Nigerian Newspapers: Top Headlines Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2026

1. Atiku, Adeleke Affected As Court Orders INEC To Deregister ADC, Accord, Others

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.

The order was given on Monday by Justice Peter Lifu in his ruling on the suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026.

According to him, the affected parties have persistently failed to meet constitutional performance thresholds.

The other parties affected are the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party.

The National Forum of Former Legislators had, in the suit, prayed the court to determine whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove political parties that fail to meet the electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations.

The plaintiff argued that the five political parties listed as defendants in the matter had persistently failed to meet the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration.

The former legislators stressed that the requirements include winning at least 25 percent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state, or local government level.

They told the court that the ADC and the four other parties performed poorly in both the 2023 general elections and by-elections conducted by INEC, thereby failing to win seats across key tiers of government.

2. ADC Confirms Atiku’s Running Mate For 2027 Presidency

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has picked former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, pairing him with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on what party leaders describe as a “unity and rescue ticket.”

Announcing the decision in a statement sent to Naija News on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said Amaechi’s emergence followed broad consultations within the party and reflected his strong performance as runner-up in the party’s presidential primaries as well as his track record of service to his State and the country.

According to the ADC, Amaechi’s extensive experience across both the legislative and executive arms of government, as former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, two-term Governor of Rivers State, and former Minister of Transportation, makes him uniquely qualified to complement Atiku’s leadership, strengthen the party’s national appeal, and bolster its campaign to offer Nigerians an experienced and credible alternative ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Abdullahi said in the statement that the Atiku/Amaechi ticket is more than a political alliance, describing it as the coming together of two tested statesmen with the experience, national reach, and leadership capacity required to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges and reposition the country for a new era of prosperity, security, and inclusive development.

3. Abducted Widow Of Late General Rabe Regains Freedom

Hajiya Amina Abubakar, widow of the late Major General Abubakar Rabe (retd.), has regained freedom after weeks in captivity.

Amina was abducted alongside her husband on May 30, 2026, when their vehicle was ambushed along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The couple were said to be travelling for a wedding when they ran into the ambush.

KeepLoss reports that the abduction had sparked concern among residents and security stakeholders in Katsina State, especially after the couple were held by their captors for several days.

Two weeks after the incident, the death of the retired senior military officer was announced.

However, his captors refused to release his widow at the time, leaving her family and associates worried about her safety.

According to Daily Trust, Amina regained her freedom on Monday after soldiers engaged the bandits in a gun battle.

The military operation reportedly led to her release from captivity.

4. ‘Let The Common Man Feel This Court Is Truly His Last Hope’ – Tinubu Tells Judges

President Bola Tinubu has urged judges and judicial officials to ensure that courts serve as the last hope of the common Nigerian.

KeepLoss reports that Tinubu made this known on Monday during the commissioning of the newly constructed building of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, to mark his third anniversary.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the event, urged the judges to ensure that justice is swiftly dispensed to Nigerians and that they must be blind to status and pride.

The president also assured that he would ensure that judges and judicial officers work in a deserving environment.

5. Nigeria’s Inflation Rises To 15.93% In May — NBS

Nigeria’s headline inflation rose for the third consecutive month to 15.93 per cent in May 2026, up from 15.69 per cent recorded in April.

KeepLoss reports that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed this in its latest Consumer Price Index and inflation report released on Monday.

According to the report, inflation rose by 1.75 per cent on a month-on-month basis in May.

The NBS report also showed that food inflation rose to 16.96 per cent in May, compared to 16.06 per cent recorded in April.

The bureau said that on a year-on-year basis, headline inflation stood at 15.93 per cent in May 2026.

This was higher than the 15.69 per cent recorded in April 2026 but lower than the 26.06 per cent recorded in May 2025.

6. ‘Terrorists Must Surrender Or Be Eliminated’ – Presidency

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has reiterated the government’s commitment to ending terrorism in Nigeria.

KeepLoss reports that the presidential spokesperson commended the nation’s security forces for their efforts in the fight against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals operating in the country.

He, however, added that no matter how long it takes, the only option is for the terrorists to surrender or be eliminated.

He emphasized that President Tinubu will never surrender to the demands of the terrorists.

7. It’s Impossible For Me To Marry A Nigerian – DJ Cuppy

Billionaire heiress and Nigerian disc jockey Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has vowed not to marry a Nigerian.

KeepLoss reports that she stated this during a recent podcast appearance.

Speaking during the discussion, Cuppy explained that her decision stems from her previous experience with an individual who was more interested in meeting her father than in building a genuine relationship with her.

She stressed that the experience often makes her question the intentions of some men who approach her.

8. Late Actor Kola Oyewo’s Son Reveals Father’s Last Words Before Death

Oluwatobi Oyewo, the youngest son of late veteran actor and cultural figure, Kola Oyewo, has shared details of his father’s final days before he died at the age of 80.

KeepLoss reports that in an interview with Punch, he said his father passed away on Friday around 6:30pm after showing signs that he was preparing for the end of his life.

According to him, his father had been speaking in a calm but unusual way two days before his death.

He said the late actor often spoke in parables and kept referring to family members who had died, including his wife who passed in 2020.

He explained that his father had a video call with his eldest son on the morning of the day he died and appeared calm and cheerful despite being in hospital.

Oluwatobi also spoke about his father’s health struggles, saying he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2019 and had managed the condition for years after a first surgery.

9. 2026 FIFA World Cup: Cape Verde Stun Spain

Cape Verde produced one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far after holding Spain to a goalless draw in their opening Group H fixture earlier today, June 15.

Making their first-ever appearance at the tournament, the African side frustrated the two-time world champions throughout a tense match, securing a memorable point and throwing the group wide open. The result also deepened concerns over Spain’s recent World Cup form, with just one win from their last seven matches at the finals.

Spain dominated possession from the outset but found it difficult to break down a disciplined Cape Verde defence. Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes was outstanding at the back, helping to repel wave after wave of Spanish pressure as Luis de la Fuente’s men struggled to create clear openings.

The final whistle sparked celebrations among the Cape Verde players and supporters, who watched their team claim a historic point against one of the tournament favourites.

10. Van Dijk Criticises FIFA’s Hydration Break Rule At 2026 World Cup

Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk has questioned FIFA’s decision to introduce mandatory hydration breaks at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arguing that the measure should only be used in matches played under extreme heat.

KeepLoss gathered that the Dutch defender voiced his concerns after the Netherlands’ opening match against Japan in Dallas, where his side surrendered the lead twice in a pulsating match. Van Dijk found the net but also faced criticism for aspects of his defensive display.

Speaking after the match, the Liverpool centre-back suggested that hydration breaks should not be applied uniformly across every fixture.

The match in Dallas was reportedly played in temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, prompting Van Dijk to question whether such interruptions were necessary under relatively mild conditions.