| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No./Weblink | |||
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| CHANNELS TV | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | ADC Crisis: Federal High Court Sacks David Mark-Led ADC Exco, Nullifies Atiku’s Presidential Candidacy | The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the David Mark-led National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and nullified all actions taken by the leadership, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Justice Peter Lifu upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman, who challenged the process through which Mark and Rauf Aregbesola emerged as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary. Gombe argued that he was constitutionally entitled to assume the party’s leadership following the resignation of former National Chairman Ralph Nwosu. The court granted his requests, declaring the Mark-led caretaker committee illegal and invalidating its actions. The ruling also affects the party’s presidential ticket, which produced Atiku as its flag bearer. The ADC has rejected the judgment and vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. | ADC CRISIS; FEDERAL HIGH COURT | TCHANNELS TV | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | STATE POLICE: House of Reps Transmits Constitutional Amendment Bill to President for Assent | The House of Representatives has transmitted the proposed State Police constitutional amendment bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent, following its approval by at least 29 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced the development during plenary on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, describing the transmission as a major step towards decentralising Nigeria’s policing structure. The approval by the state legislatures exceeds the constitutional requirement of at least 24 states, representing two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. The Guardian+1 The proposed amendment seeks to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services alongside the existing Nigeria Police Force. Under the proposed arrangement, state governments would have the authority to establish and manage their own police services, while the Federal Government would retain its police structure. The development follows the passage of the amendment by the Senate on 24 June and the House of Representatives on 23 July 2026. With the required state-level approval secured, the bill has now been forwarded to the President for assent. However, state police services cannot be established until the constitutional amendment process is completed. | STATE POLICE; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; NATIONAL ASSEMBLY; PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU; CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: APC Restricts Campaign Council Members’ Participation in Nationwide Rallies, Directs Them to Focus on Grassroots Mobilisation in Home States | The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has directed ministers, political appointees and members of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council to attend presidential campaign rallies only in their respective states of origin. The directive was contained in a circular signed by the council’s Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, and addressed to directors and heads of directorates. It is intended to strengthen grassroots mobilisation, improve campaign coordination and ensure that party activities are driven by established structures at the state, local government, ward and polling-unit levels. Premium Times Nigeria+1 Under the guidelines, ministers and political appointees are expected to mobilise support within their home states, focusing on polling units, wards and local government areas. Members of the Presidential Campaign Council are similarly restricted to rallies in their respective states and are expected to implement their directorates’ approved work plans and budgets. The directive also applies to members of the APC National Working Committee, with exemptions for the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Women’s Leader, National Youth Leader and National Organising Secretary. Other NWC members are expected to concentrate on party responsibilities and mobilisation in their respective states and zones. Premium Times Nigeria+1 The council also said it would use the rallies to increase the visibility of APC candidates contesting seats in the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate. The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s announcement in October that he would not attend every campaign rally, citing the need to balance electioneering with governance and the country’s financial obligations. Under the proposed campaign itinerary, Tinubu is expected to personally attend rallies in 12 states, while other party leaders and campaign officials will coordinate activities elsewhere. | APC; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS; PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN COUNCIL; POLITICAL APPOINTEES | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | INEC Explains Reported Creation of 453 Additional Polling Units, Cites Court Rulings | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has come under fresh scrutiny following allegations that it created 453 additional polling units across the country without public announcement or consultation with key electoral stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections. The alleged development has raised questions about transparency and accountability within the electoral body, particularly as the commission continues to publicly maintain that Nigeria has 176,846 polling units. Responding to the reports, INEC Deputy Director of Information and Publicity, Wilfred Osilama Ifogah, attributed changes in some locations to court rulings that led to the creation of new constituencies in Kogi, Benue and Delta States. He explained that the adjustments would require corresponding changes to electoral wards and polling units in the affected areas. INEC said it was reviewing the changes and would brief stakeholders after completing its internal processes. However, the commission has yet to confirm the reported 453 additional polling units or publish a breakdown of the affected locations. | INEC; POLLING UNITS; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS; ELECTORAL TRANSPARENCY | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | STATE POLICE: Senate Sets November 15th Deadline for Six State Assemblies to Transmit Resolutions | The Senate has fixed 15 November 2026 as the deadline for the remaining six State Houses of Assembly to formally communicate their decisions on the proposed constitutional amendment to establish State Police Services. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the deadline during plenary on Wednesday, following an update by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who disclosed that 30 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly had approved the proposal and transmitted their resolutions to the National Assembly. This exceeds the constitutional requirement of approval by at least two-thirds of the state legislatures, equivalent to 24 states. Premium Times Nigeria+1 The six states yet to formally transmit their resolutions are Kano, Oyo, Cross River, Abia, Niger and Benue. However, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, subsequently informed the chamber that Kano had approved the proposal and was transmitting its resolution. Akpabio said the remaining states should be given time to communicate their positions, warning that any State House of Assembly that fails to respond by the deadline would be deemed to have withheld approval. Premium Times Nigeria+1 The proposed amendment, which has already been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, seeks to provide a constitutional framework for state governments to establish and operate their own police services alongside the federal police. The National Assembly is working towards transmitting the amendment to President Bola Tinubu for assent after completing the necessary processes. | STATE POLICE; SENATE; CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT; STATE HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY; INSECURITY | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027 Elections: INEC Faces Scrutiny Over Voter Register, Alleged Electoral Act Breaches | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing scrutiny over alleged breaches of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly its failure to publish the preliminary National Register of Voters online within the statutory timeline. Section 19(1) of the Act requires INEC to display the preliminary register physically and publish it online for public scrutiny. Although the commission displayed the register between 9 and 15 October 2026, stakeholders have questioned its failure to meet the online publication requirement. Other concerns include alleged inconsistencies in the handling of candidates’ nominations and the commission’s enforcement of electoral regulations. INEC, meanwhile, disclosed that it had identified approximately 1.5 million questionable voter records, with over 1.27 million confirmed invalid and removed. Stakeholders have called for greater transparency, stronger oversight and accountability from the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections. | INEC; VOTER REGISTER; ELECTORAL ACT 2026; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS; ELECTORAL ACCOUNTABILITY | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Judiciary: NJC Recommends 28 Candidates, Suspends Three Judges Over Misconduct | The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across six states, while suspending three judges for one year without pay and issuing warnings or cautions to seven other judicial officers over various cases of alleged misconduct and breaches of judicial procedure. The decisions were taken at the Council’s 112th meeting, held on 3 November 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Of the 28 candidates recommended for appointment, 24 are for High Courts in Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun States. One candidate was recommended as Grand Kadi of the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal, another as Kadi of the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, while two were recommended as judges of the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal. The candidates are expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors. National Judicial Council+1 The three judicial officers suspended for one year without pay are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court. Justice Kabir was sanctioned over the unlawful detention of a litigant for 58 days without the required contempt proceedings. Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended for exceeding his judicial authority by reopening a judgment delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction. Justice Biambo was sanctioned for issuing bench warrants and imposing fines on litigants in a civil dispute without following due process. The NJC also barred Justice Kabir and Justice Biambo from nomination for elevation for three years. Premium Times Nigeria The Council also issued warning letters or cautions to seven other judicial officers over various conduct-related complaints. Among them was Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, who was cautioned over his decision to grant interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge. Other officers were sanctioned over delayed judgments, interference with matters already before appellate courts, breaches of fair hearing and improper garnishee proceedings. Premium Times Nigeria The NJC further dismissed several petitions against judicial officers, recommended four petitions for further investigation and directed that investigations should continue in a separate case despite the petitioner's withdrawal. | NUJ; APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES | PREMIUM TIMES PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027 Elections: Obasanjo’s Son Appointed Special Adviser to Tinubu Support Group, Pledges Support for President | Olujuwon Obasanjo, son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has joined the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement as Special Adviser on Political Affairs and pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. He made the announcement during a visit to the movement’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, where he was received by its National Coordinator, Sunday Adekanbi Asuku. Olujuwon described his appointment as an honour and said he was impressed by the movement’s grassroots mobilisation and community outreach. He expressed readiness to contribute to its activities and Tinubu’s re-election campaign, arguing that the President’s ongoing reforms and achievements in areas such as salary payments, infrastructure and investment opportunities should be sustained. He also disclosed that he had been a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) since 2014, adding that members of his family were free to hold independent political views and pursue different political interests without animosity. His decision comes against the backdrop of political differences within the Obasanjo family. His father has been politically critical of President Tinubu, while his elder sister, Iyabo Obasanjo, is seeking a senatorial seat on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). | OBASANJO; PDP; APC; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Ahead of 2027, Enugu APC Kicks Off Statewide Campaign Mobilisation | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 general elections, pledging to mobilise support for the re-election of Governor Peter Mbah and President Bola Tinubu. The campaign launch, held at the Nsukka Township Stadium on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, attracted party leaders, political office holders, traditional and community leaders, and supporters from across the state’s three senatorial districts. Addressing the gathering, Governor Mbah highlighted his administration’s investments in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic development. He cited ongoing road projects, the Smart Green Schools initiative, the recruitment of more than 6,000 teachers, the construction of primary healthcare centres across the state’s 260 electoral wards, and the revival of previously moribund state assets. Mbah also credited President Tinubu’s economic reforms with creating additional fiscal opportunities for state governments, which he said his administration had used to fund infrastructure and social services. He urged voters to assess his government based on its performance and ongoing projects. Other APC leaders at the event called for support for the party’s candidates and accused the opposition of spreading disinformation. The Enugu APC said it would begin a statewide campaign tour following the flag-off. | APC; PETER MBAH; ENUGU STATE; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: Former PDP Spokesperson Obuebite Justifies Defection to APC, Explains Past Criticisms of Party | Jonathan Obuebite, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, has defended his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), addressing his previous criticisms of the APC. Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show, the former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information acknowledged making critical statements against the APC when he served as PDP spokesperson. He explained that he was then speaking in his capacity as a party representative, insisting that his responsibility was to promote and defend the PDP. He also disputed some of the allegations contained in his earlier comments, saying that many of the incidents he had described did not happen. In 2015, during the Bayelsa governorship election, Obuebite had accused the APC of plotting to rig the election and attempting to compromise INEC officials and security agencies. He also described some of the party’s claims as propaganda and said the APC had been rejected by Bayelsa voters. Defending his current political alignment, Obuebite cited developments within the PDP and the need for federal support for Bayelsa State’s development projects. He pointed to progress on the Nembe-Brass Road project and the Tinubu administration’s approval of waivers for the importation of equipment for the state’s independent power project. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as allowing INEC to conduct the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election without presidential interference. | JONATHAN OBUEBITE; APC; PDP; BAYELSA STATE; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027 Elections: Ex-INEC Commissioner Questions Accountability of Tinubu’s Economic Policies | Former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Sam Egwu, has questioned the accountability of President Bola Tinubu’s administration over its economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, electricity tariffs and the new tax regime. Speaking at the 20th anniversary lecture of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) in Abuja, Egwu questioned whether citizens’ interests were adequately considered in government decisions and how the administration accounted for the consequences of its policies. He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the government ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that civic participation must go beyond voting to include demanding accountability from elected officials. He also warned that restrictions on media freedom and a shrinking civic space threaten democratic governance. The Guardian | TINUBU ADMINISTRATION; ECONOMIC POLICIES; ACCOUNTABILITY; DEMOCRACY; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| VANGUARD | 5TH NOVEMBER 2026 | British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, Urges Nigeria to Use 2027 Elections to Demonstrate Strong Democracy | British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowles, has urged Nigeria to use the 2027 general elections as an opportunity to demonstrate how a strong democracy should function in a large and diverse country. Vowles made the call during a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja, where he discussed the commission’s preparations for the elections. He emphasised that Nigeria’s democratic development has implications not only for its citizens but also for West Africa and the international community. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, assured the envoy that the commission was committed to conducting credible and inclusive elections. He identified restoring public trust, improving operational efficiency and protecting the integrity of votes as key priorities. Amupitan also called for stronger UK collaboration in election cybersecurity, personnel training and efforts to combat AI-driven disinformation and foreign information manipulation. | 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS; INEC; UNITED KINGDOM; DEMOCRACY; ELECTORAL CREDIBILITY | VANGUARD | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Amid Economic Hardship, Akpabio Raises Alarm Over Shortage of Private Jets for Political Campaigns | Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections are struggling to find enough private jets to hire for their campaigns due to limited aircraft availability and increasing demand for air travel. Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, during a Senate plenary debate on a motion seeking the renegotiation of Nigeria’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with China to enable Nigerian airlines to operate direct flights to the country. Using the December festive season to illustrate the pressure on the aviation sector, Akpabio urged the Federal Government to address the challenges facing domestic airlines. He also recalled the operations of the defunct Nigerian Airways, which he said once had between 32 and 40 aircraft, questioning how the country's aviation industry had deteriorated. Akpabio maintained that Nigeria needed a national carrier capable of operating international routes and representing the country globally. His remarks have also drawn attention to the reliance on private aircraft by politicians during election campaigns, when candidates and their parties charter jets to travel between states for rallies and political engagements. | AKPABIO, CAMPAIGNS; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027 Elections: IGP Disu Assures of Police Readiness as UN Calls for Police Neutrality | The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force is prepared to provide security for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections, saying the force is ready even if the elections were to commence immediately. Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, during a meeting with a delegation led by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He disclosed that the police had commenced training and retraining of officers to strengthen their capacity to handle election-related security challenges. The force has also conducted joint training sessions with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Customs, Immigration and the Department of State Services (DSS). Disu further stated that officers had received training on how to identify and assist Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) during elections to promote inclusivity in the electoral process. The UN representative urged the police to maintain neutrality and professionalism, warning that political competition and associated tensions could escalate into violence if not properly managed. INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for 16 January 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for 6th February 2027. | POLICE READINESS; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: NNPP Sues INEC, 45 Lawmakers Over Alleged Defection, Seeks Their Seats Declared Vacant | The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 45 lawmakers before the Federal High Court in Abuja over their alleged unlawful defection from the party after winning legislative seats on its platform in the 2023 general elections. The suit involves members of the Kano State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The NNPP alleges that the lawmakers moved to other political parties without completing the necessary resignation procedures but continue to occupy seats secured on the NNPP platform. The party also raised concerns that some of the affected lawmakers have already been listed by INEC as candidates of other parties for the 2027 general elections, despite allegedly remaining on the NNPP membership register. The NNPP is asking the court to interpret and enforce Sections 68(1)(g), 68(2), 109(1)(g) and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which provide for circumstances under which elected lawmakers may lose their seats after defecting from their political parties. It is also seeking appropriate action on the affected legislative seats, including declaring them vacant and conducting bye-elections where applicable. The party maintained that it had neither merged with another political party nor ceased to exist, arguing that the constitutional exceptions permitting lawmakers to defect without losing their seats do not apply. The lawsuit follows an earlier letter the NNPP sent to INEC on 19 October 2026, requesting an investigation into the alleged defections. The party's founder, Boniface Aniebonam, has also warned against attempts to backdate resignation documents to regularise the defections. The court has yet to determine the allegations. | NNPP; INEC; DEFECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: PDP Commends State Chairmen Over Candidate Nominations, Silent on Adebutu’s Exclusion | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended its State chairpersons for overseeing what it described as a smooth nomination process for candidates contesting the 2027 general elections, but remained silent on the omission of its Ogun State governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, from the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) final list of candidates. PDP National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, gave the commendation on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, during a meeting between the party's National Working Committee (NWC) and state chairpersons in Abuja. Mohammed expressed confidence that PDP candidates would win the elections at all levels where the party is fielding candidates, despite the party's support for the Rainbow Coalition and its mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu's re-election. However, he did not address Adebutu's exclusion from INEC's list. The commission had attributed the exclusion to the PDP's alleged failure to comply with the Electoral Act's requirements for submission of party membership registers. The party and Adebutu have disputed this position. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP State Chairpersons Forum, Austin Nwachukwu, alleged that some state governors were intimidating opposition candidates ahead of the elections. He specifically accused Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru of intimidating PDP candidates and disclosed that the forum was preparing a petition to the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged incidents. The developments highlight internal party challenges and concerns about the participation and protection of opposition candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. | PDP; OGUN STATE; GOVERNOSHIP CANDIDATE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | UK Court Rejects Ibori’s Bid to Reduce Assets Forfeiture Over Corruption Conviction | Former Delta State Governor James Ibori has lost his appeal against a £101.5 million (approximately $136 million) asset confiscation order imposed by a UK court over proceeds linked to his corruption conviction. In a judgment delivered on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the UK Court of Appeal dismissed Ibori’s attempt to reduce the confiscation order by approximately £4.3 million, from £101.51 million to about £97.21 million. Ibori had challenged the application of inflation adjustments to money held in frozen bank accounts, arguing that the adjustment was disproportionate because he could not access the funds or earn returns on them while they were restrained. However, the three-member appellate panel rejected his arguments, ruling that the inflation adjustment was justified under the applicable confiscation law. The court also held that the prolonged confiscation proceedings were largely attributable to Ibori's resistance to the order. Ibori was convicted in the UK in 2012 after pleading guilty to 10 counts of fraud and money laundering involving the diversion of public funds during his tenure as Delta State governor from 1999 to 2007. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison. The original £101.5 million confiscation order was issued in July 2023. The latest ruling leaves the order intact, although Ibori could still seek permission to appeal to the UK Supreme Court. | CORRUPTION; FORMER DELTA STATE GOVERNOR JAMES IBORI | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: NDC Senatorial Candidate Accuses Edo Government, APC of Intimidating Opposition Parties | The Edo Central senatorial candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), John Yakubu, has accused the Edo State Government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidating opposition parties and obstructing their political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, Yakubu alleged that government and local council officials were removing opposition campaign billboards from public spaces while leaving APC billboards untouched. He also alleged that opposition parties were facing difficulties securing venues for political meetings and accused the Edo State Police Command of failing to act on complaints submitted by his party. Yakubu appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that opposition parties could campaign freely. He disclosed that the NDC had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged intimidation. The allegations come amid similar complaints by the NDC and African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged political violence, destruction of campaign materials and intimidation of opposition members in the state. However, the APC has denied involvement in the alleged destruction of opposition billboards, with a party official dismissing the accusations. | NDC; INTIMIDATION | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | "I Made Ita Enang Ambassador to Germany to Stop Criticism of Umo Eno" - Akpabio | Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that he facilitated the appointment of former senator Ita Enang as Sigeria’s Ambassador to Germany to stop him from criticising Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno. Akpabio made the revelation on Sunday, 1 November 2026, during a special dedication service for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 election campaign in Akwa Ibom State. Recounting a conversation with Enang, Akpabio said he had called the former senator and asked him to stop criticising Governor Eno. According to Akpabio, Enang responded that he would not stop unless he was given a political appointment. Akpabio said he subsequently decided to make Enang Nigeria’s ambassador to Germany, adding that he could similarly arrange appointments for others who were troubling the governor. The disclosure has raised questions about whether Enang’s diplomatic appointment was linked to his political criticism of the Akwa Ibom government and the extent of Akpabio’s involvement in securing the posting. Premium Times reported that Enang did not respond to enquiries seeking his account of the conversation. Akpabio’s spokesperson also did not respond to questions about the Senate President's role in the appointment. Although Akpabio claimed responsibility for the appointment, the constitutional authority to appoint ambassadors rests with the President, subject to the required Senate confirmation. | APC; SENATE PRESIDENT; FORMER SENATOR ITA ENANG | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: Atiku Accuses SSS of Plotting to Disrupt ADC Campaign Launch in Sokoto | Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), of recruiting protesters to disrupt the party’s presidential campaign launch in Sokoto. Atiku made the allegation on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, claiming that protesters were being assembled at locations around Sokoto and transported in trucks to strategic points to cause disturbances. He alleged that the planned disruption was intended to create grounds for the state government to impose a curfew and prevent the ADC campaign event. He also accused the Sokoto State Government of restricting the party’s political activities, following its decision to seal a building used by the ADC as a campaign office over a disputed ownership claim. The SSS rejected the allegation and said its Director-General had ordered an investigation. The agency maintained that it had provided security protection to opposition politicians, including the ADC governorship candidate in Sokoto, Manir Dan’iya, during an earlier incident. Atiku insisted that the campaign launch would proceed and called on security agencies to remain neutral and protect all political parties. The allegations of SSS involvement in organising protesters have not been independently verified. | ATIKU; SSS; SOKOTO STATE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | State Police: 28 State Assemblies Approve Constitutional Amendment, NASS Moves Bill to Tinubu | The National Assembly has confirmed that 28 State Houses of Assembly have approved the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police, exceeding the constitutionally required threshold of 24 states. The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, confirming that his office had received and verified the approval reports and accompanying Votes and Proceedings from the 28 state legislatures. The approval satisfies the requirement under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly to endorse a proposed constitutional alteration. The proposed amendment, which has already been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, seeks to establish State Police Services alongside the existing federal policing structure. Ogunlana said the National Assembly had commenced the administrative processes required to transmit the bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent. However, the establishment of state police is not yet effective. The constitutional amendment must complete the remaining authentication and presidential assent processes before it can become law. The development marks a significant step towards decentralising Nigeria's policing structure amid persistent security challenges. | STATE POLICE BILL; NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Awujale Succession: Ogun Reconstitutes Interregnum Council, Names Adesanya Chairman | The Ogun State Government has reconstituted the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council (AIAC), appointing the Olisa of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya, as chairman and Chief Chris Okunowo as secretary. The reconstitution follows the reported withdrawal of some members of the council amid disagreements over the emergence of an alternative traditional administrative body known as the Adele Oba Awujale in Council. In a statement issued on 3 November 2026, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, maintained that the AIAC remains the only legally recognised administrative body authorised to oversee the affairs of Ijebuland pending the appointment and coronation of a new Awujale. The government argued that the alternative group has no legal or customary recognition under the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration or the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law 2021. It also cited a consent judgment of the Ogun State High Court, which it said affirmed the legality and authority of the AIAC. The reconstituted five-member council comprises: - Chief Rasheed Adeoye Adesanya – Chairman - Chief Chris Okunowo – Secretary - Professor Jide Ajayi – Member - Chief Stephen O. Bakare – Member - Chief Alade Shote – Member The council will oversee Ijebuland's administrative and traditional affairs until a new Awujale is appointed and crowned. | AWUJALE SUCCESSION | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Certificate Forgery Trial: NYSC Disowns Ex-Minister Nnaji’s Discharge Certificate, Identifies Irregularities | The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned the discharge certificate presented by former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, telling the Federal High Court in Abuja that the document was not issued by the corps. An NYSC Assistant Director in the Department of Certification, Yusuf Abubakar Jumare, testified on 3 November 2026 as the second prosecution witness in Nnaji’s ongoing trial over alleged certificate forgery and money laundering. Jumare identified four irregularities which, according to him, established that the certificate was not authentic: 1. Certificate number: It carried the prefix “A”, which the NYSC reportedly began using in 1990, although the document was purportedly issued in 1985. 2. Call-up number: It contained four digits instead of the five-digit format reportedly used in 1985. 3. Duration of service: It indicated 13 months instead of the required 12-month service period. 4. Authorising signature: It was signed by a purported “National General” rather than the Director, who headed the NYSC at the time. However, during cross-examination, Jumare admitted that he did not personally verify whether Nnaji had ever been issued an NYSC discharge certificate. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is prosecuting Nnaji on six counts involving alleged forgery of his NYSC and University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) certificates, as well as money laundering. Nnaji, who has pleaded not guilty, is also the Peoples Democratic Party's governorship candidate for Enugu State in the 2027 elections. The court adjourned the case until 30 November 2026 for continuation of cross-examination. | NYSC; FORMER MINISTER OF INNOVATION | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Alleged Cyberbullying: SSS Asks Court to Reject Sowore’s Bid to Subpoena Lead Prosecutor | The State Security Service (SSS) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to reject an application by African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to compel its lead prosecution counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, to testify as a defence witness in his ongoing trial for allegedly cyberbullying President Bola Tinubu. At the hearing on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the SSS, through its lawyer, Kenneth Cyril-Ita, described the subpoena as an abuse of court process and an attempt to delay the trial. The agency argued that the evidence Sowore intends to obtain from the prosecution lawyer is irrelevant to the charges. It also relied on Section 192 of the Evidence Act, which protects certain communications between lawyers and their clients from disclosure without the client's consent. The SSS further argued that a lawyer cannot simultaneously serve as counsel and witness in the same case and urged the court to set aside the subpoena and direct Sowore to continue his defence. However, Sowore's counsel, Reuben Adakole, urged the court to uphold the subpoena to enable the defendant to present his defence. Justice Mohammed Umar adjourned the matter until 9 November 2026 for a ruling on the application. | OMOYELE SOWORE; SSS; FEDERAL HIGH COURT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027 Elections: NDC Accuses APC of Plot to Exclude Kano Governorship Candidate | The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to prevent its Kano State governorship candidate, Aminu Abdussalam, from contesting the 2027 election by ensuring his name is excluded from INEC’s list of candidates. NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso alleged that the Kano State Government and its allies first tried to influence INEC to exclude the candidate and later turned to the courts. He also questioned the circumstances surrounding a lawsuit seeking to prevent the publication of the NDC governorship ticket. The APC, through its Kano State Chairman, Umar Doguwa, denied the allegations, insisting that the matter arose from an internal crisis within the NDC. He said aggrieved party members had instituted the court action and challenged Kwankwaso to provide evidence of APC interference. The Federal High Court in Kano had issued an interim injunction restraining INEC from publishing or altering the NDC governorship candidate list pending the hearing of the substantive application. The case was adjourned for hearing on 2 November. The dispute has left the names of the NDC governorship candidate and his running mate, Mustapha Kwankwaso, absent from INEC’s published list. | NDC; APC | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | Women’s Representation: NASS Proposes 74 Additional Seats for Women in the Legislature | The National Assembly’s Constitution Review Committee has proposed 74 additional seats reserved for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to address women’s underrepresentation in Nigeria’s political system. Senate Leader and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the proposal at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter. The proposal provides for: - 37 additional seats in the Senate – one for each of the 36 states and the FCT. - 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives – also one for each state and the FCT. - Three additional seats reserved for women in each State House of Assembly. The proposed seats would be created without displacing existing elected representatives. The arrangement is expected to last for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would undergo a comprehensive review. Bamidele said the National Assembly was engaging State Houses of Assembly to secure the constitutional approval required to implement the proposal. The measure is still part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process and has not yet become law. | SPECIAL SEATS BILL; WOMEN IN LEGISLATURE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 4TH NOVEMBER 2026 | US Midterms: Democrats Take Control of Congress, Trump Blames Iran War for Republican Losses | The news focuses on US President Donald Trump’s explanation for the Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 US midterm elections. Trump attributed the party’s poor performance to several factors, including the political and economic climate under his administration. The results represent a setback for Republicans and could affect the balance of power in Congress, as well as the administration’s ability to advance its legislative agenda. Trump also blamed what he described as the favourable media coverage given to Democratic candidates by Fox News, as well as the performance of Democratic candidates during the elections. He criticised some Republican candidates he had personally endorsed, suggesting that candidate quality contributed to the party’s poor performance. Several Trump-backed candidates lost their contests, including in states where Republicans had previously enjoyed strong electoral support. The midterm results saw Democrats gain control of both chambers of Congress, posing a significant challenge to Trump's legislative agenda. Trump, however, said he intended to work with Democrats while warning that he retained veto powers over legislation. | US MIDTERM ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Amid National Challenges, President Tinubu, Governors Pray for Nigeria at Kaaba | President Bola Tinubu, alongside several State governors and senior government officials, has sought divine intervention for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and prosperity during prayers inside the Holy Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The delegation was granted access to Islam’s holiest sanctuary by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during Tinubu’s Umrah pilgrimage. Tinubu said he used the spiritual opportunity to pray for Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its citizens, while governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State also described the experience as a rare privilege and said their prayers focused on national unity and peace. The President expressed gratitude to the Saudi monarch and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting the delegation access to the Kaaba, describing the experience as a deeply cherished spiritual milestone. The visit comes as Nigeria faces persistent security and economic challenges and prepares for the 2027 general elections. | PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Sowore Releases Video of Alleged Attackers, Accuses Ekiti Police of CCTV Evidence Cover-Up | African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has released a video purportedly showing individuals he identified as participants in an attack on him and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on 30 October 2026. Sowore described the footage as a breakthrough in efforts to identify those involved in the incident, which occurred at Tawakalitu Restaurant while he was in Ekiti for the Ikogosi Marathon. He also alleged that CCTV recordings from the restaurant had been erased after police officers and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives allegedly took possession of the surveillance equipment and returned it without the recordings. Sowore claimed that police officers handling the investigation told him there was no complainant because he had not submitted a written statement, despite their earlier intervention in the incident. He called for an independent investigation into the attack and the alleged erasure of CCTV footage, and demanded the removal of the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police and other officers he accused of mishandling the investigation. The Ekiti State Police Command had earlier disputed Sowore’s account of the incident, describing it as an altercation. Police said the commissioner had ordered an investigation into the matter. The allegations of evidence tampering and a cover-up have not been independently established. | AAC; OMOYELE SOWORE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | INEC Investigates Officials Over Fake Voter Registrations, Removes 1.27 Million Invalid Records | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is investigating registration officials suspected of manipulating voter records during the 2026 Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, following the discovery of fake photographs and other irregularities in the preliminary register of voters. INEC’s Director of ICT, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed that more than 11 million people registered during the exercise. When the commission subjected the records to its Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), approximately 1.5 million records were flagged as suspicious. Of these, 1,277,252 records were confirmed invalid and removed, while about 268,000 records remain subject to further verification. Bayode alleged that some registration officials abused their official access to introduce fraudulent records, including photographs generated by artificial intelligence, duplicate photographs and fictitious profiles with manipulated biometric details. He said some officials allegedly exploited a special registration procedure intended for people with disabilities who lack all their fingers, using it to create fictitious registrations without the usual fingerprint data. INEC has withdrawn system access from the officials implicated in the alleged misconduct. Bayode said he was compiling evidence for submission to the commission, which would review the findings and determine appropriate disciplinary action. The controversy has raised concerns about the integrity of the voter register ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC is expected to complete its verification and data-cleanup process before certifying the final register on 15 December 2026. | INEC; FAKE REGISTRATION CENTRES; 2027 GENRAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN NIGERIA | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Terrorism Financing Trial: Court Fixes 27th January for Judgment in Tukur Mamu’s Case | The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 27 January 2027 for judgment in the alleged terrorism financing trial of Tukur Mamu, who was accused of receiving ransom payments on behalf of terrorists linked to the 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack. Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the date after the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses and presented their arguments. The Federal Government urged the court to convict Mamu, while his defence counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, sought his acquittal, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges. Mamu, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, is facing a 17-count amended charge involving alleged terrorism financing, money laundering, dealing in terrorist funds and unlawful possession of firearms. The prosecution alleged, among other things, that Mamu received $120 million in ransom payments on behalf of Boko Haram. The defence disputed the allegations and questioned the prosecution’s handling of a rifle allegedly recovered from Mamu’s residence, particularly the firearm’s licence. Mamu was arrested by Egyptian security officials at Cairo International Airport in September 2022 and subsequently brought to Nigeria for prosecution. The court will deliver its judgment on 27 January 2027. | TERROR FINANCING TRIAL | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Violence, Vote Discrepancies Trail Kaura’s Victory in Zamfara APC Senatorial Primary | Former senator Tijjani Kaura has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, winning the party’s rerun primary held on Monday, 2 November 2026. Kaura defeated incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u and former governorship candidate Sani Shinkafi in the exercise, which followed a court ruling nullifying the party’s earlier primary over alleged irregularities. According to the results announced by the returning officer, Kaura polled 16,758 votes, while Ya’u received 1,465 votes and Shinkafi secured 1,447 votes. The primary was disrupted by violence at two voting centres in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, where suspected political thugs attacked voters and reportedly injured one person. The council chairman, Mannir Muhammad Haidara, also reportedly escaped an attack during which his vehicle was damaged. The announced results also contain discrepancies, with the candidates’ combined votes exceeding the reported number of valid votes by 178. Premium Times said it had not obtained the official result sheet to verify the figures. The rerun followed a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the APC’s 19 May primary, a decision later upheld by the Court of Appeal. | APC; ZAMFARA STATE; SENATORIAL SEAT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | After Monarch’s Murder, Governor Nwifuru Seeks Death Penalty for Kidnappers, Sends Bill to Assembly | Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has forwarded an executive bill to the state House of Assembly seeking to make kidnapping a capital offence punishable by death without the option of an alternative sentence. The governor disclosed this on Friday, 30 October 2026, during the funeral of Francis Igwe, the traditional ruler of Ndufu-Alike community in Ikwo Local Government Area, who was abducted on 1 March while on his way to church and found dead the following day. Nwifuru said the proposed legislation was intended to deter kidnappers, including those carrying out abductions for political reasons. He also pledged to implement any court decision against suspects arrested in connection with the monarch’s murder. The governor warned against what he described as the deteriorating attitudes of some youths towards community leaders, expressing concern about their future leadership roles. The proposed bill comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria. | EBONYI STATE; DEATH PENALTY; KIDNAPPING | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Rainbow Coalition: Wike Mobilises FCT APC, PDP Stakeholders for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election | The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on political stakeholders and residents of the FCT to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 general elections. Wike made the appeal on Monday, 2 November 2026, during the commissioning of the Gwagwalada Civic Centre and an interactive meeting with political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He urged political leaders to put aside party differences and work together through the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party alliance supporting Tinubu’s re-election. The minister also called on FCT residents to support former senator Philip Aduda and other candidates endorsed by the coalition, stressing the need for elected representatives who understand the challenges facing the territory’s six area councils. Wike urged residents to mobilise voters across polling units and communities, saying election day should be dedicated to voting rather than other activities. The APC and PDP chairpersons in Gwagwalada commended Wike for fostering political cooperation and bringing together stakeholders from opposing parties. | RAINBOW COALITION; NYESOM WIKE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Plateau 2027: Mutfwang Inaugurates APC Campaign Council Ahead of Elections | Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, calling on members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns. The inauguration, held on Monday, 2 November 2026, at the Government House in Jos, brought together party leaders, political stakeholders and campaign coordinators. The campaign council is expected to coordinate campaigns for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Governor Mutfwang and his deputy, Josephine Piyo, as well as APC candidates for the National and State Assemblies. Mutfwang said his administration deserved another term to consolidate ongoing development projects and programmes. He also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, acknowledging the hardship they have caused while arguing that the country needed time to recover. On security, the governor disclosed plans to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities and deploy at least 800 trained forest guards to strengthen security in vulnerable areas. He urged APC stakeholders to work together, stressing that electoral success depended on effective mobilisation at the ward and polling-unit levels. The campaign council’s Director-General, Joseph Ari, said 115 support groups had expressed interest in supporting the campaign. | PLATEAU STATE; APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | ADC Denies Crisis as South-West Leaders Question Atiku’s Campaign Structure | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has explained why its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, was not included in the presidential campaign council of its 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said national officers did not necessarily need to be appointed to the campaign council because they had responsibilities beyond the presidential campaign. He explained that the party’s national leadership must continue to function while the campaign council focuses on its specific mandate. The explanation comes amid reports of discontent among some ADC leaders in the South-West, who accused Atiku of sidelining party structures and relying on personal associates to organise political activities in the region. Abdullahi rejected claims of an institutional crisis within the party, describing the reported disagreements as individual grievances rather than evidence of a wider problem. Atiku’s campaign Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, had also previously stated that state campaign coordinators and their councils had not yet been announced or inaugurated, dismissing claims that established party structures were being excluded. The development has drawn attention to internal party relations and the role of established party structures in Atiku’s 2027 campaign. | ADC; CAMPAIGNS; AREGBESOLA | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: Nasarawa SDP Governorship Candidate Gears Up for Elections, Distributes Cars, N17.9m to Women Leaders | Former Inspector-General of Police and Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Muhammad Abubakar Adamu, has distributed vehicles, cash and household equipment to 163 women leaders across the state ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The empowerment programme, held on 31 October 2026, covered women leaders across the state’s 13 local government areas and 147 electoral wards. According to the campaign statement, the beneficiaries received 16 Sharon cars distributed to 13 local government women leaders and three zonal women leaders, ₦17.9 million in cash distributed across the different categories of women leaders, 147 refrigerators, 147 grinding machines, 147 generators and 147 solar-powered fans distributed to ward women leaders. Adamu said the initiative was aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment, strengthening grassroots political participation and recognising their contributions to his political movement, the Tabbaci Project. The programme comes as political parties and their candidates intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. | NASARAWA STATE; SDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: Otti Warns Supporters Against Attacking Opposition Parties | Abia State Governor Alex Otti has warned his supporters against attacking opposition parties or obstructing their political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the flag-off of the Labour Party’s 2027 campaign in Umuahia, Otti said supporters had no mandate to intimidate political opponents or prevent them from conducting legitimate activities. He disclosed that he had directed security agencies to arrest and deal decisively with anyone attempting to obstruct political groups, including Labour Party members. The governor also said opposition parties should be allowed to use public facilities, including stadiums, provided they obtain the necessary approvals and make required payments. Otti urged political parties to focus on issue-based campaigns, present their manifestos and avoid personal attacks. He said he was seeking re-election to consolidate his administration’s achievements and deepen development in Abia State. The Labour Party campaign was launched under the theme “Forward Ever, Backwards Never.” | ABIA STATE GOVERNOR; ALEX OTTI | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: Fresh Resignations Hit Makinde’s Government as Political Activities Intensify | Two senior officials in Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration have resigned their appointments, adding to a series of recent departures from the state government. The officials are Ayobami Ojo, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, and Simeon Oyeleke, Special Adviser on Budget and Economic Planning. Both submitted resignation letters dated 2 November 2026, with their resignations taking immediate effect. Ojo thanked Makinde for the opportunity to serve but did not state a specific reason for his departure. Oyeleke also expressed appreciation to the governor, although other reports indicate he cited an unconducive working environment. The resignations come amid a broader wave of exits from Makinde’s administration, including the former Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, and other political appointees. The departures are occurring as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Makinde pursuing a presidential bid under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). | SEYI MAKINDE; OYO STATE; RESIGNATION | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | Akwa Ibom: Governor Eno Appoints Aniefiok Johnson as Chief of Staff | Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has appointed Aniefiok Johnson as his new Chief of Staff, with the appointment taking immediate effect. Johnson previously served as the governor’s Executive Assistant and Chief Delivery Advisor, where he coordinated government priorities and monitored the implementation of projects under the administration’s ARISE Agenda. He brings more than 30 years of experience in international diplomacy and senior management roles with the United Nations. His previous assignments included positions with the UN Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. The appointment comes as the Eno administration approaches the final year of its first term, with the Chief of Staff expected to coordinate the governor’s office and support the implementation of government policies and programmes. | AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT; FRESH APPOINTMENT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN NIGERIA | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | 2027: EU Warns Against Using AI Misinformation to Suppress Political Dissent | The European Union (EU) has warned against using concerns over artificial intelligence (AI)-generated misinformation to justify censorship, suppress political dissent or silence journalists ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, issued the warning on 2 November 2026 at the National Summit on Electoral Information Integrity in Abuja. Mignot stressed that while AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes pose serious threats to electoral integrity, efforts to counter them must respect freedom of expression, media freedom and citizens’ democratic rights. He cautioned that citizens questioning public institutions should not automatically be labelled as spreading misinformation, and that journalists reporting institutional failures are performing an important democratic function. The summit also featured calls for INEC to consider deploying AI-powered chatbots to provide voters with accurate electoral information and counter misinformation. Former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega made the recommendation. INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan, meanwhile, warned that AI-generated fake results, forged operational directives and fabricated information could trigger confusion, undermine public confidence and potentially incite violence during the 2027 elections. Stakeholders called for stronger collaboration among electoral institutions, media organisations, technology platforms, security agencies and civil society to safeguard electoral information while protecting democratic freedoms. | EUROPEAN UNION; AI; INEC | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN NIGERIA | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | "N10 Billion Emergency Fund Not for Ebola Alone" - NCDC Clarifies | The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Dr Jide Idris, has clarified that the Federal Government’s ₦10 billion emergency health intervention fund is not exclusively for Ebola response but is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness for multiple epidemic-prone diseases. Idris said the fund, approved by President Bola Tinubu in June 2026, was released directly to the NCDC and not to the Presidential Task Force on Ebola. The intervention is designed to support prevention, preparedness, early detection and rapid response to public health threats, including Lassa fever, cholera, meningitis, diphtheria, measles, mpox and antimicrobial resistance. He disclosed that implementing Nigeria’s National Action Plan for Health Security (2025–2029) would cost approximately ₦522 billion over five years, equivalent to an average annual requirement of ₦104.4 billion. The ₦10 billion intervention therefore represents about two per cent of the plan’s average yearly cost. Idris also said Nigeria had no active Ebola case at the time of his statement, with identified contacts under surveillance. He dismissed calls for travel restrictions, blanket bans on mass gatherings or postponement of elections, saying the prevailing situation did not warrant such measures. He urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information and called for sustainable investment in national health security. | EBOLA EMERGENCY INTERVENTION FUND | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 3RD NOVEMBER 2026 | U.S.-Iran War: Tucker Carlson Claims Trump Could Authorise Nuclear Strike on Iran by 7 November | American conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson has claimed that US President Donald Trump is facing pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to authorise a nuclear strike against Iran, amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries. In a post on X, Carlson alleged that the potential target would be Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified site in central Iran where Israeli intelligence reportedly believes Iran has resumed nuclear enrichment. Carlson claimed Trump could decide by 7 November whether to authorise the strike, but said the president was hesitant and being urged by Vice-President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. He also warned that a US nuclear attack could trigger a wider nuclear conflict involving Russia, Pakistan, India and North Korea. However, Carlson's allegations have not been independently verified. Trump has previously ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran, although he has discussed the possibility of conventional military strikes against Pickaxe Mountain. | U.S; IRAN; PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP | PREMIUM TIMES |