Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 25th October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 25th October, 2025

1. President Tinubu Sacks Chief Of Defence Staff, Musa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sacked his Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

Naija News reports that the announcement was contained in a statement on Friday by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

According to the statement, General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), replacing General Christopher Musa, who has held the position since 2023.

Other new appointees include Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, will retain his position in the reconstituted service hierarchy.

President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed his “most profound appreciation” to the outgoing Service Chiefs, particularly General Musa, for their patriotic service, dedication, and leadership during their tenure.

“The President expresses most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.

The President said the shake-up was designed to infuse renewed energy and direction into the armed forces amid evolving security challenges across the country.

President Tinubu charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, vigilance, and unity in safeguarding the nation.

2. Why I Sacked Chief Of Defence Staff, Others – President Tinubu Speaks After Sack Of Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu on Friday declared that he changed the nation’s service chiefs as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

Naija News reports that President Tinubu made the revelation in a statement shared via his 𝕏 account.

In his submission, Tinubu appreciated the outgoing service chiefs for their years of service and dedicated leadership and urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties professionally and ensure the Armed Forces serve Nigeria with honour.

He affirmed the appointment of General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff, while Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

3. There Is Nothing I Have Said About PDP That Has Not Come To Pass – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that he foresaw the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before it began.

He stated that everything he said about the party has now come to pass.

Wike warned that the PDP will continue to lose if the party’s problems are not resolved.

Speaking on Friday during his monthly media parley in Abuja, the Minister described the defections going on in the party as embarrassing.

He said: “Right from day one, I’ve said it that with what is going on, if it continues to go on, PDP will continue to lose. Things are not done properly, and we will regret it. And that’s what it’s today.

“It’s very embarrassing. One of the governors was the chairman of the convention committee. It’s very embarrassing. Even though I know they were all playing games. I said it from the beginning. There’s nothing I said that haven’t come to pass. Tell me one.”

4. Tell Nigerians The Truth About Change Of Service Chiefs – ADC Challenges Tinubu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concerns about the sudden change of service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu.

The party, in a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, acknowledged the President’s powers to change the service chiefs, but noted that the action raises further suspicion amid recent reports of an attempted coup.

The ADC asked President Tinubu to be honest with Nigerians about the real reasons behind what it described as the rather abrupt change in the leadership of the Nigerian military.

Naija News recalls that President Tinubu, on Friday, made sweeping changes in the nation’s military hierarchy, dismissing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.

The President explained that he changed the nation’s service chiefs as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

However, the ADC, in its reaction, claimed that the actions of the government in response to the dangerous rumour of a recent coup leave more to be desired in terms of accountability of the Tinubu government to Nigerians.

The opposition party noted that nearly all the Service Chiefs that have been removed were appointed only 28 months ago, with the current Chief of Defence Staff himself appointed just a year ago as Chief of Army Staff.

It added that this kind of decision has serious and far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks and therefore could not have been taken without strong reasons.

The ADC, therefore, insisted that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened.

5. ‘Governors Will Bury This Party’ – Wike Speaks On PDP’s Structure

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not survive its current crisis if its governors continue to sideline key stakeholders.

Naija News reports that Wike issued the warning on Friday while speaking during his monthly media parley with journalists in Abuja.

According to the former governor of Rivers State, the actions of some PDP leaders could spell doom for the opposition party if not urgently addressed.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike said, “Have I not said it before now that the way this present governors are doing, they will bury this party?

“Before now, that as opposition, we don’t need to act with impunity. Look, I’m an FCT minister for Christ’s sake, forget about whatever you think.

“Are you telling me as it is today, because I’m not a governor, you go and hold PDP meetings, you call them stakeholders, and then you exclude me, and then you want to survive?

“Look, assuming I’m not even an FCT minister, but the role I played in PDP till now, simply because I’m not a governor, I cannot be consulted in taking decisions of the party? Certainly not.

“So when you say, let me tell you, and I have told them, just mark it, all this one you are calling APC, calling this and that, rubbish. Is it the APC that’s making you to take the wrong decision?

“Is it the APC that’s making you to take the wrong decision? What is there? You mean I will sit and then two, three people said because they are governors, they get too much allocation. Then you go and decide, and then you tell me, follow, follow who?

“When we are governors, why was it that no governor left? You see that we didn’t have problems? We fought to the chairman of the party. We’ve gone to the Supreme Court. You know that, why is it that people didn’t leave?”

6. No Fresh Charges – Police Reveal Real Reason Sowore Was Rearrested

The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports that former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was rearrested on Friday due to fresh charges against him.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who made the clarification, explained that media reports that Sowore was rearrested based on fresh charges and would be charged in court on Monday are procedurally incorrect.

Naija News recalls that Police officers in Abuja on Friday re-arrested Sowore, moments after he was granted bail by Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’d of the Kuje Magistrate Court over his participation in a protest for the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The incident happened outside the court premises where Sowore and 13 others had just been released on bail.

The incident was followed by reports that the publisher was arrested based on fresh charges and would be charged to court on Monday.

However, Hundeyin, while reacting to one of the publications on the happening in court, explained that Sowore was not re-arrested, but was remanded in prison pending the time he meets his bail conditions as pronounced by the court.

7. ‘No Time To Take Chances’ – Nigerians React As Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs After Alleged Coup

Nigerians have reacted to the sacking of Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs, barely a week after reports that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had apprehended several officers, including a Brigadier-General and a Colonel, for alleged involvement in a planned move to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News reports that in a statement by Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media & Public Communication, Sunday Dare, Musa was replaced by General Olufemi Oluyede, who, until the new appointment, was Chief of Army Staff.

Major-General W. Shaibu was named as the new Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke is the new Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

However, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye, retained his position.

Tinubu’s latest action has sparked reactions on social media, with many Nigerians claiming the sack may be linked to the alleged coup attempt.

8. Nollywood Actor, Williams Uchemba Demands Public Execution Of Kidnappers

Nollywood actor, Williams Uchemba, has called for public execution of convicted kidnappers in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the thespian made the call in the wake of kidnappings happening in the country, and many have expressed fear as the yuletide draws closer.

In a video shared on his Instagram page on Friday, Williams argued that if people do not see the consequences of crimes such as kidnapping, the crime rate will continue to flourish.

The film star also cited China, stating that the capital punishment for kidnapping and corruption in the country is death.

9. I Am A Rich Man’s Kid, I Am Not Interested In Working – Kiddwaya

Reality TV star Kiddwaya has revealed that he is not interested in pursuing a career.

The 32-year-old explained that his father, Terry Waya, is a rich man, hence he has no interest in working.

Speaking on an episode of the Off The Record podcast, Kiddwaya said he wakes up every day and decides the destination he wants to party with his friends.

“What I do for a living is that I wake up, decide what destination I want to fly to, go there with my boys and girls, have fun, drink, eat, and party. And we repeat,” he said.

“I’m not interested in working. I can tell you I’m into oil and trade, but that’s not my truth. My truth is that I’m a rich man’s son, and I’m living my life from January to January, having fun.”

The former Big Brother Naija housemate added that marriage would not alter his lifestyle, noting that he would only consider marrying a woman who shares his passion for enjoyment.

However, Kiddwaya maintained that he still “works hard” to uphold his integrity and his family’s reputation by staying away from scandals. He further argued that many people in his position would have misused the privileges he has if they were in his shoes.

10. Super Falcons Edge Closer To WAFCON Qualification After Confident Win Over Benin

Super Falcons of Nigeria tightened their grip on a place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a comfortable 2-0 win over the Benin Republic in Friday’s first-leg qualifier at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo.

Super Falcons of Nigeria tightened their grip on a place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a comfortable 2-0 win over the Benin Republic in Friday’s first-leg qualifier at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo.

Goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo sealed a well-deserved victory for the nine-time African champions, who looked composed and purposeful from the opening whistle.

Ihezuo broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, lifting the ball neatly over the Beninese goalkeeper after a clever pass from Deborah Abiodun split the defence.

Moments later, Abiodun turned provider again, setting up Okoronkwo to double the lead just before halftime with a calm finish that left the hosts chasing shadows.

Benin, still chasing a maiden WAFCON appearance, tried to fight back in the second half but found it difficult to break down Nigeria’s backline. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was alert when called upon, keeping a clean sheet with a handful of smart saves, while veteran defender Osinachi Ohale marshalled the defence with authority.

Coach Justin Madugu made a triple substitution in the closing minutes, bringing on Asisat Oshoala, Christy Ucheibe, and debutant Joy Omewa to close out the game and preserve the result.

The victory puts Nigeria in a commanding position ahead of the second leg on Monday, October 28, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta. A draw or another win there would see the Super Falcons book their ticket to next year’s WAFCON in Morocco.

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