Today's Paper Roundup: Thu 08-10-2026
From warnings over the 2027 polls to a damning audit of a federal agency, a continental corruption case and a Lagos farewell to a Nollywood titan, Thursday's papers span politics, money and memory in equal measure.
2027 Battle Lines Drawn
The African Democratic Congress has put the political class on notice ahead of the next general election, with its National Chairman David Mark declaring the party will resist manipulation at the polls. Punch reports the warning plainly: "2027: ADC won't accept rigging – Mark," a line echoed by ThisDay, which adds that the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs is also mobilising ahead of next year's vote, noting the council "backs state police, mobilises Muslims for next year's elections" even as ThisDay notes "Over 1000 Islamic clerics ask Tinubu to drop re-election bid." Yet the ADC's combative posture sits awkwardly alongside developments in Kebbi State, where Punch reports a wave of defections to the ruling party: "ADC candidates, others defect to APC in Kebbi," with members citing Governor Nasir Idris's achievements as the pull factor.
“2027: ADC won’t accept rigging – Mark”
“backs state police, mobilises Muslims for next year’s elections”
“ADC candidates, others defect to APC in Kebbi”
Accountability Questions
A fresh audit report has turned scrutiny on one of the country's key federal agencies, with Premium Times detailing how the National Population Commission mismanaged a staggering sum. The report states plainly that the Auditor-General's office found weaknesses behind "How Nigeria's Population Commission mismanaged N245 billion on undelivered products, other controversial contracts," attributing the failures to "weaknesses in the NPC's internal control system." The paper recommends the commission's leadership be made to answer to the National Assembly's oversight committees.
“How Nigeria’s Population Commission mismanaged N245 billion on undelivered products, other controversial contracts”
Fuel, Forex and the Economy
The cost-of-living conversation continues to dominate business pages, with labour pressing government on the naira-dollar rate even as politicians face scrutiny over past promises. ThisDay reports the Trade Union Congress president Festus Osifo pushing a specific target, as the paper headlines "TUC Tells FG: Implement N800 to $1 Exchange Rate to Reduce Fuel Price." Meanwhile BusinessDay takes aim at the opposition's shifting stance on subsidy, noting "Opposition in world's poverty capital lures voters with costly subsidy return," and warning that a reversal "as Obi, Atiku backtrack on 2023 campaign promise" could see a "new subsidy burden could cost N14 trillion yearly." On the energy supply side, ThisDay reports a major regional expansion move, as "Dangote Opens $1.6bn Refinery IPO to East Africa, Offers Investors $300m Slice," with Uganda and Kenya said to have "cleared routes for interested investors."
“TUC Tells FG: Implement N800 to $1 Exchange Rate to Reduce Fuel Price”
“Opposition in world’s poverty capital lures voters with costly subsidy return”
“Dangote Opens $1.6bn Refinery IPO to East Africa, Offers Investors $300m Slice”
Industry, Trade and Diplomacy
Lawmakers are pushing to cut Nigeria's reliance on foreign-made cars, with Leadership reporting the National Assembly's resolve in a bill described as the body's effort toward "NASS Targets Nigeria's Dependence On Imported Vehicles, Vows To Fast-Track Auto Industry Bill." On the diplomatic front, Nigeria is widening its partnerships abroad: Leadership reports progress with Addis Ababa under the headline "Nigeria, Ethiopia Move To Deepen Ties In Trade, Agriculture, Security," while Tribune Online reports aviation-focused talks with New Delhi, noting the government's plan to deepen "Nigeria, India bilateral ties in aviation." In the private sector, BusinessDay reports a new industrial entrant with its "Bobtrack group unveils range of EV cars, super tractor."
“NASS Targets Nigeria’s Dependence On Imported Vehicles, Vows To Fast-Track Auto Industry Bill”
“Nigeria, Ethiopia Move To Deepen Ties In Trade, Agriculture, Security”
“FG moves to deepen Nigeria, India bilateral ties in aviation”
Courts, Communities and Grievances
On the legal front, Leadership reports that a Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail in a high-profile cyberstalking case, noting the judge "Grants N3m Bail To Woman Accused Of Cyberstalking Okoya's Wife." Elsewhere, grassroots frustration is boiling over in Ondo State, where Leadership reports commercial motorcyclists have taken to the streets, as "Okada Riders" in Akure "Protest Extortion, Multiple Levies," complaining that repeated payments are squeezing their earnings. In the political grassroots, Leadership also reports a Cross River candidate's call for discipline within party ranks under the headline "Cross River NDC Candidate Urges Leaders To Avoid Distraction."
“Court Grants N3m Bail To Woman Accused Of Cyberstalking Okoya’s Wife”
“Ondo ‘Okada Riders’ Protest Extortion, Multiple Levies”
“Cross River NDC Candidate Urges Leaders To Avoid Distraction”
Africa Watch and Culture
Beyond Nigeria's borders, Tribune Online revisits the long shadow of looted state funds on the continent, examining the recovery of money tied to a former West African strongman in a piece titled "Africa's stolen wealth: The Yahya Jammeh case," which notes the return of "$2.5 million to The Gambia by the United States" from the sale of a Maryland mansion linked to the ex-president. On the cultural scene, ThisDay offers a moving account of Nollywood's send-off for one of its founding figures, reporting that "Lagos Stood Still" as mourners gathered for the actor in a piece headlined "Final Curtain for a Legend as Lagos Stood Still for Olu Jacobs, the Titan Who Built Nollywood." ThisDay also notes lighter cultural news, with Globacom reaffirming its heritage ties ahead of the Ofala festival in Onitsha.
“Africa’s stolen wealth: The Yahya Jammeh case”
“Final Curtain for a Legend as Lagos Stood Still for Olu Jacobs, the Titan Who Built Nollywood”
“GLO Renews Commitment to Cultural Heritage Ahead Ofala 2026”