Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the failure to publish spending details of about N400bn saved as a result of the removal of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy on petrol. The suit seeks an order of mandamus to direct Tinubu to publish the spending details, provide details of the plans for the savings, and ensure that the savings are not diverted into private pockets. SERAP argues that transparency would increase public trust and confidence that the savings would be used to benefit Nigerians. The Tinubu government has a legal obligation to protect individuals against the threat posed to human rights by the removal of the subsidy on petrol and to effectively address the aftermath of the removal. The removal will continue to undermine the rights of Nigerians and increase their vulnerability to poverty. The implementation of the National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSP) and spending on the program have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.

The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, in a landmark decision, yesterday, dismissed the petitions of the Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and their candidates against the election of President Bola Tinubu. The five-man panel, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, dismissed the petition of Mr Peter Obi of LP seeking to nullify Tinubu’s election. It also dismissed APM’s petition seeking to disqualify the president over the invalid nomination of his running mate, Senate Kashim Shettima. The PEPC, dismissed the allegation of the Labour Party, LP, and its candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, that the 2023 presidential election was rigged in favour of President Bola Tinubu. The court, in its preliminary ruling that was delivered by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that Obi and the LP did not by way of credible evidence, establish their allegation that the February 25 election was characterized by manifest corrupt practices.