Top Nigerian News Highlights For Today

Good Morning, Nigeria! Let’s Dive Into Today’s Top Stories

Hey there, Nigeria! Welcome back to another edition of Naija News, where we bring you the latest headlines from across the nation. Today is Thursday, 27th March, 2025, and we’ve got some fascinating stories lined up for you. So, grab your coffee, and let’s get into it!

1. Presidency Stands Firm: Fubara Remains Governor, Despite Suspension

Alright, let’s start with a big one. The Presidency is making it crystal clear that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not outright remove Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and his deputy, Ngozi Odu. Instead, they’ve been suspended. This clarification came from Olusegun Dada, the Special Assistant to Tinubu on Social Media, who reacted to comments made by former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, at the birthday colloquium of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

Peter Obi wasn’t holding back. He criticized the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by Tinubu, arguing that democracy under the current administration has crumbled. But Dada fired right back, calling Obi a hypocrite and dangerously mischievous for praising Obasanjo as the foundation of democracy. He added that democracy in Rivers State was already in shambles when Fubara created an illegal four-man state assembly and even demolished the parliament building unilaterally on October 29, 2023.

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2. Atiku Speaks: Presidential Ambitions for 2027 Still Unclear

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is keeping everyone guessing about his political future. In a candid interview for the television show Untold Stories with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, Atiku admitted he’s uncertain about whether he’ll contest the presidency in 2027 against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While he previously announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to challenge Tinubu, Atiku emphasized that having a strong platform is crucial before making any decisions.

Speculation is rife about who might lead the coalition, with names like Peter Obi and Nasir El-Rufai being tossed around. But when asked directly if he plans to run again, Atiku was measured in his response: “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”

3. Rivers State: Sole Administrator Suspends All Political Appointees

Over in Rivers State, the government has taken a bold step. All political officeholders and appointees have been suspended immediately. This comes after President Bola Tinubu granted authority to the state’s Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 26, the Chief of Staff to the Administrator confirmed the suspension.

This move affects a wide range of officials, including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the Chief of Staff, all Honourable Commissioners, and chairpersons and members of various boards, councils, agencies, commissions, institutions, and parastatals. Additionally, all Special Advisers, Special Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants are included in the suspension. The statement also instructed these officials to transfer their responsibilities to Permanent Secretaries within their respective ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). If no Permanent Secretary is available, the most senior Director or Head of Administration will step in. This directive took effect on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

4. INEC Moves Forward: Recall Process Against Senator Natasha Begins

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is taking action against Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. On Wednesday, INEC confirmed that petitioners seeking her recall have updated their records, providing essential contact details such as telephone numbers and email addresses. As a result, the electoral commission has resumed the recall process.

According to a statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, the next step involves scrutinizing the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners. This ensures that the petition was signed by more than half of the registered voters in her constituency. INEC also sent a notice to Senator Natasha, copied to the leadership of the National Assembly, confirming the commencement of recall proceedings against her.

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5. Wike Takes a Shot: Promises to Ensure Atiku’s Defeat in 2027

Here’s a spicy one. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to make sure Atiku Abubakar doesn’t succeed in his presidential ambitions. This comes after Atiku addressed his decision not to select Wike as his running mate in the 2023 election, stating he has no regrets. In an interview with Untold Stories, Atiku tackled questions about the leadership crisis in the PDP that followed his choice.

Many believe that overlooking Wike, who led a rebellion within the PDP alongside five other governors, contributed to Atiku’s loss. Wike later claimed he worked against Atiku and delivered Rivers State for President Tinubu. When asked if he regretted not picking Wike, Atiku was firm: “No, not at all.” He explained that his decision was guided by the party’s process, recalling criticism he faced in 2019 for allegedly failing to consult widely when selecting Peter Obi as his running mate.

Wike, through his media aide Lere Olayinka, stated he has no regrets about Atiku’s decision and admitted to playing a role in Atiku’s defeat in 2023. He promised to ensure Atiku’s defeat in future elections as well.

6. Good News for Corps Members: Government Begins Payment of New NYSC Allowance

Finally, some good news for the youth! The Nigerian government has started disbursing the newly approved ₦77,000 monthly allowance for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, ending months of uncertainty. Several corps members have already received credit alerts reflecting the increased stipend. This decision comes shortly after Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande assured Nigerians in an interview on Channels TV that the backlog of payments would be cleared by the end of March.

For months, the disbursement of the new allowance was stalled due to budgetary constraints and bureaucratic delays. Minister Olawande emphasized that while President Tinubu approved the allowance months ago, the disbursement depended on budgetary allocations, which weren’t in place at the time of the announcement.

7. Public Holiday Alert: Celebrate Eid-el-Fitr on Monday and Tuesday

Mark your calendars! The Bola Tinubu-led government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays to celebrate Eid-el-Fitr. This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims for successfully completing the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. He urged Muslims to embrace virtues like self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace, emphasizing the importance of love, forgiveness, and solidarity in building a harmonious society. He also called on all Nigerians to use this festive period to pray for peace, stability, and prosperity for the nation.

8. Nollywood Drama: Lilian Afegbai Shocked by $1,200 Aso-ebi

Nollywood actress Lilian Afegbai is not holding back her feelings about the high cost of aso-ebi. She took to Instagram on March 26, 2025, to express her displeasure after being asked to pay $1,200 for a friend’s wedding aso-ebi in Lagos. Lilian initially congratulated her friend upon receiving the wedding invitation but was shocked by the price tag of the chosen fabric.

She posted about the situation, questioning why aso-ebi is now being sold in dollars. Her post sparked a conversation online, with many agreeing that the cost of weddings in Nigeria is becoming unreasonably high.

9. Love and Drama: Natasha and 2Baba’s Turbulent Romance

Love is in the air—or maybe just drama. Veteran Nigerian singer 2Baba (formerly 2Face) may soon officially tie the knot with his new lover, Natasha Osawaru, after his marriage to Annie Idibia hit rocky waters. The relationship has been controversial, but the couple seems unfazed by the backlash.

A video of the lovers at Abuja-based clothier Seyi Vodi recently surfaced online, where Natasha casually asked when her wedding dress would be ready. Sources suggest Natasha is determined to marry 2Baba, with insiders speculating a traditional wedding could happen before the end of the year. However, not everyone is thrilled. 2Baba’s mother reportedly opposes the relationship and has vowed not to give her blessing to the marriage, remaining supportive of Annie.

Despite the opposition, 2Baba appears calm and resolute. While he hasn’t made any public statements about his wedding plans, those close to him say he’s committed to moving forward with Natasha.

10. Ola Aina: Super Eagles Will Make the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Football fans, here’s a message of hope for you. Nigerian defender Ola Aina remains optimistic that the Super Eagles will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a challenging qualifying campaign. In a recent match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe, leaving them in fourth place in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa by six points.

Despite the setback, Aina, who plays for Nottingham Forest, expressed unwavering faith in the team’s potential. In a Snapchat message, he confidently stated, “We will make this World Cup, chill,” showcasing the team’s resilience and determination.

That’s All for Today’s Headlines. Stay Tuned for More!

And there you have it, folks! These are the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Be sure to check out more Nigerian news on Naija News. We’ll see you again tomorrow with more updates. Stay safe, stay informed, and keep it real, Nigeria!