NaijaChoice looks at the top happenings making headlines on the front pages of Nigeria’s national newspapers today Thursday 10th August, 2023.

The PUNCH: Top diplomats from the United Nations, African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are convening in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, for an Extraordinary Summit focused on political developments in Niger Republic. The summit aims to strategize the removal of the junta in Niger, and it will be hosted by ECOWAS Chairman President Bola Tinubu. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has cautioned against military action in Niger and warned that sanctions could have negative consequences for both Nigeria and Niger. A meeting between former Kano emir Muhammad Sanusi II and Tchiani in Niamey took place to discuss the political situation arising from the ousting of President Bazoum, but the outcome of the meeting remains undisclosed. It is uncertain whether Sanusi’s presence in Niamey was at the request of President Tinubu.

The Guardian: As leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meet today in Abuja for their emergency summit on the way forward after a strident opposition to their resort to military force to restore democracy in Niger Republic, hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the political conflict appear to be fading.

ThisDay: The push for a diplomatic solution to the Nigerien political crisis might have gained some traction in the standoff between ECOWAS and the Niger coup leaders. This is following the intervention of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who yesterday, stepped into the fray by first meeting with the military ruler of Niger Republic, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, and later, President Bola Tinubu, with a view to resolving the political quagmire in the country through negotiations rather than military force.

The Nation: Islamic clerics and leaders yesterday intensified their efforts to stave off military action against Niger Republic’s coup leaders.

Notable Ulamas met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja and secured his nod to meet with the junta in Niamey to make them see reason and prevent bloodshed.

Daily Trust: The naira plunged to a record low of N925/$1 on the parallel market yesterday as demand for foreign currency outstripped supply.

This is the aftermath of liberalising the foreign exchange regime, which is a clear departure of what obtained during the President Muhammadu Buhari- led administration.

At a time during the last administration, the World Bank and other agencies, as well as experts in banking, finance and economy had at different times said having official and parallel value for the naira was hurting the economy and at the same time making a few privileged people pocketing billions of dollars without producing anything as they get the forex from the CBN at official rate and instantly sell same at the black market.

Thank you for reading, that is all for today, see you again tomorrow for a review of Nigerian newspapers.