Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Pundits and economists alike are waiting to see which side will prevail 10 years after protests against petrol subsidy removal empowered the present ruling party. Despite fears of repercussions, some economists and stakeholders agree that removal of the subsidy is a necessary step towards long-needed reform. However, the feasibility of the plans to give transportation grants to poor Nigerians has raised doubts on the source of funds and impact on the volume of money in circulation, as well as transparency and accountability issues. President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has decided to remove the subsidy this year and damn the consequences to free up resources needed to run the economy. A panel chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will meet with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders to consider the proposed N5,000 transport palliative and other options aimed at ameliorating the effects of the planned subsidy removal on Nigerians. The options remain hard as labour unions are already up in arms to protest if the decision on subsidy removal is taken.

President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have paid tribute to Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Governor of Oyo State, who passed away yesterday aged 71. Makinde abruptly ended the 2022 Inter-faith Prayer Service as the news broke, while Tinubu called for a minute's silence and condoled with the immediate family members of the former governor, his political associates and residents of the state. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of South West Governors' Forum and Ondo State Governor, described the death of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala as a personal loss and urged family and associates to take solace in the good legacies he left behind. He commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde, the government and people of Oyo State, friends, associates and admirers of the deceased politician, and his Ogun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, who described the death as a rude shock. Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, also expressed his condolences.

The Olubadan-in-Council endorsed Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, but Rashidi Ladoja was absent from the meeting. The council members insisted that no court case would stop the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan. Other high chiefs at the media briefing included Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin, Otun Balogun, Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade, Ekaarun Olubadan, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan. Michael Lana has asked Governor Seyi Makinde not to allow'strangers' to mislead him on who becomes the next monarch. Lana argued that Balogun and all the high chiefs, who were crowned Obas in 2017, were unfit to be Olubadan. On Tuesday, legal representatives of the high chiefs faulted Lana's letter to the governor. Lana advised Makinde to be wary of advice from those who do not have knowledge of Ibadan chieftaincy laws.

Rashidi Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, yesterday said there is no controversy on who succeeds the late Oba Saliu Adetunji as Olubadan based on tradition. 10 of the 11-member Olubadan-in-Council endorsed Balogun, and Ladoja clarified the impression that he had a hand in the letter written by an Ibadan-born lawyer and former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Michael Lana. He added that there is still mourning the Olubadan.