Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Abuja—Four suspects have been arrested in a failed attack on the Yola residence of Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25, 2023 election in the February 25, 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar. This came as Atiku Abubakar lauded the security agencies for foiling what would have been an attack on his residence by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. A statement yesterday from the Atiku Media Office, among others, said “We wish to alert the Nigerian public that at about 9:44 pm on Sunday, 23 July, 2023 a man seeking to confirm the residence of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence. “The man who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku Abubakar was later handed over to the police. Upon further interrogation by the Police, the suspect identified himself as a 29 year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State. “The suspect also informed the Police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organisations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola. “All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities. We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation. We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared Tony Nwoye, winner of the August 26, 2017 Anambra State APC primary, as the party's standard bearer in the state governorship election. The decision was made at a meeting of the party's National Working Committee, which considered the report of an appeal panel investigating a petition filed by Senator Andy Uba. The committee stated that the integrity of the exercise was not in dispute. Nwoye had to cancel a press conference to fill the Independent National Electoral Commission's nomination forms before the deadline.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has emphasized the importance of the South-East region in Nigeria's presidential race. He emphasized the need for the South-East to join the APC, as it represents the most viable route for any South-East person to the presidency. Odigie-Oyegun also welcomed Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, a former Deputy National Chairman to the Modu Sherrif-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, into the APC. He emphasized the need to win the November 18, 2017 Anambra State governorship election to end the cry of marginalisation by the South-East. He emphasized the importance of unity of purpose and working hard to make Anambra a critical state in the South-East. He emphasized the need for unity among all those aspiring to the governorship seat.

The Peoples Democratic Party and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) have criticised President Muhammdu Buhari's decision to work from home. Buhari was absent from a Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, and the Presidency blamed his absence on the Easter holiday. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that Buhari only decided to work from home on Wednesday and that he wanted to rest today. However, the PDP urged the Presidency to reveal Buhari's health status, citing the era of manipulation of his health status by a cabal within the Presidency. The CLO President, Igho Akeregha, criticised the APC government's fraudulent setup and called for Buhari to resign if his health could not sustain the pressure of work. He argued that hanging around office and trying to protect the cabal is not good for the country and that Buhari's ardent fight against corruption should be remembered.

Two bills, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (Establishment Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Bill to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, have passed second reading in the Senate. The first, sponsored by Senator Steve Karimi, aims to prevent a Central Bank Governor from participating in partisan politics. The second, sponsored by Senator Darlington Nwokocha, seeks to enhance transparency in the bank's operations. Karimi's bill aims to lead to greater accountability and transparency in the bank's operations. The proposed amendment prohibits the use of foreign currency in local transactions in Nigeria, stating that it is only authorized by a bank and financial institutions.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the party chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, have been in a heated debate. Tinubu called for the resignation of Odigie-Oyegun, who was involved in the party's governorship primary in Ondo State. Odigie-Oyegun, who lost his ward to the Peoples Democratic Party in the election, refused to take issue with Tinubu, who he held in high esteem. Odigie-Oyegun's meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari revealed a difference of opinion between the two, but he defended his decision not to resign. Odigie-Oyegun denied being behind the protests against Tinubu but promised to investigate the matter. He said all the events in the party's primary election in Ondo State were contained in the report of the chairman of the primary committee. He said that the party would only consider a change of mind if the result is generating controversy.