Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 19th August, 2020

 

Good morning, Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top Newspaper Headlines in Nigeria for today Wednesday, 19th August 2020

1. Carrington Exposed Abacha’s Plan To Arrest Me, Offered Asylum In US – Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday revealed how late former American Ambassador in Nigeria, Walter Carrington, offered him asylum in the United States in 1995 while Gen. Sani Abacha was in power.

Obasanjo in his statement noted that he turned down the political asylum offer, despite its tempting and assuring details.

He further stated that during Carrington’s tenure, the late envoy helped Nigeria in easing the move to the democratic rule which had run for over a decade.

2. It’s Absurd To Think I was Acting when I Fainted – Pondei Reveals

Embattled Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Daniel Pondei says it is absurd and wicked for people to think he was acting when he fainted.

Naija News recalls that Pondei fainted while being questioned by lawmakers over allegations of corruption on July 20th, 2020.

He was however revived after scores of NDDC officials including Dr Cairo Ojuogboh seated close to him promptly came his rescue.

3. China Loan: Finance Minister Absent At Resumed House Of Reps Hearing

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed was absent at the resumed investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Protocols on Tuesday.

Similarly, officials from the Debt Management Office (DMO) were also absent.

The Chairman of the Committee, Nicholas Ossai lamented the absence of the Minister and other officials of the Ministry as he noted that the lawmakers cannot interrogate the agencies in their absence.

4. APC Governors’ Forum DG, Lukman Replies Oshiomhole After He Called Him A Pig

Dr. Salihu Lukman, Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has declared he won’t be joining issues with the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over his recent outburst.

Lukman on Tuesday while speaking with newsmen in Abuja noted that Oshiomhole is a person he respects not just as a party leader but also as a person.

Naija News recalls Oshiomhole had on Monday described Lukman as a pig who is already stained by its dirty nature, adding that the APC governors’ forum DG is a failed politician.

However, Dr. Lukman has in his reaction stated that agreeing and disagreeing is part of every relationship but Oshiomhole’s outburst doesn’t diminish his respect for him.

5. Wives, Child Of Bauchi Lawmaker Killed By Gunmen Regain Freedom

Barely a week after it was reported that unknown gunmen attacked and murdered a lawmaker in Bauchi, his two wives and a child who were also abducted during the deadly operation have been rescued.

Naija News reports that the lawmaker representing Baraza Dass Constituency in Bauchi Assembly, Hon. Musa Mante was killed on Thursday night, August 14 in his residence in Dass Local Government Area.

However, fresh reports have confirmed that his wives, Rashida Musa Mante (40), Rahina Musa Mante (35) and a daughter Fausar Musa Mante (1) who were kidnapped at the scene of the horrible attack have regained their freedom.

6. Lawyer Sues Lai Mohammed, NBC For Increasing Hate Speech Fine To N5m

A lawsuit has been filed against the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Federal Government, and the National Broadcasting Commission, by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, for arbitrarily amending the Broadcast Code and hiking the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5m.

Effiong in the case filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenged the imposition of N5m fine on Nigeria Info 99.3FM Lagos and the threat by NBC to punish other broadcast stations in the country over alleged hate speech.

7. Nigerians Announce Exit From NBA Virtual Meeting After Gov El-Rufai’s Name Appears As Guest Speaker

Some Nigerians have taken to social media to declare that they will boycott the forthcoming virtual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

Naija News understands that the attendees took the decision after discovering the inclusion of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai as one of the guest speakers at the virtual meeting.

The citizens condemned NBA for naming Governor El-Rufai as one of its speakers, according to them the decision only shows that the association is in support of insecurity in the Southern Kaduna.

8. Biafra: Nigerians Disagree As Nnamdi Kanu Unveils Biafra New Design

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) on Tuesday unveiled a new design for the agitation of Biafra.

The IPOB leader who took to his Twitter account on August 18 to share the new design.

Kanu noted that the newest design which comes with an acknowledgment of the group’s ERI heritage is beautiful and thought-provoking.

However, the new design has been rejected by some people from the region who believe the new design doesn’t represent their agitation of Biafra.

While others believe the symbol on the new design is religious oriented.

9. INEC Promise Conclusive Election In Ondo State

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), on Tuesday, assured that the governorship election in Ondo State will be conclusive and acceptable.

The Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Rufus Akeju, stated this at the opening ceremony of a three-day advocacy and voter education training for youths in the state.

Akeju noted that the electoral body is ready to conduct a free and fair election, that would be devoid of any form of malpractice during the October 10 polls.

10. Coup: Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita And Prime Minister ‘Arrested’

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and his Prime Minister, Boubou Cissé, were “arrested” late Tuesday afternoon in Bamako by mutiny Soldiers supporting the opposition.

“We can tell you that the president and prime ministers are under our control. We arrested them at his home ” (at the home of the Head of State), said a soldier, who requested anonymity.

“IBK (President Keita) and his Prime Minister are in an armoured vehicle on their way to Kati”, the military camp on the outskirts of Bamako where the mutiny began in the morning, said another military source in the mutineer camp.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.