Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 20th December, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 20th December, 2025.

1. Tinubu Presents ₦54.46 Trillion 2026 Budget

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has presented the 2026 budget of ₦54.46 trillion to a joint session of the National Assembly, with capital recurrent (non‑debt) expenditure standing at ₦15.25 trillion.

Naija News reports that the President fixed capital expenditure at ₦26.08 trillion and put the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.

The budget is anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

In terms of sectoral allocation, defence and security took the lion’s share with ₦ 5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure at ₦3.56 trillion.

Education got ₦3.52 trillion, just as health took ₦2.48 trillion in the proposal tagged, “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”.

2. “We Will Show No Mercy” – President Tinubu Declares During 2026 Budget Presentation

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, presented a ₦58.47 trillion 2026 federal budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The 2026 Budget is christened Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity, according to the President.

He added that the 2026 budget will witness a hard reset because, from April 2026, Nigeria will operate a single budget and there will be no rollover.

“This is a reset. A very hard one…By March 2026, all capital liabilities from the previous years will be fully funded. From April 2026, we will operate a single budget. No roll over…” he said.

Speaking during the budget presentation, Naija News reports that President Tinubu vowed that the government will show no mercy in the fight against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and all other forms of criminality, promising to deal with them decisively.

“We will show no mercy to all those who commit acts of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. We will fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and violent crimes…” President Tinubu declared.

3. ‘Consolidated Renewed Sufferings’ – PDP Rejects Tinubu’s 2026 Budget

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2026 budget, describing it as a “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings” for Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the PDP said the budget, presented to the National Assembly and themed “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” does not reflect the realities faced by citizens since the inauguration of the Tinubu administration.

The statement was signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

The opposition party said Nigerians have endured worsening economic conditions under the current administration, while members of the governing class continue to live in affluence.

According to the PDP, claims of economic stabilisation are inconsistent with the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians, including hunger and the rising cost of living.

Reacting to Tinubu’s claim of a 3.98 per cent Gross Domestic Product growth rate, the PDP argued that economic growth does not automatically translate into improved living standards.

Citing the 2025 World Bank Poverty and Equity Brief, the party said more than 30.9 per cent of Nigerians currently live below the international extreme poverty line.

“This shows growth without prosperity,” the PDP stated, adding that whatever gains exist are not reaching the majority of citizens.

The PDP faulted the President for failing to identify the sectors responsible for the reported growth or those benefitting from it.

The party compared the 3.98 per cent growth rate to the 6.87 per cent recorded in 2013 under the last PDP-led Federal Government, noting that the earlier growth was driven largely by non-oil sectors such as agriculture and trade.

It said the current administration’s celebration of the growth figure contrasts sharply with prevailing hunger and economic hardship across the country.

While acknowledging the allocation for security in the 2026 budget, the PDP said funding alone would not address insecurity.

The party demanded effective and transparent implementation to ensure that the allocations result in modern equipment, adequate ammunition, improved intelligence and better welfare for security personnel.

4. Reps Raises Campaign Spending Limits For 2027 Elections, Presidential Candidates To Spend Up To ₦10 Billion

The House of Representatives has approved a significant increase in campaign spending limits for candidates contesting elective offices in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to amend the Electoral Act 2022 ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that the decision was taken during Thursday’s plenary following the clause-by-clause consideration of a report on the proposed amendments to the electoral law.

Under the approved changes, the maximum amount a presidential candidate can spend on electioneering campaigns was doubled from ₦5 billion, as stipulated in the existing Act, to ₦10 billion.

The lawmakers also approved a substantial upward review of spending ceilings for other elective positions across the country.

For governorship elections, the campaign expenditure limit was increased from ₦1 billion to ₦3bn, while senatorial candidates can now spend up to ₦500 million, up from the previous ₦100m.

Similarly, the spending cap for candidates seeking election into the House of Representatives was raised from ₦70m to ₦250m.

At the state level, candidates contesting seats in the State Houses of Assembly will now be allowed to spend a maximum of ₦100m, an increase from the former ₦30m limit.

For local government elections, the approved amendments allow chairmanship candidates to spend up to ₦100m on campaigns, compared to the ₦30m previously permitted.

Councillorship candidates also benefited from the review, with their spending limit doubled from ₦5m to ₦10m.

In addition to raising campaign expenditure limits, the House also approved a steep increase in the maximum amount an individual or organisation can donate to a candidate.

Under the proposed amendment, the donation ceiling was raised from ₦50m to ₦500m, a move lawmakers said aligns with present economic realities and the rising cost of political campaigns.

5. Why We Held Meeting With PDP Factional Leaders – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, 19th December 2025, confirmed it hosted factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at an interactive meeting.

INEC explained that the meeting was held as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Commission’s regulations ahead of forthcoming elections.

The statement quoted the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to have acknowledged receiving a number of correspondence from different quarters within the PDP requesting the Commission’s intervention on various issues.

INEC noted that the meeting was convened to provide a platform for open and constructive engagement, particularly in view of the conflicting correspondence received from the PDP, with a view to forging a common understanding and charting a clear path forward.

Amupitan also assured that all actions taken by INEC would be guided by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the Commission’s regulations and guidelines.

The INEC Chairman described the three as the legal frameworks underpinning the Commission’s operations.

He assured that INEC would be transparent in all of its dealings.

6. PDP Factions: ‘It Is Better To Disagree Than To Agree And Stagnate’ – Saraki

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has assured that the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be resolved soon.

Naija News reports that Saraki spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara state Capital, on Friday at the PDP Youth Summit organised by the state chapter to mark his 63rd birthday.

While acknowledging an internal crisis within the PDP, the former governor of Kwara State dismissed claims that the party is in shambles.

According to Saraki, the disagreement within the party was not unusual, adding that aggrieved factions within the PDP met with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve their issues.

PDP is currently factionalized along the lines of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Governor Seyi Makinde, and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.

While Wike’s faction produced Abdulrahman Mohammed as acting National Chairman, Makinde’s faction has Tanimu Turaki as its acting National Chairman.

The party broke into factions following the expiration of the tenure of the former acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

7. PDP Warring Factions Share Details Of Meeting With INEC

Details of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has surfaced.

Naija News reports that the warring factions of the PDP led by Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Kabiru Turaki met with INEC.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the meeting was a way of seeking solution to the lingering crisis rocking the party.

Both sides spoke to the media after their meeting with the electoral umpire at the INEC national headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking, Anyanwu described the INEC boss as a man who has been blessed by God with wisdom for calling the meeting, adding that the way they were addressed by the electoral umpire shows that INEC really want the PDP to continue to strive as the major opposition party in Nigeria.

He added that both sides were able to punch up the loopholes where the problem is coming from, adding that “It has to do with grief, aggression and ego of some people. As a matter of fact, as a responsible party, we believe in the rule of law, the electoral guidelines and the NEC guidelines.

“Yes, we all, Nigerians know that PDP has a mechanism of managing internal crisis. And that is what we are doing now. And I can tell you, we will come out strong and stronger.”

8. Labour Party Storms Sowunmi Residence, Offers Guber Ticket

The Labour Party (LP) in Ogun State has urged a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, to contest the 2027 governorship election on its platform.

Naija News reports that the Labour Party made the demand when its stakeholders, led by the state chairman, Oluwabukola Soyoye, visited Sowunmi at his residence in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, on Friday.

Soyoye urged the former spokesperson to ex–Vice President Atiku Abubakar to join the Labour Party and fly its flag in the 2027 governorship race, noting that the state needs a new era of governance and Sowunmi aligns with the party’s ideology and vision.

“We want you to come and join us in Labour Party, and to be our governorship candidate in the next election,”she added.

Responding, Sowunmi praised the Labour Party’s ideological stability and commended former presidential candidate Peter Obi for galvanising the party’s growing popularity

He noted that the Labour Party’s performance in the last presidential election, where it secured over six million votes compared to the ruling party’s eight million, demonstrated its growing influence and organic approach to politics.

Showunmi expressed his desire to contribute to the development of Ogun State, citing the state’s vast growth potential and the need to address key challenges.

9. ‘You Can Abuse And Call Me Names, I Did Not Do It Intentionally’ – Peller Apologizes Over Car Crash

TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, has broken his silence after a car crash on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

Naija News recalls that Peller was hospitalised following an accident on Sunday involving his newly-acquired Mercedes-Benz.

The accident occurred during an Instagram live session. A visibly emotional Peller was seen lamenting relationship-related issues and threatening to kill himself shortly before the car crash.

The content creator, who was on a livestream, repeatedly expressed concerns about his relationship ending and threatened to harm himself.

“I will use this car and have an accident right now,” he said during the livestream, and later added, “I’m scared. I’m scared. If you break up with me, people will be mocking me, they will be mocking me, they will be mocking me, they will be, they will be mocking me, they will not… Thank you, I’m going to kill myself.”

In a post via Instagram on Friday, Peller expressed remorse over the issue and apologised to Nigerians and his fans.

He admitted that the pressure of his personal life, coupled with the pain of his recent separation, led to a lapse in judgment that nearly cost him his life.

Peller also urged the public to stop bullying Jarvis, adding that the whole issue is not about her.

10. Super Eagles Confirm Wilfred Ndidi As New Captain Ahead Of AFCON 2025

Wilfred Ndidi has been officially appointed captain of the Super Eagles, stepping into the leadership role following the international retirement of William Troost-Ekong.

The confirmation was made on Friday, December 19, through the Super Eagles’ official 𝕏 account, drawing the curtain on the Troost-Ekong era and opening a new chapter for Nigeria’s national team.

Wilfred Ndidi has spoken about the responsibility that comes with the role and the importance of unity within the squad as Nigeria prepares for major tournaments ahead.

The 28-year-old midfielder will lead Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, having been chosen as Troost-Ekong’s successor to guide the team into a new phase of leadership.

Ndidi had already worn the captain’s armband during Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup playoff against DR Congo last month.

Troost-Ekong started that match on the bench as the Super Eagles, coached by Eric Chelle, were edged out 4-3 on penalties in the CAF qualifying final.

Naija News reports that the emergence of Ndidi as the long-term captain followed Troost-Ekong’s announcement on December 4 that he was stepping away from international football, leaving Ndidi as the standout choice to take over.

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