Top news in Nigeria this Thursday morning, April 16, 2026, is dominated by a major shift in the political landscape as Atiku Abubakar moves toward a final presidential run, a fresh legal scandal involving a former Attorney-General, and a “state of war” declaration by Northern leaders regarding insecurity.
Here are the top stories for your site this morning:
1. Atiku Eyes Final Presidential Run; ADC Considers Primaries
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has signaled his intent for a final shot at the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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The “Consensus” Debate: Atiku stated that while a consensus candidate is preferred for the “Mega Coalition,” the ADC will conduct a full presidential primary if an agreement isn’t reached.
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The Competition: This sets up a potential primary showdown with other heavyweights currently active in the ADC, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
2. Former AGF Abubakar Malami Arraigned Over Firearms
Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, appeared in court on Wednesday.
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The Charges: The duo pleaded “not guilty” to a five-count amended charge bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms.
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Legal Drama: This development has shocked the legal community, as Malami served as the nation’s chief law officer for eight years.
3. Insecurity is Now a “State of War” — ACF
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a grim assessment of the nation’s security situation, declaring that Nigeria is effectively in a “state of war.”
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The Demand: The group called on the Federal Government to urgently reorder national priorities, treating security as the country’s “most pressing emergency.”
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Terrorist Threats: This comes amid intelligence reports that terrorists are planning fresh attacks on airports and correctional centers in Abuja and Niger State.
4. Nigeria’s Inflation Hits 15.38% as Public Debt Soars
New data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s 11-month downward trend in inflation has officially ended.
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Inflation Rebound: Headline inflation rose to 15.38% in March 2026, driven by energy price pressures and global economic shocks.
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The Debt Burden: Reports indicate Nigeria’s total public debt has hit ₦159.28 trillion, which translates to an average debt burden of approximately ₦724,000 for every Nigerian citizen.
5. United Nigeria Airlines Grounded After 6th Bird Strike
A United Nigeria Airlines aircraft flying from Port Harcourt to Abuja has been grounded after suffering a bird strike during landing.
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The Toll: This marks the sixth time one of the airline’s planes has been hit by birds in 2026 alone.
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Safety Concerns: The airline has withdrawn the affected Airbus A320-200 for comprehensive checks, leading to significant flight delays across its domestic routes this morning.
Legal & Security Updates
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El-Rufai Trial: Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains in ICPC custody as of this morning. Although he was granted ₦200 million bail on Tuesday, he must remain in custody until he fulfills the “strict” conditions, which include a surety who must be a traditional ruler.
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Unijos Kidnapping: Public outrage continues over the viral video of John Arum. His abductors are still demanding ₦30 million, and the University of Jos community is planning a peaceful protest today to demand his safe release.
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Malami Update: Following his “not guilty” plea yesterday, Malami and his son are expected back in court for the commencement of their trial.
