Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 29th July 2024
1. ‘Tinubu Gov’t Getting Exposed Everyday’ – Ex-APC Vice Chair, Lukman
A former National Vice Chairman (North-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has expressed his concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, accusing him of steering the nation towards an increasingly dire path through his policies that have exacerbated the living conditions of all Nigerians.
According to him, the hopelessness of the incumbent government is getting exposed to Nigerians as each day passes.
Naturenex reports that Lukman made this statement in a statement released on Sunday, where he questioned the nature of President Tinubu’s strategies aimed at addressing the country’s challenges.
He noted a consistent display of the government’s inability to effectively manage and implement initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.
The former APC chieftain also observed a pattern of repeated explanations for the nation’s economic decline, with a notable absence of a clear roadmap or timeline for the recovery of the Nigerian economy.
2. Kenneth Okonkwo Cuts Ties With Peter Obi
Nollywood actor cum politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has parted ways with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Naturenex reports that Okonkwo made this known in a statement via his Instagram page on Sunday, accusing Peter Obi of being too weak and indecisive to confront national issues.
He stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to make Nigeria a great nation but attempt to cripple the country.
According to Okonkwo, the country needs a solid political party with a robust grassroots base and a decisive leader to wrestle power with PDP and APC.
The movie star noted that the series of events in the Labour Party inspired his determination to chart a new course in his political journey, especially as Peter Obi has refused to seize the moment to build a solid party of integrity.
Okonkwo also stated that he was shocked when the former Governor of Anambra State publicly declared that he did not promise Nigerians to build a strong LP but to solve Nigeria’s problem, whereas a solid political base is needed to overthrow the opposition parties.
He also faulted Peter Obi’s failure to dissociate himself from the ongoing crisis and criminal activities of the LP National Working Committee (NWC) and his failure to support the effort of the Labour Union in fighting for the welfare of workers.
3. ‘Protest Is Allowed’ – Peter Obi Identifies ‘Sponsors’ Of August Protest
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has stated that protest is allowed within the Nigerian Constitution.
Naturenex reports that Peter Obi made this known amidst the proposed nationwide protest scheduled by some Nigerian youths to hold on August 1-10 over the current economic situation in the country.
In an interview with Channels TV after a visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Sunday, the former Governor of Anambra State urged intending protesters to demonstrate in a civil manner.
Peter Obi pointed out that ‘huger and hopelessness’ in the country are the sponsors of the August protest.
Speaking further, Peter Obi urged security agencies to manage the situation within the law and avoid overbearing.
4. Abuja Politicians Responsible For Insecurity In Benue State – Gov. Alia
Governor Hyacinth Alia has blamed some Abuja politicians for the insecurity affecting some parts of Benue State, particularly the Sankera axis.
Governor Alia, who refused to identify the said politicians sponsoring the violence in the state, added that the unnamed politicians are sponsoring criminals against their own people.
Naturenex reports the Benue State Governor made the allegation on Sunday while speaking to newsmen after Mass at the Chapel of Grace in Government House, Makurdi.
“Abuja politicians are sponsoring these groups,” Alia said.
He spoke against the background of recent attacks in Benue State, including last week’s incident in which gunmen suspected to be militias killed 18 persons, kidnapped three others and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira at Mbacher council ward of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, which happened on Saturday morning, also left two people injured while many have been displaced for fear of further attacks.
Governor Alia added that Benue residents would not be participating in the planned protest by some unidentified groups against the government policies causing hardship in the country.
5. Why We Are Asking For Details Of Protest Leaders, Organizers And Schedules – Police
The Nigerian Police Force has set the record straight over the request for details of Nigerians planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest slated for August 1-10, 2024.
Naturenex reports that the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyi Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, denied the accusation of trying to rewrite the constitution over the request for protest organisers’ details.
Adejobi stated that the Police IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, never denied citizens the right to freedom of association and expression but emphasised the need for peaceful assembly and expression.
According to him, the request for details of protest organisers is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities.
The Police boss added that allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardize the peace and stability of the country and leave citizens with pains, sorrows and tears, as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS Protests.
6. Protest: Do What Tinubu And Buhari Did In The Past – Onanuga Tells Peter Obi
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has charged the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to lead the planned nationwide protest.
Onanuga, in a post via his account on the X platform, told Obi to do what President Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari did in the past by leading the planned protest.
The presidential media aide said since Obi has openly declared support for the planned protest, he should be at the forefront of leading the protesters in order to curb their possible excesses.
“Now that Peter Obi has come out to endorse the planned protest by his supporters, he should do what President Tinubu and former President Buhari did in the past, by coming out openly to lead the protesters. That is what leadership is about. Not playing the master puppeteer behind the scene. He should be in the forefront of the protest and help in curbing their possible excesses,” Onanuga wrote on Sunday.
7. Dangote Refinery Has Ignited The Fury Of Nigeria’s Enemies – NEF Laments
The Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, has issued a stern warning to those trying to sabotage the Dangote Refinery.
Abdullahi stated that such efforts were detrimental to the growth of the country.
The former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, expressed his concerns in a statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
Recently, media reports have highlighted the difficulties faced by the refinery, one of Africa’s largest oil plants, in securing local crude oil.
Speaking on the development, Abdullahi argued that for 30 years vested interests controlling the NNPC cartel have ensured that the nation’s four refineries remained non-operational and unable to meet domestic petroleum needs.
He lamented that instead of appreciating Dangote’s efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported refined petroleum products, some groups are intent on hindering the refinery’s operations.
Abdullahi stated that Nigeria is globally ridiculed for being the only member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) without refining capacity, relying heavily on imported oil and derivatives.
8. Gov Alex Otti Rejects Peter Obi’s Stance On Nationwide Protests
The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed a different position from the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over the planned nationwide protest.
Some youths are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 1o against the rising cost of living and economic hardship.
Naturenex earlier reported that Peter Obi, during a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at his country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area, endorsed the planned protest.
The former Governor of Anambra State noted that it is the constitutional right of citizens to protest, stressing that hunger and hopelessness are responsible for the agitation.
He said protesters must carry out the demonstration within the ambit of the law.
However, Otti, while speaking with Channels TV, admitted that things are difficult in the country, but the bad governance people are currently complaining about started during the previous administrations.
He emphasised that protesting without police approval is illegal.
9. ‘We Are Aware Of The Moles’ – Labour Party Reacts As Kenneth Okonkwo Dumps Peter Obi
The Labour Party (LP), has reacted to the decision of veteran actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, to dissociate himself from the leadership of Peter Obi.
Labour Party in a statement on Sunday while condemning the attack on Obi, said they are not surprised by Okonkwo’s decision.
Naturenex recalls Okonkwo in announcing his decision on Sunday, said Obi lacks the capacity to rally the party and lead as expected.
However, the party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said Okonkwo smuggled himself into the presidential campaign team of Obi during the 2023 elections, and they are not surprised by his decision.
Ifoh added that Okonkwo is only seeking attention with his actions and Nigerians don’t need political jobbers like him.
The LP statement further stated that the party is aware of the moles within its ranks who are sure to be exposed and fumigated.
It also reaffirmed the Labour Party’s decision to stand with Peter Obi and present him as the party’s candidate for the 2027 elections.
10. National Assembly Postpones Minimum Wage Bill Transmission To Monday
The National Assembly has delayed the transmission of the minimum wage bill, which may now be sent to President Bola Tinubu by Monday.
The bill, which underwent second and third readings in both legislative chambers within minutes of being transmitted by the President, was approved separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Initially, the National Assembly had planned to transmit the bill on Thursday. However, it has yet to reach the presidency for assent.
Speaking to Punch on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters, Senator Abdullahi Gumel, confirmed the delay in transmission.
Senator Gumel said, “Yes, we delayed the transmission of the Minimum Wage bill because the money bills, the N6.2tn 2024 Appropriation bill (Amended), and the Finance bill were not ready.
“The Appropriation committees still had one or two things to tidy up on the money bills, so there were no point transmitting the Minimum Wage bill without sending the bills that will cater to the money required to pay the minimum wage.”
Senator Gumel further noted that the leadership of the National Assembly also wanted to personally deliver the bills to the President.
“Also, the leadership wants to take the bills to the president themselves, so they’d take it to him either this weekend or by Monday,” he added.
