Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 1st August, 2025
1. My Resignation Is Not A Northern Gang Up Against Tinubu – Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
Former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed the insinuation that his resignation was a gang-up against the Southern presidency.
Naija News reports that Baba-Ahmed, in an interview on TVC, clarified he resigned from Tinubu’s government because there was not much to do as a Political Adviser to the President.
Baba-Ahmed also debunked reports of a strained relationship between Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, stressing that their chemistry was excellent when he resigned.
He said: “No gang up of the North against the South, I resigned because I wasn’t happy about the job and when you are not happy about a job you leave.”
2. Why Peter Obi Didn’t Get PDP Presidential Ticket In 2023 – Mark
A former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jacob Mark, has declared that contrary to popular opinion, the party didn’t deny former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, its 2023 presidential ticket.
Mark submitted that Obi didn’t get the PDP presidential ticket in 2023 because he left the party to join the Labour Party before the presidential primaries were held.
According to him, there is therefore no truth in viral claims that the PDP denied Peter Obi its 2023 presidential ticket.
He also debunked claims that the PDP is considering giving its 2027 presidential ticket to Obi, noting that reports about such a development are simply personal opinions and not the party’s official position.
Naija News reports that Mark made the submissions in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, following earlier statements by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Obi would return to the PDP and pick up the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
3. Appeal Court Upholds Aiyedatiwa’s Victory In Ondo Governorship Election
The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has affirmed the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the duly elected governor of the state.
Naija News reports that Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the November 16, 2024, Ondo governorship election, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi.
Recall that Ajayi had earlier lost his petition challenging Aiyedatiwa’s victory at the Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, he proceeded to the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the judgment and reclaim what he described as his “mandate.”
However, delivering judgment on Thursday, the appellate court dismissed Ajayi’s appeal, thereby upholding Aiyedatiwa’s victory.
The three-member panel of the Appeal court, led by Justice Yargata Nimpar, unanimously ruled in Aiyedatiwa’s favour.
It affirmed the decision of the lower Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which earlier validated the governor’s victory in the November 16, 2024, election.
The Justice Nimpar led panel of the appellate court dismissed Mr Agboola’s appeal, describing it as devoid of merit.
4. Jonathan, Wife Didn’t Believe Chibok Girls’ Abduction – Baba-Ahmed
Former Political Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has claimed that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, initially did not believe reports of the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram terrorists.
On April 14, 2014, Boko Haram militants kidnapped 276 girls from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok. While some have been rescued, many remain missing to this day.
Speaking during an interview on TVC, Baba-Ahmed dismissed claims that the abduction was politically motivated to discredit Jonathan’s administration.
Naija News reports that Baba-Ahmed criticised Jonathan’s approach to insecurity during his six-year tenure, saying it allowed Boko Haram to become a full-blown insurgency.
5. President Tinubu Extends Tenure Of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi As Customs Comptroller General
President Bola Tinubu has extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Naija News reports that this development was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
He noted that Adeniyi’s tenure, which was set to expire by August 31, 2025, has been extended by one year.
The statement added that President Tinubu extended the tenure of the Customs boss to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives.
Tinubu also expressed confidence that the extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
6. Court Sentences Killer Of Kwara Final-Year Student To Death By Hanging
The Kwara State High Court, Ilorin, has sentenced Abdulrahman Bello to death by hanging for the brutal murder of Hafsoh Lawal, a final-year student of the College of Education, Ilorin.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Hannah Ajayi discharged and acquitted four other defendants, Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Jamiu Uthman, Suleiman Muyideen, and Abdulrahman Jamiu, citing a lack of evidence linking them to the crime.
Justice Ajayi condemned the killing as an extreme act of human wickedness, noting that evidence presented in court proved that Bello murdered Hafsoh for ritual purposes and the human body parts trade.
“The confession of love and plans to marry her were concocted lies to lure the victim to his residence. The killing was cruel, wicked, and an extreme display of human wickedness,” the judge said.
She subsequently sentenced Bello to death by hanging.
7. ADC Crisis Deepens As Party Chieftain Declares Himself National Chairman
The internal crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) worsened on Wednesday night as Nafi’u Bala, a former governorship candidate of the party in Gombe State, declared himself the new national chairman.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Bala, who previously served as the ADC’s national deputy chairman, accused the David Mark-led interim leadership of unlawfully taking over the party in breach of its constitution.
“Bonafide members of the ADC will challenge this unlawful takeover in court,” Bala vowed.
A faction within the ADC has consistently rejected the opposition alliance’s adoption of the party, arguing that it is not a “private coalition platform” to be commandeered by select political elites.
Naija News understands that the ADC’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, also criticised the move, insisting that the decision undermines the party’s identity and grassroots members.
Bala’s emergence as a factional chairman has further deepened the leadership tussle, with his camp insisting that the party’s constitution was flouted in the transition.
8. DJ Cuppy Discloses What She Does When She Sees Wedding Pictures Online
Popular Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Cuppy, has stated that getting married is still a top priority for her.
Cuppy disclosed that she often reminds God she is still single whenever she sees other people’s wedding photos online.
Sharing a photo of herself, raising her hand in a seemingly worship mood via X, Cuppy captioned, “When I see wedding photos online and I start reminding God… again.”
Naija News reports that the billionaire heiress has been very vocal about her desire to get married since her shocking engagement to a British boxer, Ryan Taylor, fell apart in 2023.
DJ Cuppy recently revealed that she’s currently single, but actively talking to multiple men.
She stated that out of the men competing for attention, she would only give her affection to the “best man.”
9. Why I Felt Bad About Being Unmarried At The Age Of 37 – M.I. Abaga
Ace Nigerian rapper, MI Abaga, has opened up about the struggles of being unmarried at the age of 37, while his friends and peers have settled down.
Naija News reports that MI Abaga, during an interview on the Jay On Air Podcast, said he had earlier regretted not getting married like his friends, who did so in their mid-to-late twenties and are now raising teenagers.
According to the ‘Bad Bello’ crooner, his outlook changed dramatically when he met his wife just before turning 40, shortly after ending a previous relationship.
MI Abaga further stated that the journey to marriage taught him that everyone has their unique timeline, and that being ready is crucial for a successful relationship.
10. Tottenham Beat Arsenal In Hong Kong
Tottenham Hotspur grabbed bragging rights in Hong Kong on Thursday after edging fierce rivals Arsenal 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.
The match’s decisive moment came in the first half when a sloppy pass from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya to youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was intercepted.
Pape Matar Sarr pounced, noticed Raya off his line, and floated a composed finish into the net.
Despite having breezed past AC Milan and Newcastle United earlier in their Asian tour, the Gunners struggled to find rhythm against Spurs.
The defeat marked Arsenal’s first loss in this pre-season campaign and earned the club’s new striker, Viktor Gyokeres a bitter debut.
Coach Mikel Arteta and his boys will now turn their attention to the Emirates Cup, where they are scheduled to face Spanish sides Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal as preparations for the new Premier League season intensify.
11. ‘I’m Just 22’ – Manchester United’s Rasmus Højlund Reminds Critics
Manchester United forward Rasmus Højlund has fired back at his critics, reminding them that he’s still only 22 and growing into the player the club invested in.
Rasmus Højlund, who joined the Red Devils from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 for a reported £72 million, stated this after United’s preseason win over Bournemouth on Wednesday.
While many fans and pundits have questioned his goal output and overall impact, Højlund says people often overlook his age and the stage he is at in his career.
“I am still very young, people sometimes forget that. I am only 22 years old,” Højlund told Daily Mail. “I have learned a lot, and I think that shows in my game. I have done very well so far during the pre-season… I want to stay here.”
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Højlund has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to deliver consistently in the Premier League. Despite that, he insists he is fully committed to the project under coach Ruben Amorim and ready to battle for his place.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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