Today’s News: Top 10 Headlines from Nigerian Newspapers – May 7, 2026

Court Sets Date for ADC Leadership Battle

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday, May 8, to hear the suit filed by Nafiu Bala against former Senate President David Mark and others over the leadership dispute in the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The matter, marked FHC/ABJ/1819/2025, is before Justice Emeka Nwite.

Parties in the suit have already been issued hearing notices following an application by counsel for the plaintiff, Luka Haruna, SAN, seeking an accelerated hearing of the case.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that in a letter dated May 5, 2026, and addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, the plaintiff’s legal team informed the court that the interlocutory appeal filed by Mark had been dismissed by the Supreme Court on April 30.

No Plans by Muslims to Drive Out Christians from Nigeria – Sultan

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has said there are no plans by Muslims to drive out Christians in Nigeria.

Speaking at the first triannual meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in Abuja, Abubakar said Muslims would not remove Christians from Nigeria.

The Sultan said, “Today, as I stand here, I want to affirm that Muslims are not in a hurry and have no plans for anything, including the decimation of the Christian population in Nigeria. These are the only points, nothing else.

Ex-Power Minister Convicted for Money Laundering

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on 12 counts of fraud and money laundering.

The charges were preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court said it was satisfied that the anti-graft agency had successfully established the former minister’s culpability beyond reasonable doubt.

The Federal High Court court convicted him on all grounds of the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/273/2024.

Tinubu Re-assigns Fani-Kayode To South Africa After ‘Rejection’ by Germany

Following the rejection of his diplomatic posting to Germany as Nigeria’s envoy, Ambassador-designate, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has now been reassigned to South Africa as Nigeria’s High Commissioner by President Bola Tinubu.

This was disclosed personally by Fani-Kayode on Thursday afternoon via a post on his verified Facebook page.

AREWA STAR recalls that the Federal Government had weeks ago announced Fani-Kayode’s posting to Germany. Since then, he couldn’t resume at his duty post with reports suggesting that he was rejected by the European country.

Nigeria Ranked as Most Spammed Country in Africa — Trucaller

Nigeria has emerged as the most spammed country in Africa, with more than half of all unknown calls received by Nigerians in 2025 identified as spam or fraudulent, according to a new report by Trucaller.

Data released by the global caller identification and spam-blocking platform showed that 51 per cent of all unknown calls received in Nigeria were flagged as spam or fraud, placing the country eighth globally and ahead of other African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia.

The report stated that while financial service impersonation accounts for a large share of spam calls in countries such as Indonesia and Mexico, Nigeria’s spam landscape is largely driven by telecom and operator-linked outreach.

Davido Marks 15 Years in Music

As Davido celebrates 15 years in the music industry, The Nation has compiled 15 songs that trace his journey from breakout star to global Afrobeats icon. The list spans from his 2011 debut to his most recent international successes, highlighting the tracks that have shaped his career and Afrobeats’ global expansion.  

The singer reflected on the anniversary, acknowledging what he described as divine timing during his 15-year run in the industry.

“God is the best of all planners! 15 years in da game”, he wrote on X.

The milestone aligns with his 2026 induction into Atlanta’s Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, reinforcing his enduring influence on the genre.

Many Killed as Gunmen Attack Mourners at Mass Burial in Plateau

Many people were killed and several others injured in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State when gunmen attacked villagers conducting a mass burial for seven victims of a previous attack.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources said the gunmen, who had been observing the burial from surrounding hills, suddenly descended on the community and opened fire on mourners digging graves.

A witness, a journalist, Masara Kim, told our correspondent via telephone that about five communities were experiencing simultaneous attacks by suspected terrorists.

Aliko Dangote Plans 20,000MW Power Investment

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest businessman, says Dangote Group is planning to invest in power generation with a target of up to 20,000 megawatts.

Dangote spoke in an interview with Makhtar Diop, managing director at International Finance Corporation (IFC), on Wednesday.

“We are now going into power — 20,000 megawatts,” he said.

Nigeria currently generates about 4,000–4,500MW of electricity, far below its installed capacity of over 13,000MW.

Pupils Abducted from Orphanage in Kogi Rescued

The Kogi state government on Wednesday said all 23 pupils abducted from the Daarul-Kitab Islamic orphanage in Lokoja have been rescued. 

In a statement, Kingsley Fanwo, the commissioner for information and communications, said the remaining nine victims regained their freedom in the early hours of Wednesday following a coordinated security operation.

Gunmen had stormed the orphanage on April 26, abducting the pupils alongside the proprietor’s wife.

The state government had earlier announced the rescue of 15 victims on April 27 amid intensified security operations.

I Will Consult Widely on 2027 Presidency – Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said contesting Nigeria’s presidency is “not a computer game” as he reacted to calls by youth groups urging him to contest the 2027 election.

Jonathan spoke on Thursday while receiving some youth groups who visited him at his office in Abuja to press him to return to the presidential race.

Responding to the appeal, the former president said he would consult widely before taking any decision, stressing that leadership required careful consideration.

“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” he said.