Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian newspapers:
1. Again, President Bola Tinubu has ruled out a return to fuel subsidy, saying his administration’s decision to remove it is irreversible. Tinubu, who drew a comparison between the policy and the biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, said those advocating a return to the subsidy were asking the country to reverse a decision it had already taken.
2. Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria’s economy would have collapsed without the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Shettima also noted that some of those criticising Tinubu would have been writing about the country’s economic collapse from Dubai and New York. He spoke at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa during an event organised by the City Boy Movement, which is working for Tinubu’s re-election.
3. The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, says President Bola Tinubu cannot be blamed solely for the widespread insecurity in the country. Speaking on Monday during a visit to Kebbi State, Yari said that if former President Muhammadu Buhari, a retired general, could not completely tackle insecurity, Tinubu should not be blamed for the situation.
4. Two people have lost their lives, while 18 communities have been submerged by massive flooding that ravaged parts of Nasarawa State. Some of the affected villages are Kwatan Bala, Olegokeme, Obendo, Achepe, Olegokpa, Ijiwo, Olegabgulu, Otiya-Gekye, Otiya-Giso, Odagede, Anagoga and Otariga, all located in Rukubi and Akpanaja wards of Doma Local Government Area of the state.
5. Former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has died just three days before his 72nd birthday, according to his family. A statement signed by his son, Toju Anire Uduaghan, on behalf of the family, said the former governor died on Monday.
6. The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has declared a nationwide prayer and fasting programme to promote free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in 2027. According to the bishops, the programme, themed ‘Let Justice and Peace Flow’, is drawn from Amos 5:24. They announced the initiative in a statement signed by their president, Archbishop Matthew Ndagoso, and secretary, Bishop Peter Odetoyinbo, in Abuja on Monday.
7. The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has faulted the Federal Government’s warning that a return to petrol subsidy could push the naira to between N3,000 and N4,000 per dollar, demanding explanations for the failure of the country’s refineries to operate effectively. The party also questioned why Nigeria had mortgaged a sizeable portion of its crude oil to secure foreign loans.
8. The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has warned that Nigerian workers remain under severe economic pressure despite the increase in the national minimum wage to N70,000. It insisted that its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over rising petrol prices and fresh wage negotiations remains in force. NLC President Joe Ajaero made the position clear on Monday in Abuja, where he criticised the implementation of the 2024 minimum wage agreement and called for urgent measures to address the rising cost of living.
9. The Benue State Police Command has rescued eight kidnap victims, including a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. John Otache of the Otukpo Diocese, and arrested two suspects in connection with the abduction. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
10. The Rivers State House of Assembly has recalled three lawmakers loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara who were suspended during the political crisis that rocked the state. The Assembly rescinded its decision to declare the seats of the three lawmakers vacant during plenary on Monday.
Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Tuesday morning