Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 14th September 2025.
1. Rivers Begins Transition To Democratic Governance As Fubara Return Nears
The Rivers State Government has announced the official transition from emergency rule to democratic governance.
Naija News reports that this was announced in a statement on Saturday by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika.
The Government announced that as part of the transition activities, the state would hold an interdenominational church thanksgiving service on Sunday, inviting all critical stakeholders for the service.
The thanksgiving is to hold at the Ecumenical Centre, Abonima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt at 10 am with all guests asked to be seated by 9:30 am.
Those invited are the permanent secretaries, local government chairmen, heads of state security, paramilitary agencies, traditional rulers, Chairmen and members of boards,m and captains of industries among others
Rivers Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) was named as the Special Guest of Honour.
2. South-South Governors Have Abandoned Their Parties For Tinubu’s Second Term Bid – APC Chair, Yilwatda
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has boasted that governors from the South-South and South-East have abandoned the political parties they belong to in support of President Bola Tinubu’s second term bid.
The APC Chairman, while speaking at the party’s 12th Expanded Stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, stated that the governors support Tinubu because they believe in his character.
Represented by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, South, Emma Eneukwu, Yilwatda maintained that governors and lawmakers are supporting the president to run for a second term due to his approach to governance.
According to him, “I am very happy with the South South geopolitical zone, because all the governors that were in the other political parties before have seen the quality of the character of the president and the person we are presenting and marketing to return as the President of the Federal Republic, because of what they saw in Mr President, they have all abandoned their own political parties, and joined our great party, so that they can put hands together to move Nigeria forward, and that is very commendable.
“From the South East, we use the South South as an example, because all the governors are very realistic, understanding, they have moved on abandoning their parties, just to make sure that their goal of making Nigeria a greater country is achieved.”
3. Yahaya Bello Betrayed Me After Promising Me That I’ll Become Governor After Him – Onoja
Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja, has claimed that the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello, promised that he would be his successor, but failed to fulfil his promise.
Onoja made the claim on Saturday during an interview with Channels Television, adding that the former Governor made the promise to him in 2019.
He added that he was shocked and disappointed when Bello went ahead to pick Usman Ododo as his successor despite the earlier promise made to him.
It would be recalled that Edward Onoja served as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State from 2019 to 2024. He was Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State from January 2016 to October 2019, when he assumed office as Deputy Governor.
4. Court Declares Lawmaker Wanted Over Alleged ₦73.6 Million Fraud
A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Adamu Aliyu, wanted over allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦73.6 million through a fake Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Friday after considering an application brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to court filings, the case began with a petition from businessman Mohammed Jidda, who alleged that Aliyu, representing Jos North-North constituency, promised to help him secure an ₦850m TETFund contract at the University of Jos.
Aliyu allegedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jidda, under which the petitioner agreed to pay ₦73.6m upfront once a contract award letter was issued. Another ₦52 million was to be paid to Imanal Concept Ltd, a company owned by Saad Abubakar, who was reportedly the facilitator of the deal.
Investigators said Aliyu later handed Jidda a purported contract award letter for the construction of an indoor sports hall under a TETFund project valued at ₦500m.
On the strength of the letter, Aliyu reportedly provided two bank accounts, his personal Guaranty Trust Bank account and Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account, for payment.
ICPC said Jidda deposited a total of ₦73.6m into the accounts. Bank records allegedly confirmed that ₦47.8m went into Aliyu’s GTBank account, ₦22.4m into Imanal Concept’s account, and another ₦3.2m directly to Aliyu.
However, when Jidda approached the University of Jos to begin the documentation process, the institution denied knowledge of the contract. It later confirmed in writing to ICPC that the award letter was a forgery.
5. Falana Slams FG, Akpabio Over Disobedience Of Court Orders
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has accused the Federal Government and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of undermine the rule of law.
He claimed that the government and influential individuals were disregarding court judgement
Speaking via a statement, Falana warned that such behaviour threatened the foundation of the rule of law.
He faulted Akpabio for what he described as the notorious nature of the Senate.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to prevent the state from collapsing, saying he ought to suspend his vacation and halt the “inexorable descent to anarchy and chaos in the country.”
The human rights lawyer also lamented that election riggers now openly dared aggrieved citizens to go to court, where outcomes had become predictable.
6. Peter Obi Not Meeting With Goodluck To Seek His Support – Yunusa Tanko
The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, has stated that former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, did not visit erstwhile president Goodluck Jonathan to seek political backing.
Naija News reports that Obi recently had a closed-door meeting with Jonathan.
However, Tanko, while speaking with Punch, clarified that the parley was not politically motivated but centred on national issues.
He disclosed that the duo had been meeting without the public’s awareness.
7. If DNA Tests Confirm That Your Husband Is The Father Of All Your Children I Will Give You Cash Gift – Soludo’s Wife Dares Ekwunife
The first lady of Anambra State, Nonye Soludo has berated the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), senator Uche Ekwunife, over what she described as malicious allegations” against her family.
Recall that Ekwunife had alleged that Governor Chukwuma Soludo and his wife were part of the administration of late Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju between 1999 and 2003.
Ekwunife stated this while reacting to reports that her academic qualifications were questionable.
Speaking via a statement on Saturday, Soludo dared Ekwunife to a public oath and DNA tests on her children.
She warned that legal actions would be taken against the Senator if she does not withdrew her claims and apologised within 72 hours.
The First Lady further issued a challenge to Ekwunife, “Since she claims to be a converted Catholic, I challenge her and both of us to swear an oath of fidelity and chastity at any Cathedral in front of the Blessed Sacrament. I will also swear with my children that I have known only one man, Chukwuma Soludo,” she added.
She also proposed DNA tests for both families, to be conducted in three reputable hospitals in London, stressing that she would bear all expenses.
8. Rapper DDG Plans Relocation To Lagos, Says He’s Tired Of Los Angeles
American rapper, Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., popularly known as DDG, has announced plans to leave Los Angeles for Lagos, Nigeria.
Naija News reports that the development comes as he continues a custody battle with his former partner, actress and singer Halle Bailey, over their 17-month-old son, Halo.
The rapper expressed frustration with life in Los Angeles and said he is eager to begin a new chapter in Lagos.
He wrote on X, “I’m so tired of living in LA. I can’t wait til I move to Lagos, Nigeria.”
His decision follows earlier hints in January 2025, when he mentioned that he was weighing relocation to either London or Lagos after growing dissatisfied with his experience in the United States.
The custody dispute with Bailey has drawn public attention, with the actress previously accusing DDG of abuse and securing a temporary restraining order against him.
9. Phyna’s Sister, Ruth Otabor Buried In Ogun State
Phyna, winner of the Big Brother Naija Level Up season, has buried her younger sister, Ruth Otabor, weeks after a tragic road accident that claimed her life.
Ruth was involved in a crash on August 13, 2025, when a truck belonging to the Dangote Group hit her near Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State, just six days after her graduation.
Naija News reports that the accident left her with severe injuries, including the amputation of one leg, damage to the other, as well as head and hand injuries.
Despite efforts to save her, the 24-year-old lady died on August 31 at about 6:30 a.m., as announced by the family through their legal representatives.
Her remains were conveyed from Ebony Mortuary, Ikoyi to her residence in Ikorodu, Ogun State.
Naija News reports that a video circulating online from the burial shows Phyna surrounded by friends and ex-BBNaija housemates, including Christy O and Groovy, who stood by her during the emotional ceremony.
The Dangote Group had earlier expressed sorrow over the death, insisting it had covered Ruth’s medical bills, made arrangements for treatment abroad, and provided support to the family.
However, the loss has sparked public outrage, with many calling for justice and better corporate responsibility regarding road safety.
10. Arteta Hails Madueke’s Exceptional Display In Arsenal’s 3-0 Win
Arsenal secured all three points in their encounter against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening to continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.
In a post-match interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lauded Noni Madueke for his outstanding performance as the Gunners cruised to a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Naija News reports that Madueke, who operated down the right flank, was a constant menace for the visitors and capped off what Arteta described as an “exceptional” outing.
“The new ones that started, five of them today, I was really impressed with them,” Arteta told reporters after the game.
“You can sense and feel that there are new relationships flourishing there. They are going to give us different things to be unpredictable. Noni, I thought he was exceptional. We played a front three that had never played together before. Overall, I am very happy.”
The former Chelsea winger was one of five summer recruits to make the starting line-up, alongside Martin Zubimendi, who scored twice to put the game beyond Forest.
Arteta expressed satisfaction with how quickly the new players have settled into the team, insisting their impact would make Arsenal unpredictable” in the coming weeks.
The victory takes Arsenal’s tally to nine points from four fixtures, keeping them firmly in the hunt at the top end of the Premier League table.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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