Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 11th July, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Tuesday, 11th July 2023

1. Tinubu Returns To Abuja After Attending ECOWAS Summit In Guinea Bissau

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the 63rd Ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Naija News reports that the Nigerian leader, who left the county on Saturday, July 8, arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, around 6:30 pm aboard the NAF 001 Boeing 737 jet.

While in Bissau, the President emerged as the new ECOWAS Chairman, making him one of the fastest in office after the election as President of any of the member-states.

In his inaugural speech, President Tinubu pledged to bear the responsibility of the office and run an inclusive administration of the regional organisation.

Tinubu warned that terrorism and the persistent pattern of coup d’etat in the region had reached alarming levels, demanding urgent and concerted action. He argued that insecurity and creeping terrorism were stunting the progress and development of the sub-region, necessitating collective actions from member-states.

2. National Assembly Set Constitution Aside, Fixed High Salary For Themselves – Obasanjo Blasts Lawmakers

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday accused the National Assembly of putting the constitution aside when it didn’t suit their personal interests.

Particularly, Obasanjo alleged that the lawmakers didn’t receive salary based on the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission as it should be based on the country’s constitution.

The former Nigerian leader accused the lawmakers of undermining the country’s democracy by their actions.

He made the submission in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, during a lecture titled, ‘The future of constitutional democracy in Nigeria: Imperative of a new constitutional order.’

The event was part of activities marking the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the call to bar of legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN).

3. Why Sitting Judges Should Not Preside Over Election Tribunals – Afe Babalola

Legal luminary and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Afe Babalola, has said sitting judges should not preside over election petitions tribunals.

Babalola said this on Monday while delivering his speech at an event to Mark his 60th call to bar anniversary celebration in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

He said judges who preside over election tribunals should be separate from regular court judges to avoid the halt of cases unrelated to elections, adding that retired judges and respectable SANs should constitute tribunal judges.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said the judiciary needs a total overhaul, adding that it cannot be dome without a new constitution.

4. Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Remi Tinubu Speaks On Husband Locking Aso Villa Chapel

The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has said her husband, President Bola Tinubu, has not closed down the Aso Villa Chapel.

According to her, Tinubu is yet to pick another Chaplain after the exit of the last Chaplain.

Mrs. Tinubu, in a statement on Monday, said contrary to rumours making the round online, her husband still has the right to select a Chaplain for the Aso Villa Chapel, Naija News learned.

The statement, which the office of the First Lady issued, noted that “Our attention has been drawn to a story on social media about the purported closure of the Aso Rock Chapel by the first lady; we wish to state categorically that this is a fabrication and a false representation of the actual situation.

“The first lady never gave such directive that the chapel be shut nor asked for the keys to be handed over to her.

“Presently, there are weekly fellowships going on at the chapel, including midweek fellowship on Tuesdays. However, Mr. President is yet to appoint a Chaplain for the chapel after the exit of the last Chaplain as he only reserves the right to appoint a chaplain.”

5. Ondo Deputy Gov Continues As Acting Gov As Akeredolu Extends Medical Leave

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has reached out to the state House of Assembly to extend his medical leave.

In his letter, he noted that his request was based on doctors’ advice, suggesting he needed more rest after his recovery.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, confirmed the receipt of the letter in Akure, the state capital.

Oladiji applauded Akeredolu for adhering to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly section 190, expressing gratitude for his speedy recovery and expressing hope for his swift return.

Governor Akeredolu confirmed in his letter that Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa would continue in the role of acting governor “until there is a written declaration to the contrary.”

6. Labour Party Speaks On Peter Obi Running For Presidency In 2027

The Chief Spokesman for Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko has berated Dailypost newspaper for publishing a false report about the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi.

Naija News reports that the newspaper had written about a purported interview where the former Anambra governor revealed his plans to become president in 2027.

However, the Labour Party Spokesperson, Tanko in a statement released on Monday stressed that Peter Obi never granted any interview at home or abroad about plans on becoming president in 2027.

He also cautioned the newspaper to desist from fabricating lies against its party’s flag bearer.

7. Buhari’s Administration Witnessed Ugliest Phase Of Corruption – Kukah

The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has said that Nigerians witnessed the worst phase of corruption under the last administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said this on Monday while delivering a keynote speech at the 60th call to bar anniversary celebration of legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

Bishop Kukah noted that even though corruption did not start under Buhari, the last administration amplified it in moral, financial and other terms.

He said that nobody is excited now about being a Nigerian even if they are President or Senators, as the country is literally being held hostage by people who threaten the very existence of our democracy and country.

Kukah noted that a lot of Nigerians have lost faith in the judiciary but added that he considers the judiciary a victim the same way every other institution in Nigeria is suffering a crisis.

He stated that Nigeria should not yet assume that it is a democracy but instead assume that it is matching towards democracy, which means rebuilding Nigeria “after the kind of mess the last administration has left the country.”

8. Vote Buying: Ogun PDP Guber Candidate, Adebutu, 9 Others Arraigned In Court

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, was arraigned in court on Monday (today) over alleged vote-buying.

Naija News understands that the politician was arraigned before the Ogun State High Court today in absentia by the Federal Government.

Adebutu and nine others were brought before the court on charges of vote buying.

This news platform understands that the All Progressives Congress (APC), through Yemi Sanusi, had filed a petition with the Inspector General of Police, involving the State Criminal Investigations Department Eleweran, Abeokuta, to investigate the PDP candidate regarding the allegation of vote-buying during the gubernatorial election.

After the investigation was concluded, the Federal Government, through the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, filed criminal charges against Adebutu and his co-defendants at the High Court.

9. 800,000 Litres Capacity Vessel Arrested With Stolen Crude Oil Has Been Operating For 12 Years – NNPC Confirms

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd in a statement on Monday confirmed that a private security contractor engaged by the corporation intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil.

The NNPC Ltd in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Garba Deen Muhammad said the cargo was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location.

According to Muhammad, the vessel has been carrying out the illegal operation for the past twelve years.

The statement added that preliminary investigation has it that the oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria. There was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.

The Captain and Crew members were all on board when the arrest was made

10. Tinubu, APC Preparing For An Election Rerun – Labour Party Says

The Labour Party has asserted that the President Bola Tinubu-led government is preparing for an election rerun.

Naija News reports that the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Barrister Julius Abure, submitted on Monday during a virtual meeting held with Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy led by the party’s Diaspora Chairman in the United States, Prof. Eddie Oparaoji,

According to Abure, Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are preparing for an election rerun just like the Labour Party is.

Those are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.