Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naijaonpoint roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 2nd November, 2025.
President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the United States President, Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged religious persecution.
Naijaonpoint reports that Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, claimed that “radical Islamists” were responsible for widespread killings of Christians across Nigeria.
He subsequently designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” saying the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
In response, Tinubu, in a statement via his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, clarified that the Nigerian constitution protects citizens of all faiths.
He said, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on the protection of communities of all faiths.”
A former presidential aide, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has lamented that foreign interests are being stirred up against Nigeria.
He stated this via a Facebook post while reacting to the recent designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ by United States President Donald Trump.
He cautioned Nigerians against internal division following the reports of the sanctions.
Baba-Ahmed stated that the reported decision, allegedly tied to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, ignores the complex reality of insecurity in the country, which affects both Muslims and Christians alike.
He wrote, “If these reports are true, then we can only say Bismillah, because it means foreign interests are being stirred up against us.
“The truth is that those killing Nigerians do not distinguish between Muslims and Christians. Ethnic and communal conflicts in Nigeria have claimed the lives of both.”
He accused Trump and his allies of harbouring ulterior motives, suggesting that the United States has long been uncomfortable with the rise of strong, populous, and resource-rich African nations like Nigeria, Sudan, Libya, and South Africa.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has plunged into a deeper crisis as a faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the suspension of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and five other members of the National Working Committee.
Naijaonpoint reports that the development follows the suspension of the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Samuel Anyanwu, and two other members by the National Working Committee (NWC) under Damagum’s leadership.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday, on behalf of the factional NWC, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, announced the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), Mohammed Abdulrahman, as the Acting National Chairman.
Senator Sunday Katung has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, stating that his decision was driven by a desire to serve the people of Kaduna South more effectively.
In a statement posted on his 𝕏 handle, @smkatung, and dated October 31, 2025, the lawmaker described the switch as “a most difficult, but ultimately necessary, decision.”
The statement, titled “A New Chapter: A Message of Unity and Purpose,” explained that his choice came after weeks of “deep consultations with constituents, critical stakeholders, family members, friends, and political associates.”
“The past few weeks have been incredibly demanding yet profoundly reflective moments of my public life,” Katung wrote. “During this period, I have engaged in deep consultations… regarding a most difficult, but ultimately necessary, decision: my decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.”
According to him, the move was motivated by “a genuine desire to serve our people more effectively and ensure that our voices are heard and respected at the highest decision-making tables where the destinies of our communities are being shaped.”
Katung added that his defection was influenced by calls from “various segments of our constituency urging us to consider this move,” while acknowledging the “special interest” President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani have shown in partnering with him to bring “phenomenal and epoch-making development” to the region.
He revealed that Daniel Amos and several members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly also joined him in the defection, describing the APC’s presence in Kaduna South as evidence of “a genuine commitment to inclusion, equity, and progress.”
Former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Eze Chikamnayo, has claimed that Governor Alex Otti is diverting local government funds.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Chikamnayo stated that the governor has hindered the development of the local government, making it impossible for it to operate effectively.
According to him, “Unfortunately, in Abia, what we have today is that Alex Otti has mopped up the entire funds going to the local governments. He has made sure that the grassroots development is completely, you know, grounded. And he has made it impossible for the local governments to operate and to breathe.”
He also dismissed claims that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu,
He further stated that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, only demanded accountability from the governor and was not in any political conflict with him.
“There is no personal issue between Honourable Benjamin Kalu and our dear Governor Alex Otti. But all we are saying, all I’m saying, all Ben Kalu is saying, every member of the Abia community, APC is saying is, Governor Alex Otti, practice what you preach,” Chikamnayo said.
He insisted that what is in the best interest of Abia is “transparency and accountability,” noting that Kalu’s call was justified considering the amount of money available to the state.
Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has described the allegation of a Christian genocide in Nigeria as “politically motivated,” insisting that the renewed international attention on religious persecution is a ploy targeted at influencing the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the United States’ decision to reclassify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), Gumi took to his official Facebook page on Saturday, accusing some “unpatriotic clerics” of collaborating with foreign powers to tarnish the country’s image.
He said, “We have many unpatriotic bigot clerics that are aiding imperialists to divide us further so that they can pillage our resources.”
The cleric was responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Friday, placing Nigeria on a religious freedom watchlist over alleged killings of Christians, a claim the Nigerian government has firmly denied.
Gumi dismissed the U.S. move as hypocritical and meddlesome, arguing that Washington had no moral ground to lecture Nigeria on internal issues while facing its own social and economic challenges.
He said, “At a time when Americans are lining up for food rations, what concerns them with our internal problems?
“Yes, this is not to say efforts are not being made to tackle insecurity, but the right combination of strategies is what is lacking to completely nail it. Now they want to compound the problem.”
He claimed that some non-governmental organisations operating in Nigeria were serving as fronts for arming criminal groups under the guise of humanitarian assistance.
“Those who armed the outlaws as NGOs and come around to claim piety, the danger to us is that they form and start arming another militia like they have done in other places,” he warned.
The Kaduna-based cleric lamented what he described as an ongoing campaign to portray Nigeria as a country at war with Christians, insisting that the real crisis was criminality, not religion.
Special Counsel to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, Aloy Ejimakor, has reacted to the United States President, Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ following reports of alleged Christian genocide in the country.
Naijaonpoint reports that Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, claimed that “radical Islamists” were responsible for widespread killings of Christians across Nigeria.
He subsequently designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” saying the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.”
In a post via his X handle, Ejimakor said designating Nigeria as CPC was inevitable because the government allegedly teargassed peaceful protesters but romanced terrorists publicly.
He wrote, “The aftermaths of taking 2 direct teargas hits for expressing my legal right to peaceable assembly.
“When a nation tear-gasses peaceful protesters but romances terrorists in full glare of the public, being slammed as a Country of Particular Concern becomes inevitable. #FreeMNK.”
Recall that Ejimakor and a few others were recently arrested by the police in Abuja over the free Nnamdi Kanu protest.
The protest convened by activist politician, Omoyele Sowore, was meant to be staged at the presidential Villa, where protesters will demand Kanu’s release from President Bola Tinubu.
Following their arrest, Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel, Sowore and others were arraigned before a Kuje Magistrate Court and remanded in prison.
In the process of moving them, Ejimakor and the other protesters were said to have been punished with teargas shot at them.
While in remand, Ejimakor collapsed but was promptly attended to by the medical team in Kuje prison.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has applauded the sentencing of a Nigerian human trafficking ring leader, Chukwudi Nwachukwu.
Naijaonpoint understands that the Ghana Achimota Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Akosua Anokyewaa Adjepong, sentenced Nwachukwu to 10 years in prison with hard labour after months of painstaking investigations and surveillance.
It could be recalled that early this year, 10 girls were rescued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Ghana Chapter, led by the Board Chairman, Callistus Elozieuwa, the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana and the Ghana security agencies.
They were safely brought back home courtesy of NiDCOM, led by Dabiri-Erewa, and a delegation from Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu, representing the Nwangele state constituency.
Speaking in a statement issued by the Commission’s Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit, Gabriel Odu, Dabiri-Erewa expressed her satisfaction that Justice has been served.
The Circuit Court also ruled that the Convict must pay restitution in the sum of GHc15,000 to each of the ten victims.
The Trafficking ring leader was involved in the procurement of 10 young Nigerian girls between the ages of 15 and 18 years to Ghana and coercing them into prostitution.
The ten girls who were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have been fully reintegrated and reunited with their families.
Veteran Nollywood actress, Peju Ogunmola, has spoken for the first time since the death of her only son, Ayomikun.
Naijaonpoint reports that the actress and her husband, veteran actor Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Papi Luwe, lost Ayomikun,
After the unfortunate incident, there were speculations about the cause of the youngster’s death.
However, the family’s spokesperson, Yemi Amodu, released a statement clarifying that Ayomikun died after a brief illness in Ibadan and had since been buried.
Amodu said contrary to the claims spreading on social media, Ayomikun did not die from a bathroom accident or any form of domestic mishap.
After weeks of mourning, the thespian took to Instagram to reflect on her healing journey and thanked everyone who supported her through the pain.
She captioned ..., “A new month, a new dawn. The past months have been heavy, but your love, prayers, and condolences have carried me through the storm. Today I rise, stronger, grateful, and ready to embrace my passion again. The screens have missed me… and I’m back, doing what I love most.”
When the news of her son’s death broke, several Nollywood stars, including Dele Odule, Ronke Odusanya, Fausat Balogun, Bimbo Oshin, Ebun Oloyede, Olaiya Igwe and Fali Werepe, visited the couple’s Ibadan home to commiserate with them.
Peju, daughter of the late theatre legend Kola Ogunmola, said she is ready to return to acting.
Chelsea defender, Wesley Fofana, has escaped a prison sentence after admitting to dangerous driving, marking his ninth driving offence.
The 24-year-old Frenchman was handed 300 hours of unpaid community service and given another driving ban following his reckless behaviour on a Surrey motorway.
Shocking dashcam footage shown at Staines Magistrates’ Court captured the £75 million player swerving through traffic and using the hard shoulder of the A3 Esher Bypass in Hook at high speed.
Prosecutor Rabbi Khan told the court that the incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on April 20 and that Wesley Fofana’s actions posed a serious risk to other road users.
The France international, who earns £200,000 a week, was already serving a two-year driving disqualification for a string of speeding offences earlier this year. The court imposed an extra 18-month ban, extending his time off the road until May 2027.
District Judge Julie Cooper criticised Fofana for his poor example to fans. “You obviously realise there are a lot of young people who look up to you and they would like to be like you and follow you,” she said.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naijaonpoint. See you again tomorrow.
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