Today in Nigeria and around the world: A roundup of the big news on Wednesday
These are the big news across Nigeria and around the world that might interest you today, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
1. Nigerian terrorist groups plot massive attacks on Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, others
There were strong indications on Tuesday that two terrorist groups, the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, were planning to attack some states in the North-West, North-Central and South-West.
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It was learnt that security agencies had got a security report that ISWAP and Boko Haram planned to attack Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina and Zamfara states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
2. Reps extend subsidy payments probe to Goodluck Jonathan administration
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, extended the scope of its investigation of payments for subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, to the last administration led by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The House had on June 29, 2022, resolved to investigate payments for subsidy on petroleum products especially petrol under a period that fell under the regime led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, had set up an ‘Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate the Petroleum Products Subsidy regime from 2017 to 2021,’ which was mandated to report back to the House within eight weeks for further legislative action.
3. Ganduje assures organised labour of immediate solution to ASUU strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress has received assurances from Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje that the Nigeria Governors Forum would make every effort to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
4. Tribunal grants Segun Oni’s request for inspection of Ekiti election materials
The Ekiti State governorship election petitions tribunal on Tuesday granted the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Engr. Segun Oni’s request to conduct physical inspection of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ballot papers used in last month’s election in the state.
5. Osun gov-elect, Adeleke constitutes transition committee
The Osun Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, constituted a 37-member transition committee to facilitate a smooth transition to his government.
6. Court adjourns suit challenging PDP governorship primary in Zamfara to July 29
The Federal High Court, Gusau, on Tuesday adjourned hearing in the suit challenging credibility of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Zamfara to July 29.
7. IPOB debunks reports of factionalisation, accuses Nigerian govt of infiltration, spread of fake news
Contrary to rumours that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are divided into groups, the group has stated that there are no factions within its movement and agitation.
8. Investors lose N516.6bn as Nigeria’s capital market continues bearish run
The Nigerian capital market continued to suffer significant losses after the bourse’s share depreciated by -1.86 percent on Tuesday.
9. IMF retains 3.4% growth prospect for Nigeria amid soaring inflation
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) retained the 3.4 percent growth projection for the Nigerian economy this year despite soaring inflation, and the country’s inability to cash in on the rising price of crude oil.
10. Guard troops: Military confirms 3 casualties, denies abduction of soldiers by terrorists
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday confirmed that three soldiers were killed during the attack on troops of the 7 Guards Battalion by suspected terrorists in Abuja.
11. Police arrests 18 suspected cattle rustlers, over 500 livestock in Gombe
Police operatives in Gombe have arrested 18 suspected cattle rustlers and recovered and over 500 livestock in the state.
12. Nigeria seeking to co-host 2025 AFCON with Benin Republic —Pinnick
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has revealed that there is a possibility of Nigeria co-hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
13. Expect another #EndSARS uprising if ASUU strike lingers, NLC, Falana tell FG
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government to prepare for another people’s uprising akin to the #EndSARS protest in 2020 if quick steps are not taken to resolve the ongoing industrial actions by staff unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
14. 2023: PDP afraid of open contest in Rivers —Lulu-Briggs
The governorship candidate of the Accord party in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was afraid of an open contest in the 2023 general election.
This was as the PDP had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Accord and some candidates of the party to court seeking the disqualification of the candidates.
15. Biden to meet Xi Jinping on China-Taiwan tensions
President of the United States Joe Biden will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday for discussions as tensions between China and Taiwan rise, amid reports that Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker is considering a trip to Taiwan.
The expected call comes as national security officials work quietly to persuade Pelosi against the trip, citing the risks her potential trip could pose during a highly sensitive period between the self-governing island and China, CNN reported.
The rift between China and Taiwan has been rising in recent years, driven by differences over the island’s status.
16. Congo bloodshed: At least 15 killed, 50 injured in anti-UN protests in Butembo
At least 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured during two days of protests in Congo’s east against the UN mission there, officials said.
The United Nations (UN) confirmed that one peacekeeper and two international police officers serving with the UN peacekeeping force were killed and another was injured at the UN base in Butembo, North Kivu province in the east, when “violent attackers snatched weapons from Congolese police” and opened fire on UN personnel.
Farhan Haq, the UN’s deputy spokesman, said reports of civilian casualties, including UN peacekeepers killing and injuring civilians, would be investigated.
Haq said that on Tuesday, hundreds of assailants attacked UN bases in Goma and other parts of North Kivu, “fueled by hostile remarks and threats made by individuals and groups against the UN, particularly on social media.”
“Mobs are throwing stones and petrol bombs, breaking into bases, looting and vandalizing, and setting facilities on fire,” Haq said, adding that “we are trying to calm things down,” including by dispatching quick response forces.
Haq also said that at least four incidents targeted the homes of MONUSCO personnel, who have since been relocated to UN camps. A mob also attempted to enter the UN Development Programme compound earlier on Tuesday but was repulsed by security guards, he said.
On their part, the demonstrators, attacked the UN mission offices in Goma on Monday, accusing the peacekeeping forces of failing to protect civilians amid rising violence in Congo’s eastern region. They want the UN forces, who have been in Congo for years, to leave.
Congo’s mineral-rich east is home to several rebel groups, and the region’s security has deteriorated despite a year of emergency operations by a joint force of Congo and Ugandan armies. Civilians in the east have also faced violence from jihadi rebels affiliated with the Islamic State group.
17. Call to Bar moved from Abuja Law School after terrorists’ threat
The Nigerian Law School has moved the venue of the call to bar from the school’s headquarters in Bwari to Airport Road, Abuja.
The Director General of the school, Prof Hayatu Isa Ciroma, has confirmed the new venue as the Secretariat of the Body of Benchers behind the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
“The Director-General has directed to notify candidates of the change of the Call to the Bar venue from the Nigerian Law School Bwari to the Body of Benchers Secretariat along the Airport Road, Abuja by 1pm tomorrow 27th July, 2022,” he wrote in a tweet.
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