Good morning, Nigeria! You’re welcome to the Lagos Post Online News Roundup of today’s top newspaper headlines for Friday, October 17th, 2025.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned politicians against aligning themselves with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akpabio, while speaking during the Senate’s screening of Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), argued that no sane individual would join the opposition.
His comment followed an exchange with the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, who had observed that nobody contested the results of the last presidential election conducted in Ghana.
Ted Elemeforo, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, has urged President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to issue a public apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan. This call stems from the APC’s implementation of a policy that they had previously criticized.
Elemeforo, in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, said Tinubu and other APC leaders who protested against fuel subsidy under Jonathan’s administration owe him and Nigerians an apology for adopting the same policy.
The lawmaker accused the APC of hypocrisy, recalling that the reasons the party gave for voting Jonathan out of office were the same issues it is now guilty of.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has stated that the release of inmates granted clemency in the recent exercise is subject to change, and none have been released from custody yet.
This follows the backlash that trailed the exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy by President Bola Tinubu on certain categories of inmates.
In a statement personally signed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Thursday, the AGF Office said the process remained at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.
The federal government has reiterated that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is the sole authority responsible for conducting entrance examinations and managing admissions to all higher education institutions in Nigeria.
This assertion was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, on behalf of the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The statement clarified that there is no truth in certain reports suggesting that JAMB is no longer required for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has criticized Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, for politicizing every issue. Wike further asserted that Obi would continue to be a “social media president.”
Wike slammed Peter Obi on Thursday during the commissioning of newly completed roads, Esther Bali Street and Kez Udezue Street in Mabushi District, Abuja.
Wike referenced Peter Obi’s recent remarks after a visit to the LEA Primary School in Kapwa, Abuja, where the former governor expressed disappointment over the school’s poor condition and the absence of toilets.
Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has made a passionate plea to the Federal Government to urgently legislate and implement the proposed “Nigeria First” Policy, describing it as a critical lever for revitalizing the nation’s manufacturing sector.
The legislation, according to him, holds the keys to accelerating the nation’s economic growth and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Addressing manufacturers in Lagos at the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dangote lauded the theme of this year’s gathering, “Nigeria First: Prioritizing Made-in-Nigeria,” saying it is timely and a strategic call to action.
Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan has been confirmed as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Senate approved his appointment on Thursday following his screening, with a voice vote sealing his confirmation.
The confirmation, conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, came after Amupitan answered questions from lawmakers on his vision for the nation’s electoral body.
Amupitan arrived at the National Assembly earlier in the day, accompanied by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and other dignitaries.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has deemed Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), fit to stand trial for alleged terrorism.
Informing the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, the NMA said Kanu’s illness is not life-threatening.
The medical panel set up by the NMA President said it had concluded the health assessment ordered by the court on the IPOB leader.
President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), was screened by the Senate on Thursday.
Amupitan entered the Senate Chamber at 12:50 p.m. after a motion by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), to suspend Order 12 and allow the nominee into the chamber.
The motion was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the Bayelsa State governorship seat vacant.
Okonkwo said Nigeria’s constitution does not allow any elected official to remain partyless, but in the case of Duoye Diri, the Bayelsa State Governor has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but has not joined any other political party, thus making him partyless.
Diri had officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday.
Governor Douye Diri’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has caused considerable uneasy calm in Bayelsa State.
Diri announced on Wednesday during an expanded State Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa, attended by the Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ngobere, his deputy, Micheal Ogbere, and several lawmakers.
He stated, “Today, I wish to address a matter that has been the subject of speculation and debate across party lines in Bayelsa State and beyond. After extensive consultation, I, Governor Douye Diri, do hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
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Lagos Post Online.
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