Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 19 October 2026

Kwankwaso Dismisses Talk of NDC Withdrawal for ADC

NDC vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso has dismissed speculation that the party may withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of the ADC. He insisted the NDC ticket remains in the contest, expressed confidence of victory and said the party is not working for President Bola Tinubu.

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Youths Boo Zamfara Deputy Governor, Attack Convoy

Angry youths on Sunday booed Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Mummuni and attacked his convoy in Gwashi community, Bukkuyum Local Government Area. He was on a condolence visit following an attack that killed nine security personnel and civilians.

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Wike, Fubara Meet in Port Harcourt Ahead of 2027

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike met Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt on Sunday. Wike arrived at the governor’s private residence about 4:30 pm with other politicians. The purpose of the meeting was unclear at press time.

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Yari Leads APC Delegation to Emir of Ilorin, Ooni of Ife

APC Presidential Campaign Council Director-General Abdulaziz Yari on Sunday led a delegation of national political leaders on consultative visits to the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Labour, Activists Urge Nigerians to Unite Against Fuel Price Hike

Labour leaders and pro-democracy activists on Sunday urged Nigerians to unite against rising fuel prices and economic hardship. They warned that repeated increases in petrol pump prices have eroded workers’ purchasing power and deepened poverty.

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SERAP Sues INEC Over N126.46bn Election Funds

SERAP has sued INEC at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over its alleged failure to account for N126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations. The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, seeks an order of mandamus compelling disclosure of how the funds were spent.

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Police Arrest Man Over Wife’s Death in Ogun Fire

Ogun police have arrested 56-year-old Madarikan Emehinola over the death of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in a suspected arson at Igbo-Edu, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. The incident was reported at Abigi Divisional Headquarters on Sunday.

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Two Killed in Lagos Road Crash

Two people died and two others were injured in a crash involving a commercial bus and a pickup van along Adekunle corridor, inward Iyana Oworo, Lagos. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed this in a Sunday statement by spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq.

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Father, Son Burnt to Death in Plateau Crash

A man and his son were burnt to death in a crash at Sabon Barki, Jos South, Plateau State, on Sunday, while three others were injured. Eyewitness Kefas Gyang said the Keke NAPEP carrying the family from church caught fire after another vehicle hit it.

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Yahaya Bello Predicts Landslide in Kogi Central 2027

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has said he will secure a massive vote and decisive victory in the 2027 Kogi Central Senatorial District election. He spoke on TVC’s Politics Sunday, expressing confidence in his chances.

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Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Abandoning Retired Police Officers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of leaving retired police officers to hunger and illness. In a statement by Phrank Shaibu on Sunday, he demanded action on the Police Exit Bill and a salary review, promising to prioritise it if elected.

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Presidency Denies Withholding ₦250bn NLNG Dividend

The presidency has denied Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that President Tinubu is delaying NLNG dividend funds until after the 2027 elections. In a Sunday statement, Bayo Onanuga called the claim false and urged Makinde to be circumspect.

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Buhari Saw Tinubu as ‘Bad News’, Says PRP Chairman

PRP national chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has claimed that former President Muhammadu Buhari had reservations about Bola Tinubu’s candidacy before 2023. He spoke at a Northern Elders Forum summit and accused the Tinubu administration of worsening economic hardship.

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Agada Says Alia Rejected Tinubu’s Second-Term Proposal

Former Benue APC chairman Austin Agada has alleged that Governor Hyacinth Alia rejected President Tinubu’s proposal that incumbent officeholders seek second terms unopposed. He told AIT the proposal was conveyed by SGF George Akume, and that Alia backed rival aspirants.

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Angry Youths Block Zamfara Deputy Governor in Bukkuyum

Angry youths on Sunday blocked Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Mumini in Gwashi town, Bukkuyum, chanting “Bamayi,” meaning “We don’t want you.” He was there to condole residents after a bandit attack that killed at least nine security personnel and civilians.

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Kwankwaso Tells ADC: We Won’t Step Down

Kwankwaso has urged the ADC to address allegations against its candidate rather than attack him and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi. In a Sunday post on X, he rejected claims that the NDC is working for the APC or will withdraw late.

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Brymo Accuses Soyinka, Obasanjo Over Campus Cult Violence

Singer Brymo has accused Wole Soyinka of violence and urged him to address the history of cultism in Nigerian universities. In Instagram posts, he also named Olusegun Obasanjo and Gani Adams, saying he would not forgive the deaths of young Nigerians.

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Jide Kosoko Says Funke Akindele’s Work Ethic Is Demanding

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko says working with Funke Akindele is demanding because she pays close attention to detail. He told the African A-List podcast she can shoot a scene up to 15 times and described her energy as hard to match.

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Arsenal Beat Forest 1-0 as Madueke Scores

Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on October 18, with substitute Noni Madueke scoring in the second half. The win, their sixth in seven league games, moves them within three points of leaders Manchester City.

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Rangers Beat MC Alger 2-0 in CAF Champions League

Rangers International beat MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie in Abeokuta on October 18. They scored twice late despite goalkeeper Lucky Jimoh’s 11th-minute red card; Oussama Benhaoua was later sent off for MC Alger.