Stories shaping today's conversations.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja for permission to amend their lawsuit seeking to disqualify President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 2027 presidential election. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, centres on allegations that a forged NYSC discharge certificate was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in connection with Tinubu’s presidential qualification. These remain allegations before the court and have not been judicially established. Atiku and the ADC said they discovered errors and omissions in their original filing, including incorrectly referring to an INEC form as Form CF001 instead of the current Form EC9A. They are seeking leave to correct the documents and provide additional details supporting their allegations. The plaintiffs are asking the court to ultimately declare Tinubu and the APC ineligible to participate in the 2027 presidential election and to direct INEC to remove their names from the relevant candidate list. However, INEC has opposed the proposed amendment, arguing, among other things, that the suit is statute-barred and that Atiku and the ADC lack the legal standing to pursue the case. INEC has separately asked the court to dismiss the substantive action. The Federal High Court has fixed September 28, 2026, for further proceedings in the case. Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/09/atiku-seeks-to-amend-suit-against-tinubu-apc

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a list of presidential candidates and their running mates for Nigeria’s 2027 general election, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi among the leading contenders. According to reports published on September 12, 2026, INEC's list was signed by the commission's Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and covers candidates from 18 political parties. The three major candidates are listed as: Bola Ahmed Tinubu — APC, with Kashim Shettima as running mate. Atiku Abubakar — ADC, with Rotimi Amaechi as running mate. Peter Obi — NDC, with Rabiu Kwankwaso as running mate. The development further formalises what is shaping up to be a highly competitive presidential contest. Obi recently ruled out personally stepping aside for Atiku, saying any possible opposition arrangement would now have to be negotiated between the political parties rather than between individual candidates. Importantly, INEC had already published the candidates' personal particulars and supporting credentials in August, including those of Tinubu, Atiku and Obi. Source: https://punchng.com/2027-tinubu-atiku-obi-confirmed-for-presidency-battle/

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom is facing renewed scrutiny over his political positioning ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election after reportedly providing a vehicle used to receive Peter Obi during Obi’s recent visit to Benue. The development has prompted accusations from some political stakeholders that Ortom is maintaining links with both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Obi. SaharaReporters reported that a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly belonging to Ortom was sent to receive Obi at the civilian wing of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi. However, Ortom has publicly declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. In an interview with Arise News, he explained that although he supported Obi in 2023, he subsequently accepted Tinubu's emergence as president and decided to work for his re-election. Ortom's media consultant, Terver Akase, also defended the decision to provide transportation for Obi, arguing that Obi was visiting Benue on a humanitarian mission and that refusing to assist a former governor and presidential candidate would have been inappropriate. The episode has nevertheless added to the political realignments and tensions surrounding the 2027 presidential contest, particularly in Benue, where the positions of major political actors are being closely watched. Source: https://saharareporters.com/2026/09/12/2027-benue-ex-governor-ortom-accused-shared-loyalty-tinubu-peter-obi

ADC Promises 50% Tax Reduction for MSMEs As an alternative to the policies it criticised, the ADC promised a 50 per cent tax reduction for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Enugu State for one year if it takes control of the state government. According to the party, the proposed reduction would begin from the first day of an ADC administration and would give businesses additional resources to recover, reinvest and expand. The party said it expects the policy to help struggling businesses survive, create jobs and contribute to economic growth in the state. ADC Attacks Mbah’s Projects Presentation The opposition party also criticised Governor Mbah's recent unveiling of a book highlighting the projects and achievements of his administration. The ADC described the event as a “campaign gimmick”, arguing that a government with significant achievements should not need an elaborate ceremony to promote them. The party questioned the administration's record on several projects, including smart schools, Type-3 hospitals, road construction and water supply. It also alleged that Mbah had promised during the 2023 election campaign to provide potable water in Enugu within 180 days, but claimed that water shortages remained widespread across the state. These assertions are political claims made by the ADC and have not been independently established in the report. Party Questions State Revenue and Spending The ADC further claimed that more than ₦1 trillion in federal allocations and internally generated revenue had accrued to Enugu State since Mbah took office in May 2023. The party questioned how the money had been spent and raised allegations concerning the state's smart-school programme, including claims involving a contractor and funds allegedly recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Those allegations would require confirmation from the relevant government agencies and the Enugu State Government before they can be treated as facts. 2027 Political Battle Intensifies The ADC's latest statement adds to the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 Enugu governorship election, with Governor Mbah expected to defend his record against opposition parties seeking to challenge his administration. Mbah has continued to promote his administration's infrastructure, education, transportation and economic-development initiatives, while opposition parties have increasingly focused on taxation, public spending and the impact of government policies on residents and businesses. The ADC said it would provide what it described as a more people-centred alternative if allowed to govern the state. The party also linked its state-level promises to its wider 2027 political platform, including its presidential candidate's position on fuel subsidy policy. As the 2027 election approaches, the debate over taxation, public spending, infrastructure and the cost of living in Enugu is likely to become an increasingly important issue in the state's political campaign. Source: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/11/enugu-adc-accuses-mbah-of-imposing-ruthless-inhuman-tax-regime/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported blockade of presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, saying such actions have no place in Nigeria’s democracy. Keyamo, in a statement on Wednesday, said politicians should be allowed to move freely and conduct their campaigns without intimidation or violence, regardless of their political affiliation. Obi was reportedly stopped by a group of youths on the Makurdi-Gboko road on Tuesday while travelling to Yelwata, where he planned to meet and sympathise with families affected by the deadly 2025 attacks in the community. Obi and his political supporters described those who blocked the convoy as suspected thugs and alleged that the action was sponsored. However, the Benue State Government denied involvement, saying it had no prior knowledge of Obi’s visit and did not deploy or patronise thugs. The police said they were aware of Obi’s movement and provided security, while investigations into the incident were ongoing. Keyamo: Blockade Should Be Condemned Keyamo said the circumstances behind the confrontation should not determine whether the incident is condemned. He argued that whether the protesters were acting because of internal disagreements within Obi’s party, as suggested by the Benue State Government, or whether they were allegedly sponsored by the APC or another political group, preventing a political candidate from moving freely was unacceptable. The minister also rejected arguments that Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata may have been politically motivated. According to Keyamo, even if political considerations were involved, such circumstances would not justify obstructing Obi's movement or preventing him from conducting political activities. Minister Accuses Media of Double Standards Keyamo, however, used the incident to criticise what he described as partisan reporting by sections of the Nigerian media. He alleged that hostile encounters involving APC politicians are sometimes presented as evidence of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition politicians are more likely to be described as attacks by sponsored thugs or hoodlums. The minister called on the media to apply consistent standards when reporting political confrontations involving candidates and parties across the political divide. He urged Nigerians to express their political preferences through the ballot box rather than violence or intimidation during campaigns. The controversy comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with parties and candidates increasingly taking their campaigns and mobilisation efforts to different parts of the country. The competing accounts surrounding the Benue incident remain disputed, and allegations of sponsorship have not been independently established. Source: Channels Television / PUNCH — September 9, 2026. Editorial note: Allegations concerning the identity, motivation or sponsorship of those who blocked Obi’s convoy remain disputed. FACTFUL24 has not independently verified those claims.