Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 2nd August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 2nd August 2023.

1. President Tinubu Returns From Benin Republic

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Abuja after attending the 63rd anniversary of the Republic of Benin in Cotonou.

Recall that Tinubu and his entourage, who left Nigeria on Tuesday morning, were received by Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon and key government officials.

The Nigerian leader was accompanied on the one-day visit by some of his political aides and six governors which include Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq (Kwara); Nasir Idris (Kebbi), and Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger).

2. NLC Insists On Nationwide Protest

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, Joe Ajaero, has urged workers and the public to disregard online reports suggesting that a planned mass protest has been called off.

We have no reasons to call off the planned protest. If we suspend or call it off, you will know. I can tell you that the mobilization is very high.” Ajaero told Vanguard, emphasizing that any changes to the plan would be made public.

The protest comes in response to the removal of petroleum subsidies, a decision that has been widely criticized by organized labor.

After a recent meeting of the Steering Committee on palliatives, participants also voiced concerns about President Bola Tinubu’s capacity to manage inflation and gasoline prices in the face of exchange rate unification.

Despite worries that the protest could be overtaken by unsavory elements, Ajaero was confident in the peaceful nature of the workers’ demonstration, stating that past protests had never been disrupted.

He added that it was the duty of security agencies to ensure the safety of the protestors.

3. 25%: INEC Speaks On FCT Special Status In Final Address Before Tribunal

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday in its final written address on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar said the FCT has no special status.

Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud noted that in line with section 134 of the constitution, the FCT is treated as a state, in essence, there are 37 states in the country.

Mahmoud said the petitioners have failed woefully in establishing their petition hence, their request should be dismissed by the tribunal.

According to INEC’s lead counsel, the petitioners listed non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the status of the FCT, INEC Regulations and Guidelines, and the use of technology in the election as major issues of contention.

Mahmoud however said it is illogical to insist one must get 25 percent of votes in the country’s capital as postulated by the petitioners. He argued that it will create a situation where FCT voters would be given special status above other Nigerians living in other states.

4. IGP Orders Tight Security Nationwide Ahead Of Proposed NLC Protest

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered tight security across the country ahead of planned protests by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during the week.

Naija News reports that the IGP, in a statement by the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, expressed fear even though he acknowledged the right to peaceful protest by the unions.

The police boss, in the statement, however, noted that he had ordered the Commissioners of Police in charge of various commands and supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage in fruitful discussions with the NLC/TUC leadership to foster understanding and reach common grounds on the planned protests.

The IG also appealed to the NLC, TUC, and other civil society groups, to embrace peaceful dialogue as “the most effective means of resolving grievances,” while warning against violence.

The NPF said the police are committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement, and mutual understanding to exercise civil rights seamlessly. Still, it will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of the country, adding that perpetrators will be dealt with.

5. Tribunal Reserves Judgment In Atiku’s Petition Against Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday in Abuja reserved judgment in the petition of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Atiku seeking nullification of the declaration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as winner of the February 25 presidential election.

Atiku urged the Tribunal to do substantial justice to his petition and not a technical judgment that may pervert the course of Justice.

He maintained that Tinubu must be disqualified on the premise of the American Court judgment where he was made to forfeit $460,000 on narcotics and money laundering-related offences.

Atiku’s final address was adopted by his lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

However, counsel to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), urged the Court to dismiss the arguments on the ground that the purported judgement was delivered over 30 years ago.

On his own part, President Tinubu, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), canvassed that the petition be dismissed because the grievances of Atiku and PDP are targeted at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Simon Tsammani, while reserving judgment, said that the date of its delivery would be communicated to parties in the dispute.

6. You Have A History Of Making Fake Promises – PDP Attacks President Tinubu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused President Bola Tinubu of dashing the hope of Nigerians and worsening the economic situation of the citizens.

The major opposition party in a statement on Tuesday further accused the Tinubu administration of a lack of leadership ingenuity in managing the affairs of the country.

The PDP said Tinubu as far back as 2015 when he was the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had always had the habit of making promises without fulfilling them.

The party in the statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba accused the Tinubu government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to deceive Nigerians with propaganda and empty promises.

Making reference to the President’s speech on Monday regarding the fuel subsidy removal and efforts to cushion its effects, the PDP said Tinubu is only making bogus promises.

7. IPOB Fires Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has sacked Nnamdi Kanu’s special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor.

Naija News understands that this was made known in a statement on Tuesday by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

According to Powerful, Ejimafor has ceased to be the special counsel of the pro-Biafra activist.

He slamed Ejimakor for claiming that Simon Ekpa and his supporters are followers of Nnamdi Kanu, adding that Ejimakor’s assumption that Ekpa has any connection with Kanu and IPOB amounts to playing script of his sponsors.

8. NEMA Confirms Helicopter Crash In Lagos, Reveals Owner

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the crash of a helicopter in Lagos State on Tuesday evening.

The agency said the helicopter with registration number 5NCCQ belongs to Airfirst Hospitality and Tour Ltd and crashed near the Lagos Airport.

NEMA added that two crew members and two passengers were rescued from the wreckage.

NEMA in the statement noted that its staff and that of, LASEMA, Fire Service, Security Agencies and other stakeholders carried out search and rescue operations.

Earlier, Naija News reported the helicopter went up in flames after it crashed

9. What President Tinubu Told Tribunal In Adoption Of Final Address

President Bola Tinubu has submitted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar failed to justify their request for the presidential election tribunal to overturn the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu in a submission on Tuesday through his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said PDP and its presidential candidate, failed to address the court on their score and how Atiku can be returned as the winner of the presidential election.

Olanipekun urged the tribunal to consider the provisions of the constitution and the electoral act in taking a final decision.

He argued that the FCT is the 37 states for the purpose is the presidential election and the law does not mandate any candidate to win it in order to be declared the final winner of a presidential poll.

The lawyer also accused the PDP and its candidate of dumping documents before the court and expecting the court to investigate the documents.

Tinubu through his lawyer added that presidential elections are not set aside as a matter of cost and thereafter prayed the court to dismiss the petition for lack of merit as the petitioner have abandoned their petition.

10. ‘Pain And Hardship Will Continue Until President Tinubu Fixes Refineries’ – IPMAN Chairman

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has criticized President Bola Tinubu, saying he hasn’t displayed enough interest in restoring the country’s refineries.

IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Obele, argued that the President’s plans are misguided for the economic issues the nation faces.

He noted that pain and hardship will continue in the country until President Tinubu takes the step to fix Nigeria’s refineries.

Obele stated this while reacting to President Tinubu’s recent nationwide broadcast where the President mentioned billions of naira set aside for various palliatives, student loans, and free buses, alongside over N1 trillion saved from subsidy removal in a month.

He questioned why the President and his team aren’t making significant investments to refurbish the country’s refineries and address subsidy issues.

According to Obele, the President’s speech failed to provide a clear path for Nigeria to escape its economic difficulties, warning that the proposed palliatives could be flawed.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.