Ten key items from Nigerian newspapers for Wednesday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has published a schedule outlining the sale of forms, screening process, and primary elections in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The party has set the cost of a presidential form at N60 million, which includes N20 million for the Expression of Interest form and N40 million for the nomination form.

2. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s resolve to address the security challenges confronting the state. He made the statement during a visit by the Senior Course 48 cadets of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, on Tuesday.

3. The Nigerian entertainment sector entered a period of mourning on Tuesday after the reported death of popular Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo. Family sources confirmed that the 40‑year‑old actor passed away on Monday, May 1, following a prolonged battle with cancer.

4. Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike visited APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda at his Abuja residence on Tuesday. The meeting occurs amid rising tension in Rivers State after the party conducted screening of aspirants for the State House of Assembly elections.

5. Governor Seyi Makinde is slated to announce his presidential ambition on Thursday, 14 May, at a large political rally to be held at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan. The event, titled “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is expected to serve as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated 2027 presidential campaign.

6. The All Progressives Congress (APC) Appeal Panel for the Rivers State House of Assembly primary has received 16 petitions from aspirants who were not cleared. Among the petitioners is Victor Oko‑Jumbo, an expelled House of Assembly member and a loyalist of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who submitted his petition at the APC state secretariat.

7. Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa announced his intention to contest the Agege Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives. He revealed his plans on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Agege, noting that APC leaders in the constituency encouraged him to join the race.

8. Edo State Police Command Commissioner Monday Agbonika reported that 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 58 victims rescued between March and May 2026. He presented these figures as part of the command’s operational scorecard at a press briefing in Benin, describing the results as a major crackdown on violent crime across the state.

9. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Taiwo Oyedele warned on Tuesday that Nigeria can no longer depend primarily on borrowing to finance development. Speaking at the 28th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria in Abuja, he urged the creation of a sustainable fiscal framework to support the country’s critical economic sectors.

10. House of Representatives member for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Chinedu Obika, explained that his decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress was influenced by the political direction of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Obika, who won the seat in 2023 on the Labour Party platform, said he remained with the party despite its internal crisis because of his loyalty to Obi and belief in his leadership.