Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 26th October, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 26th October, 2025.

1. ‘Over 50 Generals To Retire As Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday announced sweeping changes in the military high command, sacking the service chiefs and appointing their replacements.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the action was part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.

The President named former Army Chief, General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.

Others appointed are:

• Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff
• Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff
• Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff

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

Naija News understands that the development is expected to spark mass retirements within the military hierarchy. By tradition, senior officers who are contemporaries of the outgoing service chiefs are likely to proceed on retirement.

The newly appointed service chiefs are from Course 40 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replacing their predecessors from Course 39, including General Oluyede.

Under military convention, officers from senior courses cannot serve under their juniors. This means generals from Course 39 and some from Course 40 will have to retire to pave the way for the new leadership.

According to Leadership Weekend, members of Course 39 still occupy key roles such as Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutes.

Military sources who spoke with the platform disclosed that more than 50 senior officers are likely to voluntarily leave service following the appointments.

2. Call Matawalle To Order – PDP Elders Cry Out To Tinubu Over Defection Campaign

The Northern Elders Unity Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, of trying to lure it’s members into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The elders made the claim in a statement on Saturday by the Forum’s National Secretary, Abbas Sadauki (Dan Madamin Tofa), after a strategic meeting of PDP elders from Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, Tsafe, and Bungudu local governments.

According to the elders, Matawalle was using state influence and excessive wealth to coerce PDP supporters, including elected and party executives, into joining the APC, a move it said was aimed at weakening the opposition and destabilizing democratic balance in the region.

The group alleged that Matawalle’s actions were part of a calculated political agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Matawalle has embarked on a desperate mission to dismantle the PDP structure in Zamfara and across the North-West.

“His antecedents of using power and appointments to induce defections have created leadership vacuums and threatened the growth of democracy in our region,” Sadauki stated.

The Forum expressed concern that the ongoing defection campaign is misleading many loyal PDP members with false promises of greener pastures in the APC, warning that such actions undermine political fairness, justice, and Nigeria’s democratic progress.

3. PDP Names Jegede Chair Of National Convention Screening Panel

The National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Ondo State gubernatorial candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), as Chairman of its Screening Committee ahead of the party’s elective convention.

Naija News reports that the Chairman of the NCOC and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, announced the appointments in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the panel would screen all aspirants for national offices ahead of the 2025 PDP Elective National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

According to Fintiri, the screening exercise will be held on Tuesday.

Other members of the committee include Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa as Deputy Chairman, Asue Ighodalo as Secretary, and Jacob Otorkpa as Deputy Secretary.

Also on the panel are Emmanuel Enoidem, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Maryam Ciroma, Felix Hyat, Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will serve as member/administrative secretary.

Fintiri charged members of the committee to carry out their duties diligently, noting that the assignment was crucial to the party’s preparations.

“The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the party on members of the committee,” he said.

4. 2027: APC Speaks On Zoning Kwara Governorship Ticket

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Sunday Fagbemi, says the party has not decided on zoning its governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fagbemi, who spoke on a radio programme monitored on Friday, explained that zoning decisions remain the prerogative of the party’s national leadership.

“If there will be any zoning, the national executive of the party will give the directive. But as of now, nothing of such is on the offing. We have not even discussed it because we don’t have the schedule decided yet. Anyone who has interest to vie for any position has the right to do so,” he said.

The APC chairman clarified that even if the Kwara chapter reaches a position on zoning, it would still require ratification from the party’s national secretariat.

“Even if we decide in Kwara that this is what we want, it is still subject to approval from the national secretariat,” he stressed.

His remarks come amid renewed calls from stakeholders in Kwara North Senatorial District for the APC to zone its 2027 governorship ticket to the area, which has never produced a governor since the return of democracy in 1999.

The zoning debate continues to dominate political discourse in the state as the ruling APC prepares for another election cycle.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who first assumed office in 2019, is expected to complete his second and final term in 2027, constitutionally barring him from seeking re-election.

5. Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer, Ejimakor Collapses In Kuje Prison

The special counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has reportedly collapsed inside Kuje Prison in Abuja.

According to Sahara Reporters, his collapse comes just a day after the magistrate in charge of his case refused to sign his bail bond.

The incident occurred after Ejimakor and twelve others, including Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, were arrested by police during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.

They were allegedly beaten, teargassed, and taken to the State CID before being moved to Kuje Prison on the order of Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id, who remanded them without the presence of their lawyer.

Reports alleged that Ejimakor became weak and unable to sit or stand on Friday morning.

Nurses at the Kuje Prison clinic are currently attending to him, and there are indications that he may be transferred to a hospital if his condition worsens.

Ejimakor was arraigned alongside human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, but their bail process stalled after the magistrate who granted it failed to sign the necessary documents.

Sources within the prison told Sahara Reporters that Ejimakor’s health has been deteriorating since his detention, and his legal team has been unable to gain access to him since his collapse.

6. Yahoo Boys Are Geniuses Who Need Redirection – Peter Obi

The former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the inordinate pursuit of wealth by internet fraudsters.

Addressing a gathering of young people during the Golden Health Conference held at the Archbishop Patterson Auditorium, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha on Saturday, he described internet fraudsters popularly called Yahoo boys as “geniuses who need redirection.”

The conference, themed “Money Beyond Wealth,” brought together students, professionals, and youth leaders to discuss the moral, social, and economic dimensions of wealth creation.

Obi, while speaking during the event, stated that only money gotten through ethical means can be described as real wealth.

He said, “Money becomes real wealth only when it is earned through ethical means and used to uplift both the individual and society in an edifying manner.”

Obi observed that despite the fraudsters moral misdirection, many of them possess rare intelligence and creativity that, if properly guided, could drive innovation and national development.

“Looking at what they do, there is no doubt that many of them are geniuses. The challenge before us as a society is to redirect them, to channel their ingenuity into productive ventures that will not only dignify them but also edify society,” he said

Lamenting the state of moral decay in the country, Obi attributed much of it to leadership failure and the bad examples set by those in power.

“We cannot build a healthy society when those in authority glorify greed, celebrate impunity, and promote corruption,” he remarked.

He further stressed that rebuilding the nation must begin with restoring integrity in public life.

7. I Was Informed That Boko Haram Now Use Drones – Gov Zulum Raises Alarm

The governor of Zamfara State, Babagana Zulum has disclosed that Boko Haram insurgents are now deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to carry out surveillance and attacks in parts of the North-East.

Speaking in Mafa on Friday after an attack by the insurgents, Zulum expressed concern over the development.

He urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to review and strengthen Nigeria’s airspace security to counter the new threat.

“The major issue I want to raise here is the use of drones. I was informed that they used drones in Dikwa. This is extremely worrisome,” Zulum said.

He warned that the proliferation of drones in the hands of enemies of the state posed a grave danger to national security and called for urgent inter-agency collaboration to curb the emerging trend.

Zulum also emphasised the need to tighten border security and enhance Nigeria’s aerial defence systems, stressing that such measures must be implemented without delay.

“We need to improve the protection of our airspace. This is an urgent step that should not be delayed,” he added.

8. Service Chiefs Removal: ‘He Acted Swiftly And Panicky Because Of Coup, Not Insecurity’ – Shehu Condemns Tinubu

A public affairs analyst, Mahdi Shehu, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent reshuffling of Nigeria’s service chiefs was driven by selfish political interests rather than the worsening insecurity across the country.

In a post on his official 𝕏 handle on Saturday, Shehu claimed the President acted out of fear and survival instincts following speculations of a coup plot.

Quoting James 3:16 of the Bible, Shehu wrote, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

He argued that the scripture reflected Tinubu’s alleged motives, saying, “The scriptural references to man’s selfishness are well narrated and documented with visible confirmation by man himself. Man’s greed and insatiable economic desires give further credence to his infinite capacity for selfishness.”

Shehu faulted the President for ignoring several violent crises across the country while retaining the same military leadership.

He listed incidents of killings and sacked villages in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Yobe, Borno, Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, lamenting that these tragedies were not enough to force changes in the military.

Describing the shake-up as “a coup shrouded in darkness,” Shehu alleged that the President only became decisive when his political survival was at risk.

He further criticised Tinubu’s handling of the economy, accusing him of retaining what he called “a wizardly economic team” despite widespread hardship.

9. Reginal Daniels Releases New Video Days After Viral Video

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has shared her first public post since reports of a crisis in her marriage to billionaire businessman and lawmaker, Ned Nwoko.

The actress posted a video on Saturday of herself travelling with her brother and friends on a private jet, appearing calm and cheerful despite the controversy.

Her post comes after a trending video had alleged that Regina was a victim of domestic violence in her marriage.

Reacting to the claims, Senator Ned Nwoko issued a statement on his verified Instagram page, insisting that he had never been violent toward his wife.

Instead, he accused Regina of substance abuse and aggressive behaviour, which he described as the real cause of their marital problems.

According to him, within a span of 48 hours, Regina allegedly attacked three domestic staff and destroyed properties, including vehicles and windows.

Nwoko further revealed that he had arranged rehabilitation programmes for his wife in Asokoro and abroad, but claimed she refused to participate because such programmes would limit her access to drugs.

He expressed concern for Regina’s safety and the well-being of their child, saying her recent behaviour had become increasingly erratic.

While she did not directly address the allegations, Regina appeared to put the rumours to rest by sharing the video of her trip.

The clip, posted on her Instagram story, showed her smiling and relaxed in the company of family and friends aboard the private jet.

10. Ned Nwoko Clears Air On Viral Video Of Alleged New Wife

Nigerian Senator, Ned Nwoko, has reacted to a viral video showing a young woman whom social media users claimed to be his new wife.

Naija News understands that the rumours emerged amid talks about the crisis in his marriage with actress Regina Daniels.

The Delta North senator dismissed the rumour, describing it as false and baseless.

He explained that the lady in the video had visited him with her team as part of the Peace Ambassadors Initiative led by Ambassador Dr Adejo Sule.

According to him, the photos and videos from the visit were normal records taken during official meetings and public events.

Nwoko frowned at those spreading the rumour, accusing some blogs and individuals of twisting innocent encounters into false marriage claims for attention.

He warned that such actions could lead to legal action under the Cybercrime Act of 2015.

The senator made it clear that he had no personal connection with the woman in the viral clip and urged the public to stop believing misleading stories circulating online.

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