Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 09 September 2026

Suspected Thugs Block Peter Obi’s Convoy In Benue

Suspected thugs on Tuesday blocked the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Benue State.

Naija News reports that Obi’s campaign photographer, Esther Umoh, raised the alarm in a series of posts on X, saying the convoy was blocked on Gboko Road, near the Air Force Base. She released videos of the incident to back her claims.

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‘Such Hostility Was Deeply Depressing’ — Peter Obi Speaks On Hired Thugs Attack During Benue Visit

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the NDC, has recounted how hired thugs obstructed his visit to Benue State, where he had gone to commiserate with families affected by the killings in Yelwata that claimed over 270 lives.

In a statement on X on Tuesday titled “How Hired Thugs Obstructed My Visit to Benue State,” Obi described the thugs’ chants of “Peter Obi, go back” as deeply depressing, insisting his visit was not politically motivated but purely to show solidarity and offer comfort to the grieving community.

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Peter Obi Storms Plateau After Benue Blockade

Peter Obi proceeded to Plateau State on Tuesday after his convoy was blocked by suspected thugs during a visit to Benue State, Naija News reports.

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Benue Govt Reacts, Says Not Informed Of Peter Obi’s Visit

The Benue State Government has accused Peter Obi of looking for trouble, while an aide to Governor Hyacinth Alia said the government was not informed of his visit.

Commissioner for Information, Solomon Iorpev, made the claim on Tuesday while reacting to the disruption of Obi’s convoy during his visit to the state.

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Peter Obi: NDC Demands Justice Over Yelwata Visit Blockade

The NDC has demanded an investigation into the disruption of Peter Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata community in Benue State, insisting that those responsible be held accountable.

The party, in a Tuesday statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, described the incident as disturbing, noting that Obi’s visit was humanitarian, not political, and that protecting lives remains government’s primary responsibility.

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INEC Fixes September 19 For Five By-Elections In Four States

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 19 for five by-elections in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Tunde Oketola, disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja.

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Campaigns For Governorship, Assembly Elections Kick Off Today

Official campaigns for the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections nationwide begin today, September 8, in line with INEC’s schedule.

According to the commission’s timetable for the 2027 elections, campaigns for presidential and National Assembly seats had already commenced three weeks earlier, on August 19.

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Tinubu Always Listens To Nigerians Before Taking Decisions — Minister Idris

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu always listens to Nigerians before taking decisions, Naija News reports.

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Naira Appreciates To N1,387/$ At Parallel Market

The naira on Tuesday appreciated to N1,387 per dollar from N1,390 on Monday at the parallel market.

Similarly, the local currency strengthened to N1,322.9 per dollar at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

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APC Withdraws Petition Against Adeleke’s Victory

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has withdrawn its petition challenging the re-election of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, barely 24 hours after the petitions were displayed at the tribunal in Osogbo.

Lawyer Oluseyi Oyagbile, who filed the suit, confirmed the withdrawal on Tuesday, saying he acted on fresh instructions from his client and APC leaders following a dispute within the party. Another legal team led by Abiodun Layonu (SAN) had earlier disowned the case, insisting neither the party nor candidate Bola Oyebamiji authorised it. Oyagbile said he requested written confirmation before discontinuing the suit.

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NDC Denies Diverting Funds Raised From Aspirants

The NDC has denied allegations that donations and levies raised from aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections were diverted.

In a Tuesday statement, National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said all funds were paid into the party’s designated account and managed by appropriate organs, describing the allegations as misinformation promoted by disgruntled elements.

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Police Invite WAEC Staff Over Cyberstalking, Defamation Allegations

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre has invited Olanrewaju Fadehan, a staff member of the West African Examinations Council, to appear in Abuja on Wednesday over alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation.

This follows a Lagos State High Court order restraining Fadehan from publishing defamatory statements against the examination body and its Director-General, Dr Amos Dangut.

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Customs Officer Dies In Lone Auto Crash In Cross River

A 54-year-old Nigeria Customs Service officer, Prince Etteng Ise, has died in a lone crash along the Ikom-Calabar Highway in Cross River State.

Ise, who served at the Mfum Border in Etung Local Government Area, reportedly lost control of his vehicle while trying to avoid a pothole.

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SDP Oyo Replaces Governorship Candidate

The Social Democratic Party’s Oyo State chapter has changed its governorship candidate, declaring its ticket not open to negotiation.

At a substitution plenary in Ibadan on Tuesday, the party ratified the replacement of Michael Okunlade with Mogaji Agboola as its candidate for the 2027 election.

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Where Is The Money You Saved From Subsidies? — Adebayo Dares Tinubu To Public Debate

SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has challenged President Tinubu to a public debate ahead of the presidential election.

During a TVC interview, Adebayo questioned Tinubu over funds saved from fuel subsidy removal and security allocations, saying anyone seeking re-election should account for their tenure. He also alleged that elites in government houses remain among Nigeria’s major problems, blaming bad leadership since 1999 for insecurity, adding that the right leadership could end banditry, terrorism and kidnapping within four years.

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₦2.4bn Fraud: Appeal Court Affirms Ex-NEXIM MD Orya’s 490-Year Jail Term

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, has affirmed the conviction and 490-year sentence of former NEXIM Bank Managing Director, Robert Orya.

Justice Muhammed Danjuma upheld the February 2026 judgment by Justice F.E. Messiri of the FCT High Court, who found Orya guilty on all 49 counts of obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and advance fee fraud totalling ₦2.4 billion, sentencing him to 10 years on each count, to run concurrently. Orya, EFCC’s 2021 arraignee, led NEXIM from 2009 to 2016.

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Why I Dumped Peter Obi For Tinubu In 2027 — Ortom

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom says his support for President Tinubu in 2027 is a deliberate political decision.

Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, Ortom said he declared support for Tinubu after Nyesom Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister, adding he has no regrets, despite having backed Obi in 2023.

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What Pastor Tobi Told Me When I Asked Him To Help Free Poco Lee — Peller

Nigerian TikToker Peller says he approached Pastor Tobi Adegboyega for help securing the release of dancer Poco Lee from detention.

During a Tuesday livestream, Peller said the cleric told him the matter had been handed to Burna Boy’s team, though Pastor Tobi had shown interest before Burna Boy got involved. Peller declined to give further details of the case.

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Nollywood Actor Reveals How He Was Paid For Fake Miracle

Veteran actor Yemi Solade has recounted being paid to stage a fake healing miracle while still a student, before finding fame in Nollywood.

In an interview with Feel Right News TV published Tuesday, Solade said he pretended to have a disability during the staged miracle and later spent the payment on alcohol.

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2026 Ballon d’Or: Messi, Dembélé, Kane, Bellingham, Haaland Lead Nominees

Nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or were announced Tuesday as the award marks its 70th anniversary.

Reigning winner Ousmane Dembélé (PSG) headlines the list alongside Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich). The ceremony holds in London on October 26.

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Eguavoen To Lead Super Falcons In 2028 Olympic Qualifiers

Former Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen will lead the Super Falcons on an interim basis as Nigeria begins its bid to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

He takes charge for the second-round qualifiers against Comoros in October as the NFF searches for a permanent coach. Eguavoen, who guided the Super Eagles to AFCON bronze in 2006, will be assisted by Christopher Danjuma, with Olatunji Baruwa as goalkeeper trainer and Ayisat Yusuf joining the coaching staff.