Good morning Nigeria, and welcome to the Naturenex roundup of the major stories making headlines across the nation this Sunday, May 18, 2025.
1. President Tinubu Arrives In Rome For Pope Leo XIV’s Installation
President Bola Tinubu landed in Rome, Italy, on Sunday ahead of the official installation ceremony for Pope Leo XIV, scheduled to take place at St. Peter’s Square within the Vatican.
The Presidency, through a post on its official Presidential X handle at about 5:54 pm on Saturday, confirmed Tinubu’s arrival.
This visit follows an invitation extended to President Tinubu by the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, who emerged following a Conclave held 17 days after the passing of Pope Francis on April 21.
According to a statement earlier this week by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu’s delegation includes notable Catholic clerics from Nigeria.
Among those on the entourage are the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria President Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese.
2. “How Will I Build A House And You Ask Me To Vacate It?” — Wike Speaks On Leaving PDP
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared his intention to remain a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while continuing to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a recent interview on BBC, Wike dismissed fears of leaving the party he helped build.
He said, “I can’t do that, I’m not afraid – how will I build a house and you now ask me to vacate the place. It’s you that will leave the house not me that built it. You want to spoil a house that I built, I won’t allow you. I won’t leave, I will remain there.”
Wike criticized certain figures within the South-East PDP, saying, “Opposition does not show impunity or arrogance, it’s the ruling party that does impunity and arrogance because we are in power.”
He added, “The one that pains me is the threats from them (South-East PDP). Let me ask you, who is there? Achike Udenwa who is a former governor of Imo and has no single National Assembly member, he didn’t give his party three percent of votes, yet is threatening. Sam Egwu, former Ebonyi State governor has no National Assembly member and did not produce a governor, yet is threatening – he is empty – which threat is he issuing? We that have produced governor, National Assembly members have not issued any threat, it’s you that can’t give your party three percent that is threatening.”
3. “Fubara Is My Boy, Why Will I Fight With Him?” — Wike Reveals Real Political Opponents
Minister Nyesom Wike, addressing his political tensions in Rivers State, made it clear he has no personal conflict with the suspended governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him instead as his political son.
In a BBC Pidgin interview on Saturday, Wike claimed his actual battle is against those allegedly influencing Fubara against him.
Wike stated, “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him? I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for. When you don’t defeat them, they will think you….. Defeat them to the final stage. Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”
4. “I Don’t Work To Compare” — Wike Responds To El-Rufai Comparisons As FCT Minister
Wike addressed ongoing comparisons between his tenure as FCT Minister and that of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who previously held the same position under President Olusegun Obasanjo.
During his interview with BBC Pidgin, Wike dismissed any rivalry, noting that while El-Rufai made notable strides, he preferred to focus on his own governance style.
Naturenex reports that Wike acknowledged El-Rufai’s remarkable accomplishments but emphasized that each leader possesses a distinct approach to public service.
5. Atiku Abubakar Recounts Narrow Escape From Assassination Attempt
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reflected on a frightening attempt on his life while in Kaduna State, highlighting courage as vital for leadership in turbulent times.
Speaking to the American University of Nigeria’s graduating class of 2025, Atiku shared how he shielded his family during the incident.
“I hid my wife and children in a wardrobe and stepped forward to confront the attackers. They shot at me but missed. I stood up and demanded, ‘Why did you fire?’ That’s what courage looks like,” he narrated.
The former presidential aspirant also revisited the military era, revealing he once turned down an undemocratic offer to become a state governor, choosing instead a lawful path that eventually led to his vice presidency in 1999.
6. Kwankwaso Denies Defection Rumours To APC
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has dismissed reports claiming President Bola Tinubu invited him to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement posted via his X handle on Saturday, Kwankwaso tagged the claims as “false and unfounded.”
He wrote, “My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments in Nigeria.”
Kwankwaso continued, “I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.”
He noted that he had chosen to refrain from commenting on Nigeria’s shifting political scene and would maintain that decision moving forward, urging the public to ignore statements not issued via his verified platforms.
7. “We Are Our Worst Enemies” — Igbokwe Faults Nigerian Traders For Food Price Hikes
Prominent APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe accused Nigerian traders of contributing to the persistent rise in food prices.
Posting on Facebook, Igbokwe suggested that while official data shows a reduction in commodity prices, traders’ greed prevents these reductions from reaching everyday consumers.
He wrote, “Prices of food and commodities are coming down but Nigerians will not help Nigerians. Our greed, our wickedness and avaricious tendencies have no part two. We are our worst enemies. Nigerians steal what they do not need.”
8. Federal Government Clears Two Million Households For Cash Transfer Scheme
The Federal Government has completed the revalidation of the National Social Register to improve the reach of its cash transfer programme, which aims to ease the economic burden on vulnerable citizens.
During a media briefing at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) headquarters in Abuja, Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote confirmed that 2.3 million households had been verified for payments under the initiative.
The review comes amid World Bank concerns over the sluggish pace of the programme, which started in 2023 after fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
A recent World Bank “Nigeria Development Update” report revealed that just 37% of the targeted 15 million households—approximately 5.6 million—had received payments as of April 30, 2025. Of the $800 million loan for the project, $530 million has been disbursed so far.
9. Jeremie Frimpong Joins Liverpool On Five-Year Contract
Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong has officially completed a transfer to Liverpool, the newly crowned champions of the 2024/2025 English Premier League.
Esteemed football journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on his X account on Saturday, May 17.
He wrote: “BREAKING: Jeremie Frimpong set to join Liverpool, here we go! Agreement done for Dutch right back as Bayer Leverkusen are informed on €35m release clause being triggered. Understand Frimpong will sign a five year deal with medical now being scheduled. New RB for #LFC.”
10. “I Turned Down ₦3 Billion Offer For Jarvis To Do A Kissing Scene” — Peller
Popular Nigerian content creator and streamer Habeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller, has revealed that he once rejected a ₦3 billion offer from Netflix for his girlfriend Jarvis to perform a kissing scene.
Speaking during a live session with singer Peter Okoye of P-Square, Peller disclosed, “Netflix offered ₦3 billion Naira to my girlfriend, Jarvis, to do a kissing scene, but I turned it down.”
Peter, expressing disbelief, asked, “Do you mean ₦3 million or ₦3 billion?”
Peller insisted, “₦3 billion! I know you might not believe me, but I have the record of the video call. I warned them never to contemplate such ever again. I love my baby. I don’t joke with my baby. She is my life.”
Peter responded, “Always look out for her.”
