| Source | Date | Title | Summary of Report | Subject/Category | Page No./Weblink | |||
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| PREMIUM TIMES | 22ND JULY 2026 | 2027: Labour Party Reaffirms Confidence in Okereke-Konto Ticket, Says Female Running Mate Reflects Commitment to Inclusion | The Labour Party has reaffirmed its confidence in its 2027 presidential ticket, expressing full support for presidential candidate Chibuzo Okereke and his running mate, Bintu Konto. At an interactive session in Abuja, the party's national leadership described Konto's nomination as a reflection of its commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice, noting that the party is the only major contender in the 2027 presidential race to field a woman as vice-presidential candidate. National Chairman Nenadi Usman said the Okereke-Konto ticket aligns with the party's people-centred philosophy and praised Konto's leadership experience, humanitarian work and professional background. She also commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti's administration as an example of the Labour Party's governance model and urged Nigerians to support the party in future elections. Presidential candidate Chibuzo Okereke described Konto as a dependable partner whose emergence recognises the important role of women in national development. In her remarks, Konto pledged to serve Nigerians diligently if elected, highlighting her humanitarian work during the Boko Haram insurgency and expressing confidence that the Labour Party offers a credible vision for addressing Nigeria's leadership and security challenges. | LABOUR PARTY; 2027 GENERAL ELECTION; PRESIDENTIAL TICKET | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES THE GUARDIAN | 22ND JULY 2026 | PFIPC Probe: Reps Committee Issues Final Warning to MDAs Over Failure to Honour Summons as Falana Reportedly Withdraws From Adeyemi's Defence | The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has issued a final warning to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that failed to honour its summons. The committee directed the affected agencies to appear before it on Thursday with all requested documents or face constitutional sanctions and compulsory measures, insisting that compliance with legislative summons is a legal obligation. Meanwhile, reports have emerged that human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has reportedly withdrawn from representing self-acclaimed PFIPC Director-General Adeniyi Adeyemi in his ongoing trial. Although Falana has not publicly confirmed the development, sources linked his reported withdrawal to difficulties encountered in obtaining documents required for the defence. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has also clarified that President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was not arrested over the PFIPC investigation. According to the anti-graft agency, Gbajabiamila voluntarily honoured an invitation, answered investigators' questions and departed afterwards, as the commission continues its probe into the controversial agency. | PFIPC; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; FEMI FALANA | PREMIUM TIMES THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 22ND JULY 2026 | Osun 2026: APC Defends NURTW Suspension as Adeleke Campaign Council Alleges Plot to Destabilise State | The Imole Campaign Council (TICC), which is coordinating Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election campaign, and the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over the violent clash that erupted at motor parks in Osogbo ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The unrest reportedly followed an attempt by suspected thugs, allegedly led by Kazeem Adewale (popularly known as Asiri Eniba), to take over motor parks controlled by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). TICC accused the APC of sponsoring violence and plotting to destabilise Osun to influence the outcome of the forthcoming election, describing the incident as a sign of the opposition's desperation after allegedly losing public support. The campaign council also likened the violence to the February 2025 local government crisis, which resulted in loss of lives, and warned against any attempt to undermine the state's peace. The APC, however, rejected the allegations, accusing the Adeleke administration of failing in its responsibility to maintain law and order. The party defended the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)'s decision to suspend NURTW activities across motor parks in the state, describing it as a timely measure to prevent further violence and safeguard lives and property. | OSUN 2026; PRE-ELECTION VIOLENCE | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| CHANNELS TV | 22ND JULY 2026 | 2027: Sule Dismisses Opposition Tickets, Says Tinubu-Shettima Cannot Be Compared | Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has defended the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 election, dismissing comparisons with opposition candidates and insisting the APC ticket is "like day and night" when measured against its rivals. He argued that President Bola Tinubu's record on infrastructure, economic reforms and education, including the implementation of NELFUND, demonstrates stronger leadership than opposition candidates. Sule acknowledged that insecurity remains a major challenge but maintained it predates the current administration, arguing that Tinubu's achievements outweigh ongoing security concerns. He also said the President's re-election bid would be based on performance rather than electoral manipulation, cited the APC's control of 31 state governorships as evidence of its political strength, and defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket, insisting competence not religious affiliation should determine leadership | APC; NDC; GOVERNOR SULE | CHANNELS TV | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22ND JULY 2026 | NNPP Threatens N10bn Suit Against INEC Over Delayed Compliance with Court Order | The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has uploaded its 2027 presidential placeholder candidate and 355 National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal, despite delays caused by the commission's late compliance with court orders recognising the party's authentic leadership. National Chairman Agbo Major described the exercise as a major achievement under tight timelines and confirmed that INEC had restored the party's original name and logo on its nomination portal. Major said the party had also begun uploading governorship and State House of Assembly candidates, with the process expected to be completed before the August 8 deadline. He described the uploads as evidence of the party's readiness for the 2027 general election and its efforts to strengthen its organisational structures nationwide. The NNPP also accused INEC of failing to promptly comply with a court order directing it to update the party's leadership status, saying the delay disrupted its election preparations. Major disclosed that the party had instructed its legal team to seek ₦10 billion in damages against the electoral commission over the delayed compliance, while urging members to remain united and continue expanding the party's membership base. | NNPP; INEC | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22ND JULY 2026 | Defence Minister Denies Resignation Rumours, Threatens Legal Action | Defence Minister Christopher Musa has dismissed reports claiming he had resigned from office, describing them as false and warning that those responsible would face legal action. Speaking after briefing President Bola Tinubu on the country's security situation at the Presidential Villa, Musa said he had never discussed resigning and challenged the source of the report to substantiate its claims. The minister attributed the rumours to individuals unhappy with what he described as improving security across the country. He said President Tinubu expressed satisfaction with ongoing security operations during their meeting and pledged that the government would continue to build on recent gains against terrorism and banditry. Musa also thanked Nigerians for their growing support for the armed forces, saying increased public cooperation had contributed to recent security successes. He maintained that tackling insecurity requires a whole-of-society approach and expressed confidence that the country's security situation would continue to improve. | RESIGNATION; DEFENCE MINISTER | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 22ND JULY 2026 | Corruption: Tensions Rise in Ondo Assembly as Lawmakers Call for Speaker’s Resignation Over Alleged Mismanagement of N44m OSOPADEC Funds | The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, is facing mounting pressure amid fresh allegations that he mismanaged a ₦44 million payment from the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) intended for lawmakers. While some members have called for his resignation and an investigation into the claims, Oladiji has denied any wrongdoing, describing the allegations and reports of an impending resignation as false and politically motivated. The controversy has further escalated after a lawmaker publicly accused the Speaker of intimidation and reaffirmed demands for his resignation, deepening tensions within the Assembly. | CORRUPTION; ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 22ND JULY 2026 | 2027: Ganduje Dismisses Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket as 'Dead on Arrival' in Kano State | Former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje has dismissed the prospects of the Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 election, describing it as "dead on arrival" in Kano. He argued that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has a governance record or political legacy strong enough to convince voters, questioning Obi's achievements as former Anambra governor and Kwankwaso's influence in Kano. Ganduje also maintained that the joint NDC ticket lacks the political strength needed to secure support in the state. | KANO STATE; GANDUJE | DAILY TRUST | |||
| CHANNELS TV | 22ND JULY 2026 | Gombe State: Inuwa Expands Executive Council, Swears In 23 Commissioners | Governor Inuwa Yahaya has sworn in a new State Executive Council and other top government officials, expanding Gombe State's ministries from 18 to 23 as part of efforts to accelerate governance and service delivery in the final months of his administration. The inauguration included 23 commissioners, 13 special advisers, a permanent secretary and a new Head of Civil Service, with the governor saying the appointments were based on competence, experience and inclusive representation across the state's LGAs and LCDAs. As part of the cabinet restructuring, Yahaya created the Ministries of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and Livestock Development, the latter aligning with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen livestock production, food security and value chains. He urged the new appointees to deliver results within the remaining 10 months of his tenure, warning against corruption, indiscipline and political distractions, while the new Head of Civil Service pledged to digitise Gombe's public service through a paperless administrative system. | GOMBE STATE; EXECUTIVE COUNCIL | CHANNELS TV | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 22ND JULY 2026 | Insecurity: President Tinubu Approves New Army Battalion in Kwara State to Tackle Banditry, Kidnapping | President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army battalion in Omu Aran, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area in Kwara State, as part of efforts to strengthen security and combat banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. The battalion is expected to improve troop deployment and enhance military operations, particularly in communities affected by recurring attacks, including parts of Ifelodun Local Government Area. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq welcomed the approval, describing it as a demonstration of the Federal Government's commitment to addressing the state's security challenges. He said the new military formation would bolster ongoing counterterrorism and anti-kidnapping operations, while commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies for their support. The governor also noted that coordinated operations are ongoing to rescue kidnapped victims and dislodge criminal elements from forests across the state. | INSECURITY; KWARA STATE | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21ST JULY 2026 | State Police: House Committee Adopts Senate Version of Bill, Signals Swift Passage | The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review has begun clause-by-clause consideration of President Bola Tinubu's Executive Bill seeking to establish state police, using the Senate-approved version as its working document. Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the House would review the Senate's amendments and adopt them where appropriate, noting that the bill is largely similar to earlier drafts already considered by the National Assembly. Kalu explained that the House rescinded its previously approved state police amendment bill after President Tinubu submitted the Executive Bill, allowing lawmakers to consider the presidential proposal instead. He said the legislation introduces provisions on interpretation, transitional arrangements and other consequential amendments, alongside additional clauses inserted by the Senate. Describing the bill as one of President Tinubu's flagship constitutional reforms, Kalu said both chambers of the National Assembly are working closely to expedite its passage. The Executive Bill seeks to amend the Constitution to establish a multi-tier policing system that would allow states to operate their own police services alongside the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country. | STATE POLICE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 21ST JULY 2026 | President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Makes 26 Fresh Appointments, Names Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose REA Chairman | President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of 26 individuals to the boards and management of 10 federal agencies and commissions, with immediate effect. Among the key appointments, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose was named Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board, while Major General Junaid Bindawa was appointed Chairman of the National Salary and Wages Commission. Other appointments include Dr Abuh Mohammed as Director-General of the National Population Commission, Dr Akinola Odeyemi as Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET), Dr Anthony Inalegwu Godwin as Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Julius Oloro as CEO of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), and Tosin Johnson Adeyanju as Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission. President Tinubu also reconstituted the Fiscal Responsibility Commission and made new appointments to the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education and the Federal Housing Authority. Meanwhile, a leadership dispute has emerged at the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), where outgoing Executive Secretary Dr Dakorinama Alabo George has reportedly refused to vacate office despite the President's appointment of Abdulrazak Namdas as his replacement. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga maintained that Namdas remains the legitimate Executive Secretary of the agency. | PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINIUBU; APPOINTMENTS | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 21ST JULY 2026 | Kwankwaso confirms single-term pact with Obi, queries APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket | Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has confirmed that he and the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, signed a written agreement committing Obi to serve only one four-year term if elected president in 2027. Kwankwaso said the agreement, which also commits both leaders to work together until 2031 before power returns to the North, was signed both by the party and personally between him and Obi. He said the arrangement reflects fairness, national balance and inclusiveness, adding that he trusts Obi to honour the pledge. Kwankwaso also dismissed concerns over the NDC's legal challenges, expressing confidence that the party will participate in the 2027 general election. He defended religious balancing in Nigeria's politics, arguing that while same-faith tickets are not inherently wrong, political parties should consider the country's diversity. He criticised President Bola Tinubu's decision to retain a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2027 election, saying there is still time before the substitution deadline to adopt a more balanced ticket. Separately, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar blamed Nigeria's economic hardship on policies that prioritised consumption and imports over production. He proposed an economic agenda centred on agriculture, manufacturing, industrialisation and infrastructure, promising to support local production, stabilise the naira, improve security and reduce the cost of doing business if elected. Meanwhile, the Presidency accused Peter Obi of fostering what it described as a "political extremist" movement. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala argued that Obi was not a political threat to President Tinubu but alleged that the former Anambra governor had failed to take responsibility for the conduct of some of his supporters. | PETER OBI; RABIU KWANKWASO; NDC; APC | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 21ST JULY 2026 | PFIPC Scandal: Investigation Intensifies as Gbajabiamila Appears Before ICPC, Reps Summon Key Agencies Over Operations, Funding | The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has questioned President Bola Tinubu's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), while the House of Representatives expanded its investigation into the agency's operations. Gbajabiamila appeared before the anti-graft agency following allegations by the self-proclaimed PFIPC Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed he paid N400 million to secure his appointment and that Gbajabiamila demanded 48 per cent of the agency's proposed N27.3 billion take-off grant. Gbajabiamila denied the allegations, filed a N15 billion defamation suit against Adeyemi, and his lawyer said he fully cooperated with investigators. Separately, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, admitted before lawmakers that her office failed to adequately verify documents submitted by PFIPC officials before approving its staff establishment, but insisted her office neither established the council nor deployed civil servants to it. The House committee questioned how the council, which officials say was never legally established, appeared in the 2026 Appropriation Act, occupied office space in the Federal Secretariat and obtained Central Bank accounts. It subsequently summoned the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, the Accountant-General, the Budget Office, the Federal Character Commission and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to explain their roles. The Central Bank of Nigeria told the committee it opened two foreign currency accounts for the PFIPC on the instruction of the Office of the Accountant-General but said the accounts were never funded or used. Meanwhile, Adeyemi claimed he personally lobbied the Budget Office to include the council in the 2026 budget, denied paying Budget Office officials and maintained he never met Gbajabiamila directly, alleging that a late associate handled all interactions on his behalf. | PFIPC SCANDAL | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 21ST JULY 2026 | APC Begins Upload of Candidates to INEC Portal Amid Protests Over Alleged Substitutions | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun uploading its governorship and State House of Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the August 8 deadline. The party is expected to upload details of 28 governorship candidates and 993 House of Assembly candidates after a vetting committee reviewed nomination forms and appeal committee reports. All incumbent governors seeking re-election have been cleared for upload alongside nine first-time governorship candidates, while some House of Assembly nominations are still being finalised. The exercise has, however, been overshadowed by protests over alleged candidate substitutions in several states, particularly Ondo and Kwara. In Ondo, party stakeholders protested plans to replace the winner of the Akoko South-West Constituency I primary, while in Kwara, aggrieved APC stakeholders continued to reject the outcome of the primaries, accusing the state leadership of imposing candidates. The party maintains that its reconciliation committee is still addressing grievances before the nomination process is concluded. In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia consolidated his influence within the APC after his loyalists secured 24 of the state's 37 House of Assembly tickets, while supporters of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, secured 13. The development reflects the continuing power struggle between the two factions despite ongoing efforts by the party's national leadership to resolve disputes arising from the primaries. | APC; CANDIDATES UPLOAD; INEC PORTAL; CANDIDATES SUBSTITUTION | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21ST JULY 2026 | APC Moves to End Anambra Leadership Dispute, Inaugurates Reconciliation Committee | The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a five-member committee to investigate the leadership crisis in its Anambra State chapter and reconcile aggrieved members. Announcing the decision after an emergency meeting in Abuja, APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Benjamin Nwoye, said the panel would identify the causes of the dispute, engage stakeholders in Abuja and Awka, and recommend measures to restore unity ahead of future elections. He also urged members to utilise the party's internal dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting to litigation. Nwoye disclosed that the APC had challenged a court order linked to the dispute and that its enforcement had been stayed. He warned that members who fail to exhaust the party's internal grievance procedures before approaching the courts risk sanctions, including the loss of party membership. He also said the party had engaged security agencies in Anambra to safeguard its assets and ensure peace during the reconciliation process. The intervention follows months of internal divisions arising from the APC's 2027 primary elections, with aggrieved aspirants alleging irregularities in the nomination process. The crisis led to legal disputes, disciplinary actions against some members, conflicting claims over party leadership and candidate lists, and the expulsion of several party officials, prompting the national leadership to step in after earlier reconciliation efforts by the state chapter failed. | APC LEADERSHIP CRISIS; ANAMBRA STATE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21ST JULY 2026 | Lawmaker Proposes GCON Honours for Military Chiefs Over Recent Security Gains Amid Persistent Nationwide Insecurity | Deputy House of Representatives spokesperson, Philip Agbese, has called on President Bola Tinubu to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Nigeria's top military commanders in recognition of recent security achievements. Speaking at the State of Affairs gathering in Abuja, Agbese said the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State and the foiling of a planned mass abduction at the Federal Government Girls College in Monguno, Borno State, demonstrated the growing effectiveness of the country's security leadership. The lawmaker praised the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and other service chiefs for what he described as improved operational coordination and professionalism. He said recognising their efforts with national honours would boost morale within the armed forces, strengthen public confidence in security institutions and encourage continued success in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other security threats. Agbese also urged the federal government to sustain investment in military equipment, intelligence gathering and personnel welfare to consolidate recent security gains. He described the proposed GCON awards as a fitting recognition of the sacrifices made by the nation's military leadership in protecting lives and safeguarding communities. | INSECURITY | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21ST JULY 2026 | Delta North: Court Strikes Out Senator Ned Nwoko's Suit Challenging Okowa's APC Senatorial Candidacy | The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by Senator Ned Nwoko seeking to nullify the emergence of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Delta North Senatorial District. Justice Mohammed Umar held that the suit was fundamentally defective because it was initiated through an attorney rather than personally by Nwoko, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act governing pre-election matters. The court ruled that the right to challenge the outcome of a party primary is a personal statutory right that can only be exercised directly by the aggrieved aspirant and cannot be delegated to an attorney or representative. It also rejected Nwoko's application to amend the originating summons, holding that an amendment could not cure a suit that was incompetent from the outset. Consequently, the judge dismissed the amendment application and struck out the substantive suit for want of jurisdiction, leaving Okowa's emergence as the APC candidate for Delta North unaffected. | SENATOR NED NWOKO; IFEANYI OKOWA; SENATORIAL CANDIDACY | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 21ST JULY 2026 | Terrorism: Two Ansaru Commanders Plead Guilty to 32 Charges, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment | The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two suspected senior Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to 32 terrorism-related charges. The defendants, identified as the group's alleged leader and deputy leader, changed their earlier not-guilty pleas, admitting offences including terrorism, terrorism financing, kidnapping for ransom, illegal mining, manufacturing improvised explosive devices and maintaining links with Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups operating across the Sahel. After accepting the guilty pleas, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted both men on all 32 counts. While the defence pleaded for leniency, citing the defendants' health conditions, family responsibilities and claims that they were coerced into joining the terrorist group, the court imposed life imprisonment on two counts and additional prison terms on the remaining offences. The two men were arrested in a multi-agency intelligence operation conducted between May and July 2025. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had described their capture as a major breakthrough against Ansaru, an Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group responsible for several attacks and kidnappings across Nigeria. | TERRORISM | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 21ST JULY 2026 | Andy Burnham Succeeds Starmer, Takes Office as UK Prime Minister | Andy Burnham has officially become the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer after winning the Labour Party leadership and being invited by King Charles III to form a new government. The transition followed Starmer's formal resignation at Buckingham Palace and did not require a general election, as Labour retains its parliamentary majority. A former Mayor of Greater Manchester and one of Labour's most experienced politicians, Burnham has pledged to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, improve public services, drive regional development and bring fresh leadership to government. Supporters say his experience in local and national politics positions him well to address the UK's economic and political challenges, while critics argue that the public should have had the opportunity to choose a new prime minister through a general election. Under the UK's parliamentary system, the leader of the governing party can become prime minister without a general election if the party continues to command a majority in the House of Commons. Burnham has since begun appointing his cabinet and outlining the priorities of his new administration. | UNITED KINGDOM | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 20TH JULY 2026 | State Police: National Assembly Prioritises Constitutional Amendment Bill, Cites Worsening Insecurity | Senior senators have defended the National Assembly’s decision to prioritise constitutional amendments on the establishment of state police, arguing that Nigeria’s worsening security situation makes the proposal an urgent national priority. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Minority Leader Abba Moro, Senate Committee on Army Chairman Ali Ndume, and Senator Anthony Ani said the Constitution Review Committee had deliberately fast-tracked the state police proposal while assuring Nigerians that other constitutional amendment bills remain under consideration. The lawmakers stressed that the amendment process had been segmented to ensure critical reforms are not delayed by the broader constitutional review. They maintained that other proposals—including affirmative action for women, diaspora voting, electronic transmission of election results, local government autonomy, and independent candidacy would be considered in subsequent phases of the review. | STATE POLICE BILL | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 20TH JULY 2026 | NBA Leadership: Badejo-Okusanya SAN Emerges 33rd President Amid Allegations of E-Voting Irregularities | Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Badejo-Okusanya has been elected the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), polling 12,317 votes (47.18%) to defeat fellow SANs Tobenna Erojikwe Akangbe and Olumuyiwa Akinboro in the association's electronic election. In her acceptance message, she thanked lawyers for their support, pledged inclusive leadership, improved welfare for members, and promised to lead with integrity, accountability, and fairness. She will become only the second woman to lead the 66-year-old association when she is sworn in at the NBA Annual General Conference in August. However, the election has been overshadowed by controversy after runner-up Akangbe rejected the outcome, describing the poll as "shambolic" and alleging widespread technical failures, voter suppression, breaches of voting guidelines, and possible multiple voting. He has demanded an independent forensic audit of the electronic voting platform and said he is considering further action. Meanwhile, outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe defended the process, attributing disruptions to a coordinated cyberattack and calling on members to unite while the Electoral Committee reviews lessons from the election. | NBA PRESIDENT ELECT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 20TH JULY 2026 | Osun 2026: Deji Adeleke Blames Polling Unit Officials, Not INEC, for Electoral Fraud | The President of Adeleke University, Dr Deji Adeleke, has argued that the credibility of Nigeria's elections depends more on the integrity of polling unit officials than on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Speaking at the university's convocation ceremony in Osun State, he said meaningful electoral reforms would remain elusive unless ad hoc officials, including NYSC members and security personnel deployed for elections, carried out their responsibilities honestly. Adeleke alleged that some election officials compromise the process by accepting bribes to alter results, stressing that it is unrealistic to hold the INEC Chairman solely responsible when the commission cannot directly supervise thousands of polling units nationwide. Using the forthcoming Osun governorship election with its 3,763 polling units, as an example, he called on young Nigerians to uphold integrity and warned that electoral malpractice would continue to undermine Nigeria's democratic development unless those involved changed their conduct. | OSUN 2026 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 20TH JULY 2026 | APC Crisis Deepens in Niger as Primary Disputes Trigger Defections Ahead of 2027 | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State is facing deepening internal divisions following its 2027 primary elections, with allegations that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago imposed candidates and sidelined key stakeholders. The fallout has led to defections by aggrieved party members and the formation of the Niger Rescue Movement (NRM), a political group led by former governor Abubakar Sani Bello's loyalists, which has endorsed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 elections. The crisis has also resulted in petitions, legal challenges, and public rejection of some primary outcomes by aspirants, while Governor Bago himself alleged that the final list of candidates submitted by the state was altered at the party's national headquarters. Although the governor has begun reconciliation meetings with party stakeholders and unsuccessful aspirants to heal post-primary divisions, the dispute has intensified concerns over the APC's unity and electoral prospects in Niger State ahead of the 2027 general elections. | APC CRISIS; NIGER STATE; DEFECTIONS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 20TH JULY 2026 | Ogun 2027: PDP Governorship Candidate Adebutu Accuses Governors of Diverting LG Allocations | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Oladipupo Adebutu, has alleged that governors across political parties are misappropriating local government allocations, describing the practice as widespread. Speaking during a meeting with the Egba Traditional Council in Abeokuta, Adebutu pledged that, if elected, his administration would grant full financial autonomy to local governments to enable them to drive grassroots development and improve service delivery. Adebutu also promised to prioritise road infrastructure, electricity, and economic development through greater private sector participation. He claimed to have donated more than 600 electricity transformers to communities across Ogun State and argued that improved power supply would boost incomes and reduce energy costs. During the visit, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, publicly endorsed Adebutu, describing him as trustworthy and reliable ahead of the 2027 governorship election. | DIVERSION OF LG ALLOCATIONS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 20TH JULY 2026 | 2027: Political Parties Race to Upload Candidates Ahead of INEC's August 8 Deadline | The APC, PDP and Labour Party have expressed confidence that they will meet INEC's 8 August deadline for uploading the names of their governorship and State House of Assembly candidates to the commission's Candidate Nomination Portal. While the APC has already begun uploading candidates' details through its ICT department, the PDP and LP said they have received their access codes and put adequate arrangements in place to complete the exercise within the stipulated timeframe. | INEC; POLITICAL PARTIES; CANDIDATES UPLAOD | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 20TH JULY 2026 | APC Primaries: Oyo Aspirants Agree to Tinubu-Led Reconciliation Over Primary Grievances | Aggrieved governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have agreed to honour any invitation from President Bola Tinubu aimed at resolving grievances arising from the party’s recently concluded governorship primary election. The resolution followed separate meetings with the Oyo APC Governorship Primaries Reconciliation Committee, where the aspirants raised concerns about the conduct and outcome of the primary while reaffirming their commitment to the party. The reconciliation committee said it would continue consultations with other stakeholders and convey the aspirants’ concerns to the APC leadership, including President Tinubu, to facilitate an amicable resolution. The panel expressed confidence that the ongoing reconciliation process would strengthen unity within the Oyo State APC ahead of future political activities. | APC PRIMARIES; OYO STATE | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 20TH JULY 2026 | ADC Defends Malami, Alleges Political Persecution Ahead of 2027 | The Kebbi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its support behind former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), describing his ongoing prosecution as politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party, in a communiqué issued after its state leadership meeting, alleged that the APC-led Federal Government was using anti-graft agencies and sections of the judiciary to intimidate opposition figures while insisting that Malami's legal challenges would not derail its plans to challenge the ruling party. The ADC maintained that it supports lawful investigations but condemned what it described as the selective and politically driven use of state institutions. It further alleged that Malami's arrest, detention, and prosecution were orchestrated to achieve a predetermined political outcome, questioning his continued detention over a bailable offence and claiming that searches of his properties and valuations of his assets were intended to damage his reputation. | ABUBAKAR MALAMI; ADC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 20TH JULY 2026 | ICPC Arraigns El-Rufai’s Doctor Over Alleged Forged Medical Report Used in Bail Application | The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Bello Abubakar, a consultant oncologist at the National Hospital, Abuja, on a four-count charge over an alleged forged medical report used to support former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s application for bail on health grounds. The commission alleges that the June 10, 2026 medical report contained false information, was not authorised by the National Hospital, and was intended to mislead the Kaduna State High Court during El-Rufai’s bail proceedings. According to the ICPC, the National Hospital’s management has denied authorising the report and said its records showed no evidence that El-Rufai was a registered patient at the time the document was issued. The hospital’s Chief Medical Director is expected to testify that the report was prepared without the required medical examination or institutional approval. However, Abubakar maintains that he had treated El-Rufai for years, including while the former governor was in ICPC custody, though many consultations were not formally documented. The case forms part of broader corruption prosecutions against El-Rufai, who has denied all allegations. | ALLEGED FORGERY; NASIR EL RUFAI | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 20TH JULY 2026 | Journalists Face Death Threats as Press Freedom Deteriorates in Eastern DR Congo Amid Ongoing Conflict | Journalists covering the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are facing escalating threats, intimidation, and violence as fighting intensifies between government forces, allied Wazalendo militias, and the Rwanda-backed M23/AFC rebels. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), shifting frontlines, drone strikes, and hostility from armed groups have forced many reporters to flee, while those who remain continue to work under constant fear. Radio Tuungane journalist Anne Nanduhura said she received multiple death threats in June after reporting on government drone strikes and the humanitarian blockade in South Kivu's Minembwe commune. Similarly, Radio Faraja director Zachee Kalume has gone into hiding after receiving repeated threats from a Wazalendo militia leader, who allegedly threatened to burn down his station over its reporting. CPJ warned that journalists in the region are increasingly being targeted by all sides of the conflict, highlighting the growing dangers facing the press in eastern DRC. | DR CONGO | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| VANGUARD THE GUARDIAN | 15TH JULY 2026 | State Police: President Tinubu Transmits Constitutional Amendment Bill to House as Reps Rescind Earlier Version | The House of Representatives has rescinded its earlier version of the constitutional amendment bill on State Police to pave the way for consideration of a fresh Executive Bill transmitted by President Bola Tinubu. The decision followed the reading of a presidential communication in which Tinubu forwarded the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026 to the House. The President said the proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of State Police Services and a dual federal-state policing system. He noted that the Executive Bill builds on previous work by the National Assembly while introducing additional safeguards to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture and address evolving security challenges. Following the communication, lawmakers adopted a motion to rescind the House's earlier resolution passed on June 11, 2026, and dissolved the 12-member conference committee constituted to harmonise differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The move effectively halts work on the earlier proposal and clears the way for lawmakers to consider the Executive Bill. If approved by the National Assembly and endorsed by the required number of State Houses of Assembly, the constitutional amendment will provide the legal basis for the establishment of State Police Services in Nigeria. The proposal is expected to revive national debate, with supporters arguing it will improve security and policing efficiency, while critics have raised concerns about the potential misuse of state police by state governments. | STATE POLICE BILL | VANGUARD THE GUARDIAN | |||
| VANGUARD | 15TH JULY 2026 | NASS Open Week: PLAC Calls for Stronger Legislative Oversight, Greater Transparency | The Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has called on the National Assembly to strengthen legislative oversight, improve transparency and deepen citizen participation as the 2026 National Assembly Open Week commenced in Abuja. Speaking at the event themed "Three Years of the 10th National Assembly: Advancing Transparency, Inclusion and Reform," Nwankwo acknowledged the legislature's progress in constitutional review, legislative modernisation, electoral reforms, digital innovation and citizen engagement. However, he stressed that Nigerians expect the National Assembly to more effectively scrutinise executive actions, safeguard public resources and uphold government accountability. Nwankwo urged lawmakers to conclude the ongoing constitutional amendment process, pass the Special Seats Bill for Women, strengthen electoral laws, expand the inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups, and enhance evidence-based legislative oversight before the end of the 10th Assembly's tenure. He reaffirmed PLAC's commitment to supporting parliamentary reforms through research, policy analysis, legislative drafting, technical assistance and digital tools aimed at improving public access to legislative information. Also at the event, the National Assembly Library launched a Mobile App designed to improve citizens' access to parliamentary information. The application will enable users to track bills in real time, access digital publications, search the library catalogue, register before visiting the library, connect with lawmakers and receive live updates on legislative activities. Representing President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila also emphasised that transparency, inclusion and accountability are essential to strengthening public trust in the legislature and Nigeria's democracy. | NASS OPEN WEEK 2026 | VANGUARD | |||
| ARISE NEWS | 15TH JULY 2026 | PFIPC: Police Arrest Alleged Fake Agency DG Adeniyi Adeyemi After Court Issues Bench Warrant | The Nigeria Police have arrested the self-acclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear for arraignment. Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi's arrest after he failed to appear in court to answer an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation. The Federal Government is prosecuting him for allegedly operating the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Although Adeyemi's lawyer argued that his client stayed away from court because he feared for his life and had written to President Bola Tinubu on the matter, the court granted the prosecution's oral application for his arrest and adjourned the case until September 30 for arraignment. Following the court order, operatives of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) reportedly arrested Adeyemi in Osun State. The arrest was confirmed by police sources and corroborated by a video that surfaced shortly after the bench warrant was issued. According to the charge, Adeyemi allegedly operated the fictitious agency from the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja and, alongside two other suspects still at large, forged several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter, State House letterheads, documents approving the establishment of the PFIPC, requests for office space and staff accounts, and letters seeking collaboration with a federal ministry. He is also accused of falsely presenting himself as the Director-General of the agency. | PFIPC; ALLEGED FAKE AGENCY | ARISE NEWS | |||
| THIS DAY | 15TH JULY 2026 | Oyo School Abduction: Senate Commends Rescue as SGF Accuses Makinde of Politicising Incident | The Senate has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Armed Forces for the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while urging the Federal Government to intensify military operations against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits across the country. During plenary, the Senate adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and co-sponsored by 108 senators, praising the military's intelligence-led operation that secured the release of the victims after 56–57 days in captivity. Lawmakers also called for the prompt payment of death benefits, pensions and insurance claims to the families of security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation, as well as improved welfare, equipment and training for the Armed Forces. Bamidele described the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire as a direct attack on children's right to education and noted that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, while several others were neutralised. He also disclosed that three security personnel—Lieutenant F. A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome—were killed during the rescue mission, while Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain sustained injuries. He further revealed that two abducted teachers died while in captivity. Other senators commended the rescue but called for continued efforts to free children still held captive in other parts of the country. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the government to provide psychological support and rehabilitation for the rescued victims, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction, arguing that it undermined Nigeria's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, criticised Governor Makinde for allegedly politicising the abduction by complaining that President Tinubu did not call him after the incident. Akume argued that the administration prioritised the successful rescue of the victims through intelligence-driven security operations rather than public gestures, describing Tinubu as a leader focused on results. Also, the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, announced the discharge of 31 of the 39 rescued pupils after certifying them medically fit. The remaining eight pupils are still receiving treatment, including one child diagnosed with a previously undetected congenital heart defect. Hospital authorities said the remaining children would continue to receive medical care and psychological support until fully recovered. | ORIRE ABDUCTIONS; OYO STATE | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 15TH JULY 2026 | 2027 Elections: Three Political Parties Miss INEC Deadline to Upload Presidential Candidates as ADC Faces Fresh Crisis | With the extended deadline for political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 general elections closing on Tuesday, only three political parties were yet to upload the names of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, according to an INEC official. The affected parties are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP). INEC said virtually all other registered political parties had successfully submitted their candidates before the deadline, which had earlier been extended following requests from political parties. Major parties including the APC, ADC and NDC successfully uploaded their presidential tickets, although INEC sources disclosed that some parties submitted only the names of their presidential candidates without running mates. Confusion also persisted in some states over the identities of National Assembly candidates uploaded to the portal. Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounded the ADC's candidate submissions following the Court of Appeal ruling restraining INEC from recognising congresses conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership. However, as of Tuesday, INEC's portal still recognised David Mark as the party's National Chairman, and the ADC confirmed it had successfully uploaded the names of Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The ADC also called for the arrest and prosecution of former Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala Gombe after INEC dismissed as forged his claim that he had obtained the commission's access code and uploaded candidates on the party's behalf. Separately, the fate of the Accord Party's presidential ticket remains before the courts, as aspirant Olawepo Gbenga-Hashim seeks an order compelling the party to recognise him as its lawful presidential candidate or conduct a fresh primary. | INEC DEADLINE; POLITICAL PARTIES; ADC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 15TH JULY 2026 | Appeal Court Reserves Judgment in Case Challenging Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Political Parties | The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in appeals challenging the Federal High Court's decision ordering the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over their alleged failure to meet constitutional electoral performance requirements. A three-member panel led by Justice Abba Mohammed fixed the matter for judgment after parties adopted their final written arguments. While the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) are seeking to overturn the Federal High Court's ruling, the ADC is not among the appellants. The development follows the Court of Appeal's earlier decision to stay the execution of the lower court's judgment and criticise Justice Peter Lifu for proceeding with the case despite an appellate court order directing him to halt proceedings. The appellate court described the judge's conduct as a disregard for judicial hierarchy. The Federal High Court had directed INEC to deregister the five parties, restrain the commission from recognising them or accepting their candidates for the 2027 general elections, and ordered them to cease operating as registered political parties. The ruling was based on a suit filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which argued that the parties failed to satisfy the constitutional thresholds for retaining registration, including electoral performance requirements under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, supported the suit, arguing that the continued recognition of the affected parties undermines Nigeria's constitutional provisions and electoral integrity. | COURT OF APPEAL; POLITICAL PARTIES | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 15TH JULY 2026 | Bauchi APC Suffers Fresh Wave of Defections as Deputy Chairman Leads Mass Defection to PRP | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State has suffered another wave of defections as its Deputy State Chairman, Ibrahim Makama Misau, alongside local government and ward executives in Misau Local Government Area, defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). The defectors, led by Misau, a former member of the House of Representatives, attributed their exit to the alleged imposition of unpopular candidates, lack of internal democracy, poor leadership and the neglect of grassroots members within the APC. They pledged support for the PRP's 2027 governorship candidate, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, describing their defection as a "political awakening" aimed at promoting justice, fairness and inclusive leadership in Bauchi State. Misau Local Government is the political base of the APC leader in the state and Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate. Welcoming the defectors, Senator Shehu Buba Umar assured them of equal opportunities and active participation within the PRP. The Bauchi APC leadership had yet to respond to the development at the time of reporting. | DEFECTIONS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 15TH JULY 2026 | APC Primaries: Alia, Aiyedatiwa Lose Out as Preferred National Assembly Candidates Miss Tickets | Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa have suffered political setbacks after all their preferred candidates reportedly failed to secure APC National Assembly tickets for the 2027 general elections. Following the conclusion of candidate uploads to the INEC nomination portal by the APC National Working Committee (NWC), none of the aspirants backed by either governor made the final list. The development has reportedly prompted both governors to seek alternative political arrangements for their loyalists, while protests have broken out in Ondo State's Ilaje Local Government Area over the NWC's decision to uphold the candidacy of House of Representatives member Donald Ojogo. Meanwhile, former APC governorship candidate in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, accepted the outcome of the Edo South Senatorial primary, urging his supporters to unite behind the party and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. He described the primary as the conclusion of the party's democratic process and reaffirmed his commitment to the APC despite losing the ticket. | APC PRIMARIES; NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 15TH JULY 2026 | Ekiti Decides 2026: ADC Foregoes Legal Challenge, Accepts Oyebanji's Victory | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its governorship candidate in the June 20 Ekiti State election, Ambassador Dare Bejide, have decided not to challenge Governor Biodun Oyebanji's victory at the Election Petition Tribunal. Despite finishing third with 12,872 votes, the party said it would not pursue litigation after the 21-day deadline for filing election petitions elapsed. ADC Publicity Secretary, Gboyega Aribisogan, stated that although the party had reservations about aspects of the electoral process, it chose constructive engagement over prolonged legal action. He added that the party would instead focus on reconciliation, grassroots mobilisation and strengthening its structures across Ekiti State's 177 wards. | EKITI DECIDES 2026 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 15TH JULY 2026 | Insecurity: Abducted Oyo School Headmaster Regains Freedom After Security Operation | The headmaster of Nomadic Basic School, Igbojaye, in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Matthew Owoade, has regained his freedom barely two days after he was abducted by gunmen, following a coordinated security operation by the police and other security agencies. The Oyo State Police Command said sustained operational pressure mounted on the kidnappers forced them to abandon the victim on the evening of July 13, 2026. Owoade has since been taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment and will be debriefed as investigations continue to identify and prosecute those responsible for the abduction. The police commended the support of other security agencies, community members and residents during the rescue effort, while reaffirming their commitment to intensifying operations against criminal groups across the state. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the release of 44 abducted pupils and teachers from schools in neighbouring Oriire Local Government Area, highlighting ongoing security concerns in Oyo State despite recent rescue operations. | INSECURITY; OYO STATE | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THIS DAY | 14TH JULY 2026 | Osun 2026: Adeleke Calls for Visa Ban, Sanctions Against Oyetola, APC Leaders Over Alleged Political Violence Ahead of Poll | Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for economic sanctions and visa bans against former governor and Blue Economy Minister Gboyega Oyetola, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Bola Oyebamiji, Hon. Wole Oke, and other APC leaders, accusing them of sponsoring political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Speaking during a meeting with a British diplomatic delegation, Adeleke alleged that their supporters were responsible for killings and attacks during the campaign period and urged security agencies to arrest anyone involved, regardless of political affiliation. He also advocated sanctions against security officials found to be aiding electoral violence. The British delegation said it was in Osun to support peaceful, credible and transparent elections through stakeholder engagement. | OSUN 2026 | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 14TH JULY 2026 | ADC Crisis: Party Faces Fresh Legal Battle After Appeal Court Declares Congresses Invalid | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeal upheld a Federal High Court judgment restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising state congresses conducted by the David Mark-led caretaker leadership. The appellate court ruled that only the party's duly elected state executive committees have the constitutional authority to conduct state congresses, affirming that the caretaker committee acted outside its powers. It also declared the congresses and the subsequent national convention conducted by the caretaker leadership invalid and awarded ₦10 million costs against the ADC. While a dissenting judge argued that the dispute was an internal party matter beyond the courts' jurisdiction, the majority held that allegations of constitutional violations justified judicial intervention. In response, the ADC described the judgment as legally unsustainable and said it had already commenced the appeal process. Atiku also directed his legal team to seek a final determination at the Supreme Court, urging supporters to remain calm and insisting the party's political mission remains intact. The ADC maintained that the ruling does not affect candidates who emerged through its direct primaries, while INEC said it would await the Certified True Copy of the judgment before deciding its next course of action. Political analysts expressed mixed views. Some warned that the ruling could disrupt the ADC's preparations for the 2027 elections and deepen political tensions, while others argued that it reinforces internal party democracy and adherence to constitutional procedures. | ADC; CONGRESSES | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 14TH JULY 2026 | PFIPC Scandal: Adeniyi Rejects ICPC Probe, Demands Independent Investigation | The self-proclaimed Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Prince Ademola Adeniyi, has dismissed the ongoing ICPC investigation into the controversy surrounding the council, arguing that the anti-graft agency cannot impartially investigate government officials. Speaking on Channels Television, Adeniyi called for an independent panel of inquiry, claiming the Presidency had already cleared Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila. Adeniyi is scheduled to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja. | PFIPC; FAKE AGENCY SCANDAL | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 14TH JULY 2026 | 2027: APM Positions Makinde as Tinubu's Main Rival, Says He Offers Nigerians a Credible Alternative | The Allied People's Movement (APM) has confirmed the submission of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's nomination to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, expressing confidence that he represents a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu. The party also said it had uploaded the details of its vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates and was intensifying grassroots mobilisation nationwide. The APM criticised the Tinubu administration over insecurity, economic hardship and the rising cost of living, while highlighting Makinde's leadership credentials. It also announced Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as its senatorial candidate. Meanwhile, Minister of Works David Umahi dismissed the opposition's chances in 2027, arguing that President Tinubu's extensive infrastructure projects, including the Calabar–Abuja Superhighway and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, demonstrate achievements that no opposition candidate can match. | APM; GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE; OYO STATE | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THIS DAY | 14TH JULY 2026 | Alleged Forgery: ICPC Arraigns Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji on Six-Count Corruption Charges | Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, corruption, forgery, and the use of false documents. Nnaji pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court granted him bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety and adjourned the case until September 21 for the commencement of trial. The ICPC alleges that Nnaji unlawfully received ₦29.58 million in salaries and allowances while serving as minister, abused his office for personal gain, and submitted forged NYSC and University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificates during his ministerial appointment process. The commission also accused him of knowingly using the allegedly forged documents as genuine. Meanwhile, members of the NGO Global Gender Safety and Moral Development gathered at the court, calling for accountability and urging authorities to prosecute the case without fear or favour. | CORRUPTION; ALLEGED FORGERY | THIS DAY | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 14TH JULY 2026 | Call to Bar: 6,000 New Lawyers Called to Nigerian Bar, Urged to Uphold Integrity and Professional Ethics | The Body of Benchers has admitted over 6,000 new lawyers to the Nigerian Bar during the 2026 Call-to-the-Bar ceremonies held from Tuesday, 7 July to Friday, 10 July, in Abuja. The new lawyers successfully completed the Nigerian Law School programme and passed the December 2025 Bar Final Examinations, with 212 candidates graduating with First Class honours. During the ceremonies, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Olugbemisola Odusote, urged the new lawyers to uphold integrity, professionalism, excellence and service to humanity. The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Albert Akpomudje (SAN), also charged them to maintain high ethical standards, seek mentorship from experienced practitioners, and refrain from unethical practices, including the premature use of legal regalia and the use of "Barrister" as a prefix before their names. The annual Call-to-the-Bar marks the final stage of legal training in Nigeria before successful candidates are enrolled at the Supreme Court as legal practitioners. | CALL TO BAR | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| BBC | 14TH JULY 2026 | Oyo School Abduction: Military Announces Rescue of 44 Pupils, Teachers After Two Months in Captivity | The 44 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State have reportedly been rescued by the Nigerian military after spending nearly two months in captivity. The military also said some of the suspected kidnappers had been arrested, although several soldiers were killed during the rescue operation. According to the military, the victims are receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will be reunited with their families after recovery. It said the month-long operation involved the Nigerian Army, Police, intelligence agencies and local vigilante groups, who dismantled the kidnappers' support network, including informants and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park forest. The military added that further operations are underway to apprehend other suspects still at large. The victims were abducted on 15 May 2026 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School and Community Grammar School in Osiire District, Oyo State. While authorities have not disclosed their ages, the schools cater to children between approximately two and 18 years old. Families of the victims described the ordeal as traumatic but expressed relief at the reported rescue. Prof. Wole Alamu, whose wife, the headteacher of Community Grammar School, was among those abducted, said the family endured weeks of anxiety, particularly after videos of the captives were released by their abductors. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State welcomed the development but called on the government to fully implement the Safe School Initiative, urging stronger school security measures, including the deployment of security personnel, CCTV surveillance, perimeter fencing, regular patrols and collaboration with local security groups. The abduction drew widespread concern because it occurred in south-west Nigeria, where large-scale school kidnappings are less common than in the country's north. The incident has also renewed concerns over rising insecurity ahead of the 2027 general elections, with fresh calls for improved protection of schools and greater accountability in the implementation of the Safe School Initiative. | OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTION | BBC | |||
| THIS DAY | 13TH JULY 2026 | INEC Extends 2027 Candidate Submission Deadline as APC Questions Opposition's Readiness | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections from 11 July to 14 July 2026, following an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). INEC said the extension was intended to promote inclusivity and allow parties that had not completed the nomination process to upload their candidates' details. Reacting to the decision, the APC said it had already submitted all 471 candidates before the original deadline and argued that the extension exposed the opposition parties' lack of preparedness for the 2027 elections. | INEC; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | THIS DAY | |||
| CHANNELS TV | 13TH JULY 2026 | 2027: APC Ends Speculation, Retains Shettima as Tinubu's Running Mate | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election, ending months of speculation over who would occupy the position on the party’s ticket. The APC formally submitted the names of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as its presidential candidates for the poll. Speaking with journalists in Abuja after receiving the nomination forms, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, expressed confidence that the APC would retain power in the 2027 general election. Shortly after the party unveiled the Tinubu-Shettima joint ticket following a stakeholders’ meeting, Vice President Shettima met with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The closed-door meeting, which took place at the President’s office, was aimed at expressing Shettima’s appreciation for being retained as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate for the election. Shettima’s visit came after months of intense speculation about who would emerge as President Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 polls. The APC’s decision to retain the Tinubu-Shettima ticket signals the party’s confidence in the same leadership pair that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election. | APC; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | CHANNELS TV | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 13TH JULY 2026 | PFIPC Scandal: Police to Arraign Self-Proclaimed DG Adeyemi Tomorrow as Pressure Mounts for Independent Probe | The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has deepened as police prepare to arraign its self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, on charges including forgery and impersonation. Civil society groups, lawmakers, religious leaders and the Presidency have called for independent investigations, greater legislative oversight and institutional reforms to address governance and budgetary lapses exposed by the saga. Amid the controversy, Senator Kawu Sumaila defended his call for a Senate probe into the agency's budget allocation, while presidential aide Tunde Rahman proposed reforms to strengthen budget integrity, appointment verification and financial oversight. | PFIPC; FAKE AGENCY SCANDAL | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 13TH JULY 2026 | Reps Reject Calls to Cancel National Assembly Open Week Amid Budget Dispute | The House of Representatives has rejected calls to cancel the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, insisting the annual transparency and public engagement programme will proceed despite recent disagreements over budget implementation. Separately, the Federal Government warned that procurement fraud would attract sanctions as the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) unveiled reforms to strengthen accountability, revealing it saved about ₦1.1 trillion in 2025 through improved procurement oversight. | NASS OPEN WEEK | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 13TH JULY 2026 | Nasarawa APC Rules Out Candidate Substitution for 2027 Assembly Election | The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has ruled out substituting any of its 24 State House of Assembly candidates, insisting the names submitted by the party's National Secretariat remain final. State Chairman Aliyu Bello said the candidates are being processed in line with the INEC timetable and expressed confidence the APC would win all 24 assembly seats. He also acknowledged post-primary grievances but urged aggrieved aspirants to support the party, promising reconciliation and future opportunities. | APC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 13TH JULY 2026 | Court Reserves Judgment in Suit Challenging Pantami's Emergence as Gombe PDP Governorship Candidate | The Federal High Court in Gombe has reserved judgment in a suit filed by Usman Aliyu Garry challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State. During proceedings, the PDP and Pantami urged the court to dismiss the suit, arguing it was incompetent and maintaining that Pantami validly resigned from the APC on May 19, 2026, before contesting the PDP governorship primary. The plaintiff, however, opposed the preliminary objections, insisting the suit is competent and supported by affidavits and documentary evidence warranting judicial determination. After hearing submissions from all parties, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed reserved judgment and said a date for the ruling would be communicated. | GOMBE STATE; PANTAMI | DAILY TRUST | |||
| CHANNELS TV | 13TH JULY 2026 | APC Sweeps Edo LG Polls, Wins All 18 Chairmanship, 192 Councillorship Seats | The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of all 18 chairmanship and 192 councillorship seats contested in Saturday's local government elections, giving the ruling party a clean sweep across the state. EDSIEC Chairman Jonathan Aifuobhokhan said the elections were conducted in line with the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law, with the processes of accreditation, voting, counting and collation completed across all 18 local government areas. While acknowledging minor operational challenges in some locations, he maintained that they did not affect the credibility or outcome of the poll, which he described as largely peaceful. The commission said certificates of return would be presented to the winners on Monday and advised aggrieved parties to challenge the results through the courts. | EDO STATE LG POLLS | CHANNELS TV | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 13TH JULY 2026 | 2027: Wike-Backed PDP Completes Upload of Presidential, NASS Candidates on INEC Portal | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says it has successfully uploaded the names of its presidential, vice-presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement follows INEC's recognition of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led leadership after a Supreme Court judgment nullified the party's previous convention. While reports indicate that Babangida Umaru has been selected as the party's vice-presidential candidate alongside presidential candidate Senator Sandy Onor, the PDP said an official announcement on the running mate would be made later, adding that the upload of governorship and State Assembly candidates is still ongoing. | WIKE-BACKED PDP; INEC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THIS DAY | 13TH JULY 2026 | US Senator Lindsey Graham, Dies at 71 | Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and one of the Senate's most influential foreign policy voices, has died at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness. Graham, who had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and worked on a Russia sanctions bill, was widely recognised for his hawkish stance on national security and unwavering support for military aid to Kyiv. Although he was an outspoken critic of Trump during the 2016 campaign and briefly distanced himself after the January 6 Capitol attack, Graham later became one of Trump's staunchest allies and backed his key policy priorities. Tributes have poured in from Trump, Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised Graham's decades-long influence on U.S. foreign policy and his support for Ukraine and Israel. | UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 10TH JULY 2026 | Osun 2026: INEC Identifies 385 Flashpoints as Adeleke Raises PVC-Buying Alarm Ahead of Poll | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 385 election flashpoints and mapped about 200 difficult terrains across Osun State as part of security preparations for the August 15 governorship election. Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola said the information had been shared with security agencies, while INEC had also conducted risk management training for its personnel and would deploy field officers across the state's local government areas to monitor security and assess risks throughout the election. Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has alleged that the APC is buying voters' cards and collecting PVC PINs to disenfranchise voters, urging residents to reject monetary inducements and safeguard their voter cards. He called on INEC to investigate the allegations, claiming the operation targeted areas with strong Accord Party support. Separately, the governor's spokesperson dismissed allegations by a federal lawmaker that he facilitated a ₦12 billion payment to the governor, describing the claims as false and demanding evidence. On the campaign trail, APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji promised traders greater inclusion in government if elected, pledging improved support for commerce, soft loans and an insurance scheme for traders. During a visit to Sabo Market in Osogbo, he donated ₦10 million to traders and assured them of policies aimed at boosting their businesses. | OSUN 2026; INEC; APC; ACCORD PARTY | THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 10TH JULY 2026 | 2027: Obi Alleges Harassment, Atiku Warns Tinubu Over Alleged Intimidation of Opposition Figures | NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has accused the Federal Government of orchestrating a sustained campaign of harassment, intimidation and political persecution against him, alleging that government institutions have subjected him to bureaucratic obstacles, surveillance and actions aimed at undermining his political activities and business interests. Through his media office, Obi warned that the government should be held responsible if any harm comes to him or his associates, describing the alleged actions as a threat to Nigeria's democracy and investor confidence. Reacting to the allegations, ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar cautioned President Bola Tinubu that "nothing must happen" to Obi, arguing that protecting opposition figures is a constitutional responsibility of the state. He said intimidation of opposition leaders weakens democracy and urged the government to respond to criticism with statesmanship rather than hostility. Atiku also maintained that Nigeria's real challenges are insecurity, poverty, hunger and corruption, not political opposition, warning that a government focused on attacking critics instead of addressing national problems risks undermining democratic governance. | 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS; PETER OBI; ATIKU ABUBAKAR | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 10TH JULY 2026 | 2027: Olawepo-Hashim Sues Accord Party, INEC, Seeks Recognition as Presidential Candidate | Accord Party presidential aspirant Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has sued the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order compelling the party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. He wants the court to direct the party to upload and submit his name to INEC, arguing that he emerged as the sole winner of the party's May 30, 2026 presidential primary but was not forwarded as the party's flag bearer. Hashim contends that the party's failure to transmit his name violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution and INEC's regulations governing candidate nominations. As an alternative relief, he is asking the court to order the Accord Party to conduct a fresh presidential primary if his name is not submitted. In his court filings, Hashim said he paid ₦50 million for the nomination form, contributed ₦7 million to the party's electronic membership drive, and that the primary election was monitored by INEC. His counsel argued that political parties are legally obligated to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC guidelines in the nomination of candidates. | ACCORD PARTY; 2027 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 10TH JULY 2026 | Adamawa: ADC Governorship Candidate Fined N3m for Illegal Campaign Posters | An Adamawa Chief Magistrate Court has fined ADC governorship candidate Ambassador Umar Suleiman (Omarana) ₦3 million for allegedly violating an executive order prohibiting the indiscriminate pasting of campaign posters on public infrastructure. The court held that the campaign posters breached the state government's environmental protection policy aimed at preventing the defacement of public property. Counsel to the ADC candidate, Bala Sanga, clarified that the proceedings were administrative rather than criminal, stressing that the court did not convict his client of any criminal offence. Reacting to the ruling, the ADC Adamawa chapter accepted the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of the judiciary's independence and its commitment to justice, fairness and the rule of l | ADAMAWA STATE; CAMPAIGN POSTERS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THIS DAY | 10TH JULY 2026 | ARISE Town Hall: Governors, Security Chiefs Back State Police, Demand Funding, Constitutional Safeguards | A broad consensus has emerged among governors, federal lawmakers, security chiefs, legal experts and international security specialists in support of the establishment of state police, with stakeholders agreeing that Nigeria's worsening insecurity has exposed the limitations of the country's centralised policing system. Speaking at the ARISE News Town Hall in Abuja, participants described state police as a necessary reform but stressed that its success depends on comprehensive constitutional amendments, adequate funding, judicial reforms, operational independence, intelligence sharing, local government autonomy and safeguards against political interference. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak described state policing as "a step in the right direction" for Nigeria, while cautioning that it must operate within a strong national framework to prevent abuse. The National Assembly disclosed that work on the constitutional amendment is at an advanced stage. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said both chambers had constituted a conference committee to harmonise the state police bill before transmitting it to state Houses of Assembly, while a federal implementation committee is already drafting amendments to the Police Act and operational guidelines. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele called for first-line charge funding to guarantee operational independence, while Governors Chukwuma Soludo, Dapo Abiodun, Peter Mbah, Caleb Mutfwang and Dauda Lawal argued that state police must be backed by judicial restructuring, improved fiscal federalism, sustainable funding, technology-driven policing, and stronger local governance. While there was broad support for decentralised policing, stakeholders also raised concerns over potential political abuse and institutional weaknesses. Defence Minister Christopher Musa warned against ethnic or religious bias in state police operations, former Chief of Defence Staff Lucky Irabor urged that state police should complement rather than compete with the federal police, while former lawmaker Nnenna Ukeje advocated strengthening the Nigeria Police before decentralisation. Former NHRC Chairman Chidi Odinkalu questioned the transparency of the ongoing constitutional amendment, and officials involved in drafting the proposed National Policing Bill assured Nigerians that independent police service commissions, oversight boards, ombudsmen and constitutional safeguards would be created to ensure accountability and prevent abuse. | ARISE TOWNHALL; STATE POLICE | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY POST | 10TH JULY 2026 | 2027: Niger PDP Presents Certificates of Return, Urges Candidates to Run Issue-Based Campaigns | The Niger State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has presented certificates of return to its candidates for the 2027 general elections, urging them to run issue-based campaigns and promote inclusive leadership. State Chairman Aliyu Halidu Mohammed called on the candidates to work closely with party executives, stakeholders, local government and ward chairmen, stressing that grassroots mobilisation, unity and discipline would be key to the party's efforts to reclaim power in the state. Former First Lady of Niger State, Senator Zainab Kure, encouraged the candidates to remain steadfast and committed despite the challenges of contesting against the ruling party. The PDP presented certificates of return to its three senatorial candidates, six House of Representatives candidates and 24 State House of Assembly candidates who emerged from the party's primaries. | NIGER STATE; PDP | DAILY POST | |||
| DAILY POST | 10TH JULY 2026 | 2027: APC Delta South Primary Dispute Deepens as Aspirant Alleges Result Manipulation | The Federal High Court in Abuja has commenced hearing in a suit challenging the outcome of the APC Delta South Senatorial primary election, with aspirant Prince Michael Diden alleging that the May 18, 2026 primary was manipulated during collation to favour Senator Joel Onowakpo. Testifying before the court, Diden described the declared results as "a daylight robbery and a rape of democracy," claiming he won the primary based on ward-by-ward results obtained from his agents but was denied victory through falsified collation results. Diden accused Senator Onowakpo, the APC and INEC of colluding to manipulate the outcome, alleging that forged results were entered at the collation centre. During cross-examination, he maintained that he had never been presented with the party's official results and insisted that video recordings of the primary would support his claims. The court adjourned the matter until July 20 for the defendants to open their defence. | APC; DELTA SOUTH SENATORIAL DSISTRICT | DAILY POST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 10TH JULY 2026 | Xenophobia: Reps Reject Diplomatic Sanctions on South Africa, Condemn Renewed Attacks | The House of Representatives has condemned the renewed wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa but rejected a proposal to immediately suspend diplomatic relations with the country. Lawmakers adopted a motion sponsored by Yusuf Gagdi, which highlighted persistent violence, unlawful arrests, extrajudicial killings and the recent deaths of two Nigerians, while calling for greater protection of Nigerians living in South Africa. During the debate, co-sponsor Billy Osawaru urged the Federal Government to suspend political, diplomatic, parliamentary and economic engagements with South Africa until concrete measures are taken to end the attacks. However, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu cautioned against taking such a step without a proper investigation, and the House rejected the proposal through a voice vote. Meanwhile, the Federal Government received the fourth batch of Nigerians voluntarily returning from South Africa, as an Air Peace evacuation flight brought 284 passengers, including 272 adults and 12 infants to Lagos. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the evacuation is part of ongoing efforts to assist Nigerians leaving South Africa following the recent xenophobic attacks. | XENOPHOBIA; SOUTH AFRICA | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PUNCH | 9TH JULY 2026 | 2027: INEC Faces Continued Legal Battles as Internal Party Divisions Weaken Opposition Ahead of General Elections | Barely four months after releasing its revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, INEC is facing six major court cases that could significantly influence the conduct of the polls. Two of the cases, filed by the Youth Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenge key provisions of the commission's revised timetable, arguing that INEC exceeded its powers by altering statutory timelines for party membership registers, primaries, candidate nominations, withdrawals and substitutions. Although the Federal High Court ruled in favour of the parties, INEC has appealed, insisting its timetable is an integrated process necessary for effective election management. The Court of Appeal is expected to determine the extent of INEC's powers under the Electoral Act. The commission is also embroiled in legal disputes over the status of political parties. A Federal High Court judgment ordering the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, Action Alliance (AA), Action People's Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) is currently before the Court of Appeal after the affected parties secured a stay of execution pending their appeals. Separately, another suit before the Federal High Court is challenging the legality of INEC's registration and recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with the outcome expected to determine whether the party remains eligible to participate in the 2027 elections. Collectively, the six cases will determine the validity of INEC's revised election timetable, clarify the commission's constitutional and statutory powers to regulate the electoral process, and decide the eligibility of several political parties to contest the 2027 elections. Despite the ongoing litigation, INEC says it will continue implementing its election timetable while awaiting the courts' decisions, even as legal experts warn that delayed judgments could disrupt election preparations, create uncertainty for political parties, and undermine public confidence in the electoral process. | 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | PUNCH | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 9TH JULY 2026 | State Police: Lagos Assembly Backs Bill, Calls for Speedy Ratification by States | The Lagos State House of Assembly has endorsed the establishment of state police, urging all 36 State Houses of Assembly to swiftly ratify the Constitution Alteration Bill to strengthen Nigeria's security architecture. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said state police would improve efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. Separately, the Northern States Governors’ Forum and traditional rulers described the constitutional amendment as a major step toward addressing insecurity, while Southwest security groups, led by Gani Adams, welcomed the reform and called for collaboration between state police and community-based security outfits. | STATE POLICE; LAGOS STATE ASSEMBLY | ||||
| THE GUARDIAN | 9TH JULY 2026 | APC Intensifies Reconciliation Efforts Across States to Strengthen Party Unity Ahead of 2027 | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified efforts to resolve internal disputes and strengthen party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. In Ondo State, party elders endorsed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as state leader and pledged support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election while launching a reconciliation initiative. Similar reconciliation committees have been inaugurated in Kwara and Oyo states to address grievances arising from party primaries and congresses, engage aggrieved members, and prevent internal divisions from affecting the party's electoral prospects in 2027. | APC; 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 9TH JULY 2026 | Fake Agency Scandal: Reps Order Probe, Senate Defers Investigation | The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion to the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) in the 2026 budget, summoning the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning and the Budget Office Director-General to explain how the provision was made. Lawmakers also ordered a review of all MDAs in recent budgets and directed that no funds be released to the agency pending the probe. While the Senate deferred its own investigation, citing the President's directive for the ICPC to investigate, opposition parties and civil society organisations rejected an executive-led probe, calling instead for an independent judicial panel to ensure transparency and public confidence. | PFIPC | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| VANGUARD | 9TH JULY 2026 | Plateau Assembly Advances Pension Bill for Former Lawmakers Amid PDP Backlash | The Plateau State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to provide pensions and retirement benefits for former Speakers, Deputy Speakers, principal officers and members of the Assembly, alongside establishing a Pension Board to manage the scheme. Sponsors say the legislation will create a transparent and structured pension system for former lawmakers. However, the Plateau PDP has strongly opposed the proposal, describing it as self-serving and insensitive amid the state's security and economic challenges, and has called on lawmakers to withdraw the bill while urging citizens and civil society groups to resist its passage. | PLATEAU STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY; PDP; PENSION | VANGUARD | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 9TH JULY 2026 | ADC Leadership Crisis: Appeal Court Defers Judgment to July 13 | The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed July 13 to deliver judgment in an appeal filed by ADC National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, challenging a Federal High Court ruling that restrained them from dissolving the party's State Working Committees. The judgment, initially scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed without explanation after lawyers and parties had assembled in court. The appeal stems from a ruling that upheld the tenure of the ADC's state executives pending properly conducted party congresses and a national convention. | ADC LEADERSHIP CRISIS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 9TH JULY 2026 | ADC Bars State Chapters from Engaging Lawyers on Behalf of Party | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all state chapters and officials to stop engaging lawyers or handling legal matters involving the party without prior written approval from the national headquarters. The party said only its National Legal Adviser is authorised to instruct legal practitioners or represent the ADC in legal proceedings. State chapters were also ordered to immediately forward any court processes served on the party to the National Legal Adviser, with the leadership warning that violations of the directive could attract disciplinary action under the party's constitution. | ADC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 9TH JULY 2026 | 2027: APC Denies Mass Defection to NDC in Kano, Says Kumbotso Structure Intact | The Kano State chapter of the APC has denied reports that members in Kumbotso Local Government Area defected to the NDC, insisting its structure remains united and intact ahead of the 2027 elections. The party described the claims as propaganda by the Kwankwasiyya movement, maintained that the alleged defectors are unknown to it, and urged residents to disregard the reports while reaffirming confidence in its support base and ongoing government projects in the area. | APC; KANO STATE | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THIS DAY | 8TH JULY 2026 | PFIPC: President Tinubu Orders ICPC Probe into Fake Presidential Agency, Gives 30-Day Deadline | President Bola Tinubu has directed the ICPC to investigate the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), describing it as a fictitious body with no legal backing or government approval. The commission has been given 30 days to submit its findings. The investigation will examine allegations that an individual falsely presented himself as the council's Director-General and a presidential appointee, using forged government documents to seek official recognition, diplomatic support, facilitate visas, and open bank accounts in the names of non-existent government agencies. The probe will also determine whether public officials, financial institutions, or other individuals aided the scheme, identify institutional weaknesses that enabled the fraud, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents. Tinubu directed all federal ministries, departments, and agencies to cooperate fully with the investigation and stressed that anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law. | PFIPC; PRESIDENT TINUBU; ICPC | THIS DAY | |||
| ARISE NEWS | 8TH JULY 2026 | State Police: President Tinubu Inaugurates Femi Gbajabiamila-Led Committee to Draft National Policing Bill | President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a seven-member Presidential Working Group to draft the National Policing Bill, which will provide the legal framework for implementing state police across Nigeria. The committee, chaired by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, was constituted following the National Assembly's passage of the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill, 2026, which proposes a dual policing system comprising the Federal Police Service and 36 State Police Services. According to the President, the National Policing Bill will set out operational guidelines covering minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal-state coordination, accountability mechanisms, human rights safeguards, and funding arrangements. He said the committee was established to ensure the legislation is ready for transmission to the National Assembly immediately after the constitutional amendment process is completed. The initiative received strong backing from the Nigeria Governors' Forum, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Bar Association. While stakeholders welcomed the move as a step toward improving community-based policing and strengthening national security, they also stressed the importance of embedding robust legal safeguards to prevent abuse of state police powers and ensure accountability. | STATE POLICE; PRESIDENT TINUBU | ARISE NEWS | |||
| THIS DAY | 8TH JULY 2026 | PDP Leadership Crisis: Court Reserves Judgment in Leadership Recognition Suit Until July 10 | A Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment until July 10 in the suit seeking to determine the authentic leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The case, filed by the party's Board of Trustees, seeks an order compelling INEC to recognise the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee instead of the faction currently recognised on the commission's website. The dispute follows competing interim leadership structures established after the Supreme Court nullified the PDP's 2025 national convention. While the Wike-backed faction argued that the matter is an internal party affair beyond the court's jurisdiction, the plaintiffs maintained that the suit concerns INEC's statutory responsibilities and is therefore justiciable. In a related development, the Court of Appeal adjourned until July 14 the hearing of appeals filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord, and three other political parties challenging their deregistration, to allow parties to regularise and exchange court processes. Meanwhile, the Turaki-led PDP dismissed reports that its 2027 election candidates plan to sue the interim leadership, describing the claims as false and politically motivated. | PDP LEADERSHIP CRISIS; DEREGISTRATION | THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 8TH JULY 2026 | APC Crisis: Founding Members Decry Exclusion from Appointments | Legacy members and founding state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the G37 platform, have expressed concern over what they described as their continued exclusion from appointments and party recognition, warning that the neglect is weakening their loyalty and commitment to the party. Speaking on behalf of the group, Comrade Cletus Obum recounted the role of the legacy parties in the formation of the APC, stressing that the party's pioneers made significant sacrifices and should not be sidelined. He argued that the limited representation of legacy members in government appointments and elective positions risks creating the impression that politics is purely transactional. Responding on behalf of the party leadership, APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Ben Nwoye, assured the group that they had not been forgotten. He urged members to remain patient and steadfast, expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu would recognise their contributions in due course. | APC CRISIC | THIS DAY | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | APC Defends Candidate Substitutions, Urges Aspirants to Avoid Litigation | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to aspirants whose names were substituted after the party primaries not to resort to litigation, arguing that such actions could undermine party unity. The party maintained that candidate substitutions were carried out to correct irregularities identified during the nomination process and were in line with established procedures. The appeal comes amid protests by APC stakeholders in Kogi West Senatorial District, who petitioned the party's national leadership over the alleged replacement of senatorial primary winner Samuel Aro with Sunday Karimi, describing the move as unlawful and contrary to the Electoral Act and the party's constitution. Separately, first-term APC governors reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms and endorsed the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement criticised former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, accusing him of diverting attention from Nigeria's economic and security challenges through ethnic and political rhetoric. | APC; CANDIDATES SUBSTITUTION | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | Tinubu Meets Governor Alia, Suswam Behind Closed Doors Amid Benue APC Crisis | President Bola Tinubu has held a closed-door meeting with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and former governor Gabriel Suswam at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid rising political tensions in the state. The meeting comes as the Benue chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains divided, with Governor Alia and supporters of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, locked in a struggle over the party's leadership structure ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also follows recent political realignments in the state involving Suswam. Although the Presidency has not disclosed the agenda or outcome of the discussions, the timing has fuelled speculation that the meeting is part of efforts to reduce tensions, reconcile key political actors and foster unity in Benue State. | BENUE STATE POLITICS | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| PREMIUM TIMES | 8TH JULY 2026 | Court Fines ADC Official ₦100 Million for Failing to Diligently Prosecute Suit Against Federal High Court Judges | The Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit filed by ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, and ordered him to pay ₦100 million in costs for failing to diligently prosecute the case. The court awarded ₦50 million each to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and Justice Peter Lifu, after the plaintiff repeatedly failed to appear in court despite being served with hearing notices. Ukandu had sued the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Tsoho, and Justice Lifu, alleging bias, abuse of judicial powers, and disobedience to court orders in relation to the ongoing ADC leadership dispute. He sought an order compelling the NJC to investigate the two judges. In striking out the suit, Justice Salim Ibrahim held that the plaintiff had shown a lack of interest in pursuing the case, despite being given multiple opportunities to appear. The ruling follows a separate suit challenging the leadership of the ADC, in which party members are contesting the appointments of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the party's interim national chairman and national secretary, respectively. | ADC; FEDERAL HIGH COURT | PREMIUM TIMES | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | National Assembly Resumes, Constitution Review Tops Senate Agenda | The National Assembly resumed plenary on Tuesday, with the Senate expected to prioritise the completion of the ongoing 1999 Constitution review. Lawmakers are set to consider outstanding constitutional amendment bills following the passage of the State Police Bill, including proposals on women's legislative representation, state creation, boundary adjustments and the creation of new local government areas. Senators are also expected to scrutinise allegations surrounding the Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PEAC/PFIPC) following claims of bribery and concerns over budgetary allocations to the agency. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives disclosed that it considered 2,747 bills and passed 363 during the first three years of the 10th National Assembly, highlighting the enactment of key legislation, including the law establishing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has supported more than 1.6 million beneficiaries. | NATIONAL ASSEMBLY | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | Osun Decides 2026: Oyebamiji Calls on Voters to Reject PVC Trading | The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has urged eligible voters not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, describing the PVC as a vital tool for determining the state's future. Speaking during a meeting organised by the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS), Oyebamiji also appealed to religious leaders to continue praying for peaceful, free and credible elections. He pledged to pursue an inclusive and people-centred administration, with priorities including security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, workers' welfare, commerce and industry if elected. In a separate development, the Osun State Government and the APC exchanged accusations over security in the state. While the government questioned the police's handling of allegations that wanted suspects were being sheltered in the Government House, the APC claimed recent remarks by the Inspector-General of Police supported its earlier allegations and called for a professional investigation into the matter. | OSUN DECIDES 2026 | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| LEADERSHIP | 8TH JULY 2026 | Kwara APC Stakeholders Protest, Reject AbdulRazaq’s Leadership Style | The crisis within the Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensified as the Kwara APC G15, a coalition of 10 governorship aspirants, serving senators and other party stakeholders, staged a protest in Ilorin, accusing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of running an exclusionary administration and calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene. The group declared a relaunch of the "O To Ge" movement, arguing that the ideals that ended the Saraki political dynasty in 2019 had been abandoned. It called for transparent party administration, merit-based leadership succession, an end to alleged political godfatherism, protection of dissenting voices and improved security, while urging the APC National Working Committee to ensure that the party's leadership process reflects the wishes of its members. On the same day, however, the Kwara APC leadership presented its 2027 candidates to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who commended Governor AbdulRazaq's performance and offered prayers for the electoral success of the governor and the party's candidates | KWARA STATE APC CRISIS | LEADERSHIP | |||
| THE CABLE | 8TH JULY 2026 | Jonathan Denies Report Claiming He Rejected N500 Billion to Contest 2027 Election | Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed as false a viral report claiming he was offered ₦500 billion to contest the 2027 presidential election against Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in order to split votes in the South-South. In a statement issued by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described the report as fabricated and baseless, noting that it failed to identify where or when he allegedly made the claim or who was involved in the purported offer. He said the story was designed to mislead the public and draw him into unnecessary political controversy. Jonathan's media office urged Nigerians to disregard the report and verify sensational political claims before sharing them, noting that misinformation often increases as election season approaches. The clarification comes amid continued speculation about Jonathan's potential role in the 2027 presidential election. | GOODLUCK JONATHAN | THE CABLE | |||
| THIS DAY | 8TH JULY 2026 | Delta Assembly: NDC Challenges Removal of Defected Lawmaker, Urges INEC to Disregard Action | The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the Delta State House of Assembly's decision to declare the seat of Udu Constituency lawmaker Collins Egbetamah vacant following his defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the NDC, describing the move as unconstitutional and politically motivated. The party argued that the Assembly lacked the constitutional authority to remove the lawmaker under the circumstances and alleged that Egbetamah became a target because of internal political rivalries after the defection of the Delta State governor and other politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. It also claimed that the lawmaker had been denied salaries and other entitlements before leaving the APC. The NDC said it had commenced legal action to challenge the Assembly's decision and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard the declaration of vacancy. It urged the Assembly to allow Egbetamah to continue representing his constituents pending the outcome of the court process. | DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY; INEC; NDC | THIS DAY | |||
| THIS DAY | 8TH JULY 2026 | PDP Enugu West Rejects Dennis Amadi’s Senatorial Nomination | Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu West Senatorial Zone have rejected the purported nomination of Dennis Amadi as the party's senatorial candidate, insisting that no valid primary election was conducted to produce him. They argued that his nomination lacks legal and constitutional basis because it did not emerge from a recognised party primary in the zone. The stakeholders also called on the party's National Working Committee (NWC) to return the office of the Enugu State PDP chairman to Enugu West, maintaining that retaining the position in Enugu North violates the party's established zoning arrangement. In addition, the group condemned the suspension of Dr. Nick Ozonsi, describing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated. They urged the party leadership to uphold credible nomination processes and ensure that only candidates who emerge through lawful primaries represent the PDP in the 2027 general elections. | PDP; ENUGU STATE | THIS DAY | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 8TH JULY 2026 | Gombe Stakeholders Endorse APC’s Jamilu Gwamna for 2027 Governorship | Prominent stakeholders in Gombe State have endorsed Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna as their preferred All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 governorship election, citing his leadership qualities, vision and commitment to the state's development. The endorsement was announced at a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Special Adviser on General Duties to the Vice President, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, and attended by former ministers, retired military officers, ambassadors, academics, senior civil servants and other political leaders from the state. The forum also resolved to strengthen grassroots mobilisation across Gombe State to encourage voter registration, civic participation and issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 elections. Responding to the endorsement, Gwamna said it reinforced his commitment to remain focused on delivering inclusive and people-centred leadership. | GOMBE STATE; 2027 | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 8TH JULY 2026 | ADC, PDP Governorship Candidates Unveil Running Mates in Rivers, Jigawa and Bauchi | The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has completed its governorship tickets in Rivers and Jigawa States, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also unveiled its deputy governorship candidate in Bauchi State ahead of the 2027 elections. In Jigawa, the ADC nominated Malam Aminu Ibrahim Ringim as the running mate to governorship candidate Senator Sabo Mohammed Nakudu, while in Rivers, Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson selected David Amapakaye Okumgba as his deputy after consultations with party stakeholders. Similarly, the PDP governorship candidate in Bauchi, Usman Adamu Suphi, announced former Bauchi Local Government PDP Chairman, Abdulkadir Alin Bababa, as his running mate, saying the choice was intended to build a strong team for governance if elected in 2027. | ADC; PDP; RUNNING MATE POLITICS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | Atiku Meets EU Envoy, Discusses 2027 Elections and Nigeria–EU Cooperation | Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has met with the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, to discuss preparations for the 2027 general elections, democratic governance and continued economic cooperation between Nigeria and the European Union. Atiku described the meeting as productive and commended the EU for its continued support for credible elections and democratic development in Nigeria. Separately, former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff accused Peter Obi of pursuing an agenda that could divide Nigeria, alleging that the former Labour Party presidential candidate had failed to distance himself from separatist movements. The comments came in response to Obi's recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu over the country's security and economic challenges. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has commenced a two-day anti-corruption sensitisation workshop for its staff. The programme aims to strengthen integrity within the electoral process and enhance preparations for the 2027 general elections by promoting transparency, accountability and best practices among election officials. | INEC; ATIKU; EU; PETER OBI | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 8TH JULY 2026 | Security: President Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Insecurity with Technology, Indigenous Defence | President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to tackling insecurity through the deployment of emerging technologies, intelligence-driven operations and strengthened indigenous defence production. Speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration and the African Land Forces Forum in Port Harcourt, he said the government would continue investing in advanced military capabilities, personnel training and the revitalisation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to improve national security and reduce reliance on foreign military supplies. Meanwhile, Peter Obi criticised the Federal Government's handling of insecurity, urging President Tinubu to either resign or abandon plans to seek re-election. Obi described the government's response to the prolonged abduction of pupils in Oyo State as evidence of failed leadership, claiming the President had not contacted Governor Seyi Makinde over the incident. Separately, the Federal Government called on journalists and social media influencers to avoid giving terrorists and bandits the publicity they seek, stressing the importance of responsible reporting in safeguarding national security. The Oyo State Government also assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area and bring the perpetrators to justice. | SECURITY | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 8TH JULY 2026 | Judiciary: Kano Judicial Commission Sanctions Judge with Compulsory Retirement Over Bribery | The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of Justice Aliyu Yahaya Muhammad, the presiding judge of the Bebeji Shari’a Court, after finding him guilty of collecting ₦250,000 as gratification in a civil case. The commission also directed him to refund the money following findings by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee. The JSC suspended a court clerk without pay for four months for receiving part of the bribe and retired another judiciary official over falsification of academic records and irregular admission into the Nigerian Law School. Additional disciplinary actions included the demotion of a judge for negligence in handling estate funds and a warning to another over poor supervision of bail procedures. The commission also directed the police to investigate an inspector accused of misleading the court in a bail matter and ordered investigations into two court registrars. Meanwhile, another judicial officer, Hon. Alkali Umar Sunusi Danbaba, was cleared of misconduct and had his salary and entitlements restored. | JUDICIARY; KANO STATE JUDICIARY COMMISSION | DAILY TRUST | |||
| THIS DAY | 3RD JULY 2026 | ADC Leadership Crisis: Court Affirms David Mark's Leadership, Dismisses Suit as Internal Party Matter | The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing a suit challenging their emergence. Justice Musa Liman held that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party and was therefore non-justiciable. The court ruled that the plaintiff, Rep. Leke Abejide, lacked the legal standing to institute the case and had also failed to exhaust the party's internal dispute resolution mechanism before approaching the court. The judge further declared that the July 2025 stakeholders' meeting and the subsequent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting that produced the current ADC leadership complied with the party's constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and were duly monitored by INEC. Consequently, the court upheld the validity of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola's emergence as the party's leaders. The court also imposed financial penalties, awarding ₦2 million each against Abejide in favour of the five defendants (₦10 million total) and an additional ₦10 million against his counsel, describing the suit as lacking merit. Following the judgment, David Mark described the ruling as a victory for democracy, the rule of law and Nigeria's multi-party system, while reaffirming the ADC's commitment to providing credible opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar also welcomed the decision, saying it reaffirmed judicial independence and rejected attempts to weaken opposition parties through litigation. The ADC similarly hailed the judgment as a major victory for constitutional democracy and urged members to remain united as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. | ADC LEADERSHIP CRISIS | THIS DAY | |||
| THE GUARDIAN | 3RD JULY 2026 | Presidency Orders Probe into Ondo APC Protest Over Candidate List, Faults Anti-Tinubu Demonstrations | The Presidency has reportedly ordered security agencies to investigate the organisers and sponsors of protests that erupted in Ondo State following the release of the APC's National Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections. According to sources, the Presidency is particularly displeased that the Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye, and the APC State Women Leader were allegedly seen in viral videos leading demonstrations against President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee (NWC). The protest is said to have centred on dissatisfaction with the party's candidate list after the completion of its appeal process. The development has heightened tensions within the Ondo APC, with the Presidency reportedly viewing the protests as a betrayal by individuals believed to be loyal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, especially given Ondo's status as an APC-controlled state. Sources also claimed that while the protests were taking place in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa was in Abuja seeking a meeting with President Tinubu through party elders, although the request was reportedly declined. Meanwhile, the Ondo State Commissioner for Information denied that Commissioner Seun Osamaye participated in the protests. Separately, the pro-Tinubu Asiwaju Mandate Group (AMG) accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of alienating key APC stakeholders and warned that internal divisions within the party could undermine its chances of delivering electoral victories for President Tinubu in the 2027 general elections. | ONDO STATE | THE GUARDIAN | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 3RD JULY 2026 | APC Presents INEC Nomination Form to Oyo Governorship Candidate Sharafadeen Alli, Unveils Running Mate | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has presented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form to its Oyo State governorship candidate, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, officially confirming his candidacy for the 2027 governorship election. At the event, the party also unveiled Mr. Adesoji Michael Adedeji, a 46-year-old Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) from Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area, as Alli's running mate. Speaking at the presentation, Oyo APC Chairman and former Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, called on party members to unite behind the ticket, urging aggrieved members to set aside differences and work towards reclaiming power in the state. He expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory in the 2027 governorship election. Presenting the nomination form, APC Deputy National Auditor Gbenga Olayemi described Alli as the party's collective choice rather than an individual candidate. In his acceptance speech, Alli pledged to provide fair, accountable and inclusive leadership if elected, while his running mate, Adedeji, thanked the party leadership for the opportunity and expressed confidence in the APC's chances at the polls. | ALLI SHARAFADEEN | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 3RD JULY 2026 | Benue APC Crisis: Protesters Demand Recognition of Kwande/Ushongo Primary Winner | Hundreds of APC members from Kwande and Ushongo Local Government Areas of Benue State staged a peaceful protest in Lessel, demanding that the party's National Working Committee (NWC) uphold the outcome of the House of Representatives primary election for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. The protesters insisted that Prof. Iornem Kohol, who reportedly won the May 16 APC primary with 40,672 votes, should be recognised as the party's candidate for the 2027 election, rejecting reports that INEC nomination forms had instead been issued to the incumbent lawmaker, Rep. Terseer Ugbor, who allegedly secured only 750 votes in the primary. Led by party members including Comrade Ken Kaase, Aondolumun Ordorugh, and Fidelis of Mbakuha, the demonstrators argued that disregarding the primary results would undermine the APC's internal democracy and erode members' confidence in the party's electoral process. They also maintained that, based on an informal power-sharing arrangement, the House of Representatives seat should rotate to Ushongo, noting that Kwande has held the seat for about 20 years, while Ushongo has gone 16 years without producing a representative. Receiving the protesters, Adzu acknowledged their concerns and assured them that the grievances would be communicated to Governor Hyacinth Alia, expressing confidence that the candidate who legitimately emerged through the democratic process would ultimately be recognised. | BENUE APC CRISIS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 3RD JULY 2026 | Kwara APC Crisis Deepens as Traditional Rulers Reject Reported Reps Candidate | The Joint Traditional Councils of Ekiti and Oke-Ero Local Government Areas in Kwara State have rejected the reported nomination of Olawuyi Raheem Tunji as the APC candidate for the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal Constituency, calling on the party to recognise Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, whom they described as the rightful winner of the party's primary election. Addressing journalists in Osi, the royal fathers, led by the Owalobo of Obbo-Ile, Oba Rufus Adebayo Olusegun, argued that the reported substitution undermines the outcome of the primary election and violates the principles of fairness, equity and internal democracy. They warned that allowing the decision to stand could erode confidence in the APC's candidate selection process. The monarchs also raised concerns over longstanding political imbalance within the constituency, noting that since 1999, the House of Representatives seat has remained within the Igbomina bloc (Irepodun and Isin LGAs), while the Ekiti bloc (Ekiti and Oke-Ero LGAs) has never produced a federal lawmaker. They further stated that there was a prior political understanding that the APC's Kwara South Senatorial ticket would go to the Igbomina bloc, while the House of Representatives ticket would be ceded to the Ekiti bloc. The traditional rulers appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the party's leadership in Kwara State to intervene and restore what they described as the mandate freely given to Abolarin during the APC primary election. | APC CRISIS | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 3RD JULY 2026 | 'Phanthom Council': PFIPC Controversy Intensifies Amid Threat Allegations and Fresh Scrutiny of Government Records | The controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) has deepened after Adeniyi Adeyemi, accused of forging government appointment letters and posing as the council's Director-General, claimed his life is under threat and that he has gone into hiding. Adeyemi rejected the Presidency's description of him as a "con artist," insisting the government is attempting to silence him. He also repeated allegations that he paid ₦400 million to secure his appointment, still owed ₦200 million, and refused demands to surrender 48% of the agency's take-off grant. While the Presidency dismissed the allegations and confirmed Adeyemi is facing criminal charges over forgery and impersonation, it did not respond to the bribery claims involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. The scandal has taken a new turn following reports that the federal government granted the PFIPC a waiver in August 2025 to recruit 300 staff members, despite an existing recruitment embargo, and that the council received a ₦1.3 billion allocation in the 2026 budget. These revelations have raised fresh questions over how an agency the Presidency says never existed allegedly secured budgetary allocations, recruitment approvals and office space within the Federal Secretariat. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Presidency of failing to adequately explain the contradictions surrounding the PFIPC, arguing that the government's response raises more questions than answers. He maintained that the case exposes serious institutional weaknesses and called for greater accountability over the agency's alleged recognition, funding and operations within government structures. | PHANTOM COUNCIL; PFIPC | DAILY TRUST | |||
| DAILY TRUST | 3RD JULY 2026 | US Scales Down Military Presence in Nigeria After Anti-ISIS Operation | The United States has withdrawn most of the military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin, marking the end of the mission while maintaining intelligence cooperation with Nigerian security agencies. Speaking at the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026, Commander of US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, General Dagvin Anderson, said the deployment comprising about 200 US personnel sent to Nigeria in February, had achieved its objectives and significantly disrupted ISIS operations in the region. He noted that although most troops have returned to the United States, Washington will continue supporting Nigeria through intelligence sharing and other specialised capabilities. The operation formed part of expanded US-Nigeria security cooperation following Nigeria's redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern by the Trump administration and included intelligence support that contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS globally. General Anderson described Nigeria as a capable security partner with a strong military, adding that combining US intelligence capabilities with Nigerian operations had yielded significant counterterrorism gains. Beyond Nigeria, Anderson called for stronger intelligence sharing among African countries to combat terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes, citing recent multinational cooperation that led to the interception of a record 31-ton cocaine shipment off the West African coast. He stressed that sustained collaboration between African states and international partners remains essential to addressing evolving security threats across the continent. | U.S SECURITY DEPLOYMENT | DAILY TRUST | |||
| 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 |