Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday 17th April, 2026

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the NaijaChoice News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday 17th April, 2026.

1. PDP Wike Faction in Crisis Over Anyanwu Appeal

Crisis is deepening in the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party as its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, heads to the Court of Appeal over his recommended expulsion.

Anyanwu filed the Notice of Appeal on April 10, barely days before the deadline expired. He is praying the appellate court to set aside the January 12 judgment of the Abuja High Court and annul the expulsion recommendation issued by the Chief Tom Ikimi-led National Disciplinary Committee for alleged anti-party activities.

2. Oyebanji Targets 500,000 Votes, Clean Sweep in All Polling Units for Ekiti Re-election

Ado-Ekiti – Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State is banking on his first-term achievements and strong public demand to secure a second term in the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

The Director General of the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, made this clear at the campaign council’s maiden press conference on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

Senator Fasuyi, who represents Ekiti North, said the governor is aiming for at least 500,000 votes and victory across all 2,445 polling units, 177 wards and 16 local government areas.

3. Benin, Togo, Niger Owe Nigeria $9.55 Million Electricity Debt

Benin, Togo and Niger have piled up a $9.55 million debt to Nigeria for electricity supplied during the fourth quarter of 2025.

NaijaChoice News learnt this from the latest Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission quarterly report, which shows the three countries were billed $20.44 million but paid only $10.89 million. This leaves a remittance rate of just 53.28 per cent for the period.

The unpaid amount means Nigerian power generators lost nearly half of what they were owed from these international bilateral customers. Société Béninoise d’Energie Electrique in Benin, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo and Société Nigerienne d’Electricite in Niger were the main defaulters.

4. Kwankwaso Popularity Is Restricted To Only Kano State – Atiku

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate and former Vice President, has declared that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s political reach does not stretch beyond Kano State.

He made the claim while asserting stronger northern influence for himself compared to other key figures.

“Kwankwaso popularity is restricted to only Kano State. Kano is even now split between him and Governor Abba Yusuf,” Atiku stated.

5. Wike Free To Join APC – Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that the Minister of the Federal Capital territory, (FCT) Nyesom Wike is free to join the party.

Yilwatda made the remarks during a media chat on Wednesday night.

He stated that the party does not compel individuals to join its fold, stressing that membership is voluntary.

If he wants to join the APC, he is free to do so. We don’t compel people to join APC. People willingly join APC,” he said.

6. Nigeria Police Reforms: 4-Year IGP Term Gazetted

The single non-renewable four-year term for the Inspector-General of Police has been officially gazetted. This is contained in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette for December 2025.

The development came to light during the official presentation of the Nigeria Police Force Regulations. Prof. Olu Ogunsakin, representative of the police reform committee, explained the key highlights.

7. US Lawmaker Demands Matawalle’s Removal Over Insecurity

US lawmaker Kimberly Daniels has demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu immediately remove or redeploy Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle as part of urgent reforms to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives and chairwoman of the United World Congress of Diplomats, made the call in a strongly worded security assessment released on Tuesday. She warned that repeated deadly attacks on communities have exposed serious gaps in the country’s defence architecture.

8. Nigerian Airlines Threaten Shutdown Over Fuel Costs

Domestic airlines face a nationwide shutdown from April 20 if aviation fuel prices are not slashed immediately, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has warned.

NaijaChoice News reports that the body issued the ultimatum in a letter dated April 14, 2026, addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Isong. AON President Abdulmunaf Sarina signed the document, which was also copied to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of State Services.

9. 2027: I Am Jagaban, They Can’t Scare Me – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has declared that no amount of pressure or intimidation will distract him from pursuing his vision for Nigeria.

The President made this known while addressing the 36 state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He urged the coordinators to uphold integrity and work together in the collective effort to rebuild the country, stressing that unity and commitment remain key to achieving meaningful progress.

10. Lagos Receives 24 Car-Trains From China To Boost Red Line

Lagos State has taken delivery of 24 new train cars from China to strengthen the fleet on the Red Line rail corridor.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the development on Thursday, describing the addition as a major boost for daily commuters battling heavy traffic across the city. The new cars, which arrived after successful factory tests, will increase passenger capacity and cut down waiting times at stations.

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