Today’s News: Top 10 Headlines from Nigerian Newspapers – May 3, 2026

Kwankwaso Might Dump ADC as He Comfirm Talk with NDC, PRP

Former presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has insisted that he is yet to leave the African Democratic Congress, ADC, amid the legal battle within the party.

In a statement released late on Saturday night, Kwankwaso, however, admitted that decamping is a possibility.

The former governor of Kano State also revealed that he has held consultative meetings with the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, and Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.

According to Kwankwaso, he is yet to declare his intention to run or endorse any aspirant.

Akpabio Calls on Igbo Youth to Shun Violence, Armed Groups

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has pleaded with the people of the South East to sustain peace and guide their youth away from armed struggle against the Nigerian government.

He made the appeal at the funeral of Sir Albert Ikechukwu Nnamani, former Administrative Secretary of the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission, held in Ikem, Enugu State.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, Akpabio said development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace and called on Ndigbo to mentor the younger generation appropriately.

Three Personnel Security Killed in Kwara by Suspected Gunmen

Three security personnel have been killed and two others injured after suspected terrorists attacked Tenobo village in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident was contained in a post shared on X on Saturday night by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, the attack happened at about 1:10 a.m. on May 1 when armed men stormed the community and engaged security operatives stationed in the area.

Security sources said troops of the 22 Brigade, alongside other operatives, forest guards, and vigilantes, responded quickly after a distress alert was raised.

Governor Makinde Set to Quit PDP as Bala Gone

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the Allied Peoples Movement.

Sunday PUNCH reliably gathered that his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, is also preparing to exit the party amid escalating leadership and legal crises.

Mohammed announced his defection on Saturday after what he described as a series of consultations with political stakeholders.

He cited the Supreme Court judgment on the PDP leadership dispute as a turning point.

According to him, the verdict left the party without clear legal and organisational direction.

Obi, Kwankwaso set to dump ADC for NDC

An exodus of key party members is about to hit the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), which is already hard pressed by ongoing litigation over its leadership.

Presidential aspirants Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as well as their supporters are on their way out of the party just weeks after registering as members of the ADC. Lawmakers who defected to the ADC from Kwankwaso’s former party NNPP are expected to announce their resignations from the party.

Their next destination is likely to be the Seriake Dickson-led Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), and the move may be formalised as early as tomorrow, according to Buba Galadima, an ally of Kwankwaso.

Nigeria Navy Launches Major Offensive Against Militants, Kidnappers in Rivers

Nigerian Navy has launched a major offensive against militants and kidnappers along the Calabar–Oron channel in Cross River State.

This was contained in a statement by Director of Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

Folorunsho stated that the operation, carried out by Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Victory and Forward Operating Base, FOB, Ibaka, targeted Dayspring Island following a surge in kidnappings and related crimes in the area.

He said that the offensive resulted in the destruction of a hideout linked to a long wanted militant kingpin known as “Juju.”

Boko Haram, ISWAP battle for supremacy in Sambisa forest

Rival terror groups, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, are reportedly engaged in renewed violent clashes deep inside the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas of Borno State.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this in a post on X on Saturday, citing intelligence from insurgent enclaves across the region.

According to the report, the latest insight into the conflict emerged from a conversation between a suspected Boko Haram fighter, identified as Ba Musa, believed to be operating within the Sambisa axis of Bama Local Government Area, and an associate known as “Ya Kazalla.”

ADC leaders move to stop Obi, Kwankwaso’s Departure

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are making frantic efforts to prevent the planned defection of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and the former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso from the opposition party.

Multiple sources within the party told Sunday Sun last night that Obi and Kwankwaso are seriously considering an exit from the ADC to another political platform this week in pursuit of their quest to contest for the presidential poll in the 2027 general election.

One of the sources confirmed to our correspondent that plans by both men to defect from the ADC have reached an advanced stage, noting that barring any last minute change, they are expected to make an official declaration to that effect within the week. The source noted that while the duo have not stated their grouse with the ADC coalition, it might not be unconnected with concerns over the party’s presidential ticket.

We will not Negotiate with Bandits – Governor Aliyu of Sokoto

Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has declared that governors in the North-West region will not negotiate with bandits, insisting on a unified and uncompromising stance against criminal elements terrorising the region.

Aliyu made the declaration in Katsina State during the commissioning of the N12.6 billion, 8.1-kilometre Yandaki–Shinkafi–Kofar Sauri Road, constructed by the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda.

The governor stated that leaders in the North-West are united in their resolve to end the insecurity bedevilling the region, noting that substantial resources are being committed by state governments to tackle banditry and other violent crimes.

“We will not negotiate with any criminal, nor will we accept any offer from them unless they surrender unconditionally.”

FG Summons South African Envoy Over Xenophobic Attacks on Nigerians

The federal government has invited Bobby Moroe, the acting high commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, for a meeting over the recent xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in the former apartheid country.

Kimiebi Ebienfa, director of public affairs at the federal ministry of foreign affairs, said the meeting is scheduled for Monday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

“The objective of this engagement is to formally convey the Nigerian Government’s profound concern regarding recent events that have the potential to impact the established cordial relations between Nigeria and South Africa,” Ebienfa said in a statement on Saturday.