Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 4th August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 4th August 2023.

1. President Tinubu Sends Abubakar, Sultan As Delegation To Niger

As the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday dispatched a delegation to Niger to end the ongoing political crisis.

The delegation is led by former military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar.

The former Nigerian Head of State is joined in the delegation by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray.

This decision was shared in a press release by a presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale.

The delegation aims to address the coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum’s government in Niger.

ECOWAS has demanded that Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani’s military rulers return the nation to a democratic government within a week.

Nigeria recently halted its electricity supply to Niger, a move that sparked varying reactions. The cut was part of efforts to apply pressure on the country.

2. Ganduje Emerges APC National Chairman, Basiru As Secretary

The immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has emerged as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and chieftains of the party in the National Assembly, amongst others, were present at the NEC meeting.

Addressing party leaders after his emergence, Ganduje thanked the President and promised that internal democracy would prevail in the party under his leadership.

Naija News reports that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party elected Ganduje on Thursday (today) while it also confirmed Ajibola Basiru, a former Senate spokesperson, as the National Secretary.

The two party officials were elected today at the 12th NEC meeting of the party held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

3. Coup: Don’t Go To War With Niger Republic – Atiku Warns

Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has warned against military invasion of Niger Republic following the recent coup in the country.

While he supported the move for restoration of democratic rule in Niger, Atiku said both Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must avoid military hostilities.

Instead, the former Vice President in a personally signed statement on Thursday called for dialogue and diplomatic engagements in resolving the issues.

Atiku in the statement, also commended ECOWAS for the steps taken so far on the situation in Niger Republic.

4. NLC Confirms Suspension Of Strike After Meeting President Tinubu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has confirmed the suspension of its planned strike, 24 hours after embarking on nationwide protests against the removal of fuel subsidy.

Naija News reports that the NLC National Treasurer, Hakeem Ambali, made this known in a terse message on Thursday.

According to Ambali, the proposed strike was halted following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the Senate on Wednesday.

In the message sent to the Punch, he noted that the resolution to suspend the industrial action followed the National Executive Council meeting (NEC) of the Congress.

5. First Lady Visits Buhari And Family At Daura

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, paid a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari and his family at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

Naija News reports that Mrs. Tinubu went on the visit alongside the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, and other female All Progressive Congress(APC) chieftains in the state.

The First Lady said their visit was to check on the well-being of the former first family, as well as appreciate Buhari for his continuous fatherly love and support.

The First Lady prayed for Buhari’s long life and good health. She sought his continued guidance for not only the current administration led by her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but for the betterment of Nigeria at large.

In his response, Buhari said the visit was essential to him because it meant a sense of concern on the side of the First Lady for his life post-public office. “

6. Nigerians Are Happy With Your Decisions – APC Tells President Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, praising his brave decisions despite public outcry due to rising petrol prices and other challenges.

Tinubu, who has made bold moves such as removing fuel subsidies and allowing the Naira to float, received words of commendation from Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the party’s Acting National Chairman.

Despite these moves leading to nationwide hardship, Tinubu has reassured the public that the suffering is only temporary.

During the 12th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the APC on Thursday, where former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Basiru Ajibola were named the new National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, Kyari expressed his support for the President’s decisions.

He argued that the administration’s policies in the last two months have created a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth and development.

Kyari, who was recently nominated as a minister, praised Tinubu for his leadership, affirming the party’s continued support for the President despite future challenges.

He recognized the party’s new role as the majority at both the sub-national level and in the National Assembly.

7. Ganduje’s Emergence As National Chairman Has Confirmed APC As Party Of Thieves And Looters – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mocked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emergence of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje as the party’s national chairman.

The opposition party in a statement on Thursday evening, signed by its national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the appointment of Ganduje as APC chairman despite the corruption and bribery allegations hanging on his neck shows the ruling party is a party of thieves and treasury looters.

The PDP recalled that Ganduje is still under investigation by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and his appointment speaks volumes on the kind of people in APC.

According to the PDP, even the people of Kano State have rejected Ganduje and the new APC national chairman should be investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

8. Major Pharmaceutical Company Shuts Down Operations In Nigeria

Pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc said it has concluded arrangements to shut down its operations in Nigeria.

The company said it informed GSK Consumer Nigeria of its strategic intent to cease the commercialization of its prescription medicines and vaccines in Nigeria through the GSK local operating companies.

The company said on Thursday in a regulatory filing that it will transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.

9. Coup: Nigerian Military Speaks On Going To War Against Niger Republic

The Nigerian military has debunked reports that it has started mobilizing soldiers and resources to attack Niger Republic following the recent coup that toppled the government of President Mohammed Bazoum.

A statement on Thursday from the Defence Headquarters by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said a military invasion is one of the last options that would be considered in the situation in Niger Republic.

He added that the Nigerian Armed Forces cannot proceed on any operation in any of the member states of ECOWAS without a mandate from the Authority of Heads of States and Government and they are yet to receive any such directive.

Gusau said the ECOWAS defence chiefs would review the situation in Niger and submit their plans to the committee of Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS for consideration.

10. What President Tinubu Said At APC NEC Meeting In Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 presidential election despite the opposition parties claiming otherwise.

Naija News reports that the Nigerian leader stated this on Thursday while addressing the 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

The President asserted that it is now time to deliver the promises of good governance to the Nigerian people stating that the 2023 election was the best election in Nigeria’s history.

Present at the NEC meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

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