TheCable

The Nation reports that Buhari has said he will not disclose his preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election. The newspaper says the federal government has unfolded plans to reduce the size of its civil service.

The Nigerian Tribune says the federal government has formally declared bandits as terrorists. The newspaper reports that the Olubadan-in-Council has publicly announced Lekan Balogun as the Olubadan-designate.

Daily Independent reports that Buhari has ruled out a political solution as an option for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The newspaper says the Lagos state government has cleared the five accused Dowen College students of complicity in the death of Sylvester Oromoni (Jnr), a deceased pupil of the school.

The Punch says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Afenifere have faulted the position of Buhari on state police and insistence on grazing routes. The newspaper says the south-west governors have criticised Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, over his alleged role in the deployment of police officers in Magodo estate phase two in Lagos state.

The Guardian reports that gunmen have kidnapped some Chinese and local workers at Zungeru power project in Niger. The newspaper says Lagos state’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) for 2021 suffered a N180 billion shortfall at the end of the year.