Good morning lovely readers and welcome to Politics Nigeria roundup of the top 10 Nigerian newspapers headlines for today Thursday, April 9th, 2020.
1. Boko Haram: “President Idris Deby Did Not Criticize Buhari” – Chadian Government
The Chadian Embassy has issued a statement on recent comments attributed to its President, Idris Deby Itno, which criticized Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari over the war with Boko Haram. It will be recalled that some online news mediums quoted President Deby as recently saying that “President Buhari was absent from the war against Boko Haram” in the wake of an astounding victory against the sect. However, in a statement on Wednesday evening, expressing concerns over the development, the Chadian government described the reports as “fake news” adding that Deby made those comments in 2015 not recently.
2. Lawan, Gbajabiamila Frown At Social Investment Programme Implementation
The leaders of the National Assembly have faulted the implementation of the federal government’s Social Investment Programme (SIP) during the lockdown in some states. Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, made their feelings known at a meeting with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, in Abuja on Tuesday.
3. “You Got It Wrong” – Presidency Attacks National Assembly Over N2 Trillion SIP
The Nigerian Presidency has replied the leadership of the National Assembly over the N2 Trillion Social Investment Programme(SIP). The Presidency, in a lengthy response signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Maryam Uwais, explained how the program was managed.
4. Ondo 2020: APC Screens Governorship Aspirants To Run Against Akeredolu
As political gladiators look forward to the October 20 governorship election in Ondo state, a committee set up by All Progressive Congress has concluded the screening of aspirants. The screening exercise is to pick a consensus candidate who will slug it out with the incumbent Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in the party’s primaries. The committee known as Ondo Unity Forum had screened Chief Olusola Oke, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Bukola Adetula, Jimi Odimayo, Olayide Adelami, Olarewaju Kassim, Oyedeke life, Mrs Jumoke Ajasin Anifowose and Banji Ayiloge who are aspiring to be the party’s flag bearer in the coming poll.
5. APC Denies Giving N500,000 Daily Allowance To COVID-19 Taskforce Members
A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress known as APC Mandate Defenders (APCMD) has debunked claims by Comrade Timi Frank alleging that daily allowance for members of the Presidential Taskforce for the Control of Coronavirus is N500,000. In a statement released to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Mr Ifeanyi Emeka, the group said Timi Frank is a known blackmailer who fabricates fake stories and disseminate such to unsuspecting members of the public.
6. Tension In PDP As Buhari Names Jonathan’s Man As APC Senatorial Candidate
There is a palpable crisis looming in the Bayelsa state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC following a recent congratulatory message from President Muhammadu Buhari to Ambassador Godknows Igali, a PDP chieftain in the state. In a statement issued on Monday signed by the President’s SSA on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari described Igali as the APC Senatorial aspirant in the upcoming Bayelsa Central by-elections.
7. 22 New Coronavirus Cases Recorded As Nigeria’s Tally Rises To 276
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 22 new cases of coronavirus in the country, bringing the total number of the disease in Nigeria to 276. In a tweet on Wednesday night via its Twitter handle, the center said the new infections were reported in Lagos, Bauchi, Edo states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The NCC noted that of the 22 new cases, 15 were recorded in Lagos State and four in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It also said that two new cases were reported in Bauchi State, and one in Edo State.
8. FG Reveals Cause Of Fire At Accountant-General’s Office
The federal government has revealed the cause of the fire incident that broke out at the Treasury House, a building housing the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Speaking with journalists at the site of the incident on Wednesday, Clem Agba, Minister of State for Budget and Planning, said the fire was caused by a spark in one of the air conditioners (AC) on the fourth floor. The minister also denied rumors that the federal government was attempting to cover up any financial wrongdoing, adding that they are yet to take an inventory of what was destroyed in the fire.
9. FG Condemns Arrest, Detention Of Caverton Helicopters’ Pilots
The arrest and detention of passengers and two pilots of Caverton Helicopters have been condemned by the federal government. POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, shut down the aircraft and ordered the arrest of the passengers and pilots for flouting the Coronavirus lockdown in order to curb the spread of the disease. However, speaking at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 press briefing on Wednesday, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, berated the Rivers state government for arresting the pilots and passengers. The minister said the federal government would ensure the release of the pilots and passengers legally.
10. COVID-19 Lockdown: Lagos Police Releases Names Of 78 Arrested Violators
The Lagos State Police Command has released the names of 78 people arrested in the state for violating the social distancing directive issued by the state government. The suspects were arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba on one count charge of violating the social distancing directives of Lagos State Government contrary to Regulation 8(1)( a) &(b) and 17(1)(i) of Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency prevention) Regulation 2020. 73 of the suspects pleaded guilty and were sentenced to one-month community service and will be kept in Government-isolation centres for 2 weeks.
That’s the roundup of the top 10 Nigerian newspapers headlines this morning. More Nigerian newspapers headlines are available on Politics Nigeria website.
Okey for the day