Saturday, September 12, 2026

Political activity is heating up ahead of the 2027 general elections, while Nigeria’s economy showed mixed signals and security forces reported both gains and fresh tragedies across the country. Here is a roundup of the major developments.

2027 Campaigns Gather Pace as Parties Trade Words

The Social Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council has dismissed the candidacies of President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, saying they lack what it takes to move Nigeria forward. The campaign is positioning its candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, as the “true third force” in the 2027 race.

Within the ruling All Progressives Congress, tensions are also simmering. Denge Josef Onoh, a former spokesman for President Tinubu, criticized the “Rainbow Coalition” allegedly being formed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, describing it as a deceptive political gimmick harmful to the APC. He urged Wike to either join the party fully or step aside.

In international relations, the Nigerian National Assembly has suspended all parliamentary visits to South Africa and directed lawmakers to stop attending meetings hosted by South African institutions. The move follows recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in the country.

Economy: Business Confidence Rises, Naira Strengthens, Fuel Price Up

A Central Bank of Nigeria survey for August 2026 shows that the Business Confidence Index rose to 14.8 points from 5.7 in July, driven by increased demand and economic diversification. Businesses are optimistic, projecting the index to reach 30.1 points by November 2026.

Despite the optimism, businesses identified multiple taxation, insecurity, and high interest rates as their top constraints.

The Naira closed the week at its strongest level against the US dollar in over two years, trading at ₦1,326.5192/$1 at the official market.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has raised its petrol gantry price from ₦1,265 to ₦1,350 per litre, effective today. It is the fourth price increase in 22 days, representing a 15.9 percent rise.

Nigeria also reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organization and the multilateral trading system at the BRICS summit, emphasizing that no country can prosper in isolation.

Security: Surrenders, Kidnappings, and Deadly Attacks

The military announced that 17 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops in Borno State within one week, citing harsh living conditions. Troops also rejected a financial inducement from a suspected terrorist spy in Sokoto State.

In Imo State, a banker was shot dead while resisting kidnappers who attacked his family at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Two female students were abducted during the attack. The abductors reportedly demanded a N100 million ransom.

Suspected bandits killed an APC ward chairman and two others in Kano State. In Plateau State, an abducted Nigerian-Ghanaian pastor and four others were killed.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons rescued over 180 trafficked children across five states and arrested a nurse for child buying.

Other Developments: Highway Gridlock, Tukur’s Death, Hospital Pressure

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded on the Lokoja-Abuja highway since Thursday night due to a bad road and a motor accident, causing severe gridlock.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Governor of old Gongola State, has died at the age of 90. President Bola Tinubu and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State have led tributes.

Lagos State’s public hospitals have seen a significant surge in patient attendance, with outpatient patronage doubling in the past six months amid a shortage of healthcare professionals.

More updates will follow as events develop.