Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 20th August, 2025
1. Wike Reveals Why Babachir Lawal Is Angry With President Tinubu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, is angry because President Bola Tinubu did not pick him as his vice presidential candidate.
According to Wike, Lawal expected Tinubu to pick him as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election, but was instead snubbed in favour of Senator Kashim Shettima.
The Minister stated that Lawal became angry about the development and visited his house in Port Harcourt, where he expressed reservations about being snubbed.
Naija News reports that Wike, who made the claim on Tuesday during an interview with Channels Television, said Lawal is still angry that Tinubu snubbed him in favour of Shettima and has refused to find a way to resolve his grievance.
2. I’m Not Aware There Is Going To Be PDP National Convention In Ibadan – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, declared that he is not aware of the National Convention being planned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
According to Wike, he is not aware that the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) has approved the planned National Convention.
The FCT Minister made the declaration during an interview with Channels Television in which he declared, “Have they given a date for Ibadan? I don’t know.”
Wike, however, debunked reports that he is planning a parallel PDP convention.
Asked if he plans to attend the Ibadan convention, Wike said he’s not aware that the PDP NEC have met and agreed on a date for the planned convention in Ibadan.
3. All Phones Must Be Switched Off’ – NCAA Announces New Rule
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that all mobile phones must be switched off during flight take-off and landing henceforth.
Naija News reports that this follows the two recent incidents of passengers’ unruly behaviour at the nation’s airports.
This was made known on Tuesday by NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) meeting to address the challenges of unruly passengers and prevent further security breaches.
Najomo stated that a memo will be sent to all airlines to update their protocols to include the new rule.
He warned that incidents of unruly passenger behaviours in the aviation sector could damage public trust if not properly handled.
According to Leadership, NCAA DG said that the meeting was aimed at determining and deploying immediate corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, even as he highlighted the importance of training, retraining, and continuous training on matters related to aviation security.
4. Anambra Govt Condemns Assault On NYSC Member, Detains Security Operatives
The Anambra State Government has condemned the brutal assault on a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Jennifer Elobor, by operatives of a state-backed security outfit, confirming that those involved have been arrested and placed in detention.
The incident, captured in a viral video, showed armed operatives storming a corps member’s lodge, accusing the occupants of internet fraud despite their display of NYSC identification cards and uniforms. The footage revealed Ms Elobor being repeatedly beaten, stripped of her clothes, and left partly unclothed.
The disturbing scenes triggered outrage across social media, with many Nigerians demanding justice and accountability from the authorities.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Special Adviser on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, described the attack as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” confirming that the operatives involved were under investigation.
5. Tinubu Cannot Attend To Everyone – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot personally attend to everyone.
Speaking during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor dismissed claimed that Tinubu is unapproachable.
According to him, Nigerians should engage ministers and presidential special advisers rather than expect direct access to the president as government involves teamwork.
When asked if the government was approachable, Wike responded, “Of course.”
6. Gunmen Kill 13 Worshippers In Katsina Mosque Attack
Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning as suspected bandits stormed a mosque in Unguwan Mantau village, Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing 13 worshippers during dawn (Fajr) prayers.
Naija News reports that the attackers invaded the mosque around 5 a.m. and opened fire on the congregation. The worshippers, who had gathered for prayers, were caught unawares as the gunmen shot indiscriminately.
Confirming the incident, Katsina State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Mu’azu, described the assault as “a reprisal attack” linked to a recent ambush staged by villagers against a bandit group in the area.
“The victims were observing prayers when the criminals started shooting sporadically,” Mu’azu explained. He said that in the earlier confrontation, villagers killed several bandits, rescued kidnapped victims, and seized weapons from the gang.
According to the Commissioner, troops of the army, police and air force had been deployed to the community to restore order. He further noted that bandits often exploit the rainy season, using tall crops as cover to launch surprise attacks on villages.
7. ‘My Mother Flogged Me Naked Over Accusation Of Having Affair With Her Boyfriend’ – Kaffy
Nigerian professional dancer, Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, popularly known by her stage name as Kaffy, has recounted a traumatic childhood experience in which her mother accused her of having an affair with her boyfriend.
Naija News reports that Kaffy shared the experience while speaking in a recent episode of The Honest Bunch podcast.
Kaffy revealed that her mother dated different men after she divorced her father, and she and her siblings were close to these men, even calling them “daddies.”
She, however, said that her mother became insecure due to their closeness to her boyfriends and was suspecting them of having an affair with them behind her back.
Kaffy recalled how her mother stripped her naked and flogged her in front of everyone over the suspicion that she (Kaffy) was having an affair with one of her boyfriends.
The dancer explained that her mother walked in on her trying to clean blood from ‘daddy’s’ face after he cut himself while shaving, adding that the incident left her traumatised.
8. Phyna Rains Curses On Critic Who Queried Her For Not Joining Protests Against Dangote Trucks
Reality TV star, Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has responded angrily to a critic who called her out for not joining a protest in Edo State over recent Dangote truck accidents.
Naija News reports that activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman, travelled to Edo to protest against Dangote trucks after they caused several accidents, leaving victims with unpaid medical bills.
Phyna had called out Dangote when one of his trucks injured her sister, resulting in the loss of her leg.
Apostle Johnson Suleman also criticized the company after another incident killed three people in Edo.
A fan sent Phyna a message claiming she was absent during the protests in Auchi, Edo, despite her earlier public appeals about the accidents.
Phyna explained that she could not leave her hospitalized sister to attend the protest, expressing her frustration at the criticism in strong terms.
The former BBNaija housemate said she is focused on her sister’s care and seeking justice for those affected, rather than participating in public demonstrations.
9. Guardiola Plans Summer Clear-Out As Six Manchester City Players Face Exit
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is preparing to trim his squad this summer, with at least six players expected to leave the Etihad Stadium.
According to Goal, the players on Guardiola’s exit list include first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, defender Nathan Ake, youngster Joshua Wilson-Esbrand, Argentine prospect Claudio Echeverri, midfielder Kalvin Phillips, and winger Savinho.
Despite opening their Premier League campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Wolves, Guardiola admitted that his squad remains too large and in need of adjustments.
10. Mourinho Credits Messi For Shaping His Growth As Manager
Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho has revealed that Lionel Messi is the player who influenced his career the most, describing the Argentine as an opponent who constantly forced him to improve his tactical approach.
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, first came across Mourinho in November 2003 when Barcelona faced Porto in a friendly match. At the time, Messi was making his first appearance with the Catalan club’s senior side, while Mourinho was in charge of Porto.
Their encounters became more frequent and intense years later when Mourinho managed Real Madrid. His Madrid teams were locked in fierce battles with Messi’s Barcelona in LaLiga, producing some of the most memorable fixtures in Spanish football.
Mourinho also came up against Messi in the Champions League, notably with Chelsea and Inter Milan. One of the most famous duels came in 2010, when Mourinho’s Inter eliminated Barcelona in the semi-finals on their way to winning the treble.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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