Today’s major stories focus on political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, growing concerns over WAEC results, the worsening insecurity crisis and ransom payments, efforts to reduce transport costs through CNG buses, political tensions in Ondo, and a fresh clash over the Federal Government’s household palliative programme.
Tinubu, APC govs move to fix campaign list crisis
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met with APC governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the ruling party intensified efforts to resolve the controversy surrounding its Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 election.
The meeting followed a series of consultations aimed at reviewing and reworking the list, which has faced criticism over the inclusion of some controversial party members and allegations that key sections of the party were not consulted.
Party sources said the initial list had been deleted from the APC’s X handle, with a new version expected after President Tinubu approves proposed changes.
The controversy reportedly prompted meetings that stretched for several hours on Wednesday before continuing on Thursday.
PUNCH Online also reports that the APC is planning to intensify social intervention programmes ahead of the January 2027 elections as part of efforts to reach Nigerians and cushion the effects of economic hardship.
WAEC result crisis worsens as official alleges irregularities, glitches
The controversy surrounding the 2026 West African Examinations Council results for school candidates has deepened following allegations of glitches and irregularities by an official of the examination body.
The Head of Examinations at the WAEC office covering Anambra, Olanrewaju Fadehan, made the allegations in a viral video, saying candidates who sat the computer-based examination were particularly affected.
Fadehan said the problems became noticeable around the release of the results, which were initially expected between August 3 and 5.
He alleged that last-minute adjustments were made after something went wrong, with candidates who took the computer-based examination in subjects including Mathematics, English and Igbo reportedly affected.
The development has added to concerns over the recently released results, with the allegations likely to heighten calls for clarification from WAEC on the circumstances surrounding the affected candidates and results.
7,825 abducted, N7.8bn ransom paid in one year — Report
No fewer than 7,825 people were abducted in 1,713 kidnapping and related incidents across Nigeria between July 2025 and June 2026, while at least 1,142 people were reported killed, according to a report by SBM Intelligence.
The report, titled The Capture of the Kidnap Economy, also revealed that N7.8bn was paid in ransom during the period.
The report said ransom demands fell from N48bn to N22.9bn, but actual payments rose from N2.56bn to N7.78bn, pushing the collection rate from 5.35 per cent to 34 per cent.
It attributed 90 per cent of the ransom paid to a Boko Haram faction, which reportedly collected N7bn from only eight incidents.
Two major mass abductions accounted for almost the entire N7bn, including the reported N5bn ransom paid for 416 captives abducted from Ngoshe, Borno State, and N2bn for 315 pupils and staff of St Mary’s School, Papiri, Niger State.
Security experts have warned that ransom payments are strengthening the capacity of criminal groups to acquire arms and sustain violent operations.
FG, states target cheaper transport fares with CNG bus rollout
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said state governors had resolved to take immediate steps to reduce transportation costs nationwide by leveraging cheaper Compressed Natural Gas and electric vehicles.
He said a joint Federal Government and state committee would be established to ensure that the lower cost of CNG translates into reduced transport fares from October 1, 2026.
Tinubu said the commitment followed his meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, with the governors expected to implement measures that would reduce transportation costs in their respective states.
… ACCORDING TO PUNCH
