Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 24th October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 24th October, 2025

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Amupitan’s swearing-in by Tinubu comes a week after the Senate confirmed his appointment as INEC Chairman following a rigorous screening session on October 16.

Naija News reports that Amupitan took the oath of office at 1:50 pm at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Tinubu charged Amuputan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and electoral process, as well as strengthen the institutional capacity of the electoral umpire.

President Tinubu also urged Amupitan to maintain public trust in elections and ensure that the electoral process is credible.

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, was arrested to ensure fairness in the prosecution of those involved in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday.

Naija News reports that Sowore was arrested on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, shortly after he appeared in solidarity with the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

While addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore, who led protesters into a restricted area during a demonstration in support of Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested to ensure that justice is evenly applied to everyone involved.

According to Hundeyin, Sowore would not be detained beyond necessary legal limits and would be arraigned.

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has blamed the Niger tanker explosion on poor leadership at the community level.

Naija News reports that the petrol tanker explosion in Essa community, Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, which occurred on Tuesday, left 42 people dead and over 60 injured.

The unfortunate incident occurred when a tanker overturned on the dilapidated Bida–Badeggi–Agaie Road and exploded as residents attempted to scoop up the fuel.

Speaking on the incident during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, the DG described the incident as “frustrating” and avoidable.

A former spokesman to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has urged politicians against plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, Akande advised those dissatisfied with Tinubu’s administration to vote against him at the polls.

He stated this while reacting to reports that some senior military brass and soldiers had been arrested over an alleged attempted coup against Tinubu.

He added that if it is true that there was an attempt to have a coup, then the military intelligence must be commended for nipping it in the bud.

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is finding it difficult to contain the political influence of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections.

Amadi said Peter Obi’s approach to politics operates outside the traditional structure that defines Nigeria’s political system.

Speaking in an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Amadi described Obi’s political strategy as “minimalist”, explaining that it frustrates attempts by established political forces to suppress his growing movement.

According to him, Obi relies heavily on organic mobilisation rather than party machinery, which makes him “an elusive political figure” but one with structural weaknesses.

The political scholar explained that Obi’s success comes from his ability to build a lean, flexible movement that connects directly with the people.

He described the former Anambra State governor’s style as one that maximises visibility and public connection while minimising bureaucracy, which makes it difficult for traditional politicians to weaken or co-opt his movement.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate release of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested in Abuja.

Naija News reports that Sowore was taken into custody by security officers at the Federal High Court in Abuja after meeting with detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

His arrest came just days after he organised a nationwide protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow on October 20, calling for Kanu’s unconditional release.

The protest was disrupted by security agents who used teargas to scatter demonstrators.

Several participants, including Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Emmanuel Kanu, were detained alongside others. Sowore, who initially escaped, was later arrested at the court on October 23.

Reacting to the incident, Atiku, in a tweet, condemned Sowore’s arrest, describing it as a shameful attack on democracy and the rule of law.

He said the move shows the government’s growing intolerance toward opposing views.

He called on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and other detained protesters, stressing that citizens have the constitutional right to protest peacefully.

Atiku further warned that no democratic system can thrive under tyranny, adding that the recurring clampdown on dissent is dragging the nation backwards.

Nigerian singer Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, better known as Bella Shmurda, has refuted claims that Nigerian artistes are skyrocketing their performance fees.

Naija News reports that Bella Shmurda, in a recent interview with Naija FM Lagos, said he and his colleagues charge high fees because of their high expenditures as musicians.

The ‘Eye Clear’ crooner explained that musicians pay many of the people who work behind the scenes on their tours from their performance fees.

He also cited the high cost of music production and promotion, as well as the expensive lifestyle required to maintain celebrity status, as reasons their performance fees are high.

Nollywood actress, Nkechi Blessing Sunday‘s ex-boyfriend, Eseoghene Obire, better known as Xxssive, has denied cheating in his previous relationship as he finds love again.

Naija News reports that Xxsive, in an Instagram post, shared a loved-up video of himself and his new lover bonding.

Reacting to the post, one of his Instagram followers, who was aware of his relationship with Nkechi, insinuated that he was cheating on the movie star before their romantic affair crashed.

XXssive spotted the comment and responded, saying that he has never cheated in any of his relationships.

Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned football club, Lobi Stars FC, following the team’s relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Lobi Stars, based in Makurdi, were demoted last season after 27 consecutive years in Nigeria’s top-flight football, a fall many attributed to the club’s prolonged poor performances.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, disclosed the dissolution in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.

According to Kula, the decision was part of Governor Alia’s ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the club for “greater efficiency, accountability, and better performance” in the NPFL and other competitions.

Spanish La Liga giants, FC Barcelona are battling to have Hansi Flick available for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Real Madrid after the club appealed the one-match suspension handed to the German manager.

Naija News reports that the Catalans filed their appeal on Thursday morning, urging the Appeals Committee to overturn the decision made by the Sports Disciplinary Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Hansi Flick was sent off in the closing minutes of Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Girona last weekend after receiving two yellow cards.

Referee Jesús Gil Manzano’s match report claimed Flick was booked first “for applauding one of my decisions as a sign of protest,” and again moments later “after being cautioned for making a gesture of disapproval.”

Barcelona insist the video evidence tells a different story. Club president Joan Laporta argued that the referee “made a mistake by waiting for Flick’s reaction, as seen in the images.”

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Flick will be forced to watch the El Clásico from the stands, with his assistant Marcus Sorg expected to take charge at the Bernabéu. The club is, however, prepared to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if the decision stands.