Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the TheTimes Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Sunday 26th April, 2026.
The Presidency has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a party struggling to maintain “coherence and balance.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, stated this while responding to the ADC’s National Legislators’ criticism of the president’s submission on the party’s national convention.
The ADC forum, led by former House of Representatives member, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, had argued that Nigeria is at a critical democratic juncture and accused the administration of shrinking political space.
The group also referenced Tinubu’s past as an opposition leader who once advocated political pluralism and judicial independence, saying his current leadership posture appears inconsistent with those democratic values.
However, Dare, in a detailed statement shared on Saturday via 𝕏, said ADC was suffering from “internal disarray”.
The statement was titled ‘WHAT’S THAT NOISE! Response to Hon. Nnenna Elendu Ukeje and the ADC Forum of National Legislators- Nigeria’s latest bunch of conspiracy theorists.
The Seyi Makinde-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and David Mark-led African Democratic Congress (ADC) have declared that they will field only one presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the political parties announced this on Saturday at their opposition summit in Oyo State.
PDP Chairman Tanimu Turaki SAN stated this while reading a communique from the summit in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former presidential candidate Peter Obi have already declared their intention to contest for the ADC presidential ticket.
Additionally, the PDP and ADC jointly demanded the resignation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan.
Reading the communique, Turaki said: “That despite the onslaughts and manoeuvrings of the ruling party, the APC, to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027, we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.
“That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long-suffering masses.
“That the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, having shown bias and partisanship in favour of the ruling APC, should not conduct the 2027 general elections as Nigerians across board have lost confidence in him and his capacity to guarantee the required neutrality to deliver free, fair, transparent and credible elections. His continuous stay in office is vexatious and capable of triggering widespread crisis in our nation.”
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has warned that weakening political opposition could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that Makinde made the remarks on Saturday at an opposition leaders’ summit held in Ibadan, which the organisers say aimed at strengthening coordination among political parties.
The summit, themed “That We May Work Together for a United Opposition to Sustain Our Democracy,” was described by organisers as a response to growing national concerns over governance, security, and economic pressures.
The event, hosted at the Banquet Hall of the Oyo State Government House, brought together leaders from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and other political groups.
Speaking at the event, Makinde said the meeting was not about division or confrontation but about responsible political engagement, stressing that the goal was to promote thoughtful and responsible engagement across party lines in the interest of national stability.
Makinde noted that Nigeria’s current socio-economic and security challenges require collaboration and honest dialogue among political actors.
Former Senate President, David Mark, has stated that Nigerians no longer have faith in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mark said this at a national summit of opposition political party leaders in Ibadan, hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The National Chairman of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC) alleged that INEC has taken sides and is no longer an impartial umpire.
Mark, while addressing the gathering, alleged that INEC has taken sides and is no longer an impartial umpire.
He claimed that both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and INEC are working to suppress opposition political parties.
Mark called on all leaders of opposition political parties to come together to unseat the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
He said, “The task before us is more of a national rescue mission. The APC is willing to suppress the opposition political parties and opposition political figures.
“It has never happened in Nigeria that we have only one political party, and it will never happen in our own generation. We cannot win as a fragmented segments.
“The contest is between Nigerians and APC, the ruling party. Nigerians have lost confidence in INEC. INEC is no longer an impartial umpire”.
The immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has dismissed the speculation of resigning against the wishes of President Bola Tinubu.
TheTimes Nigeria recalls that Adelabu resigned to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, there were reports that Adelabu did not make the necessary consultations before his resignation.
According to Punch, credible sources in the Presidency and among Adelabu’s aides said Tinubu had wanted to consider the Oyo APC chieftain as the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, following Wale Edun’s resignation.
“The truth is that he (Adelabu) resigned. He wasn’t sacked. I can confirm that to you. In fact, the President didn’t want him to go. He came to the Villa on Tuesday and met with the President. The President had been avoiding him for the past two months, so he wouldn’t get the opportunity to talk about resignation. That’s why he delayed,” a top government official in the Presidency said.
According to the source, the President had sent intermediaries to caution Adelabu against resigning.
In response to the reports online, Adelabu, in the statement issued through his Media Aide, Femi Awogboro, explained that his resignation was not in any way against Tinubu’s wishes.
The former Minister maintained that Tinubu approved his resignation, adding that the reports online are baseless claims.
The statement said, “Adelabu actually obtained the full approval and blessing of President Tinubu before taking the decision to resign. Those spreading false speculations to desist, such claims are baseless.
“Critics have nothing tangible to hold against Adelabu and are only unsettled by the unprecedented crowd that welcomed him back to Ibadan last Thursday.”
Leaders of political opposition parties have vowed to stop the imposition of President Bola Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The opposition political figures made the declaration via a communique issued at the end of a meeting christened “National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders”.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the meeting was hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in Ibadan on Saturday.
It was attended by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, David Mark; former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana; Aisha Yesufu; Professor Pat Utomi; and a former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Others are former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwanso; former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatai Ahmed; former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi; former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, among others.
The opposition political figures also stated that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, should not be allowed to conduct the forthcoming general elections in 2027.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, as Chairman of its Ekiti State Governorship Election Campaign Council.
The appointment was conveyed in a letter dated April 24, 2026, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
The party said the decision reflects confidence in Sani’s leadership capacity and political experience.
“This is in recognition of your distinguished leadership, political experience, and commitment to the success of our party in this critical election,” the letter stated.
The letter also invited the Kaduna governor to the official flag-off of the Ekiti governorship campaign.
Some Nigerians have claimed that hunger and greed are driving many citizens to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that this remark follows a video of Tinubu’s supposed supporter struggling to take a photo with former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
In the viral video, the man, wearing a cap bearing Tinubu’s insignia, joined other Nigerians as they tried to take a photo with Peter Obi.
The video has sparked mixed reactions from netizens.
Controversial relationship expert cum social media influencer, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has admitted that she regrets publicly seeking funds towards her alleged cancer treatment.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that Blessing, in an interview with Punch, said she wants to refund the money for the sake of her peace, stressing that some people demanding refunds did not even contribute.
She said, “I regret doing that because it made people feel entitled. Some of the loudest people demanding refunds didn’t even contribute. I just want to return the money and have my peace. I will never come online to ask for financial help again.”
On why she apologised to those who sent her money, she said, “I just realised that if people give you money, you have to be accountable to them. At first, I didn’t know that asking for support would come with putting out my private medical details. But now, I’m more comfortable, and I have a better understanding of my medical reports.”
Blessing CEO maintained that she is unbothered by public perception about the cancer controversy, saying, “It is not my business whether people believe me or not. Most people on social media don’t even understand what is going on. Whether I am sick or not, they will still talk. I don’t feel any type of way about it. I think people are not used to seeing me vulnerable because I’ve built a strong and resilient persona. At this point, I just have to stand up for myself. I don’t need anyone’s trust. I’ll be fine.”
Explaining why she deactivated her Instagram account in the midst of the drama, Okoro said, “It wasn’t about running away. I have lost pages in similar situations before so I took time off before the page could be reported and deactivated. Taking time off social media actually gave me peace. It helped me refocus and think about life beyond social media.”
Speaking on how her fiancé, IVD, felt about the whole situation, Blessing responded, “He wasn’t bothered. People will always talk, but he understands me. There’s nothing anyone can say that will shake him.”
Manchester City will face either Chelsea or Leeds United in the FA Cup final after a dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over Southampton at Wembley Stadium.
Pep Guardiola’s side looked destined for disappointment when Finn Azaz struck late to give the Championship club a shock lead. Instead, City produced a stunning late turnaround as Jeremy Doku levelled before Nico Gonzalez blasted home the winner in the closing minutes.
The result sends City into a record fourth consecutive FA Cup final and keeps alive hopes of a second trophy this season after their Carabao Cup triumph against Arsenal.
City dominated long spells but struggled to turn pressure into goals early on. The Premier League champions hit the post, forced several saves and had a Southampton effort ruled out for offside before the break. Despite their control, the breakthrough would not come.
Southampton, unbeaten in 20 matches, remained dangerous and stunned Wembley when Azaz fired home from a distance to spark wild celebrations among the Saints supporters.
City responded instantly. Doku’s fierce drive took a deflection off James Bree and flew past the goalkeeper to restore parity. Moments later, Gonzalez completed the comeback with a thunderous strike from range that sealed City’s place in another Wembley showpiece.
Guardiola now prepares for his 24th Wembley appearance in 10 years as City await the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Chelsea and Leeds United.
