Newspaper Headlines: States kick as NNPC deducts from federation account for petrol subsidy

The Punch reports that states have kicked against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company’s (NNPC) continued deduction from the federation allocation to fund petrol subsidy. The newspaper says south-east leaders will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The Nation reports that Mai Mala Buni, caretaker chairman of the APC, is set to meet with the party’s chieftains to decide on the APC national convention. The newspaper says Buhari has ordered a military crackdown on bandits terrorising communities in Niger state.

The Nigerian Tribune says a federal high court in Abuja has granted Kanu a three-day window to present a fresh bail application on the terrorism charges filed against him. The newspaper reports that kidnappers abducted three persons on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Daily Independent says stakeholders have questioned the appointments made in the aviation ministry and various agencies in the sector. Mele Kyari, chief executive officer of the NNPC, said the NNPC will earn more revenue with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the newspaper reports.

The Guardian reports that power distribution companies may have to ration 2,500 megawatts of electricity to Nigerians owing to vandalism of gas-fired power plants. IPOB declared a sit-at-home in the south-east on Tuesday, the newspaper says.