Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 15 August 2026

August 15, 2026

INEC Assures Osun Voters Of Free, Fair Election As Materials Arrive Osogbo

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured that the governorship election being conducted in Osun State today, Saturday, will be free, fair and transparent. The commission spoke as ballot papers and result sheets arrived in Osogbo, the state capital, on Friday. INEC officials said all logistics had been concluded ahead of the poll, with materials distributed to collation centres across the state’s local government areas. The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the process reflects the true wishes of Osun voters, urging residents to come out and exercise their franchise peacefully.

Tinubu Charges INEC, Security Agencies To Ensure Peaceful Osun Poll

President Bola Tinubu on Friday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies to give their best to ensure that the Osun State governorship election is peaceful, transparent, free and fair. The President stressed that the outcome of the poll must reflect the will of the electorate. He charged security operatives to remain professional and non-partisan throughout the exercise, warning against any attempt to manipulate or disrupt the process. Tinubu’s directive comes as tension mounts ahead of the keenly contested election between the ruling APC and the opposition PDP.

Four Soldiers Feared Dead As Bandits Attack Kebbe Town In Sokoto

Four soldiers were feared dead after suspected bandits attacked Kebbe town in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Friday. The bandits, who reportedly arrived in large numbers around 10am, were said to have moved freely around the town, looting shops and carting away mobile phones, food items and petrol. Residents said the attackers operated for an extended period before troops could respond. Security sources have yet to give an official casualty figure, and efforts are ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the attack and pursue the fleeing assailants.

Atiku Deposes To Affidavit Challenging Tinubu’s Qualification For 2027 Poll

Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday personally appeared at the Registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he deposed to an affidavit in support of a suit challenging the qualification of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to contest the 2027 presidential election. The suit forms part of a broader legal battle Atiku and his party have mounted against Tinubu ahead of next year’s polls. Court proceedings on the matter are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Woman Beheaded By Man At Adamawa Hotel

A yet-to-be identified middle-aged woman was allegedly beheaded by a man at a hotel room in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday afternoon at Novex Hotel, where the suspect was said to have checked in with the woman. Hotel staff raised the alarm after discovering the body, prompting the arrival of security operatives at the scene. The suspect’s whereabouts remain unknown as investigations continue, with police yet to establish a motive for the killing.

G100 Shifts Opposition Summit To August 31 Over Peace Summit Clash

The G100 has rescheduled its proposed Summit of Opposition Political Parties to Monday, August 31, 2026, following consultations with the six participating political parties and members of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives. The group said the adjustment became necessary in view of the National Peace Summit scheduled for August 18, which is expected to bring together the leadership and key stakeholders of the political parties participating in the G100 consultations. Organisers said the new date would allow for fuller participation once the peace summit concludes.

American Missionary Kevin Rideout Freed After Nine Months In Niger Captivity

An American Christian missionary, Kevin Rideout, has been released to U.S. officials after spending over nine months in captivity in Niger. His organisation, the Charlotte-based SIM International, confirmed on Friday that Rideout is in good health and will soon be reunited with his family. Details of the circumstances leading to his release have not been fully disclosed. The missionary’s abduction had drawn concern from faith-based groups and U.S. officials tracking his welfare throughout his time in captivity.

Delta Police Arrest Two, Recover 132 Sachets Of Tramadol

The Delta State Police Command has arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered 132 sachets of tramadol from them. The Police Public Relations Officer for the state command, Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations. The command reaffirmed its commitment to ridding the state of illegal drug activities, warning that more operations would follow as part of efforts to curb substance abuse among residents.

Imole Council Backs Tinubu’s Directive On Neutral Policing For Osun Poll

The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation supporting Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to the police and other security agencies to remain professional and neutral during Saturday’s governorship election. The council said the presidential directive was necessary to ensure the protection of voters and the credibility of the electoral process. It called on all security personnel deployed for the exercise to act without bias, insisting that a transparent process would benefit all parties involved in the keenly contested race.

IReV Not Meant For Automatic Collation Of Results — INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has clarified that its Results Viewing Portal, IReV, is designed solely for the public display of polling unit results and not for the automatic collation or addition of election results. INEC National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, made this known while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday. He explained that collation remains a manual process conducted at designated centres, and urged Nigerians not to misconstrue the portal’s function ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.

Is ‘Tinubu Bola Adekunle’ And ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ The Same? – Atiku Asks Court

The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has approached the Registry of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s real identity. The former Vice President expressed concerns about whether the former Governor of Lagos State, popularly known as “Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” is the same as “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” which appeared on the NYSC certificate presented in 2023 as part of his documents to contest for the presidency. Atiku argued this in court on Friday, August 14, deposing to an affidavit supporting a suit challenging Tinubu’s qualification for 2027. The suit invokes Sections 137(1)(j), 139(1)(a)(i) and 285(14)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which bar a candidate who presents a forged certificate from contesting. Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu should be disqualified from the race.

2027: Why Peter Obi Can’t Be Nigeria’s President – Dino Melaye

African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain Dino Melaye has asserted that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cannot be Nigeria’s president. Melaye, a former lawmaker who represented Kogi West Senatorial District, during an interview on the KAA Truths podcast on Thursday, described Obi as a regional champion, stressing that no such figure can lead the country. He said ADC’s Atiku Abubakar stands a better chance because he is a nationalist. Melaye acknowledged his comments might sound offensive but maintained they were based on his assessment of Nigerian politics, citing the late Obafemi Awolowo as a historical example of a brilliant leader whose regional identity limited his presidential ambitions.

‘This Is Becoming Childish’ – Joe Igbokwe Blows Hot Over Atiku’s Moves To Stop Tinubu’s Re-election

All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain Joe Igbokwe has condemned the move by ADC 2027 presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar to stop President Bola Tinubu from contesting the next election. Atiku had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, questioning whether “Bola Ahmed Tinubu” is the same person as “Tinubu Bola Adekunle,” a name that appeared on the NYSC certificate submitted in 2023. Reacting via his Facebook page, Igbokwe described Atiku’s move as childish, saying, “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is asking PBAT to produce his NYSC Certificate. Oro pe si je. The corrupt Custom man is not done yet. This is becoming childish. Atiku Abubakar knows that Nigerians cannot trust him with the Treasury of Nigeria.”

Osun: ‘Politics Should Never Cost Anyone His Or Her Life’ – Gov. Adeleke

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has vowed to probe reported killings and other acts of violence linked to the electoral process immediately after Saturday’s governorship election. Adeleke, while interacting with journalists in Osogbo on Friday, sympathised with families of victims of election-related violence, stressing that politics should never result in loss of life. He said an independent commission of inquiry would be set up on Monday to investigate the killings and recommend action against culprits regardless of political affiliation. The governor also promised a framework to support and compensate affected families, urging residents to preserve the state’s unity beyond the election.

Ex-NBA Chairman, Tsenyen Remanded In DSS Custody

A former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association in the Shendam branch, Plateau State, Gabriel Nkup Tsenyen, has been remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS. The Federal High Court in Abuja, in its ruling on Friday, ordered that Tsenyen be remanded pending a decision on the propriety of his fresh arraignment. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik fixed August 20 to determine if he can be tried afresh over allegations of cyberstalking and incitement of public disturbances. The DSS had arraigned Tsenyen on a fresh two-count charge, but his counsel, Emmanuel Esene (SAN), objected to the arraignment when he was called to take his plea.

Your Uncle, Adeleke Is The Real ‘Arindin’ – Sowore Fires Back At Davido

African Action Congress, AAC, 2027 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has responded to Nigerian Afrobeat singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, after he referred to him as “arindin” on social media. Davido had used the term after Sowore described his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, as a leader with “nothing upstairs.” In response, Sowore redirected the remark to the governor, claiming Adeleke had to obtain the equivalent of a GED after already serving as a senator. He also accused Adeleke of backing Tinubu in 2023 to protect the family’s political interests, saying: “The real arindin is your uncle who chose @officialABAT as his presidential candidate, apparently hoping that imbecilic political loyalty would allow your family to continue treating Osun State as a private estate to finance your extravagant lifestyle.”

Gospel Musician, Esther Igbekele Loses Mother

The mother of popular Nigerian gospel singer Esther Igbekele has died. The musician announced the development via her Instagram page on Friday, captioning the post, “AND MY MOTHER DIED. Death, you took my GOLD away.” The deceased, Mary Amope Igbekele (JP), was recently celebrated by the family on the occasion of her 70th birthday and wedding anniversary. Tributes and condolences from friends and fellow musicians have since flooded Igbekele’s social media pages. She has not disclosed burial details as of the time of filing this report. Igbekele, known as the Duchess of Gospel Music, began her career in 1996.

My Marriage Should Have Ended On Wedding Night – Iyabo Ojo

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has spoken about her past marriage, revealing she now believes the relationship should have ended much earlier than it did. Ojo made this known during an interview on the Morayo Show, saying the marriage should have ended as far back as her wedding night. She explained that although she took her time before leaving, she is now thankful she made that decision, noting that staying could have affected her children’s lives and future. Ojo said her choice was driven by a desire to give her children a better environment while protecting her own peace of mind.

NFF Sets Up Fact-Finding Committee To Probe Super Falcons’ World Cup Failure

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has established a six-member fact-finding committee to investigate the recent poor performances of Nigeria’s national teams, with particular focus on the Super Falcons’ failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Chaired by former NFF General Secretary Fanny Amun, the committee will examine the team’s campaign after a first-ever World Cup qualification failure since 1991, following defeats to Cameroon at WAFCON and South Africa in the play-off. Members include Ladan Bosso, Desire Oparanozie, Mutiu Adepoju and Alex Mana, with Mohammed Nasiru Sa’idu as secretary. The panel will also probe the Flying Eagles’ recent qualification failure. Head coach Justin Madugu has apologised, accepting responsibility for missed chances and defensive errors against South Africa.

List Of New Rules That Will Transform 2026-2027 Football Season In England

The 2026-2027 football season in England will bring a major set of rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting, limiting tactical stoppages and keeping the ball in play longer. First introduced at the World Cup, the changes will now apply across English football, starting with Sunday’s Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City, though VAR changes affect only competitions using the technology. The rules target player behaviour rather than punishment alone, but clubs relying on delaying tactics could feel the pressure. At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the ball was in play for 56.86 per cent of match time; this summer that rose to 60.43 per cent despite less added time.

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