Nigerian Newspapers
Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 19th July, 2025
Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 19th July, 2025.
1. Stop Using Buhari’s Death To Whitewash Your Battered Image – ADC Fires Tinubu Govt
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of desperately exploiting the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari to whitewash its battered image.
In a statement sent to Naija News on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, called out President Tinubu’s government for what it describes as a cynical and opportunistic attempt to exploit the death of Buhari for political gains.
The ADC criticised the choreographed Federal Executive Council (FEC) tribute and the publicised appearance of Buhari’s grieving son, Yusuf, as “a calculated PR stunt by an unpopular government.”
According to the opposition party, the Tinubu administration had spent over a year blaming Buhari for the country’s economic troubles, only to now perform public grief in a bid to whitewash its battered image, especially in the North and among Buhari loyalists.
Abdullahi recalled how the government previously distanced itself from Buhari’s policies, especially on fuel subsidy, the economy, and public sector management, only to now attempt to cloak itself in the very legacy it once denounced.
It warned that grief is not a campaign strategy, adding that the late President’s family should be left alone to mourn their father in peace rather than being dragged into a political circus show.
2. FG Speaks On Involvement In First Holdco Share Acquisition
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN, has denied the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration’s involvement in First Holdco Share Acquisition.
A report had emerged claiming that 25 per cent shares of Frist Holdco were acquired by a trustee, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), acting under the aegis of the federal government.
The trustee, the report claimed, was set up through the settlement being brokered by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, working with the Central Bank of Nigeria, facilitated the acquisition through a custodial arrangement.
“The shares are now with the trustee for the next two or three weeks when they will decide how to proceed and reach a strategic decision on what to do with the shares and also look at FBN’s plan for capital raise to meet CBN requirement”, a source familiar with the deliberations told THISDAY last night.
But in a statement to Naija News, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Publicity (Office of the AGF), Kamarudeen Ogundele, dismissed the report.
He described the report by This Day as inaccurate, misleading, resentful and malicious.
3. ‘Every Government Has A Cabal’ – Buhari’s Ex-Chief Of Staff, Gambari
The former Chief of Staff to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, has confirmed that his principal operated with a small inner circle, commonly referred to as a cabal, during his time in office.
Gambari made the disclosure in an interview excerpt with Laolu Akande, a former spokesperson to ex-Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, ahead of the full programme scheduled to air on Friday.
According to Gambari, the presence of a trusted group advising the president was not unusual and did not begin with Buhari.
He explained that presidents around the world often surround themselves with a close-knit team they trust, individuals who, though not always publicly visible or officially appointed, wield significant influence over decision-making.
4. Atiku Left PDP After Losing 2023 Presidential Election, He Has Not Been Active Or Attending Meetings – Anenih
A former Minister of Women Affairs and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Josephine Anenih, has disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar dumped the party after the 2023 presidential election, which he lost.
According to Anenih, Atiku has failed to be active in the party or attend meetings since losing the 2023 presidential election.
She submitted that despite efforts and attempts by various PDP stakeholders to encourage Atiku to take up his responsibility as a leader in the party, the former Vice President refused to accede to the various pleas.
Naija News reports that Anenih, in her submission on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, submitted that Atiku did not leave the PDP on July 14, 2025, as reflected in his resignation letter, which surfaced on Wednesday, July 16, but dissociated himself from the party since losing the 2023 election.
The former Minister insisted that Atiku’s departure from the PDP would not have any negative impact because the party is built on grassroots mobilization and those in the party are more than capable of ensuring the PDP does not go into extinction.
5. Buhari’s Death: ‘We Are Not Orphans, Tinubu Is Our Leader’ – Barau
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has dismissed claims that loyalists of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari within the All Progressives Congress (APC) now feel politically abandoned.
Speaking with BBC Hausa shortly after Thursday’s special Federal Executive Council session convened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of Buhari, Senator Jibrin described such assertions as false and politically motivated.
“That’s not true. We have a great leader, President Bola Tinubu,” Jibrin stated in the interview.
He explained that even during Buhari’s presidency, Tinubu played a vital role in shaping the political direction of the APC and was never sidelined in the party’s affairs.
“Even when God made Buhari president, he worked hand-in-hand with Tinubu,” he added.
The Kano-born lawmaker emphasised that the foundation of the APC and its electoral successes were largely built on Tinubu’s political ingenuity.
6. “Who Are The New Players That Can Make It Difficult For APC To Score Another Electoral Goal In 2027?” – Senate Spokesperson Mocks ADC Coalition
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, has submitted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not bothered by the coalition ,which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
He submitted that all the political actors in the ADC coalition are known faces who have nothing new to offer.
Adaramodu insisted that the ADC coalition can not present any credible challenge to the electoral fortunes of the APC in 2027 because it is made up of old politicians whose weaknesses and strengths are already known to the ruling party.
Naija News reports the lawmaker made the submission during an interaction with journalists.
Drawing a football analogy, the Senate spokesperson said if all players from the Chelsea football club decide to move to Manchester United and play against Manchester City, they will still exhibit the same characters they displayed in their old clubs.
He argued that the ADC coalition membership is drawn from politicians from existing political parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and others, so they have nothing new to offer as a challenge to the APC simply because they changed platforms.
7. You Must Not Come To Edo State Without Clearance – Okpebholo Threatens Peter Obi
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has warned former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, not to visit the state without security clearance.
Okpebholo gave the warning while formally receiving Hon. Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in the State, into the ruling party’s fold.
During the defection ceremony, Okpebholo stated that the All Progressives Congress now fully controls the state.
Boasting, the governor stated that they do not lobby people to join the party, adding that those who join the APC do so because they see the result of their governance.
He described Onobun’s defection as the final nail in the coffin of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, declaring that all vestiges of the opposition will be completely erased by the 2027 general elections.
8. Again, Lagos Residents Call Out Ikeja Electric Over Prolonged Blackout
Residents of Isokan Phase I and II, Wakilu Street, Greenlake, and parts of Ashipa in Ayobo, Lagos State, continue to endure a harrowing blackout, many months after the failure of a crucial transformer.
The community regretted that, despite persistent appeals to Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) and intervention by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), no lasting solution had been provided.
Naija News reports that a crucial transformer, which failed on December 21, 2024, has remained unreplaced despite repeated petitions.
Residents say their community has been in darkness since then. The breakdown has forced households and businesses into reliance on expensive generators and inverters, increasing costs amid rising fuel prices.
Hope was restored in April when Mr Orishatola confirmed to our correspondent that the power firm had brought a transformer for the community.
Unfortunately, in June, the replaced transformer packed up in less than two months after it was installed by the Ikeja Electric.
Confirming the latest development, the CDA chairman, Mr Orishatola, informed Naija News about his visit to the Ponle Ikeja Electric office to officially report the collapse of the Distribution transformer (DT).
9. Popular Nigerian Gospel Singer Burns Cheque After Church Ministration, Gives Reason
The leader of Sounds of Salem, Prophet Joel Ogebe, has revealed that he burnt a cheque handed to him as an honorarium after ministering at The African Praise Experience (TAPE) Overflow 2025.
Naija News reports that the event took place on Sunday, July 13, at House on the Rock Church in Lagos.
The church, under the leadership of Pastor Paul Adefarasin, hosted various gospel artists including Dunsin Oyekan, Onos Ariyo, Nathaniel Bassey and the Sounds of Salem team.
After their performance, a cheque was presented to the group as a show of appreciation, which Prophet Ogebe received but later destroyed.
In a video now circulating online, he explained that he saw the event as a divine moment and not a business engagement.
According to him, he had already decided with his team not to accept any form of payment for their service, choosing instead to focus on the spiritual impact.
10. Super Falcons Of Nigeria Humiliate Zambia To Reach 2024 WAFCON Semi-Finals
The Super Falcons of Nigeria dismantled Zambia 5-0 to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
It was a statement performance from the Super Falcons, a record nine-time African champions, who wasted no time stamping their authority on the game earlier today, July 18.
Defender Osinachi Ohale got the ball rolling just two minutes in, rising highest to head in a pinpoint cross from Esther Okoronkwo.
Zambia tried to regroup, with their talismanic captain Barbara Banda pushing hard to trouble Nigeria’s backline. But the Falcons stood tall.
Okoronkwo turned from provider to finisher in the 33rd minute, coolly controlling Rasheedat Ajibade’s teasing delivery before smashing it home to double Nigeria’s lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Chiwendu Ihezuo pounced on a defensive blunder and buried Nigeria’s third with clinical precision, her third of the tournament.
Zambia tried to rally in the second half, enjoying a brief spell of possession. But that glimmer of hope quickly faded.
Tosin Demehin made it four with a thumping header in the 68th minute, again off the boot of Okoronkwo.
And just when it seemed Zambia’s suffering was over, substitute Folashade Ijamilusi capped off the rout in the 90th minute, hammering home a low cutback from Ajibade to complete the demolition.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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