Good morning in Nigeria. Welcome Naija News Top newspaper headlines in Nigeria on Friday, February 28, 2025
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu for his silence on the ongoing crisis at the Lagos State Capitol, saying it is a default endorsement of anti-democratic tactics designed to subvert the will of lawmakers.
Paul Ibe condemned what he called “backdoor tactics” and used state-backed security forces to promote the return of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, despite being removed from office by overwhelming MPs from the vast majority of MPs.
Naija News reported that Obasa attacked the parliamentary complex earlier on Thursday, announcing her own spokesperson, despite most members opposing his return, although most members were in plenary meetings with a few legislators.
Atiku argues that Tinubu’s refusal to intervene has raised serious concerns about his commitment to democratic principles, especially in light of the recent allegations made by former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the president engages in selective political control.
The former vice president accused Tinubu of reducing Lagos politics to the battlefield, where Omoluabi’s values (integrity, fairness and public service) were replaced by “strong regional boy tactics” where power was retained through coercion rather than consensus.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) directed the withholding of subscription prices for multiple quarters (parents of DSTV and GOTV) until after the investigation.
Naija News reported that FCCPC convened Multichoice on Tuesday to explain the reasons behind the rise in DSTV and GOTV subscription prices.
The committee noted that the unilateral price increase of multi-keyboards shows the potential market advantage of the pay-TV industry and the anti-competitive practice.
The decision to stop the price increase in subscriptions was to protect customers as the investigation proceeded.
An impeachment spokesman for Mudashiru Obasa, the state capitol building in Lagos, attacked the parliamentary complex on Thursday with security agents.
Naija News reported that Obasa had more than 11 police officers and went directly to the spokesperson’s office in a report of evacuating new spokesperson security agents.
According to sources, Obasa arrived at the conference around 11:30 a.m. and was accompanied by armed personnel and civil defense personnel.
Although the house is currently in an uncertain lounge, the report shows that the door to the spokesperson’s office has been forced to open.
The individual suspected of becoming a loyalist in Obasa took over the road to the complex, forcing motorists to use alternative routes as all entrances were blocked into traffic.
Lagos State Police Command has restored security details for the spokesperson for Mojisola Meranda, the Lagos State Capitol, which has sparked controversy.
The report appeared Thursday morning, and the security escorts attached to Merada’s office and residence had been withdrawn, leading to speculation that there was ongoing leadership quarrel in Parliament.
The situation became even more controversial when the security details of the impeachment spokesperson Hon. Mudashiru Obasa recovered, and afterward he rushed into the General Assembly Complex, declared himself the Speaker and presided over a plenary meeting with only a few members of parliament.
Lagos State Police Chief Moshood Jimoh addressed reporters at a press conference on Thursday, confirming that four security personnel associated with Speaker Meranda have been restored.
Naija News reported that Jimoh clarified that the withdrawal of security aides was not politically motivated, suggesting it was part of an ongoing audit of police officers and guns.
He further revealed that other state police commands in Nigeria are undertaking the same audit procedures, stressing that Lagos has not been picked out.
The federal government has announced plans to regularize electricity bills to correct the differences in the current billing system and encourage increased investment in the power sector.
Naija News reported that Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu made a public presentation in Abuja’s National Integrated Power Policy and Nigeria’s Integrated Resources Plan on Thursday.
According to Adelabu, the slow migration to the band was mainly due to the reluctance to make necessary infrastructure investments by power generation companies (Discos).
Under the current tariff structure, B Band customers receive 17-18 hours of electricity per day, paying 63 hours per kilowatt-hour per kilowatt-hour, and A Band A customers only need to receive another two hours of supply, paying 209 per kilowatt-hour.
The Minister described this pricing gap as “unfair”, highlighting the need for a more balanced and equitable billing system.
Adelabu assured Nigerians that the government does not plan a thorough tariff rate hike, but will review existing pricing models to ensure fairness.
Nigerian police said action is being taken to rescue four kidnapped students from the Federal Agricultural University, also known as JS Taka University in Benue State.
Naija News reported that Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the public relations officer at the headquarters of the troops, said on Thursday.
He said the troops headquarters also communicated with the Benue Police Command. He clarified that police could not update their operations to rescue four kidnapped female students for security reasons.
“The Force Headquarters has been in contact with the Benue State Command for this incident. We have taken some action and we are confident that the students will be rescued. We cannot update the public that has been online so far. This may backfire. We are not sensitive to this situation. Rescue operations are sensitive and tactical,” he said.
Mudashiru Obasa, a member of Agege constituency I, in the Lagos State Capitol, announced that he had never been implicated by his position as speaker of the House.
Naija News reported that Obasa filed the lawsuit on Thursday after her first appearance at the General Assembly Complex since she was removed from office on January 13, 2025.
His return is marked by the presence of armed security agents, including personnel from the Nigerian Police Force and the Ministry of State Services (DSS).
In his speech from journalists, lawmakers announced that his removal was unconstitutional and did not follow proper procedures and therefore, he remained the real spokesperson for the Lagos State Capitol.
He added that he had no intention of harming anyone because he and other lawmakers in the House have been working together for the interests of Lagos.
Obasa also denied who the legal spokesperson for the Lagos State Capitol was in court.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce put his weight behind Real Madrid’s dazzling striker, the leader in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, and formally rejected Mohamed Salah.
In a surprising twist of events, Sam Allardyce, who previously managed a team like Bolton Wanderers, publicly dismissed the opportunity of Liverpool’s prolific Mohamed Salah, announcing that the Egyptian star did not “win the championship” at the temporary ceremony last year at Realrid last year, which was largely a chance to win.
Allardyce, 70, noted that last year the Brazil international was a strong contender, ending with 25 goals and 11 assists in 40 games that season, a feat that played a crucial role in securing Real Madrid’s victory in UEFA Champions League and La Liga.
Despite Vinicius Jr.’s outstanding performance, he ended up falling behind Manchester City’s Rodri, who played a role in Spain’s European victory in 2024 and helped his club win the Premier League title. Instead, Vinicius saw his national team exit prematurely in the 2024 quarterfinals of the United States.
Allardyce’s claim depends on interesting dynamics between Vinicius and Ballon d’ or organizers French football. He cites events from the previous year, and Vinicius, after realizing that he would not be awarded, especially opting not to attend the award ceremony, a decision that seemed to have left a huge contribution to the leadership of the event.
Nollywood actress and film producer Funke Akindele attributes her success in the film industry to God.
Naija News reported that at the 2025 media sales conference of the Nigerian Media Independent Practitioners Association (MIPAN) in Lagos, the Thespian said no one made her a star.
Funke says her success in the film industry is due to her hard work and dedication to craftsmanship.
The film star also acknowledged the important role of experienced Nigerian singer D’Banj in the Jenifa brand.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, hints at the explosive revelation that was the latest development in the Nigerian Senate under Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Lawmakers said in an article on Thursday (formerly Twitter) that she deliberately avoided publicly commenting on Red Interior issues but is now ready to break her silence.
Naija News reported that her statement came after a fierce clash with Akpabio last week, with the Senate seats re-arranged. Akpoti-Uduaghan accused the Senate president of undermining her contribution to the Legislative Assembly Hall.
Akpoti-uduaghan revealed that an undisclosed group filed a petition against her and she planned to deal with it publicly.
She further announced that she would love to appear on TV to discuss the matter in detail.
That was the top newspaper headline in Nigeria today. Read more Nigeria news Naija News. See you tomorrow.
