Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 18th December, 2021

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Ezenwoko’s Blog roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Saturday, 18th December 2021.

A responsible government inspires hope in its citizens, keeping them assured that the days ahead hold a better promise. This is a very delicate act of statecraft where every official sings the same tune. They speak hope out of their understanding of the current difficult time the people are grappling with. When government officials adopt empathy and reassurance while communicating with the people, this goes a long way in lifting the citizenry from depression and giving them a reason to face the future.

This is one major lesson the government of President Muhammadu Buhari must learn. As a new year beckons, they’ve not in any way bothered to assure of a great year for Nigerians. All the people have been fed with are tales of a difficult time ahead as if Nigerians are not at rock bottom already. Government officials have continued to paint the picture of a bleak 2022 that will dig more holes in the pocket of Nigerians. They talk about imminent austerity measures and even fly the kite on policies they may not pursue, all to the disillusionment of the citizens.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday celebrated his 79th birthday in faraway Istanbul, Turkey where he is currently on official assignment.

The President cut a birthday cake moulded in the national colours of green-white-green which was presented by his aides.

Following the submission and consideration of a report by its interview committee, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the appointment of 64 persons as judicial officers to their various state governments.

The spokesperson of the NJC, Soji Oye made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

According to Oye, the decision was reached during the 94th meeting of the NJC held on December 14 and 15 which was presided over by the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Justice Mary Odili.

He said the NJC “considered the list of candidates presented by its interview committee and at the end of deliberation, council recommended the under-listed names of sixty-four successful candidates to their various state governors for appointment”.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has written a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the Electoral Amendment Bill.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that the President had asked some critical stakeholders such as Malami and INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, to give their expert opinions on the amendment of the bill.

Two major amendments in the bill are the mandatory use of direct primaries by political parties and the provision to allow INEC to transmit election results electronically.

In a letter sent to the President two weeks ago, the Justice minister opposed the inclusion of compulsory direct primaries in the electoral bill.

A source who spoke with The PUNCH said Malami told Buhari that the compulsory use of direct primaries by political parties to choose candidates for election would cause confusion.

Former Governor of Zamfara State Abdul-Aziz Yari has claimed that he is one of the founders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former governor said he formed the APC alongside former Nasarawa governor, Senator Tanko Almakura, and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Yari made the claim at the APC Press Corps’ Second Annual Summit held on Thursday in Abuja.

The former Zamfara governor revealed that the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshimhole, were also part of those that formed the APC.

The details of the bilateral meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have emerged.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that the two leaders met in Istanbul on Friday to discuss the security challenges in Nigeria and how Turkey can help support the fight against insecurity.

Buhari in a statement on Friday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, disclosed that the Turkish government has offered to assist Nigeria in dealing with the security challenges facing the nation.

President Buhari stated that Nigeria has a lot to gain from Turkey because the Arab country has practical experience in dealing with insecurity.

The former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has submitted his nomination and expression of interest form at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

Adeleke who was defeated during the 2018 governorship election by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gboyega Oyetola submitted his form on Thursday.

He expressed confidence that the new leadership of PDP will return the party to power in the coming elections.

Adeleke after the submission held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the party, with the National Deputy Chairman South, Taofeeq Arapaja in attendance.

The presidency has again debunked the idea that there is a cabal within and outside the Aso Rock Villa controlling President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina ruled out the existence of any cabal in an opinion article on Thursday which highlighted and celebrated the attributes of the President as he celebrates his 79th birthday.

The article titled ‘Buhari at 79: Lessons we’ve learnt from him‘ chronicled the leadership and personal attributes that can be learnt from the life of President Buhari.

At a point in the article, the author, Mr. Adesina said it is laughable that many people think and say a cabal is controlling the President.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of infringing on the fundamental human rights of some protesters arrested in the North.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that policemen in Abuja arrested and detained some Northern youths who protested against the security challenges in the region.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, Falana stated that the police don’t have the right to arrest any protesters, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the youths.

Three court Judges have been denied promotion by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for granting conflicting ex parte orders on the same matter.

NJC spokesman, Soji Oye, made this known in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Oye said the three judges were barred from promotion to the higher Bench for a period ranging from two to five years whenever they are due for such promotion.

He said that Hon. Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the High Court of Rivers State was barred from elevation to higher Bench for two years whenever he is due.

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

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