Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NOP NIGERIA roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Wednesday, 8th April, 2026.
The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims of a rift between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu, describing the reports as unfounded speculation.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, insisting that the relationship between the two leaders remains cordial.
Omotoso said rumours of a frosty relationship between the president and the governor were based on imagination and lacked any factual basis.
“How will a father say there is no future in his home? The President is a father to Mr Sanwo-Olu. Apart from that, most of the things that you hear are mere speculations and imaginary things that people imagine,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the president has not expressed any dissatisfaction with the Lagos governor.
A faction of the African Democratic Congress led by its 2023 presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has announced plans to hold a national convention and install an interim leadership to run the party’s affairs.
NOP NIGERIA reports that the decision was made known on Tuesday in Abuja by the group’s spokesperson, Norman Obinna, after what he described as an emergency National Executive Committee meeting attended by state chairmen and other members.
He said the meeting was called to address the ongoing leadership crisis in the party.
Obinna explained that earlier dispute resolution talks had produced an agreement that the party would organise a national convention to elect a new leadership.
He said this step has not been carried out for almost two years, leaving the party without a proper structure.
He also accused the former leadership under Ralph Nwosu of trying to hand over control of the party to individuals who were not members, while also making moves to remove state chairmen who did not align with them.
The group said it had already taken legal action to challenge those moves before the recent stance of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Tuesday, April,il 7, announced the suspension of its planned nationwide strike following an understanding reached with the Federal Government on key demands.
The association said the decision followed commitments by the government to address pressing issues affecting doctors, including the payment of outstanding allowances and improved welfare.
The resolution to suspend the industrial action was reached during an emergency meeting of the association’s National Executive Council.
NOP NIGERIA understands that at the meeting, members reviewed assurances presented by government representatives and agreed to give ongoing negotiations another opportunity.
NARD explained that the decision was influenced by what it described as “progress made” in talks with the Federal Government.
The association highlighted commitments on the prompt payment of salary arrears, hazard allowances, and efforts to resolve lingering issues surrounding the Medical Residency Training Fund.
Despite suspending the strike, the doctors clarified that the dispute had not been fully resolved.
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has revealed that Nafiu Bala failed to show up at a planned meeting between the two of them.
NOP NIGERIA understands that the meeting was aimed at resolving the issues affecting the leadership and activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
However, Kwankwaso was quoted to have said that he stayed up all night expecting Bala to arrive for the meeting, but the politician didn’t turn up.
Speaking during an interview with DCL Hausa, Kwankwaso called on the Emir of Gombe, other Emirs and Sheikhs to prevail on Bala not to work against the interest of the ADC.
Kwankwaso, who recently defected to the ADC, described Bala’s absence as a missed opportunity for fatherly counsel for the young politician.
Kwankwaso disclosed that he had planned to advise Bala “like from father to son,” noting that the Gombe-born politician is a young man born in 1990.
He warned that Bala’s actions involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and democracy “will not help him.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned President Bola Tinubu that sharing food items to citizens will not be enough to secure public support in the next general elections.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Atiku made his position known on Tuesday through a statement released by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, where he reacted to ongoing relief efforts by the government.
He said giving out items like rice and spaghetti may help people temporarily but cannot replace trust from voters during elections.
“Bags of rice, spaghetti, and Indomie may offer temporary relief, but they cannot secure legitimacy at the ballot box,” Atiku said.
He also raised concerns about the current political climate, saying the ruling government appears to be tightening its grip on power while limiting room for opposition.
According to him, even with many governors aligning with the ruling party, there are signs of worry about competition and the reaction of Nigerians at the polls.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to come clean with Nigerians on the alleged land and cash gifts given to its officials by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The PDP also claimed that the Supervising National Commissioner for the FCT, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, was quoted as having admitted the land gift.
The opposition party said such land allocation might be directly related to the election process and challenged the propriety of such gifts to officials of the electoral commission, who should be neutral.
According to the PDP statement on Tuesday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and made available to NOP NIGERIA, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, is also a beneficiary of the land gifts from Wike, further complicating his ability to preside over a free and fair election.
The PDP therefore urged INEC to, as a matter of urgency and priority, inform the public of the true situation regarding the matter.
Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has disclosed the qualities she is looking for in a partner.
Speaking with media personality Diana Eneje, the singer explained that she does not care about looks.
She explained that she is more focused on intelligence than looks.
Ayra Starr stressed the importance of emotional intelligence in a partner, noting that she needs motivation in a relationship.
“I don’t ever have a physical type. I am just attracted to intelligent people. Just be very intelligent. That’s the Gemini in me speaking. Just be intelligent, motivate me, let me also motivate you. Let’s be motivating ourselves to make money. Looks don’t really matter,” she stated.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Davis Offor, popularly known for his role as Clarus in the iconic sitcom ‘The New Masquerade’, is dead.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Nollywood actor, Tony Akposheri, announced Offor’s demise in an emotional tribute on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
While expressing sadness over the death, Akposheri, who starred alongside Offor as Zacky in the popular series that defined an era of Nigerian television, recalled their recent moments together.
According to him, Offor was full of life and hope when they last met earlier this year, describing the late actor as more than just a colleague, but a friend, brother, man with warmth, humour, and a presence that could light up any space.
He noted that Offor’s sudden death has left a painful void, making it difficult to come to terms with the loss of someone he had spoken with only recently.
FIFA has confirmed that goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has completed a change of sporting nationality from England to Nigeria, clearing the way for him to represent the Super Eagles at senior level.
A check on FIFA’s change of association platform showed that the world football governing body has approved Arthur Okonkwo’s nationality switch from England to Nigeria.
The goalkeeper, a product of Arsenal’s academy, previously featured for England at youth levels from U15 through U18 before deciding to commit his international future to Nigeria.
Nigeria’s football authorities sought formal clearance from FIFA as a precaution, despite the fact all of Okonkwo’s appearances for the Young Lions came in friendly matches. The move mirrors the situation of Felix Agu, who debuted for Nigeria without clearance after never playing competitive games for Germany youth sides.
José Mourinho has insisted he wants to remain at Benfica despite growing speculation linking him with summer moves to Sporting CP and Manchester United.
The Portuguese coach, who is under contract until the end of the 2026/27 season, spoke about his future after Benfica’s 1-1 draw with Casa Pia on Monday. Reports had suggested the club could be exploring potential replacements, but Mourinho dismissed the rumours and made his intentions clear.
“Jorge Mendes is my agent, but I am responsible for my own decision.
My decision is that I would like to continue at Benfica,” Mourinho told reporters.
NOP NIGERIA reports that Mourinho returned to Portuguese football in September after more than two decades abroad.
However, he admitted the latest result has left Benfica’s title hopes hanging by a thread. The Lisbon side are seven points behind leaders FC Porto with six matches left in the Primeira Liga season, while Sporting sit second with a game in hand.
