Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Sunday, 5th January, 2025

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naijaonpoint roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 5th January, 2025.

President Bola Tinubu has again justified the removal of fuel subsidy by his administration and labelled it a “necessary” move to secure the country’s future.

Speaking during a visit to Enugu State on Saturday, Tinubu insisted that the removal of the fuel subsidy is needed to build a better Nigeria.

The President stated that he was aware that people would insult him for his decision but added that he has confidence in himself and would stay the course.

He said, “You are all a member of one big, huge family called Nigeria but living in different rooms in the same house. This house, we must build it. Build it to satisfy our immediate need which is not going to be enough yet but for tomorrow too.

“That is why the removal of the first subsidy was necessary.

“You cannot spend the future of generations yet unborn in advance. Don’t bankrupt the nation before they are born. I know people will fight, grumble, abuse me, and everything but I asked for the job. I know what it takes. I believe in myself and I believe I can gather a very good team and build a nation.”

He subsequently urged Nigerians to show love for the country and shun negative comments about it.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has slammed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited over its recent invitation to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and verify its current operational status.

Naijaonpoint reported that the invitation comes in response to Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he referenced advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) indicating that the refinery might not function efficiently.

SPDC, which was approached for equity participation in the refinery, reportedly raised concerns about corruption affecting its operations.

The former president also accused NNPCL of allegedly misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s performance.

In a statement, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, emphasized the company’s dedication to transparency and accountability.

Soneye extended an invitation to Obasanjo to witness the progress made at the refinery since its rehabilitation, highlighting the organization’s transformation efforts.

Soneye explained that NNPCL’s efforts at the Port Harcourt Refinery went beyond routine maintenance, involving a complete overhaul to meet international standards.

He noted similar rehabilitation projects underway at the Warri, old Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries.

According to Soneye, NNPCL’s transition from a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability has shifted its focus to profitability, positioning it as a competitive global energy company.

In response to the invitation, Obasanjo, speaking through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, in an interview with Punch, described it as a total disrespect to his person and office.

Obasanjo said the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to him as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.

The Nigerian government’s budgetary spending has dramatically increased over the past 27 years (1999–2025), with President Bola Tinubu’s ₦49.74 trillion 2025 budget pushing the total expenditure to ₦232.55 trillion.

According to an analysis by Saturday Vanguard, this amount is roughly equivalent to $667.89 billion based on official exchange rates.

However, using parallel exchange rates, the total would fall below $500 billion.

The total spending is a culmination of annual budgets and supplementary appropriations since 1999 when Nigeria returned to civilian rule.

While the figures appear impressive, Nigeria’s development indicators, including education, housing, and maternal health, tell a different story, raising critical questions about the real impact of this immense fiscal outlay on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

A former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has faulted the actions of a few individuals claiming to be Northern leaders” who meddle in the selection of candidates, especially for the presidency, under the guise of representing the region.

He asserted that Northern leaders must desist from displaying favouritism in selecting candidates.

Speaking during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Kwankwaso argued that such actions could divide the people, disrupt democracy, and, most importantly, lead to the election of unqualified leaders.

It will be recalled that the former governor dismissed rumours of an agreement between himself and former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, suggesting that each would serve a specific term in office.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that he was made the Governor of Rivers State by political leaders in the region.

While acknowledging the support he received from some leaders, Wike insisted that his rise to power resulted from his efforts and determination.

Speaking at a civic reception for his loyalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike contrasted his political journey with that of the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he asserted he installed as governor.

The remarks come in the wake of resurfaced social media videos in which former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, is seen introducing Wike to ex-governor Peter Odili and other political leaders as the preferred candidate to succeed Rotimi Amaechi.

These videos have reignited discussions amid ongoing tensions between Wike and Odili, fueled by the political rift between the minister and Fubara.

Expressing his frustrations, Wike criticized Odili for openly siding with Governor Fubara instead of adopting a neutral, fatherly role in the state’s political crisis.

President Bola Tinubu has paid an official visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

In a statement on his X handle on Saturday, the President disclosed that he visited the monarch at his Iga Idunganran palace on Friday.

Extolling the virtues of traditional institutions and their leaders, Tinubu explained that monarchs play a vital role in shaping society.

He wrote, “Today, I had the honour of visiting His Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, at the historic Iga Idunganran Palace, a site rich in culture and tradition.

“During my visit, Kabiyesi and I engaged in meaningful conversations about the role traditional institutions play in shaping our society and how they can improve on their role as partners in governance and development.

“We discussed Nigeria’s challenges and emphasised the importance of leveraging our traditional values in building a cohesive society that promotes prosperity for all citizens.

“Thank you, Kabiyesi for the opportunity of this important meeting.”

The Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his visit to Enugu State.

Speaking via a statement by his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Soludo asserted that the President’s visit demonstrates the Federal Government’s attention to South-East development.

Naijaonpoint reports that Tinubu made his first official visit to Enugu state on Saturday to inaugurate some projects executed by the Gov. Peter Mbah administration.

The statement disclosed that Soludo warmly welcomed President Tinubu on his visit to the Southeast region, saluting his liberal leadership style.

“The President is in Enugu state to commission developmental projects completed under Gov. Peter Mbah’s administration.

“This gesture underscores his commitment to fostering productive federal-state relations while advancing the interests of the Southeast region.

“The visit to the Southeast also demonstrates the federal government’s attention to the south east region’s development,” it said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has slammed the chairman of the factional chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state over the allegation that Governor Monday Okpebholo deployed thugs and armed men to attack three Local Government Area (LGA) headquarters in the State.

Naijaonpoint reported that suspected thugs on Monday barricaded the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Auchi, Edo State, preventing the council chairman, Marvellous Zibiri, and workers from accessing their offices.

The incident follows the suspension of all 18 council chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024.

In response, the APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the PDP’s allegations against Governor Okpebholo, describing it as reckless, irresponsible, and politically motivated.

Tenebe said findings from several eyewitnesses and stakeholders confirmed that the violence and destruction that occurred at the LGA headquarters were perpetrated by rival factions within the councils and the factional PDP, who were seeking to assert their control and dominance.

The APC chieftain urged the public to be cautious of such allegations designed to mislead and deceive.

Former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, has stated that politicians supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara are simply using him as a tool to undermine the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

He insisted that the politicians do not love Fubara and are pitching their tent with him because of their political gain.

Abe stated this at the Rivers State stakeholders’ programme hosted by Wike in celebration of the New Year on Friday.

He said, “Nobody is with Governor Fubara because they love Rivers State or Governor Fubara. They are with him because they see him as a means to achieve their political goal — to bring down the FCT Minister.”

Abe pointed out that many politicians supporting Fubara today had engaged in anti-party activities during the elections, supporting candidates from other parties.

Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has raised the alarm over the activities of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji.

He disclosed that Turji and his men have been launching attacks and causing mayhem in communities along the Zamfara- Sokoto axis.

During an interview with RFI Hausa, the former governor called for government intervention.

“If an individual like Turji would unleash such mayhem, and disrupt movement in our communities, then it calls for action. Government should rise up to the challenge,” Bafarawa said.

Turji recently threatened thunder and brimstone if his relatives detained were not released by January 1, 2025.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naijaonpoint. See you again tomorrow.