Daily News Highlights from Leading Newspapers in Nigeria, Occurring on Wednesday, the 20th of August, 2025
In the political landscape of Nigeria, tensions are running high as President Bola Tinubu, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike engage in a series of public spats.
Nyesom Wike, in a recent statement, debunked reports of a parallel Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention, claiming he is not aware of such a National Convention being planned for Ibadan, the Oyo State capital [1]. Wike's assertion comes amidst ongoing political rivalries, with Wike himself dismissing Rotimi Amaechi's presidential ambitions as "dead on arrival," indicating ongoing factionalism within Nigeria's political elite [4].
Meanwhile, Babachir Lawal's criticism of President Tinubu appears to be rooted in personal political disappointment. Lawal, who was not chosen as Tinubu's vice-presidential running mate in the 2023 elections, has been vocal in calling the president "arrogant" and "unapproachable." However, Nyesom Wike has defended Tinubu and dismissed Lawal's attacks as insincere and politically motivated [2].
The political environment is tense ahead of the 2025 elections, with additional disputes such as the Labour Party faction protesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) rejection of some candidates, further contributing to an already charged political atmosphere [1].
Away from politics, violence has also been a recurring issue in Nigeria. In Katsina State, 13 worshippers were killed during dawn prayers at a mosque in Unguwan Mantau village, Malumfashi Local Government Area. The attackers invaded the mosque around 5 a.m. and opened fire on the congregation [3]. Troops of the army, police, and air force have been deployed to the community to restore order.
This attack is described as a "reprisal attack" linked to a recent ambush staged by villagers against a bandit group in the area. In a separate incident, the Anambra State Government condemned the brutal assault on a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Jennifer Elobor, by operatives of a state-backed security outfit [5]. The perpetrators involved in the assault have been arrested and placed in detention.
Elsewhere, Reality TV star Josephine Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, responded angrily to a critic who called her out for not joining a protest in Edo State over recent Dangote truck accidents. Fenerbahce manager José Mourinho revealed that Lionel Messi is the player who influenced his career the most, while Nigerian professional dancer Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, also known as Kaffy, shared a traumatic childhood experience in which her mother accused her of having an affair with her boyfriend and flogged her naked [6].
These events underscore the complex and often volatile nature of life in Nigeria, where political tensions and violence continue to pose significant challenges.
References:
- Nyesom Wike denies knowledge of PDP's planned Ibadan National Convention
- Nyesom Wike defends Bola Tinubu, dismisses Babachir Lawal's attacks as politically motivated
- 13 killed in mosque attack in Katsina State, Nigeria
- Nyesom Wike dismisses Rotimi Amaechi's presidential ambitions as "dead on arrival"
- Anambra State Government condemns brutal assault on NYSC member
- Phyna responds to criticism over Edo State protest, Kaffy shares traumatic childhood experience
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