Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 26th September, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 26th September, 2025

Nigerian electricity workers under the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) have shelved their nationwide strike.

Naija News understands the strike was suspended on Thursday following the intervention of the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who promised to look into the grievances raised by the workers.

The suspension of the strike was conveyed in a Memorandum of Understanding between NUEE, the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), the Management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and the Ministry of Power.

Earlier, (NUEE) had announced the commencement of an indefinite strike on Wednesday over unresolved welfare demands, including the non-implementation of the national minimum wage and alleged casualisation of workers.

However, at a meeting with Adelabu, who was represented by the Director of Distribution Services and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Power, the stakeholders agreed to suspend the strike.

The MoU stated that TCN and the Nigeria Integrated System Operator shall meet to evaluate the financial implications of the report and prepare an implementation plan to be discussed with the unions.

It was also agreed that no worker would be victimized for participating in the strike.

The leadership of the opposition coalition has instructed its members to resign from their current political parties and formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), though no specific deadline has been set for the transition.

The National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday after a caucus meeting that drew senior party leaders and key political figures.

Naija News reports that since the ADC was unveiled on July 2 as the coalition’s new platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, a handful of opposition leaders have defected.

However, many others are yet to officially leave their old parties.

For instance, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but has not formally joined the ADC.

Similarly, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and several other bigwigs continue to maintain ties with their original parties despite openly associating with the coalition.

Addressing journalists, Abdullahi said the caucus had reached a unanimous position on the future of the coalition.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of engaging in propaganda and disinformation about him.

Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to Atiku on Public Communication, Paul Ibe, made this known in a statement on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Ibe accused the presidency of sponsoring one Kola Johnson to issue press releases on behalf of Atiku to fabricate fake stories.

According to Ibe, Atiku has never engaged Johnson as a media consultant, aide, or associate, and any statement issued in his name is fake and should be disregarded.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, presided over the commission’s weekly meeting on Thursday, contrary to social media reports claiming he had proceeded on terminal leave.

Naija News reports that INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement after the meeting in Abuja.

Olumekun said the meeting considered several electoral matters, including preparations for the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election, the Federal Capital Territory area council polls, and party primaries for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.

He further stated that the commission also approved the promotion of 471 junior staff of the commission on the recommendation of its Appointment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee.

Olumekun dismissed online reports suggesting that President Bola Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on terminal leave.

He stressed that, unlike some chief executives, the INEC chairman is not bound by the civil service rule of proceeding on a three-month pre-retirement leave.

The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the national leadership of the party has no power to postpone its scheduled congress.

The Cross River State Working Committee (SWC) made the remark in a statement on Thursday by its chairman, Venatius Ikem, who addressed newsmen in Calabar.

He added that the planned state congress, which had been scheduled for Saturday, 27th September, would go on as planned despite the statement of the National PDP directing its postponement.

Naija News recalls that the PDP had announced the postponement of the scheduled congresses for Plateau and Cross River States.

The PDP, in a statement on Wednesday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said new dates would be fixed for the congresses, which were previously scheduled for Saturday, 27th September.

The party added that the new date for the congresses, which were fixed to elect new State Executive Committees in Plateau and Cross River, would be announced in due course.

However, Ikem, on Thursday, disagreed with Ologunagba’s statement, insisting that the Cross River State congress would hold on Saturday as planned, as all necessary logistics and other requirements had been put in place.

He alleged that some outside forces are trying to postpone the congress to force their own leadership on the party.

The State Chairman added organizing the state congress is the responsibility of the state chapter of the PDP, and the committee from the national would only have to monitor it.

Ikem insisted that the purported dissolution of the SWC is invalid as their tenure was yet to expire on Sept. 29.

The Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, berated Nigerian leaders for wasteful displays of power and resources.

Naija News reports that Peter Obi, in a post via X on Thursday, recounted his ongoing three-day trip to the United States (US), covering Atlanta, Washington, and Chicago.

The former Governor of Anambra State drew a sharp comparison between political leadership in Nigeria and the United States.

According to him, Atlanta, with an annual city budget of approximately $3 billion, generates more revenue than Nigeria’s national budget; yet, its mayor, Andre Dickens, maintains a modest public profile.

Peter Obi said he travelled with Dickens on the same flight from Atlanta to Washington without any special treatment for the mayor.

He stated that Dickens boarded and disembarked like every other passenger, without aides carrying bags, announcements, sirens, or entourages, unlike in Nigeria, where governors and other political leaders constitute a nuisance.

He argued that Nigerian leaders must change their public conduct and focus more on service delivery.

Popular Nigerian singer Asake has shared his views on how humility and ego are often perceived in the entertainment world.

Naija News reports that in a viral video on Tiktok, he told his friend that in the industry, being humble is usually seen as a weakness, while showing ego tends to make artists appear more attractive to fans.

The singer stressed that people do not pay much attention to the process behind an artiste’s work, instead, they are more concerned with the results that come out of it.

According to him, taking time to explain or show people how things are done is often not valued, as most audiences only respect the finished product.

Asake maintained that artistes are better appreciated when they carry themselves with a sense of pride that makes them seem less accessible, as this builds curiosity and admiration.

He added that the best approach is for artistes to stay focused, deliver results, and let their work speak for them.

BBNaija season 10 housemate, Dede, has shared her concerns about going back home after the reality show ends.

Naija News reports that during a private diary session, she spoke about feeling anxious about her mother’s reaction to her time on the show.

Dede explained that recent events on the show have made her unsure about whether her mother will welcome her back.

She asked if there was any chance she could remain in the Big Brother house after the season concludes.

Big Brother responded with a light-hearted comment, joking that the house could simply become “Dede’s house.”

Nigeria’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has been overshadowed by fresh injury concerns, with Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru both facing uncertainty over their fitness.

Onyedika, who has become an important figure in midfield for both Club Brugge and the Super Eagles, lasted just 16 minutes in Wednesday’s Belgian Pro League clash against Westerlo.

The 24-year-old pulled up clutching his hamstring before being forced to leave the pitch, leaving his club and country anxious about the extent of the damage.

The timing could not be worse for Nigeria. Head coach Eric Chelle is already sweating over the availability of Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, who sustained a muscle injury during the 1-0 defeat to Roma last weekend. His status for the qualifiers is still uncertain, adding to the coach’s selection headache.

The Super Eagles are due to host Lesotho before travelling to Cotonou to face Benin in back-to-back games that could shape their qualification campaign. Both fixtures demand a full-strength squad, but with two key midfielders in doubt, Chelle may have to reshuffle his plans.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has expressed concern for his children, who are too young to understand the rape allegation slammed on him now but will one day encounter it online.

Naija News reports that Achraf Hakimi was accused by a 24-year-old woman of sexual assault at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt. The case immediately made headlines in France and beyond, sparking debate about his career and personal life.

In an interview with Canal+, Hakimi stated how deeply the accusations have affected him.

On how the accusation could affect his children, Hakimi added, “My children are still young. They don’t know the internet and they can’t read. But one day, they’re going to read this kind of thing. And for me, seeing that these lies have been written about their father is not pleasant. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

The 26-year-old Moroccan fullback, regarded as one of PSG’s most consistent performers, said the allegations have tarnished his image and tested his resilience off the pitch.

Despite the ongoing scrutiny, he maintains his innocence and hopes the truth will eventually overshadow the damaging claims.