Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 12th October, 2024
1. Tinubu Heads To France After 9-days In UK
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is about to extend his vacation to Paris, France, for a crucial meeting.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Ibrahim Kabir Masari, a close political confidant and former place-holder running mate for Tinubu.
Recall that President Tinubu made his way to London on October 2, 2024, for a two-week break.
A press release from the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, mentioned that the ‘working vacation’ was included in his annual leave. It also stated that the President will return to Nigeria after his leave.
The statement said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.
“He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.”
“He will return to the country after the leave expires.”
Naturenex reports that this marks the first occasion that President Tinubu will take a leave of absence since he took office in May 2023, despite having undertaken several international trips during that period.
According to the amended 1999 Constitution, the president is obligated to notify the National Assembly of his intention to take a vacation. At the time of reporting, it remains uncertain whether President Tinubu fulfilled this requirement.
On Friday, Masari shared on his Facebook page that following a nine-day stay in London, the President is scheduled to head to Paris for an undisclosed engagement.
He noted that he had visited President Tinubu at his private residence in London and announced that he would be accompanying the President to France.
2. Tinubu Government Won’t Reverse Policies – APC
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed calls from the opposition to reconsider the policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu, urging them instead to support the government in achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope agenda.
In a statement released on Friday, the party responded to accusations from the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who alleged that the APC rigged the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The PDP claims that the ruling party’s actions are part of a broader strategy to establish a one-party system and totalitarian rule in Nigeria.
The chairman of the PDP’s BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, expressed his concerns over the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, attributing them to the policies of the APC-led government.
Wabara spoke to newsmen following a BoT meeting held at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, where he reiterated the opposition’s stance against the government’s alleged electoral manipulation.
In a counter-response, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, refuted the opposition’s claims during a telephone interview with Daily Trust.
Ibrahim emphasized that the APC is committed to upholding democracy and has no intention of undermining it. He described the opposition’s assertions as unfounded and an attempt to deflect attention from their own shortcomings.
3. PDP Suspends Spokesman, Legal Adviser
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the suspension of its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN).
Naturenex reports that the PDP National Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, made this known in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday.
Nnorom explained that the party has established a committee led by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, to investigate the concerns raised against the officers in accordance with the party’s Constitution.
4. Court Upholds Damagum As PDP Chairman
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja held on Friday that Umar Damagum remains the legitimate National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and can only be removed through a national convention.
The decision followed a suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, filed by Senator Umar Maina against the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT), among others.
Maina, the PDP chairman in Yobe State, alleged that some party members were plotting secret meetings aimed at forcefully ousting Damagum, which he argued contravened the PDP Constitution.
He further claimed that a plan was underway to install former Kogi State Deputy Governor Phillip Salawu as Damagum’s replacement.
According to Maina, he formally raised concerns about these clandestine efforts by submitting letters to PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
However, he stated that despite acknowledging his letters, the National Secretary and BoT did not act on them.
Through his counsel, Joshua Musa (SAN), Maina petitioned the court to apply Articles 45, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution to block any attempt to replace Damagum without following due process.
He emphasized that the party’s leadership should alternate between the northern and southern regions, as outlined in the party’s Constitution.
Upon reviewing the PDP Constitution, Justice Lifu affirmed that Damagum’s removal could only occur at a national convention or by a judicial order.
5. Return To Status Quo – PDP BoT Urges NWC
The Senator Adolphus Wabara-led Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for peace and a return to the status quo among feuding members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Naturenex reports that the BoT Chairman made this known in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.
While expressing concern over the ongoing internal crisis, Wabara urged all parties involved to de-escalate tensions for the sake of party unity.
He said: “The BoT calls on all sides of the NWC to sheath their swords and revert to the status quo to preserve the unity and stability of our great party.”
The BoT Chairman emphasized that while disagreements are natural, the PDP’s tradition of internal democracy must not be compromised.
Wabara also assured members that the BoT would engage with the NWC to foster reconciliation and restore normalcy.
He added “We remain committed to promoting peace, unity, and progress within the PDP, and we call on all party faithful and supporters to stay calm as we resolve these issues.”
6. FG Permits Marketers To Lift Fuel Directly From Dangote Refinery
The Federal Government has officially granted petroleum marketers the authority to lift petrol directly from the Dangote refinery, circumventing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
This significant development marks a pivotal shift in the nation’s petroleum distribution landscape, effectively ending NNPC’s monopoly as the sole off-taker of Dangote’s refined fuel.
In a statement released on Friday, the Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Naira-crude sale implementation committee, Wale Edun, provided insights into the decision, highlighting its implications for the industry.
The announcement comes in the wake of increasing speculation regarding NNPC’s changing role in the procurement of petroleum products.
During a review meeting held on October 10, the Implementation Committee, chaired by Edun, assessed the progress of the initiative aimed at facilitating crude oil and refined product sales in naira.
7. Protest: Why Can’t You Afford To Buy Diesel After ‘Stealing’ For 24 Years? – APC Blasts Amaechi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over a recent comment on the administration of President Bola Tinubu and the call for protest over the current economic challenges.
Naturenex reported that Amaechi, in an interview with Igbere TV, criticized the lack of proactive responses from the populace, particularly the youth, regarding the rising cost of living.
Amaechi, who previously served as the governor of Rivers State, noted that he anticipated a surge of protests from young people demanding action against the deteriorating economic conditions.
However, in a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, APC described Amaechi’s comment as insensitive, god-awful, irresponsible and unpatriotic.
Morka expressed disappointment that such a remark came from one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and highest-ranking political freeloaders – a two-term Speaker of the Rivers state House of Assembly, a two-term Governor, and a two-term Minister of Transport.
He stated that Amechi is angry alongside opposition party leaders like former vice president Atiku Abubakar, former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi and others who wished they were in government.
The APC chieftain also questioned Amaechi’s allegation of stealing by those in power. He urged him to focus on the crisis cropping Rivers State instead of attempting to create anarchy in the country.
8. Nigeria High Commission In UK Pulls Down Goodluck Jonathan’s Statements
The Nigeria High Commission in the United Kingdom has pulled down statements and policies related to the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan from its website.
Recall that Jonathan left office in 2015 following his defeat to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the year’s presidential election.
However, reports emerged recently that the Nigerian High Commission website still displays information from Jonathan’s administration despite the transition from Buhari’s government to President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Despite the change in Nigeria’s national anthem in May with the approval of the National Anthem Bill, 2024, Arise O Compatriots, the old anthem, reportedly remained on the website.
Daily Trust noted in a report that the policy statements of President Tinubu, who assumed office in 2023 and has visited the UK at least five times since then, were not found as of October 4, 2024
New updates, however, have surfaced on the commission’s website just a few days after the media’s observation.
However, information from Jonathan’s tenure was still present in key sections.
Also, the new anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, has now been featured on the website.
9. APC Suspends Minister Of State For Petroleum, Lokpobiri
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekeremor and the Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State have suspended several high-ranking party officials, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and the candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial race in the state, David Lyon.
Naturenex reports that among those suspended are two active commissioners from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)–governed Bayelsa State administration, who are also members of the APC.
The decision to suspend these individuals was reportedly made due to their involvement in activities against the party and accusations of dividing the party at the state level.
The APC leader in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mitin Eniekenemi, confirmed the suspension of Senator Lokpobiri and the Commissioner for Power, Engr. Karin Kumoko to journalists on Friday.
Channels Television quoted Eniekenemi as explaining that the decision was made following the recommendations of an internal disciplinary committee established under Article 21.3(1) of the APC Constitution.
10. ‘The Purchasing Power Of Nigerians Is Severely Weakened’ – Ndume Pleads With Tinubu To Lower Fuel, Food Prices
Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate steps to reduce rising food and fuel prices, which are intensifying the hardships faced by Nigerians.
Expressing deep concern over the nation’s economic struggles, Ndume urged the President to address the escalating costs that are pushing essential goods beyond the reach of average citizens.
In a statement released in Abuja, Ndume accused certain “fifth columnists” of collaborating with saboteurs to disrupt the Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve the country.
He warned that these individuals are promoting harsh reforms that harm Nigerians rather than focusing on practical solutions to stabilize inflation and the exchange rate.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
