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Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Saturday morning

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Good morning! Below is a summary of today’s major stories from Nigerian newspapers:

1. A fresh shutdown of public hospitals nationwide appears imminent as the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) maintains its decision to embark on a strike, despite an interim injunction issued by the National Industrial Court in Abuja. The court, presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim, on Friday restrained the association, including its President, Dr Mohammad Usman Suleiman, and Secretary, Dr Shuaibu Ibrahim, from proceeding with the planned action scheduled for Monday, January 12. Nonetheless, NARD insists the strike will go ahead to press its demands.

2. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, on Friday unveiled a reform agenda aimed at repositioning the commission ahead of next year’s general elections. He said the goal is to deliver elections that meet global standards and mark a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

3.Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, through his legal representatives, has submitted a corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The petition follows the earlier withdrawal of a similar complaint from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

4.The 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly pursuing the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reaffirmed their resolve to continue with the process. This comes as the Pan Niger Delta Forum, the apex socio-political group in the South-South, has reportedly activated high-level interventions to halt the move. The lawmakers insist the impeachment proceedings are “fully on course.”

5.Former United States President Donald Trump has, for the first time since refocusing attention on insecurity in Nigeria, acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of violence. In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said no single religion is exclusively targeted, although he maintained that Christians have suffered the most casualties.

6.The Labour Party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has claimed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has harboured presidential ambitions since his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days. Baba-Ahmed made the assertion during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday

7.President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are projected to spend a combined N9.36 billion on domestic and international travel, as well as food and refreshments, in the 2026 fiscal year. The figures are contained in details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill released by the Budget Office of the Federation.

8.Police officers from the Assakio Division, working alongside local vigilantes, have raided kidnappers’ hideouts in Angara and Fadaman Bauna villages in the Lafia East Development Area of Nasarawa State. The operation resulted in the arrest of six suspected kidnappers and the rescue of three victims—two women and one man.

9.The EFCC on Friday arraigned an Austrian national, Kavlak Onal, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged failure to declare foreign currencies worth N2.28 billion. Onal was charged before Justice Yellim Bogoro on two counts relating to the non-declaration of $800,575 and €651,505.

10. Nigeria’s Super Eagles is set play Algeria at the 2025 African Cup of Nations Quarter-finals on Saturday. Winner of the fixture would play Morocco at the Semi-Final.

AFCON 2025: Morocco beat Cameroon to face winner of Nigeria vs Algeria in semi-final

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Hosts Morocco have secured a place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they continue their push for a historic title on home soil.

The Atlas Lions sealed their progression on Friday night with a convincing 2-0 victory over Cameroon.

Brahim Díaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute, maintaining his impressive form at the tournament. Cameroon pushed for an equalizer after the break, but Morocco remained composed and in control.

The hosts doubled their lead through Ismael Saibairi, who fired home from a corner kick to put the result beyond doubt.

With the win, Morocco advances to the semi-finals, where they will take on the winner of the quarter-final clash between Nigeria and Algeria.

No truth whatsoever- Bashir Ahmad speaks on Aisha Buhari’s alleged remarriage to Pantami 

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A former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has dismissed as false reports claiming that former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, is set to marry former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami.

Ahmad described the reports as outright lies, stressing that the claim that the former First Lady planned to marry one of her late husband’s close allies was completely unfounded.

The clarification followed the circulation of a purported wedding invitation card on social media, which alleged that Pantami would soon wed Mrs Buhari.

Reacting via a Facebook post, Ahmad urged the public to disregard the rumour, noting that it was not worthy of serious attention. However, he said it became necessary to address the issue because of its continued spread.

“The news that some people are sharing that Hajiya Aisha Buhari has agreed to marry Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami is a lie,” Ahmad wrote. “There is no truth in it whatsoever.”

The rumour surfaced less than a year after the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari passed away on July 13, 2025, at a clinic in London. His remains were later flown to Nigeria, where he was buried in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with full military honours.

AFCON 2025: Senegal beat Mali to book first semi-final spot

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Senegal on Friday secured a narrow victory over Mali to advance to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Teranga Lions claimed the win thanks to a first-half strike by I. Ndiaye, which proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter.

Despite sustained pressure and chances from both sides in the second half, neither team was able to add to the scoreline, and the match ended 1–0 in favour of Senegal.

The victory makes Senegal the first nation to qualify for the semi-finals of the AFCON 2025 tournament.

Dangote takes petition against ex-NMDPRA boss Ahmed to EFCC over alleged corruption

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The president of Dangote Refinery and Group, Aliko Dangote, has filed a formal corruption petition against the chief executive officer of the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

The latest move was a sequel to the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N., on behalf of Dangote, the richest man in Africa urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption-related offenses, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N. (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1624) 337.”

Onoja further urged the commission to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting.

The petition also stated that “the commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies.”

Recall that in December 2025, Dangote petitioned Ahmed over the alleged claim that he paid over $5 million for his children’s foreign tuition fees.

But in a notice to ICPC dated 6 January, Dangote withdrew all allegations against Ahmed, but ICPC insisted on continuing the probe.

Meanwhile, Ahmed had denied the allegation, but his resignation was announced by a presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on December 17th, 2025.

 

2027: You’re single-term governor in Abia—Senator Orji Kalu tells Otti

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The lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will defeat Governor Alex Otti of Abia State in the 2027 governorship election.

Kalu made the assertion while addressing his supporters at a recent gathering, where he expressed confidence that the APC is fully prepared to reclaim control of the state.

 

Reacting to comments previously attributed to Governor Otti, Kalu said the governor should instead prepare for defeat, insisting that the APC would take over Abia in the next election cycle.

The former Abia State governor also vowed to personally lead the party’s campaign across the state, saying he would go from door to door to mobilize support against the incumbent.

According to Kalu, Governor Otti lacks the political depth to secure a second term, describing him as a “one-term governor.” He further stated that Abia voters would collectively reject the current administration at the polls.

“Abia people will speak with one voice,” Kalu said, adding that electoral malpractice would not be tolerated in the state.

FCMB, Unity, Standard Chartered, eleven other Nigerian banks are yet to meet CBN’s recapitalization deadline

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Concerns are mounting among bank customers as First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Unity Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and several other financial institutions are yet to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recapitalization requirements, with just eleven weeks remaining to the March 31, 2026, deadline.

 

According to a report by Nigerian Newssphere, 19 commercial banks had met the apex bank’s minimum capital benchmark as of January 6, 2025.

 

Banks that have so far complied with the CBN’s recapitalization directive include Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank of Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTCO), United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Zenith Bank, alongside twelve other institutions.

 

However, fourteen banks are yet to comply with the new capital requirements at the time of filing this report. Those yet to meet the benchmark include First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Unity Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank (Titan Trust), Taj Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Parallex Bank, and SunTrust Bank.

 

Others are FBH Merchant Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, Taj Bank, and Alternative Banks operating under the non-interest banking framework.

Meanwhile, financial analysts have warned that failure to meet the recapitalization threshold before the March 31 deadline could trigger mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring within the banking sector.

Wike vs Fubara: Tension over increasing military presence in Rivers amidst political crisis

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There was an increased military presence in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Thursday, January 8, 2026 amid the rising tension over the political crisis bedeviling the state.

NIGERIAN NEWS SPHERE gathered that many soldiers were stationed at several major junctions and roads across the state capital.

There was a heavy military presence in the Obiri-Ikwerre junction, Rumosi Flyover, Alakahia junction Uniport Junction and some spots along the East-West Road.

The development has triggered tension across the state with residents expressing fear.

This is coming amid the ravaging political crisis between the governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The crisis escalated on Thursday when the state House of Assembly commenced the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.

Rivers: Lawyers move to recall 26 Lawmakers over Fubara Impeachment

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Legislative lawyers operating under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) have initiated steps to recall 26 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, following the impeachment proceedings commenced against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Recall that the lawmakers on Thursday began impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of gross misconduct, including alleged financial misappropriation.

 

ALDRAP announced the commencement of the recall process in a formal letter addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

In the letter, the association requested certified true copies (CTCs) of the voters’ registers for all state constituencies in Rivers State, a requirement for initiating the recall process.

 

The legislative lawyers stated that many of their members are constituents of the affected lawmakers, giving the association the legal standing to begin recall actions against them.

 

ALDRAP also warned INEC that it would approach the courts to compel the release of the requested CTCs should the Commission fail to comply.

 

Excerpts from the letter dated January 8, 2026, and signed by ALDRAP Secretary, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, SCN, described the action as a “notice of commencement of recall” of Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 25 other legislators who signed the impeachment notice against the governor.

 

The association noted that the impeachment move contradicts a February 2025 Supreme Court judgment, which urged members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resolve disputes with the governor through peaceful and amicable means.

 

ALDRAP further pointed out that both Governor Fubara and the lawmakers involved are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that internal party dispute resolution mechanisms should have been explored before resorting to impeachment.

 

Reacting further, the association described the impeachment notice as “dead on arrival,” citing what it called fundamental legal flaws. According to ALDRAP, the letter addressed Governor Fubara as “madam,” a mistake it said renders the notice invalid.

The group also maintained that the people of Rivers State did not authorize or endorse the lawmakers’ decision to initiate impeachment proceedings against the governor.

Naira slips against Dollar for first time in 2026

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The naira on Thursday recorded its first depreciation against the United States dollar in the official foreign exchange market in 2026, ending a week-long rally.

Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed that the local currency weakened slightly to N1,419.72 per dollar on Thursday, compared with N1,418.26 recorded on Wednesday. This represents a day-on-day loss of N1.46, the naira’s first decline this year at the official window.

The currency also depreciated at the parallel market, where it fell by N10 to trade at N1,490 per dollar on Thursday, down from N1,480 the previous day.

The dip comes despite Nigeria’s foreign reserves continuing their upward trend, rising to $45.64 billion as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Nigerian Newssphere reports that before Thursday’s setback, the naira had enjoyed a seven-day run of gains at the official foreign exchange market.

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