Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 14 August 2026

August 14, 2026

INEC Materials Arrive CBN Osogbo Ahead Of Osun Election

Sensitive materials for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election have arrived at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Osogbo ahead of their distribution to the various local government areas. The materials arrived at the CBN premises at about 8:30pm on Thursday under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies.

Tinubu Assures Osun Residents Of Adequate Security Ahead Of Poll

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Osun residents of adequate security during and after Saturday’s governorship election, urging voters to come out and exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation. Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday in Osogbo during the All Progressives Congress governorship campaign rally held to formally present the party’s candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the poll.

Seven Miners Die As Pit Collapses In Plateau’s Barkin Ladi

No fewer than seven miners have died after a mining pit collapsed on them at Kassa community in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State on Wednesday evening. It was gathered from multiple sources in the community on Thursday that the incident occurred at about 7pm when the pit suddenly caved in on the miners while they were carrying out mining activities at the site.

APC Supporter Shot Dead In Osun Amid Election Violence Fears

A supporter of the All Progressives Congress in Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Ayegbo Oluwadele, was on Thursday gunned down, while another person was shot. The incident has added to growing concerns over violence ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Tinubu Assures Oil Workers Of Full Refinery Restoration

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday assured oil and gas workers that Nigeria’s refineries would be restored to full and sustainable operation. He said his administration was undertaking a structural and economic reset to ensure the facilities do not merely operate but become profitable and deliver value to Nigerians.

Makinde Picks Ex-DSS Boss Lawal Daura As 2027 Running Mate

The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) and Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday announced former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. Makinde made the announcement at the party’s elective national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi.

FG Extends Deadline For Memoranda On National Policing Bill

The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation to Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5pm West Africa Time. The Presidency had on Wednesday announced that public submissions would close by 5pm on Thursday, August 13.

Kwara Police Arrest Suspect Over Plan To Buy AK-47 For N1.6m

A suspected member of a kidnapping gang, Sanda Aliyu, has been arrested by the Kwara State Police Command over an alleged plan to purchase an AK-47 rifle for N1.6m in Kaiama Local Government Area of the state. Aliyu was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Section on August 3, 2026, following actionable intelligence that he was negotiating with one Aliyu Mohammed, who is currently at large, for the procurement of the firearm.

Navy Rescues 22 Passengers After Sea Robbers Attack Boat In Cross River

The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with Operation Delta Safe Sector 4 and the Marine Police, has rescued 22 passengers who were attacked by suspected sea robbers along the Calabar-Oron-Ibaka waterway in Cross River State. The rescue followed the hijacking of a wooden passenger boat travelling from Henshaw Town Beach in Calabar to Utan Uyata, Ibaka, on Tuesday.

Turaki-Led PDP Faction Endorses Adeleke For Osun Poll

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has endorsed the Accord Party candidate and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for Saturday’s governorship election. The faction announced the decision in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.

Tinubu Govt Replies U.S. Over Fiscal Transparency Test Report

The Federal Government has said it will use the latest fiscal transparency report by the United States Department of State as an external benchmark to further strengthen ongoing reforms in public financial management.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said this in a statement on Thursday while responding to the report, which assessed Nigeria against the US Department of State’s minimum fiscal transparency requirements.

Naija News reports that Nigeria failed the minimum fiscal transparency requirements for the second consecutive year, with the U.S. Department of State saying the country made no significant progress in improving its financial management and opening up its public finances in 2025.

In its 2026 Fiscal Transparency Report released Tuesday, the department assessed 139 governments and the Palestinian Authority, with only 73 meeting the minimum standards. Of the 67 that did not, 14 made significant progress, while 53, including Nigeria, were marked as making no progress.

Reacting, Dare said the Federal Government noted the findings but urged that they be properly contextualised, stressing that the report should not be regarded as a comprehensive assessment of Nigeria’s fiscal governance. He said the report focused particularly on the public disclosure of national budget information, government contracts and natural-resource licences.

‘Toughest Decisions’ — Babangida Makes Fresh Revelations On Vatsa’s Execution, June 12 Annulment

Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd.), has said he was powerless to save his childhood friend, the late General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, after a military commission found him linked to the December 1985 coup plot against his administration.

Babangida disclosed this during a programme on Badeggi 90.1 FM Radio, Minna, as part of activities marking his 85th birthday anniversary, to be celebrated on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Naija News reports that Vatsa was executed for treason in March 1986 following his alleged involvement in the coup plot. Babangida, reflecting on his relationship with the late military officer, said he initially found it difficult to believe reports linking Vatsa to the alleged coup because of their long-standing friendship and shared military background.

Babangida also revisited the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s freest and fairest elections. He described the decision as one of the most difficult of his military career but maintained it was taken collectively in what the authorities at the time considered the overall interest of the country.

Nobody Is Above The Law — Irabor Calls For Arrest Of Fadahunsi, Jingir, Gumi

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), has said politicians and other individuals making inciting comments should be arrested. Naija News reports that Irabor stated this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television.

His call comes against the backdrop of a recent statement by the Senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi, who was captured in a viral video telling his supporters to kill members of the Accord Party ahead of the governorship election in the state. He also demanded the arrest of Islamic clerics Sani Jingir and Ahmad Gumi over inciting statements they had made at different times.

Gbajabiamila Announces Fresh Deadline For State Police Referendum

The Presidential Working Group on the State Police Bill has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation. Naija News reports that the new deadline is Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5pm.

The extension was announced on Thursday by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and Chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila. It gives individuals, institutions and organisations additional time to submit their views on the proposed reform of Nigeria’s policing architecture. Gbajabiamila said the extension was intended to broaden consultations and ensure submissions were substantive and technically sound, adding that the importance of the reform to Nigeria’s internal security made it necessary to give stakeholders more time to examine the issues.

Tinubu Makes Promises On Osun Governorship Election

President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of Osun State of adequate security before, during and after Saturday’s governorship election, urging voters to come out and exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Osogbo, where the party presented its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the poll. Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President said security arrangements had been put in place across the state to protect voters and ensure a peaceful electoral process.

“Let me assure all Osun indigenes that adequate security has been provided all over the state to ensure people come out to cast their votes for the candidate of their choice without any fear or intimidation,” Tinubu said.

The President urged residents to participate freely in the election, while advising them to make what he described as a wise choice.

Makinde: APM To Work With Opposition Parties For 2027 Alternative

The presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Seyi Makinde, has said the party will collaborate with other opposition political parties to present Nigerians with a credible alternative in the 2027 general elections.

Makinde, who is also the Governor of Oyo State, spoke on Thursday at the APM national convention held at the Dr Rilwanu Sulaimanu Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi. Naija News reports that the governor stressed the importance of a strong opposition to the survival of democracy, charging the newly elected leadership of the party to work with other opposition groups ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the next general election should be centred on measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians rather than political slogans, campaign promises and government announcements, adding that Nigerians experienced economic policies through their purchasing power and that the impact of government policies should be assessed by their effect on everyday life.

You’re A Devil In Disguise — Ronke Oshodi Oke Calls Out Late Tope Osoba’s Partner

Nollywood actress Ronke Oshodi Oke has criticised Itunu Onadeko, the partner of late actress Temitope Osoba, over his claims about their relationship and the circumstances surrounding Osoba’s death.

Naija News reports that Osoba, who had battled breast cancer after undergoing surgery in November 2024, died on August 4, 2026, after nearly two years of treatment. Onadeko later made claims about Osoba’s condition, including allegations that she had been using hard drugs, and claimed she died at a police station in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Reacting in a statement on her Instagram page, Oshodi Oke questioned why Onadeko allegedly remained with Osoba for about two years if he was aware of the alleged drug use, and why the relationship reportedly continued without a formal introduction between the families or marriage.

She further raised concerns over claims that Osoba was asked to leave Onadeko’s home after funds raised publicly for her medical treatment had reportedly been exhausted, alleging that Osoba received millions of naira through donations during her cancer battle but was later told to leave when the funds ran out.

Why Saint Janet Switched From Gospel To Explicit Songs — Backup Singer

A longtime backup singer to the late Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has explained why the singer moved from gospel-influenced Juju music to songs with sexually suggestive themes.

Naija News reports that the backup singer, Sunkanmi, also known as Suko, said the change was driven largely by audience response, increased bookings and higher earnings at social events. Suko, who said he had known Saint Janet for more than 25 years, spoke during an interview with Alejo TV on Tuesday. According to him, he first met the singer when she worked as a backup vocalist for Nurse Kenge, while he was a freelance drummer.

Leicester City Owners Put Club Up For Sale For More Than £200 Million

Leicester City are being put up for sale for more than £200m, with Thai owners King Power preparing to end their 16-year association with the club.

Leicester City have appointed US investment bank Citigroup to oversee the process, with an eight-page sales brochure being circulated to potential buyers under the title “Project Lineup.” The document includes Leicester’s men’s and women’s teams, the 32,000-capacity King Power Stadium and the Seagrave training facility, which opened in 2020 and is valued at £121m. Belgian sister club OH Leuven is also included in the sale.

Citigroup values Leicester’s physical assets at more than £200m, although no specific price has been placed on the club’s teams. The brochure describes Leicester as “a rare opportunity to acquire a club with an excellent track record of winning promotions to higher divisions.”

Chelsea Give Clubs Friday Deadline To Bid £120 Million For Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea have set a Friday deadline for clubs interested in Enzo Fernandez to submit offers of at least £120m for the midfielder. The decision is aimed at ending the uncertainty surrounding the Argentina international’s future at Stamford Bridge before the start of the new season.

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea have set 5pm BST on Friday as the deadline and are expected to stand firm on their valuation of the 25-year-old. Naija News reports that Fernandez’s future at Chelsea has been uncertain since March, when the midfielder reportedly raised the possibility of leaving the club for Real Madrid. His agent, Javier Pastore, later claimed that Fernandez was underpaid and wanted to leave following a difficult season for the London club.

Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season and ended the campaign without a trophy after losing the FA Cup final to Manchester City.

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