Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 23rd May, 2026.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Friday, May 22, 2026, adjourned till June 23, 2026, the alleged ₦8.7 billion money laundering trial involving former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe and son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami.
Naija News reports that the defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, procuring, disguising, concealing and laundering proceeds of unlawful activities to the tune of ₦8,713,923,759.49 (Eight Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Nine Naira, Forty-Nine Kobo), contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
At the resumed sitting on Friday, prosecution counsel, J.S. Okutepa (SAN), informed the court that the matter was slated for continuation of hearing but that the prosecution had been served with a letter seeking adjournment by the defence.
According to him, “This matter is slated today for continuation of hearing. We were served with a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of this court on the 20th of May, 2026 by the law firm of J.B. Daudu and Co. We wanted to oppose the application but we don’t want to stall the proceedings.”
He further urged the court to take note of the number of adjournments already sought by the defendants.
In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the submission of the prosecution, noting that the absence of the lead defence counsel should not ordinarily stall proceedings, especially considering the number of lawyers in his chambers.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till June 23, 2026, for continuation of the trial at the instance of the senior defence counsel.
The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has stated that no presidential candidate can succeed without getting votes from the north.
Dalung stated this after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) commenced its primaries in Nasarawa State.
The Chairperson of the ADC State Election Committee for Nasarawa made the assertion in Lafia while monitoring the primary elections for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions.
He said, “You can’t win an election in Nigeria without support from the North. You cannot. The North is mainly ADC.”
He claimed that Nigeria has returned to regional politics, just as it did during the First Republic.
“We are now focusing on regional politics in Nigeria. What took place in the first republic is similar to what is happening now. So, every region has its party.
“The Igbos have taken APGA. APC, Nigerians have left it to Tinubu and his group. The PDP, Jonathan has brought it down South,” he said.
The former Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, has cited a gang-up against him by internal forces as the reason for his decision to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Naija News reports that Akpanudoedehe, a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists at his Ikot Okubo residence in Uyo.
The former APC chieftain said the opposition forces against him may regroup, but he is unbothered, stressing that he remains focused and prepared to challenge Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 election.
He said, “I only left APC as National Secretary when I discovered they ganged up against me. They may regroup, but I don’t care. My concern is the unemployment and underdevelopment in Akwa Ibom State.”
Akpanudoedehe also dismissed claims that he frequently contests elections only to negotiate outcomes, insisting he has participated in only the 2011 and 2023 elections.
He stated, “Selling my election chances in the past would have meant empowering my enemies, and I cannot do that.”
Akpanudoedehe urged his supporters to remain steadfast and support him in 2027, insisting that he has never held elective office and therefore could not be accused of mismanagement of public funds.
He blamed poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment in Akwa Ibom State on corruption and poor governance, despite what he described as significant federal allocations to the state.
Asked about his political strength under the ADC, Akpanudoedehe said he played a key role in building APC structures in the state, which later became the ruling party.
He also dismissed claims that he was once a motor park chairman, describing the allegation as false and politically motivated.
The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents of the state that his administration will continue and complete ongoing infrastructural projects despite recent political developments.
Fubara gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection of the new Airport Road Bypass in Port Harcourt, where he disclosed that the project had reached 65 per cent completion.
Naija News reports that the governor’s inspection came days after he withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in the state, effectively dropping his re-election bid.
However, Fubara, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Onwuka Nzeshi, said the development would not distract him from the responsibilities of governance.
Fubara said his administration remained focused on delivering projects that would have a direct impact on the lives of Rivers residents.
According to him, the political situation in the state will not stop the government from completing projects already started across different parts of the state.
He said, “I want to assure our people that, notwithstanding the situation of things, one thing that I can promise everyone is that every good work that we have started, by the special grace of God, will continue, and we will complete them.
“We’re in high spirits. Like, we always say, Rivers First.”
The governor said his administration would remain committed to governance and development, adding that the interest of the state would continue to guide his actions.
Speaking on the Airport Road Bypass project, Fubara said the road was conceived as an alternative route for communities around the airport corridor.
He explained that the project became necessary because protests and disagreements involving communities and airport authorities had, in the past, led to the blockage of the main airport road.
According to him, such incidents often affected movement and disrupted economic activities in the state.
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has alleged that state governors are already mobilising enormous financial resources to support President Bola Tinubu’s political campaigns for 2027.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo made the remarks during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television, while giving a harsh assessment of the Tinubu administration nearly three years after assuming office.
Okonkwo said politics has become the only thriving sector under the current administration, claiming that governors are mobilising ₦800 billion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Nollywood actor-turned-politician, the current administration is determined to eliminate any serious electoral competition in 2027.
Kenneth Okonkwo also described Tinubu’s administration as three years of catastrophe amid worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity and mounting public debt.
He accused the President of failing to deliver on key promises to Nigerians, saying the only commitment Tinubu appears to have fulfilled was borrowing heavily, as captured in successive national budgets.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied reports that its leader, Seriake Dickson, is working for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party’s spokesman, Abdulmumin Ohiare Abdulsalam, in an interview with Leadership, stated that Dickson is committed to the NDC’s political ideals.
He insisted that the NDC leader is a respected politician with an unblemished record, adding that he has the interest of the nation at heart.
Abdulsalam also said Dickson is part of a “triad” of party leaders, alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who are consulting on who will emerge as the NDC’s presidential flag bearer
He said, “For now, only Peter Obi has picked the presidential nomination form and has been successfully screened by the party’s screening committee.”
Abdulsalam emphasised that if no other contender picks the presidential nomination form, Obi would emerge as the party’s flag bearer, with Kwankwaso as his running mate.
The spokesman further clarified that the Fubara who recently joined the party is not the Rivers State governor, but his brother.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has set up a 20-member National Selection Committee to screen governorship and National Assembly aspirants ahead of its primaries.
Naija News reports that the latest development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu.
The party said the decision was approved by its National Leader following recommendations by the NWC as preparations intensify for the primaries.
According to the statement, the move was part of efforts to ensure transparency, internal democracy and credible candidate selection, stressing that the National Selection Committee will be formally inaugurated on Monday May, 25, 2026, and thereafter, is expected to hold its inaugural meeting immediately.
The Committee is expected to review and scrutinise reports submitted by the National Screening Committee and take final decisions on the screening outcomes of all aspirants seeking to contest on the party’s platform.
The National Chairman of the party, Moses Zuwoghe, will serve as the chairman of the 20-member Committee, while Barrister Ikenna Enekweizu will serve as secretary.
Other members include Buba Galadima, Yunusa Tanko, Udenta Udenta, Aminu Abdulsalam, Alhaji Mohammed Bakin Zuwo, Shittu Mohammed, among other members.
Manchester City will honour Pep Guardiola by renaming the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium as ‘The Pep Guardiola Stand’.
The newly developed stand will officially open for the first time during Guardiola’s final game in charge against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The club confirmed the decision in an official statement released earlier today, May 22, with owner Sheikh Mansour praising Guardiola’s impact across a decade in Manchester.
A statue of Guardiola will also be built outside the stand, which sits at the end of Joe Mercer Way and forms part of City’s wider Etihad redevelopment project.
The development includes a new fan zone called Medlock Square, a 401-room hotel, club museum, retail outlets, office space, restaurants and bars.
Club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak described the tribute as a permanent reminder of Guardiola’s influence on the club and English football.
Nigerian rapper Emeka Akumefule, known professionally as Blaqbonez, has declared himself a mysterious person.
Naija News reports that Blaqbonez made this known in a post on his 𝕏 handle, while revealing his reason for rejecting an offer to join Mavin Records despite being offered $1 million.
Speaking on the reason for declining the offer, Blaqbonez said he does not enjoy being highly active on social media or constantly engaging fans online, which he claimed may not align with the demands of a major record label.
He wrote, “I need to get this off my chest before chanel drops, the reason I didn’t sign to mavin when they were begging me with a million dollars is cos i don’t really like posting, I prefer 1 tweet per year than engaging my fans, I’m too big for that, I’m mysterious.”
Media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has revealed how he struggled with smoking for 13 years.
Speaking on a recent episode of the MENtality podcast with Banky W and Aproko Doctor, Ebuka revealed that he started smoking in junior secondary school, and it took deliberate effort for him to quit.
According to him, the habit intensified in university, where he consumed up to two packs of cigarettes daily.
“But I started smoking in JSS 3, and I smoked for 13 years. In university, I was doing about two packs a day,” he said.
He credited conscious, intentional steps for helping him overcome the addiction.
Banky W also shared a personal account, revealing he developed a pornography addiction while trying to stop being promiscuous.
He explained he initially viewed it as a way to avoid relationships with multiple women, but realised he had replaced one harmful habit with another.
Ebuka agreed, noting that many people swap one addiction for another while trying to escape the first.
That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on Naija News. See you again tomorrow.
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