Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 26th July 2024
1. I Engaged In Protests But Without Violence – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged his participation in various protests throughout his political career but stressed the importance of maintaining non-violence during demonstrations.
The President made these remarks while receiving the Letter of Credence from the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills Jr., at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the ceremony, President Tinubu emphasized the critical role of peaceful protests in a democratic society, highlighting that they are a fundamental aspect of democracy and a legitimate way for citizens to express their grievances.
However, he noted that no government would tolerate protests that escalate into violence, leading to the destruction of lives and property.
The President reiterated his commitment to sustaining democracy and its institutions in Nigeria, ensuring that citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression are protected.
He expressed optimism about the continued partnership between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas of democratic governance and institutional support.
2. Subsidy Is Gone, FG Not Paying Subsidy For Petrol – Wale Edun Insists
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has insisted that the federal government is no longer paying subsidy on petrol.
He made the assertion on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja.
According to him, since President Bola Tinubu declared an end to the fuel subsidy regime on May 29, 2023, the government has not made any provision in the budget for subsidy payment and has not made any subsidy payment outside the budget as well.
“Mr President said on May 29 that subsidy is gone. Subsidy is gone. We do not have a line in the budget for subsidy payment. We do not have payments being made whether in the budget or out by the federal government of Nigeria or even the federation directly for subsidy,” Edun said.
He submitted that what has been happening is a situation where the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is carrying the burden of the spike in exchange rate variation as part of its responsibility to ensure the availability of petrol in the local market.
3. DSS Identifies Sponsors Of Nationwide Hardship Protest, Warns Against Action
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday issued a stern warning against the planned nationwide protest aimed at addressing the economic hardships in the country.
In a press statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, Dr Peter Afunanya, and made available to Vanguard, the DSS disclosed that it had identified the sponsors of the protest.
The agency cautioned that proceeding with the protest would not be in Nigeria’s interest.
The security outfit expressed concerns that the planned protest, intended to highlight economic grievances, could be hijacked by hoodlums to incite chaos and extreme violence across the nation.
The DSS highlighted that such protests, while constitutional, often become uncontrollable and lead to widespread violence, endangering lives and properties.
They urged the organizers to reconsider their actions and seek alternative means of expressing their concerns.
The planned protest, tagged ‘EndBadGovernance’, has gained significant traction on social media and is scheduled to take place from August 1-10 across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
4. Tinubu Raises Armed Forces Pension By 20%
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, announced on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu has approved a 20 percent increase in pensions for Armed Forces personnel.
Vice Adm. Ogalla made this disclosure during the 2024 Accounts and Budget Seminar, themed “Optimising Nigerian Navy Non-Public Fund Opportunities In A Dynamic Economic Environment The Nigerian Navy Personnel In Focus.”
The seminar, which spans two days, is being held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, from July 25 to July 26.
Represented by Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, the Chief of Policy and Plans at Naval Headquarters, Ogalla commended President Tinubu for prioritizing the welfare of the Armed Forces.
He highlighted that the pension increment took effect in January, reflecting the administration’s swift action in addressing the financial needs of military retirees.
5. Why We Are Yet To Start Paying Monthly Allocations Directly To Local Govts – FG Reveals
The federal government of Nigeria has revealed that is is yet to commence the payment of monthly allocations to the local government areas in the country.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, who made the disclosure on Thursday, said some “practical impediments” are responsible for the delay.
Edun made the disclosure on Thursday during a quarterly media briefing on recent economic activities in the country weeks after the Supreme Court issued a landmark judgement on the payment of monthly allocations directly to the local governments when it ruled on local government autonomy.
Naija News recalls the Supreme Court on July 11 ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds designated for local government administrations.
The landmark judgement, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, emphasized that this practice contravenes the financial autonomy rights of local governments and has persisted for over two decades.
The apex court’s decision mandates that all allocations from the Federation Account should henceforth be paid directly to the 774 local government councils across the country, rather than being filtered through state governors.
The monthly meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) was held last week. It ought to be the beginning of the direct disbursement of funds to the LGAs.
But Edun said the ruling of the court has not been communicated to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for proper study and implementation.
He added that a committee has been set up by the federal government to look at the practicability of the judgement.
6. Citizens Have Right To Protest – Military
The Nigerian military has acknowledged that the citizens have the right to stage demonstrations in other to express their grievance on the economic adversity faced by the nation.
However, in anticipation of the scheduled nationwide protest on August 1, the military issued warning to the organizers of the protest, prohibiting any form of violence.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, emphasized the military’s stance against the potential for anarchy in Nigeria.
He suggested that the organizers of the forthcoming protest in Nigeria may seek to emulate the recent demonstration that escalated into chaos in Kenya, a country in East Africa.
General Buba clarified that while the right to express grievances is acknowledged, the military will not tolerate any violent assembly or protests.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the military had identified attempts by nefarious individuals to exploit the protest, aiming to transform it into a violent event by targeting innocent Nigerians and their businesses.
7. INEC Ready To Conduct Local Government Elections – Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the commission is fully equipped and ready to organise local government elections.
Speaking on Thursday, July 25, before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Yakubu addressed the commission’s readiness for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States and emphasised INEC’s capacity to manage local government elections as well.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted that INEC is capable of conducting local government elections effectively, provided the legal framework is amended to assign this duty to the commission.
He pointed out that INEC has successfully managed area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which have not encountered the typical challenges associated with local government elections.
Yakubu outlined several benefits of INEC overseeing these elections, including the regularity of elections, stability of tenure, and the absence of caretaker committees, which are prevalent in state-run elections.
Additionally, he noted that INEC’s impartiality ensures no single political party has dominated all seats in FCT elections, unlike in some states.
The chairman asserted that transferring the responsibility of local government elections to INEC would strengthen democratic practices in Nigeria.
8. Protest: Onanuga Is A Sycophant, Arresting Peter Obi Will Have Consequence – Ex-SGF, Babachir Warns Tinubu
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has warned President Bola Tinubu against any attempt to arrest the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over the planned nationwide protests by some aggrieved Nigerians.
Naija News reports that Babachir while speaking with journalists, dismissed the allegation of Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, that Peter Obi and the Obidient Movement were sponsoring the proposed protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
According to him, Tinubu is surrounded by sycophants like Onanuga, who will not tell him the truth, stressing that arresting Peter Obi would lead to severe consequences for the federal government.
The ex-SGF, one of Obi’s strongest supporters in the 2023 presidential election, said Tinubu should sack Onanuga, pointing out that he does not mean well for his administration.
He also warned the government not to use force against the protesters, saying doing so may be a catalyst for chaos.
9. Tinubu Is Being Superficial, His Presidency Is Failing Nigerians – Afenifere
The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political group, Afenifere, has expressed its displeasire with the performance in office of President Bola Tinubu.
The group on Thursday, said the government of President Tinubu is failing Nigerians.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Afenifere’s Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye faulted the way and manner Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy.
He further accused President Tinubu of being superficial and refusing to restructure Nigeria’s economy.
According to Faloye: “When he said subsidies were dead, we said there is nowhere in the world that you won’t have this kind of situation, it’s not protesters that are endangering the polity, but it’s the government’s policies. Anywhere in the world, you can’t remove subsidies like that.
“We do believe that the presidency is failing the people, he (Tinubu) is being superficial, he should restructure the economy. What we have is a colonial economy because the majority are just trading.”
10. Abuja Not Available For Hardship Protest — Wike
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced that Abuja will not be available for the planned nationwide protests against the economic hardship scheduled to commence on August 1.
Wike disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja following a meeting with heads of security agencies in the territory.
According to the Minister, August 1 has been set aside by the FCTA for the entire area councils to present certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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