Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 25th July, 2025
1. Nentawe Yilwatda Emerges APC National Chairman
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News reports that this development puts to rest the intense speculation over who will replace the immediate past national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who resigned from the position due to health reasons.
Yilwatda’s emergence was formally announced on Thursday during the national executive council (NEC) meeting of the APC, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where party leaders gathered to chart a new direction ahead of the 2027 general election.
Confirming the appointment, Special Adviser, Media & Public Communication/Spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, Sunday Dare, in a post via X, stated that Yilwatda was immediately sworn into office.
He wrote, “APC GETS NEW CHAIRMAN IN PROFESSOR NENTAWE GOSHWE YILWATDA. TAKES OATH OF OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.”
2. ‘If I Have The Opportunity To Go To Benin Again, I Will’ – Peter Obi Dismisses Okpebholo’s Threat
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has vowed to return to Edo State if the need arises, despite recent threats allegedly made by Governor Monday Okpebholo regarding his safety.
Naija News reports that Obi stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Awka, Anambra State, shortly after making a ₦50 million donation to his alma mater, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha.
Reacting to Governor Okpebholo’s warning that his safety could not be guaranteed in Edo, Obi dismissed the statement as inconsequential, saying he regularly receives threats across the country.
The former Anambra State governor emphasised that his visit to Edo was driven by a passion to invest in people and contribute to societal development, rather than politics.
3. 2027: ‘Only Goodluck Jonathan Can Defeat Tinubu’ – Deji Adeyanju
Nigerian lawyer cum human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has averred that former President, Goodluck Jonathan, is the only Southern candidate who can wrest power from incumbent President, Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Naija News reports that in a post via 𝕏 on Wednesday, Adeyanju, however, stated that Jonathan will not run against Tinubu.
According to him, all other Southern candidates currently pushing to run for President are content creators and they are entertaining their supporters and Nigerians.
He wrote, “The only southern candidate that can defeat Tinubu is GEJ and he will not run against Tinubu. All others are content creators who are entertaining their supporters and Nigerians. This post will sense to you until after 2027 election. Tinubu is not Buhari or GEJ.”
4. Senate, Reps Adjourn Plenary Till September 23
The Senate, on Thursday, adjourned its plenary sessions until Tuesday, September 23, 2025, to allow lawmakers time to carry out critical oversight functions and attend to party activities.
Naija News reports that the resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, during the day’s legislative session.
In his closing remarks, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio charged all Senate committees to utilise the break period to visit Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under their purview.
He emphasised that the break was not a holiday but a working recess aimed at deepening legislative performance through field engagement and assessment of executive activities.
Akpabio also reminded senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to attend the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, scheduled to hold at the Presidential Villa by 2 pm on Thursday.
In a related development, the House of Representatives has officially embarked on its annual recess, adjourning plenary sessions until September 23, 2025.
The decision was announced by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, during Wednesday’s closing session at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
5. ‘Sort Out The Obvious Rift Between You And Shettima, Broken Economy’ – Atiku Blasts Tinubu
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has slammed President Bola Tinubu for taking a swipe at the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the opposition’s coalition platform.
Naija News reported that Tinubu took a subtle swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the newly formed coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday, urging opposition politicians to defect and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu, while addressing the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling party in Abuja, said it was “not a bad idea” for politicians to defect from struggling opposition parties to the APC, which he described as a more stable platform.
In response, Atiku, in a statement through his Media Aide, Paul Ibe, urged Tinubu to mend his rift with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and focus on fixing the broken economy, rather than meddling in the affairs of the opposition.
Paul Ibe also accused Tinubu and his political camp of sponsoring crises within the opposition parties and the supposed tensions between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
According to Atiku’s aide, while Nigerians grapple with worsening insecurity, hunger, and poverty, Tinubu is preoccupied with petty politics, having abandoned governance and fixated on a 2027 re-election campaign.
6. Diplomacy Is Not A Side Hustle – ADC Fires Tinubu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy over what it describes as a “national humiliation.”
Naija News reports that this follows the United States government’s latest travel advisory, which places Nigeria on Level 3: “Reconsider Travel.”
In a statement to Naija News signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said that the US travel advisory—citing Nigeria’s rising insecurity and failing healthcare infrastructure—is a damning reflection of the Tinubu government’s inability to protect both its citizens and the country’s image abroad.
The ADC again criticised the absence of Nigerian ambassadors in key global capitals, particularly Washington D.C., describing the diplomatic vacuum as abdication of responsibility.
The party also took aim at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accusing it of trivialising the urgent need for ambassadorial appointments under the guise of reforms.
7. Yemi Solade Claims Nollywood Seniority Over Pete Edochie
Popular Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade, has claimed seniority over veteran actor, Pete Edochie, in the movie industry.
Naija News reports that Solade made this known while sharing the history of his journey in the Yoruba genre of the Nollywood industry during an interview on the show ‘Father’s Path with Tope’.
The movie star admitted that Edochie is older than him, but maintained that he started acting before the legendary actor.
The thespian explained how other sections within Nollywood had been documenting their works on cassettes and advertising them for others to purchase with the help of the media.
While refuting claims that a section of the industry other than the Yorubas started Nollywood, Solade stated that the Yoruba industry’s failure to document its early beginnings is the reason others take credit for starting Nollywood.
8. ‘Mum And Dad’ – Priscilla Ojo, Juma Jux Announce Pregnancy With Baby Bump Photos
Newly married celebrity couple, Priscilla Ojo-Mkambala and Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, are expecting their first child together.
Naija News reports that the couple shared the news with fans in an Instagram post on Thursday night that showed Priscilla proudly displaying her baby bump with the scan result.
Priscilla and Juma got married in April 2025 in a lavish ceremony attended by family, friends, and celebrities from both Nigeria and Tanzania.
9. Alexander Isak Wants Newcastle Exit Amid Liverpool, Arsenal Interest
Newcastle United are facing a major summer headache as star striker, Alexander Isak, has informed the club of his desire to leave.
Alexander Isak, who joined the Magpies in 2022 for a then-club-record fee, is reportedly eager to explore new challenges. Reports in the UK said he wants to remain in Europe despite lucrative interest from Saudi Arabia.
Transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, confirmed the development on 𝕏 earlier today, writing: “Understand Alexander Isak remains a target for Liverpool even after signing Ekitike… but it depends on Newcastle.
“If Newcastle open doors to an exit and #LFC sell Diaz, they can bid after direct contact made 10 days ago. Isak, not in concrete talks with Al Hilal so far.”
The timing of Isak’s decision couldn’t be worse for Newcastle. The club recently missed out on Hugo Ekitike, who has instead signed a six-year deal with Liverpool, leaving the Magpies scrambling to re-enter the market for a replacement striker.
Fueling the exit rumours further, Isak was left out of Newcastle’s pre-season squad travelling to Singapore. However, the club has denied that the omission is transfer-related.
10. Brown Ideye Slams Enyimba Over “Shameful” Player Welfare, Unstable Bonuses
Veteran Nigerian striker Brown Ideye has taken aim at Nigerian Premier Football League giants, Enyimba FC, accusing the club of poor player welfare and unstable bonus structures that he describes as “deeply disappointing” and “unbelievable.”
Speaking on the Bet9ja Home Turf podcast, Brown Ideye did not hold back as he shed light on the reality players face at one of Nigeria’s most successful football clubs.
Ideye, 36, who joined Enyimba in December 2024 in a high-profile homecoming move, revealed a system plagued by inconsistency, lack of structure, and what he called “peanut payments.”
According to the former Super Eagles forward, these meagre daily allowances are given during away matches and are paid directly to the team captain for onward distribution to players.
Even more concerning, Brown Ideye claimed that players are left to fend for themselves on match days, with no provision from the club.
The ex-West Bromwich Albion and Olympiacos striker also slammed the club’s bonus payment structure, stating that players are forced to wait until the season ends to receive what they have earned on the pitch.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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