1. The APC screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections recorded the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, even as the party assessed 14 governors seeking re-election and other elective positions.
Also, President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, was screened. Sunday PUNCH reports that the APC began the sale of its expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise closing at midnight on May 6.
2. The Redeemed Christian Church of God has said it is awaiting the outcome of an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against one of its pastors in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The Publicity Secretary of the RCCG, Lanre Oyegbola, who stated this on Saturday, also confirmed that the church was aware of the matter.
3. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Saturday launched his fifth-term bid at a grand ceremony in Zaria, Kaduna State. Declaring his intention to contest for the seat of House of Representatives at the Mallawa Eid Ground, Zaria, Abbas used the occasion to list the many democratic dividends his representation has attracted to the people of Zaria.
4. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, wanted over alleged abuse of office and diversion of public funds. In a notice published on its website on Saturday, the agency called on members of the public with useful information about the former minister’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.
5. Six governorship aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Yobe State, on Saturday met with Vice President Kashim Shettima over the controversy surrounding the party’s succession arrangement ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The group comprises Hon. Muhammad Ibrahim Bomai, Yobe South Senator, Lawan Kolo Geidam, former DG NEMA: Engr. Mustapha Maihaja.
6. Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has backed the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South. Speaking at the party’s convention on Saturday in Abuja, Kwankwaso said the move aligned with the party’s established power-sharing arrangement.
7. The United States spent $578.78m on crude oil imports from Nigeria in the first quarter of 2026, down from $681.40m in the corresponding period of 2025, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The latest figures, contained in the agencies’ March 2026 international trade report, show that the value of U.S. imports of Nigerian crude oil on a Cost, Insurance and Freight basis stood at $578.78m year-to-date, down by $102.62m or 15.06 per cent from the $681.40m recorded in the same period of 2025
8. The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the 12 Chibok girls who graduated from the American University of Nigeria. The government said the graduates would continue receiving support to help them succeed in spite of the traumatic experiences they endured.
9. The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA concluded Saturday at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, recognising outstanding work in African film, television, and digital storytelling. The ceremony started at 7 p.m. and brought together actors, filmmakers, and content creators from across the continent. Winners were honoured across multiple categories that highlighted achievements in acting, directing, production, and digital content.
10. In a major strategic political realignment, members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) from the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Yobe state, alongside the Arewa Strategic Implementation Group for Atiku (ASIGA) passed a resolution calling on Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim Jawa to lead their massive defection to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC). The two political groups, led by Abubakar Garzali, made the announcements of defections on Saturday in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital
