July 2020 Office

Nigeria Press Review 24.7. – 31.7.2020

Welcome to Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung’s Nigeria Weekly Press Review

The weekly press review seeks to explore and keep you informed on selected issues relating to politics, business and economy, insecurity, infrastructure and development, health-related issues, new trends, and matters bothering on COVID-19 and the situation in Nigeria.

Content

Covid-19: NPC Raises Concerns over Increase in Child Marriages and Birth Rate; PTF Refutes Claims of Hydroxychloroquine Cure

Akpabio Reveals Alleged Beneficiaries of NDDC Contracts Amid Corruption Probe, AfDB Panel Clears Adesina

Ex-House-Speaker Dogara Returns to APC; PDP Accusses APC of Edo Political Violence

Outrage over Proposed 6% Stamp Duty Charge by FIRS and NIPOST Tariff Hike

Insecurity: Gun-Men Flout Curfew Order in Southern Kaduna, Attack Communities

As UN Report Indicates Immense Human Rights Abuse among Refugees and Migrants in Africa, Nigeria and Canada Set to Combat Smuggling of Migrants

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Covid-19: NPC Raises Concerns over Increase Akpabio Reveals Alleged Beneficiaries of in Child Marriages and Birth Rate; PTF Refutes NDDC Contracts Amid Corruption Probe, AfDB Claims of Hydroxychloroquine Cure Panel Clears Adesina

The National Population Commission (NPC) has Following the decision by the House of Repre- revealed that over 80% of Nigerians, mostly sentatives to sue the Minister for Niger Delta Af- women, are negatively affected by the Covid-19 fairs, , over failure to publish the pandemic. Speaking at an event, Stephen Tse- names of the members of the National Assembly mende, representing the NPC Federal Commis- (NASS) who allegedly were awarded contracts by sioner for Benue State stated that the pandemic the NDDC, Akpabio has sent the names of the al- has recorded not only an increase in gender- leged beneficiaries of the contracts which include based violence, but it is also likely that even more lawmakers, prominent persons, past and present girls will drop out of school as a result of the pro- officials among others. Names have been leaked longed closure of schools. Peter Duru, Vanguard by the International Centre for Investigative Re- News (29th July). On the same note, Punch News porting (27th July) and the Daily Sun (24th July). (29th July) reports that the NPC has raised seri- ouse concerns about the the situation of teenage Reacting to this, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, has girls in Nigeria. As schools remain closed and girls denied Akpabio’s allegations calling it a “mischie- continue to drop out, the number of child mar- vous lie”, Jude Egbas of Pulseng News (29th July) riages and the fertility rate are likely to increase. writes. On the same note, former Senator, Sam- A 2018 demographic survey by the NPC exposed uel Anyanwu, has demanded that Akpabio pre- that in some of the poorest parts of Nigeria the sents evidence indicating that he received any fertility rate is significantly higher than the na- contract from the NDDC, Dyepkazah Shibayan, tionwide avarage of 5.3 births per woman: “Kat- The Cable News (29th July) reports. Furthermore, sina State – one of the poorest in the country – the Spokesman for the House of Representatives has the highest at 7.3 […] Bauchi and Jigawa […] has called on Akpabio to go public with the docu- 7.2 and 7.1 respectively.“ The survey has also re- ments to prove the claim that 60% of the con- vealed “that 44 per cent of teenage girls with no tracts were awarded to lawmakers. Eric James education have begun childbearing, while only Ochigbo, Daily Sun (29th July) explains. one per cent of teenage girls with more than a secondary school education have given birth”. Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Lai Mo- This trend will continue to worsen under Covid- hammed, has restated the commitment of the 19 pandemic conditions and will result in more federal government to continue its anti-corrup- poverty, violence and unemployment. tion war. Addressing the recent corruption cases, Mohammed added that government has recov- Meanwhile, a Nigerian trained United States med- ered over N800bn in looted funds. Kunle Sanni, ical doctor, Stella Immanuel, claims she has Premium Times (28th July) reports. Responding to treated over 350 Covid-19 patients with Hy- this, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has criti- droxychloroquine. This is against the backdrop of cized the All Progressives Congress (APC) led gov- the suspension of the use of Hydroxychloroquine ernment alleging that it is twisting facts in the for the trial treatment of Covid-19 patients by the NDDC probe. Soni Daniel et al, Vanguard News World Health Organisation (WHO). Taiwo Adebulu (29th July) and Ndubuisi Orji, Daily Sun (30th July) of The Cable News (28th July) details. Reacting to explain. this, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) has cautioned citizens to avoid self-medication In recent news, the President of the African De- and to wear masks as a precautionary measure velopment Bank (AfDB), Femi Adesina, has been in controlling the virus. Ebunoluwa Olafusi, The cleared by the internal investigative panel of all Cable News (29th July) reports. Supporting the 16 allegations of corruption and favoritism PTF’s position, the guild of medical doctors has among others that were leveled against him. All refuted the claims by Immanuel stating that it has African News (28th July) details. Following the de- not been scientifically proven. Yusuf Akinpelu of velopment, President has Premium Times (29th July) writes. congratulated Adesina on his clearance. Olalekan Adetayo of Punch News (28th July) writes.

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Ex-House-Speaker Dogara Returns to APC; PDP Outrage over Proposed 6% Stamp Duty Charge Accusses APC of Edo Political Violence by FIRS and NIPOST Tariff Hike

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, The directives by the Federal Inland Revenue Ser- Yakubu Dogara, has surprisingly defected from vice (FIRS) issued to property owners to charge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Pro- 6% stamp duty on tenancy and lease agreements, gressives Congress (APC). Nasir Ayitogo, Premium has caused uproar in the media as citizens have Times (24th July) reports. In a letter to the chair- criticised the action of the FIRS and called on the man of the PDP in Bauchi State, Dogara accused federal government to suspend the policy. Sun- the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, of day Micheal et al write in Daily Trust (28th July). allegedly abandoning his campaign promises made to the people, embarking on tribal favourit- On the same note, the Nigeria Labour Congress ism, and of misappropriation of funds among (NLC) has condemned the policy while calling for others. Charly Agwam, Vanguard News (26th July) a reversal by the federal government saying that reports. Responding to this, Mohammed has de- it would worsen the situation faced by workers bunked the allegations leveled against him. Se- who are mainly tenants. Soji-Eze Fagbemi, Nige- gun Awofadeji writes in This Day News (28th July). rian Tribune (28th July) reports. The FIRS has clari- fied that the duty charge which is 6% of the total Moreover, the PDP has alleged that Dogara’s de- cost of all tenancy and lease is to be borne by the fection stems from his 2023 vice-presidency am- tenant, and paid directly to the bank and not the bition as a running mate to the former governor property owner. Gbenga Akinfewa reports in of Lagos State and APC stalwart, Bola Ahmed Guardian News (30th July). Also, the FIRS added Tinubu. Friday Okeregbe, Channels News (27th that the stamp duty “payable on rent or lease July) writes. Similarly, an article by Tofe Ayeni of agreement for a period below seven years is 0.78 The African Report (27th July) looks at the possibil- percent”. Bassey Udo, Premium Times (26th July) ity of Tinubu running for the 2023 presidency. Re- details. sponding to this, the chairman of the APC Na- tional Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, has Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and debunked the rumour of the Tinubu/Dogara Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has ordered the Ni- 2023 ambition. Godwin Isenyo, Punch News (31st gerian Postal Services (NIPOST) to suspend the July) details. There are, however, indications that new tariff on registration of courier services in the APC may adopt a new zoning strategy for its the country following the outcry from citizens. 2023 presidential race by selecting again a candi- Vanguard News (25th July) details. This is coming date from the Northeast, Leo Sobechi of The as 7,700 citizens signed a petition against the pol- Guardian News (29th July) and This Day (30th July) icy. Eniola Akinkuotu, Punch News (25th July) ex- detail. plains. Reacting to this, the Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (ANCO) has urged operators Meanwhile, the PDP has accused the APC of com- and citizens to remain patient as it dialogues with plicity in the violence which erupted around the the government over the situation. Vanguard Palace of the Oba of Benin in Benin City, Edo News (27th July) details. State, last Saturday. PDP’s national Vice-Chair- man, South-South, Dan Orbih, speaking at a press briefing in Benin City described the incident as an Insecurity: Gun-Men Flout Curfew Order in attempt by the opposition to eliminate leaders of Southern Kaduna, Attack Communities his party, including PDP governors who were ex- pected to be with Governor . Pe- As the security situation in the southern part of ter David, Punch News (27th July) writes. On an- Kaduna State continues to worsen, the Inspector other note, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has or- State chapter of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, has dered the strict enforcement of the curfew im- urged the immediate past national chairman of posed by the Kaduna State government. This is the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, to account for due to the recent killings and violence in the re- N42bn security votes received during his tenure gion. Barely 24 hours into the curfew, gunmen as governor. Oshiomhole has however launched a coordinated attack in 3 communities denied receiving the said amount. Usman A. in southern Kaduna. Adelani Adepegba, et al Bello, Daily Trust (28th July) writes. write in Punch News (26th July). The President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU),

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Jonathan Asake, has faulted the efforts of the Ka- rights abuse and other forms of exploitation dur- duna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, towards the ing flight and migration. The report extensively reoccurring violent activities in the state. Sahara speaks of the inhumane conditions being faced Reporters, (28th July) explains. On the same note, by migrants, perpetrated by smugglers, traffick- members of the House of Representatives, have ers, militias, and in many cases state officials. bemoaned El-Rufai for allegedly disregarding the warnings by the SOKAPU hinting that residents in Meanwhile, the federal government is strength- the area may engage militias to defend them- ening its commitment towards border manage- selves. Leke Baiyewu, Punch News (30th July) de- ment and protection to reduce the rate of illegal tails. migration. With support from Canada and organi- zations including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), ARK, the United Nations Of- As UN Report Indicates Immense Human fice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria has Rights Abuse among Refugees and Migrants in launched 3 new projects to improve the overall Africa, Nigeria and Canada Set to Combat performance and capabilities of the National Smuggling of Migrants Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Per- sons (NAPTIP) and the Nigeria Immigration Ser- A new report by the United Nations High Com- vice (NIS). CNW Group, Yahoo News (29th July) ex- mission for Refugees, (29th July) reveals that in Af- plains. rica thousands are experiencing extreme human

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e. V.

Dr. Vladimir Kreck, Resident Representative Vera Ali, Project Assistant / Editor Press Review

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