Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday, 8th February, 2026.
1. Tinubu Has Done More For The Security Sector Than PDP Did In 16 Years – Presidency Replies ADC’s Abdullahi
The presidency has accused the spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, of attempting to misrepresent the facts about security in Nigeria.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, maintained that President Tinubu has done more within two years in office than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which Abdullahi served as a Minister did in the sixteen years it was in power.
The claim was made in response to a statement by Abdullahi on Saturday, who wrote via his 𝕏 account that the rising waves of insecurity in some parts of the cuntry is a confirmation that Nigeria has no government.
“The festering insecurity and violent attacks in Kwara, Katsina and other parts of the country, and massacre of innocent Nigerians is concrete proof that Nigeria has no government,” he wrote.
However, in response, Olusegun accused the former Minister of being dishonest with his submission and attempting to misrepresent the facts with reverse psychology.
The presidential aide listed increased security spending, sustained military intervention, moves for fast-tracking the establishment of state police, and recruitment of more security agents as some of the efforts already deployed by the Tinubu administration since coming into office.
He added that, contrary to what Abdullahi wants the public to believe, the efforts are already yielding results, and while recent attacks in some parts of the country are totally condemnable, the post by Abdullahi is far from the truth.
2.Electoral Act: Why Abuse The Senate Over Incomplete Process? – Akpabio Knocks Critics
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has berated Nigerians criticising the Senate over the Electoral Act Amendment, saying the process is incomplete.
Naija News reports that Akpabio, during the public presentation of the book: “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria,” written by Senator Effiong Bob, at the NAF Centre, Abuja, on Saturday, said the Senate will not be intimidated but will do what is right to give Nigerians an Electoral Act that will advance democracy.
He explained that the controversy over Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act was unnecessary because the amendment process was still unfolding and had not yet been completed.
3. Details Of Nigeria‑US Military Partnership After CPC Redesignation
Details have emerged surrounding the scope of Nigeria’s evolving military partnership with the United States, following a series of strategic engagements and operations sparked by rising security concerns and international attention.
The intensified collaboration gained momentum after US President, Donald Trump, re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) in October over alleged Christian persecution, a move the Nigerian government repeatedly denied.
A month later, Trump threatened to send American troops into Nigeria to “wipe out the terrorists killing Christians,” raising concerns over international law and sovereignty.
In response, President Bola Tinubu dispatched National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to Washington for a high-level meeting with US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth.
Following the meeting, Hegseth revealed the US was “working aggressively” with Nigeria to end religiously motivated violence by jihadist groups, though no specifics were provided.
Soon after, contractor-operated US surveillance flights began operating from Ghana into Nigerian airspace. While initially unclear, the flights preceded a Christmas Day missile strike on terrorist camps in Bauni forest, Sokoto State, executed with US drone technology, not Tomahawk cruise missiles as earlier speculated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the operation was the result of coordinated intelligence sharing and described it as in line with “established international practice and bilateral understanding.”
Communities in Sokoto and Kwara States reported explosions during the airstrikes. The federal government later confirmed that debris from US-fired precision-guided munitions (PGMs) had landed in Kwara.
4. We Do Not Plan On Dividing Nigeria – US Lawmaker, Moore
A United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, has dismissed reports that the US plans to divide Nigeria.
Speaking via a statement on Saturday, he asserted that throughout his engagement with government officials in Nigeria, the discussion of dividing the country never came up.
The US lawmaker explained that the idea of “dividing the country has not come up in any serious way”.
Moore noted that “Efforts to embolden separatists hurt Christians in Nigeria, especially in the North and Middle Belt. A destabilized Nigeria would embolden terrorists and make Christians less safe in Nigeria and across the continent.
“I remain committed to working to save the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ and for that matter, all Nigerians suffering from the instability wrought by terrorists throughout Nigeria.
“The US and Nigeria have just entered into a security cooperation agreement, and that is an important step in tackling the violence in Nigeria and deepening and strengthening the bilateral relationship between our great nations.”
5. Ex-President Obasanjo’s Daughter Declares For Ogun Governorship, Joins APC
Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports on Saturday.
The former commissioner ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus is firmly on the governorship race.
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
6. ‘Call Tenebe To Order’ – PDP To Tinubu, Accuses Edo APC Chair Of Death Threat
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned alleged threats made by the Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Jarrett Tenebe, against a female critic of the state government.
In a statement to Naija News issued on Saturday by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the PDP described the alleged comments as reckless and anti-democratic, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
The PDP referenced reports that Tenebe allegedly demanded the address of a female citizen who criticised the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, and purportedly declared that “death awaits you.”
“This is not political rhetoric. It is not metaphor. It is a direct threat to life, issued by a senior official of the ruling party in Edo State,” the statement said.
The party described the development as a “dangerous descent into political barbarism,” warning that threats against citizens for exercising their constitutional rights undermine democracy.
The PDP also raised concerns over repeated claims by Tenebe and Governor Okpebholo that the APC would “deliver” 3.5 million votes to President Tinubu in future presidential elections.
According to the opposition party, publicly available data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) indicate that Edo State does not have up to 2.7 million registered voters.
7. Yusuf Defection: Kano Assembly Speaks On Impeachment Plot Against Deputy Governor
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
Naija News recalls that the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the House, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
8. Ozekhome In Fresh Trouble As Nigeria Immigration Disowns Passport
Fresh evidence has emerged showing that a key document presented by prominent Nigerian lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), before a London tribunal in support of his ownership claim to a property in North London was fraudulent.
The development has triggered criminal charges against the senior advocate in Nigeria.
Although the document was admitted by the British court as genuine at the time, due to lack of contrary evidence, the issuing authority in Nigeria has now confirmed that it was fake.
According to Premium Times, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) confirmed that the Nigerian passport used as evidence in the property dispute was never legitimately issued.
In a letter addressed to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the NIS stated that passport booklet number A07535463, presented to support Ozekhome’s claim, was defective, reported stolen, and never personalised.
“The said booklet was reported stolen and was never personalised. Consequently, it does not exist in the Service’s Electronic Management System, and no Certified True Copy is available,” the NIS stated.
The agency further said preliminary findings showed that personal data had been “unlawfully superimposed” on the booklet, with “numerous inconsistencies” suggesting significant irregularities.
Judge Ewan Paton of the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) had admitted the passport as authentic evidence in proceedings concluded in September 2025.
In his ruling, the judge noted that a man identified as Tali Shani had given evidence and that a certified copy of a Nigerian passport was produced.
“I do not have the evidence, or any sufficient basis, to find that this document… is forged, and I do not do so,” the judge stated at the time.
However, subsequent findings by Nigerian authorities have now established that the passport was fraudulent.
9. ‘It Is Purely Business’ – Mo Abudu Speaks On ‘Cabal’ In Nollywood Over Favoritism In Cinema Slots
Nigerian media executive, Mo Abudu, has dismissed claims of cabals in the movie industry, especially allegations that some Nollywood producers liaise with cinema owners to prevent people from watching movies from competitors.
Naija News reports that some Nigerian filmmakers have, over time, taken to social media to accuse their colleagues of conspiring with cinema owners to prevent their movies, which have already been given a particular slot, from showing.
Some fans have also alleged that when they visit cinemas to watch a particular Nigerian movie that has been scheduled, some workers there persuade them to watch another Nigerian film under the guise that their preferred movie is no longer showing.
However, during an interview on ARISE Television on Saturday, Mo Abudu said cinema is purely about business, stressing that movies that generate strong sales are given preferential treatment.
According to the filmmaker, cinema owners and their investors are not working on sentiment but on generating returns on their investments in cinemas.
10. Guardiola Rejects Slot’s Style-Over-Trophies Claim Ahead Of Crucial Liverpool Clash
Pep Guardiola has brushed aside Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s suggestion that attractive football matters more than winning trophies, insisting that success remains the ultimate measure of a coach.
Manchester City travel to Anfield on Sunday for a high-stakes Premier League encounter, with Arsenal currently six points clear at the top and City running out of room for mistakes in the title race.
Liverpool, who began the season with expectations of mounting a strong title defence, have endured a difficult campaign and now sit sixth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Slot recently sparked debate after stating that he would rather see Liverpool play entertaining football than focus solely on winning silverware, according to BeiN Sports.
Guardiola, whose possession-based philosophy has guided City to six Premier League titles, four domestic cups and a historic Champions League triumph in the last decade, pushed back against that view while acknowledging the importance of playing with identity.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
