Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 27th June, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 27th June, 2026.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, has set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Justice Isah Dashen, who delivered the ruling on Friday, held that the court’s December 10, 2025, judgment adversely affected the rights of the Peace Movement Party, which was not joined as a party in the suit.

Naija News reports that the Peace Movement Party had claimed ownership of the logo relied upon in obtaining the judgment that led to the registration of the NDC.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists after the ruling that the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had earlier submitted to INEC before the suit was filed.

According to him, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected because it was not made a party to the proceedings.

Ekeocha said the court consequently vacated the earlier judgment and directed that all necessary parties be joined in the matter.

Ekeocha explained that the implication of the ruling was that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment must be reversed.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed deep concerns about the court deregistration of the party.

He added that everyone committed to Nigeria’s progress should be deeply concerned, as the judgment represents another setback for the country’s democracy and the institutions on which its future depends.

According to him, he had a busy day, and the court order was brought to his attention by the NDC Vice-Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Obi, in his reaction through a personally signed statement released on Friday, alleged that the legislature and judiciary are being drawn into a pattern by the ruling party to weaken institutions in Nigeria.

The former Anambra State Governor stated that he is not concerned about who ultimately emerges president of Nigeria, but is worried about the survival of institutions in Nigeria.

Naija News reports that he called for action beyond partisan lines to save democracy in Nigeria, submitting that politics must move beyond the quest for power and focus instead on building a united nation founded on justice, strong institutions, the rule of law, and equal opportunity.

The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has accused the Nigerian government of plotting to keep him off the ballot in the forthcoming election.

Naija News reports that Peter Obi made this known on Friday while speaking at a leadership programme hosted by a group, NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State.

The former Governor of Anambra State opined that Nigerians will be surprised by what the Nigerian government is doing to ensure he does not contest the 2027 election.

According to him, he is not looking at the obstacles but the destination, stressing that he is not desperate to be the Nigerian President.

Peter Obi further challenged all 2027 presidential candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, to a debate, insisting that he is the most qualified candidate.

He noted that Nigeria’s problem is a lack of commitment among leaders, adding that some forces, whom he described as reactionary, were bent on holding the country down.

The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has urged the Nigerian government to make the Senate a part-time job.

Naija News reports that Ndume, during an interview on Trust TV on Friday, said the Senate and all legislators do not go to the office daily, but only during plenary sessions and at various committee levels.

Nduma further pushed for part-time roles in the Senate, where lawmakers are paid only when they have a sitting at the plenary or committee level.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has given fresh assurances that his administration remains committed to the welfare and safety of all citizens and residents of the state.

Makinde, in a statement on Friday, also assured that the government is working around the clock in coordination with security agencies to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area.

The Governor said that the government had approved a temporary 16-hour curfew in 10 Local Government Areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park to strengthen security operations and create the conditions needed for the rescue mission.

Makinde added that education remains a top priority and preparations were underway to ensure schools resumed safely despite the security challenges.

He assured that the government would take all necessary precautions to protect pupils, teachers and their host communities.

The Kebbi State Police Command has said it is looking into reports claiming that the Sai Malam group has resurfaced in Argungu Local Government Area of the state.

Naija News reports that in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the command said it had received information about the alleged activities of the group and had already begun gathering and reviewing intelligence to determine the true situation.

The police explained that investigations are ongoing and that authorities are working to verify the claims before drawing conclusions.

The command also stated that the Sai Malam group has not been officially listed as a terrorist organization under any existing proscription order in the country.

According to the statement, some individuals linked to the group were arrested and prosecuted by the police in Zuru in February 2026 over alleged criminal activities.

During the investigation, security operatives reportedly recovered items suspected to be counterfeit currencies from several countries.

These included the Nigerian naira, the United States dollar, the CFA franc and the Libyan dinar.

The police added that officers also found materials believed to be connected to ritual or occult practices, alongside other items considered relevant to the case.

However, the command noted that no firearms were recovered from the suspects during the operation and subsequent investigation.

Senator representing Borno South at the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has said 95% of people around President Bola Tinubu are dependents who cannot oppose him.

Naija News reports that Ndume made this remark during an interview on Trust TV on Friday.

Ndume said he has met Tinubu only twice since 2023, when the President assumed office.

According to the lawmaker, the problem with Tinubu is the people around him, who “Cannot look you in the face and say, Mr President, this cannot work.”

He added, “The president knows me to some extent. I give it to him that he has so much to do. Since 2023, I have met the president only twice. I said it before that Tinubu’s problem is the people around him.

“I can tell you authoritatively that 95% of people around Tinubu are his dependents even before he became the president.

“He was taking care of them, and that is one of the problems of his government. When you have people around you that are your dependents, they cannot look you in the face and say, Mr President, this cannot work.”

Former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has berated the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, over her statement urging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn, and producing kulikuli.

Naija News reports that Tinubu, in a video circulating online, explained the incumbent administration’s support for small businesses through grants rather than loans.

She said, “To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan, we gave them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. I also gave to several others.”

Reacting in a post on 𝕏 on Friday, Amadi argued that the First Lady’s approach reflected political calculation rather than good governance.

“The First Lady, like her husband, @officialABAT is an astute politician. She knows what works best for Nigerian politics: give women party leaders brand new cars and give akara money to captive voters who will still vote you on the basis of inducement, ethnicity and religion. I applaud their dexterity,” he wrote.

He, however, maintained that political skill does not necessarily translate into effective governance.

“The only problem is that the competences for being an astute politician do not translate to competences to govern well. Nigeria will continue to stagnate and the poor will be poorer under this astuteness,” Amadi added.

Nigerian female disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, professionally known as DJ Switch, has slammed the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, after she encouraged Nigerians to consider small-scale ventures such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli.

Naija News reports that Remi made the remarks while speaking with journalists following the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaking on the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, the First Lady said the programme had been providing grants, rather than loans, to vulnerable Nigerians to help them start businesses and improve their livelihoods.

She said, “We’re trying to give hope, and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant.

“So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving.”

The comments have since sparked outrage online, and DJ Switch has also condemned the remarks.

In a post on her Instagram, DJ Switch said that while other nations are creating spaces and infrastructure to develop their people for this rapidly evolving world, Remi Tinubu is encouraging the sale of kuli-kuli.

Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is on the verge of securing a move to Saudi Arabia after months without a club.

According to South African outlet Soccer Laduma, a Saudi club has stepped up its interest in the Super Eagles shot stopper. Although clubs in Israel had been monitoring his situation, the 30-year-old is now expected to continue his career in Saudi Arabia.

The transfer is likely to be completed before the start of the new season.

Nwabali has been a free agent since leaving South African side Chippa United in February and is now poised to revive his career after several months on the sidelines.