Good morning from MEZIESBLOG! Here is today’s comprehensive summary of the most significant news stories making headlines across Nigerian newspapers on this Thursday, May 29, 2026. We’ve scoured major publications—from The Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian, ThisDay, Leadership, Daily Trust, Premium Times, and Daily Post—to bring you the most important developments in politics, economy, security, sports, and entertainment.
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Ticket, Mark Declares Democracy Alive
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) officially declared former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. Atiku polled an impressive 1,846,370 votes to defeat former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 504,117 votes, and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who secured 177,120 votes. The total number of votes cast in the primary was 2,546,457, from a party membership of 3,113,599. The exercise was conducted via the direct primary method after all three aspirants reportedly declined calls to step down for a consensus candidate.
National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, speaking at the official collation and declaration event at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, described the primary as proof that democracy can still function effectively in Nigeria. “Today is not just about announcing a presidential candidate. Today is also about proving a point to Nigeria and to Nigerians. It is about proving that democracy can still work. Proving that political competition does not have to become political warfare. That a party can organise itself around principles instead of personalities,” Mark said.
Mark also praised the three aspirants for subjecting themselves to the democratic process despite enormous pressure, noting that the ADC is the only political party to have three strong aspirants contest for the presidential ticket.
NDC Presses Ahead with Nationwide Primaries Despite Eid-el-Kabir Travel Chaos
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reaffirmed that its nationwide presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly primaries will proceed as scheduled on Friday, May 29, despite major logistical disruptions caused by the Eid-el-Kabir public holidays. In a joint statement signed by National Chairman Senator Moses Cleopas and National Secretary Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party explained that many aspirants and members of screening committees who travelled to Abuja for the screening exercise are now stranded due to flight unavailability and transport difficulties across the country.
The party decided that May 28 would now be reserved for arrivals, documentation with INEC and security agencies, consultative meetings, and other preparations, while the actual primaries will be compressed into May 29. The sequence for the exercise will begin with presidential affirmation, followed by National Assembly primaries, State Assembly primaries, and governorship primaries. The party also dismissed reports of fake primary election results already circulating online, describing them as “impossible and illogical” since the exercise has not yet taken place.
The NDC leadership further warned that no government agency—including the Police, INEC, or DSS—is expected to participate in any activities scheduled for May 28, and any unauthorised actions would be considered illegal. The party also emphasised that no state executive or local team has the authority to declare results; only the National Working Committee will announce outcomes after collation from across the states.
Tinubu’s Daughter Threatens Protest Over Lagos APC Primaries
Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria and daughter of President Bola Tinubu, has threatened to lead a protest over the outcome of the recently conducted All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Lagos State, alleging that the exercise was manipulated in favour of the Justice Forum bloc of the party. Speaking during the weekly meeting of market leaders and stakeholders at her office in Alausa, Ikeja, Tinubu-Ojo specifically alleged that results announced for Mushin Federal Constituency II, Agege Constituency II, and Ojokoro Constituency did not reflect the true outcome of the primaries.
She called on APC leaders at both state and national levels to investigate the disputed primaries before final ratification of the results, warning that unresolved grievances could worsen internal divisions within the ruling party. “We are ready to protest because of Seye Oladejo of Mushin Federal Constituency 02, Mutiu Olaide Oladeebo of Agege 2 constituency, Olotu Ojo of Ojokoro constituency, because we know they won this election,” she declared.
Presidency Dismisses Fake Tinubu ‘Conversion’ Video, Threatens Legal Action
The Nigerian presidency has dismissed a viral video suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has converted from Islam to Christianity, describing it as a deliberate deepfake designed to weaponise religion for political gain. The Office of Digital Engagement & Strategy in the presidency, in a statement on Thursday, warned that more such manipulated content may surface as the political season approaches.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has never hidden who he is. He is a Muslim. He is married to a Christian. He leads a multi-religious nation built on constitutional freedom of worship, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence,” the presidency said. Relevant authorities have been directed to identify and prosecute those behind the fake video under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
Meanwhile, the presidency has also threatened legal action against social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over the circulation of an allegedly fabricated audio clip falsely attributed to President Tinubu, which contained controversial remarks on insecurity, World Bank loans, and the 2027 elections. Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the audio as misinformation designed to deceive the public and tarnish the president’s image.
Atiku Calls on Tinubu to Resign Over Insecurity
The newly declared ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Tinubu to step down from office, linking the country’s worsening insecurity challenges to what he described as leadership failure. Speaking against the backdrop of recent mass abductions—including the kidnapping of 42 schoolchildren on May 15 in Borno State and over 40 students and teachers in Oyo State—Atiku argued that Tinubu has failed in the primary responsibility of protecting citizens.
“President Tinubu has no moral or political latitude to stay in Aso Villa a day longer if tens of hundreds of abducted citizens languish in captivity across the country,” Atiku declared. He called for special courts to speed up the trial of terrorists and the application of the death penalty for terrorism offences.
Tinubu Marks Third Year in Office as NASENI Drives Industrialisation
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his third year in office on May 29, 2026, a recurring theme of his administration has been the push for industrialisation, local production, and technological self-reliance under the Renewed Hope Agenda. At the centre of that drive is the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), which has transitioned from prototype development to commercialisation under its “3Cs” initiative of Creation, Collaboration, and Commercialisation.
NASENI has introduced more than 44 market-ready products, including locally assembled laptops, tablets, smartphones, solar streetlights, clean energy cookstoves, electric tricycles, and electric vehicles. The Agency is also developing a 40-hectare Solar Industrial Park in Gora, Nasarawa State, projected to become one of Africa’s largest renewable energy manufacturing hubs.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Nigeria’s GDP Grows to 3.89% in Q1 2026, But Power Sector Contracts Sharply
Nigeria’s economy expanded by 3.89 per cent in real terms in the first quarter of 2026, driven largely by agriculture (3.15%), telecommunications (10.98%), financial services (8.54%), and entertainment (11.25%). The services sector remained the largest component, contributing 57.73 per cent to aggregate GDP. In nominal terms, aggregate GDP rose to N110.79 trillion from N94.05 trillion in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of 17.79 per cent.
However, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report revealed a sharp contraction of the electricity and gas sector by 15.30 per cent—the steepest contraction recorded in recent years. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) warned that the fragile power sector poses a serious threat to sustainable economic growth, industrial productivity, and business competitiveness. The manufacturing sector recorded only modest growth of 3.29 per cent, with its contribution to GDP remaining below 10 per cent.
Oil production declined to an average of 1.55 million barrels per day, lower than the 1.62 mbpd recorded in the same quarter of 2025. Nevertheless, the oil refining sector showed remarkable growth of 37.46 per cent, the strongest of any sector in the quarter, reflecting the transformative potential of domestic refining following the commencement of operations at the Dangote Refinery.
Senate President Applauds Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking after leading principal officers of the senate on an Eid-el-Kabir homage to President Tinubu in Lagos, commended the president’s economic reforms, saying they had helped stabilise the country. Akpabio noted that the administration ended multiple exchange rates, fuel subsidies, and fuel scarcity, adding that the long queues that Nigerians used to experience in filling stations have disappeared.
Vegetable Oil Policy in Crisis as Imports Dominate Despite Ban
Local vegetable and edible oil producers have raised alarm over the continued dominance of imported brands, despite the retention of items on the Federal Government’s prohibition list under the 2026 fiscal policy measures. National Chairman of the Vegetable/Edible Oil Producers Association of Nigeria (VEOPAN), Okey Ikoro, disclosed that the local market is still dominated by more than 100 imported oil brands, warning that this threatens investments and discourages backward integration in the sector. He accused the Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria of failing to enforce the ban, adding that the initial ban failed by 85 per cent after two years.
SECURITY AND DEFENCE
Troops Neutralise 317 Terrorists, Arrest 314 Suspects in May Operations
The Defence Headquarters has reported that troops across various theatres neutralised 317 terrorists and criminal elements, arrested 314 suspects, and rescued 221 kidnapped civilians during operations in May 2026. The military also recovered weapons, dismantled illegal arms factories, and destroyed oil theft facilities across different parts of the country. A civil society group, the Coalition for National Security and Democratic Stability (CNSDS), commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, for providing strategic leadership during a critical time when the country faces complex security threats across multiple fronts.
Former Katsina Governor’s Aide Arrested for Kidnapping Eight-Year-Old Schoolboy
In a disturbing revelation, the Katsina State Police Command has arrested Nura Aliyu, a former Special Adviser to the Katsina State Governor, for masterminding the abduction of an eight-year-old schoolboy. Police confirmed that the child was kidnapped on May 13, 2026, while returning from an Islamic school, and a ransom of N17 million was paid. Six suspects linked to the kidnapping syndicate were arrested, and part of the ransom money—N7.5 million—was recovered. The arrest has reignited concerns over insecurity and alleged “moles” within Nigeria’s security system, weeks after Governor Dikko Radda publicly complained that bandits appear to have access to confidential government security discussions.
SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Nigeria to Introduce VAR Under Major Sports Infrastructure Overhaul
Nigeria is officially preparing to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology as part of a major nationwide sports infrastructure overhaul unveiled by the National Sports Commission (NSC). A key focus is the complete redevelopment of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, which has suffered years of decline. NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a National Sports Infrastructure Development Bond to ensure sustainable funding and maintenance for the proposed projects.
The masterplan also includes the construction of 20 mini-stadiums, development of 15 sports hubs across tertiary institutions, and direct infrastructure support for host states of the National Sports Festival, beginning with Enugu State.
Nigeria Unveils New Cricket Coach, Targets 2028 T20 World Cup
The Nigeria Cricket Federation has officially unveiled Zimbabwean tactician Stephen Mangongo as the new head coach and high-performance manager of the national team, setting a target of qualifying for the ICC T20 World Cup by 2028. Mangongo signed a three-year deal and replaces Kenyan coach Steve Tikolo, who left the role earlier this year.
Nigeria Contingent Heads to African Taekwondo Championships in Mali
The Nigeria Taekwondo Federation has expressed confidence in the country’s contingent to the 2026 African Taekwondo Championships in Bamako, Mali, which opens on Friday. For the first time, Nigeria will be travelling with a contingent that includes Para athletes alongside competitors in both Poomsae and Kyorugi categories. Over 300 athletes from across the country competed in the open trials to secure spots on the team.
ENTERTAINMENT
Nollywood Dominates Nigerian Box Office as Local Films Outperform Hollywood
Nollywood films continue to assert dominance over the Nigerian cinema market, with local productions consistently occupying top positions in 2026. During the May 22–24 weekend, Dammy Twitch’s romantic comedy Call of My Life led the charts with N93.1 million over three days, pushing its cumulative total to N222.2 million just two weeks after release. Notably, its second-weekend earnings surpassed the opening frame, signaling exceptional word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest. The long-running Michael added N38.4 million to reach a formidable N616.5 million after five weeks.
Industry observers note that Nigerian audiences are showing a strong preference for homegrown content that reflects their realities, relationships, and humour, encouraging higher production values and broader distribution across the country.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY STORIES
- NELFUND Refutes Fake News on Suspension of Student Upkeep Allowance: The Nigerian Education Loan Fund dismissed as entirely false online reports claiming that the Federal Government suspended the payment of upkeep allowances to student loan beneficiaries. NELFUND clarified that neither the Federal Government nor the Fund has issued any directive suspending upkeep allowances, reaffirming its commitment to continued disbursement.
- Nigerian Elected First West African to Board of Global Anti-Fraud Organisation: David Nkang Odu has been elected to the Board of Regents of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), becoming the first Nigerian and West African to serve on the governing body of the world’s largest anti-fraud organisation.
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