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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 16th August, 2025.
1. INEC Withdraws Recognition Of Julius Abure As LP Chairman
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn its recognition of Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, citing the expiration of his tenure and the binding judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on April 4, 2025.
The Commission’s position, as contained in a sworn counter-affidavit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, appears to have finally settled the leadership crisis that has plagued the party for months.
In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, INEC clarified that Abure’s tenure ended in June 2024 in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025, which dismissed his claims for lack of jurisdiction and nullified all earlier rulings that affirmed his leadership.
Ayuba Mohammed, INEC’s Executive Officer (Litigation and Prosecution), who deposed to the affidavit, stated, “The defendant (INEC) cannot accept and issue access codes for the upload of candidates’ nomination forms (EC9, EC9F, and EC9G) for the by-election scheduled for 16/8/2025 to the plaintiff (Abure-led LP), as there were no valid National Chairman and National Secretary for the defendant to deal with, as provided in Exhibit INEC 2.”
On the disputed National Convention held in Nnewi on March 27, 2024, where Abure claimed re-election, INEC maintained it neither monitored nor recognised the event, insisting it contravened the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, its regulations, and the Labour Party’s constitution.
2. Canadian Court Did Not Declare Us A Terrorist Organisation – APC Clarifies Ruling
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that a decision of a Canadian Court allegedly declared the ruling party as a terrorist organisation.
In a statement on Friday, National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, stated categorically that the court did not declare APC as a terrorist organisation, contrary to “highly erroneous media reports in circulation.”
The party stated that the declaration was allegedly made in the case of Douglas Egharevba and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, in which the Applicant (Douglas Egharevba) sought judicial review of a decision by the Canadian Immigration Appeal Division [IAD] which determined that the Applicant was inadmissible in Canada under its Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
The statement noted that the Applicant’s claim of membership of APC as of 2007 is evidently false as he could not have been a member of APC that didn’t exist at the time.
It stated that for the avoidance of doubt, the court never made any determination on the question of terrorism in its decision.
3. 2027: ‘Goodluck Jonathan Has Nothing To Offer, Peter Obi Will Be A Big Advantage’ – PDP Chieftain, Dan Ulasi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has stated that the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will be a significant advantage to the party in the 2027 election.
Naija News reports that Ulasi, while featuring on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, said if the Southeast produces the president, it will officially mark the end of the civil war.
He also warned against the return of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to the party and his potential candidacy in 2027, stressing that he has nothing to offer.
According to Ulasi, President Bola Tinubu is expected to have an easy win if Jonathan decides to run for the presidency under the PDP platform.
4. Tambuwal Speaks On Joining APC To Seek ‘Forgiveness Of Sins’
Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has vowed never to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek ‘forgiveness of his sins’.
Naija News recalls that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had detained Tambuwal in Abuja over alleged fraudulent withdrawal of cash to the tune of ₦189 billion.
Addressing his supporters upon his return to Sokoto on Friday, Tambuwal, a member of the opposition coalition, said he has no interest in seeking political ‘forgiveness of sins’ through defection to the APC.
Tambuwal also stated that he cannot be intimidated or blackmailed, emphasising that no one can tarnish his record.
He said, “I do not want my sins to be forgiven, so I can’t join the APC. I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my records.”
The former Sokoto State governor maintained that the political landscape in Nigeria is sharply divided between those who support President Bola Tinubu and his government and those who represent the people of Nigeria, adding that he has chosen to stand with the latter.
5. ‘Peter Obi Is Married To ADC, Unlikely To Decamp To PDP’ – Sani
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has said the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is unlikely to return to the PDP.
Naija News reports that Sani made this known during an interview on ARISE Television’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Friday, stating that Peter Obi is married to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Sani, a Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, also referenced Peter Obi’s directives to supporters regarding the by-election in the country.
He said, “Peter Obi has just of late, yesterday, directed all his supporters to vote for an African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate while he is still in the Labour Party. The Labour Party this morning has asked all its members to disregard Obi’s directives.
“This has shown that Peter Obi is married to the ADC, and he is most unlikely to defect to the PDP. Although he has made allusion to the fact that the PDP has approached him.”
Sani further stated that the clamour for the return of former President, Goodluck Jonathan and, Peter Obi, to the PDP is mere conjecture.
According to him, the PDP was trying hard to bring in more capable hands, given the party’s current state of inactivity.
6. Reps Challenges Jigawa Lawmaker To Prove ₦3 Million Motion, Bill Fee Allegation
The House of Representatives has called on the lawmaker representing Hadejia/Auyo/Kafin Hausa Federal Constituency in Jigawa State, Ibrahim Auyo, to substantiate his claims that legislators pay to move motions and bills in the green chamber.
Auyo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, had told his constituents during a meeting in Jigawa that lawmakers pay between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to present motions, bills, and petitions.
In videos circulating online, the legislator responded to criticisms from constituents over his perceived inactivity in sponsoring motions and bills, alleging that such initiatives come at a steep financial cost.
Speaking in Hausa, Auyo explained that the fees were part of the process to ensure proposals were passed, while dismissing accusations that he had failed to assist constituents in securing employment.
In a statement issued on Friday, the House, through its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, stated that the lawmaker will face the ethics panel if he fails to substantiate his claim.
7. By-Election: IGP Restricts Movement, Bars VIP Escorts Across 13 States
Ahead of the forthcoming by-election in 13 states across the Federation, scheduled for Saturday, August 16th, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the restriction of movement in affected areas.
Speaking via a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP reiterated his earlier directives on deploying operational logistics to the affected States and Local Government Areas where the elections would hold to provide an enabling environment for a free and fair election.
The affected states include Anambra, Kano, Oyo, Taraba, Enugu, Adamawa, Edo, Jigawa, Kogi, Kano, Ogun, Zamfara, and Niger States.
8. Court Jails 4 Persons Arrested By EFCC During Operation At Obasanjo Library Hotel
Four of the suspects arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a sting operation at the guest house located at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library have been convicted and sentenced.
Naija News reports the suspects were sentenced following their arraignment on Friday before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to a press release by the EFCC, the convicts, Bisiriyu Roqeeb Abiodun, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, Akinwale Isaac and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, are among the 93 suspected fraudsters arrested in a sting operation at a hotel within the precincts of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
They were arraigned on Friday on separate charges bordering on impersonation, identity and internet fraud.
9. Popular Nollywood Actor, Segun Remi Is Dead
Veteran Nollywood actor, Segun Remi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, has died.
Naija News reports that celebrity journalist Seun Oloketuyi, in a post on his Instagram page, disclosed that the film star passed away on Friday at age 72.
However, details surrounding the death were not disclosed at the time of filing this report.
Chief Kanran, before his demise, was a household name in the Yoruba film industry, celebrated for his unique style, humour, and commanding performances in numerous stage plays and movies over several decades.
Seun wrote: “Popular actor, Segun Remi, popularly known as Chief Kanran, died Friday morning.”
10. $100,000: ‘It Will Be Paid’ – NSC DG Tells Super Falcons
The Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has assured that the Super Falcons will receive the $100,000 promised to each player by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Super Falcons clinched their 10th continental title in Morocco on July 26. Two days later, Tinubu announced cash rewards for the squad, $100,000 for each of the 24 players and $50,000 for every member of the technical crew, alongside national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and three-bedroom apartments in Abuja.
However, the team’s captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, recently said none of the pledges had been redeemed, claiming even the match bonuses from the tournament remained “a work in progress.”
“We have not received anything yet,” Ajibade had stated, sparking public debate over the government’s commitment to the players.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV on Friday, Olopade insisted that all match bonuses had been settled, except for “one or two” players whose accounts had issues with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“On the promise Mr President made, we need to stop playing politics and games with everything, it will be paid,” he said.
Olopade disclosed that discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Housing and the Renewed Hope Homes programme to deliver the promised apartments in a timely manner.
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, Saturday, 16th August, 2025 appeared first on Naija News.
