Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Monday, 15th September, 2025
1. ‘No Victory Worth Rivers Blood’ – Ibas Calls For Peace Ahead Of Fubara’s Return
The outgoing Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has reflected on his six-month stewardship, saying the state was deeply divided before President Bola Tinubu stepped in to restore stability.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service held on Sunday at the Ecumenical Centre in Port Harcourt, Ibas said he deliberately sowed seeds of love and peace during his tenure and urged residents to nurture them as the state transitions back to democratic governance on September 18.
“By God’s grace, and with the support of Mr President and all of you, we have walked through those difficult days together; the survival and relative stability we enjoy today is a testimony of God’s faithfulness,” Ibas said.
He warned political actors against plunging the state back into chaos.
2. ‘Do No Encourage Illegality’ – SERAP Warns INEC, Demands Sanctions Against Early Campaigns
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to identify and penalise politicians or political parties engaging in early campaigns, or be prepared to face legal action.
In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the electoral umpire could not afford to act helplessly while politicians flout the legally prescribed period for election campaigns.
The organisation maintained that early campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal, stressing that INEC has a duty to check such infractions.
INEC had, last week, expressed worry over the spate of early electioneering activities by some political parties.
The commission argued that the trend undermines its ability to effectively track campaign finance limits, adding that no sanctions currently exist for such violations.
Reacting, SERAP insisted that INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including premature campaigns.
The group further warned that prolonged electioneering could worsen Nigeria’s fragile economy.
3. What Peter Obi Discussed With Obasanjo, Ladoja During Courtesy Visit
The Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, alongside his aide, Yunusa Tanko, and the Lagos State gubernatorial candidate in the last election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, paid a courtesy visit to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Naija News reports that Peter Obi made this known in a post via his X handle on Sunday.
The former Governor of Anambra State stated that they also visited the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, at his private residence in Bodija, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Peter Obi said their discussion focused on the state of the nation and how everyone can live in unity, love, fairness, and justice together.
Sharing photos of the visit, Peter Obi wrote, “Today, I with Dr @YunusaTanko, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Vivour @GRVlagos and Segun Adebanjo visited President Obasanjo on a courtesy visit. Thereafter, we visited the new Olubadan of Ibadan kabiyesi Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja.
“In both visits, we were fortunate to discuss the state of our nation and how all of us can live in unity, love, fairness and justice progressively together.
“The meetings make me believe that coming together of a competent team with capacity, compassion, and commitment to build a new Nigeria that is POssible.”
4. FG Raises Alarm Over Likely Flooding In 11 States
The Federal Government on Sunday issued a fresh warning that 32 locations across 11 states may experience heavy rainfall and flooding between September 14 and 18, 2025.
The alert was contained in a flood prediction notice issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment, and signed by the Director, Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
The ministry cautioned that water levels in River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger are on the rise, posing additional danger.
The ministry urged state governments, emergency agencies and stakeholders to act promptly to mitigate the risks, stressing that early evacuation and feedback were critical to reducing casualties.
5. Dangote: ‘NUPENG And Co Are Doing Mere Sabotage, Conspiracy Against Nigerians’ – Osita Okechukwu
A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has expressed displeasure over the continued face-off between Dangote Refinery and labour unions in the sector, including NUPENG, PENGASSAN, DAPMAN, IPMAN and informal actors in the oil industry.
Naija News reports that the former Voice of Nigeria, VON, Director General, while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, stated that the actors in the oil industry are merely conspiring and sabotaging Nigerians.
He charged the ‘cabals’ in the oil sector to allow Dangote Refinery to provide relief to Nigerians in the oil value chain.
According to Osita, instead of conspiracy, the only “valid option left to stop Dangote’s monopoly is for the NNPCL to revive the four refineries, which had gulped over $10 million for rehabilitation, as competition cannot be in a vacuum”.
6. Resident Doctors Suspend Warning Strike After Two Days
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide warning strike, just two days after members downed tools to press home their demands.
Naija News reports that the doctors, who began the action on Friday morning, announced their suspension on Saturday night and directed members to resume work today (Sunday).
The President of the association, Dr. Tope Osundara, confirmed the decision in a communique made available to journalists on Sunday morning.
However, Osundara did not provide details of the specific demands that had been addressed as of the time of filing this report.
7. Court To Hear Nnamdi Kanu’s Motion For Transfer To National Hospital
The Federal High Court in Abuja will on Monday hear a motion filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking transfer to the National Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Naija News reports that the motion, filed by his lawyer, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), is anchored on claims that Kanu’s health has deteriorated in detention, with doctors recommending immediate intervention.
Vacation judge, Justice Musa Liman, had earlier granted leave for the motion to be heard during the court’s recess.
The motion, dated September 2 and filed on September 3, is marked FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015 — the same case in which Kanu is standing trial before Justice James Omotosho on terrorism-related charges.
In his application, Agabi told the court that Kanu had earlier filed for bail on May 19, but the request could not be heard before the court’s annual vacation.
He said the IPOB leader’s health had since worsened, necessitating an extensive medical examination.
The motion will be heard on Monday, with the court expected to determine whether Kanu should be transferred out of DSS custody for medical attention.
8. ‘I Lost Zeal To Continue Music After Sound Sultan’s Death’ – Seyi Shay
Nigerian singer cum songwriter, Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, better known as Seyi Shay, has opened up about how the death of her mentor, Sound Sultan, affected her music career.
Naija News reports that Seyi Shay, in an interview with TVC, said she lost the zeal to continue music after Sound Sultan’s death.
The ‘Your Matter’ crooner further explained that she became pregnant with her daughter around the same period, which also encouraged her to embark on a break due to the toxic nature of the music industry.
9. AFN Breaks Silence On Tobi Amusan’s ‘Nylon Bag Kits’
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has dismissed allegations by world record holder, Tobi Amusan, that Nigerian athletes were handed poor-quality kits at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, insisting that the hurdler received the same items as her teammates and even enjoyed preferential treatment.
Naija News reports that Tobi Amusan had on Friday night taken to Snapchat to vent her frustration over what she described as the “embarrassment” of representing Nigeria.
The 28-year-old claimed that while athletes from other countries received suitcases of apparel, Nigeria’s representatives were given only “small nylon bags” with two questionable competition outfits and no footwear, despite officials collecting shoe sizes.
She threatened to wear her own training tights and shoes.
However, AFN President Tonobok Okowa has berated the athlete, insisting that Amusan’s claims were misleading, stressing that the kits were supplied free of charge by Hiracer, a global sportswear sponsor supporting 20 nations at the championships.
He added that the distribution was uniform across countries and denied that Nigeria was shortchanged.
Okowa admitted that the only missing item was a travel bag, but explained that the World Athletics body had already provided bags to all competitors.
He further revealed that Hiracer promised podium bonuses as incentives.
10. Premier League Matchweek 4 Recap: Salah Sends Liverpool Top Again As Haaland Shines In Derby
Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a heart-stopping 1-0 victory over newly promoted Burnley in their encounter on Sunday at Turf Moor Stadium.
Naija News reports that Arne Slot’s men earned all three points courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty converted by Mohamed Salah after a handball by Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri in the 95th minute.
Burnley had shown grit, defending well for most of the match despite being reduced to 10 men following Ugochukwu’s red card in the 84th minute.
In the Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City delivered a commanding performance to defeat Manchester United 3-0.
For United, the derby loss is worrying; their season is off to a rocky start.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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