The major headlines for mainstream newspapers today, Friday, April 6, are focused on the tussle for the national chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the fresh herdsmen attack in Benue state, the $1bn for arms procurement by the federal government and the outcry by the Senate over the poor performance of the N1.5tr social investment scheme.
This Day is reporting that stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have turned their sights on the national chairmanship seat, barely 24 hours after governors of the party and the National Working Committee (NWC) seemingly resolved the quagmire that had arisen over President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of the 12 months tenure extension granted to elected and appointed executives of the party at all levels.
According to the publication, names of possible contenders for the position are already being bandied about; prominent among whom are the incumbent national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; the former governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole; and a former governor of Cross River State in the Third Republic, Clement Ebri.
Oyegun is eligible to seek another four years in office.
Speaking on the issue, a senior party official reportedly disclosed: “Right now, three persons are being considered – former Governors Oshiomhole, Clement Ebri and Oyegun.”
Front page of This Day, Friday, April 6, 2018 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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Still on the issue of the APC national chairmanship position, The Nation is reporting that a plot is brewing among supporters of the incumbent, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to ensure an extension of his tenure.
The proponents of the tenure extension for the embattled APC chairman reportedly want to create a stalemate and dump the decision reached on the National Convention by President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors.
In a bid to stop this plan, President Buhari has allegedly decided to attend the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday, April 9, before leaving for London. This is in order to ensure that the decision for the APC to have congresses and a convention, holds.
Some party chiefs backing Oyegun had reportedly invited all state chairmen for a meeting on Thursday night, April 5, in a bid to fight back against the president’s decision. They want the state chairmen to push back against Buhari and the governors.
Front page of The Nation, Friday, April 6, 2018 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
Punch is however focused on the herdsmen crisis in Benue state; reporting that members of the House of Representatives from the state raised the alarm over fresh killings in the state, by the herdsmen.
Speaking on Thursday, April 5, the lawmakers demanded full military presence in Benue communities constantly being attacked by herdsmen.
They pointed out that up to 24 persons were confirmed killed in renewed attacks in the state between April 2 and 4, with several others missing.
The aggrieved lawmakers - Mr Dickson Takighir; Mr Mark Terseer-Gbillah; Mr Samuel Udende; and Mr John Dyegh - prevailed on the federal government, once again, to declare the herdsmen as terrorists.
Front page of Punch, Friday, April 6, 2018 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
On its part, Vanguard is reporting that the House of Representatives said that except approval is given by the National Assembly, there would be trouble if President Muhammadu Buhari goes ahead to approve any money for arms procurement.
This was stated by Hon Rinamde Shawalu, the chairman of the House Committee on Army, who insisted that the president does not have constitutional powers to approve money for arms procurement without the mandate of the legislature. According to the lawmaker, any such violation was bound to brew trouble between Buhari and the legislative arm of government.
The publication noted that the Senate had also taken a swipe at the president over the issue on Wednesday, April 4.
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, vice chairman, Senate committee on media and publicity, had stated: “It has not been approved, it is simply the choice of words. The presidency or the executive cannot spend a single kobo on such a mission unless the National Assembly approves that.
“It is only when the Senate or National Assembly approves that the executive can go ahead to spend such money. The executive can only recommend and not to approve.”
Front page of Vanguard, Friday, April 6, 2018 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
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The Guardian is however reporting that the Senate has expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of the Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government’s N1.5 trillion National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) and described it as a failure.
The upper legislative chamber threatened to cut budgetary allocation for the scheme, as it expressed dismay over the fact that it had not made serious impact on Nigerians.
The threat was made by Senator Mohammed Danjuma, chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, when the special adviser to the president on social investment, Mrs Maryam Uwais, appeared before the panel to provide clarification on proposed budget implementation.
NSIP funds are captured under the presidency’s Service Wide Vote.
Front page of The Guardian, Friday, April 6, 2018 (Photo credit: NAIJ.com)
APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 - on NAIJ.com TV:
Source: Naija.ng
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