In today’s newspaper review programme, *Today in the News*, several outlets highlighted a wave of criticism aimed at the Finance Minister over a warning that the naira could slide to N4,000 per US dollar if the government restores fuel subsidies. The debate unfolded across multiple publications, each adding its own angle to the story.
**Key points**
- The Minister of Finance, [Taiwo Oyedele](https://www.finance.gov.ng/), asserted that removing the subsidy would push the exchange rate to N4,000/$.
- Opposition parties and economic experts demanded a detailed explanation of the assumptions behind the projection.
- A quoted source from the opposition said, “The claim lacks transparent data and could fuel panic among Nigerians.”
**What happened at the Lekki tollgate?**
Police deployed tear‑gas to break up a gathering at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos where residents, journalists, activists and two Lagos governorship hopefuls – ADC’s Gbadebo Rhodes‑Vivour and NDC’s Funso Doherty – were commemorating victims of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests. The dispersal resulted in several injuries and heightened tensions ahead of the upcoming elections.
**How is the government responding to a suspected Ebola case?**
The Federal Government has reportedly begun contact‑tracing after a suspected imported Ebola case was identified in the Federal Capital Territory. Health officials say 44 close contacts have been listed and are under observation, aiming to prevent any community spread.
**What are the fuel‑tax concerns raised by the ADC?**
The [African Democratic Congress (ADC)](https://www.adcng.org/) warned that President Bola Tinubu may announce a new fuel tax on inauguration day if re‑elected, potentially pushing petrol prices above N1,500 per litre. The party argues such a hike would exacerbate the already severe cost‑of‑living crisis affecting millions.
**What progress has been made on the National Policing Bill?**
Five additional state assemblies have passed the National Policing Bill. The Presidential Working Group on the bill confirmed that the draft legislation and 29 related amendment bills have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice for legislative drafting review and validation.
**Who was Reuben Fasoranti?**
The Nation paid tribute to Reuben Fasoranti, the centenarian leader of the pan‑Yoruba socio‑political group [Afenifere](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afenifere), who died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 100. Fasoranti was celebrated for his lifelong advocacy of Yoruba interests and his role in Nigeria’s political discourse.
Overall, the day’s newspaper coverage paints a picture of a nation grappling with economic uncertainty, public health vigilance, political maneuvering, and the loss of a prominent cultural figure.