President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday, on a 15-day visit to Kenya, Rwanda and France.
This is contained in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Friday in Abuja.
President Tinubu’s first stop will be in France, after which he will depart for Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Africa-France Summit scheduled to begin next week.
Co-chaired by President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto, the summit focuses on energy transition, green industrialisation, digital transformation, restructuring of global financing architecture, and climate action.
President Tinubu’s participation at the summit from May 11th to May 12th. will underscore Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with African nations and the French Republic.
The summit, with the theme – “Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth” – will provide a high-level platform for African leaders and their French counterparts to deliberate on critical issues affecting the continent, including economic transformation, climate resilience, infrastructure development, youth empowerment, technological advancement, and peace-building initiatives.
At the end of the Kenyan summit, President Tinubu will depart for Kigali, Rwanda, to attend the annual Africa CEO Forum, taking place between May 14th and 15th.
With the theme “Scale or Fail”, this year’s Africa CEO Forum will be the largest gathering of African private sector leaders, investors, and policymakers, focusing on accelerating economic transformation through shared scale, regional integration, and increased cross-border investment.
Held in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the summit brings together over 2,000 top executives and national leaders to debate strategies for building resilient, competitive industries.
At the two summits, President Tinubu will deliver statements highlighting his administration’s ongoing reforms to reposition the nation as a prime destination for investment and growth.
He will also hold high-level meetings with top-tier global and African business leaders.
President Tinubu will be accompanied on the trip by some of his ministers and senior aides. He will return to Nigeria at the end of the Rwanda summit.
The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has allayed fears that the spiraling cost of aviation fuel (Jet A1 fuel) could truncate the smooth airlift of intending Muslim pilgrims to the Holy Land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
This is as he assured of Federal Government’s intervention to mitigate the impact of the global surge in prices of aviation on the industry ahead of the airlifting of pilgrims.
The Source reports that there have been palpable apprehension over the possibility that the 2026 Hajj exercise could be severely hampered owing to the operational difficulties being faced by industry operators due mainly to the high cost of Jet 1 fuel used by aircrafts.
Major stakeholders had raised serious concern and doubts about industry operators breaking even in the face of the current challenges going by the terms of their subsisting contract with the authorities as regards the airlift operations.
According to them, while the contract cost entered into had the cost of aviation fuel fixed at N1000 per litre, the product now sells at about N2000 per litre ,thus, making it impossible for operators to meet up.
But a statement on Friday May 1, 2026, from Fatima Sanda, its spokesperson, quoted the NAHCON Chairman as assuring that the Commission is presently engaging all relevant stakeholders within the aviation industry on how to ensure a seamless and efficient airlift exercise.
The Commission dismissed as false and misleading reports claiming that contracted airlines and carriers have pulled out from this year’s Hajj exercise owing to challenges.
While acknowledging the challenges, NAHCON however, maintained that claims suggesting airlines unwillingness to participate in the Hajj operations are not in tandem with the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Government and operators.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all necessary arrangements are progressing as planned, and the inaugural flight for the 2026 Hajj exercise is scheduled for May 3, 2026”, the Commission stated.
According to the NAHCON Chairman, the Federal Government’s intervention is primarily aimed at striking a balance by way of ensuring that airlines involved in the airlifting do not operate at a loss and at the same time avoiding heaping excessive burdens on pilgrims.
Workers in Bayelsa State have demanded for domestication and implementation of the new Federal Government approved increase of salaries, estacodes, duty tour and other allowances of civil servants in the state.
This was as a result of Federal Government approval of upward review of salaries, and allowances of all civil servants on the consolidated public salary structures (CONPSS) and Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
The workers under the umbrella bodies of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in a joint address presented during the 2026 Workers Day Celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, also demanded for the timely approval, conduct and implantation of financial benefits of promotions.
Delivering the address on behalf of the two unions, the state chairman of NLC, Comr. Barnabas Simon in company of his counterpart in TUC, Comr. Edwin Fefegha, appealed for the implementation of annual increment for all category of workers.
He stated that there is urgent need for a new housing scheme for workers in Bayelsa State, saying the economic realities at the moment have made it very difficult for an average worker to cope with the high cost of house rent in the state.
“Most workers cannot afford to rent a decent accommodation talk more of building or owing houses. No thanks to the hike in the cost of building materials”.
He also demanded for implementation of the 25 percent and 35 percent salary arrears and employment of Non-academic staff at the post primary subsector and provisions of uniform allowance for Nurses and other professional health workers.
The labour leader appealed for extension of grade level 10 entry point to all graduate nurses and implementation of the new N80,000 minimum wage for staff of Bayelsa State fire service
Responding to the demands of the workers, the governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri reiterated his commitment towards civil service in the state, saying it’s important to honor workers for there is dignity in labour, “dignity in everything that we do”.
Governor Diri pointed out that, “every year we celebrate the dignity of labour and the extraordinary partnership that is delivering unprecedented prosperity to our people, the people of Bayelsa state, and to every hard-working employee of government, both man and woman, the public and in the private sectors whose toil sustains our state.”
He further said “our civil servants who keep the ministries of government running, our teachers who mould the minds of this generation and indeed the next generation, to our house workers who safeguard our lives, to our security agencies who keep watch.”
Governor emphasized that there is peace and security in Bayelsa state, “to every artisan, farmers and professionals in the private sectors, your dedication and selfless service are the bedrock of our progress, and we remain profoundly grateful.
“The strides we have made together bear eloquent testimony to the strength of unity and the power of a common purpose and synergy between the government of assured prosperity and the workers in Bayelsa State. We call on all Bayelsans and all residents to join us,
“Of these six years’ journey towards assured prosperity, we place our trust in your goodwill and ultimately in God. Your patience, your understanding, and your partnership to fulfill the sacred mandate bestowed on us.
“You have not failed the government of prosperity. Together, we have recorded milestones that speak for themselves from roads that now connect once isolated communities to schools that inspire learning, science and technical colleges.
“To hospitals that restore health, and to investments that create jobs. These are not merely government projects. They are the force of partnership between labor and the government of assured prosperity.
“Collective dedication coupled with the prudent management of public resources has delivered these outcomes for our people who truly deserve them. For me, prompt payment of salaries is an obvious function of government”.
As part of their request, the governor directed that 108 housing units be given to the civil servants in the state.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has observed that the Federal Government has failed to provide meaningful intervention to cushion the impact of inflation on Nigerian workers.
It criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as a failure to protect Nigerian workers from worsening economic conditions, rising insecurity, and limited job opportunities.
In a Workers’ Day statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, the ADC stated that a government that cannot guarantee safety, create jobs, or stabilise the cost of living is a government that is failing its workers.
The party maintained that many Nigerians are working harder but earning less, as inflation continues to erode wages and the cost of living rises across key sectors, including food, housing, transport, and energy.
The party attributed the situation to policy failures, arguing that insecurity has disrupted farming and business activity, while job creation has not kept pace with the growing workforce.
The party stressed that Nigerian workers are not asking for charity but fairness, adding that “a nation that does not reward work cannot build prosperity.”
The ADC expressed its belief that the dignity of labour must be matched by the dignity of reward, stressing that “This requires an economy that is deliberately structured to create jobs, support enterprise, and ensure that productivity translates into real income for workers.
“On this Workers’ Day, the African Democratic Congress stands in solidarity with millions of Nigerian workers whose daily effort sustains this country, even as the system, under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, continues to fail them.
“Across Nigeria today, workers are doing more and earning less. Rising costs of food, transport, housing, and energy have eroded the value of Nigerian workers daily and monthly wages.
“For many, hard work no longer guarantees stability, dignity, or upward mobility. This is not sustainable. And it is not acceptable.
“This hardship is not accidental. It is the direct consequence of policy choices and governance failures by the APC. Insecurity remains widespread, making it difficult for farmers to produce and for businesses to operate.
” Job creation has stalled at a time when millions of young Nigerians are entering the workforce. The cost of living continues to rise without any meaningful or sustained intervention to cushion its impact on workers.
“That is why, as a party, our commitment is clear: to drive job creation by unlocking key sectors of the economy, especially agriculture, manufacturing, and services; to restore security as a foundation for economic activity, ensuring that Nigerians can work, farm, and do business without fear; to stabilise the macroeconomic environment so that wages can regain their value.
“It will also reduce the cost of living by addressing inflation at its roots, from food production to energy supply; to support small and medium-sized businesses, which remain the largest employers of labour in Nigeria; and to ensure that policies are designed with the Nigerian worker at the centre, not as an afterthought. Workers are not asking for charity. They are asking for fairness. What they have received instead is neglect.”
A presidential hopeful of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has paid tribute to workers across the world, with a special focus on Nigerian workers, describing them as the backbone of every nation and critical to national development.
In a message to commemorate International Workers’ Day, Obi commended the resilience and sacrifices of Nigerian workers, noting that despite harsh economic realities, they continue to sustain families, institutions, and the broader economy.
He expressed concern over what he described as the declining value of labour in the country, stating that the current minimum wage no longer guarantees even a modest standard of living. According to him, rising inflation, food prices, and transportation costs have significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power, leaving many unable to meet basic needs.
Obi emphasised that no nation can develop beyond the strength and wellbeing of its workforce, stressing that productivity and progress are rooted in the quality and commitment of human capital. He warned that when workers suffer, the nation inevitably bears the consequences, but noted that empowering workers would lead to national prosperity.
The former Anambra State governor also highlighted the political power of workers, urging them to utilise their voice and vote to influence governance. He called on Nigerian workers to support leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion.
Obi further encouraged workers to reject corruption, poor governance, and divisive politics, insisting that collective action can help build a nation where hard work is respected and fairly rewarded.
He concluded by reiterating that a truly productive nation must be founded on justice, fairness, and respect for labour, urging citizens to work together toward achieving such a society.
In a move widely perceived as daring the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, some elders of the All Progressive Congress, APC have procured the expression of interest and nomination forms for Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State
This is as Honourable Kingsley Chinda, popular as O.K., a member of the House of Representatives, and an ally and confidante of Nyesom Wike, has, also purchased the forms. A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, like Wike, Chinda is, however, expected to run under Wike’s Rainbow Coalition – a Coalition of PDP and APC members in the State.
The source reports that following the protracted crisis of confidence between Governor Fubara and his political godfather, Wike has insisted on not being part of any moves for the re-election bid of his protege.
In the wake of the bitter political acrimony which began in 2023, the FCT Minister had publicly declared that allowing Fubara to return for a second term will signal his political death.
Consequently, unconfirmed reports had speculated that one of the key points of the last truce brokered for the twosome by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was that , Fubara will not seek a second term in office.
The APC’s failure to formally welcome Governor Fubara, months after he defected from the Peoples Democratic party PDP, had served to accentuate the belief that there may be an agreement for the Governor not to re-contest.
But while announcing the purchase of gubernatorial form Fubara on Friday, a delegation headed by a Member of the House of Representatives ,Awaji-Inombek Abiante, who represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said the decision was taken by major party stakeholders across the 23 local councils of Rivers state, alongside former Rivers House of Assembly Leader and ex-Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo and others.
Speaking on behalf of the group Abiante said:
“Their action was driven by the “yearnings and aspirations” of Rivers people who he said are calling on Governor Fubara to seek another term in office.
“They argued that the governor’s performance over the past three years has positioned him as a stabilising force in the state’s political landscape. According to the forum, his administration has helped steer Rivers ‘out of the woods’ and restore a measure of order and confidence in governance.
“The decision to purchase these forms is a direct response to widespread calls from across the state urging the governor to continue his leadership,” a member of the delegation said, adding that Fubara’s leadership style has resonated with many residents.
The group also said it would fully support the re-election of Bola Tinubu as President of Nigeria. The support aligns with the broader agenda of the APC at the national level.
However, Governor Fubara has not declared his interest as regards his re-election bid.
According to Abiante, the move is in the best interest of Rivers state and its residents, noting that it also signposts the growing confidence reposed in Governor Fubara by the people.
“This is not new. Even at the national level , stakeholders had in the past procured nomination forms for their preferred candidates.
” It is a democratic tradition rooted in collective will . It is not about how deep your pocket is . It is about what the people feel. And the people of Rivers state have made their position clear: they want continuity” Abiante stated .
This is as he insisted that Governor Fubara never sent nor influenced the stakeholders in their action.
He also informed that the forms will be formally presented the Governor later on Friday.
For the records, another APC chieftain, Tonye Cole, who is an ally of former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, has, also purchased the Governorship forms. He will run under the APC.
At the time of reporting, neither the FCT Minister nor any of his associates has reacted to the development
Following serious political backlash that trailed the zoning of its gubernatorial ticket to a particular zone of the State, the Abia State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has reversed itself within 24 hours.
The Source reports that the State Working Committee of the Party on Thursday April 30, 2026, in a statement informed that the 2027 Governorship ticket had been domiciled in the Abia Central Senatorial District where the incumbent Governor Alex Otti hails from.
The party had, also, cited the need to ensure equity, justice, fair play, and balanced representation across the three Senatorial Districts as a major reason for its action.
However, the duo of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Mascot Uzor Kalu, a younger sibling of a former Governor of the State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, immediately spearheaded a coordinated attack and condemnation of the policy.
While Mascot described the zoning arrangement as “frivolous, reckless, unconstitutional unacceptable,and entirely alien to all known precedents of the APC in the state, the Deputy Speaker of the green chamber of the National Assembly, through his political office, Benjamin Okezie Kalu -BOK- Movement, saw it as hasty, ill-timed and lacking broad consultations with key stakeholders across the three Senatorial Districts.
Both frontline contenders for the State’s 2027 gubernatorial seat, vehemently rejected the zoning arrangement, which they also warned has the potential of undermining and eroding the peace, unity and electoral fortunes of the party in the State.
In reversing itself, the Abia APC leadership on Friday, May I, 2026, in a statement from its spokesperson, Uche Aguoru, said its action was at the instance of the National body of the party.
“Following concerns raised by stakeholders and leaders of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Abia State, the National Leadership of the party has reviewed the concerns raised.
“Consequently, the party has directed that all zoning arrangements earlier issued by the State Working Committee, SWC, be jettisoned. The party will, therefore, maintain the status quo.
By this directive, all aspirants interested in contesting for any position from the House of Assembly, Representatives, Senate, and Governorship, are hereby advised that they are free to approach the party and purchase their nomination forms before the stipulated deadline as outlined by the party”, the APC stated.
Ifunanya Maduka, a Priest of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Diocese on the Niger, has been suspended by the Church.
Until his suspension by the Bishop, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, Maduka was the Vicar of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nteje, Anambra State. His suspension, without pay, will last for a period of six months.
His fate stemmed from what the Church tagged “arrangee prophecy”. He has been indulging in fake, deceitful arranged marriage.
Bishop Owen announced Maduka’s suspension in letter dated dated April 27, 2026.
He said the decision of the Diocese to suspend the erring Priest stemmed from “credible and verifiable reports” that Owen usually orchestrate and manipulate prophetic acts by paying individuals to present such lies and false actions as genuine manifestations.
When confronted with evidence, said the letter, Maduka did not deny the unpriestly behavior.
Part of the letter reads: “It has come to our attention, with deep sadness and grave concern, that you have been involved in practices grossly unbecoming of an ordained Priest of the Anglican Church. Specifically, credible and verifiable reports have been brought before us alleging that you engaged in arranged and manipulated prophecies by involving persons whom you induced or paid for that purpose, while presenting such acts as genuine prophetic manifestations from God.
“When you were confronted with the evidence made available to us, you admitted your involvement in the said unholy practice.”
Maduka’s conduct was seen as “grossly unbecoming” of an ordained priest. The letter cited concerns which included “false prophecy, deception of worshippers, and actions that could amount to obtaining money under false pretense.”
His actions, it was pointed out, violated “Christian doctrine, Anglican discipline, and ethical standards expected of Clergy” and has brought disrepute to the Church.
The shamed Priest was, therefore, directed to hand over all Church property and responsibilities to the People’s Warden, and ordered to move out of the church premises within 72 hours.
In addition, a disciplinary panel will be constituted within one month to investigate him to determine if there are other disciplinary actions to be taken against him in line with Church regulations.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and seven others are facing fresh charges over alleged fraud and money laundering linked to a ₦10.8 billion CCTV security project in Kaduna State.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed the fresh criminal charges at the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
This latest filing marks the third set of charges the ICPC has brought against the former governor since March.
A former Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Chairman of Liberty Television, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan, disclosed the development in a Facebook post, stating that El-Rufai and the co-accused are expected to soon respond to the new charges in court.
The ICPC alleged that El-Rufai approved the award of an ₦8.68 billion CCTV contract in December 2015 to a company it described as lacking the technical capacity to execute the project.
The commission further claimed that multiple suspicious financial transactions were carried out between 2017 and 2022 involving individuals and firms connected to the project.
Court filings submitted at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on April 17 show that the anti-graft agency levelled 11 counts against the former governor and the other defendants under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Among the companies named in the case are Singularity Network Security Limited and other entities allegedly linked to the security contract.
Other defendants include a former Kaduna State government official, Jimi Lawal, senior executives of IHS Towers, and five corporate bodies.
Although one of El-Rufai’s sons, Bashir El-Rufai, was mentioned in the allegations, he was not listed as a defendant in the fresh charges.
El-Rufai is already facing separate corruption-related cases involving other state projects, including a light rail contract and severance payments, all of which he has previously denied wrongdoing.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has clarified that Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, remains its National Chairman.
The explanation is coming after the Supreme Court’s judgement which finally nailed the National Convention of the party held in Ibadan, Oyo state, last year.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, spokesman of the party, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, pointed out that the judgment did not mention anything about the national executive committee of the party.
“We are here today to set the record straight and address the deliberate distortions being peddled by one Kabiru Turaki, SAN, and his associates regarding the Supreme Court judgment delivered on the 30th of April, 2026.
“Let it be clear and unambiguous that the Supreme Court judgment of yesterday only nullified the illegal Ibadan ‘Convention’ and dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led purported National Working Committee for lacking in merit.
“This remains the sole substance of the judgment, contrary to the false narratives being circulated. The judgment did not uphold any suspension or expulsion of any officer of the party.
Abdulrahman Mohammed: Remains PDP National Chairman
“The reason is simple: the issue of suspension or expulsion was never before the Federal High Court, let alone the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
“It was neither canvassed at the Federal High Court nor formed part of the questions for determination at any level of adjudication.
“The apex court addressed only the matter before it, which is the validity or otherwise of the so-called 15th and 16th Ibadan “Convention.”
“Accordingly, throughout the Supreme Court judgment, there was no mention whatsoever of suspension or expulsion of any party officer.
“It is also important to state that there has never been a vacuum, obstruction, or absence of leadership in our party that presupposes an interim take over of the administration of the Party by any authority.
‘The leadership structure of the PDP remains intact, lawful, and fully operational under the able National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, and our indefatigable National Secretary, Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Their positions remain duly recognized.
“What we are witnessing is a desperate attempt by a rejected group to twist the clear facts contained in the judgement of the Supreme Court in order to mislead the public and seek undeserved sympathy.
“I make it bold to say that the judgement is a public document which can be accessed by anybody to ascertain the content of the said judgement.
“The same individuals who disobeyed valid court orders to conduct the illegal Ibadan Convention have continued in their pattern of lawlessness by assembling again, even after the Supreme Court has spoken.
“Their actions only reinforce what is already evident: an agenda set out with the sole intention to destabilize the Party.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party has announced that it has formally assumed the national leadership of the party following what it described as a constitutional intervention after a Supreme Court judgment that nullified key organs of the opposition party.
In a statement issued on Thursday, and signed by BoT Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, the party’s highest advisory body said it stepped in to prevent a leadership vacuum at the national level.
According to the statement, the decision was taken pursuant to provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the party’s 15th to 16th November 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan.
That convention had produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The BoT disclosed that the apex court also upheld the suspension of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Hon. Umar Bature and Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade from the party in their capacities as National Secretary, National Organising Secretary and National Legal Adviser respectively.
It said the implication of the ruling is that all actions taken by the affected officials — including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman, the composition of the National Caretaker Working Committee, and the conduct and outcome of the March 29, 2026 convention in Abuja — have become illegal, null and void.
But, the spokesman maintained that “On the issue of the purported takeover of the party by the Board of Trustees (BoT), or claims of summoning the National Executive Committee (NEC): there is no provision in the Party’s Constitution that grants the Board of Trustees the power to take over the leadership of the party or assume the functions of the National Working Committee.
“Most curious is the claim by Senator Adolphus Wabara, whose tenure as Chairman of the Board of Trustees had long expired even before the onset of this crisis.
“The only known legitimate leadership of the Party’s Board of Trustees is that led by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa. Senator Adolphus Wabara should retrace his steps from making statements on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forthwith. Any such infractions within the Party will no longer be tolerated.”
