Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 15th July, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 15th July 2023.

Subsidy Removal: Tinubu’s N500 Billion And The Actual Palliative Nigerians Need

At the risk of sounding like an insatiable bunch, Nigerians have stridently criticized President Tinubu’s rollout of N500bn palliative intervention to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on vulnerable Nigerians. There had been loud disenchantment over Tinubu’s public foreclosure of fuel subsidy payment without first putting measures in place to ameliorate the concomitant galloping inflation and skyrocketing prices of goods and services. Now, citizens are further incensed by the fact that in one breath the President intends to spend N500bn on 12 million poor households while in another budgeted N70bn for members of the 10th National Assembly. As it were while these households will be getting ₦8,000, each federal lawmaker will be cornering between N140 million and N150 million.

The President had in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, read at plenary on Wednesday sought an amendment to the N819.5 billion 2022 supplementary budget, extracting N500 billion to provide palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal, as well as N70 billion to the National Assembly to support the working conditions of new members. Hours after the House of Reps granted this request, the Senate also stamped its approval. This was happening about the same time Tinubu told the Class of 1999 Governors, who paid him a visit as one of their own that, “The palliative is coming. I am doing the arithmetic. I don’t want the cash transfer to fall into the wrong hands. I know it pinches and it is difficult. In the end, we will rejoice in the prosperity of our country”.

But Nigerians seem not to be impressed. After heckling President Tinubu for putting the cart before the horse in the manner of removing fuel subsidy without first putting palliative measures in place, Nigerians have voiced their disenchantment with this intervention that will see vulnerable Nigerian families receiving N8000 from the federal government within a period of six months. The reasons for the grumbling range from the amount paling into insignificance vis-a-vis what the government has taken from the people to the trust deficit in the authorities to allow the pittance to get to those who really need it. The cynicism and pessimism trailing this initiative is understandable. If whatever is worth doing is worth doing well, then there must be adequate compensation for policies that impoverished the people.

Court Orders Emefiele’s Release, Nullifies His Detention

A day after a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja ordered the release of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, another court declared his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) null and void.

Emefiele sought the court’s intervention against the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The judge ruled that Emefiele’s arrest and detention were in violation of a previous ruling by Justice M. A. Hassan.

Emefiele’s counsel, Peter Abang, requested the court to invalidate his client’s arrest and detention, arguing it was in defiance of Justice M. A. Hassan’s ruling delivered on December 29, 2022.

Nigerian Air Force Plane Crashes In Benue

Tragedy struck in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, following the crash of the Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft.

Naija News understands that the incident happened on Friday evening, while on a routine training exercise.

The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.

He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility.

Tribunal Takes Fresh Decision On APM’s Petition Seeking Tinubu, Shettma’s Sack

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal has reserved judgment until a later date in the petition filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) seeking the nullification of the election of President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News reports that the APM is seeking the cancellation of Tinubu’s electoral victory on the grounds that his running mate, Kashim Shettma, was not qualified to contest, having allegedly engaged in a double nomination.

After the parties adopted their final written addresses on Friday morning, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Haruna Tsammani, said judgment is reserved until a date to be communicated to parties.

Justice Tsammani added that the court plans to deliver judgment on the petition by the APM on the same day as those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)/Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi/Labour Party (LP).

Unconstitutional And Illegal – Kano Govt Fires Tinubu Over N500 Billion Palliative

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has berated the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration over the sharing formula of the proposed N500 billion palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

Speaking during a meeting with representatives from the Kano Cooperative Society at the state government house, Yusuf criticized the federal government’s allocation of N500 billion through the Bank of Industry to support small-scale industries across the country.

Naija News reports that Yusuf, represented by his Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, revealed that the distribution was heavily skewed, with Lagos State receiving 47% of the allocation, followed by the South-South Zone with 17%, and other regions receiving significantly lower percentages.

In a statement, Gwarzo said he deemed the distribution unfair, unconstitutional, and illegal.

Your Demand Is Illogical And Ridiculous – INEC Chairman Fires Labour Party

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, has described calls for his sack by the Labour Party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign as illogical and ridiculous.

Naija News recalls that the Labour Party (LP), yesterday, called for the immediate dismissal and prosecution of the INEC chairman.

The party and its presidential campaign council asked the international community to take “punitive action” against Yakubu and other top officials of the electoral body over the conduct of the 2023 elections.

“We also demand unequivocally the immediate dismissal from office and prosecution of Prof Mahmud Yakubu and the commencement of forensic financial investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and donors’ funds received by INEC,” LP demanded.

Speaking to newsmen on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stated that there is no basis for the removal of Yakubu.

He said the reasons adduced by the LP in making the latest and familiar demand “are not only illogical but also ridiculous.”

Nigeria, Others Affected As UK Hikes Visa Fees, Health Surcharge

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced an increase in visa application fees paid by immigrants into the country.

In a statement on Friday, Sunak said the amount paid for the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) by visa applicants by immigrants would increase significantly.

Sunak explained that the increment was appropriate and justified as these fees have not been increased recently.

The PM asserted that this move would have no effect on inflation because there would be no new borrowing or spending to fund the increases.

Ambode Visits President Tinubu In Aso Rock

Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Friday, visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting comes after the President met with Ambode at the state reception organised for him by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 29 at the State House.

Tinubu publicly acknowledged Ambode’s presence, saying,“ I’m glad to see Ambode. Thank you Akin!” during the meeting.

Naija News understands that the meeting is believed to be the final reconciliation between both men after they reportedly fell out over Ambode’s inability to get a second-term ticket in 2019.

‘No Need For Alarm’ – APC National Scribe Speaks On Akeredolu’s Health

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has said there is no cause for alarm over the health of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State.

Naija News reports that the APC national scribe made this known during a ‘solidarity visit’ to the Acting Governor, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa in Akure on Friday.

Omisore, a former federal lawmaker, disclosed that Akeredolu would soon resume duties after taking an indefinite leave.

He called on Nigerians to continue to offer prayers to God for the Governor to return after adequate rest.

FG Discloses Power Companies’ Request For Tariff Increase

The Nigerian Federal Government revealed on Thursday that the country’s 11 power distribution companies, known as Discos, have submitted applications for the review of their electricity tariffs.

This update was published in a notice by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The Discos cited changes in macroeconomic parameters across Nigeria as a basis for their request.

They also highlighted other factors affecting service quality, operations, and company sustainability as reasons for the proposed rate adjustment.

According to the NERC, the application aligns with the rules stipulated in the Electricity Act 2023.

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