Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naturenex roundup of major national newspaper headlines for today, Saturday, 26th April, 2025.
1. CBEX Scam: EFCC Declares Four Individuals Wanted
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially listed four persons as wanted in connection with fraudulent activities linked to an online trading platform known as Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX).
The suspects are identified as:
- Seyi Oloyede
- Emmanuel Uko
- Adefowora Oluwanisola
- Adefowora Abiodun Olaonipekun
2. Federal Government Explains Move To Install Solar Panels At Aso Rock
The government has defended its decision to install solar panels at the Aso Rock Villa, citing the need to reduce the enormous cost of electricity powering the nation’s seat of government.
Mustapha Abdulahi, Director General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, disclosed that Aso Rock’s annual electricity bills had reached an unsustainable ₦47 billion, leading to the approval of ₦10 billion for a solar grid installation.
“It is unsustainable for the Aso Rock Villa to continue to pay about ₦47 billion yearly in power bills, which is why President Bola Tinubu approved ₦10 billion for the installation of the solar power grid to power the presidential villa,” Abdulahi said.
He added that the initiative would guarantee steady, clean energy, stimulate local employment, and reduce strain on the national power grid, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
3. ‘Atiku Is The Root Of Problem PDP Is Facing’ – APC’s Felix Morka
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has squarely placed the blame for the ongoing crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a Friday interview on TVC, Morka criticised Atiku for disregarding his party’s zoning agreement during the 2023 presidential race.
“The problem in the PDP was Atiku’s obdurate refusal to abide by the convention of his own party and its constitution. He had no business running in that election when, under their constitution, a southern candidate was mandated, under the rotational agreement, to run.
He was the one who created the problem. So it wasn’t just his nomination, he was, in fact, at the root of the problem the PDP is facing today.”
Addressing fears about Nigeria becoming a one-party state, Morka insisted APC’s acceptance of defectors doesn’t threaten democracy.
4. Wike Dares Rivers Elders Over Peace Efforts
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has openly challenged Rivers State elders and traditional rulers to show evidence of any efforts they’ve made to foster peace since the declaration of a state of emergency.
Speaking in Port Harcourt at Ken Chikere’s platinum jubilee thanksgiving, Wike stated: “One month and seven days after Mr. President in his wisdom declared a state of emergency to save River State from anarchy, I challenge any Rivers so-called elder, even the traditional rulers, what attempt have they made to bring total peace?”
5. ‘Don’t De-market The Country You Want To Lead’ — Sowunmi Warns Peter Obi
PDP stalwart Segun Sowunmi has advised Labour Party’s Peter Obi against portraying Nigeria in a bad light during his international engagements. This caution comes following Obi’s speech at Johns Hopkins University, USA.
Obi had compared Nigeria’s development metrics unfavorably with China, Indonesia, and Vietnam, lamenting Nigeria’s regression in Human Development Index rankings and economic indicators.
“Within the same period of 35 years, from 1990 to 2025, the GDP Per Capita of these comparable nations have all improved. As of 1990, while Nigeria had a GDP per capita of $556, China had $317, Indonesia had $578, and Vietnam had only $99. Nigeria, obviously, had higher GDP per capita than China, while Vietnam had less than one-fifth of Nigeria’s per capita. Today, Nigeria’s per capita is about one-fifth of Indonesia’s ($5000) and Vietnam’s (4400) GDP per capita and below one-tenth of China’s (1300) GDP per capita,” Obi said.
He continued: “In the area of poverty, Nigeria with about 50 million poor people, had the least number of people in poverty in 1990 than any of the three countries. While China had about 750 million people living in poverty, Indonesia and Vietnam had 85 million and 60 million poor people, respectively. China alone had about 15 times the number of poor people than Nigeria. Today, however, Nigeria has more poor people than these 3 countries combined,” Obi stated.
Sowunmi disputed Obi’s conclusions, calling them one-sided.
6. Dahiru: How El-Rufai, Obi Could End Tinubu’s 2027 Bid
Political analyst Majeed Dahiru has suggested that former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Labour Party’s Peter Obi could combine forces to thwart President Tinubu’s 2027 reelection bid.
In a Channels TV interview, Dahiru claimed PDP governors, primarily from the South, covertly support Tinubu due to regional solidarity.
“That’s because the PDP governors, their preferred candidate for the next election, is President Bola Tinubu of the APC, because of Southern solidarity. The bulk of the governors in the PDP are from the South. One of their own is in power. They can’t work against one of their own. It’s not possible. In 2003, AD didn’t field a presidential candidate because of Obasanjo. That is the nature of Nigerian politics,” he argued.
He proposed El-Rufai as the key figure in brokering northern Muslim support for Obi.
7. PDP’s Ikenga Ugochinyere Warns Party Of Imminent Collapse
Imo lawmaker Ikenga Ugochinyere has warned the PDP leadership to act fast or risk the party’s collapse. This followed the defections of PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa and Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC.
Speaking in Imo State, Ugochinyere claimed two more governors and 40 lawmakers might defect soon and demanded urgent leadership changes.
8. Governor Zulum Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram Activity
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum has raised fresh security concerns over the regrouping of Boko Haram in Lake Chad’s Tumbus and Sambisa’s Mandara Hills.
During a meeting with Defence Minister Badaru Abubakar and military chiefs in Maiduguri, Zulum stated: “What we are facing now is that we do military exercises/operations, and after some time, we disengage. The Boko Haram and ISWAP members will again come and take over those areas that were hitherto regained,” he said.
9. 2Baba, Natasha Osawaru Perform Traditional Marriage In Benue
Nigerian music star Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia and Edo State lawmaker Natasha Osawaru have traditionally tied the knot in Benue State. A viral video shows Natasha dressed in Idoma attire, accompanied by traditional dancers.
10. Liverpool Coach Arne Slot Eyes Title Victory At Anfield
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his determination to clinch the club’s 20th league title against Tottenham this Sunday.
“First and foremost, we recognise the weight of this responsibility,” Slot remarked.
“The last time this club celebrated a league victory, it was under very different circumstances. Everyone is excited for Sunday, but we understand there’s work to be done, and that starts with securing at least one point.”
Slot acknowledged the importance of fan support as Liverpool seeks to extend their unbeaten run at Anfield.
That wraps up today’s top Nigerian newspaper headlines from Naturenex. Catch up again tomorrow for another round.
