Nigerian Newspapers: 10 things you need to know Wednesday morning

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. The Presidency has debunked allegations by the Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and misleading. Obi had said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

2. The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar II, on Wednesday, called on all northern stakeholders to close ranks against the scourge of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping, declaring that security is a collective responsibility. Speaking during the 19th Northern Traditional And Governors meeting in Kaduna, the Sultan said the region could only overcome insecurity through unity and collaboration.

3. Proceedings in the House of Representatives descended into a heated session on Wednesday after lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain delays in the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The disagreement erupted during plenary when member, Benedict Etanabene, raised a point of privilege over a circular issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

4. A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina has ordered detention of Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a lecturer and public affairs commentator. Chief Magistrate Zaharaddeen Kofar Soro gave the order after the Katsina State Police Command arraigned Kurfi over alleged defamation of character and injurious falsehood.

5. The purported Director-General, DG, of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, Prince Adeyemi Matthew has denied ever meeting Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila in person. He also denied any involvement in the scandalous N1.3b budgetary allocation to the fake agency, saying he was in police detention and knew nothing about it.

6. The Senate on Wednesday approved the 2026 budget proposal of the Nigerian Customs Service, endorsing a revenue target of N11.074tn and an expenditure estimate of N1.295tn for the 2026 fiscal year. The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs during plenary.

7. Residents of the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area in Lagos State who fail to place waste bins or drums in front of their homes may face a fine of N50,000 or up to six months’ imprisonment if a proposed environmental bye-law is passed into law. The proposal is contained in an amendment bill presented by the legislative arm of the council’s Sixth Assembly during the second day of the Agboyi-Ketu LCDA Legislative Week.

8. Operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a 68-year-old man and his son for allegedly being in unlawful possession of four single-barrel guns along the Igbogene–Tombia Expressway in Yenagoa. This was disclosed in a statement issued and signed by Police Public Relations Officer DSP Musa Mohammed on Wednesday.

9. President Bola Tinubu has welcomed former Sokoto State governorship candidate, Sa’idu Umar Ubandoma, back to the All Progressives Congress, describing his return as a positive development for the party. Ubandoma was received by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday night after being presented by the APC leader in Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, following his recent defection to the ruling party.

10. Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday endorsed the establishment of state police, urging nationwide constitutional reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. Lawmakers also called on the 36 State Houses of Assembly to expedite consideration and approval of the Constitution Alteration Bill on state policing.