A wave of political uncertainty, economic concerns, and security challenges dominates the morning headlines, with the African Democratic Congress facing internal setbacks as its state congresses stall across the country.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has reassured citizens of safety despite the United States withdrawing some embassy officials, insisting that the security situation remains under control.
In security developments, Borno State witnessed fresh violence as an Army General and several terrorists were killed in an attack, prompting condolences from President Bola Tinubu.
Economic pressures continue to mount, with a Central Bank of Nigeria survey identifying power outages and insecurity as major constraints for businesses, while the World Bank reports that poverty in Nigeria has climbed to 63 per cent despite easing inflation.
In another troubling development, Boko Haram reportedly displayed abducted victims in parts of Borno, heightening fears over worsening insecurity in the region.
On a brighter note, the European Union has opened applications for a traineeship programme targeted at young Nigerian graduates, offering international exposure and career development opportunities.
In sports, controversy trails officiating decisions as a referee from the Africa Cup of Nations final has been dropped, while FIFA unveils officials selected for the upcoming World Cup.
See the top stories below:
Fresh blow for ADC as state congresses stall
A deepening leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress has thrown the party into disarray, with internal wrangling and legal hurdles forcing the suspension of state congresses scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026.
The party has since split into three warring camps — one led by former Senate President David Mark, another by Nafiu Gombe, and a third bloc spearheaded by some state ADC chairmen. The fallout from the power struggle has been severe, culminating in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s de-recognition of the Mark-led National Working Committee.
The situation remains fluid. While several states have announced the suspension of their congresses, a handful have insisted on proceeding with the elections ahead of the party’s convention.
Tensions spilt onto the streets of Abuja on Thursday when a faction loyal to Gombe stormed the INEC headquarters, demanding formal recognition.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/fresh-blow-for-adc-as-state-congresses-stall/
FG insists Nigeria safe as US pulls embassy officials
The Federal Government has reassured Nigerians and the international community that the country remains safe for residents and visitors, even as the United States ordered the evacuation of non-emergency staff and their families from its embassy in Abuja.
While the US cited security concerns across 23 states, the Federal Government, on Thursday, insisted that Nigeria continues to maintain a stable security environment and urged citizens to remain calm.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US Department of State authorised the departure of non-emergency government employees and their family members from the US Embassy in Abuja, citing a deteriorating security situation across Nigeria.
The embassy also closed for visa appointments in Abuja, asking applicants to check their email for details on rescheduled appointments.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/fg-insists-nigeria-safe-as-us-pulls-embassy-officials/
Borno attack: Army General, terrorists killed, Tinubu mourns
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday confirmed that terrorists and military personnel were killed when insurgents launched a coordinated attack on the 29 Task Force Brigade Headquarters in Benisheikh, Borno State.
The military, however, did not confirm or debunk reports that the Commander of the 29 Brigade, Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, was among those killed in the incident.
The Chairman of Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, Zanna Ajimi, however, claimed that the brigade commander was among those killed in the attack.
“Yes, we just left the military base now, and I can confirm to you that the brigade commander is among the casualties,” Ajimi told journalists.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/borno-attack-army-general-terrorists-killed-tinubu-mourns/
Power outages, insecurity top business challenges – CBN survey
Businesses across Nigeria identified inadequate electricity supply and insecurity as their most pressing operational challenges in March 2026, despite maintaining a broadly positive outlook on the economy, according to the latest Business Expectations Survey released by the Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday.
The report stated, “Respondents identified Insufficient Power Supply (74.5), Insecurity (70.9), High/Multiple Taxes (69.2), High Interest Rate (66.6), and Financial Problems (64.3) as the top five (5) business constraints in March 2026, highlighting factors that directly impact operational stability and profitability.”
The survey, conducted between March 9 and 13, 2026, covered 1,900 firms across industry, services, and agriculture, with a response rate of 99.7 per cent.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/power-outages-insecurity-top-business-challenges-cbn-survey/
Nigeria poverty hits 63% despite easing inflation – W’Bank
Poverty in Nigeria rose to 63 per cent in 2025, despite a slowdown in inflation, indicating the limited impact of recent macroeconomic improvements on household welfare, the World Bank has said.
The bank disclosed this in its Nigeria Development Update (April 2026) titled “Nigeria’s Tomorrow Must Start Today: The Case for Early Childhood Development,” released in Abuja on Tuesday.
Data presented in the report showed that the share of Nigerians living below the poverty line increased from 56 per cent in 2023 to 61 per cent in 2024, before peaking at 63 per cent in 2025.
The rise in the poverty rate, affecting about 140 million Nigerians, occurred even as inflation began to ease during the period, indicating a disconnect between price moderation and real income growth.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/nigeria-poverty-hits-63-despite-easing-inflation-wbank/
B’Harram displays abducted victims in Borno
A faction of the Boko Haram group, identified as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, has released a video showing the condition of the 416 abducted victims from Ngoshe, a community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, assuring all that they are healthy and have not been subjected to torture or sexual harassment.
In the video obtained by our correspondent on Thursday, the group displayed and interviewed the victims, comprising mostly women and children, with a few men.
A member of the group, who spoke on their behalf in the six-minute, 43-second clip, said the video was made following a request by a group known as the Borno South Youths Alliance, which it confirmed has been acting as a mediator since the victims were held in captivity.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/bharram-displays-abducted-victims-in-borno/
EU opens traineeship for young Nigerian graduates
The European Union Delegation to Nigeria has announced a six-month traineeship opportunity for young Nigerian graduates interested in international relations and diplomacy.
According to a notice published on the delegation’s website on Thursday, the traineeship would take place within its Political, Press and Information Section.
It will tentatively start in July 2026, while “the deadline for submitting applications is 08/05/2026.”
According to the notice, the programme is designed to give participants practical insight into the work of a diplomatic mission and how the EU represents its interests and values in Nigeria.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/eu-opens-traineeship-for-young-nigerian-graduates/
AFCON final ref dropped as FIFA picks World Cup officials
Renowned Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, who officiated the 2025 AFCON final, has been left out of the list of referees selected for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, as FIFA named seven centre referees, 10 assistant referees, and two Video Assistant Referees (VAR) from across Africa, Sports Extra reports.
Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the expanded 48-team tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Other notable omissions include Issa Sy from Senegal and Boubou Traoré from Mali.
The exclusion of Ndala comes after the controversial Africa Cup of Nations finahttps://punchng.com/afcon-final-ref-dropped-as-fifa-picks-world-cup-officials/l held in Morocco two months ago. Ndala, who took charge of the match, found himself at the centre of attention after the game descended into chaos, with Senegal players walking off the pitch in protest. The game was halted for several minutes before it resumed. Senegal won the tie 1-0, but Morocco was later declared the winner by the CAF appeals committee.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/afcon-final-ref-dropped-as-fifa-picks-world-cup-officials/