Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 19th March, 2022

March 19, 2022 Mary

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 19th March 2022.

The problem of epileptic power supply is one that Nigerians have had to live with for ages. It is such a household issue as President Buhari had noted, “Nigerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is the power situation in our country”. The President went on to assert that “it is no longer a laughing matter. We must and by the grace of God we will put things right”. This comment was made in 2016. Six years down the line, the situation has so degenerated that the country’s seat of power is now said to depend on an alternative source of power!

The multiple national grid collapse resulted in the loss of 1106 megawatts (MW) out of the 3,867.60mw of electricity generated by 19 generation companies (GenCos) in the country. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which evacuates the electricity generated by GenCos and wheels same to the Distribution Companies (DisCos), identified inadequate gas supply, faulty facilities of GenCos and unscheduled maintenance as reasons for the escalated power blackouts since late last year.

The Federal High Court sitting in Umahia, Abia State on Friday directed the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to delete Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike while calling on the minister to delete the section of the Electoral Amendment Act, noted that it is unconstitutional.

According to Anyadike, Section 84 (12) is unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution.”

The Judge charged Malami “forthwith delete the said Subsection 12 of Section 84 from the body of the Electoral Act, 2022”.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday issued an order vacating the restraining injunction against the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress fixed for March 26th.

Justice Bello Kawu in his ruling on Friday stated that a member of a political party can’t sue the party.

According to Kawu, the order of November 18, 2021, has been overtaken by a recent Supreme Court judgement on a similar matter.

The court fixed March 30 for the substantive suit.

The immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, reportedly obtained a court order to stop his arrest at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Thursday.

Naija News had reported the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Obiano and his wife, Ebelechukwu on their way to the United States around 8.30 pm.

This comes after Obiano was placed on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency since November 2021 for alleged corruption while in office.

A report on TheCable claims that the former governor procured a court order and tried to use it to stop his arrest at the Lagos airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted claims that the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has been released.

A report emerged on Friday morning claiming that Obiano and his wife, Ebelechukwe who were quizzed by EFCC officials at the Murtala Mohammad International Airport in Lagos On Thursday, had been released on bail.

But in a chat with reporters on Friday morning, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed that the report claiming that the former governor had been released is fake and should be ignored.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano.

The Public Relations Officer of the EFCC, Wilson Uwajaren confirmed the arrest.

It will be recalled as previously reported by Naija News that Obiano who just handed over less than twenty-four hours ago to Governor Chukwuma Soludo was picked up on Thursday at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday night around 8.30pm by EFCC operatives.

He was arrested while on his way to the United States.

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has disclosed that the Nigerian Government borrowed ₦6.64 trillion in 2021 and serviced debt with ₦2.93 trillion.

Naija News reports that the Director-General of the office, Patience Oniha, made this disclosure at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

She stated that Nigeria’s total public debt jumped from N32.92tn in 2020 to N39.56tn or $95.78bn as of December 31, 2021.

The DMO boss stated that the country’s total debt includes new borrowings by the Federal Government and the sub-nationals.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu has disclosed the reason she slapped the immediate past First Lady of Anambra State, Ebele Obiano at the inauguration ceremony of Charles Soludo.

Bianca in an interview with Arise TV on Friday disclosed that Obiano’s wife was absent at the beginning of the inauguration ceremony, only to arrive hours later.

She noted that Ebele upon her arrival walked towards her and verbally attacked her with her voice raised.

According to Bianca, Ebele also questioned her presence at the inauguration ceremony, asking if she was there to celebrate their last day in office.

The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu, has declared his intention to succeed his principal, Governor Samuel Ortom.

Abounu made this known on Friday after obtaining his nomination and expression of interest forms at the state headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Markurdi.

He stated that his reason for joining the governorship race is to contribute to the growth and development of the state, adding that he has the experience and education qualifications to govern the state.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has declared why he is interested in becoming the next President of Nigeria.

The presidential aspirant stated that Nigeria is blessed with abundant resources and he has plans on how to harness these resources to work for the country.

Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential hopeful lamented the challenges facing the country to include epileptic power supply, high inflation rate, poor economic situation, and bad governance.

He however added that he is convinced there are workable solutions to all the challenges and that is why he is offering himself to Nigerians to become their next leader and take the country to greater heights.