Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Henzodaily roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 8th January, 2025
President Bola Tinubu has assured Ghana’s newly sworn-in President, John Mahama, of Nigeria’s unwavering support in fostering national development and strengthening bilateral relations between the two West African nations.
Tinubu made the statement on Tuesday during Mahama’s swearing-in ceremony in Accra, following his victory in Ghana’s presidential election.
Mahama’s win marks the end of two terms in power for the governing New Patriotic Party under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries, noting that Mahama’s leadership heralds a new era of prosperity and mutual progress.
The event in Accra drew leaders from across Africa and beyond. It celebrated a peaceful transition of power in Ghana, a nation often praised for its democratic stability.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the threat to Peter Obi’s life by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
Atiku said the threat from Morka to Obi signalled a return to an authoritarian regime. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had become notorious for attacking and arresting dissent voices.
Recall that Henzodaily reported that Morka, in an interview on Saturday, accused Peter Obi of misinforming Nigerians, adding that he crossed the line.
In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku decried the APC government’s disdain for democracy and free speech. He noted that the Labour Party chieftain never stated anything contrary to the hardship Nigerians face daily occasioned by the current administration’s policies.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded that Morka explain to Nigerians what he meant by his statement against Obi.
He further lampooned the APC’s spokesman for likening his 2019 vice presidential candidate’s statement to Wild West scenario.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, made fresh revelations on how the suspended 18 Local Government Council Chairmen remitted about ₦12 billion to leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 15 months.
In a statement to Henzodaily on Tuesday, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, disclosed that the Governor made these revelations while playing host to the acting Chairmen and Councilors of the 18 Local Government Areas, who were in the Government House on a courtesy visit.
While commending the acting Chairmen and the Councillors for their courageous act in upholding democracy and ensuring transparency at the Local Government level, the Governor stressed their funds do not belong to any individual, irrespective of the status.
Governor Okpebholo said this revelation led to a meeting with the Chairmen who were asked to explain the money allocated to Environmental Security funding, but they could not.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s authentic National Secretary in compliance with a Court of Appeal order.
The position of the party was made public on Tuesday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, while fielding questions from newsmen at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He submitted that the PDP is in receipt of a Court of Appeal ruling affirming Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary and as a law-abiding party, they intend to carry out the dictates of the court fully.
The declaration effectively lays to rest the claims by Senator Samuel Anyanwu to the National Secretary seat of the PDP.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman, Felix Morka, has dismissed allegations by Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that he threatened his life following criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Obi, in his New Year message, claimed he and his family had received threats due to his criticisms of the current administration, asking if he had “really crossed the line” to warrant such threats.
He attributed the threats to comments made by Morka during an interview with Arise TV on Sunday.
In the interview, Morka reportedly said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.”
Reacting to the allegations on Tuesday, Morka accused Obi of quoting him out of context and insisted he never issued any threats.
He claimed that the allegation levelled against him by the former Governor of Anambra State is a malicious lie and attention-seeking.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale Oyerinde, has declared that no state of the federation should use insufficient funds as an excuse not to pay the recently approved new minimum wage of ₦70,000.
He argued that the federal government has consistently increased the monthly revenue to state governments, so claims of inadequate funds are unacceptable.
Henzodaily reports Oyerinde made the submission on Tuesday during an interview with Arise News in which he spoke about the implementation of the new minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu in 2024.
The NECA boss urged the state governments to employ fiscal discipline in the management of their funds in order to ensure the full implementation of the new minimum wage.
He expressed hope that no state government would default in the payment of the new minimum wage, noting that the presentation of the 2025 budgets is an opportunity to factor in the funds for those state which claimed it was not included in their 2024 plans.
The Presidency has assured that the 2025 budget would address most of the challenges plaguing the nation across all sectors.
The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, said there would be efficient implementation of the 2025 budget.
Recall that Henzodaily reported that the 2025 budget total sum was ₦49.7 trillion. The budget was benchmarked at crude oil output of 3 million barrels per day.
In an interview with News Central, Dare enjoined citizens to support the policies of the President.
He dismissed issues concerning Nigeria’s debt and proposed loans for the budget, assuring that the loan would be used to deliver benefits to Nigerians.
The President’s spokesman also highlighted allocations for healthcare, education and agriculture in the 2025 budget. He stressed that the President would address the nation’s challenges.
Corps members across the country can look forward to receiving a minimum wage of ₦77,000, the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has announced.
Ahmed made this assurance in Abuja on Tuesday while commissioning a staff bus donated by a company.
He stated that arrangements for the increased allowance had been finalized, emphasizing that corps members’ welfare and security remain his top priorities.
The NYSC DG highlighted the importance of the newly donated bus, explaining that it was intended to address transportation challenges faced by staff and corps members.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has stated that Lagos State is the biggest loser in the ongoing tax reform efforts.
Oyedele stated this during an appearance on Arise TV while addressing complaints that had trailed the tax reform policy by President Bola Tinubu.
He explained that the committee’s proposals on Value Added Tax (VAT) were designed to benefit all regions of the country.
Oyedele noted that though Lagos and Rivers States have argued that direct VAT collection would better reflect their contributions, allowing them to collect it independently would create chaos for businesses.
A closed-door meeting involving several prominent opposition figures and officials of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took place on Tuesday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Among those in attendance were former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Chief Security Officer to the late General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, and a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, Segun Showunmi.
While the agenda of the meeting remains undisclosed, Showunmi confirmed the gathering in a Facebook post.
This development comes in the wake of speculation about El-Rufai’s political allegiance.
Rumours suggested that the former Kaduna governor had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
El-Rufai, however, dismissed the claims on his verified X account, describing them as “patent lies.” He announced that legal action would be taken against those propagating the false reports.