Today's Headlines: Tinubu Prepares for War in Niger Republic, Seeks Approval of Senate; Navy Probes Vessel over Alleged Crude Oil Theft

Tinubu Prepares for War in Niger Republic, Seeks Approval of Senate

President Bola Tinubu yesterday, in a letter to the Senate and read at plenary by President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, sought the support of the National Assembly on the proposed military action and other sanctions planned by Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) against the military officers who recently seized power in Niger Republic.

Soldiers from the Presidential Guard had last Wednesday deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, thus truncating the constitutional political leadership in the West African country.

Two days later, the soldiers named General Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new leader of the country, with Tchiani warning against any foreign military intervention.President Tinubu, who is also the Chairman of ECOWAS, had on Sunday met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders and they agreed on appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.

As part of the resolutions of the extraordinary summit of the regional bloc, ECOWAS said it would explore “all measures necessary” to restore democratic governance in Niger, including “the use of force.”

President Tinubu, in his letter to the Senate yesterday, notified them of the decisions of the ECOWAS leaders.

In the letter titled, “Request for support in the implementation of the resolutions of ECOWAS on the political situation in Niger Republic”, Tinubu said, “I present my modest compliments to the Distinguished Senate President and have the honour to inform you that following the unfortunate political situation in Niger, culminating in the overthrow of the administration of President Bazoum, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved alongside other members of the international community, to seek the return of the democratically elected government in Niger.

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“Consequently, and in a bid to broker peace and restore democracy in the country the ECOWAS convened an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Sunday, 30th July 2023 in Abuja.

Navy Probes Vessel over Alleged Crude Oil Theft

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The Nigerian Navy said yesterday it had commenced the probe of allegations of crude oil theft perpetrated by an oil Motor Tanker (MT) Praisel in the Niger Delta.

A statement issued by Naval Headquarters in Abuja, said contrary to reports that Navy escorted the said Vessel, MT PRAISEL was duly approved by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 Litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from 26 July – 8 August 2023.

This has been substantiated by NMDPRA. It said in line with Standard ting Procedure (SOP) and to ensure strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval, NN personnel were deployed onboard to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility at Bonny.

“However, on August 2, 2023, TSSL claiming to act on intelligence alleged that the vessel was laden with stolen crude oil and thereafter approached an element of tion Delta Safe to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.

Aggrieved Members Battle Sylva Ahead Of Gov Poll

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Political turmoil is tearing the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State apart as some aggrieved chieftains and close associates of the party’s candidate, Timipre Sylva, pull out of his governorship project ahead of the November 11 governorship polls, writes DANIELS IGONI

Based on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s timetable and schedule of activities for the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, political parties participating in the polls commenced their campaigns on June 14.

Therefore, the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva were expected by their supporters to be fine-tuning plans to carry out campaigns across the state to woo voters ahead of the polls. But that appears not to be the situation at the moment.

Printers hail INEC, plead for patronage

The Nigeria Medium and Large-Scale Printers League has urged the Federal Government to direct its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to patronise local printers.

This is as the group commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for entrusting them with the responsibility of producing the election materials used for the 2023 general elections.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Yahaya Amfani, and Secretary, Ademola Kasumu on Friday.

According to the statement, the local printers urged FG to patronise local service providers to save cost and help utilise expertise.

“We do encourage the government to admonish other agencies to emulate INEC in patronising local service providers as this will reinvigorate the Nigerian economy.

“This strategic decision not only ensures the utilisation of local resources and expertise but also significantly reduces capital flight, benefitting our nation’s economy and contributing to sustainable economic development,” the statement read in part.

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