Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday, 17th July, 2025
1. Atiku Abubakar Officially Dumps PDP
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that Atiku communicated his decision to leave the main opposition party in a letter to the PDP Chairman Jada 1 ward, Jada LGA, Adamawa State.
Naija News recalls that Atiku, alongside Nasir El-Rufai and Peter Obi, had formed a coalition of opposition parties to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
They have also adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the party to run against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
2. Fayose: EFCC Rejects High Court Judgement, Heads To Appeal Court
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to appeal the court order that discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, of the fraud charges against him.
The position of the EFCC was made known in a statement released on Wednesday via its 𝕏 account.
Naija News recalls that a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, stated that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to sustain the charges against the former Governor.
The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, effectively ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant further defence.
Recall that Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as governor.
On May 20, Fayose filed a no-case submission in response to the ₦6.9 billion fraud charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, in a swift reaction, the EFCC said its lawyers are studying the judgment delivered by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and are already preparing for an appeal.
3. Rumour That Peter Obi Has Betrayed Nenadi Usman Is False – Obidient Movement
The Obidient Movement Worldwide has denied the alleged rift between former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and the Acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman.
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, in a statement issued on Wednesday, described the speculations as baseless and the handiwork of propagandists hell-bent on sowing the seed of discord between the two.
In response to journalists’ questions about Obi’s appearance at the Labour Party’s campaign flag off for its Anambra gubernatorial flag bearer, George Moghalu, over the weekend, Tanko explained that Obi remains a committed and loyal member of the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party.
He asserted that Obi was present at the campaign because it was the right and reasonable place to be after the Supreme Court upheld her appeal regarding the party’s crisis.
4. 151 Senior Police Officers Face Disciplinary Panel In Abuja
One hundred and fifty-one senior officers of the Nigeria Police are now answering to the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) over a range of unresolved misconduct cases.
The high-level hearings began on Monday, July 14, at the IGP Smart Conference Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, and will continue through Friday, July 25.
The Police officers, ranging from the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and above, have been summoned from commands and formations across the country.
Their cases are being reviewed in what authorities describe as a “thorough and transparent” process under existing police regulations. The outcomes will be forwarded to the Police Service Commission for final decisions.
The disciplinary proceedings come at a time when the Force is under increasing public scrutiny over abuse of power, extortion, and human rights violations. For many observers, this latest development signals a bid to regain public trust by holding even high-ranking officers to account.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the FDC is “an essential internal structure responsible for adjudicating alleged ethical violations and professional misconduct.”
5. APC Now Runs Like A Monarchy, Has Lost Democratic Ideals – Salihu Lukman
Former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the All Progressives Congress, Salihu Lukman, has declared that the ruling party has completely deviated from its founding principles, stating that it now operates more like a monarchy than a democratic institution.
Lukman, who resigned from the APC in 2023, citing betrayal of democratic values, made the remarks during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, where he reflected on Muhammadu Buhari’s legacy, the internal decay within the APC, and his vision for a new political coalition.
While paying tribute to the late former President Buhari, Lukman described him as a paradoxical figure, noting that his greatest strength, non-intervention, was also his biggest failing.
He argued that Buhari’s accommodating style hindered decisive leadership and allowed the party structure to deteriorate under his watch.
He accused the party of reducing itself to a cheerleader for elected officials, rather than acting as a watchdog or strategic guide.
Lukman described the current APC as a hollow structure, where critical party organs no longer function and major decisions are taken without consultation.
6. Atiku’s Exit Will Not Make Any Dent On PDP – Seyi Makinde
The governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed the exit of former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He asserted that it is better for individuals holding the party down to quit, adding that everyone has free entrance and exit.
The Governor stated this in Akure, the Ondo state capital, during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.
When asked to comment on Atiku’s exit from the party, the governor said,” Politics is a game of interest. I don’t think that will make any dent on PDP as a party.
”The Peoples Democratic Party is an institution. We have freedom of entrance and exit. Anyone that will hold PDP down, it is better for such a individual to quit.”
On whether the Africa Democratic Congress poses a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party, Makinde said,” I don’t see ADC as a threat to PDP.
7. ‘The Attack Is Deliberate’ – Lawyer Accuses Mohbad’s Family Of Victimizing Wunmi
A Nigerian lawyer, Festus Ogun, has raised concerns over the treatment of late singer Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, following her husband’s controversial death.
Naija News reports that in a tweet, the lawyer claimed that she is being deliberately targeted and unfairly accused.
Ogun, who said he was the first legal practitioner to write to the Chief Coroner of Lagos regarding Mohbad’s death, revealed that he took part in the Coroner Inquest.
According to him, after attending just four sittings, he already had a strong idea of how the singer died.
Mohbad, a rising star in Nigeria’s music industry, died in September 2023 at the age of 27 under unclear circumstances.
His sudden death sparked outrage, protests, and demands for justice across the country.
The lawyer condemned the ongoing accusations against Wunmi, describing them as calculated attempts to scapegoat her.
8. Actress Lolo 1 Finds Love Again Years After Failed Marriage
Nigerian actress, Omotunde Adebowale, popularly known as Lolo 1, has found love again.
Naija News reports that she revealed the identity of her lover, Emmanuel Lawrence, in an Instagram post shared to mark his birthday.
In the post, the media personality expressed affection for Lawrence and shared pictures of the two looking happy together.
The actress, widely known for playing the character Adaku in the television series Jenifa’s Diary, described him warmly and mentioned plans to celebrate the day with beach fun and sushi.
“Happy birthday to my sweet gentleman. A complex beautiful piece of God’s unique creation. I pray that God will amplify all you ask of him. Mr luxury himself, let’s spend your money today Oga. Beach and sushi… one for me one for you,” she wrote.
Lawrence, who has been seen with Lolo on a few occasions in recent times, had earlier celebrated her during International Women’s Day on his own Instagram page, praising her as a good woman.
This new chapter comes years after Lolo’s marriage ended.
9. Ola Aina Fears Failing To Play In FIFA World Cup
Super Eagles of Nigeria right-back, Ola Aina, has hinted that the 2026 FIFA World Cup might be his last chance of playing in the competition.
Ola Aina, who currently plays as a defender for Nottingham Forest, reflected on his painful absence from previous tournaments, especially the 2018 edition of the tournament in Russia.
“I got shenked in 2018,” Aina said, referring to then-coach Gernot Rohr’s decision to leave him out of the squad for the competition. “That manager shenked me, I was supposed to go, but he did rubbish.”
The 27-year-old, who will turn 29 just a few months before the 2026 tournament, is not holding back anymore. After also missing out in 2022, when the Super Eagles failed to qualify following a playoff heartbreak against arch-rivals Ghana, Aina knows what is at stake.
10. Napoli VP Receives Death Threats As Victor Osimhen Transfer To Galatasaray Drags On
Napoli vice president Edoardo De Laurentiis has received death threats from an alleged Galatasaray supporter frustrated by the delay in finalising Victor Osimhen‘s permanent move.
Osimhen, who enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Galatasaray last season, scoring 37 goals in 41 appearances and clinching both the Super Lig and Turkish Cup titles, is eager to continue with the Istanbul giants.
Despite this, Napoli’s tough stance on transfer terms has thrown negotiations into chaos.
According to Football Italia, a Turkish journalist, Samet Çayır, shared screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation allegedly between De Laurentiis and a person claiming to be affiliated with the Turkish Mafia.
The message read: “Let Osimhen go or you are finished.” The sender also threatened De Laurentiis’ father, Napoli owner Aurelio, in an apparent attempt to force the club’s hand in the deal.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
The post Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday, 17th July, 2025 appeared first on Naija News.