Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025

1. Supreme Court Takes Fresh Decision On Tinubu’s State Of Emergency In Rivers State

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, reserved judgment in a suit challenging the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

A seven-man panel of Supreme Court judges, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, took the decision after parties in the suit made their final presentations.

The date of ruling on the matter will be communicated to the parties involved by the apex court.

Naija News understands that the plaintiffs in the matter are the Attorneys General of 10 states, while the defendants are the Federal Government and the National Assembly.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, the fifth plaintiff, Delta State, decided to withdraw from the lawsuit. This decision was not contested by the counsel representing the federal government, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

2. President Tinubu Replaces Yilwatda, Seeks Senate Confirmation

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate, requesting the confirmation of Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro from Plateau State for appointment as a Minister.

Dr. Doro’s nomination follows the emergence of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July 2025.

The development was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement said the appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Naija News reports that until his emergence as the APC National Chairman, Yilwatda served as the minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development from October 2024 to July 2025 in the Tinubu cabinet.

3. Court Nullifies Ebonyi Council Chairmen, Councillors Election

A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday, nullified the election that produced the current 13 council chairmen and their councillors, describing the poll as unconstitutional.

Naija News reports that the court presided by Justice H.I.O. Oshoma faulted the conduct of the 2024 local government election by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), ruling that it violated provisions of the Electoral Act.

It, therefore, voided exercise and its outcomes, asking EBSIEC and the state government, who were the 2nd and 3rd respondents in the suit, not to conduct further local government elections in the state except in line with the provisions of the constitution and the Electoral Act.

The court, which granted most of the reliefs sought by counsel to the 1st plaintiff, Hamilton Ogbodo and the 2nd plaintiff, Chief Mudi Erhenede, granted a consequential order on the matter.

Hamilton Ogbodo, counsel to the 1st plaintiff, Samuel Udeogu, hailed the judgment of the court.

4. Presidency Lied, CAN Never Dismissed Reports Of Christian Genocide In Nigeria – Okoh

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has accused the Presidency of falsely attributing a claim to the body after a meeting with the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on the ‘Christian genocide’ controversy.

CAN, in a statement by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, on Tuesday, accused the presidency of falsely misrepresenting its position on the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The Christian body acknowledged meeting with Tinubu’s aide, but denounced, describing the situation as ‘so-called,’ as reported in Bwala’s account of the meeting.

CAN maintained that there were cases of targeted killings of Christians in several parts of Northern Nigeria and the Middle Belt region.

The body clarified that Bwala visited the CAN Secretariat at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, on Monday, during which he sought to understand their position on remarks made by United States Senator Ted Cruz, who described the persistent killings of Christians in Nigeria as a ‘Christian genocide’.

The body maintained that it told the presidential media aide during the meeting that Christians are facing targeted persecution in some parts of the country and sought the government’s intervention in arresting the situation.

5. Paedophiles To Face Life Imprisonment As Senate Passes New Bill

The Nigerian Senate has passed a life imprisonment bill against paedophiles and anyone who has sexual encounters with minors.

Naija News reports that Child sexual abuse in Nigeria is a criminal offence under several sections of Chapter 21 of the country’s Criminal Code. The legal age of consent is 18.

A 2015 report by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) found that one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18.

The bill passed on Tuesday stipulates that any man or woman who engages in sexual intercourse with a minor (child) will face life imprisonment with no option of fines.

6. Tanker Explosion Kills 30, Injures 40 In Niger State

A petrol-laden tanker exploded on Tuesday, killing about 30 people and leaving 40 others injured along the Agaie–Baddegi Road in Niger State.

The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m. near Essa village after Agaie, was reportedly triggered when villagers attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.

Eyewitnesses told Leadership that most of the dead were among those collecting petrol from the accident scene before the sudden explosion.

Confirming the development, Niger State Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of NUPENG and National Ex-Officio, Comrade Farouk Mohammed Kawo, described the accident as devastating.

7. ‘I Don’t Mind If My Wife Is Sleeping With Someone’ – Blaqbonez

Nigerian rapper, Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, has said he is okay with having an open marriage.

Naija News reports that Blaqbonez, while featuring in a recent episode of the ‘In My Opinion’ podcast, explained that a lot of married couples experienced dwindling intimacy with time due to a lack of sexual exploration with other people.

According to him, there is more to marriage than sex, stressing that he does not mind if his partner sleeps with another person when he is not available.

8. Parents Need To Do Better – Tuoyo Knocks Regina Daniels’ Mum For Allowing Her Get Married In Her Teenage Years

Reality TV star Tuoyo Ideh has faulted actress Rita Daniels for allowing her daughter, Regina Daniels, to marry while still in her teenage years.

Naija News reports that in a post shared on Instagram, Tuoyo expressed disappointment over what he described as poor parenting among many families today.

He questioned how parents permit their children to make major life decisions without proper guidance or supervision.

The former Big Brother Naija housemate used Regina Daniels’ marriage as an example, stating that her mother should not have allowed the actress to wed at such a young age.

He said it was wrong for a parent to give consent to a teenager who was not mature enough to understand the responsibilities of marriage.

Tuoyo compared past generations with the present, saying that parents in earlier times closely monitored their children’s whereabouts and choices.

He lamented that many modern parents have become careless, allowing their children too much freedom at the expense of proper upbringing.

Tuoyo urged parents to take their duties seriously and ensure that their children grow up with proper discipline and protection.

9. Thibaut Courtois Blasts La Liga’s Decision To Take Barcelona-Villarreal Clash To Miami

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has slammed the plan to move Barcelona’s La Liga match against Villarreal to Miami, calling it a decision that “adulterates” the integrity of the Spanish top flight.

The league announced earlier this month that the December fixture would be played in the United States, marking the first time a competitive European league game would take place outside Europe. But Courtois believes the move completely undermines the spirit of fair competition.

The Belgian shot-stopper argued that Barcelona would gain an unfair edge by not having to face Villarreal at their notoriously difficult home ground, Estadio de la Cerámica.

His comments come amid growing resistance from players and fans. Over the weekend, the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) organised protests against the move, with players across the league standing still for 15 seconds at the start of matches. But not all of those moments were shown on TV broadcasts, which Courtois condemned.

10. Nottingham Forest Appoints Sean Dyche As New Manager After Postecoglou Exit

Nottingham Forest have turned to Sean Dyche in a bid to rescue their faltering Premier League campaign, appointing the former Everton and Burnley boss as their third manager this season.

The 54-year-old Englishman replaces Ange Postecoglou, whose turbulent 40-day reign ended after a 3–0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday. Dyche’s arrival follows the earlier sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo, who had guided the club back into Europe with a seventh-place finish last term.

Dyche, who signed a contract running until 2027, will take charge of the side for the first time on Thursday, when Forest host FC Porto in the Europa League.

A former Forest youth player, Dyche returns to the City Ground with the task of stabilising a team sitting 18th in the Premier League, having taken just five points from eight matches.

He has been out of work since his dismissal by Everton in January, following a two-year spell at Goodison Park.

Forest, who also considered Fulham’s Marco Silva and former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, opted for Dyche’s experience and reputation for discipline and defensive solidity.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.