Good morning in Nigeria. Welcome to Saturday, April 12, 2025, today’s Naija news roundup in Nigeria.
Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced Friday that some political heavyweights recently visited former President Muhammadu Buhari, one of Sarah’s posts.
The former governor revealed they attended Friday’s Jumaat prayer and enjoyed a great meal with the former president.
El-Rufai mocked his political opponents, specifically mentioning that the visit was not politically colored because it was just unity and brotherhood.
He clarified that the visit provided an opportunity to interact with their mentors.
Naija News The report said that El-Rufai shared details in his account on the 𝕏 platform, accompanied by the videos visited.
He wrote: “Former Governor Aminu Tmbuwal (Sokoto) former vice president Atiku Abubakar obtained IMO, Gabriel Suswam, Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and I were in Kaduna in Kaduna Buhari residence.
“By the way, our opponents shouldn’t lose any sleep. It’s not about politics. It’s about unity and brotherhood. And since we’re all politically irrelevant, we just pray and have lunch with our mentors.”
The federal foreign ministry urged the public to ignore the list of alleged ambassador nominees currently circulating on social media, calling it false and misleading.
In a recent statement, the ministry’s acting spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stressed that the appointment of ambassadors is only within the privileges of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that no official nomination is made at this time.
“Please ignore the madness of the ambassador list,” Statement reading. “Rest assured that when ready, Mr. President will forward the nominee list to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.”
The ministry assured Nigerians that once the list of legitimate ambassador nominees is determined, they will be informed correctly through official channels.
This clarification comes after the public’s increase in diplomatic representation to Nigeria, especially after all ambassadors recalled in September 2023.
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Election Commission (INEC), expressed the end of his term and said goodbye to his colleagues at a regional election meeting held in Banjur, Gambia.
Yakubu spoke at the extraordinary general meeting of the Ecowas Election Commission (ECONEC), confirming that this was his last appearance as INEC president as his term ended later this year.
According to the Western Post, the INEC president called for greater cooperation among West African election governing bodies and expressed optimism about the recovery of democracy in countries currently under military rule in the region.
Yakubu’s remarks come after speculation that he was removed from office by President Bola Tinubu after his absence from opposition leaders visiting the INEC office. However, his chief press secretary Rotimi Oyekanmi clarified that Yakubu is in a formal mission abroad and that State Commissioner Sam Olumekun is acting in his absence.
As the search for Yakubu’s successor intensifies, discussions between regional and political leaders are underway about the appointment process. Some believe that the next INEC chairman should come from an area outside the Southwest, while others stress the need for regional or racial considerations.
As dissatisfaction among the governor and the highest stakeholders grows, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deep political crisis that threatens the future two years from the loss of the 2023 presidential election.
Sources within the party revealed to the Nigeria Tribune that 12 PDP governors kept their distance from the party’s national leaders and raised doubts about the upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. This internal crack has raised concerns that the party may be ready during the 2027 election cycle.
The report shows that at least five PDP governors are considering alliances with the ruling of all Progressive Assembly (APC) or expected to form a new political alliance before the next election.
This shift comes amid a persistent internal crisis with the current Federal Capital Territory Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his allies in the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).
National leaders remain broken, with many NWC members opposing acting President Ambassador Iliya Damagum because of his loyalty to Wike. The department effectively blocked the party’s ability to deal with major national issues, making it a weak opposition force.
Governor Seyi Makinde of one of the PDP governors, Oyo State, recently endorsed Udeh-Okoye as state secretary of the party’s entity on Sunday, opposing Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s claims.
However, Makinde’s relationship with Wike is unclear, especially after their previous collaboration in the G5 group, which opposes the 2023 PDP presidential vote.
Tensions between Vick and other PDP governors, such as Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, did not lead to support for the national leadership and further eroding the party’s unity.
In recent months, the governor avoided the state secretariat in Abuja and the party’s actions have almost stopped.
The federal government refused to say that President Bra Tinub’s appointment was rejected and did not portray the principles of federal character.
All federal appointments by the Tinob government are based on fairness, fairness and national unity, the government said in a statement from the Office of the Secretariat of the Federal Government (SGF) on Friday.
The statement signed by Director Segun Imohiosen in the Office of the Office of the Secretary of the Federal Government (OSGF) said those who accuse the government of being disunited agents and they want to spread hatred among Nigerians.
iMohioson further assured that President Tinubu’s government remains committed to promoting all policies and actions in Nigeria.
Former Police Minister Adamu Waziri has confirmed the ongoing coalition talks between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), all Progressive Congress (APC) (APC) and Labor (LP).
Naija News The PDP chief said Friday at Potiskum in Yobe State, while addressing his supporters and party members.
Waziri dismissed his claim to defect to the APC. He pointed out that the main opposition party PDP failed to hold the government accountable.
“The People’s Democratic Party is going through many trials and hardships. We have leadership issues and need to reposition the party’s role as the main opposition, especially to address the problem of suffering from Nigeria in 2027,” He said.
In resolving the rumors of defection, he promised that he remained a member of the PDP. According to him, he participated in the merger talks, not as a representative of the PDP, but as a patriotic citizen.
“I came to my people to dispel my rumor about the APC insurgency. This is incorrect. I am very involved in coalitions and merger negotiations involving members of the PDP, APC, Labour Party and other political groups, who are trying to build a strong political platform that can provide reliable candidates in 2027.
“But I’m not in the talks representing the PDP. I’m there Nigerian, Democrats have an inalienable right and express my point of view,” He clarified.
The former police minister reiterated his position on the PDP, assuring party members that he would carry it with him in any decision.
A group of voters in Kogi Central Senate District filed a lawsuit against Senate President Gosville Akpabio and the upper legislative chamber, challenging the six-month suspension of its representative Natasha Akpti Udoagen.
Naija News The report said the Senate rejected her sexual harassment petition against Akpabio, suspending Akpti-Udoahan for six months. Neda Imaseun, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, noted that the panel’s investigation determined that Akpoti-uduaghan violated Senate rules.
The legal action was filed in the Federal High Court of Abuja and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, and he believed that Akpoti-uduaghan’s moratorium violated the political representation of his voters.
The plaintiff, represented by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, believes that the suspension on March 6 undermined the principle of democracy and violated Article 13, paragraph 1, Article 13 (1) of the Rights of Human and People, which guarantees citizens the right to participate in the government freely through elected representatives.
The plaintiff argued that the suspension of Kogi Central’s voice effectively silenced during national debate and legislative processes. They believe that the Senate’s actions are beyond its power and there is no legal reason.
Minister of Territory of the Federal Capital (FCT), Nyesom Wike, New reforms aimed at improving the city’s land management were announced.
The change is scheduled to come into effect on April 21, 2025 and includes strict 21-day land allocators, in full payment to cover the Right to Contract (R-OF-O) bill and related expenses. Failure to meet the deadline will result in the cancellation of the land offer.
Director of the FCTA Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze and Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Public Communications, Participate in the event The development was disclosed in a joint statement.
The new policy stipulates that from the date of receipt of the quotation for paying all bills, fees and fees, there are now 21 days for the land allocator and submit a complete acceptance letter and a proof of payment.
In addition, the reform introduced a two-year restriction and it was necessary to develop all granted land in the FCT.
Dutch defender, Virgil Van Dijk A new contract with Liverpool Football Club will be signed soon, which will extend his stay at the club until June 2027.
Naija News Collected that the agreement has been finalized and approved by the legal team involved, Virgil Van Dijk will formally put the pen into paper before the end of this season.
The new deal will be with Mohamed Salah for two years in Anfield.
Currently, Van Dijk is worth about €28 million. Throughout the season, he has shown his abilities by making 43 appearances for Liverpool from every game. His contributions include 3 goals and 1 assist, highlighting his importance in defense and offense.
Naija News has signed a looming contract renewal with Van Dijk, and reported that Liverpool Football Club announced that Mohamed Salah has also signed a new deal to ensure his presence at the club extends beyond the 2024-2025 season.
Talented Nollywood actress and filmmaker Wunmi Toriola says she longs for more ex-husband kids.
Naija News The report said that Wangmi said in an interview with TVC “Your Views” that her ex-husband told her that she was a good mother to their children, but that if they reconciled, they might not be a good wife.
The theater said they have good parenting and getting along well, but she is not interested in remarriage now.
She said: “I’m not interested in getting married now, but I want to have more babies with my ex-husband.
My ex-husband told me that if we came back I might not be his good wife, but then he told me that I was a good mother to our children.
“He hasn’t married another person yet, but I can’t say if he’s already in a relationship, but now our shared parents are very good.”
That was the top newspaper headline in Nigeria today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you tomorrow.
