Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 23rd June, 2025
1. Tinubu Condemns Borno Suicide Bombing, Mourns Victims Of Kano Blast
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the weekend suicide bombing in Konduga, Borno State, describing the act as a “cowardly” attack targeting innocent civilians.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed deep anguish over the incident and extended condolences to the families of victims.
Tinubu used the opportunity to charge security agencies to intensify efforts in flushing out remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents, warning that the group has now turned to soft targets to instil fear and distract security operations.
The President also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately offer support to survivors of the Konduga attack.
In a related development, Tinubu sympathised with families affected by Saturday’s explosion at a scrap metal factory in Kano State, which reportedly left five people dead and ten others injured.
2. PDP Slams INEC Over Unwarranted Interference Ahead Of Its 100th NEC Meeting
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s unsolicited interference in its internal affairs.
They insisted that the electoral body lacks the constitutional power to regulate meetings such as the National Executive Committee (NEC) sessions, unless such meetings involve the election of party officers or candidates.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated this on Sunday while addressing newsmen on key developments ahead of its 100th NEC meeting scheduled for June 30, 2025.
According to Ologunagba, the PDP duly notified the INEC of the upcoming NEC meeting in line with established practice, even though such meetings fall outside the categories of political events that legally require the INEC’s involvement.
He explained that under Nigeria’s laws and the PDP constitution, INEC is only required to be notified of conventions, congresses, or primaries involving the election of party officers or candidates.
3. June 12: We Do Not Want To Believe Lamido Suffers From Tall Poppy Syndrome – Presidency Debunks Claims About Tinubu
The presidency has accused former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, of attempting to rewrite history with his claims on the role played by President Bola Tinubu in the June 12 struggle.
The presidency stated that the claim by Lamido that President Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election or that his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mobilised market women to back the annulment was totally false.
Naija News recalls Lamido alleged that President Tinubu was among those who supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.POCO smartphones
Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV on Saturday, Lamido alleged that Tinubu’s mother, Hajia Mogaji, organised market women from Lagos to come to Abuja and show support for the then head of state, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
He berated the President for what he described as dramatising his role in Nigeria’s Democracy, insisting that Tinubu only became relevant after late General Sani Abacha took over power.
Lamido also claimed that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), was formed to fight for Abacha and not for June 12.
However, in a response through a statement released on Sunday by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency accused Lamido of attempting to distort history with his claims.
4. New ECOWAS Chairman Elected As Tinubu’s Tenure Ends
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has been elected as chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government.
Naija News reports that he succeeds President Bola Tinubu, who chaired the regional economic bloc for the past two years.
This was made known in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Speaking at the handover event, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the region’s continued path toward peace, stability, and prosperity.
President Tinubu described it as a profound honour and privilege to have led the esteemed body, adding that he remained deeply humbled by the trust and support extended to him throughout his two-term tenure.
5. JAMB Announces Date For 2025 UTME Mop-up Exams, Orders Candidates To Start Printing Notification Slips
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the schedule for the conduct of mop-up exams for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
According to a statement released on Sunday, 96,838 candidates have been rescheduled for the 2025 UTME mop-up exercise in 183 centres across the nation, while others are kept on standby.
Naija News reports that the mop-up exam has been scheduled for Saturday, 28th June.
The board explained that the mop-up exam would cover 5,096 spill-over candidates and those who failed biometric verification during the main exercise.
The statement added that 91,742 candidates who were absent from both or either of the main and resit examinations would also partake in the mop-up exams, thanks to the special dispensation granted by JAMB.
Candidates have therefore been instructed to start printing their notification slips from Monday, 23rd June.
6. 2027: Babachir Lawal Rules Out New Party, Confirms Merger Talks With Existing Platform
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has ruled out the formation of a new political party ahead of the 2027 general elections, confirming instead that his opposition coalition will merge with an existing political platform to fast-track preparations.
Naija News reports that Lawal disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard, explaining that the group had weighed its options and concluded that registering a new party would be impractical given time constraints and the urgency to consolidate forces before the next election cycle.
According to Lawal, the coalition initially considered two options, registering a new party or merging with an existing one. But after reviewing the legal bottlenecks and internal crises plaguing many platforms, the coalition settled for one with “minimal complications.”
He confirmed that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC) have already met and made provisions to receive new members from the coalition.
Lawal also took aim at a splinter group led by Dr. Usman Ardo, Convener of the League of Northern Democrats, who is pushing for the registration of a new party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
He accused Ardo of falsely name-dropping key political figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi to lend credibility to his group’s efforts.
7. Galatasaray Unhappy Over Osimhen Delay, Chelsea Shut Door On Maignan Deal
Galatasaray vice-president, Abdullah Kavukcu, has expressed frustration over Victor Osimhen’s indecision regarding a permanent move to the Turkish champions.
Kavukcu also warned Osimhen that the club may soon be forced to explore alternative options due to his indecision.
The Nigerian striker enjoyed a stellar 2024-2025 season on loan at Galatasaray, scoring 37 goals and providing eight assists in 41 appearances to help Okan Buruk’s side clinch both the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup titles.
Galatasaray have reportedly tabled a lucrative offer exceeding what most European clubs have proposed as they continue to push for his signature.
However, Osimhen, who is currently holidaying in Nigeria, has delayed making a final decision about his future, despite also turning down offers from the Saudi side Al-Hilal.
8. Favour Ofili Reportedly Switches Allegiance To Turkey Ahead Of 2025 World Championships
Nigerian sprinter and 150m world record holder, Favour Ofili, has reportedly dumped Nigeria to represent Turkey, just three months before the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Favour Ofili’s reported switch of allegiance was first reported by Jamaica-based journalist, Kayon Raynor, who revealed on social media platform 𝕏 that the 22-year-old completed her nationality switch as of May 31, 2025.
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili has switched allegiance to Turkey as of May 31, 2025. According to impeccable TVJ News Centre sources, 22-year-old Ofili has advised the Athletics Integrity Unit of her frustration with the Nigerian Athletics Federation,” Raynor posted as quoted by Punch.POCO smartphones
Ofili is said to have cited multiple administrative failings by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), including her omission from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to unresolved doping test confirmations and her non-registration for the 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
9. Nigeria Dominates Inaugural African Flag Football Championship
Nigeria’s men’s and women’s flag football teams emerged as champions at the first-ever International Federation of American Football (IFAF) African Flag Football Championship, held in Cairo, Egypt, from June 20 to 21.
The Nigerian men’s team won a dramatic final against hosts Egypt with a narrow 13-12 victory at the Club One Stadium in Maadi.
The final took place in front of an electric home crowd, which included top dignitaries such as Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Ashraf Sobhi.
In the women’s final, Nigeria delivered a commanding performance to beat Morocco 26-12, powered by two crucial second-half touchdowns from quarterback Anuoluwapo Bello.
With both teams clinching gold, Nigeria secured automatic qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
10. Femi Branch Stopped From Leaving Movie Set After Alleged Assault
Veteran Nollywood actor, Femi Branch, has been stopped from leaving a movie set after allegedly assaulting an assistant movie director.
In a viral video on social media, the thespian is shown being blocked at the movie location’s exit gate by security and some individuals.
An individual was heard saying, “You can’t leave here until you go back to finish the remaining shooting”.
Femi Branch, who was visibly agitated was heard telling the director, “Did I have business with you? Are you the one that called me on this set? Did you bring me here to insult me or what is the meaning of this?”
The director responded, “Hello sir, can we just start the filming?”
Turning to the security, the actor threatened to report them to the estate management for blocking him from leaving.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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