Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 11th August, 2023

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 11th August 2023.

1. President Tinubu Outline Plans For Niger Military Coup Leaders

The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu on Thursday said no option is off the table in resolving the Niger Republic crisis.

Naija News gathered that President Tinubu who is the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) stated this in his closing remarks at the bloc’s summit in Abuja.

President Tinubu addressed ECOWAS leaders at an Extraordinary summit held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was held to address the ongoing crisis in Niger after military leaders took over power from President Mohamed Bozoum.

Tinubu believes that while there will be challenges ahead, with collective resolve, ECOWAS will navigate all obstacles for lasting peace and prosperity in the Niger Republic and other member countries.

He commended leaders for their “unwavering commitment” to the sub-region and welfare of the African continent.

2. Details Of South East Governors Meeting In Enugu Emerge

The details of the meeting of the Governors of the five South East States that took place on Thursday in Enugu State have emerged.

The details of the meeting was made known in a communique read by the new chairman of the Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma.

According to the communique, the governors have resolved to individually and collectively deal with perpetrators and sponsors of insecurity in the region.

The communique, read by the new chairman of the Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, said the perpetrators and their sponsors were criminals and should not be seen as legitimate agitators.

Naija News reports that it was also the first meeting since Uzodimma emerged as the forum’s chairman.

Uzodimma said upon the arrest of those criminals, they would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

The governors from the five states were present at the meeting, including Charles Soludo of Anambra, Alex Otti of Abia, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and the host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu.

Uzodinma added that the forum resolved to fight insecurity decisively in the region in partnership with the federal government and other stakeholders.

He further commended the security agencies’ cooperation and encouraged them not to relent.

3. Be Patient, Nigeria’s Economy Will Bounce Back Under Tinubu – SSA

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Abdullahi Gumel has stated that the Nigerian economy would soon bounce back.

The SSA stated this while receiving a a team of officials from the Fidelity Bank plc led by the Executive Director, Northern Directorate, Hassan Imam on a courtesy visit on Thursday in Abuja.

Gumel noted that the president was aware of the economic hardship Nigerians were going through, adding that he is doing everything to ease the situation.

According to him, “I appeal for patience with the present government as the president is doing everything to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians.

“The president is yet to clock 100 days in office but he has reeled out several measures to tackle the economic challenges the country was faced with.

4. Edo Deputy Gov, Shaibu Speaks On Plan To Dump PDP For APC

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu has refuted circulating claims suggesting his intention to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recent reports indicated Shaibu’s imminent move to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with one even suggesting a top APC member’s confirmation of the deputy governor’s induction by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) next week.

However, Shaibu’s Chief Press Secretary, Musa Ebomhiana, dismissed these reports, labelling the propagators as “hack writers and mischief makers” with an aim to disrupt state stability.

Musa debunked the statement credited to Shiabu where he was said to have given reasons why he had not discussed the rift between him and his boss with anyone.

5. Deputy Speaker Meets Ganduje, Appeals For More Ministerial Slots For South-East

Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu has emphasized the need for equitable ministerial representation for the South-East region.

Naija News gathered that Kalu conveyed his concerns during a visit to APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Of the 48 ministers nominated, the South-East received only 5 slots, despite other regions receiving a higher count.

Kalu insisted, “the South-East region deserved more,” urging for fairness in line with the federal character principle.

6. ECOWAS Orders Immediate Standby Military Force Against Niger’s Coup Leaders

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has ordered its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger Republic.

The President of ECOWAS, Omar Alieu Touray, made this known while reading the resolution of ECOWAS on the Niger coup at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Touray, the regional bloc maintained a stand against the military government in Niger and directed immediate enforcement and monitoring of sanctions on the military junta.

7. Tribunal Sacks Kano’s NNPP Lawmaker Over Primary School Certificate Forgery

A candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Muktar Yarima representing the Tarauni federal constituency has been sacked by the national and state house of assembly elections petition tribunal in Kano.

The three-member tribunal in a judgment delivered on Thursday ruled that the primary school certificate submitted by Yarima to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support his qualifications, was forged.

Yarima was declared the winner of the Tarauni federal constituency poll after scoring 26,273 votes to defeat Hafizu Kawu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 15,931 votes.

Kawu, a one-time member of the House of Representatives, seeking re-election, however, lodged a petition challenging Yarima’s victory on the grounds of certificate forgery.

In his petition, Kawu also submitted that irregularities, including over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral act, marred the election.

The tribunal in the judgment ruled that the NNPP candidate was guilty of certificate forgery.

The court also said that the political party did not have a candidate in the election, adding that all votes cast for Yerima were invalid.

Consequently, the tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return given to Yarima.

8. Nigerian Army Reacts As 25 Soldiers Resign

The Nigerian Army has reacted to the reports about the resignation of some soldiers which has become a trending topic on some social media platforms.

An online medium (not Naija News) suggested in a report on Wednesday that the affected soldiers resigned due to corruption in the Army.

However the Army in a statement on Thursday through its spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said contrary to trending reports on social media suggesting the 25 soldiers resigned due to misdemeanors in the Service, all the soldiers resigned voluntarily and followed due process.

The statement by Nwachukwu argued that the online report was targeted at dampening “the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic troops of the Nigerian Army, engender disaffection in the ranks and ultimately put the nascent Nigerian government and nation in a panic mode.”

The Army spokesperson stressed that personnel have the right to apply for discharge voluntarily or on medical grounds as stipulated in their terms of service.

9. Oshiomhole Speaks On Shaibu’s ‘Plan’ To Join APC

In Benin, former Edo State governor and now Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, addressed the speculations surrounding Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu’s potential return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oshiomhole emphasized that the APC is not “a rehabilitation centre for failed, disgruntled and disloyal politicians.”

The Senator’s comments came during a condolence visit to the family of the late Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri.

Further addressing other matters, he noted he had never witnessed “a court passed judgement based on suspicion.”

10. Academic Records: Tinubu’s Pushback Means Something Is Suspicious – Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has said the attempt by President Bola Tinubu to stop the unravelling of the controversy around his academic records is suspicious.

Naija News reports that Atiku stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday by his United States counsel, Angela Liu.

Recall that a US court had dismissed a suit seeking Tinubu’s academic records after Abubakar withdrew the case in order to avoid abuse of court processes.

According to Liu, the pushback by Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2023 election, means he has something to hide about his academic records from the Chicago State University.

Atiku’s lawyer said Tinubu should be keen on clearing the controversy surrounding his academic records at the US institution.

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