Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 31st August, 2022

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 31st August 2022

1. Kyari Reveals When Nigeria Will Stop Importing Petroleum Products

The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari has given a definite timeframe for Nigeria to totally stop importing petroleum products.

Speaking on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Kyari said by the middle of 2023, Nigeria would stop importing fuel.

Naija News reports he based his projections on the expected combined output from the Dangote refinery project, government-owned refineries and small modular condensate refineries.

He said the output from these refineries will eliminate the importation of fuel into the country.

2. Details Of Buhari’s Meeting With APC Governors Emerge

The details of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have emerged.

Naija News earlier reported that President Buhari met with the governors behind closed doors inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.

Speaking during the meeting, the Nigerian leader said that Nigerians will appreciate the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next six months.

Buhari said the APC will continue to respect Nigerians by ensuring that their votes count and the people’s voice matters in choosing political leaders at different levels.

The President said his government would also ensure that Nigerians are not intimidated or humiliated by those in positions or the more privileged during the 2023 general elections.

3. Ortom Speaks After Miyetti Allah Reportedly Called Him Wike’s Errand Boy

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has reacted after the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore group allegedly accused him of neglecting his responsibilities as governor to become an ‘Errand Boy’ to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Naija News reports that in the past few days Ortom has been having a back and forth with members of the Miyetti Allah.

The Fulani herders group had Instigated a suit against Ortom at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly seizing over 25,000 cows belonging to his members and detaining about 4000 herders.

However, during an interview with The International Centre For Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Ortom said that the Miyetti Allah is only pained because of the outcome of his relationship with Wike. He said that he was not close to Wike before but now that they are friends, no one can stop them.

4. Appeal Court Nullifies Sunday Igboho’s N20bn Damages Against DSS

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan has nullified the N20 billion aggravated damages awarded to Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, against the Department of State Security (DSS), describing it as outrageous.

Recall that Justice Ladiran Akintola had in September 2021 awarded N20 billion damages against the DSS for the attack on Igboho’s residence in Ibadan where two persons were killed and property destroyed.

However, delivering judgment on the appeal filed by the DSS on Tuesday, Justice Muslim Hassan set aside the judgment, adding that the judge should not have awarded damages based on his personal parameters.

Justice Hassan stated that the Oyo State High Court ignored the grounds for the case in acquiring jurisdiction and that the judge should not have decided on the award of damages based on his own preferences.

5. I Saw A Rapist At Shekarau’s Homecoming In Kano – Wike Blows Hot

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and incumbent Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to the event in Kano State on Monday where the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, received Senator Ibrahim Shekarau back to the umbrella party.

Wike, who was absent at the event, said he saw a rapist from Rivers State at Shekarau’s homecoming.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday, Wike said he was watching the event on television yesterday as Atiku and other PDP chieftains gathered to receive Shekarau in Kano.

Wike questioned the individual about his role in the state chapter of the party and as someone who truly wants PDP to win the 2023 election.

6. Buhari’s Nephew Has Agreed To Return To APC – Kashim Shettima

President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Fatuhu Muhammad has agreed to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the vice presidential candidate of the party, Kashim Shettima, confirmed the development on Tuesday.

Recall that Muhammad, who is representing Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Constituency, had announced his defection from the party after failing to win the party’s return ticket.

Shettima disclosed that he had a meeting with Muhammad at his residence in Abuja on Monday Evening, adding that Muhammad agreed to return to the party.

According to Shettima, the meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, and Hon. Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, a member representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency and candidate of the Katsina North Senatorial District in the 2023 elections.

7. We Didn’t Give Contract To Tompolo, But A Company – FG Defends Itself

The federal government of Nigeria on Tuesday said the pipeline surveillance contract was not awarded directly to former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari who made this known on Tuesday explained that the contract was given to corporate entities.

He however explained that Tompolo has interests in the company that was awarded the contract.

Naija News recalls that the report that the Nigerian government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo sparked angry reactions across the country.

However, Kyari said on Tuesday during a press conference at the state house that the contract went to a company and it is not the first time the government will be doing such, adding that the move is in the interest of the people.

8. Organ Harvesting: Alleged Victim Begs Court To Stop Order Seeking Release Of Biodata To Ekweremadu, London Court

David Ukpo, the alleged victim in the organ harvesting case involving Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss its July 1 order for the release of his bio-data for use in a London court in the ongoing trial.

Ukpo argued that his fundamental rights to a fair hearing and personal privacy had been grossly breached by the court order.

He insisted that neither he nor the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, as Chief Law Officer of the Federation, was made a party in the suit.

Ukpo, In a motion filed by his lawyer, Bamidele Igbinedion asked the court to reverse the order which permits the release of his bio-data to Ekweremadu and his wife for their defence before Uxbridge Magistrate Court in London.

9. FG Might Be Unable To Fund Capital Projects In 2023 – Ahmed

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, says the government might be unable to provide for treasury-funded capital projects next year.

She made this known on Monday in her presentation to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance at the hearing on the proposed 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper,

The minister stated that the reason is due to dwindling revenue and payment of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol.

Ahmed pointed out that the country’s revenue growth targets have been affected by crude oil production challenges and the petrol subsidy deductions by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

She said the government is proposing a budget with estimates totalling N19.76tn, while the deficit will hover between N11.30tn and N12.41tn in the 2023 fiscal year.

10. Details Of Discussion Between Osinbajo, APC Governors Emerge

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday visited the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

Naija News reports the Governors visited Osinbajo at the presidential villa in Abuja.

After the meeting, Osinbajo took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to reveal what they discussed. According to the Vice President, their discussions focused on national issues and how to get quick resolutions for the issues.

He also appreciated the Governors for the visit.

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