Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Tuesday, 18th August, 2020

Good morning, Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top Newspaper Headlines in Nigeria for today Tuesday, 18th August 2020

1. Nigeria Sets Date For Resumption Of International Flights

The Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the resumption of international flights from August 29, 2020amid coronavirus in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika made the announcement on the micro-blogging site, Twitter on Monday evening.

2. Tribunal Removes Duoye Diri As Bayelsa State Governor

The Bayelsa State governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja has nullified the election of Duoye Diri, governor of Bayelsa state.

This was after The Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) had asked the tribunal to cancel the election because it was not included in the election which held on November 16, 2019.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Yunusa Musa, a judge, upheld the prayer of ANDP and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in Bayelsa within 90 days. The judge also directed the Commission to include ANDP in the fresh election.

3. Boko Haram Commander: Details Of What DSS Discussed With Mailafia On Monday Emerges

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia from its Jos facility on Monday.

As previously reported by Naija News, Dr. Mailafia honoured a second invitation from the secret police, arriving their Jos, Plateau State office around 12:10 pm on Monday in the company of his wife and lawyer.

Speaking after Monday’s session, his lawyer, Yakubu Bawa disclosed that his client had a meaningful discussion with the DSS, noting that what the two parties discussed is an update on their initial discussion from last week.

He added that the DSS treated Mialafia with total respect and there was no iota of intimidation during the parley.

4. Chinese Loan: Nigerians Will Be The Biggest Loser If Deal Is Cancelled – Amaechi

The House of Representatives has been informed by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that Nigerians would be the biggest loser if several loan agreements signed with China were cancelled due to the investigation carried out by the lower chamber.

Amaechi who appeared before the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements on Monday, noted that the Chinese loan can not be subjected to endless probe.

He added that it the probe continues, the request would likely be declined and will be disastrous for the Nigerians.

5. Buhari Has Made Elections Free And Fair In Nigeria – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that election in Nigeria under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has become free and fair.

This submission was made on Monday by Yekini Nabena, APC deputy spokesperson where he also described the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a crumbling and disillusioned party.

The APC statement comes as a response to claims by the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus that the 2019 general elections in Nigeria were rigged by the APC.

6. Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Hits 12.82% In July

The consumer price index, (CPI) which measures inflation increased by 12.82% (year-on-year) in July 2020. This 0.26% higher than the rate of 12.56% recorded in June 2020.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) via its official twitter handle, the headline index increased by 1.25 percent in July 2020. This is 0.04 percent rate higher than the rate recorded in June 2020 (1.21 percent).

The latest report explicitly means that the purchasing power of Nigerians on product keeps reducing and their capability to get the same quantity of goods keeps reducing.

7. Na’Abba Reveals Full Details Of His Encounter With DSS

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, on Monday noted that the Department of State Services invited him based on a misunderstanding of the words he used in the media last week.

Na’Abba had condemned President Muhammadu Buhari-led government during an interview over his style of leadership.

The co-Chairman of the National Consultative Front described Nigeria as a failed state and said Nigerians have a right to self-determination.

Na’Abba who was grilled for hours noted that there were no problems with the visit, he added that he stood by his word during the probe.

8. INEC Reacts To Tribunal’s Decision To Sack Douye Diri

The Independent National Electoral Commission has reacted to the ruling of Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal which sacked Governor Duoye Diri.

Recall that Diri was sack based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) which argued that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Fetus Okoye, in his reaction to the development noted that the commission may respond to some of the issues raised by the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal when it is availed of the full judgment of the case.

9. Edo 2020: I Can’t Engage In A Fight With A Pig, Oshiomhole Attacks APC Governors Forum DG

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole on Monday finally reacted to the allegation leveled against him by the party’s Governors’ Forum Director General (DG), Salihu Lukman.

Speaking after an exclusive meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa Abuja, Oshiomhole stated that he will not engage in a fight with a pig, as the pig already is stained by its nature.

He also called Lukman a serial failure on political elections. He said Lukman contested for senate against Makarfi and El-Rufai during the primaries and he lost before Fayemi unilaterally appointed him the DG.

10. EFCC Re-arrests Mompha

Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, has been rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Recall that Mompha is standing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, over alleged cybercrime and money laundering to the tune of N33 billion.

The EFCC re-arrested Mompha last Friday when he went to the anti-graft agency office in Ikoyi, Lagos to reclaim his five wristwatches, one Apple Air pod, one iPhone 8 mobile phone and one pair of sunglasses, seized from him by the agency officials.

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