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Nigerian News: Morning Headlines – 23 August 2026
Nwabueze Denies Running “Fake Agency,” Says Office Reports to SGF
The National Coordinator and Executive Director of the National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, George Nwabueze, has denied allegations that he is running a “fake agency” in the country. Speaking on Saturday, Nwabueze said the office he oversees operates under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Kogi Orders Probe Into Deaths Of Four Family Members After Eating Amala
The Kogi State Government has ordered an investigation into the deaths of four members of the same family after they reportedly consumed amala in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of the state. The family’s dog also reportedly died after eating the same food.
Troops Dismantle IPOB/ESN Strongholds In Anambra, Recover Weapons, IED Materials
Troops of the Joint Task Force, South East, Operation UDO KA, have dismantled identified IPOB/ESN strongholds in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, recovering weapons, motorcycles and materials used in the production of improvised explosive devices. The operation was conducted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in collaboration with the Maritime Component, the Department of State Services and the Anambra Vigilante Group.
Fire Outbreak Kills Four Family Members In Yobe Community
Four members of a family have been killed in a fire outbreak that destroyed the Rugar Audu Badali settlement in Karasuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. The incident occurred at about 5pm on Friday. The victims were identified as Bilkisu, wife of Mallam Bukar, and her three children, Zainab, Hafsat and Salamatu.
Cross River Police Arrest 10 Suspected Axe Men Confraternity Members
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of the Axe Men Confraternity and recovered a locally made pistol and other exhibits during an intelligence-led operation in Abini community, Biase Local Government Area of the state. The arrests were carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2, following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and operational follow-up.
Why Tinubu Didn’t Appoint Me As Campaign DG — Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he could not have served as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, saying his membership status outside the All Progressives Congress and his desire to retain political influence in Rivers State made the position unsuitable for him. Wike spoke on Saturday after inspecting ongoing construction work on the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari roads in Abuja, shortly after the Presidency announced the composition of the campaign council, which named former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General.
He said he was not interested in a role that could distract him from his responsibilities in Rivers State and the FCT, recalling that several past campaign directors-general had lost their home states while focused on national campaigns.
ADC Jigawa Backs Atiku’s Fuel Subsidy Restoration Pledge
The African Democratic Congress in Jigawa State has backed the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his pledge to restore the fuel subsidy if elected president. In a statement signed by the ADC Jigawa State Deputy Chairman, Ambassador Nuraddeen Jidawa, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Dutse, the party said the proposal was necessary to ease the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
ADC Describes Tinubu’s Campaign Council As “Rehabilitation Centre” For Corruption Suspects
The African Democratic Congress has described President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council as a “rehabilitation centre” for persons facing unresolved corruption allegations. The opposition party said the appointments raise a simple question: what happened to the corruption cases involving some of those being brought back into the political fold?
Kogi APC Mourns Ijumu LG Chairman Who Died At Reconciliation Meeting
The All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has been thrown into mourning following the death of the chairman of its Ijumu Local Government Area chapter, Mayowa Solomon Oyewole. Oyewole reportedly slumped and died during a reconciliation meeting among party members at Iyara, the local government headquarters, on Friday.
Atiku Tells FBI Nigerians Can’t Accept Blanket “Danger To Lives” Excuse Over Tinubu Records
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has told the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation that Nigerians cannot be expected to accept a blanket invocation of “danger to lives” as justification for keeping potentially disclosable records concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu away from public scrutiny. He said this in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
APC Campaign Council: Edu, Olejeme Get Key Roles Despite Corruption Cases
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and ex-chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Ngozi Olejeme, have been named members of the All Progressives Congress 2027 presidential campaign council despite having previously faced allegations and investigations relating to financial misconduct.
According to Naija News, the APC unveiled the campaign council on Saturday, appointing former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named Secretary. Edu, who appears as number 97 on the campaign council list, was appointed Director of Women’s Mobilisation, more than two years after President Tinubu suspended her as humanitarian affairs minister over a controversial financial transaction.
Defection: “Wait For My Final Order, I’m Consulting” — Goje Tells Supporters
Senator representing Gombe Central, Danjuma Goje, has ruled out defecting from the All Progressives Congress despite the omission of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
According to Naija News, the development comes amid growing speculation over Goje’s political future following his loss of the APC senatorial ticket for Gombe Central, with rumours that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party may offer him its ticket. Speaking to supporters on Saturday at his residence in Gombe, Goje, who has represented the district since 2011, said he was consulting stakeholders and would announce his next move at the appropriate time, urging loyalists to remain calm and prepare for his eventual directive.
“Tinubu Has No Plan To Change Anti-people Policies” — Donald Duke
Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke, has said exchanges between the Tinubu administration and leading opposition parties have made clear there is no plan to review key anti-people policies. In a statement issued on Saturday, the former Governor of Cross River State accused the administration of pursuing economic policies that leave Nigerians poorer while government benefits financially, calling for a shift from political arguments to practical measures addressing growth and poverty.
Kwara APC Loses 12 Executives After Senator Mustapha’s Defection
The All Progressives Congress in Kwara State has suffered a fresh setback after 12 executive members in Gambari Ward 1, Ilorin East Local Government Area, resigned, following the earlier defection of Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central, to the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to Naija News, those who resigned include ward chairman Aliyu Abdulhakeem and secretary Abdulwaheed Adanla, who submitted separate letters on Friday, while ten other executives followed with a joint resignation letter. Other affected positions include treasurer, auditor-general, legal adviser, assistant auditor-general, assistant treasurer, assistant youth leader, assistant women leader, assistant secretary, assistant financial secretary and assistant organizing secretary.
Yari Accepts Appointment To Lead APC Presidential Campaign Council
Former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, has accepted his appointment as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, following a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirming that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was named Secretary, while President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Chairman and Vice-Chairman I respectively.
In a statement on Saturday, Yari thanked Tinubu and APC leadership for the responsibility, describing the campaign as a conversation with Nigerians across every state, language and faith, and pledging to run it with discipline, unity and respect.
₦800,000 Monthly On Drugs — Ronke Oshodi Opens Up On Health Challenge
Nollywood actress Ronke Oshodi-Oke has opened up on a difficult period battling a serious health condition that cost her as much as ₦800,000 monthly in medication. Speaking on African A List, the actress described the financial pressure of her treatment and expressed gratitude to God, APC chieftain Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), and colleagues who supported her through the crisis.
“My Wife Packed Out Of My House, Filed For Divorce Without Any Quarrel” — Singer Asu Ekiye
Nigerian gospel singer Asu Ekiye has clarified the circumstances surrounding the crash of his 28-year marriage to his wife, Kunemofa Asu, a year after the union ended. The Bayelsa State-born singer, popularly known as the Prince of the Niger Delta, said in a Facebook post on Saturday that he did not initiate the divorce proceedings, explaining that his wife moved out and began the process without any quarrel between them. He said he had accepted the situation without bitterness.
Former World Boxing Champion, Zolani Tete, Shot Dead In South Africa
Former boxing world champion Zolani “Last Born” Tete has been shot dead outside his home in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Tete, 38, was killed on Friday, August 21, after two armed men wearing balaclavas allegedly ambushed him as he waited for his gate to open. He died at the scene, while a 27-year-old woman with him suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was hospitalised. Police have launched an investigation but say the motive remains unclear, appealing to the public for information.
Semi Ajayi Delighted As Historic Goal Inspires Hull City To Shock Man United
Nigerian defender Semi Ajayi has expressed delight after scoring Hull City’s first Premier League goal in nine years in the Tigers’ stunning 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday. Ajayi struck in the 17th minute at the MKM Stadium, reacting quickest to turn home after United goalkeeper Senne Lammens denied Oli McBurnie from a corner, handing newly promoted Hull their first-ever top-flight win over United.
“It was amazing… that one got us into the lead, and also gave us something to protect, but also build on,” Ajayi told TNT Sports after the game, adding that the squad remained focused on performances rather than outside attention.