Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 2nd April 2023.
DSS, Police Arrest Igbo Leader Who Threatened To Invite IPOB To Lagos
The Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate in Lagos State, Fredrick Nwajagu, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for threatening to invite the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos State.
A source in the police who preferred anonymity told The PUNCH that the Igbo leader was arrested on Saturday morning by a joint team of policemen and operatives of the Department of State Services.
“A team of police and DSS went to his palace but he had already fled. He was later traced to a hotel in Ejigbo where he was arrested,” the source said. 
Recall that in a 49-second video shared on Twitter on Friday by @DeeOneAyekooto, Nwajagu had said the need to invite the proscribed pro-Biafra group to the state was following the persistent attacks on some Igbo people and the markets they dominate.
The Igbo leader was captured saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our own security so that they will stop attacking us in the midnight, in the morning, in the afternoon.
“When they discover that we have our own security, before they will come, they will know that we have our own men there. I am not saying a single word to be hidden. I am not hiding my words, let my words go viral. Igbo must get their right and get stand in Lagos State.”
Buhari May Leave Fuel Subsidy Removal Decision To Tinubu Govt
There are indications that President Muhammadu Buhari may handover to president-elect Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, without removing the controversial fuel subsidy as promised by his administration.
Naija News reports that the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and other international institutions have constantly mounted pressure on the federal government to remove the subsidy on petrol, but due to the fear of social unrest, no administration has mustered the political will to carry it out.
With a few weeks to the end of Buhari’s government, no circular on effecting the removal of the subsidy on PMS has been issued by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, or even the presidency.
A government official told Leadership Weekend that recent comments by Zainab that the subsidy will be removed before May 29, the handover date to Bola Tinubu, were political rhetoric.
The source revealed that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, the successor agency for the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, has yet to share a pricing template with relevant agencies and ministries for a deregulated PMS market.
PDP Crisis: Plot To Prevent Ayu’s Return Thickens
The suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, may find it difficult to return to office as some prominent members of the party are against his reinstatement.
Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) are allegedly working against his return following the defeat of the party in the 2023 presidential election.
Recall Ayu was suspended by his Igyorov Ward in the Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.
Following the suspension, Justice Wilfred Kpochi of the state High Court in Makurdi granted an ex parte injunction barring him from parading himself as the chairman of the party.
With respect to the court order, Ayu stepped aside on Tuesday and the Deputy National Chairman of the party (North), Umar Damagum took over as the acting national chairman.
Top Contenders For 10th NASS Leadership Lobby Govs, Emirs
Top contenders for key positions in the National Assembly have intensified lobbying ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
The contenders despite waiting for the pronouncement on the zoning of offices by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have taken further steps.
The key positions in the National Assembly include President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Three of the four current holders of the offices were re-elected, including Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase.
However, the Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege lost his election to replace the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Following Tinubu’s victory, Gbajabiamila who is from the same state as the president-elect might not be able to retain his position as Speaker.
Your Advisory On Loan Restrictions Baseless – Ganduje Fires Abba Yusuf
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has berated the Governor-elect, Abba Yusuf, over his recent advisory on loan restrictions.
Naija News earlier reported that Yusuf had cautioned lenders against issuing the Kano State Government any more loans without his consent.
The Governor-elect also warned residents of the state against building on lands acquired in public spaces, saying that such property will be taken over by the government.
Reacting to the development, Ganduje described the advisory as baseless and indicative of a lack of direction in leadership.
He made this known while addressing reporters on Saturday after a prayer session held in honour of the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the state Government House.
The governor asserted that his successor is starting off his administration on the wrong foot by making such speeches, stressing that he is not yet the governor.
Abdulraheem Olawuyi Joins Speakership Race, To Battle Wase, Others For Top Spot
A lawmaker from Kwara State, Abdulraheem Olawuyi, has joined the race for the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly.
Naija News reports that Olawuyi, who is representing Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun and Oke-ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State, will battle the top spot with the like of the incumbent Deputy Speaker, Ibrahim Wase, Benjamin Kalu, and Abubakar Yalleman, among others.
In a statement he personally issued to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Olawuyi stated that he would officially declare his intention to run for the speakership position on April 4 in Abuja.
The lawmaker said he has consulted widely on his intention to contest the position and expressed delight at the feedback.
Olawuyi, a third termer and ranking member in the House of Reps, said he believes he possesses the needed experience to make the office of the speaker better if elected by his colleagues.
Buhari Approves Changes To 2022/2023 Deep Offshore Oil Block Bid Process
The 2022/2023 Deep Offshore oil block mini-bid process has been modified with President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval to address concerns voiced by potential local and international investors.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) announced this via a statement issued on Saturday.
In the statement, the NUPRC’s Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe, said the changes will soothe worries regarding the current administration’s terminal date for the conclusion of the bid program.
He added that the modifications will help to increase public trust in the process’s openness and uniformity.
Komolafe asserted that the NUPRC extended the deadline for submitting proposals to May 19 after gaining the president’s consent.
Troops Kill Five Bandits, Recover Arms, Ammunition In Kaduna
Troops of One Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army have neutralised five bandits during a clearance operation in Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations of One Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, in a statement on Friday, said the troops operating in Chikun LGA conducted a clearance operation.
The troops was reportedly carried out the operation along Kanti-Tantatu Road in Kubusu Forest and Kaso Hills general area to incapacitate the bandits and create an enabling environment for economic activities and legitimate businesses to thrive.
During the operation said to have lasted several hours, the troops neutralised five of the bandits, recovering four AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, and 24 rounds of 7.62 mm calibre.
Others items recovered from the bandits included three motorcycles, one machete, two handsets and some charms.
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding One Division and Force Commander of Operation Whirl Punch, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the troops and commended their commitment and resilience during the operation.
Kano Gov-Elect, Abba Yusuf Issues Another Order To Lenders
The Kano State Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has issued another order against the issuance of loans to the incumbent government by both domestic and international lenders.
Naija News reports that this is the second order Yusuf would be given in the last few days without the consent of the incumbent government.
The governor-elect said the fresh Public Debt Suspension advisory had become necessary because lenders need to be informed that no loan should be given to the state government without the consent of the incoming administration.
He said the advisory to lenders was in the interest of the state.
The advisory signed by Yusuf’s chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Abba submitted that “Effective from March 18 to May 29, no lender (domestic or international) shall approve and issue any loan facility to Kano State Government without the express consent of the incoming administration.”
Igbo Leader Threatens To Invite IPOB To Protect Traders Against Persistent Attacks In Lagos
The Eze Igbo, Ajao Estate, Lagos, Fredrick Nwajagu, has threatened to invite members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to secure properties of Igbo people in Lagos State.
In a 49-second video shared on Twitter on Friday by @DeeOneAyekooto, Nwajagu said the need to invite the proscribed pro-Biafra group to the state was following the persistent attacks on some Igbo people and the markets they dominate.
The Igbo leader was captured saying, “IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops. And we have to pay them. We have to mobilise for that. We have to do that. We must have our own security so that they will stop attacking us in the midnight, in the morning, in the afternoon.
“When they discover that we have our own security, before they will come, they will know that we have our own men there. I am not saying a single word to be hidden. I am not hiding my words, let my words go viral. Igbo must get their right and get stand in Lagos State.”
Reacting to the video, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the security agency would not allow IPOB come to the state.
“To start with, the ever-ready @LagosPoliceNG will never fold its arms and allow such within the state,” he wrote.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The post Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 2nd April, 2023 appeared first on Naija News.
