MIDDAY NEWS
THE HEADLINES
NDC ends sale of presidential form
Oyo Police begin forensic analysis of viral video, vow to rescue abducted victims
Saudi Arabia declares May 26, 27 as Arafat, Sallah day
Mourinho agrees to return to Madrid
THE DETAILS
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has announced the end of the sale of Expression of Interest Forms for aspirants seeking to contest for the Office of the President on the platform of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the party, Mr Ikenna Enekweizu, in Abuja on Monday.
According to the statement, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the Expression of Interest Forms will begin on Tuesday and end on May 26
The party, however, extended the deadline for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship positions from May 17 to May 24, 2026.
It added that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for all screened and cleared aspirants would begin on Wednesday and close on May 26.
The Oyo State Police Command has commenced forensic analysis of a viral video linked to the recent abduction incident in parts of the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The command disclosed on Sunday that the footage currently circulating across various media platforms is undergoing detailed forensic examination to verify its authenticity and support ongoing investigations and rescue operations.
According to the police, intelligence-driven and tactical operations involving other security agencies are already underway to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed while efforts are intensified to identify, track and arrest the perpetrators behind the incident
The command further reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe release of all abducted persons and restoring normalcy to the affected communities.
The Chief Medical Director(CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has dismissed as false and misleading allegations of ethnic discrimination in the recruitment of house officers.
Prof. Ikpeme, who spoke during a facility tour of the hospital by journalists weekend, insisted that the institution does not operate any policy targeting any ethnic group, particularly Igbos.
The CMD expressed regret over the controversy, noting that the affected applicants never met with him before taking the matter to social media.
He further noted that the hospital’s current Head of Nursing Services is also of Igbo extraction, stressing that appointments and promotions are based strictly on due process and seniority.
Two leading aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Sani M. Kabiru, have stepped down from the party’s senatorial primary elections slated for May 18, 2026.
Na’Allah, a former representative of Kebbi South Senatorial District, announced his withdrawal in a letter dated May 17 and addressed to the APC state chairman in Birnin Kebbi.
Explaining his decision, Na’Allah said, “After careful consultations and credible information available to me regarding the disposition of the party toward the forthcoming primary election, I have decided to withdraw from the contest.”
Similarly, Sani M. Kabiru, popularly known as Kabiru Sani Giant, who was contesting for the Kebbi Central Senatorial District ticket, announced his withdrawal from the race.
In his letter, also dated May 16 and addressed to the party leadership, Kabiru said his decision was informed by “personal, political, and strategic considerations
The withdrawals come amid growing political realignments and internal manoeuvring within the APC in Kebbi State ahead of the senatorial primaries.
FOREIGN NEWS
< Saudi Arabia Supreme Court has announced that Standing at Mountain Arafat, which marks the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, would take place on Tuesday, May 26.
According to a statement by the court, the Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court “reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent. It also said that Eid-al-adha celebrations would hold the following day, Wednesday May 27.
This is as the nation officially declared Monday, May 18 as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, following the sighting of the crescent moon.
SPORTS NEWS
José Mourinho is set for a sensational return to Real Madrid after reportedly reaching a verbal agreement to take over as manager, according to multiple reports.
The Portuguese coach, widely known as “The Special One,” is understood to have agreed terms on an initial two-year deal with the Spanish giants, pending the completion and signing of formal documents.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Monday, Mourinho is expected to travel to Madrid following Real Madrid’s final La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao, where final procedural steps will be completed before an official announcement.
While the club has yet to make an official statement, anticipation is already building among supporters over a potential reunion with one of the most high-profile managers in football history.
NDC ends sale of presidential form
Oyo Police begin forensic analysis of viral video, vow to rescue abducted victims
Saudi Arabia declares May 26, 27 as Arafat, Sallah day
Mourinho agrees to return to Madrid
THE DETAILS
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has announced the end of the sale of Expression of Interest Forms for aspirants seeking to contest for the Office of the President on the platform of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is contained in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the party, Mr Ikenna Enekweizu, in Abuja on Monday.
According to the statement, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the Expression of Interest Forms will begin on Tuesday and end on May 26
The party, however, extended the deadline for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship positions from May 17 to May 24, 2026.
It added that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for all screened and cleared aspirants would begin on Wednesday and close on May 26.
The Oyo State Police Command has commenced forensic analysis of a viral video linked to the recent abduction incident in parts of the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The command disclosed on Sunday that the footage currently circulating across various media platforms is undergoing detailed forensic examination to verify its authenticity and support ongoing investigations and rescue operations.
According to the police, intelligence-driven and tactical operations involving other security agencies are already underway to ensure the victims are rescued unharmed while efforts are intensified to identify, track and arrest the perpetrators behind the incident
The command further reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe release of all abducted persons and restoring normalcy to the affected communities.
The Chief Medical Director(CMD) of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, has dismissed as false and misleading allegations of ethnic discrimination in the recruitment of house officers.
Prof. Ikpeme, who spoke during a facility tour of the hospital by journalists weekend, insisted that the institution does not operate any policy targeting any ethnic group, particularly Igbos.
The CMD expressed regret over the controversy, noting that the affected applicants never met with him before taking the matter to social media.
He further noted that the hospital’s current Head of Nursing Services is also of Igbo extraction, stressing that appointments and promotions are based strictly on due process and seniority.
Two leading aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Sani M. Kabiru, have stepped down from the party’s senatorial primary elections slated for May 18, 2026.
Na’Allah, a former representative of Kebbi South Senatorial District, announced his withdrawal in a letter dated May 17 and addressed to the APC state chairman in Birnin Kebbi.
Explaining his decision, Na’Allah said, “After careful consultations and credible information available to me regarding the disposition of the party toward the forthcoming primary election, I have decided to withdraw from the contest.”
Similarly, Sani M. Kabiru, popularly known as Kabiru Sani Giant, who was contesting for the Kebbi Central Senatorial District ticket, announced his withdrawal from the race.
In his letter, also dated May 16 and addressed to the party leadership, Kabiru said his decision was informed by “personal, political, and strategic considerations
The withdrawals come amid growing political realignments and internal manoeuvring within the APC in Kebbi State ahead of the senatorial primaries.
FOREIGN NEWS
< Saudi Arabia Supreme Court has announced that Standing at Mountain Arafat, which marks the climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, would take place on Tuesday, May 26.
According to a statement by the court, the Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court “reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent. It also said that Eid-al-adha celebrations would hold the following day, Wednesday May 27.
This is as the nation officially declared Monday, May 18 as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, following the sighting of the crescent moon.
SPORTS NEWS
José Mourinho is set for a sensational return to Real Madrid after reportedly reaching a verbal agreement to take over as manager, according to multiple reports.
The Portuguese coach, widely known as “The Special One,” is understood to have agreed terms on an initial two-year deal with the Spanish giants, pending the completion and signing of formal documents.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Monday, Mourinho is expected to travel to Madrid following Real Madrid’s final La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao, where final procedural steps will be completed before an official announcement.
While the club has yet to make an official statement, anticipation is already building among supporters over a potential reunion with one of the most high-profile managers in football history.