Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Monday, 16th December, 2024

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the IDOMA VOICE News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 16th December 2024

1. Nigeria has made a payment of ₦85 billion (about $54 million) to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as its community levy from January 2023 through July 2024. This payment, confirmed by ECOWAS Commission President Omar Touray, underscores Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to the region.

2. The Supreme Court will rule today on a new lawsuit seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu from office. The case challenges his disqualification and alleged unlawful usurpation of the presidency, filed by 2019 presidential candidate Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru.

3. Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed that the airstrip license issued to Bishop David Oyedepo’s Living Faith Church will remain valid, despite calls from the House of Representatives for its revocation over national security concerns.

4. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will officially withdraw from ECOWAS by July 2025. The decision was announced by ECOWAS Commission President Alieu Touray during the 66th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja.

5. Buba Galadima of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has criticized President Tinubu’s tax reform policies, particularly the VAT increase, calling them anti-people. He says the reforms are opposed in the North due to their negative impact on ordinary Nigerians.

6. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has clarified that it is not courting former President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race. The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary stated they have no intention of offering him the ticket, especially after his wife’s statement about his political future.

7. Ijaw leader Edwin Clark has written to President Bola Tinubu, urging immediate repairs to the dilapidated roads in the Niger Delta, a region crucial to Nigeria’s oil production. Clark emphasized that the revenue from just a week’s oil production could address the road network issues.

8. Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho has called on President Tinubu to intervene in Vice President Shettima’s verbal clash with British politician Kemi Badenoch, urging focus on pressing national issues like poverty and insecurity instead of personal disputes.

9. Buba Galadima of NNPP has rejected the concept of zoning in Nigeria’s politics, claiming it has failed to bring equity. He insists the opposition will field a strong candidate for the 2027 elections, despite efforts by the APC to stifle alternatives.

10. Yunusa Tanko, spokesperson for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, explained that Obi is mediating between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi, both members of the Obedient Movement. Farotimi is currently in detention over defamation charges against Babalola.