The National Press Newspaper cover for Monday May 11, 2026
Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, Adebayo others will emerge as Presidential flagbearer
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/tinubu-atiku-obi-adebayo-others-will-emerge-as-presidential-flagbearer/
Although as at the time of writing this report, party primaries are still on going bearing in mind the last date sets by the electoral empire, the Independent National Electoral Comission, INEC.
Investigations by The National Press Newspaper indicates that major political parties in Nigeria that will shake the 2027 general election has started emerging with their flagbearers.
Going by the collection of presidential nominations from different political parties, filling and submission to their various parties headquarters, both factional and non factional, concensus and primaries.
The National Press Newspaper can categorically fish out who will emerge as party flagbearer, who will not emerge from various primaries and concensus of all the political parties.
It is clear that the 2027 general elections may not experience anything different from what happened in 2023. Although time will tell who finally takes the flag of each political parties.
NUPENG hailed FG, NNPC deal with Chinese firms to rehabilitate refineries
*Caution against past failures, needs for transparency, accountability, and the timely execution
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/nupeng-hailed-fg-nnpc-deal-with-chinese-firms-to-rehabilitate-refineries/
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has lauded the Federal Government and the NNPC for partnering with Chinese firms, specifically Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, to rehabilitate the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
This Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) aims to boost local refining capacity and enhance energy security.
NUPENG President Salimon Oladiti welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to curb high fuel costs and boost employment.
However, the union cautioned against past failures, demanding transparency, accountability, and the timely execution of the project to ensure it is not merely a “political announcement”.
While groups like the Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance (NCWGG) hailed the deal as a “strategic masterstroke”, some experts have questioned the expertise of the selected Chinese companies, urging for a more competitive bidding process.
PDP factions claimed victory, trade blames over Supreme Court judgement
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/pdp-factions-claimed-victory-trade-blames-over-supreme-court-judgement/
Following the Supreme Court’s April 30, 2026, judgement regarding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, rival factions have continued to trade blames over its interpretation, with both sides claiming victory or dismissing the other’s standing.
The factions are currently split over the status of the party’s leadership following the court’s split (3–2) decision to nullify the November 2025 Ibadan convention.
A faction backed by Wike, claim the judgement has “obliterated” factionalism by dismissing the appeal from the Kabiru Turaki-led group. The faction maintain that the leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the only legally recognised structure.
While Turaki/Makinde Faction argue that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement actually validates their claims or, at the very least, has left the party without any defined leadership. Some legal interpretations from this camp suggest the ruling also invalidated the March 2026 Abuja convention organized by the Wike-backed faction.
Citing a leadership vacuum created by the court’s nullification of rival leaderships, the BoT, led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has stepped in to assume temporary control of the party.
The blame game centers on the alleged “deliberate distortion” of the court’s verdict
Pro-Wike officials have accused the Turaki-led group of misleading the public by promoting “minority opinions” from the judgement as if they were binding.
The Turaki-led faction has dismissed Wike’s comments as “reckless and misleading,” accusing him of attempting to suppress the fact that the Supreme Court voided the legal basis for his preferred caretaker committee.
There is a specific dispute over whether the court upheld the suspension of the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. While some claim the court reaffirmed his suspension, the Wike camp insists the issue of suspension was never even before the Supreme Court for determination.
JAMB
JAMB to set cut-off marks today
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/jamb-to-set-cut-off-marks-today/
The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the examination authority for all intending students into Universities and Colleges of education in Nigeria will today Monday set up examination minimum cut-off marks for the 2026/2027 academic session during its annual Policy Meeting which will take place today Monday, 11 May 2026.
The cut off marks are the minimum scores intending students into Universities and Colleges of education must score before any university will offer them admissions.
While the official announcement for this session is expected during the meeting, you can refer to the historical benchmarks and preliminary guidelines for 2026 as a reference
Expected 2026 Minimum ThresholdsBased on previous trends and early stakeholder updates, the following minimum scores are projected:
Federal Universities: 150+
State Universities: 140+
Private Universities: 120 – 150+
Polytechnics: 100+
Colleges of Education: 100
Today Monday, 11 May 2026 the examination body will sit at Body of Benchers Auditorium, Institute and Research District, Jabi, Abuja.
Today’s meeting will be haired by Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa.
One of the purpose of the meeting according to source is to ratify admission guidelines and set the minimum tolerable UTME scores for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
These “national minimum” marks only serve as a baseline. Individual institutions and competitive departments (like Medicine or Law) typically set their own higher cut-off marks, often ranging from 200 to 320.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into tertiary institutions for the current cycle.
No institution is allowed to commence admissions before this meeting concludes, as it provides the necessary legal authorization
SDP
SDP faction picks Adebayo again as presidential candidate
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/sdp-faction-picks-adebayo-again-as-presidential-candidate/
Faction of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, adopts Adewole Adebayo as presidential candidate for 2027 poll
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has adopted Adewole Adebayo, its 2023 presidential candidate, as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.
Adebayo emerged through a consensus arrangement at the SDP national convention held in Bauchi on Saturday
NBA
Conflicting judgements weakening public confidence in judiciary, says NBA president
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/conflicting-judgements-weakening-public-confidence-in-judiciary-says-nba-president/
Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says conflicting court judgements and growing judicial uncertainty are eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
Speaking during the Law Week of the NBA Anaocha branch, themed “Justice Delivery and Prevailing Conflicting Judgements: An Imperative for Urgent Judicial Reforms”, Osigwe said inconsistent judicial decisions on similar issues, particularly political matters, are making it difficult for lawyers to advise clients with certainty.
NDC
Peter Obi may emerged as NDC presidential candidate for 2027
As the party zones 2027 presidential ticket to south, 2031 to the north
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/ndc-zones-2027-presidential-ticket-to-south-2031-to-the-north/
Peter Obi may emerged as the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, prsidential candidate as the party zoned its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election to the south, 2031 to the north.
The decision was taken on Saturday at the party’s national convention in a resolution adopted after a motion moved by Afam Victor and seconded by Seyi Sowumi.
The party also resolved that this southern tenure will be for a single four-year term, after which the ticket will automatically return to the North in 2031.
The motion for the zoning arrangement was moved by Afam Victor Ogene and seconded by Seyi Sowunmi.
Party leaders stated that the rotation aims is to promote equity, fairness, and national unity.
The decision was publicly backed by major party figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, who recently joined the NDC.
This arrangement effectively clears the path for southern aspirants like Peter Obi to contest in 2027 while positioning northern figures for 2031
SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS REPORT — ENGLAND 2026
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/special-election-results-report-england-2026/
By Daud Awwal,
Political Correspondent & world affairs,
The National Press Newspaper, London
LONDON — Friday, May 8, 2026
The 2026 elections across England have produced major political shocks, with significant gains for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, while the governing Labour Party suffered heavy losses in several traditional strongholds.
Early nationwide counting indicates a dramatic shift in England’s political landscape, with voters abandoning both Labour and Conservative candidates in many councils and turning toward Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, Greens, and independent candidates.
PROJECTED NATIONAL LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS — ENGLAND 2026
Party Seats Won Change
Reform UK 1,418 +1,416
Labour 924 -1,313
Conservatives 742 -497
Liberal Democrats Gains reported +81
Green Party Strong gains +355
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Reform UK made historic breakthroughs in northern and Midlands councils.
Labour lost support in several working-class communities previously considered safe seats.
The Conservatives also recorded losses across southern England and London suburbs.
The Green Party and Liberal Democrats increased their representation in urban and university areas.
Several councils ended with “No Overall Control,” forcing coalition negotiations.
MAJOR PARTY LEADERS
Keir Starmer said he would remain in office despite pressure from critics within Labour.
Nigel Farage described the outcome as a “historic political shift.”
Ed Davey welcomed Liberal Democrat gains in several councils.
Green Party figures celebrated breakthroughs in urban constituencies, including mayoral successes in London.
LONDON RESULTS
Across London borough elections, Labour remained influential but faced growing pressure from candidates from the Greens, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK. Several boroughs reported fragmented voting patterns and reduced majorities.
VOTER ISSUES THAT DOMINATED THE ELECTION
Cost of living
NHS waiting times
Immigration and border policy
Housing affordability
Inflation and taxation
Crime and local services
Analysts believe economic frustration and distrust of traditional parties played a decisive role in shaping the results.
POLITICAL ANALYSIS
Experts now describe England as entering a new “five-party political era,” with the dominance of Labour and the Conservatives weakening significantly.
Political commentators say the results could reshape national politics ahead of the next United Kingdom General Election, while pressure is expected to increase on the current government to deliver economic improvements and restore voter confidence.
Filed by:
Daud Awwal
Correspondent, The National Press Newspaper
First Bank
FirstHoldCo sets sights on N1trn capital base in bold balance sheet fortification
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/firstholdco-sets-sights-on-n1trn-capital-base-in-bold-balance-sheet-fortification/
FirstHoldCo Plc, the parent entity of Nigeria’s oldest commercial lender (First Bank), is moving to double the regulatory capital ceiling for international banks, signalling a new phase of aggressive expansion and balance sheet fortification.
In a notice for its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for May 29, 2026, the group proposed a special resolution to raise up to ₦253.099 billion in fresh capital, aiming to reach a ₦1 trillion paid-up capital base—comprising share capital and share premium.
Rema
Nigerian Singer Rema, Others to perform at World Cup opening ceremonies
https://the-national-press-newspaper.co.uk/nigerian-singer-rema-others-to-perform-at-world-cup-opening-ceremonies/
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Rema, will join other global acts as the 2026 World Cup will feature a trilogy of opening ceremonies, with each of the host countries; Mexico, the United States, and Canada getting its turn at a star-studded celebration.
