2027: Inside deal between Tinubu, PDP govs (Sun)
The long running battle in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over leadership tussle may not abate soon, sources told Daily Sun.
According to one of the sources, the deal between President Bola Tinubu and some PDP governors is partly responsible for the crisis of confidence rocking the party, a claim that was dismissed by a chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last night.
But, sources within the PDP insist a that gentleman pact had been sealed between President Tinubu and some of the PDP governors, especially those in the their first term. Read more
Kaduna governor revokes land, houses sold by El-Rufai (Nation)
Institutional houses and plots of land sold in Kaduna State by the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai have been revoked by the state government.
The revocation of the properties within Alhuda-huda College, Zaria; Queen Amina College, Kaduna and Government Commercial College, Zaria, was ordered yesterday by Governor Uba Sani.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr. AbdulKadir Mu’azu Meyere, who announced the revocation in a statement, said decision was taken for overriding public interest and for the common good. Read more
Easter: Group distributes relief items, calls for communal support in Uromi (Guardian)
The Executive Chairman of Uromi Like Minds Initiative (ULMI), Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray, has called for support towards orphans and the elderly in Uromi, Esan North East Local Council of Edo State, in the spirit of Easter.
Speaking during the group’s donation of food items, medical supplies, hygiene materials, and financial aid to orphanages and elderly homes in the area, Okpebholo stressed the need for unity, compassion, and a collective commitment to rebuilding Uromi and Esanland, especially amid current security challenges.
“The Easter season reminds us of the ultimate sacrifice; God’s gift of His only Son for mankind’s redemption. In this same spirit of selflessness, we must extend kindness to the disadvantaged,” he said. Read more
Sanwo-Olu disburses over ₦14b in bus fare subsidies over six years (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has subsidized bus fares for residents to the tune of ₦14.9 billion through the operations of the Lagos State Bus Service Limited (LBSL) since 2019.
This disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing on the performance of the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat administration held in Alausa, Ikeja.
Meanwhile, the Marina–Mile 2 section of the Blue Rail Line has recorded over two million passengers since it began operations. Read more
Panic as beheaded body found in Lagos (Punch)
Tension gripped the Idimu area of Lagos State on Sunday after residents discovered the bodies of two men, one of which was beheaded.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the killings occurred late Saturday night, but the corpses were only discovered on Sunday morning along Oladun Road.
When our correspondent visited the scene, the lifeless bodies were still lying several meters apart. Read more
100 Civil Society Groups back Falana, tell Tinubu to sack Rivers Sole Administrator (Leadership)
A coalition of 100 civil society groups, known as the Civic Room for Rule of Law, has thrown its weight behind human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over his call for the removal of Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas (rtd.).
The groups claimed that Ibas has breached presidential orders and disregarded the rule of law.
According to the Official Gazette dated March 18, 2025, the Sole Administrator was supposed to operate on the basis of regulations issued by President Tinubu. Read more
Army honours Chaplain’s silver jubilee with spelling bee promoting faith, unity in Sokoto (Tribune)
In a heartwarming display of unity, intellect, and faith, the 8 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto transformed into a beacon of hope and harmony on Monday, 21 April 2025.
The occasion was a special spelling bee competition, held to honour the Silver Jubilee of Reverend Father and Army Chaplain, Lt. Col. Patrick Odira Orji, marking 25 years of dedicated priesthood.
Beyond the spelling contest, the event stood out as a celebration of togetherness, bringing children of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds under one roof, as one family, in the pursuit of knowledge. Read more
Tinubu urges ECOWAS to use AfCFTA for Africa’s transformation (NewTelegraph)
President Bola Tinubu has urged members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) becomes a vehicle for genuine transformation on the continent.
The President, according to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, gave this charge on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana, during the launch of a series of events to mark the regional body’s golden jubilee.
Represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, Tinubu called for deepened economic cooperation and support for intra-regional trade. Read more
Lorde’s surprise NYC appearance shut down by police (RollingStone)
Lorde texted her fans to meet her “in the park” on Tuesday and those who figured it out headed to New York’s Washington Square Park in droves.
However, the nearly 10-acre park in Lower Manhattan was swarmed with hoards of people as fans climbed on trees and lamp posts to get a glimpse of the star. Park rangers and local police reportedly told those gathered that the event was cancelled, seemingly before Lorde even arrived. Around the same time, Lorde took to Instagram stories to address the situation, writing: “Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down I am truly Amazed by how many of you showed up !!!” The singer-songwriter added: “But they’re telling me you gotta disperse … I’m so sorry.” Read more
Ryan Coogler expresses “eternal gratitude” after ‘Sinners’ box office success (THR)
Ryan Coogler is expressing his “eternal gratitude” following the successful box office debut of his latest movie, Sinners.
The filmmaker penned an emotional letter to those who went to the theater this past week to watch the film, starring Michael B. Jordan. The horror pic follows twin brothers who return to their hometown to start again, trying to leave their troubled lives behind, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
“Eternal gratitude. My heart is bursting with it,” Coogler’s letter read. “I want to thank each and every one of you who bought a ticket to see Sinners. Who decided to drive to see the film in different formats. Who bought popcorn and a drink, booked a sitter and carpooled, and stood in the lobby afterward and talked and made a friend. Who changed their work schedules. Who saw the film in groups.” Read more
Israeli spy chief accuses Netanyahu of demanding illegal operations (AlJazeera)
Israel’s spy chief has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to fire him for his refusal to commit illegal acts aimed at protecting the leader’s personal and political interests.
Ronen Bar, chief of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence service, made the assertion in an affidavit to the Supreme Court on Monday. Netanyahu’s move last month to dismiss Bar was suspended by the court pending an investigation, and the ensuing tussle has provoked large protests, with crowds accusing the prime minister of endangering democracy.
Netanyahu said he would sack the spy chief due to a breakdown in trust, supposedly linked to Hamas’s attack in October 2023 that led to the Gaza war. Read more
Pope Francis’ last words revealed as Vatican shares new details of his final hours (People)
The Vatican is sharing new details about Pope Francis’ final hours before he died of a stroke early on Monday, April 21.
Among his final words in the day before dying, the church said, were “thank you.”
That’s what Francis, 88, told his longtime health aide, Massimiliano Strappetti, a nurse whom the pope has said “once saved his life by suggesting colon surgery,” according to the Vatican’s press office. Read more
Heartstopper to wrap Nick & Charlie’s story with feature film finale (Deadline)
There is finally news for Heartstopper fans who have been patiently waiting to learn the fate of their show for more than six months. It may not be exactly what they were hoping for (Season 4), but it’s good news nevertheless: more Heartstopper is on the way, and Nick and Charlie’s story will get a proper ending.
Netflix has greenlighted a Heartstopper movie, starring and executive produced by the series’ leads Joe Locke and Kit Connor and directed by Wash Westmoreland (Still Alice, Colette), which will serve as a series finale. The announcement was made on the third anniversary of Heartstopper’s April 22, 2002 series premiere. Read more
Zelenskyy says Russia trying to create “impression of ceasefire” as attacks continue (NPR)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia on Sunday of creating a false appearance of honoring an Easter ceasefire, saying Moscow continued to launch attacks after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral temporary truce.
“As of Easter morning, we can say that the Russian army is trying to create a general impression of a ceasefire, but in some places, it does not abandon individual attempts to advance and inflict losses on Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
Despite Putin’s declaration of an Easter ceasefire on Saturday, Zelenskyy said Sunday morning that Ukrainian forces had recorded 59 instances of Russian shelling and five assaults by units along the front line, as well as dozens of drone strikes. Read more
Urhoghide ready for Eagles’ call-up (Punch)
FC Dallas’ top defender and a star in Major League Soccer, Osaze Urhoghide, has expressed readiness to represent Nigeria.
The 24-year-old strong and talented defender, who previously played for Celtic in Scotland, has informed family and friends of his readiness to join the Super Eagles.
He said, “I am ready to play for my fatherland, Nigeria. I have informed family members of my readiness to play for the Eagles. I am also using this opportunity to let the Nigeria Football Federation know that I am ready.” Read more
Barcelona beat Mallorca to extend LaLiga lead over Real Madrid (AlJazeera)
Dani Olmo scored early in the second half as Barcelona defeated Mallorca 1-0 to increase their Spanish league lead.
The home win on Tuesday gave the Catalan club a seven-point lead over Real Madrid, which visits Getafe on Wednesday.
Barcelona and Madrid will meet in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday in Seville. Read more
Mudryk doping ban update as chief says Chelsea could save chunk of fee (DailyMail)
Mykhailo Mudryk has passed a ‘lie detector test’ in his bid to prove his innocence amid a doping ban, a Shakhtar Donetsk chief has claimed.
Chelsea star Mudryk, 24, is currently provisionally suspended from playing football after it was confirmed last year that he had tested positive for the banned substance Meldonium.
He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to prove his innocence, but has not played for Chelsea since November. Read more
Red Bull make final decision over Max Verstappen penalty appeal (PlanetF1)
Red Bull have decided against requesting a right of review into Max Verstappen’s penalty at the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the team have confirmed to PlanetF1.com.
Verstappen was hit with a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in battle with McLaren driver Oscar Piastri at the start of last weekend’s race in Jeddah.
After setting a fine pole position, the Red Bull driver immediately came under pressure from Piastri off the start line with the McLaren holding the inside line into the first corner. Read more
England legend Ben Youngs announces retirement from rugby (Independent)
England and Leicester Tigers legend Ben Youngs has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby at the end of the season.
Youngs is the most-capped England men’s rugby player, after making 127 appearances for his country between 2010 and 2023, and he played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa, as well as going on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013 – playing two of the Tests.The scrum half will also hang up his boots as a once-clubman after debuting for the Leicester first team in a friendly against Argentina in February 2007 before becoming the club’s youngest ever player in a league match, when he came off the bench against Bristol a couple of months later at the age of 17 years and 231 days. Read more