Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, claiming that the two-year-old administration has worsened poverty and hunger in Nigeria. The opposition party members criticized the government's economic policies and its N500bn social welfare programme for vulnerable groups, arguing that Nigerians must have realized they made a mistake by voting the All Progressives Congress into power. Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila reacted that the government's fight against corruption, weakening of insurgency in the North-East, and the gradual recovery of the naira against the US dollar were enough testimonies of performance by the government. Minority Leader Leo Ogor, however, criticized the government for not implementing any significant economic reforms and criticized the methodology used to distribute the N500bn social welfare program. He also noted that Nigerians were not eating better food or having improved access to basic amenities. The opposition party leader, Gbajabiamila, defended the APC government's performance in its midterm scorecard, stating that the Buhari-led administration had done well in its efforts against insecurity, corruption, and poverty.

The Nigerian Senate has rejected plans by the Federal Government to increase electricity tariffs, citing the country's current economic challenges. The Senate's decision follows a statement by Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who suggested Nigeria could no longer sustain electricity subsidies, indicating a potential move to raise tariffs. The Senate Committee on Power is investigating the N2 trillion subsidy requirement, outstanding debts to power generating companies (GenCos), and gas companies. The Senate also urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to use the N10.5 billion penalty imposed on Discos and find lasting solutions to Nigeria's electricity billing system. Some senators, like Abba Moro and Aminu Tambuwal, emphasized the need to focus on improving electricity generation and distribution before considering tariff hikes.