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Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 23rd August, 2026.
1. APC Campaign Council: Edu, Olejeme Get Key Roles Despite Corruption Cases
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and ex-chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Ngozi Olejeme, have been named members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign council.
Naija News reports that the APC unveiled the campaign council on Saturday, appointing former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named Secretary.
Edu and Olejeme were assigned roles in the campaign structure despite having previously faced allegations and investigations relating to financial misconduct.
Edu, who appears as number 97 on the campaign council list, was appointed Director of Women’s Mobilisation.
Her inclusion comes more than two years after President Bola Tinubu suspended her as humanitarian affairs minister over a controversial financial transaction.
2. Defection: ‘Wait For My Final Order, I’m Consulting’ – Goje Tells Supporters
Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has ruled out the possibility of defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Naija News reports that this comes amid growing speculation over Goje’s political future following his loss of the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central and his subsequent omission from INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 elections.
There are also rumours that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will offer him its senatorial ticket.
Recall that INEC’s final list, released earlier in August, did not include Goje among the candidates for the Gombe Central senatorial seat.
Speaking to his supporters on Saturday at his residence in Gombe, Goje, who has represented Gombe Central in the Senate since 2011, said he was consulting political stakeholders and would announce his next political move at the appropriate time.
The former governor urged them to remain loyal to the party’s leaders and prepare for his eventual directive.
3. ‘Tinubu Has No Plan To Change Anti-people Policies’ – Donald Duke
Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has said the exchanges between the President Bola Tinubu administration and leading opposition parties had made it clear to him that there is no plan to review or change what he described as key anti-people policies.
Naija News reports that Duke, in a statement issued on Saturday, accused Tinubu’s administration of pursuing economic policies that leave Nigerians poorer while the government benefits financially.
According to the former Governor of Cross River State, Nigerians are bearing the weight of an economic direction that has failed to deliver relief, and the country cannot afford to keep defending or debating policies that deepen poverty instead of creating growth and better livelihoods.
Duke called for a shift from political arguments to practical, carefully considered economic measures that can address the twin challenges of growth and widespread poverty.
4. Kwara APC Loses 12 Executives After Senator Mustapha’s Defection
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has suffered a fresh setback after 12 executive members in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area, resigned.
Naija News reports that the ward officials resigned from both their positions and membership of the APC shortly after the departure of Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly.
Mustapha recently left the ruling party and moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His decision has now been followed by a number of party officials in his ward, with 12 executives choosing to leave the APC.
Among those who resigned are the ward chairman, Aliyu Abdulhakeem, and the secretary, Abdulwaheed Adanla.
Both officials submitted separate resignation letters to the APC leadership in Ilorin East Local Government Area on Friday.
Ten other members of the ward executive later submitted a joint resignation letter, bringing the total number of departing officials to 12.
The officials included the ward treasurer, auditor-general, legal adviser and assistant auditor-general.
Other positions affected were assistant treasurer, assistant youth leader, assistant women leader, assistant secretary, assistant financial secretary, and assistant organizing secretary.
5. Why Tinubu Didn’t Appoint Me As Campaign DG – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he could not have been appointed Director General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council.
Naija News reports that Wike said his membership status outside the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his desire to retain his political influence in Rivers State made the position unsuitable for him.
The minister spoke on Saturday after inspecting the ongoing construction work on the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari roads in Abuja.
His comments came after the Presidency announced the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, appointed as the Director General.
Wike said he was not interested in taking a position that could distract him from his political responsibilities in Rivers State and the FCT.
He recalled the experiences of several politicians who headed presidential campaign teams but later lost their home states during the elections.
According to him, some former campaign directors general had devoted much of their time to national campaigns but were unable to secure victory in their own states.
6. Yari Accepts Appointment To Lead APC Presidential Campaign Council
Former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has accepted his appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Naija News earlier reported that a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had constituted the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
According to the statement, Yari will serve as the council’s Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was named Secretary.
Also, President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman I of the council, respectively.
In response, Yari, in a statement on Saturday, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the APC leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility.
Yari, who represents Zamfara West in the Senate, described the campaign as more than an electoral contest, saying it would be a conversation with the Nigerian people in every state, every language, every faith about the future we are building together.
The former Zamfara State governor pledged to conduct the campaign with discipline, unity and respect for all Nigerians, adding that work would begin immediately.
Yari also called on Nigerians across political divides to choose progress over division, stressing that the APC would seek to earn public confidence through its record rather than noise.
7. ₦800,000 Monthly On Drugs – Ronke Oshodi Opens Up On Health Challenge
Nollywood actress Ronke Oshodi-Oke has opened up on a difficult period in her life when she battled a serious health condition and spent as much as ₦800,000 every month on medication.
Naija News reports that the actress shared the experience during an interview on African A List, where she also spoke about the financial pressure of her treatment and the people who supported her during that period.
Ronke said the high cost of her medication became a major burden, with her monthly drug expenses reaching hundreds of thousands of naira.
She expressed gratitude to God, and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Musiliu Akinsanya also known as MC Oluomo and some of her colleagues for helping her through the health crisis.
8. ‘My Wife Packed Out Of My House, Filed For Divorce Without Any Quarrel’ – Singer Asu Ekiye
Nigerian gospel Singer, Asu Ekiye, has clarified the circumstances surrounding the crash of his 28-year marriage to his wife, Kunemofa Asu.
Naija News recalls that the Bayelsa State-born singer, popularly known as the Prince of the Niger Delta, made the announcement in a public notice shared on his Instagram page, revealing that the marriage ended a year ago but did not provide the reason.
The singer explained that he delayed making the matter public because he needed time to process the development and gain clarity before speaking about the deeply personal change in his life.
In a post via his Facebook page on Saturday, Ekiye said he did not initiate proceedings to dissolve the marriage.
According to him, his wife moved out of the house and began divorce proceedings without any quarrel between them.
Ekiye said he had accepted the reality of the situation with no bitterness towards anyone.
9. Former World Boxing Champion, Zolani Tete Shot Dead In South Africa
Former boxing world champion, Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Zolani Tete, 38, was killed on Friday, August 21, after two armed men wearing balaclavas allegedly ambushed him as he arrived at his residence and waited for the gate to open, according to a police report.
Tete was in his vehicle when the attackers opened fire. He died at the scene, while a 27-year-old woman who was with him suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to hospital.
Police have launched an investigation into the killing but said the motive remains unclear. Officers have also appealed to members of the public for information that could help identify the suspects.
10. Semi Ajayi Delighted As Historic Goal In Hull City Shock Man United
Nigerian defender, Semi Ajayi, has expressed his delight after scoring Hull City’s first Premier League goal in nine years in the Tigers’ stunning 2-0 win over Manchester United earlier today, August 22.
Semi Ajayi Delighted After Historic Goal Inspires Hull City To Shock Man United
Naija News reports that Semi Ajayi scored in the 17th minute at the MKM Stadium, reacting quickest to turn home after Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens had denied Oli McBurnie from a corner.
Ajayi’s opener put newly promoted Hull ahead and helped them to get a famous win over Michael Carrick’s side. The result also gave the Tigers their first-ever top-flight win against Manchester United.
The defender said his goal capped an impressive start from the hosts, who had created several chances before breaking the deadlock.
“It was amazing. It kind of capped off the really good start that we had. We had a couple of chances before that which we didn’t manage to put away, but obviously that one got us into the lead, and also gave us something to protect, but also build on,” Semi Ajayi told TNT Sports after the game.
“I’m buzzing to get the goal to get us underway. I’m happy it left us getting three points.”
Despite the celebrations, the centre-back urged Sergej Jakirović’s men to stay focused and ignore the growing attention surrounding their result.
“We’re not really focusing on outside noise. We’re just worried about what goes on in the changing room. We know what we’ve got in the changing room, we believe in ourselves, and we back ourselves to do our best every single day,” Ajayi added.
“So, more performances like this, and hopefully, we’ll have a really, really positive season.”
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