Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the TheTimes Nigeria roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 1st May, 2026.
The Supreme Court has affirmed the factional African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by the former Senate President, David Mark.
TheTimes Nigeria recalls that the ADC dispute followed actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declined to recognise some claimants to leadership positions in the party, citing earlier court rulings and pending litigation.
INEC also removed Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its portal and website as ADC National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, citing the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
The electoral body said it would, in line with the order for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, not recognise any of the warring factions until the legal dispute is determined.
However, in its ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court vacated the order directing the ADC to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of its leadership crisis.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel headed by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted beyond its jurisdiction by unilaterally issuing such an order after it had already dismissed a case that was brought before it by one of the factions.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called out the administration of President Bola Tinubu over rising public debt and loan borrowings by the government.
Obi, in a statement on Thursday, noted that countries should not borrow recklessly without a clear path to repayment through productive investment.
He, however, lamented that most of the borrowings by the Tinubu administration do not satisfy the requirements of law or the requirements of economic common sense.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the former Governor of Anambra State made the submission against the recent declaration by President Tinubu that debt is not leprosy.
However, Obi submitted that borrowing can both be a leprosy and a killer cancer if not done for the right reasons and properly managed.
He expressed concerns that Nigeria is borrowing for consumption and not production.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain charged the Tinubu government to ensure borrowings work for the Nigerian people and not just defend or justify its borrowings.
The Supreme Court has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
TheTimes Nigeria understands that the convention had produced a factional national executive of the party led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
In a split decision delivered on Thursday, three out of five justices of the apex court held that the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP lacks merit.
Stephen Adah, who read the majority decision, held that the appellants violated a subsisting order of the federal high court which restrained them from proceeding with the planned convention.
The apex court’s decision has now affirmed earlier judgments which held that the exercise was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders.
The Ibadan convention had been the subject of prolonged legal disputes before the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Operations in federal universities and inter-university centres are set to be disrupted from Friday as the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) begins a nationwide strike.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the unions confirmed the planned industrial action in a letter dated April 30, 2026, addressed to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
The letter was signed by NASU General Secretary, Peters Adeyemi, and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim.
Strike begins at midnight
The unions said the strike would commence at midnight on May 1, 2026, following the Federal Government’s failure to conclude ongoing renegotiations and present a fresh offer on allowances.
They acknowledged the withdrawal of an earlier contentious letter on a 30 per cent increase in the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance but said the action did not address their main grievances.
A faction of Boko Haram, identified as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, has declared that its 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government has expired, raising fresh concerns over the safety of abducted civilians in Borno State.
The group claimed it is prepared to begin executions of captives following the collapse of negotiations.
In a video message, a spokesperson for the group said all discussions with authorities had ended.
“The 72-hour deadline we gave you has already expired… now there is no discussion,” the spokesperson stated, insisting that the group would act on its threats.
The insurgent group also dismissed ransom talks, describing earlier figures as unofficial and insisting that financial offers would not influence its position.
The group warned against any attempt to carry out military rescue operations, claiming such actions could lead to further civilian casualties.
It also mocked government efforts to respond to the situation, while issuing threats directed at public figures.
The Attorney General of the Federation has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the affected parties include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.
The plaintiffs argued that INEC’s continued recognition of the parties violates constitutional provisions and undermines electoral integrity.
They contended that the parties failed to meet the performance thresholds required under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties did not secure the minimum electoral performance required to retain their registration.
These include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state or local government levels.
They maintained that despite poor performance in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, the parties remain on INEC’s register.
Nollywood actress Bimbo Ademoye has fearlessly confronted a group of area boys who stormed her outdoor film shoot location and demanded money from her.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that a video of the incident went viral on 𝕏.
In the clip, Ademoye stood her ground against the men, who are seen making aggressive demands for a “settlement”, a common extortion tactic used against movie crews shooting in public or community spaces across Lagos.
The thespian, while speaking in a mix of Nigerian pidgin and English, told the men she had no problem rewarding those around her set but would not yield to ultimatums.
When one of the men retorted that he had not come to beg, Ademoye was blunt in her response.
“Yes, you came to beg. You are even being proud of it,” she said.
The confrontation sharpened when one of the boys threatened to switch off her camera. Ademoye fired back: “Camera that nobody in your generation has.”
Nigerian music producer and songwriter, David Adedeji Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has responded to criticism from singer T-Dot, dismissing claims that his success is tied to his father’s wealth amid an ongoing social media feud involving DJ Tunez.
TheTimes Nigeria reports that the exchange is the latest twist in an ongoing online spat between Davido and DJ Tunez, the official disc jockey to Wizkid.
The controversy began after DJ Tunez shared a post featuring Wizkid in a gym outfit with the caption, “Original, no be fake,” which many interpreted as a subtle jab at Davido, who had recently appeared in a similar outfit.
Davido, who appeared to take offence, responded with a series of posts mocking the DJ.
In his reaction, Davido referenced a recent altercation involving DJ Tunez and Burna Boy, where the DJ was reportedly knocked to the ground.
Wading into the controversy, singer T-Dot defended DJ Tunez, insisting that the DJ was not defeated during the altercation.
Reacting, Davido noted that the popular comment linking him to his father’s wealth is already stale. He lampooned T-Dot, saying he understands his remark because he (T-Dot) inherited ‘frustration’ from his father.
Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has revealed that his decision to represent Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games effectively ended his career at Chelsea under former manager Antonio Conte.
Mikel Obi was part of Nigeria’s provisional 35-man squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics and later captained the team. He led the Dream Team to a bronze medal after a 3-2 win over Honduras in Belo Horizonte.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the midfielder said the fallout with Conte began before the tournament when he and Victor Moses were invited to join Nigeria’s Olympic squad.
“Conte was the reason why I left. Once he came in, he was like ‘you’re not playing anymore’, then I left. Obviously when I saw Kante as well coming to the club I was like my time here is done,” Mikel Obi said.
He explained that the Italian coach warned him about the consequences of accepting the Olympic call-up.
Kobbie Mainoo has committed his long-term future to Manchester United after signing a new contract that runs until 2031, ending months of speculation surrounding the midfielder.
The 21-year-old academy graduate has made 98 senior appearances since breaking into the first team and famously scored the winning goal in the 2024 FA Cup final. He also featured for the England national football team in the UEFA Euro 2024 final.
“Manchester United has always been my home, this special club means everything to my family,” said Mainoo. “I have grown up seeing the impact that our club has on our city, and I relish the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.”
Mainoo’s previous deal, agreed before his breakthrough in 2023, was due to expire in 2027. His future became uncertain earlier this season after he struggled for minutes under former manager Ruben Amorim and pushed for a January loan move to Napoli. United rejected the request and made clear they wanted him to remain at Old Trafford.
