Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NOP NIGERIA roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 18th April, 2026.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), a support group working for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has announced the appointment of 16 directors to head key directorates of the organisation.
The appointments were announced by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as Director General and National Coordinator of the RHA, in a statement in Abuja by Tunde Rahman, RHA’s Director of Media and Publicity.
The statement explained that the appointments are aimed at ensuring organisational effectiveness as the group scales up operations across the country.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the statement dated April 17, 2026, listed former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh, as the RHA Director for Organisation & Mobilisation.
Others appointed are Mele Kolo Geidam for Finance; Muiz Banire (SAN) for Monitoring, Compliance & Legal; Bisoye Coker-Odusote for Technology & Data; and Abubakar Rabiu Abubakar for Support Groups.
The list also features Ibrahim Garba as Director of Intelligence; Senator Sani Musa for Special Duties; Hon. Simon Karu for Planning; and Dr. Halima Suleiman Zakari for Welfare.
Completing the 16 directorates are Dr. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri for Administration; Bilikisu Muhammed Kaika for Women Affairs; Abike Dabiri for Diaspora; and Hadiza Bala Usman for Research & Innovation.
Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has claimed that with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the ballot, President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 election.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast show on Friday.
While criticising Tinubu alongside the All Progressives Congress (APC) interference and attempts to weaken opposition parties, Amaechi insisted that, regardless of the nature of the 2027 electoral process, Tinubu would lose.
The former Rivers State governor alleged that the current administration was deliberately working to prevent strong opposition candidates from emerging as contenders.
He said, “Whether free, fair, unfair and not free, if we are on the ballot, Bola Tinubu will lose the election, take it for free.
“The ruling of the Court of Appeal was interpreted that we are leaderless, but that’s not true and that’s not what the law says.
“The problem is that he doesn’t want a strong opponent on the ballot, so they are interfering in all the parties using the judiciary as an institution.”
Amaechi further challenged the judiciary and the APC to operate freely, allow other political parties to have their candidates on the ballot, and see whether Tinubu would win the 2027 election.
He stated, “Let them allow the institutions to pursue justice. Let them allow all political parties to have candidates on the ballot and see whether President Bola Tinubu will win.”
Amaechi questioned the administration’s chances at the polls, citing prevailing economic hardship and insecurity across the country.
A political associate of the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, has claimed that the erstwhile governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has agreed to a political arrangement with Obi.
According to him, Kwankwaso has agreed to be Obi’s deputy in the 2027 presidential race.
Abdulkarim made the claim during an interview on Trust TV.
He said that the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are already aligning towards the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket.
Asked if Obi and Kwankwaso had struck a deal, Abdulkarim said, “Yes, I can categorically tell you that they have agreed.
“We all know that. Both the Obidients and the Kwankwassiyya Movements are aware of the agreement.”
NOP NIGERIA reports that Kwankwaso recently decamped from the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
His move stirred suspicion that the two political gladiators may have agreed to run for the 2027 presidency on a single ticket.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to brace for a major political challenge ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that his real contest would be against millions of Nigerians facing hardship.
The opposition party said the President should be “scared” of defeat, citing what it described as widespread economic struggles and insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised Tinubu’s recent comments in which he reportedly mocked opposition parties.
The ADC described the remarks as “unpresidential,” arguing that the President appeared more focused on politics than governance.
“What Nigerians saw was not the confidence of a leader in control. It was the anxiety of a President increasingly disconnected from the reality of hardship,” the statement said.
The party said rising cost of living, food inflation, debt burden, and insecurity were the major concerns Nigerians expect the government to address.
It noted that while citizens struggle with economic challenges, incidents of insecurity, including kidnappings, continue to spread.
The former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may only receive support for his 2027 presidential bid from the north.
He stated this during an interview on Friday while reacting to a recent comment by Atiku, who insinuated that he has not been duly represented in the nation’s leadership.
He argued that if the former Vice President says his only qualification to contest the 2027 presidential election is that he is a northerner, then only those in the region may vote for him.
Amaechi warned against those playing the regional and ethnic card, stressing that other factors are more important in determining who leads the country.
He said, “If Atiku Abubakar is saying that the only qualification he has is because he is from the north, then it means that on the election day, the North will vote for him and the South will not vote for him, that is what it means.
“For me, it does not matter whether you are from the North or South. There are other factors that play important roles.”
A factional National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Nafiu Bala, has rejected the national convention held on April 14 by the David Mark-led faction, describing it as illegal and a violation of court orders.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Bala made this known during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.
Bala said the exercise was conducted in defiance of a subsisting Court of Appeal judgment.
“Any action taken in flagrant disregard of the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on 12th March, 2026 is not only of questionable legality but is liable to be declared null and void,” he said.
He also pointed to the absence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the convention as evidence of its lack of legitimacy.
The factional chairman accused the organisers of violating the party’s constitution and engaging in acts of lawlessness.
He noted that the matter remains before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, adding that proceeding with the convention amounted to a breach of due process.
Bala further alleged that the dispute had taken a criminal dimension, accusing the rival faction of forging his signature on documents.
He said the alleged act was aimed at damaging his reputation.
Bala distanced his faction from the actions of the Mark-led group, insisting they are not recognised members of the party.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to intensify efforts to reconcile and bring back estranged members.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Wike made the appeal on Friday during a visit to the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja.
The minister stressed the need for the party to actively engage defectors, urging the leadership to deploy strategies to encourage their return.
He said outreach teams should be constituted to reconnect with former members and persuade them to rejoin the party.
Wike noted that many of those who left the PDP were still uncertain about their political direction. According to him, such individuals require reassurance regarding their place and opportunities within the party.
The former Rivers State governor expressed optimism about the PDP’s prospects, describing it as a formidable political platform.
He said the party remains capable of attracting widespread support from Nigerians ahead of future elections.
A factional leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafi’u Bala Gombe, has opined that any discussion with former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, lacks value, given his past actions towards Northerners.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Gombe made the remarks during an interview with Premier Radio in Kano, accusing Kwankwaso of failing to act in the interest of Northern Nigeria when he had the opportunity.
Gombe also accused Kwankwaso of contributing to the challenges bedevilling the North, stressing that he failed to seize the opportunity to make a difference in the region.
Bala also alleged that Kwankwaso’s decision to contest in the last general election weakened the region politically, especially with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the race.
He claimed that Kwankwaso knew he would not win the election but still contested, thereby dividing Northern votes and paving the way for President Bola Tinubu’s victory.
He further stated that Kwankwaso does not have the moral right to speak on issues concerning the North, accusing him of prioritising personal interests over regional concerns.
Popular reality TV star, Tega Dominic, has cautioned Nigerians against participating in the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) show if they are not mentally strong.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Tega, while speaking about her post-show experience in an interview with ‘Draft Africa’, said she would not recommend the BBNaija show to anyone close to her.
The reality star revealed that after participating in the 2021 ‘Shine Ya Eye’ edition, her anxiety worsened, making it difficult for her to go to public spaces alone.
According to Tega, her routine activities had become overwhelming, and certain forms of physical interaction remained difficult to process.
She said, “I won’t tell anybody close to me to go for Big Brother.
“If you’re not mentally strong, don’t go. I used to have anxiety before then, but it became worse. I had social anxiety. I can’t go to spaces if I’m alone. It got worse.”
The former housemate added that the emotional pressure and sudden exposure that come with the show can be mentally exhausting, especially for individuals who are not psychologically prepared.
She added, “I can give hugs, but I can’t receive hugs.
“I wear a face mask because I don’t want to say hello to so many people. I had to control that, and it helped.”
Pep Guardiola says he still finds lessons in watching Arsenal despite growing criticism of the league leaders’ style ahead of Sunday’s defining showdown with Manchester City.
The Gunners sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League and remain in contention for a European crown, with a UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid awaiting them.
Yet their approach under Mikel Arteta has drawn scrutiny, with 37 per cent of their 62 league goals coming from set-pieces and only two from open play in their last five matches.
Arsenal travel to the Etihad knowing that avoiding defeat would move them significantly closer to a first title in more than two decades.
Asked if he enjoys watching the London club, Guardiola said: “Yes. People are so demanding. From the media, supporters, everyone. I enjoy watching them. I learn a lot in many things.
“What people want is to win and we will fight. An aspect that is really, really important that we cannot fight against is [Arsenal going] 22 years without winning the Premier League. They have something that makes them unique. I know that.”
