Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 13 October 2026

Court Strikes Out Fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi’s Eight-Count Charge

ABUJA – A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out the eight-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Adeyemi, the alleged fake Director-General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.

Justice Mohammed Umar granted the Federal Government’s request to withdraw the case, as Adeyemi will be arraigned afresh at the FCT High Court. Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, cited shortcomings, including which court should prosecute.

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Shettima Urges North To Back Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the North to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the region has nothing to fear from a second term.

He urged northern leaders and citizens to unite behind the President, describing the administration’s second-term agenda as a “secure, bulletproof guarantee for the region.”

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Sultan: Islamic Leaders To Press Politicians Over Citizens’ Hardship

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, says Islamic leaders will draw political leaders’ attention to the hardship facing Nigerians.

He said religious leaders are aware of the concerns raised by citizens and will keep urging those in authority to address the challenges confronting the country and improve ordinary people’s welfare.

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Pantami Gives INEC Three-Day Ultimatum Over Gombe Governorship List

Former Communications Minister Prof. Isa Ali Pantami has issued a three-day ultimatum to INEC over the alleged unlawful omission of his name from the final list of candidates for Gombe’s 2027 governorship election.

His lead counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, said the PDP duly nominated Pantami after he won the fresh primary held on September 29, 2026.

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$1bn Defence Fund Didn’t Pass Through My Hands – Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), says the $1 billion approved for defence procurement during his tenure was released to the Ministry of Defence, not to him.

Speaking at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria conference in Abuja on Monday, he said the NEC-approved funds never passed through the Army, Navy or Air Force accounts, calling the allegations “political and malicious.”

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PDP, APC Chieftains Form United Front For Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

Stakeholders from the PDP and the APC have formed a united political front to secure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike unveiled the alliance at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Monday, highlighting cross-party unity.

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Dollar Trades At N1,332.49 At NFEM, N1,380 In Parallel Market

The US dollar traded at about N1,332.49 at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, according to the latest figures as of Monday, October 12, 2026.

In the parallel market, the currency was quoted at about N1,370 for buying and N1,380 for selling.

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Umahi Defends Diversion Of Ondo Section Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Works Minister David Umahi has defended the Federal Government’s decision to divert the Ondo section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Speaking in Abuja, he said the original route crossed terrain with pits over 100 metres deep, which would have inflated costs. He insisted the diversion was based on engineering considerations and value for public funds.

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Wike Declares Self Field Commander Of Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign In FCT

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared himself field commander of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT.

He pledged to coordinate the campaign in the territory and Rivers State ahead of 2027, speaking at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, where he unveiled a cross-party mobilisation strategy involving APC and PDP members.

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Troops Kill Three Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Victim In Edo

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with the DSS, police, local hunters and forest guards, have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued an abducted victim in Edo State.

The operation took place on Sunday at Sasaro Forest in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

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FG Approves Increase In NYSC Corps Members’ Feeding Budget

The Federal Government has approved an increase in the feeding allocation for NYSC corps members during orientation, effective 2027.

NYSC Director-General Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu announced this at the Obubra, Cross River camp for 2026 Batch C Stream One. He said the Budget Office has been notified, and urged corps members to save and spend wisely.

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IPOB Denies Plan To Resume Monday Sit-At-Home

IPOB has challenged the police to prove its alleged link to a plan to resume Monday sit-at-home enforcement in the South-East.

Media Secretary Emma Powerful said in a Monday statement that neither members nor the ESN were directed to enforce any order from October 12, 2026. She demanded evidence for claims in an October 9 police intelligence document.

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Military Kills Over 40 ISWAP Fighters In Borno Air Strike

The Nigerian military has killed over 40 ISWAP fighters, including a senior commander, in an air strike on a hideout in Badu Village, Guzamala LGA, Borno State.

Operation Hadin Kai spokesman Capt. Mohammed Goni said the weekend strike followed intelligence that the fighters were massing to attack troops in Sector 3.

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Ogunwuyi Resigns As Chief Of Staff To Oyo Governor Makinde

Segun Ogunwuyi has resigned as Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

In a letter dated Monday, October 12, 2026, he said the resignation took effect immediately. He thanked the governor and people of Oyo but gave no reason. Ogunwuyi is a former member of the state House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.

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“I No Follow Una Live Big Girl Life” – BBNaija’s Flora

Former BBNaija Season 11 housemate Flora has warned Nigerians against expecting a luxurious lifestyle from her because of the show.

She said she is still new to Lagos, owns no car or house, and won’t pretend to be wealthy. She added that people shouldn’t judge her situation by her appearance.

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“It’s Not About What We Want To Eat” – Yinka Quadri Explains Support For Tinubu

Veteran actor Yinka Quadri says he and other Yoruba film practitioners back President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid because of personal experience and support to the industry.

On the African A-List programme, he recalled Tinubu allegedly paying the medical bills of late actor Baba Suwe, and said the relationship dates to Tinubu’s days as Lagos governor.

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Arteta: Hincapie, Zubimendi Out Of Arsenal’s UCL Clash With Lille

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi will miss Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Lille after training injuries following Saturday’s 2-1 win over Leeds.

“In two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players, and yeah, not great,” he said. Scans will determine severity, with Hincapie the bigger concern.

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Wenger: African Country Can Win World Cup

Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, says an African nation can win the World Cup, citing the continent’s progress.

At the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, he noted nine of Africa’s 10 representatives reached the Round of 32. “The numbers show that it is feasible,” he said, pointing to Morocco’s 2022 semi-final run.