News October 26, 2026 2027: NDC campaign council filled with content creators – Bwala

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over its National Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, describing its membership as being dominated by content creators.

Bwala made the remark in a post on X on Sunday, shortly after the party announced the council, which is expected to coordinate its nationwide campaign activities and mobilise support for its candidates.

“@PeterObi and NDC have released their list of campaign council members; and as expected it is filled with content creators,” he wrote.

“They stylishly refused to name their campaign media surrogates in the mainstream media masquerading as OAP.”

The NDC named its National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, as chairman of the council, while its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will serve as co-chairman.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was appointed vice-chairman, while its vice-presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, will serve as co-vice-chairman.

The NDC National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, was named council secretary, while Mallam Ibrahim Hussain Abdulkarim will serve as director-general.

Announcing the council, the party said it would provide “strategic leadership” and drive nationwide mobilisation behind its vision of “a new, just, and prosperous Nigeria”.

The party added that the council would deliver a “people-centred and issue-based campaign”, urging its members, supporters and other Nigerians to remain united ahead of the 2027 elections.

Bwala also accused the NDC of failing to identify its alleged media surrogates in mainstream broadcasting, claiming they were masquerading as on-air personalities (OAPs).

His comments came as political parties began strengthening their campaign structures and mobilisation strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

News October 26, 2026 Herdsmen want 30% of agric budget, 417 grazing reserves

Pastoralist groups have rejected the profiling of Fulani pastoralists as bandits and called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a national dialogue on farmer-herder conflicts, following what they say are the killings of hundreds of pastoralists in recent months.

At a news conference on Sunday in Abuja, President of Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria, Dr. Huseini Buzaye, who signed an address on behalf of the Confederation of Pastoralist Non-Governmental Organisations CONPA, said the groups represent “millions of Nigerian pastoralists from all 36 states and FCT”, under over 30 associations.

General Secretary of the association, Abdullahi Ardo, who read the prepared speech on behalf of the president, said; “For too long, the word ‘Fulani Pastoralist’ has been profiled and criminalized as synonymous with banditry, kidnapping and terrorism”.

The groups said the stereotyping “has given impetus to jungle justice, extrajudicial killings, and hate speech against innocent pastoralists, including women and children who have no connection to crime.”

“Criminals are criminals and have no tribe,” the statement said, urging security agencies and the media to “stop ethnic profiling but arrest and prosecute criminals as individuals, not as an ethnic group”, they added.

On the killings, the coalition said in the last few months, hundreds of innocent pastoralists have been killed in coordinated attacks in Plateau, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and other parts of the country. It said women, children and the elderly were among the dead, thousands of cattle were rustled or killed, and entire Rugas were burnt down.

“These killings are not reported. There is no national outrage. There is no compensation. There is no justice,” it said.

The groups demanded an independent investigation into the killings. They also asked the Federal Government to direct the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons NCFRMI to provide relief materials to displaced pastoralists “as it does for other communities”. They also asked security agencies to protect pastoralists “as Nigerian citizens under Section 14 and Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution.”

The coalition commended Tinubu for creating the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, calling it “a historic decision that gave us hope after 60 years of agitation.” But it said the ministry “remains largely unfunded and without a clear operational framework” years after its creation.

It appealed for the ministry “to be seen active at the community level”, and asked the President and the National Assembly to allocate at least 30 per cent of the agricultural budget to it, to “immediately gazette and protect the 417 grazing reserves”, and to start pilot ranches and fodder production in the six geo-political zones.

“Livestock is a 30 trillion economy. It cannot be treated with levity,” the statement said.

Citing what it described as more than 20,000 deaths from the farmer-herder conflict in 10 years, the coalition said: “Nigeria cannot achieve peace by military means alone.”

It called on the President to make “a Presidential Declaration of National Dialogue and Reconciliation on Farmer-Herder and Pastoralist Conflicts”. It said the dialogue should include Miyetti Allah groups, traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN, Jama’atu Nasril Islam JNI, security agencies and state governments, with a mandate of “Truth, Justice, Forgiveness, Compensation, and a Roadmap for Peaceful Co-existence.”

The groups also listed responsibilities for pastoralist communities, urging leaders, households and young people to respect farmers’ rights and lawful property, take “reasonable measures to prevent livestock from entering cultivated farmland”, and cooperate with lawful security investigations. They urged them to report cattle rustling and kidnapping, and to reject violence, banditry and retaliatory violence.

The coalition said it intends to carry out mass awareness and sensitisation across the six geo-political zones, with a framework already worked out.

“We are Nigerians. We are pastoralists. We are not bandits. We love this country. Our cattle feed this nation,” the statement said.

It called on federal and state governments, traditional institutions, farmers’ associations, security agencies and development partners to work together, advocating “justice without discrimination, security without exclusion, development without marginalization, and peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect and the rule of law.”

VANGUARD

News October 26, 2026 IG proposes 200% gratuity for retired police officers

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has proposed a 200 per cent gratuity for retired police officers as part of efforts to address longstanding pension challenges in the Nigeria Police Force.

The proposal is being considered by a presidential committee established to examine the concerns of police personnel and recommend sustainable solutions to the pension crisis.

The committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, the Budget Office of the Federation and the National Pension Commission.

“The IG has intensified efforts to secure improved retirement benefits for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, proposing a 200 per cent gratuity for retired officers as part of wider reforms to address longstanding pension challenges.

“Under the proposed arrangement, eligible officers could retire on pension benefits linked to their last salaries, alongside the enhanced gratuity.

“The package is also expected to address recurring protests by serving officers seeking to exit the Contributory Pension Scheme, a contentious issue within the force,” it partly read.

The proposal is also expected to address persistent protests by serving police officers demanding their exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme.

The initiative seeks to resolve outstanding pension liabilities, improve retirement benefits and establish a more efficient pension administration system.

It also proposes extending the reforms to officers who retired before the implementation of any new framework, with provisions to review their benefits in line with any revised terms.

President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the police pension crisis has raised hopes among retired officers who have complained about inadequate benefits, delayed payments and administrative bottlenecks.

The Federal Government has reportedly cleared outstanding pension payment backlogs that previously left some retirees waiting for up to two years.

It has also introduced pension increases, with some beneficiaries receiving nearly double their previous payments.

Disu’s engagement with the Presidency, PenCom and other relevant institutions is expected to sustain efforts to resolve the challenges, particularly those relating to funding, outstanding liabilities and benefit administration.

However, the proposed 200 per cent gratuity has yet to be approved and remains subject to the committee’s recommendations, government approval, funding arrangements and implementation guidelines.

The final decision will determine the eligibility criteria and whether the proposed changes will apply to serving officers approaching retirement and existing pensioners.

News October 26, 2026 Ebola: SDP presidential candidate warns against shifting 2027 elections

The Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has warned against any attempt to cancel ongoing political campaigns or shift the 2027 general election over the Ebola outbreak.

Adebayo said a single confirmed case of Ebola was insufficient to declare an epidemic, insisting that the country could protect public health without disrupting the electoral process.

He spoke at a dinner organised by his Presidential Campaign Council leadership in Abuja on Sunday, where he also announced that his manifesto had been translated into several Nigerian languages ahead of the 2027 elections.

Recall that the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has said there is no immediate need to cancel political campaigns, conferences or other large gatherings, although the government would consider restrictions if the situation worsened.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja last Thursday, Pate said the decision to impose any restrictions would be guided by scientific evidence and consultations with public health experts.

The SDP candidate argued that Nigeria had successfully contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that the response at the time was marked by transparency.

He said, “Ebola is not the biggest public health crisis we have in Nigeria. It is just that whatever the APC government discusses or presides over, there’s always deception, obfuscation, and opportunism involved.

“One single incident of Ebola is not enough to talk about an epidemic. Secondly, we have dealt with Ebola in Nigeria before during the time of Goodluck Jonathan, with Dr (Onyebuchi) Chukwu as Minister of Health.

“Everybody in Nigeria had a transparent understanding of Ebola. The person who brought it to Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer, from Liberia, the lead consultant physician who treated him then was Dr (Stella) Adadevoh. Everything about it was transparent. But this particular one is shrouded in mystery.

“So, we cannot cancel campaigns, rallies, or shift an important election like the upcoming 2027 poll. The greatest gift anyone can give to support the health of Nigerians is to go to the poll to vote and kick out the APC.”

Adebayo said his campaign would comply with relevant health guidelines while continuing its nationwide mobilisation, urging Nigerians to observe precautionary measures and report suspected symptoms to health authorities.

Beyond the health concerns, Adebayo said his party was preparing to take its policy proposals to Nigerians in languages they could readily understand, urging voters to scrutinise its manifesto before the election.

He said the document addressed security and welfare, which he described as the primary responsibilities of government.

“The primary duty of government is security and welfare. If you have studied our manifesto, you will realised it was published in all the major languages namely English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. As we have gone beyond that to further break it down in other languages, which are now in circulation.

“When we campaign, we want Nigerians to ask questions and cross-examine us on the areas thry are clear about in our policy document,” he stated.

The SDP National Chairman, Prof Sadiq Gombe, praised Adebayo for presenting his policy document ahead of the formal campaign season and translating it into several Nigerian languages.

He said, “This is the first time we have a presidential candidate present his policy document long before the campaign season begins. He is also the first candidate to present his manifesto in all Nigerian languages. This includes Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Kanuri, Fulfulde and so on.

“Therefore, we are urging Nigerians to engage, critique and make invaluable contributions. On behalf of the SDP National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, 36 State Chairmen and the FCT, we are proud to present Prince Adewole Adebayo and his running mate, Dr Usman Bugaje, as the best and credible option to the APC in the 2027 election.”

 

News October 26, 2026 Ebola outbreak: NCDC to pay contacts N100,000 weekly for upkeep

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has approved a weekly payment of ₦100,000 for individuals placed under isolation or quarantine as authorities intensify efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during a briefing on Nigeria’s response to the outbreak, explaining that the financial assistance was introduced to ease the burden on people being monitored for possible exposure to the virus.

According to Idris, some contacts had raised concerns about the cost of feeding, accommodation and providing for their families while complying with public health directives.

“We are paying for their accommodation; we are paying for their feeding. Some of them are asking for a stipend to maintain their families,” he said.

He added, “We are providing N100,000 per person per week just to maintain their comfort and feeding, because they were complaining.”

Idris said the intervention was not part of the agency’s initial plans but had become necessary because of the emergency, adding that the arrangement would be reviewed as the situation developed.

“This was not planned for, but it is an emergency. We will continue to review it as we go along,” Idris said.

The NCDC chief also called on state governments to prepare for similar public health emergencies, stressing that the responsibility for supporting affected contacts should not rest solely on the FCT administration.

“This is not the responsibility of the FCT alone. What we have to do for the FCT, we have to do for any other state, just in case,” he said.

He explained that state governments must make adequate financial and logistical provisions for contact tracing, isolation and other emergency response activities within their respective jurisdictions.

The intervention comes as health authorities step up surveillance and containment measures following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in Abuja on October 20, 2026.

Idris said Nigeria had recorded one confirmed case as of Sunday, with 53 primary contacts identified for monitoring. They include healthcare workers, household members, domestic staff and personnel involved in collecting samples from the patient.

He said public health teams were assessing the contacts based on their level of exposure and monitoring them for symptoms, while anyone who develops signs of infection would undergo further medical assessment and testing.

The agency has also made arrangements to isolate contacts where necessary and monitor their health throughout the 21-day incubation period following their last possible exposure.

According to Idris, one contact who reported feeling unwell had tested negative for Ebola, while surveillance and follow-up activities continued.

He added that the NCDC was strengthening infection prevention and control measures in healthcare facilities, training health personnel and supporting the availability of protective equipment and laboratory supplies.

The confirmed case involves a woman who travelled to Nigeria from Uganda and tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

She reportedly developed symptoms on October 7, sought medical attention in Abuja on October 11 and received confirmation of her infection on October 20.

The World Health Organisation has classified the infection as an imported case, with investigations ongoing to establish the likely source of exposure.

The wider regional outbreak has also affected the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya, highlighting the importance of cross-border surveillance, timely detection and effective contact tracing.

Nigeria previously contained an Ebola outbreak in 2014 through case identification, isolation, contact tracing and coordinated public health interventions.

Idris said the agency was applying lessons from that experience to strengthen the country’s preparedness, noting that successful containment would require cooperation among government institutions, healthcare workers, affected contacts and the public.

He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information, avoid spreading rumours and cooperate with health officials carrying out contact tracing and monitoring.

(PUNCH)

News October 26, 2026 Presidency: Peter Obi is stingy but I will vote for him on …- Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he would vote for Peter Obi as “president of social media” but would not support the former Anambra State governor to lead Nigeria.

Wike made the remarks during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he criticised Obi’s leadership record and questioned his suitability for the presidency.

“Truly speaking, I gave him president of social media. If you were to vote who will be president of social media, I will vote for him. But if it is to govern Nigeria, it is capital no!” he said.

The FCT minister also mocked Obi over his habit of carrying his own bags, describing the gesture as a sign of stinginess.

“As a former governor, you cannot be stingy not to have employed a personal assistant who will carry your bag. You want to show you carry your bag. We don’t want such a stingy person as a president,” he said.

Wike further challenged Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, arguing that the performance of the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo, should provide a basis for assessing the former governor’s administration.

He also criticised politicians who abandon their parties during internal disagreements, insisting that leadership requires the ability to confront challenges rather than walk away from them.

“How will you solve the problem of the country? Did you see when there was a problem in PDP? Did I run? I defeated them,” he said.

The minister also expressed reservations about the leadership associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket and questioned the reliability of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he had known since their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), indicating that he would back the party in the 2027 presidential election.

Turning to the previous administration in Rivers State, Wike urged residents to examine the records of politicians seeking public office rather than rely solely on campaign promises.

He alleged that $39 million was spent on a proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, claiming that construction had not progressed to the foundation stage.

“Thirty-nine million US dollars, 53 billion naira, gone! As I speak to you, there is no foundation, no one block laid,” he said.

Wike also alleged that approximately N60 billion was spent on the state’s monorail project, questioning its functionality and the benefits it had delivered to residents.

On the sale of a gas turbine, he claimed the transaction was valued at $308 million but alleged that only $308,000 remained in the relevant state account when he assumed office in May 2015.

The minister also recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating Rivers State to tackle mosquito bites, questioning the rationale for the exercise given that the state shares boundaries with several neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, Wike announced that the Rainbow Coalition would unveil its candidates on Tuesday, October 27, naming Kingsley Chinda as its preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

He explained that the coalition comprised members of different political parties, including the APC and PDP, and that some of its candidates would contest under the APC platform.

“Under the Rainbow Coalition in our state today, you see APC, PDP, all of us. No more Rivers of blood, no more shooting, not many people going to die,” Wike said.

The minister urged residents to support candidates he described as experienced and committed to public service, adding that concerns raised by people in Bonny would receive attention.

He also commended the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, saying the project had improved access to the island community and eased the difficulties residents previously faced when travelling by boat.

Wike said he had informed President Tinubu that the road was a significant achievement for the people of Bonny.

Entertainment News October 26, 2026 Umu Obiligbo, Zoro, Jeriq, Others Set to Thrill Abuja at Inaugural Obindigbo Music Fest November 15

Popular Nigerian Highlife music duo, Umu Obiligbo, will headline the inaugural Obindigbo Music Fest in Abuja on November 15, 2026, alongside other celebrated artistes in a concert designed to showcase the richness of Igbo music, culture and heritage.

The event, tagged Umu Obiligbo Live (Obindigbo Music Fest), will also feature performances by Zoro, Jeriq, Ugoccie and other special guest artistes, bringing together music lovers for an evening of cultural celebration and entertainment.

The festival is an initiative of Stealth Mode Ltd, which has entered into a strategic partnership with Umu Obiligbo Global to establish an annual entertainment platform dedicated to promoting Igbo musical heritage and connecting audiences across generations.

Built around the philosophy of “Nke Bụ Nke Anyị” (That Which Belongs to All of Us), the festival seeks to celebrate Igbo identity, preserve indigenous music and provide a common platform for cultural expression.

Speaking on the initiative, the Principal Partner of Stealth Mode Ltd, Kaycee Nnamdi Oguejiofor, described the festival as a long-term investment in cultural preservation rather than a one-off entertainment event.

“Obindigbo Music Fest is our contribution to preserving and celebrating the legacy of Igbo music. We wanted to build something that goes beyond a single concert — something our people can identify with, take pride in and look forward to every year.

“‘Nke Bụ Nke Anyị’ is more than a slogan; it is our philosophy. It reminds us that our culture is strongest when we celebrate it together. This festival belongs to all of us,” he said.

Umu Obiligbo, renowned for blending traditional Igbo Highlife with contemporary sounds, have continued to attract audiences within Nigeria and internationally. The duo have recorded over 200 million streams and won the Best African Group award at the 2020 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA).

Reacting to their partnership with Stealth Mode Ltd, the music group expressed excitement about headlining the maiden edition, describing the festival as an opportunity to promote cultural identity and unity through music.

“Music has always been our way of telling the stories of our people. Obindigbo Music Fest is a platform that reflects those same values — identity, unity and pride in where we come from.

“We are honoured to headline the inaugural edition and look forward to sharing this experience with our fans and everyone who believes in preserving our culture through music,” the duo stated.

Beyond musical performances, the organisers said the festival will feature premium hospitality and interactive brand experiences, while creating opportunities for corporate organisations, cultural institutions and development partners to engage with a diverse audience.

Stealth Mode Ltd also disclosed that discussions are ongoing with prospective partners as it works towards establishing Obindigbo Music Fest as a major annual cultural entertainment event in Africa.

The Abuja concert is expected to mark the beginning of a lasting tradition that celebrates the contributions of Igbo music to Nigeria's entertainment industry while introducing its rich heritage to younger generations and wider audiences.