Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines for Monday, 15th July 2024

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has cautioned youths in the Southeast against participating in protests targeting the government, asserting that such actions are orchestrated by adversaries of the nation. Speaking in Abakaliki during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for local government elections, Uzodinma emphasized that there are no grounds for protest against the current administration. He urged patience, citing ongoing efforts by President Bola Tinubu and the federal government to address economic challenges in the region.

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest (NBA-SPIDEL) has given the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, a seven-day ultimatum to revoke the issuance of Central Motor Registration Information System (CMRIS) certificates. NBA questioned the legality of the Nigeria Police Force issuing such certificates, arguing that no law grants them this authority post-vehicle registration. The association demanded an immediate cessation of CMRIS issuance and the shutdown of related registration centers and websites, with refunds for those who have paid. Reacting to NBA’s demands, Police Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi defended the initiative, asserting the police’s right to combat crime using varied approaches.

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the attack on former US Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was rushed off stage after what appeared to be gunshots, sustaining a minor injury. In a statement, Tinubu described the incident as a grave departure from democratic norms, extending condolences to the victims’ families and commending law enforcement for their swift response.

Deputy Legal Advisor for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okechukwu Osuoha, has refuted claims by former PDP National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan that the party has abandoned Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Osuoha dismissed assertions that Fubara feels deserted amidst his impeachment ordeal, attributing the sentiment to speculation without evidence. Governor Fubara faces impeachment proceedings initiated by 25 lawmakers aligned with his predecessor, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.

Aliko Dangote, CEO of Dangote Refinery, announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited’s stake in the refinery has decreased from 20% to 7.2%. Dangote attributed this reduction to NNPC’s failure to meet its financial obligations, noting that the corporation was supposed to complete their payment in June. The Dangote Refinery CEO clarified that NNPC’s involvement in the refinery’s ownership has been adjusted accordingly.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has emerged victorious in all 21 council seats in Adamawa State’s recently concluded local government elections. Mohammed Umar, Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, confirmed the PDP’s landslide victory, with the exception of one councillorship seat won by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Demsa Ward. Umar disclosed that 12 out of 19 political parties participated in the electoral process across 226 wards in the state’s Northeast region.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has explained Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to reinstate Muhammad Sanusi as Emir of Kano. Kwankwaso defended the move, stating it was in line with Governor Yusuf’s campaign promises to the people of Kano State. Sanusi was reinstated following the repeal of the 2019 Kano Emirate Law by the state House of Assembly.

The Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized Governor Seyi Makinde for his remarks opposing the Supreme Court’s decision on local government autonomy. In a statement, APC’s Publicity Secretary Olawale Sadare accused Makinde of being selfish, clueless, and anti-people, urging him to refrain from actions that could negatively impact the state’s image.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted airstrikes targeting terrorists’ hideouts in Giwa and Igabi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State. NAF spokesperson Edward Gabkwet reported that the airstrikes resulted in the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of their hideouts in Malum forest. The operations, initiated based on credible human and reconnaissance intelligence, aimed to curb terrorist activities in the region.

Panic ensued in Osogbo, Osun State, when an abandoned building collapsed, trapping five individuals. The structure, reportedly a former hideout for hoodlums, collapsed in the Sabo area, prompting concerns among residents familiar with its history of illicit activities. Kehinde Adeleke, spokesperson for the Nigerian Security Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Osun State, confirmed the incident, highlighting ongoing efforts to rescue those trapped.