judgment, Dogara rejected the court judgment that sacked him from office and vowed to reclaim his seat by appealing the ruling.

Speaking through his counsel, J.J. Usman (SAN), the former speaker said that the decision of the court that there is evidence of defection to APC is not substantiated by any shred of evidence.

10. ISWAP Claims Responsibility For Killing Of Police Officers In Kogi

The Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on a police station in Adavi, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State. Gunmen had invaded the station in the early hours of Saturday killing at least three officers.