Top Nigerian newspaper headlines for Monday, 28th April, 2025

DDM News

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM) reports, the political landscape in Nigeria is again in the spotlight, with numerous high-profile events dominating the news cycle.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been at the center of ongoing debates, particularly surrounding the defections of opposition politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The latest developments have sparked concern, but the presidency has firmly dismissed claims of a political maneuver towards a one-party state.

The presidency issued a statement on Sunday, responding to criticisms over the increasing number of defections to the APC.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, refuted claims that these defections were a sign of an impending one-party system in Nigeria.

Onanuga explained that it is not uncommon for politicians to switch parties, both within Nigeria and internationally.

He further emphasized that such movements are a standard feature of democratic practices worldwide.

The statement highlighted the fact that recent defections, such as that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, were merely a reflection of normal political dynamics.

While some critics have voiced concerns over the growing trend of defections, the presidency rejected claims that democracy in Nigeria was under threat.

Onanuga pointed out that the Tinubu administration remains committed to fostering democratic values and driving the country’s development.

He stated that the government’s primary focus is to ensure the country’s progress, and the increasing defections were not an indication of any authoritarian intentions.

The statement also took aim at the opposition parties, specifically the planned opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The presidency argued that the coalition had failed to gain traction and would not pose a credible challenge to the ruling APC in the future.

Onanuga asserted that the Tinubu government could not be held responsible for the inability of opposition parties to manage their members, which has led to the defections.

He made it clear that the defections were not part of any grand scheme by the government but were the result of individual choices made by politicians.

In the same vein, APC chieftain Eze Chukwuemeka Eze raised concerns about possible behind-the-scenes political maneuvering by some members of the opposition.

Eze suggested that certain key figures within the PDP may be secretly supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid for 2027.

He cited recent comments by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, Bode George, and various PDP governors, which he believed pointed to a hidden agenda to back President Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.

Eze’s remarks highlighted the growing disillusionment within the opposition, which has struggled to maintain a united front following the 2023 presidential election.

Eze also reflected on the 2023 election, noting that had Wike been selected as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate, the PDP could have had a stronger chance at winning.

He suggested that Wike’s political influence would have been critical in securing Atiku’s victory.

This statement added to the ongoing speculation about the political alignments within the opposition, as many continue to question the viability of the PDP moving forward.

Despite these developments, Eze urged the Tinubu administration to shift its focus from electoral calculations to effective governance.

He stated that the government should prioritize delivering tangible results for the people of Nigeria, rather than becoming distracted by political maneuvering and electioneering.

Eze argued that good governance would naturally secure the support of Nigerians, thus benefiting the country’s economy and society.

On a related note, Dele Momodu, a former presidential aspirant under the PDP, dismissed the ongoing defections within the party as part of the usual ebb and flow of Nigerian politics.

In an interview with the Sunday Sun, Momodu acknowledged the turbulence within the PDP but downplayed its significance, calling it a normal part of the country’s political cycle.

Momodu pointed out that similar defections had occurred in the past, particularly within the APC, which had undergone multiple transformations over the years.

From its origins as the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and eventually the APC, the party had seen several internal transitions.

Momodu suggested that the PDP would weather its current challenges, much as the APC had done in the past.

When asked if he was considering joining the APC, Momodu firmly rejected the idea, stating, “Impossible! I would rather retire.”

He reiterated his belief that defections within the PDP were not extraordinary and did not signal the party’s demise.

Momodu emphasized that the political challenges faced by the PDP were similar to those experienced by other parties in the past.

Meanwhile, a debate erupted over the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and its examination scheduling.

Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, criticized JAMB for its examination practices, accusing the board of scheduling exams at inconvenient times that forced students to travel long distances at dangerous hours.

Obi pointed to the tragic incidents where students had lost their lives in accidents while attempting to reach examination centers located far from their homes.

He urged JAMB to reconsider its scheduling practices and eliminate what he described as unnecessary trauma for the candidates.

Obi argued that the timing of JAMB’s exams reflected the broader systemic failures within Nigeria, which often placed undue pressure on students and their families.

In response, JAMB denied starting its exams as early as 6:30 a.m., as suggested by Obi.

The board clarified that its exams typically begin at 8 a.m., but students are required to arrive early for verification and clearance procedures.

JAMB explained that this early arrival allows students to settle down and prepare before the exams begin.

The board acknowledged the concerns raised by Obi but maintained that the current system was necessary to ensure the smooth conduct of the exams.

In another noteworthy development, the South-South Zonal leadership of the APC issued a stern warning to social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, following his criticism of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Otse had made a viral video in which he criticized Akpabio for joining the federal government delegation to the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis.

In the video, Otse described Akpabio’s trip as “shameful,” arguing that the Senate President should have focused on visiting states that had been affected by violent attacks, such as Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu.

The APC responded by accusing Otse of defaming Akpabio and demanded that he issue an apology within seven days.

The APC cautioned Otse to differentiate between activism and defamation, advising him to avoid future personal attacks on political figures.

The incident highlighted the growing tension between political activists and established politicians, with both sides accusing each other of using public platforms to settle personal scores.

In a significant anti-drug operation, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided a hotel in Lagos, recovering an illicit drug consignment valued at ₦1.042 billion.

The raid took place at a new 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, which was suspected of being used as a cover for drug distribution.

The NDLEA recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing a total of 417.3 kilograms.

The street value of the recovered drugs amounted to over one billion naira.

Additionally, the agency intercepted over two million pills of tramadol in Kano and Jigawa.

NDLEA officials also seized a shipment of Saudi-bound cocaine that was concealed in body cream.

The agency’s successful operation underscores its ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria.

In the world of sports, Remo Stars have emerged as champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the first time in the club’s history.

The Ogun State-based side secured their victory following a 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in a decisive match played on April 27.

Olamilekan Muhammed Adedayo’s late goal in the 84th minute was enough to secure all three points for Remo Stars, ensuring they stayed on top of the league table with three matchdays remaining.

Remo Stars’ remarkable campaign saw them finish the season with 21 wins, five draws, and nine losses, accumulating 68 points.

Their closest competitors, Rivers United, finished in second place with 58 points, while Abia Warriors placed third with 56 points.

With a 10-point gap, Remo Stars were mathematically uncatchable, clinching the NPFL title before the final round of fixtures.

On the international stage, Liverpool Football Club secured the 2024-2025 Premier League title in dominant fashion.

The Reds thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield on April 27, with Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo all contributing to the scoreline.

Despite an early goal from Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, Liverpool quickly equalized and went on to dominate the match.

Salah added a fourth goal in the second half, while an own goal from Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie sealed a 5-1 victory.

The win confirmed Liverpool’s 20th league title, further cementing their place in English football history.

In entertainment news, Nigerian music legend 2Face Idibia was reunited with his mother, Rose Idibia, after a period of uncertainty during which he had been declared missing.

The Idibia family had raised concerns earlier in the year when 2Face disappeared without a trace, prompting the involvement of the Department of State Services (DSS).

However, a recent video showed 2Face happily reunited with his mother and other family members, including his new partner, Natasha Osawaru.

The reunion marked a resolution to the earlier tensions between 2Face’s family and his partner, which had been the subject of public scrutiny earlier in the year.

Finally, veteran Fuji musician Ayinla Kollington responded to accusations made by King Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1.

K1 had claimed that Kollington had failed to offer condolences following the death of his mother.

Kollington denied the allegations, stating that he had made several attempts to contact K1, but his calls were not returned.

The exchange between the two Fuji legends highlighted the ongoing rivalries within the Nigerian music industry.

These stories reflect the diverse range of developments shaping Nigeria’s political, social, and cultural landscape as the country continues to navigate its challenges and celebrate its successes.

The events of today will undoubtedly influence the discourse in the days ahead.

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