Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Thursday 16th April, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NaijaChoice News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Thursday 16th April, 2026.

1. 2027: APC Is In Panic – Dele Momodu Backs Atiku-Obi Presidential Ticket

Media mogul and African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu has thrown his weight behind a possible Atiku Abubakar-Peter Obi presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections.

Momodu made the strong endorsement on Tuesday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He described the pairing as a formidable choice for the ADC, citing the duo’s joint run in the 2019 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Peter Obi came third in the last election, so you don’t have to work too hard to maintain and attract the same group of people who love him,” Momodu said. He added that the former Anambra governor and ex-Vice President Atiku already share a similar temperament from their past collaboration.

2. Ghana President: We Want Nigeria To Do Well So They’ll Stop Coming To Our Country

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has openly called for Nigeria’s economic turnaround, stating that the prosperity of Africa’s most populous nation directly benefits smaller neighbours like Ghana.

Speaking at the African Heritage Awards 2026, Mahama described Nigerians as “cousins” and stressed that their stability prevents large-scale drift into Ghana. “If Nigeria does well, Ghana does well,” he said. “When you have cousins, 250 million of them, you want them to do well so that one million of them don’t come drifting towards a small country like Ghana.”

The Ghanaian leader revealed he begins each day with a prayer for Nigeria. “Every day I wake up, I pray for Nigeria. I say, God, let Nigeria get their act together,” Mahama added. He also pointed to deep historical ties, noting that many Ghanaians trace their roots to Nigeria, particularly the Yoruba kingdoms.

3. Fayose Insists Makinde Plots To Remove Olubadan Despite Official Denials

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday renewed his allegation that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is plotting to remove the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, despite earlier denials by the state government and the palace.

Fayose, in a statement posted on his official X account, alleged, “Those who are still in doubt, Governor Seyi Makinde’s plot to remove the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rahidi Adewolu Ladoja, should just keep their fingers crossed and follow unfolding events,” alleging that recent accusations against the monarch were part of a broader plan to justify action against him.

4. Nigeria’s Economy Growing Faster Than US, UK – Daniel Bwala

The International Monetary Fund has projected Nigeria’s economy to expand by 4.1 per cent in 2026, a rate higher than those of the United States at 2.3 per cent, the United Kingdom at 0.8 per cent, Germany at 0.8 per cent and South Africa at 1.0 per cent.

The latest World Economic Outlook released by the IMF on April 14, 2026, also forecasts Nigeria’s growth at 4.3 per cent for 2027, placing the country among the stronger performers in Sub-Saharan Africa where the regional average stands at 4.3 per cent for 2026. Global growth is expected to hit 3.1 per cent in 2026.

5. Akpabio Blames Insecurity on 2027 Election Plots

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the recent wave of attacks and bomb blasts across the country is politically motivated, aimed at discrediting President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio made the claim yesterday during the commissioning of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) corporate headquarters in Abuja, where President Tinubu officially unveiled the ultra-modern facility. He insisted the unrest is not random but a calculated move by some political actors to distract the government from its reforms.

6. “He Threatened To Kill Me” — Filmmaker Halts Alaafin Documentary Screening

Award-winning cultural documentary filmmaker Ayankola Ayanwuyi has indefinitely postponed the Ibadan screening of his new film, The Throne of Alaafin Oyo.

The Executive Director of the Dundun Centre announced the decision on Tuesday via his official X handle, citing security concerns after an alleged direct threat from the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.

7. 2027: I’ll step aside for Peter Obi if he wins ADC presidential ticket – Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his willingness to step aside for Peter Obi if the ex-Anambra governor emerges the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in 2027.

During an interview on Arise News on Wednesday evening, Atiku was asked directly whether he would step aside if Obi wins the ADC presidential primary.

Atiku and Peter Obi are regarded as the front runners for ADC’s presidential ticket.

Others, such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, are also believed to be in the running for the ADC ticket.

8. Federal Court Grants El-Rufai Bail, State Case Adjourned Till April 21

A Federal High Court has granted bail to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in an ongoing corruption trial, marking a significant development in the series of legal proceedings against him.

The ruling follows earlier hearings in which arguments were presented by both the defence and prosecution regarding his bail application. The court had previously reserved its decision before delivering its ruling.

9. Even A Dead Man Will Defeat Tinubu In 2027 — Galadima

Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has declared that President Bola Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election even if pitted against a corpse.

Galadima made the strong remark on Tuesday during the ADC national convention held at the Rainbow Event Centre in Garki, Abuja. He was addressing party faithful amid growing calls for a united opposition front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I want to remind them that even if there is no living human being in Nigeria, and we bring a corpse in a coffin and put him against President Tinubu, I assure you the corpse will win the election in 2027,” Galadima said.

10. This Will Be My Last Attempt At President – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general election will be his last attempt to contest for the presidency of Nigeria. The statement was made during a live interview on Arise News Television on Wednesday night.

“The 2027 election will be my last attempt at contesting for president,” Atiku said. NaijaChoice News monitored the interview where the veteran politician, who has now aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), spoke openly about his political future.

That’s the top Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Read more Nigerian news on NaijaChoice News. See you again tomorrow.