Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 21st July, 2025
1. ‘Nigerian History Would Not Have Been Completed If I Failed 2023 Election’ – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has stated that Nigeria’s history would not have been complete if he had lost the 2023 presidential election.
Naija News reports that President Tinubu made this known on Sunday, while speaking in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, at the 8th Day Fidau prayers for the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
Tinubu said Nigeria’s history would not have been as complete and rich if he had failed the election.
Paying tributes to Oba Adetona for his role in his political journey and success in the 2023 general elections, Tinubu said the late monarch assured him that he would win the election and secure a re-election.
He praised the late monarch for his wisdom, steadfastness, resoluteness, and encouragement of the June 12 course and democracy.
2. ‘Nobody Voted My Wife’ – Peter Obi Vows To Scrap First Lady’s Office If Elected As President
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has vowed to scrap the Office of the First Lady if elected president.
Naija News reports that the former Anambra governor insisted that the role is unnecessary and contributes to government waste.
While speaking to his supporters in a video online, Obi said he would not allow his wife to run such an office because Nigerians did not elect her.
According to him, even though he loves her and considers her his best and closest friend, she will not hold an official position in his administration.
The former Anambra governor recalled visiting Lagos and discovering that the Office of the First Lady received more funding than some ministries.
He said such a situation is unacceptable and would not be repeated under his leadership.
He promised to cut the cost of governance and block all forms of waste if given the opportunity to lead the country.
3. WAEC Speaks On Cancelling 2025 WASSCE
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has debunked reports that it cancelled the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Nigeria.
The denial was made in a statement on Sunday signed by the WAEC Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adesina, in which the examination body described the report as spurious and categorically denied issuing such a notice.
Naija News reports the denial follows a statement which circulated on social media platforms on Saturday, 19th July, 2025, claiming WAEC had cancelled the entire 2025 WASSCE due to massive exam malpractice, coordinated leakage of question papers, and unauthorised digital dissemination of exam materials.
However, WAEC urged the public to disregard the reports as false and misleading, adding that they are the handiwork of mischief-makers.
WAEC added that marking of scripts has just been concluded and assured the public that results would be released on or before Thursday, August 4, 2025.
4. Atiku vs Peter Obi: ADC Speaks On Anointed Candidate, How Its Presidential Candidate Would Emerge
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the party does not have and does not intend to endorse any anointed candidate as its presidential flagbearer for the 2027 elections.
The ADC stated that all presidential aspirants on the party’s platform would participate in a primary election, and the party would ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
Naija News reports that this position was made known on Sunday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
Specifically, Abdullahi clarified that all presidential aspirants on the party’s platform, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and all others, understand the principles of democracy and are committed to the process.
He added that it is the supporters of the politicians who are clamouring that their own preferred candidate must emerge as the ADC flagbearer to contest against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Abdullahi, however, made it clear that the ADC has no hidden agenda or preferred candidate.
5. ‘Stay Away From The Senate Chambers’ – Senate Warns Natasha
The Senate has warned suspended lawmaker representing Kogi central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to stay away from the legislative chambers on Tuesday until the expiration of her suspension.
Naija News reports that the warning follows the statement by the embattled lawmaker, who said she would return to the Senate on Tuesday, based on a judgment by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement issued on Sunday, stated that no valid court order mandates Natasha’s immediate recall.
Adaramodu emphasised that the Senate remains committed to due process and the rule of law, warning that any move by Natasha to “storm the Senate next Tuesday under a false pretext” would be premature, disruptive, and a breach of legislative order.
He also stated that the Senate had previously issued two public statements following the court ruling and the release of the Certified True Copy of the Enrolled Order, clarifying that no positive or mandatory directive had been issued against the Senate regarding Natasha’s recall.
Adaramodu further noted that the same court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt and imposed penalties, including a ₦5 million fine payable to the Federal Government and a mandatory apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page, a directive that has reportedly not been complied with.
6. I Did Not Threaten Peter Obi In Any Form, It’s My Duty To Protect Lives – Okpebholo Insists
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has dismissed trending reports that he threatened former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, not to visit the state without clearance.
In a statement to Naija News on Sunday evening by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor insisted that Edo State is open to all Nigerians, but security protocols must be followed.
He stated that his recent remarks regarding the visit of Obi to the South-South state has been misinterpreted.
According to the Governor, he did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasized the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State.
He said as the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is his constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike.
Okpebholo noted that this duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.
7. Failure To Appoint Ambassadors Is Embarrassing Nigeria – ADC Fires Tinubu Govt
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called out the administration of President Bola Tinubu over its failure to appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions.
The ADC, in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development is “embarrassing.”
The party stated that the Tinubu government’s failure to appoint new ambassadors after recalling all 109 ambassadors in 2023 has left Nigeria without proper representation on the global stage.
It added that the non-appointment of ambassadors has worsened Nigeria’s relationships with countries like the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), resulting in challenges with visa processing and consular services.
According to the statement, junior diplomats or charge d’affaires cannot take the place of ambassadors as they are limited in their access and recognition.
Furthermore, the ADC noted that the absence of ambassadors also undermines Nigeria’s participation in high-level economic, security, and diplomatic discussions, particularly at a time when other nations are actively forging global alliances, signing trade deals, and attracting investments.
8. Cubana ChiefPriest, Son Falls Into Ocean As Boat Capsizes During Ride
Celebrity barman, Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana ChiefPriest, has shared a dramatic moment he experienced with his son during a fun outing that turned risky.
In a post on his Instagram page on Sunday afternoon, he revealed that while trying out a water ride challenge with his son, they both fell into the ocean.
According to him, the challenge was proposed by his son, and things took a turn when their ride ended in the water, Naija News reports.
He said that life jackets and their ability to swim played a huge role in keeping them safe.
9. ‘You Stopped Looking Out For Me, Ran Off And Married That Oyibo’ – Jim Iyke Drops Wild Message On Kate Henshaw’s Birthday
Veteran Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has celebrated his colleague, Kate Henshaw, on her 54th birthday.
In a lengthy post shared on his Instagram page, and laced heavily with sarcasm, he slammed her for treating his 23-year-old self as a younger brother when she was aware he wanted a romantic relationship.
The thespian expressed sadness that Kate stopped looking out for him, took everything he did literally, and ran off and married a white man.
10. Usyk Crushes Dubois With Fifth-Round KO To Become Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Daniel Dubois to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion with a fifth-round knockout at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
Victory saw Ukraine’s Usyk extend his unbeaten professional record to 24 fights as the WBA, WBC, and WBO champion added his British opponent’s IBF belt to his collection.
Early in the fifth round, Usyk, at 38, some 11 years older than Dubois, dropped his opponent to the canvas and finished the fight emphatically one minute and 52 seconds into the round after his trademark left hook left his British rival unable to beat the count.
“38 is a young guy, remember!,” proclaimed Usyk, in the ring after dropping to his knees in celebration.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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