Today's Paper Roundup: Mon 07-09-2026
From Osun's tribunal battles to a royal succession drama in the north, a shock loss for Chelsea in London, and Dangote's blockbuster IPO announcement, Monday's papers span politics, palace intrigue, sport and big business at home and abroad.
Osun Tribunal Showdown
The dust from Osun's governorship election has yet to settle, as both major opposition parties have taken their fight to court. Premium Times reports that the petitions by the APC and the PDP challenge the outcome of the 15 August governorship election which returned Mr Adeleke as governor for a second term, while Vanguard notes that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has displayed two petitions filed by the parties challenging the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“the petitions by the APC and the PDP challenge the outcome of the 15 August governorship election which returned Mr Adeleke as governor for second term in office”
“has displayed two petitions filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the re-election of Governor Ademola”
Duke's Democracy Broadside
Former Cross River governor and PRP presidential candidate Donald Duke has stirred debate with a blunt assessment of Nigeria's democratic record. Vanguard reports that Duke has declared that Nigerians were better off under military rule, while ThisDay's dek adds that he decried a weak opposition, electoral disputes and widening inequality, arguing that 27 years of civilian administration has failed to deliver.
“Nigerians better off under military rule”
“Decries weak opposition, electoral disputes, widening inequality”
New Emirs Installed in Jigawa and Zamfara
Two northern states have moved swiftly to fill vacant royal stools. In Jigawa, Daily Trust reports that the state government has approved the appointment of Dr Lawan Ahmed Muhammad Sani as the new Emir of Gumel, making him the 17th Emir in the history of the ancient Gumel Emirate, succeeding his late father. In Zamfara, Premium Times notes that the new monarch ascends the throne as the 21st Sarkin Zamfaran Zurmi, succeeding His Royal Highness, Alhaji Bello Suleiman, who passed away on 31 August 2026, with Governor Dauda Lawal approving Alhaji Aminu Atiku for the role.
“making him the 17th Emir in the history of the ancient Gumel Emirate”
“the new monarch ascends the throne as the 21st Sarkin Zamfaran Zurmi”
Tragedy in Zamfara
A grim note from Zamfara State, where Sahara Reporters reports that National Open University Bursar Nasiru Marafa was shot dead, with the university describing his death as sudden and untimely. Vanguard adds that Marafa was reportedly shot dead while returning from Gusau, Zamfara State, with Channels TV noting that no further details had been provided on the circumstances of the shooting as at the time of reporting.
“Marafa died on Sunday, September 6, 2026, in what the university described as a sudden and untimely death”
“reportedly shot dead while returning from Gusau, Zamfara State”
Amotekun Cracks Self-Kidnapping Plot
Security operatives in Ondo State have uncovered what appears to be an elaborate hoax. BusinessDay reports that the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has arrested four persons over an alleged self-kidnapping plot, while Leadership's account states that the corps uncovered an alleged self-kidnapping and false-alarm scheme in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
“arrested four persons over an alleged self-kidnapping plot”
Africa Watch: Koroma's Homecoming and Loss in Tanzania
In regional news, Nigeria played host-turned-facilitator as Channels TV reports that Nigeria has helped secure the return of former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma, who had left for Nigeria in 2024, days after being charged with treason and other offences over a deadly 2023 army uprising. Former President Goodluck Jonathan personally saw him off, according to Vanguard. Separately, sorrow has struck Tanzania's presidency, as Leadership reports that the husband of Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar, with Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi announcing his death.
“Koroma had left for Nigeria in 2024, days after being charged with treason and other offences over a deadly 2023 army uprising”
“has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar”
World: Trump's New Mexico Proposal
Across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump has floated another controversial renaming idea. Vanguard reports that Trump has suggested renaming the state of New Mexico "New America", prompting an immediate rejection from the state's governor, while Tribune Online notes the proposal drew a swift rejection from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham after Trump made it in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
“drawing a swift rejection from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham”
London Derby Thriller
On the pitch, Arsenal survived an early scare to see off London rivals Chelsea in a blockbuster clash. Daily Trust reports that Martin Odegaard scored the winner as Arsenal overpowered Chelsea, despite going down to an early setback, while Vanguard notes the 2-1 win ended their rivals' unbeaten start to the season on Sunday.
“Martin Odegaard scored the winner as Arsenal overpowered Chelsea”
“ended their rivals' unbeaten start”
Business: Dangote IPO and BDC Crackdown
In the business world, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has unveiled a landmark share offer. Channels TV reports that Dangote Refinery has set ₦525 per share for its $1.6bn IPO, with the company seeking to raise about ₦2.2tn from investors, while Vanguard puts the figure at a N2.15 trillion Initial Public Offer. Meanwhile, the courts have come down hard on illegal forex dealing, as Nairametrics reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced two Bureau De Change operators to five years' imprisonment each, with an option of a N2 million fine, for conducting BDC business without a valid licence.
“seeking to raise about ₦2.2tn from investors”
Odds and Ends
Elsewhere, the US has released its 2026 Diversity Visa selections, with Legit.ng noting that citizens from 16 West African countries were picked, though Legit.ng also reports that one African country was barred from participating in the Green Card Lottery altogether. And in a curious dispatch from Poland, Channels TV reports that around 30 robots "protested" in Warsaw for AI regulation, organised by an initiative called Democratism that aims to spark debate on how AI and robotisation affect the labour market.
“1 African country barred from getting diversity visa in 2026”
“aims to launch debate "on how AI and robotisation affect the labour market"”