🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
APC finalizes 2027 candidate list, former generals criticize government over ex-Army spokesman's death, and other top stories
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The All Progressives Congress has finalized its candidate list for the 2027 general elections, rejecting calls for a review of primary results despite numerous petitions. Meanwhile, former army generals have expressed outrage following the death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Army, who died in captivity after being abducted by bandits. They attribute his death to the Federal Government's failure to address worsening insecurity. In other news, the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board has released the names of successful applicants for paramilitary recruitment. An independent panel investigating the detention of Okuneye Olanrewaju, known as Bobrisky, revealed he was held in a soundproof cell and enjoyed special privileges, including mobile phone use. Additionally, many Fulani settlers are reportedly abandoning communities in southern Nigeria due to alleged ethnic profiling and increasing insecurity, with some host communities accusing them of complicity in terrorism and banditry.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadMinister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced that major South-East road projects, including the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue Trans-Saharan Superhighway, are being implemented under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Umahi stated this during an inspection tour of Federal Government projects in Ebonyi. The minister noted that Section One of the highway, extended to 123.6 kilometers, is being executed at a cost of ₦45 billion, while Section Two, traversing Benue and Kogi states to Nasarawa, has been awarded at ₦668 billion and is about 28 percent complete in some sections. He highlighted that the adoption of concrete road technology allows construction to continue during the rainy season. Umahi described the Trans-Sahara Superhighway as an investment corridor that will boost trade and connect Nigeria to Cameroon. The inspection team also visited the 1.3-kilometer Ndi-Egbe Bridge in Afikpo Local Government Area, expected to be completed in December 2026, and the ₦35 billion Onueke Flyover project. Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi commended President Tinubu for the infrastructure projects and the administration's commitment to national renewal. Umahi also disclosed that South-East governors and leaders would gather in Abakaliki for a rally to endorse President Tinubu for a second term. The National Media Tour, organized by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Presidential Media Team, will continue to Enugu, Abia, Anambra, and Imo states.
The Youth Arise Movement has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to direct security agencies to implement strategies for protecting rural communities from criminal elements. In a statement signed by Convener Comrade Ademola Babatunde, the group expressed deep concern over worsening insecurity, urging President Bola Tinubu to take decisive measures. Babatunde highlighted that Nigerians have endured over fifteen years of attacks from terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, resulting in deaths, displacements, and suffering. He noted that rural communities are particularly vulnerable due to inadequate security. The group called for collaboration among the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and other stakeholders. Babatunde also raised alarm over recent attacks on schools, students, and teachers, describing them as a threat to national development. He urged all levels of government to transparently deploy resources for security and regional development to protect schools, communities, farms, and critical infrastructure. The movement stressed that the security of human lives is the government's primary responsibility and called for stronger community-based security initiatives, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced collaboration. The group warned that persistent insecurity threatens democratic governance and urged the President, Federal Executive Council, and National Assembly to prioritize the protection of Nigerians. This call f
Must ReadTwo suspected Hezbollah drones from Lebanon struck northern Israel on Sunday, causing no casualties, according to the Israeli military. Following these strikes, two far-right Israeli ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, called for retaliatory actions against Beirut's southern suburbs, specifically Dahiyeh, a known Hezbollah stronghold. Both ministers referenced a "Dahiyeh Doctrine" previously mentioned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which warns of striking Dahiyeh if Hezbollah targets northern Israeli communities. Israeli officials have stated this stance has Washington's support.