Daily briefing: APC receives criticism for nominee selections, Vatican suggests potential papal trip to Nigeria, plus more major news

The All Progressives Congress is reeling from backlash sparked by its decision to alter the outcome of its National Assembly primaries, with opposition parties slamming the move as a blatant attempt to undermine the credibility of its candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Meanwhile, a potential historic visit is on the horizon, as the Vatican has dropped hints that Pope Leo XIV may visit Nigeria in the coming years, following a meeting between Vatican officials and President Bola Tinubu.

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The All Progressives Congress is facing intense criticism for revising its list of candidates who emerged from the National Assembly primaries, with opposition parties accusing the ruling party of manipulating the primary process and undermining internal democracy.

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The Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, and Labour Party have all condemned the APC's actions, while the APC has dismissed the criticism, urging opposition parties to focus on their own internal crises instead.

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A high-level meeting between Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja has sparked speculation about a potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to Nigeria in the future.

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Loveth Sunday, a 27-year-old hairstylist from Anambra, has shared a heartbreaking story of how her life was turned upside down after she lost a leg in a road accident just three weeks after her introduction ceremony, and was subsequently dumped by her fiancé.

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Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has pledged to support Adisa Blessing Oluwafikayo, a first-class Mathematics graduate of the University of Ilorin, by covering the remaining relocation expenses for her fully funded master’s scholarship at the University of Calabria in Italy.

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The Federal Government has inaugurated a new 10-member Board of Directors for the Bank of Agriculture, tasking them with strengthening corporate governance and providing strategic leadership to advance the institution’s mandate of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

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France has secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Paraguay 1-0 in a hard-fought Round of 16 encounter, with the French team putting in a disciplined performance to break down the resilient Paraguayan side.