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| VANGUARD THIS DAY | 2ND JULY 2026 | INEC Reaffirms Plan to Test Downloadable PVCs During Osun State 2026 Poll, Vows to Deliver Credible Elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a series of electoral reforms aimed at improving voter access, strengthening civic participation and enhancing the credibility of elections ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced plans to introduce downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for registered voters whose physical cards have been lost, defaced or become unreadable. The digital PVC option will only be available to voters who had previously collected a physical PVC and who apply for a replacement at least 90 days before an election. The initiative will be piloted during the Osun State governorship election in August. The commission also disclosed that it is finalising a fully online voter registration system that will enable eligible Nigerians to register remotely without visiting INEC offices, subject to the commission's approval. Beyond technological reforms, INEC stressed that credible elections require active citizen participation. Speaking during a meeting with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Amupitan described voter education as indispensable, noting that investments in technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) would have limited impact if citizens remained disengaged or uninformed about the electoral process. He identified voter apathy and growing public cynicism as significant threats to Nigeria's democracy and called for stronger collaboration with the NOA to expand civic education and encourage greater voter participation ahead of the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, reaffirmed INEC's commitment to delivering a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive governorship election in the state. She said the commission has commenced key operational preparations, including identifying security flashpoints, planning logistics for difficult terrain and working closely with security agencies. She also disclosed that Osun had 1,954,800 registered voters before the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. Overall, the commission says its combination of digital innovations, improved voter services and expanded civic education is intended to make elections more accessible, increase public confidence and strengthen electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections. | OSUN STATE; 2027; INEC | VANGUARD THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 2ND JULY 2026 | PDP Fires Back at Akpabio Over 'Dead Party Claim', Insists Party Remains Strong Ahead of 2027 | The Nyesom Wike-aligned faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected Senate President Godswill Akpabio's claim that the party is "dead," insisting that the PDP remains politically relevant, united and well-positioned for future elections. In a statement, PDP National Publicity Secretary Haruna Jungudo described Akpabio's comments as "political wishful thinking," arguing that the party has survived numerous political challenges over its 27-year history and is currently undergoing a period of renewal and rebuilding. The party cited recent developments—including the return of prominent political figures, victories in the Adamawa local government elections and the Rivers State Senate bye-election, as well as the reported influx of political leaders from several states—as evidence of its continued national appeal ahead of the 2027 general elections. The PDP also noted that one of the Tinubu administration's top-performing ministers remains a member of the party, describing the official as "on political loan" while serving in the APC-led Federal Government. According to the party, its political strength and future prospects should be judged by public support and electoral performance rather than comments from political opponents. | PDP; APC; AKPABIO | THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 2ND JULY 2026 | State Police: Governors Pledge Quick Approval as Constitutional Amendment Advances | Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said all 36 state governors support the establishment of state police and are prepared to give swift approval to the constitutional amendment once it is transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly. Speaking after presenting his Certificate of Return to President Bola Tinubu, Oyebanji said the National Economic Council had already deliberated on the proposal and that most states had formally endorsed the initiative. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described state police as a "necessity" rather than a political project, arguing that decentralised policing is essential to addressing Nigeria's growing security challenges. Bamidele acknowledged concerns that state police could be abused by governors for political purposes but said the National Assembly is incorporating constitutional and legal safeguards to prevent such misuse. He added that further operational details and accountability mechanisms would be outlined in subsequent amendments to the Police Act. Both leaders expressed confidence that the constitutional amendment would receive speedy concurrence from state legislatures, reflecting what they described as broad national consensus on the need to establish state police. | STATE POLICE | THIS DAY | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 2ND JULY 2026 | APC Primary: 26 Aspirants Dropped as Candidate Revisions Trigger Resistance and Legal Disputes | Fresh internal divisions have emerged within the APC after the party revised the outcome of several National Assembly primaries, replacing at least 26 aspirants following appeals over the conduct of the primaries. The National Working Committee (NWC) said the changes were based on recommendations from the Primary Election Appeal Committee after reviewing more than 700 petitions. The revised list, submitted to INEC, affected seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across nine states. Several high-profile politicians, including former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam and former lawmaker Gbenga Elegbeleye, lost their tickets, with reports linking many substitutions to pressure from influential governors and party leaders. While the APC insists the revisions complied with the Electoral Act and party guidelines, the changes have intensified internal tensions. The Abia APC rejected the revised list released by the national leadership and retained its original candidates, openly challenging the substitutions. At the same time, the party confirmed the nomination of several prominent figures for the 2027 elections, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole, former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello, and four serving governors seeking Senate seats. The controversy has also spilled into the courts. A Federal High Court in Abuja fixed July 6 to hear a suit challenging the APC's Delta South senatorial primary, where Prince Michael Diden is seeking to overturn the declaration of Senator Joel Onowakpo as the party's candidate, alleging the primary results were manipulated. | APC PRIMARY | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THIS DAY | 2ND JULY 2026 | 2027: ADC Confirms Atiku, Amaechi Uploaded to INEC Portal as Campaign Preparations Continue | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed that it has uploaded the names and particulars of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, to INEC's candidate nomination portal ahead of the 2027 general election. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said the submission marks another milestone in the party's preparations for the election and reaffirmed its commitment to presenting what it described as a credible alternative focused on competence, unity and national renewal. Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that nine political parties have so far collected access codes required to upload the particulars of their candidates. The parties include the ADC, APC, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Accord, Action Alliance, National Democratic Congress and National Democratic Party. INEC also reminded political parties that access codes must be collected through authorised representatives with official letters from their party leadership and urged all parties to strictly comply with the commission's candidate nomination guidelines. | ADC; INEC; ACCESS CODES | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 2ND JULY 2026 | Gombe 2027: Court Hears Suit Challenging Pantami’s Emergence as PDP Governorship Candidate | The Federal High Court in Gombe has commenced hearing in a pre-election suit filed by PDP governorship aspirant Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the party's governorship candidate for the 2027 election. Mailantarki is asking the court to nullify Pantami's nomination, alleging that he was "selected rather than elected" because no valid primary election or consensus process was conducted. He further claims that Pantami neither purchased the party's nomination form nor participated in the PDP's screening exercise and was not a member of the party when the alleged consensus was reached, having previously pursued the governorship ticket under the APC. The suit names the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pantami and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents. During proceedings, INEC requested additional time to file its counter-affidavit, stating that it had only recently received instructions from the commission. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed granted the request and adjourned the case until July 9, 2026, for further hearing. The allegations remain before the court, and no determination has yet been made on the validity of Pantami's nomination. | GOMBE 2027 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 2ND JULY 2026 | 2027: Kwara PDP Picks Rev. Cornelius Fawenu as Governorship Running Mate | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has completed its governorship ticket for the 2027 Kwara State election with the nomination of Reverend Cornelius Olaosebikan Fawenu as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Engineer Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka. According to the party, Fawenu's emergence followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across Kwara's three senatorial districts. The PDP said the selection was intended to strengthen an inclusive ticket that combines experience, grassroots appeal and religious balance. Fawenu, a former Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Presiding Pastor of Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church in Ilorin, was chosen from four contenders considered for the deputy governorship position. The party expressed confidence that the Agaka–Fawenu ticket would enhance its preparations and electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State. | PDP; KWARA STATE | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 2ND JULY 2026 | ‘Phantom’ council: Presidency clears Gbajabiamila amid concerns | The Presidency has denied allegations linking Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) and its purported Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, describing Adeyemi as an impostor and "con artist" who allegedly forged government documents. In a statement, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the Office of the Chief of Staff had alerted security agencies to the alleged fake agency in 2025 after complaints were received from government institutions. According to the Presidency, investigations by the police concluded that the council was fictitious and that Adeyemi allegedly forged appointment letters, impersonated a government official, and opened multiple bank accounts using fake documents. The Presidency said Adeyemi and two others were charged before the Federal High Court in November 2025 and are scheduled to appear in court on July 27. The statement maintained that the Chief of Staff neither appointed Adeyemi nor had the authority to issue appointment letters for such a body, insisting that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is responsible for such appointments. However, the Presidency did not specifically address allegations by Adeyemi that he paid money to facilitate his appointment or questions surrounding the reported budgetary allocation to the disputed council. Those allegations remain unproven and have not been determined by any court. Meanwhile, civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), called for an independent and transparent investigation into all allegations. While acknowledging that accusations do not amount to proof of wrongdoing, they argued that any claims involving senior public officials should be impartially investigated to strengthen public confidence in accountability and the rule of law. | PHANTOM COUNCIL | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 2ND JULY 2026 | 2027: Atiku Appoints Kenneth Okonkwo as Official Spokesperson Ahead of 2027 | Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has appointed lawyer, actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson ahead of the 2027 general elections. The appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Atiku’s communications team as political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensify. In his new role, Okonkwo will coordinate media engagements and communicate Atiku’s positions on national issues and his presidential bid. | ATIKU; KENNETH OKONKWO | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| VANGUARD | 2ND JULY 2026 | Alleged Coup: DSS Arraigns Five Over Alleged Concealment of Timipre Sylva’s Whereabouts | The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five men before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that they concealed the whereabouts of former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva, who authorities allege is a fugitive. The defendants—Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha and Ayebaifife Suobite—pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge accusing them of becoming accessories after the fact by allegedly concealing Sylva's whereabouts, contrary to the Criminal Code Act. According to the prosecution, the alleged offence occurred on April 28, 2026. Prosecutors requested that the defendants be remanded pending trial, while defence counsel applied for bail, noting that the accused had been in DSS custody since October 25, 2025. Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the offences were bailable and granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million with two sureties in like sum, subject to conditions including affidavits of means, evidence of three years' tax payments, proof of livelihood and verification by the court. Pending fulfilment of the bail conditions, the defendants were ordered remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre. The court adjourned the matter until July 22 for the commencement of trial. | ALLEGED COUP | VANGUARD | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 1ST JULY 2026 | Federal High Court Issues New Practice Direction for Pre-Election Cases Ahead of 2027, Mandates Weekend Filings, Virtual Proceedings, & Stricter Timelines | The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has introduced new Federal High Court (Pre-Election) Practice Directions, 2026, replacing the 2022 rules with a stricter framework aimed at ensuring the speedy determination of pre-election disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections. The new guidelines, which took effect on June 29, mandate weekend and public holiday court filings, impose tighter timelines for filing court processes, limit adjournments, encourage virtual hearings, and require courts to prioritize pre-election cases until judgment is delivered. Under the new rules, all pre-election suits must commence by originating summons, respondents must file their defence within 10 days, hearings must begin within seven days after the exchange of processes, and written addresses are capped at 15 pages. The Practice Directions also require all necessary parties to be joined in primary election disputes, encourage electronic service and virtual proceedings, and direct court registries nationwide to remain open on weekends and public holidays exclusively for pre-election filings. The reforms are expected to reduce delays, improve compliance with constitutional timelines, and accelerate the resolution of party primary and candidate nomination disputes before the 2027 elections. | PRE-ELECTION CASES; FEDERAL HIGH COURT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 1ST JULY 2026 | CVR: Over 1.5 Million Nigerians Complete Voter Registration as INEC Suspends Exercise in Ekiti & Osun | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 1,565,873 Nigerians successfully completed voter registration as of June 26 during the seventh week of Phase III of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The figure comprises 620,933 online pre-registrations and 944,940 physical registrations, although the commission said the data remains provisional pending a clean-up exercise and biometric verification using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). Kano recorded the highest number of new registrants with 118,207, followed by Lagos (78,360) and Delta (76,395). INEC also confirmed that voter registration has been temporarily suspended in Ekiti and Osun states in line with the Electoral Act due to the recent and forthcoming governorship elections. Meanwhile, civil society group Youth Empowerment Solutions Africa (YES Africa) has urged INEC to extend the CVR exercise by three months beyond the July 10 deadline, citing persistent challenges such as long queues, inadequate registration personnel, technical failures, and poor access to registration centres, particularly for youths, women, persons with disabilities, and rural residents. At the same time, TAF Africa, in partnership with INEC, has launched a pilot initiative to register Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, aiming to ensure displaced populations are included in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. | CVR EXERCISE; INEC | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | APC Primaries: Fresh Tensions Erupt Over Candidate Replacements as Aspirants Threaten Legal Action, Seek President Tinubu's Intervention | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its review of over 700 petitions arising from its nationwide primaries, resulting in changes to the outcome of several contests while upholding others. The party said the National Working Committee adopted the recommendations of its appeal committee to produce a final list of candidates for the 2027 general election, with successful aspirants now completing INEC nomination forms ahead of the submission deadline. APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the internal appeal process has ended and the party's focus is now on meeting INEC's documentation requirements rather than publicly releasing the final candidate list. However, the revised outcomes have sparked fresh unrest within the party, with protests, threats of legal action, and calls for President Bola Tinubu's intervention emerging in states including Kwara, Ondo, Benue, and Kaduna over the replacement of initially declared winners. While the APC maintains that the substitutions followed due process and recommendations of the appeal committees, aggrieved aspirants argue that the changes undermine internal democracy and risk deepening divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the Progressive Governors' Forum met with APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda to discuss the primary review, strengthen party unity, and reconcile aggrieved members as part of efforts to stabilise the party before the general elections. | APC PRIMARIES | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Controversy Deepens Over Alleged Presidential Council as Gbajabiamila, Claimed DG Clash | A controversy has intensified over the status of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) after Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, denied the existence of the body, while its claimed Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, insisted it is a legitimate government agency. Adeyemi questioned how the council secured over ₦1.3 billion in the 2026 budget, allegedly operates from the Federal Secretariat, and maintains government accounts if it does not exist. He also levelled bribery and misconduct allegations against Gbajabiamila, who has denied any connection to the council. The Presidency and National Assembly have yet to officially clarify the council's legal status, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an independent investigation into the matter. | CONTROVERSY OVER PHANTOM COUNCIL | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Peter Obi Urges INEC to Publish Candidates’ Academic Credentials, Questions Nigeria’s Leadership Priorities | Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the academic credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office, arguing that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. Speaking after completing his nomination form, Obi questioned whether Nigeria's political leaders were demonstrating sound judgment amid rising insecurity, economic hardship and allegations of public fund mismanagement. He maintained that the country's leadership should prioritise addressing national challenges over political competition, while calling for greater openness in the verification of candidates' qualifications. | PETER OBI; INEC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Newly Registered CDA Calls for Return to Parliamentary System, Constitutional Restructuring | The newly registered Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA) has unveiled a reform agenda centred on replacing Nigeria's presidential system with a mixed parliamentary model, restructuring the Constitution, and entrenching true federalism. At the party's official launch in Abuja, National Chairman Tamunotonye Samuel Inioribo said the CDA would pursue governance reforms to devolve powers, strengthen federating units, and promote inclusive development. The party also proposed a mixed-member proportional representation electoral system to reduce winner-takes-all politics and improve representation, describing its emergence as the beginning of a new nation-building agenda. | CDA; PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT | fdaily trust | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Makarfi Opposes Deregistration of Political Parties Ahead of the 2027 General Elections | Former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi has opposed the deregistration of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a move could be politically interpreted and erode public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While stressing that political parties must comply with electoral laws and internal democratic processes, Makarfi argued that parties meeting INEC's requirements should be allowed to participate in the elections. He also expressed confidence in the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as a deeply rooted political platform with strong prospects for long-term survival. | AHMED MAKARFI; KADUNA STATE; 2027 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Court Fixes July 9 for Hearing of Suits Challenging PDP Governorship Primary in Gombe State | The Federal High Court in Gombe has fixed July 9, 2026, for the hearing of two separate suits involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the party's governorship candidate, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. One suit, filed by Usman Aliyu, involves the PDP and INEC, while another by Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh challenges the process that produced Pantami as the party's governorship candidate, alleging irregularities in the primary election. The court directed all parties to appear with their witnesses and documentary evidence, as both cases are expected to shape the PDP's preparations for the 2027 Gombe governorship election. | GOMBE STATE | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 1ST JULY 2026 | Osun 2026: INEC Urges Journalists to Investigate Vote-Buying Ahead of Governorship Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on journalists in Osun State to investigate and expose vote-buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election, saying detailed media reports will strengthen efforts to prosecute electoral offenders. The commission said political actors openly induced voters during the recent Ekiti governorship election using cash and vouchers, describing the practice as a growing threat to electoral integrity. INEC urged reporters to document those involved, the locations, amounts exchanged, and patterns of coordination, noting that such evidence would support investigations by the EFCC, Police, and DSS. The commission also announced that it has completed key preparations for the Osun poll, including clearing candidates from 14 political parties, registering 381,817 new voters, and deploying BVAS and IReV across the state. While expressing concern over low voter turnout in recent elections, INEC appealed to the media to intensify voter education and encourage citizens to reject vote-buying and participate in the election. | OSUN 2026; INEC; VOPTE BUYING | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THIS DAY | 1ST JULY 2026 | ADC Youths Protest Court Ruling, Demand Judge’s Removal Over Deregistration Order | Hundreds of youths of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) staged a protest in Abuja, demanding the removal of Federal High Court Judge Justice Peter Odo Lifu over his ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party and four others. Led by the party's National Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, the protesters marched from the ADC national secretariat to the Federal High Court, carrying placards accusing the judiciary of bias and warning against what they described as attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state. They insisted the ADC must remain on the ballot for the 2027 general election and vowed to continue demonstrations until the judge is removed. The party also revealed it had petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Lifu of proceeding with the case despite a Court of Appeal order staying further action. ADC leaders described the judge's conduct as a violation of due process and urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and former Nigerian leaders to intervene. The protest comes amid growing political controversy over the proposed deregistration of political parties and concerns about the judiciary's role in Nigeria's electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. | ADC; PROTESTS | THIS DAY | |||
| VANGUARD | 1ST JULY 2026 | NDC Begins Upload of 2027 Candidates to INEC Portal Despite Court Challenge | The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has been granted access to INEC's candidate nomination portal and has begun uploading the names of its candidates for the 2027 general elections, despite an ongoing legal challenge to the party's status. National Leader Henry Seriake Dickson disclosed that the party has already uploaded its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and himself, with the vice-presidential candidate and other nominees to follow before INEC's deadlines. Dickson said the NDC has filed an appeal and a stay of execution against the court judgment affecting the party and insisted it remains a legally registered political party whose primaries were monitored by INEC. He also announced reconciliation efforts to unite unsuccessful aspirants, commended INEC for complying with court orders and defending multi-party democracy, and urged political leaders to protect the independence of the judiciary, electoral commission and security agencies while expressing confidence that the courts would resolve the dispute in the party's favour. | NDC; INEC | VANGUARD | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 1ST JULY 2026 | Ondo APC Groups Condemn Protest Over Revised National Assembly Candidates’ List | Two APC support groups in Ondo State have condemned protests against the party's revised National Assembly candidates' list, accusing those behind the demonstrations of undermining the party's internal democratic processes. The groups specifically criticised the participation of the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, and the APC Women Leader, Oluwayemisi Iji-Ayeola, describing their involvement as inappropriate and a challenge to the authority of the party's National Working Committee (NWC). The groups defended the NWC's review of the candidates' list as being in line with the APC Constitution and the party's internal appeal process, while praising President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda for their leadership. They described the protests as politically motivated attempts to distract the party from its reconciliation efforts and urged members to respect the party's decisions and remain united ahead of the 2027 general elections. | APC; ONDO STATE | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 1ST JULY 2026 | FG Evacuates 271 More Nigerians as South Africa Xenophobic Tensions Escalate | The Federal Government has repatriated another 271 Nigerians from South Africa, bringing the total number of evacuees to 601, amid escalating anti-immigrant protests and xenophobic tensions across the country. Many returnees said they fled after losing businesses, homes and investments to attacks, while the government warned Nigerians against travelling to South Africa and announced plans to seek compensation for citizens forced to abandon their properties. As nationwide protests intensified, South African police deployed heavily to flashpoints, arrested several suspects linked to attacks on foreign nationals and placed vulnerable migrants under protective custody to prevent violence. Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities, NiDCOM, state governments and private organisations have begun providing financial and reintegration support for returnees, while diplomatic efforts are expected to commence over compensation claims. | SOUTH AFRICA; XENOPHOBIA | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THIS DAY | 1ST JULY 2026 | In Landmark Ruling, US Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship | The US Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented immigrants and certain temporary residents, ruling in a 6-3 decision that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to nearly everyone born on US soil. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the Constitution's Citizenship Clause protects children born in the country, reaffirming a long-standing interpretation dating back to the court's 1898 United States v. Wong Kim Ark decision. Justice Brett Kavanaugh agreed that existing federal law guarantees birthright citizenship, while three conservative justices dissented, arguing the Constitution does not require such broad protection. The ruling is a major setback for Trump's immigration agenda, as his executive order would have affected more than 250,000 babies born annually to undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders. Trump criticised the decision and urged Congress to pursue legislation restricting birthright citizenship, although constitutional experts note that overturning the court's interpretation would likely require a constitutional amendment. In a separate decision, the Supreme Court also blocked Trump's attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, reinforcing the central bank's independence while sending the dispute back to lower courts. However, the court simultaneously expanded presidential authority by ruling that presidents may dismiss members of other independent federal agencies, significantly weakening long-standing protections for regulators such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). | U.S SUPREME COURT RULING | THIS DAY |