Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Saturday, 30th May, 2026

The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has pushed for a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000.

The position of the Governors was made known on Friday by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

He said the Governors endorsed the proposed figure as they recognized the need to improve workers’ welfare amid rising living costs..

According to him, the state governments are actively engaging with the federal government and labour unions to reach a sustainable agreement.

The call is expected to shape ongoing negotiations on wages, inflation and broader economic measures.

AbdulRahman added that the Governors also endorsed the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

KeepLoss reports that the statutory national minimum wage is currently officially set at ₦70,000 per month under the National Minimum Wage Act and approved by President Tinubu.

However, some state governments like Lagos, Rivers, and Imo are paying higher than the ₦70,000 standard.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that it can’t be intimidated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The party noted that Wike has no powers to determine events that should be held and where they should be held.

The PDP faction loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde made the declaration in a statement on Friday, in which it reacted to a threat by Wike that event centres in Abuja which give their premises to political parties not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), face revocation and closure.

The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said that following the threat from Wike, the management of A Class Event Centre has informed them of a threat to shut down their business premises if the PDP is allowed to use their hall for the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate.

The party, however, insisted that such would be a breach of agreement on the part of the event centre if its proceeds and their lawyers had been properly briefed.

KeepLoss reports that the PDP vowed to go ahead with Saturday’s event and urged all members and stakeholders to attend as scheduled.

The presidency has accused the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, of playing politics with the challenges of insecurity.

The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, in a statement via his 𝕏 Account on Friday, accused Governor Makinde of attempting to shift responsibility for managing Oyo State’s security to the federal government.

The presidential aide stated that Tinubu is fully committed to fighting insecurity and would not be distracted by political statements.

KeepLoss recalls that Makinde had earlier accused the federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu of delaying the creation of state police in Nigeria.

He also alleged that Lagos State remain passive in the creation of Amotekun Corps to serve as a regional security outfit for the southwest.

However, the presidency, in response, denied claims that Lagos boycotted Amotekun.

Quoting the video in which Makinde spoke, Olusegun said the Oyo State Governor has not been able to properly fund the Amotekun, while Lagos State has successfully overcome the funding challenges for state security outfits.

According to him, if Makinde can not adequately finance a regional security outfit, he may not be able to manage the financial demands of state police.

Olusegun, therefore, challenged Makinde to fix the security challenges in Oyo State first before giving lectures on how to fight national security challenges.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the party’s 2027 presidential candidacy.

The party, in a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said those promoting Jonathan as the PDP candidate for the 2027 elections are only trying to create chaos and confusion.

KeepLoss reports that the statement comes amidst claims by another PDP faction that Jonathan would be unveiled on Saturday as the party’s presidential candidate.

However, Mohammed said such claims are false, misleading and unauthorised.

The statement added that the PDP is not planning a convention to affirm Jonathan as it has concluded all its primary elections, including governorship, State House of Assembly, National Assembly, and presidential primaries, in line with the Electoral Act, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the party’s constitution.

The faction thereafter called on Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the alleged moves to install him as the PDP flagbearer in order to preserve his reputation and protect the integrity of the democratic process.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disclosed that the results emerging from its primary elections conducted across states of the federation were not yet final.

KeepLoss reports this clarification was made in Abuja on Friday by the Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, Abimbola Tooki.

Tooki said a formal declaration of winners would be made only after the conclusion of its internal appeal processes, noting that the procedure was deliberately designed to ensure fairness and transparency in conducting the primaries.

According to him, the guidelines issued for the exercise were clear on the process of collation and declaration of results.

He explained that the appeal committees, working in collaboration with the National Working Committee (NWC), were expected to review all petitions before final decisions were taken.

Tooki stressed that the arrangement was in line with the party’s commitment to justice, inclusiveness and internal democracy.

Speaking further, Tooki further stated that aggrieved aspirants retained the constitutional right to seek redress through the party’s appeal mechanism instead of resorting to media attacks against the national leadership.

He assured stakeholders that all petitions and complaints arising from the primaries would be treated fairly and strictly on their merit.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned owners of event centres, hotels and other public facilities in Abuja against allowing their premises to be used by illegal organisations or unrecognised political party leaderships.

The administration, under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said title documents of any event centre, hotel, or public building used for gatherings organised by illegal groups would be revoked.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka.

According to the statement, the directive is part of measures to strengthen security in the nation’s capital and support ongoing operations by security agencies.

The FCTA said the use of event centres, hotels and other public buildings would now be closely monitored to ensure that such facilities are not used for activities capable of disturbing public peace.

The administration urged owners and operators of hotels, event centres and public facilities to verify the legal status of organisations seeking to rent their premises.

It also advised them to properly understand the purpose of any gathering before approving the use of their facilities.

The FCTA said this had become necessary because lands and properties allocated within the Federal Capital Territory must only be used for lawful activities.

The statement particularly warned hotel and event centre operators to deal only with political party leaderships recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It said the warning was important, especially during the current political season, when different groups and factions could attempt to use public facilities for political gatherings.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, were difficult but necessary measures designed to place the economy on a more sustainable footing.

KeepLoss reports that Akpabio, in a statement issued on Thursday to commemorate Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, commended Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that key policy decisions and development projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda are beginning to reshape the country’s economic outlook.

According to Akpabio, the Tinubu government’s economic and infrastructure reforms are necessary steps towards long-term national development.

The Senate President pointed to major government initiatives, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme, the Renewed Hope Housing Programme, the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and conversion centres, tax reform efforts, and the completion of the OB3 gas pipeline project, as evidence of the administration’s reform drive.

Akpabio also reaffirmed the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to supporting the administration through legislation to sustain ongoing reforms.

Beyond celebrating the administration’s achievements, Akpabio further expressed hope for the successful completion of the President’s tenure and victory in the forthcoming elections.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has dismissed reports alleging that an inmate at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, was robbed of valuables worth more than ₦120m during a routine search operation.

The Service described the allegation as false, misleading and inconsistent with established procedures governing custodial facilities across the country.

KeepLoss reports that in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, JN Osuji, the correctional authorities explained that what occurred at the facility was a routine security search conducted in line with standard operational procedures.

According to the statement, all prohibited items recovered during the exercise were properly documented and processed.

The Correctional Service stated that inmates are not permitted to keep unauthorised personal items or large sums of money while in custody.

It explained that personal belongings declared by inmates upon admission are documented and kept safely until discharge or lawful release.

According to the Service, records at the custodial centre do not show that the valuables mentioned in the reports were declared by any inmate upon admission.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed that Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke are fit to start Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Arteta gave the update while speaking to journalists on Friday evening ahead of the showpiece match in Budapest.

Naija News reports that the development comes as a major boost for Arsenal, who are preparing for one of the biggest games in the club’s recent history.

When asked about the fitness of the two players, Arteta said both Timber and Madueke were available for selection and could start the final.

He said, “Timber is fit. Fit enough to start? Yeah. Madueke? Yeah, he is fit. The only one is Ben [White].”

Timber had been out of action since March after sustaining an injury during Arsenal’s win over Everton.

His return gives Arteta another defensive option as the Gunners prepare to face a PSG side known for pace, movement and attacking quality.

Madueke also handed Arsenal a fitness concern after suffering an injury scare during the final league game of the season at Selhurst Park.

The winger had scored before Arsenal lifted the Premier League title on the final day, but his condition became a concern ahead of the European final.

Arteta’s confirmation now means the player is expected to be available for the match, giving Arsenal more options in attack.

However, defender Ben White remains unavailable for the final.

White suffered a knee injury against West Ham earlier this month and has not recovered in time for the encounter against PSG.

Notable Nollywood actress and film producer, Esther Okereke, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2027 general election.

KeepLoss reports that Okereke secured the party’s ticket on Friday after defeating former Labour Party presidential aspirant, Joseph Faduri, and UK-based businessman, Ademola Onigbokun, at the NRM presidential primary held in Abuja.

Her emergence places her among the few women to secure the presidential ticket of a political party in Nigeria’s democratic history, as political parties begin early preparations for the 2027 election cycle.

Okereke is now expected to join other opposition figures seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive presidential contest.

Presenting Okereke to delegates as the party’s flag bearer, the National Chairman of the NRM, Chinedu Obi, said the party was determined to offer Nigerians a leadership that could address the country’s economic and security challenges.