Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 9th November, 2025

Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 9th November, 2025.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has berated the United States of America (USA) over a move to impose sanctions on the group over alleged violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the US House of Representatives called on the Departments of State and Treasury to impose targeted sanctions on some Nigerian organisations, including Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

Speaking to Daily Post on the development, a state leader of Miyetti Allah, Bakoji Adamu, stated that it would be unfair to hold an entire organisation responsible for the actions of a few members.

He urged the United States not to act on half-truths or incomplete investigations.

He said, “It is dangerous to take such measures without proper investigation. If an individual breaks the law, that person should be investigated and punished, not the whole group.”

He added that blanket sanctions could create tension and misunderstanding within the Fulani community and worsen insecurity.

Sanctions could worsen crises, warns Bakoji

Bakoji, a retired army captain, said foreign governments should always work with Nigeria on security matters rather than taking unilateral actions.

He warned that such actions could increase tensions in areas already struggling with farmer-herder conflicts.

According to Bakoji, Miyetti Allah’s mission is to promote peace and modern livestock practices among its members, not to fuel violence.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nicholas Ukachukwu, has defeated Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo in his polling unit as counting begins in the Anambra gubernatorial election.

Naija News reports that the early arrival of voting materials and personnel led to the early commencement of the voting exercise in the election, which is said to be a two-horse race.

The APC candidate voted at exactly 11:46 am at Umudimala 1, PU 011, Osumenyi Ward 2, Nnewi South LG. The INEC presiding officer, Esther Ojukwu, who announced the results, said Ukachukwu scored 126 votes to defeat Soludo, who scored six.

Recall that Ukachukwu had earlier raised concerns over alleged vote buying and intimidation of his party’s agents at various polling centres across the state.

Ukachukwu made the claims shortly after casting his vote at Polling Unit 012, Osumenyi Ward 2, on Saturday.

The candidate described the rising cases of vote buying as a grave threat to democracy, blaming both buyers and sellers for the trend.

He said, “If there’s no seller, there cannot be a buyer. Some people have chosen to sell their conscience, which is even worse than those buying votes. When you give up your right for money, you lose your voice as a citizen. You can’t cry later. Society must be blamed for encouraging this.”

Ukachukwu also alleged that one of his party’s agents had been assaulted while monitoring the election, describing the act as intimidation aimed at disrupting their participation.

He said, “There have been incidents where people are being beaten up. It’s a form of bullying, and though it may seem right to some today, power changes hands. God gives power to whomever He chooses.”

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Victor Umeh, has called for the arrest of vote buyers.

The Minister made the call during a press interview with journalists immediately after voting at Polling Unit 019, Aguluzoigbo Town Hall, Ward Three, in Anaocha Local Government Area.

He fumed that vote buyers cannot continue to undermine democracy with such actions.

Umeh said the election has been largely peaceful and that, unlike other elections, where there were complaints of malfunctioning of the BVAS machine, the process has been going on seamlessly.

Speaking on vote buying, the senator said: “Anyone who thinks the only way to get to office would be through rigging and buying of votes, the person would be the enemy of the state and enemy of Nigeria.

“Vote buying has been outlawed critically and clearly. During the August 16 by-election, there was so much report of vote buying, but the people who are selling their votes should know you are selling your right to complain.

“I don’t know how much money you will be paid that will be enough to last for four years. Anyone who collects money today it will still not last two days, and it will finish, and you will lose your right to complain

“Those of us who are in the national Assembly, we see the mood of the nation, and it is not us that will change Nigeria, the citizens of Nigeria will change Nigeria, through the actions they take. They are the people who elect leaders, so if they collect money to vote for someone they don’t trust, they have ruined themselves and their families.

“If there are evidence of vote buying, and if they are proven, those behind it should be arrested. The proper thing to do is to look at the candidates objectively and vote for them. If we do so, we would be helping to deepen democracy in the country.”

Former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, has dismissed as fake news a viral publication alleging that he accused Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, of creating Boko Haram.

The report, which circulated widely online, had quoted Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, the former governor described the publication as “false, malicious, and dangerous.”

According to him, “The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape.”

Sheriff maintained that he never granted any interview nor spoke to any journalist on the matter, insisting that the story was crafted to undermine his long-standing reputation.

The statement further noted, “This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria.”

Sheriff emphasised his continued commitment to supporting national cohesion and stability.

The former governor has instructed his legal team to track down those behind the publication.

He said, “Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.”

He warned that failure to retract the story would attract full legal consequences.

International observers and civil society organisations have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what they described as a transparent, well-coordinated, and peaceful conduct of the ongoing Anambra State governorship election.

The commendations were contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Dayo Oketola.

Reports from the INEC Situation Room indicated that voting across the state had been orderly, with improved voter turnout and a calm atmosphere when compared to the 2021 governorship election.

Observers credited the smooth process to INEC’s strong logistics, effective use of technology, and the leadership of the Commission’s Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN).

Ambassador Dr Emmanuel Nkweke of the International Association of World Peace Advocates praised INEC’s performance, describing the process as peaceful and professional.

He also lauded the security agencies for maintaining order across voting centres. “The environment is calm and secure. We observed up to seven police officers at some units, and their conduct has been exemplary. The collaboration among the security agencies deserves commendation,” he said.

Addressing claims of vote buying, Nkweke noted that there was no evidence of such in areas monitored by his team. “We have not seen anything like that in the areas observed. As international observers, we report what we see, not rumours. So far, this election has been peaceful and credible,” he added.

Civil society groups also expressed satisfaction with INEC’s logistics and early deployment of staff and materials.

Director of Programmes at Yiaga Africa, Ms. Cynthia Mbamalu, said the early arrival of materials and officials demonstrated the commission’s readiness.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan’s appointment as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing concerns over a 2020 legal brief the new electoral chief authored.

The demand follows an exclusive report by SaharaReporters alleging that Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, once authored a document describing violence in the North as “Christian genocide” and linking insecurity to the 19th-century Jihad of Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio.

In a statement issued Friday, November 7, 2025 (16th Jumada I 1447 AH), the SCSN said it received with “deep disappointment and grave concern” the revelations contained in the report titled “Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter”, published by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON).

The council said, “If indeed Prof. Amupitan authored the said document, his submissions are not only unbecoming of a person of learning but dangerously inimical to the unity, peace, and stability of our country.”

The group described the claims attributed to Amupitan as “divisive, sectarian, abusive, and factually inaccurate narratives against a majority faith community.”

The Shari’ah Council insisted that the violence ravaging Northern and North-Central Nigeria is not religious persecution but a complex mix of banditry, extremism, poverty, and social injustice.

The group also condemned Amupitan’s alleged attempt to associate modern insecurity with the historic jihad of Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio.

According to the SCSN, “The Jihad of Sheikh Uthman was not a war of hatred or extermination; it was a spiritual, moral, and social reform movement… These instituted ideals are still admired across the African continent today.”

Gunmen have reportedly killed a councillor at Owerre Ezukala community, Orumba South LGA, during the ongoing governorship election in Anambra State.

Naija News learnt that the councillor was shot dead at Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, while attempting to cast his vote.

According to Daily Post, a source, Iyke Orji who confirmed the incident said, “While voting in Owerre Ezukala Ward 1, unknown gunmen came in and shot a top person and left. The councillor of Owerre Ezukala was fatally shot by the men.”

However, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that there was no such report before him.

He said, “In fact, the state has been peaceful all along, and the atmosphere calm. There is no incident of violence in the state that I’m aware of at least for now.”

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has stated that the perception of United States President, Donald Trump, regarding Nigeria’s security situation was shaped by people who thrive in chaos and division.

He stated this during an interview with The Washington Post.

Sani argued that the Christian genocide claim was a misleading narrative, adding that the country will eventually overcome terrorism despite challenges.

The former lawmaker maintained that those pushing the narrative were anarchists and propagandists” who distort Nigeria’s realities for political or ideological purposes.

According to him, “Trump’s views about Nigeria and its leadership were shaped by people who thrive in chaos and division. They present a one-sided picture of insecurity and ignore the courage and resilience of Nigerians confronting terrorism daily.”

Sani, who served in the 8th National Assembly and is a well-known human rights campaigner, emphasised that while Nigeria still faces serious threats from insurgents and bandits, the country’s security agencies and citizens remain united in their determination to restore peace and stability.

He also urged the international community, including the United States, to avoid adopting biased reports and instead support Nigeria’s efforts through intelligence sharing, humanitarian assistance, and balanced diplomacy.

Sani further noted that the fight against terrorism requires both military strategy and social justice, stressing that addressing poverty, unemployment, and corruption is essential to achieving lasting peace.

He warned against what he termed “weaponisation of misinformation” against African nations, saying it undermines democracy and fuels instability.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has slammed critics mocking Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, over her marital ordeal and not taking her rape allegations seriously.

Naija News reports that Tacha, in a post via 𝕏, claimed that being a woman in Nigeria feels like a crime.

The reality TV star lamented that instead of demanding justice for Regina Daniels, some Nigerians were bashing her, referencing her past flamboyant lifestyle.

Tacha wrote, “Being a woman in this part of the world feels like a crime.

“Someone cries out that she been raped, drugged, and beaten, and instead of outrage, society starts dragging her for flying private jets and traveling the world.

“So because she lived well, she deserves to be abused? That’s the sickness of this society a place where people justify violence against women but envy their freedom.

“At this point, what hope does the girl child even have? #ProtectWomen #Justiceforreginadaniels.”

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixture between Katsina United and Barau FC turned violent on Saturday at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

The violence left Barau forward Nana Abraham with a deep cut on his neck. The incident occurred moments after Barau’s Orji Kalu struck a 69th-minute equaliser to level the score at 1-1.

Confirming the attack in a post on X, Barau FC wrote: “70’ The match is temporarily halted following an attack on Barau FC player, Nana Abraham. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC.”

Just a minute earlier, the club had celebrated the equaliser with another update: “69’ Goal Orji Kalu level the scores. Katsina United | 1-1 | Barau FC.”

In trending photos, Nana Abraham could be seen bleeding profusely from a visible gash on his neck as match officials and teammates tried to contain the chaos on the pitch.

Security operatives were forced to intervene as the game was suspended temporarily.