Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 6th August, 2024
1. Details Of Security Meeting Between Tinubu, Security Chiefs On Protest Emerge
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Mustapha, on Monday, said those flying Russian flags in Nigeria have committed a treasonable offence.
Mustapha, while speaking with newsmen after an emergency security session with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock, vowed that the law would catch up with such people.
He warned those calling for a coup, adding that the military has accepted democracy and regime change would never be allowed.
Mustapha said, “We wanted to brief Mr President on the situation on ground and we know that since the riot has started all the security agencies you can see all of us together. Initially, when the riot started they said it was a peaceful one but we have realised that there are individuals that are willing to take advantage of it to cause mayhem. And we can see clearly what has happened since it has commenced. Criminals have taken over, a lot of looting taking place, stealing and all sorts happening.”
2. Grid Collapse: Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Drops By 60.15%
The National System Operator reported that electricity generation in Nigeria fell by 60.15 per cent to 1,255.78MW at 3 pm from 3,151.74MW at 2 pm.
This report comes following a partial collapse of the national power grid yesterday, which resulted in a significant decrease in electricity generation, causing homes and businesses to be without power for most of the day.
According to data from the National System Operator (NSO), the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was still working to restore the grid by 6 pm, with electricity supply increasing to 1,705.74MW.
The power plants connected to the grid, as reported by TCN, included Dadinkowa Hydro Plant (36.24MW), Delta Gas (360.00MW), Geregu Plant (85.00MW), Geregu Nipp (100.00MW), Ibom Power (69.00), Jebba Hydro (364.00MW), Odukpani Nipp (190.90MW), Okpai Plant (259.00MW), Omotosho Plant (170.40), and Sapele Plant (71.20MW).
TCN confirmed the situation and stated that efforts to restore the grid were still in progress at the time of this report.
3. Russia Denies Involvement In #EndBadGovernance Protest As Northern Protesters Use Its Flag
The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has denied involvement or interference in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest following the use of its flags by some protesters in northern Nigeria.
Naturenex reports that protesters, mostly in northern parts of the country, were seen marching on the streets, carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans, while others held placards with various messages.
This has sparked concerns about external interference in the nationwide protests.
However, the Russian Embassy, in a statement on Monday, emphasised that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including Nigeria, and that the protesters’ actions do not reflect any official Russian government policy or position.
4. PDP Suspends Wike’s Ally, Samuel Ortom
The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the suspension of former Governor Samuel Ortom due to alleged anti-party activities.
Naturenex reports that Ortom, an ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was accused by the state chapter of leading and abetting the snatching of election materials during the recent Ward Congresses.
This was made known in a statement on Monday signed by the Secretary of the party in Benue State, Joseph Nyam.
The party stated that the action of the former governor resulted in the non-conduct of congresses in several local government areas, including Buruku, Gboko, Ushongo, Guma, Tarka, Kwande, and Ohimini.
Ortom was suspended alongside three others; Isaacs Mffo, Azua Ashongo and Bemgba Iortyom.
5. Protest: ‘Tinubu’s Speech Is Disconnected From Reality, Needs To Stop Dwelling On The Past’ – Peter Obi
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has reacted to Sunday’s speech by President Bola Tinubu to address the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Obi, in a statement on Monday, said he intentionally delayed his reaction in order to avoid getting labelled as always swaying public opinion against the Tinubu government.
Obi appreciated the President for finally addressing Nigerians, though belatedly, but noted that the speech fell below expectations and failed to address the pending issues.
The former Anambra State Governor said President Tinubu’s speech is disconnected from the harsh economic realities Nigerians are facing and too focused on the past instead of the present and the future which Nigerians are concerned about.
Obi noted that while the President can not solve all of Nigeria’s problems at once, he is expected to demonstrate visible commitment towards addressing the mismanagement of public resources, reduce the high cost of governance, and tackle issues like insecurity, corruption, electricity, and agriculture, which would, in turn, ignite the hope of the people.
6. DSS Goes After Sponsors Of Russian Flags
The Department of State Services (DSS) has said some people behind the Russian flags being brandished by protesters in some Northern states have been arrested.
Naturenex reported that some protesters were brandishing Russian flags in Kano on Saturday. As of Monday, more protesters were also brandishing Russian flags in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna State. Many of the protesters, in trending videos on social media, were calling for the military to take over the administration of the country.
In a statement, on Monday, on X, the secret security service said, “The Service has apprehended some tailors in Kano State responsible for making Russian flags being distributed in the area. Some of their sponsors have also been picked. Investigation is ongoing.”
7. Presidency Celebrates As Daily Crude Output Hits 1.7 Million Barrels Per Day
The Presidency has said the increase in crude oil output to 1.7 million barrels per day was possible because of President Bola Tinubu’s political will.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the increase in crude oil output was the first in a long time and showed the willingness of the federal government to make the oil and gas industry work.
Ogra disclosed that 56,000 illegal refineries and 4,480 illegal connections were destroyed by security agencies in the Niger Delta region.
President Tinubu’s aide said this on Monday while reacting to report from “Operation Delta Safe” joint task force, on crude oil output, on Sunday.
8. Tinubu’s Deficit Policy Direction Responsible For Hunger – Gov Fintiri
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has blamed President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies for hardship in the country.
Governor Umaru Fintiri said President Tinubu’s deficit policy direction and insensitivity were responsible for the harsh economic realities faced by citizens.
Fintiri said this in a statewide broadcast; Saharareporters posted a video of the broadcast, on X, on Monday.
He explained that the demands of protesters are clear and genuine. He added that most of the demands of the citizens can only be addressed by the federal government.
He advised the federal government to take action that would show the citizens that something is being done to address the issues affecting the citizens.
9. Peter Obi, Atiku Edging On Rioters With Double Speak Unlike Politicians In UK – Presidency
The presidency has faulted the position of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over the ongoing #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.
Naturenex reports that the #EndBadGovernance protest, which started on a peaceful note on Thursday, degenerated after suspected hoodlums hijacked it in some states and started attacking innocent persons and looting properties.
Security operatives had contained the situation, after which normalcy was restored.
Despite the nationwide broadcast of President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, more protesters trooped to the streets on Monday.
However, Peter Obi and Atiku had, in a separate statement, berated Tinubu like other political elites, stating that his speech failed to address the current reality and demands of the protesters.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, in a post via X, claimed that Atiku and Obi are edging on the rioters with their double speak, unlike in the UK, where the opposition leaders are uniting behind the government and calling for the arrest of protesters destroying properties.
10. Court Stops Sale Of Nigeria Air To Ethiopian Airlines
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled against the sale of Nigeria Air Ltd to Ethiopian Airlines.
In his ruling on Monday, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa prohibited the sale and directed that the Federal Government’s plan to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, should not proceed.
Naturenex reports that this decision was made while granting the requests of the plaintiffs, which include the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other entities within the aviation sector.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa affirmed that all requests were granted, with the exception of the claim for ₦2 billion in damages due to the plaintiff’s wrongful exclusion and the improper bidding and selection processes associated with the Nigeria Air initiative.
The plaintiffs in the case include the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators, Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited.
The six plaintiffs initiated legal action against the first to fourth defendants, namely Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, Senator Hadi Sirika (former Minister of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Aviation), and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The plaintiffs sought the court’s intervention to nullify the entire bidding/selection process for the “Nigeria Air” project, along with the endorsement, award, or selection of Ethiopian Airlines by the Former Minister, Hadi Sirika, and the Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naturenex. See you again tomorrow.
