Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 13th June, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 13th June, 2026.

1. How Obasanjo’s Third Term Agenda, Life Presidency Plan Was Ended – Oshiomhole

Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has made a fresh claim about the alleged third-term agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming that the former Nigerian leader wanted to become a life president.

According to Oshiomhole, it took the staunch determination of the National Assembly under Senator Ken Nnamani to stop Obasanjo from transforming himself into a president for life, like President Paul Biya of Cameroon, and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, if he had succeeded with the plan to amend the constitution to allow for the third term.

Naija News reports that Oshiomhole made the claim while speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, during the lecture titled “June 12 and Beyond: Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns” to mark the 2026 June 12 celebration.

He stated that Nnamani resisted the pressure of a third-term agenda despite being in the same political party as Obasanjo.

The former Governor added that the National Assembly leadership at that time allowed proceedings to be televised so every lawmaker would be accountable for his or her position.

Also, Oshiomhole revealed that the country’s late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, was prepared to offer Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola anything in exchange for relinquishing his claim to the June 12, 1993, presidential mandate.

According to him, he was part of a delegation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that met with General Abacha in Abuja following the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

The former governor noted that despite mounting pressure and several attempts to persuade Abiola to accept conditions for his freedom, the late politician remained resolute in defending the mandate given to him by Nigerians.

Oshiomhole recalled that government officials and intermediaries repeatedly urged Abiola to renounce his claim to the presidency in exchange for his release from detention, but he refused.

According to him, Abiola was not ready to monetise or betray the confidence of Nigerians who voted for him in exchange for personal comfort and survival.

2. What Kind Of Democracy Do We Want? – Fashola Asks Nigerians

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has urged Nigerians to stop viewing elections as perfect exercises, saying the country should focus more on strengthening democratic institutions and improving electoral processes.

Fashola, a former Minister of Works, Housing and Power, said elections, especially in a large federation like Nigeria, involve complex logistics that make absolute perfection difficult to achieve.

Naija News reports that Fashola spoke on Friday at The Platform, a public policy forum held in Lagos as part of activities marking Democracy Day.

According to him, while elections remain central to democracy, citizens and political actors must understand the challenges involved in conducting nationwide polls.

The former governor said presidential elections require thousands of polling units across the country to conduct the same process at the same time, often under different local conditions.

He noted that such a huge operation could produce mistakes or shortcomings, adding that the challenge should be how to improve the system rather than weaken public confidence in elections.

Fashola also expressed concern over what he described as the growing refusal of some political actors to accept election results after losing.

He warned that such conduct could hinder democratic growth and weaken the role of the opposition in national development.

According to him, democracy does not end with victory or defeat at the polls.

He said opposition parties and unsuccessful candidates have important roles to play in holding the government accountable, offering alternative policies and contributing to the progress of society.

Fashola further urged Nigerians to broaden their understanding of democracy beyond elections and political contests.

He said the country must begin to ask deeper questions about the type of democratic system it wants to build and sustain.

“If we are to discuss democracy beyond elections, the question I ask is: What kind of democracy do we want?” he asked.

3. ‘Fruitful Discussions’ – Peter Obi Confirms Meeting With Dickson, Kwankwaso, NDC Leaders

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has disclosed that he held a meeting with the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Naija News reports that this is coming after Dickson confirmed a meeting was held with Obi to resolve internal issues rocking the opposition party.

In a statement titled ‘Together Towards the New Nigeria That Is Possible’ on his 𝕏 handle on Friday evening, Obi revealed he also met with his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

4. Legislature That Can’t Say No Is Useless To Democracy – Says Ex-Senate President Saraki

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has warned that democracy cannot survive without an independent legislature capable of questioning and scrutinising the actions of the executive arm of government.

Saraki said lawmakers must not reduce themselves to rubber stamps, adding that a legislature that merely approves proposals from the executive without proper scrutiny has failed in its constitutional duty.

Naija News reports that the former Kwara State governor spoke during the June 12, 2026, edition of The Platform, a public lecture organised by the Covenant Nation.

He said his experience as Senate President between 2015 and 2019 showed him that the legislature must have the courage and capacity to act independently in the interest of the people.

“So what I learned in those four years in the National Assembly is that a legislature that cannot say no is not a legislature at all. A legislature which simply receives executive proposals, approves them without scrutiny, and goes home has not fulfilled its constitutional mandate,” Saraki said.

“It has merely performed a ceremonial function. It’s an echo. A democracy made only of echoes is only one election away from becoming something else entirely.”

Saraki said the greatest danger to a free society was not the weakness of government, but the existence of a government that could not be questioned.

According to him, democracy becomes threatened when those in authority are not accountable to anyone.

He explained that the framers of the Nigerian Constitution deliberately created three arms of government to prevent the concentration of power in one place.

Saraki noted that although the executive, legislature and judiciary depend on one another in the running of government, they were designed to operate independently.

The former governor said disagreements between the executive and legislature should not always be viewed as a sign of crisis or dysfunction.

He said the Constitution was designed to allow both arms of government to challenge one another in order to protect the rights and freedom of citizens.

5. I Would Have Taken All The Money If I Wanted To – Obi Fires Back At Kenneth Okonkwo Over Bribery Allegations

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has responded to recent criticism from his former ally, Kenneth Okonkwo.

Naija News recalls that Okonkwo had alleged that Peter Obi and some South-East political leaders demanded or received money, about ₦10 million, from political aspirants in exchange for party tickets.

He also made claims during a television interview suggesting financial irregularities and bribery connected to ticket distribution in Obi’s political camp.

In response, Obi’s legal team dismissed the claims as false and defamatory and demanded ₦5 billion in damages plus a public apology, threatening a lawsuit if Okonkwo does not retract them.

Speaking during an interview on NoireTV, Obi dismissed allegations that he engages in unlawful or unethical political behaviour, insisting that his actions have always followed rules and proper guidelines.

“I can never act rascally. I have never been known as someone who operates rascally; I always operate within the rules and guidelines,” he said.

He added that people are free to say whatever they want about him, but maintained that he will not be part of the kind of practices he has long spoken against.

The former Anambra State governor also said that if he had intended to engage in wrongdoing, he would have done so while in office, instead of leaving public service with a clean record.

“If I wanted that, I would have done it when I left office as governor and taken all the money like any other person,” he added.

6. Aisha Yesufu Turned Down House Of Rep Ticket Peter Obi And I Offered To Her – Seriake Dickson

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has disclosed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, offered Aisha Yesufu a House of Representatives ticket, but she turned it down.

Naija News reports that Dickson made the disclosure while speaking at the party’s stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

According to him, Yesufu said she was too big for the position.

Yesufu had earlier accused Dickson of focusing on personal relevance instead of strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Naija News reports that Yesufu’s criticism followed Dickson’s appearance on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he addressed concerns surrounding the party’s recently concluded primaries and acknowledged reports of irregularities in the exercise.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the activist expressed disappointment with the former Bayelsa State governor’s comments and leadership approach.

Yesufu said she had remained committed to the party’s processes despite disagreements over the conduct of the primaries.

7. You Are Wearing An Oversized Shoe, Nigeria Is Not Lagos – Dino Melaye Slams Tinubu

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has urged President Bola Tinubu to resign over the insecurity crisis plaguing the country.

Naija News reports that Melaye stated this on Friday while reacting to the President’s Democracy Day broadcast.

Speaking in Abuja during the third posthumous legacy colloquium held in honour of the late founder of DAAR Communications, Raymond Dokpesi, Melaye argued that Tinubu’s speech failed to reflect the hardships confronting ordinary Nigerians.

Melaye also cited recent kidnappings and killings in Oyo and Kogi states as evidence of the country’s deteriorating security situation.

According to him, Section 42(b) of the Constitution has clearly emphasised that the security and the welfare of the people shall be the primary prerogative of the government.

The chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also blamed the administration for the economic hardship in the country, saying the effects were being felt across all segments of society.

8. Okocha Receives Special FIFA Recognition For Spain Masterclass At France ’98 World Cup

Super Eagles legend Augustine Okocha has been presented with a special “Superior Player of the Match” award for his outstanding performance in Nigeria’s famous 3-2 win over Spain at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

Okocha revealed the silver trophy in a video shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, June 11, opening a custom-made case containing the award.

The award is part of a joint initiative by Michelob ULTRA and Copa90 aimed at recognising exceptional individual performances from FIFA World Cups before the official Player of the Match award was introduced in 2002.

Organisers said they examined historical records and match archives to identify players whose displays deserved formal recognition across hundreds of World Cup fixtures.

Okocha’s award comes nearly three decades after one of the most memorable matches in Nigerian football history.

9. 2026 World Cup: Records Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Others Are Chasing

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico could become one of the most record-breaking tournaments in football history, with some of the game’s biggest names and most successful nations on course to rewrite the record books.

Data compiled by ActionNetwork.com before the tournament commenced on Thursday, June 11, shows that a host of individual and team milestones are within reach in the expanded tournament, with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe among the leading contenders to etch their names even deeper into World Cup folklore.

Messi and Mbappe are both closing in on the all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, set by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. The Argentina captain has scored 13 goals at the tournament, while France forward Mbappe sits on 12.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, could become the first footballer to score in six different World Cup editions. The Portugal star already stands alone as the only player to have found the net in five separate tournaments.

Messi is also in line to extend several records he already owns. The Argentine legend has made a record 26 World Cup appearances, played a tournament-high 2,314 minutes and captained his country in 19 matches, more than any player in history.

Both Messi and Ronaldo could set another landmark by becoming the first players to feature in six World Cups.

The pair have appeared in every edition since Germany 2006 and could make history again if they play in the ongoing edition of the tournament.

Mbappe also has a unique opportunity. Having scored in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals, the Frenchman could become the first player ever to score in three separate finals if France reaches another showpiece match.

Among the nations, defending champions Argentina could join an exclusive club by retaining the trophy. Only Italy and Brazil have successfully defended a World Cup title.

Brazil, the most successful nation in the competition’s history with five titles, could stretch that record to six.

The South Americans are also set to make a record 23rd World Cup appearance and could add to their existing marks for most wins and most goals scored at the tournament.

England and Uruguay have their own slice of history within reach. Victory in 2026 would see either nation surpass Italy’s record 44-year gap between World Cup triumphs.

Germany could further strengthen several records, including most runner-up finishes and most third-place finishes.

France, meanwhile, could become only the third country after Germany and Brazil to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.

Other records under threat include England’s mark for the most drawn World Cup matches, Mexico’s unwanted record for the most defeats, and Germany’s tally for goals conceded.

10. I Started Insulting Wizkid Because He Didn’t Acknowledge My Song ‘Machala’ – Carter Efe

Streamer Carter Efe has publicly appealed for help to connect with Afrobeats star Wizkid, saying he still hopes to be noticed by the singer despite past tensions between them.

Naija News reports that he made the appeal while speaking to Wizkid’s manager, Sunday Are, asking for assistance in reaching Wizkid.

Carter Efe said he loves Wizkid deeply and wanted a direct link to him.

He added that the singer’s lack of acknowledgement to his song Machala in the past pushed him to act out in frustration as a way of getting attention.

According to him, his actions were driven by admiration rather than hatred, and he still holds strong affection for Wizkid and his music.

“Tell Wizkid to help me abeg. Help me beg him. I love Wizkid. He didn’t reply me when I released Machala that’s why I was insulting him to get his attention”, he said.

In response, Sunday Are did not promise immediate access to Wizkid but instead offered him advice, encouraging him to handle the situation with maturity.

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