Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 20th September, 2025.
1. Rivers: Why I Didn’t Challenge Tinubu For Declaring State Of Emergency – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he chose not to legally contest the six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying he decided to safeguard peace and stability.
Speaking during a televised statewide broadcast on Friday shortly after resuming office following the suspension of the emergency rule, Fubara said he resisted pressure to challenge the declaration in court.
He said, “As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that no sacrifice was too great to secure peace, stability and progress together in Rivers State.
“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and other actions that we endured during the difficult period.”
Fubara praised President Tinubu for mediating between political stakeholders in the state during the prolonged crisis.
2. What The Last Six Months Has Taught Me – Fubara
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on the residents of the state to embrace peace.
Speaking via a statewide broadcast on Friday, Fubara stressed that the costliest peace is cheaper than the cheapest war.
He recounted the challenges the state faced under the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025, following a protracted political crisis.
Fubara lamented that the last six months have been challenging and have taught him the importance of dialogue and also valuable lessons about peace and patience.
“The last six months have been enormously challenging, but they have taught us valuable lessons about unity, patience, and the importance of dialogue. Nothing has been irretrievably lost; there remains ample opportunity for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara said.
The governor also urged political leaders, stakeholders, and citizens to embrace the moment as a fresh beginning, warning against renewed division.
3. ‘If I Wanted Third Term, I Would Have Got It’ – Says Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing allegations that he once sought to extend his stay in office beyond the constitutional two terms.
Naija News recalls that Obasanjo led Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Democracy Dialogue of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Obasanjo said no living or dead Nigerian can produce evidence that he ever pushed for a third term.
He declared, “I think I’m not a fool. If I wanted it, some thought I wanted it, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that will say I called him and told him I wanted the third term. None.”
The former president argued that if he could secure debt relief for Nigeria, which he described as a far more difficult achievement, then obtaining a third term would have been within his reach had he truly pursued it.
During Obasanjo’s tenure, Nigeria secured an $18 billion debt relief package from the Paris Club in 2005, widely regarded as one of the defining achievements of his administration.
Obasanjo also warned against leaders who see themselves as indispensable, describing such a mindset as a “sin against God.”
4. ‘Any Party That Has Peter Obi Has More Than 40% Of Election’ – Ulasi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has said that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, currently lacks a defined political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ulasi, who spoke on Friday during an interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show, noted that while the Nigerian Constitution gives every citizen the right to contest elections, Obi’s political direction remains uncertain.
He recalled that the former Anambra State governor contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party but was recently spotted at an African Democratic Congress (ADC) event, raising questions about his political base for 2027.
The PDP stalwart, however, argued that Obi’s nationwide appeal and credibility could significantly boost the chances of any party he aligns with in the next general election.
5. ‘We Are Agents Of Tinubu’ – Wike Declares
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he is a proud agent of President Bola Tinubu, working to address the challenges confronting Nigerians.
Naija News reports that Wike, who spoke during the official flag-off of the construction of the Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III in Abuja, said Tinubu inherited a country battered by years of bad governance but is committed to fixing it.
The minister urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that the President’s reforms would yield results in due time.
“Yes, when you are coming from a bad period, you have been patient and patient, and then now you require a miracle, that’s what we’re facing.
“You didn’t know that things were terribly bad. You knew that things were terribly bad, but someone else has come to fix it. I know that you are impatient. I want to appeal to you to continue to be patient, you will see how things will turn around,” Wike said.
The minister maintained that he and other appointees are part of Tinubu’s team of reformers working to rebuild the country.
6. ‘General Saham Tried To Kill Me, Ordered That I Should Be Shot’ – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has alleged that a military general attempted to assassinate him during the 2019 general elections.
Wike, who spoke during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, claimed that General Saham, a former General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, was instructed to eliminate him.
“General Saham, former General Officer Commanding 6 Division, tried to kill me. Amaechi promised to make him the next Chief of Staff. General Saham ordered that I should be shot,” Wike alleged.
The former Rivers State governor added that he deliberately avoided the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) after learning that the general in question was working there.
Wike further revealed that a colonel who refused to carry out the directive was punished.
The minister argued that many opposition governors who now complain of intimidation did not face the kind of threats he endured during his time in office.
7. “I Didn’t Say I Will Not Join” – Kwankwaso Speaks On Party He Would Work For In 2027
Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has disclosed what can make him leave the party for any other party.
Speaking on Thursday during an interaction with his supporters, Kwankwaso declared his readiness to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) if there is an assurance that he and his people would be valued.
Naija News reports that the former Kano State Governor also boasted that he was one of the founding leaders of the APC, but left because, during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, they were not given any recognition or compensation for their roles in taking the party to power.
He added that for him and his people to move back to the APC, as being clamoured in some political quarters, there must be solid agreements on what they’ll benefit.
Kwankwaso further disclosed that he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also because he was neglected.
Ahead of the 2027 elections, the politician said that after leaving the parties, he has gained value and now is in no hurry to leave the NNPP, adding that he is ready to work with any party, including the PDP and the APC, as long as there is assurance that the other party would be truthful in their dealings.
8. Tinubu Declares Nigeria Ready To Host 2030 Commonwealth Games
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed confidence that Nigeria is ready to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, promising that the country will deliver a world-class competition that reflects Africa’s diversity and potential.
On Thursday, the President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, received the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing the delegation, he assured them that Nigeria is not only capable of hosting but eager to make history.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu noted that the Games symbolise unity and diversity, insisting that Africa deserves its turn after nearly a century.
He added that his administration has taken bold steps to reposition sports, including scrapping the Ministry of Sports and replacing it with the National Sports Commission to drive growth.
The President further assured that all infrastructure, security, and hospitality requirements would be met on schedule.
He stressed that Nigeria’s bid goes beyond hosting a sporting event, describing it as a chance to leave a legacy for young people and to strengthen national development through sports.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, argued that Nigeria, as the continent’s largest nation, is best placed to host the Games.
Habu Gumel, President of Commonwealth Sport Nigeria, said the country was also prepared to deliver an environmentally sustainable edition.
9. Many Are Praying For Your Downfall – 9ice Warns 2baba
Nigerian singer Abolore Akande, also known as 9ice, has joined in celebrating Innocent Idibia, popularly called 2Baba, as he clocked 50.
Naija News reports that the Gongo Aso crooner took to Instagram on Thursday to felicitate with the African Queen hitmaker on his new age.
While congratulating him, 9ice also issued a caution, stating that not everyone is pleased with 2Baba’s journey and achievements in the music industry.
He said that some people secretly wish for the veteran singer to stumble in his career, but he reassured him that he would always overcome challenges.
9ice said that envy and jealousy naturally come with greatness but affirmed that 2Baba’s name and talent will continue to endure.
10. Why It Would Be Difficult For Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid To Come Together – Ubi Franklin
Music executive Ubi Franklin has shared his thoughts on why it might be difficult for Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy to collaborate.
He opined that collaborating would be difficult because their positions as the “Big 3” make them rivals rather than collaborators.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Afropolitan podcast, the talent manager noted that there are fierce competitors in every industry, using the rivalry between top Nigerian banks to buttress his point.
He, however, claimed that the beef between the Afrobeats stars isn’t beyond entertainment, emphasising that he has never heard his associate Davido gossip about Wizkid and Burna Boy to his inner circle, and he believes it’s mutual.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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