Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 28th June, 2025.
1. Ganduje Resigns As APC National Chairman
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has tendered his resignation as leader of the ruling party.
Naija News learnt that Ganduje would be replaced by a National Vice Chairman of the party, pending the party’s convention in December.
According to TVC, party sources confirm that Ganduje resigned on Friday, June 27, 2025, but did not disclose the reason.
However, another source stated that the move is intended to alleviate agitation from stakeholders in the North Central region, as well as mounting internal opposition against the party leader.
Recall that Mr Ganduje was appointed in August 2023 after the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu.
Since then, stakeholders from the North Central region have been advocating for the return of the seat to the region.
2. Tinubu Embarks On State Visit To Saint Lucia, Attends BRICS In Brazil
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, June 28, 2025, on a two-nation visit to Saint Lucia and Brazil.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Friday by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
His first stop is Saint Lucia, where he will pay a state visit as part of efforts to deepen Nigeria’s engagement with Caribbean nations and strengthen South-South cooperation.
At the end of the visit to the island State, President Tinubu will fly to Brazil to participate in the 17th Summit of BRICS in Rio de Janeiro,
During the visit to Saint Lucia, President Tinubu will pay courtesy calls on the Governor-General, His Excellency Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles, and Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
A key highlight of the visit will be President Tinubu’s address to the special joint session of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Saint Lucia at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande, Gros Islet.
The Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Nigerian community in the country and the Director-General of OECS, Dr Didacus Jules, have been invited to attend the special session.
President Tinubu will hold a high-level working luncheon with the Heads of Government of OECS, after the joint session of the Parliament of Saint Lucia.
Discussions at the luncheon will focus on specific parameters to deepen cooperation between Nigeria and the OECS for shared prosperity through economic partnerships and cultural solidarity.
3. ‘We Will Do Everything To Sustain The Agreement’ – Wike, Fubara Speak As Tinubu Brokers Peace In Rivers Crisis
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, have said that peace has returned to the oil-rich state and they will do everything possible to sustain it.
Naija News reports that the latest development follows a high-level reconciliation meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The meeting, which was held at Tinubu’s official residence on Thursday, brought together Fubara, Wike, and other key political players who all agreed to put their differences aside, declaring that peace has now returned to the state.
Among those present were the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, Majority Leader Major Jack, as well as party chairmen of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Also in attendance were former governorship candidate Magnus Abe, federal lawmakers from Rivers, and senior government officials.
Speaking after the closed-door meeting, Wike said that all factions had resolved to work together for the state’s progress, describing the day as one to give thanks to God.
On his part, Fubara said, “For me, it is very important that this day has come to be, what we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace and this night with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State We will do everything within our power to sustain it this time around.”
4. ‘Wike Is The Real Winner’ – Fubara To Give Up Re-election As Tinubu Agrees To Reinstate Him As Governor
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly agreed to reinstate the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on the condition that he will not seek reelection in 2027.
Naija News learnt that the latest development was reached during a closed-door meeting on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa, with Tinubu alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Fubara, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other political leaders from Rivers State.
Sources described Thursday night’s meeting as a breakthrough in Tinubu’s push to reconcile Wike and the governor, but at the cost of Fubara giving up significant powers in exchange for political survival.
According to the Cable, sources in the presidency said Fubara will be reinstated to complete his four-year tenure but must forgo any plans to seek a second term in 2027, a move that will limit his clout, to which he has agreed.
The deal was part of a broader effort to restore democratic order in Rivers and involves significant concessions.
Fubara at the meeting also agreed to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike who were suspended from the state assembly, and the lawmakers will not initiate any impeachment proceedings against him.
Recall that suspended legislators led by Amaewhule had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid the power tussle but continued to lay claim to their seats.
Their status as lawmakers has been a subject of legal and political debate.
Another source also described Wike as the real winner in the reconciliation deal, noting that as part of the conditions, the Minister would be allowed to nominate all the local government chairpersons across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The source in the presidency said the decision would serve as significant political leverage, restoring Wike’s grassroots control.
5. “They All Rush To China To Borrow $20 Billion” – Obasanjo Reveals Why Nigeria, Other African Nations Are Not Developing
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated that the country, like many other African nations, is hindered in its development due to its over-reliance on foreign assistance.
Obasanjo, who blamed the leaders of the country for the over-reliance, said there is no way African nations can develop if they are unable to think inwardly and develop their own resources.
Speaking on Friday at the 32nd Annual Meeting of Afreximbank in Abuja, Obasanjo said nations like Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa, ought to be leading the continent’s development charge given their demographic, resource, or economic strengths but all of them have fallen below expectation.
While he singled out Egypt for commendable efforts, the former Nigerian leader said over the last three decades, most African nations have taken two steps forward and one step back.
Naija News reports that, particularly, he blamed corruption, ignorance, and a persistent dependence on foreign assistance for Nigeria’s developmental woes.
He said that until the leaders stop seeking foreign loans and aid instead of harnessing the continent’s internal wealth and capacity, the true potential of the nations cannot be realized.
6. Fubara Unconditional Surrender Exhibits Cowardice – Abati Slams Rivers Governor After Reconciliation With Wike
Journalists, Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni, have shared their thoughts on the recent reconciliation between the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Recall that Wike and Fubara have openly declared that they had settled their rift after visiting President Bola Tinubu on Thursday night.
“We have all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family,” Wike said.
Naija News reports that the duo have been having a face-off for several months.
To prevent the crisis from spiralling into a full-blown security challenge, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and appointed a retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.
Speaking on the development of Arise News’ The Morning Show, on Friday, Abati opined that Fubara bowing to pressure shows his cowardice.
At the same time, Rufai insisted that the fight between the two men was about the state’s resources.
7. Sowore Blasts Buhari, Tinubu Over ‘Illegal’ Transfer Of Nnamdi Kanu
Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the Nigerian government over the transfer of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021.
He shared his reservation while reacting to the High Court of Kenya’s decision to declare Kanu’s rendition illegal.
Naija News reports that the Kenyan court had declared the rendition unlawful and illegal.
The court also awarded compensatory damages of 10 million Kenyan shillings (₦119.6 million) against the Kenyan government for gross violations of Mazi Kanu’s fundamental human rights.
Speaking on the development of his Facebook page, Sowore asserted that the transfer was an “unjust and criminal act of brigandage” by the past and present administrations.
He blamed the alleged infractions on former President Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, President Bola Tinubu.
8. FG Sets January 2026 For Implementation Of New Tax Laws
The Federal Government has announced that the implementation of the newly signed four tax and fiscal reform laws will officially begin on January 1, 2026.
Speaking to journalists shortly after President Bola Tinubu signed the bills into law, Chairman of the newly rebranded Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zach Adedeji, said the next six months will be used to establish proper modalities and ensure nationwide awareness.
Adedeji disclosed that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has been reconstituted as the Nigeria Revenue Service, reflecting an expanded mandate beyond just tax collection.
He further explained that the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, one of the four signed, repeals the old FIRS Act and introduces mechanisms for greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
The NRS boss clarified that the six-month grace period before full implementation is to allow the government and relevant stakeholders to prepare adequately and educate Nigerians on the reforms.
9. FG Declares Speed Darlington Wanted
The federal government through the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has declared controversial entertainer, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, wanted.
Naija News reports that the singer was declared wanted for alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
The agency made the announcement on Friday via its official Instagram handle, @officialnaptip.
“WANTED BY NAPTIP. Darlington Okoye, aka Speed Darlington, is wanted in connection with alleged offences including rape, cyberbullying, and cyberstalking.
“Anyone with credible information on his whereabouts is urged to contact NAPTIP immediately. Call: 07030000203, [email protected],” the statement read.
The agency had previously invited the singer for questioning after he allegedly admitted during a live Instagram video to having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
However, he reportedly failed to respond to the invitation.
10. Home-Based Super Eagles Draw Senegal In CHAN 2024 Opener
The home-based Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their quest for continental glory with a tough opener against defending champions Senegal at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Group D showdown is slated for Tuesday, 7 August, at the Amman Stadium in Zanzibar.
This year’s CHAN marks Nigeria’s return to the competition after missing out on the last two editions. The draw against Senegal presents a stern test for the Super Eagles, who will be eager to make a strong statement in their comeback.
The team’s second fixture will see them lock horns with Sudan on Tuesday, 12 August, also at the Amman Stadium.
They will wrap up their group stage campaign against Congo on Tuesday, 19 August, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The 2024 CHAN tournament, exclusively for players competing in their domestic leagues, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It runs from Saturday, 2 August to Saturday, 30 August, bringing together top home-grown talents across Africa.
For Nigeria, this tournament is more than just a competition; it’s a chance to reestablish their presence in African football at the home-based level.
The team reached the final in 2018 but failed to qualify for the last two editions, making this year’s participation a critical opportunity for redemption.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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