Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024
1. Police Declare Andrew Wynne Wanted Over Plot To ‘Overthrow’ President Tinubu
The Nigeria Police Force announced on Monday that Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, a British national, is now wanted for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The force stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated to examine the involvement of foreign mercenaries and individuals identified as subversive elements in the plot against Nigeria’s democratically-elected government.
Naturenex reports that the spokesperson for the force, ASP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this information at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Adejobi indicated that Wynne had rented a location at Labour House, Abuja, for an establishment called ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and had set up ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a facade for his subversive operations.
The Nigeria Police also promised ₦20 million to any person who can give information that would lead to the arrest of the suspects.
2. PDP Summons Wike Over Anti-party Activities
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has summoned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over alleged anti-party activities.
Wike was summoned to appear before the PDP disciplinary committee.
This was made known on Monday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, who disclosed in an interview with Channels TV that the former Rivers State Governor has been sent a letter to appear before the party’s disciplinary committee.
Abdullahi added that Wike’s statement about “putting fire in their states” in reference to PDP governors is unacceptable.
3. “All Elections In Nigeria Have Been Rigged” – Okupe Defends Tinubu’s Presidential Victory
Former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign organization during the 2023 elections, Doyin Okupe, on Monday, submitted that all elections in Nigeria have been rigged in one way or the other.
He argued that the only exception that might have been was the 1993 annulled election, which produced the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Okupe stated further that the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria has laid to rest all contentions about the polls which produced President Bola Tinubu.
The former presidential aide made the submission on Monday while addressing journalists in Lagos in reaction to online attacks from supporters of the 2023 Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, popularly known as Obidients, who were criticising him for dumping their principal and backing the policies of the present administration.
He argued that life must continue after elections, and the citizens must patiently wait till the next election cycle to correct any observed grievances or imperfections.
4. #EndBadGovernance: FG Charges Arrested Protesters To Court Over Alleged Attempt To Overthrow President Tinubu
The federal government of Nigeria on Monday, charged ten arrested #EndBadGovernance protesters to court over charges including treasonable felony and a “plan to destabilise Nigeria.”
The protesters were charged before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge.
The charges against the protesters, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, included an attempt to overthrow President Bola Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 of this year during the nationwide protests.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who brought the charges against them, alleged that the accused broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.
The IGP also alleged that they allegedly burned a police station and injured police officers.
They were also said to have incited the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public properties, including police stations, a High Court complex, and National Communication Commission (NCC) facilities.
The alleged offences were said to have been committed in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Gombe, among other locations.
In the charge sheet marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, Egbetokun said the offence was contrary to Section 95 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The protesters, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Justice Nwite, after that, ordered the arrested protesters to be remanded in Kuje and Suleja prisons pending the hearing and ruling on their bail application slated for September 11, 2024.
5. Reduce Lawmakers, President, VP’s Salaries By 30/40 Per Cent – Electoral Committee
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters has put forward a proposal to reduce the salaries of legislators and executive members by 30% and 40%, respectively.
This proposal was discussed on Monday during an interactive session led by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters.
The session included members of the judiciary and representatives from political parties, focusing on the review and amendment of the Electoral Act 2022.
The proposed salary cuts aim to reduce government expenditure and are part of a broader discussion on cost-saving measures.
Naturenex reports that the committee also reviewed other proposals, including conducting all elections; presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly, on a single day to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
Additionally, political parties suggested linking voter registration to the National Identity Number (NIN) for improved security and cost efficiency.
They also proposed that the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman should no longer be the responsibility of the executive branch but rather be an open process advertised to interested candidates.
6. Protest Rocks Abuja Over Fuel Scarcity
Scores of demonstrators took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over the ongoing fuel scarcity that has plagued the nation.
The protest comes at a time when the NNPCL has admitted that its considerable debt to fuel suppliers is jeopardizing the sustainability of fuel supplies across the country.
The corporation has highlighted that the financial burden is severely impacting its operations and could further destabilize the already fragile fuel supply chain.
During the protest, demonstrators chanted solidarity songs and displayed banners with messages such as “We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working,” “No direction under Kyari,” and “We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL.”
The protesters decried what they viewed as a dismal performance under Kyari’s leadership, calling for greater transparency and accountability.
The Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, Aminu Abbas, addressed the media at Unity Fountain after the rally, questioning why a country as rich in oil resources as Nigeria continues to face such severe fuel scarcity.
Abbas called for immediate action to address the ongoing crisis and ensure that the country’s refineries are functioning efficiently.
7. Nobody Is Above The Party – PDP Tells Wike
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has told the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that he is not above the party.
The declaration was made on Monday during a press conference in Abuja by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.
The declaration follows the submission by Wike in Port Harcourt on Saturday, where he warned PDP governors against interfering in the party’s matters in Rivers State, and issued a threat to “put fire in their states.”
The former Rivers State Governor boasted that nobody can take away the structure of the PDP in the state from his hands.
Responding to Wike’s position, the PDP spokesman emphasized the supremacy of the party.
He also said Wike’s remark was directed at the governors, who would respond to it in their own time.
8. Why Peter Obi And I Left The PDP – Doyin Okupe Opens Up
A former Director-General of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2023 elections, Doyin Okupe, has revealed reasons why he and the Labour Party candidate in the election, Peter Obi, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to Okupe, he and Obi left the PDP because they both agreed and believed that the next President of Nigeria must be a Southerner, preferably an Igbo man from the South-East, but the party was not working in that direction.
Speaking on Monday in a chat with journalists in Lagos, Okupe said his political agreement with Obi, however, ended after President Bola Tinubu won the election and was further affirmed by the courts up to the Supreme Court.
The former presidential media aide said these in reaction to online attacks from supporters of Obi, popularly known as Obidients, who were criticising him on X for dumping their principal and backing the policies of the present administration.
Speaking further on why he opted to support Obi for the 2023 presidential election, Okupe said it was time for the presidency to go to the South and that he aligned with the Igbo candidacy since they had not had the opportunity to produce the country’s president before.
The former presidential aide said he didn’t support Obi because he believed the LP candidate was politically superior to him or because of friendship but purely out of principle.
9. Military Debunks Claims Of 150 Kidnappings In Sokoto, Armored Vehicle Hijacking In Zamfara
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed recent claims that bandits in Zamfara State hijacked two armored vehicles and that over 150 civilians were kidnapped in Sokoto State.
The DHQ also refuted allegations of mass civilian deaths and burials by terrorists, calling the videos circulating these claims over the weekend fake.
Naturenex reports that the first video purportedly showed bandits celebrating after allegedly capturing two armored vehicles from military troops in Zamfara.
Another video depicted terrorists conducting a mass burial, while a third claimed that over 150 residents had been kidnapped in Sokoto State.
On Monday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, issued a statement debunking these videos as fabrications.
He clarified that the armored vehicles shown in the Zamfara video had become stuck due to the swampy terrain in Kwashabawa Village, where troops were engaged in a counter-terrorism operation.
The vehicles were deliberately demobilized by the soldiers to prevent them from falling into terrorist hands.
10. ‘Atiku, Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Resume Merger Dialogue For 2027 Presidency’
The three prominent opposition leaders in Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, are reportedly currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential merger ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Naturenex learnt that the trio aim to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) incumbent administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This move follows the hunger and widespread insecurity in the country, as stated by a spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday.
The deputy national spokesman for the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this announcement while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme.
He indicated that the three opposition candidates from the previous elections—Atiku of the PDP, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), – are prepared to set aside personal ambitions to create a strong coalition capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027, with the goal of “rescuing Nigerians from hunger.”
Abdullahi further remarked that had the previous leadership of the party effectively managed internal disputes and conflicts, prominent figures such as former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, Kwankwaso, and Obi would likely still be active members of the PDP, which could have led to a victory over Tinubu of the APC in the last election.
