Morning Roundup: Fri 13-11-2026
Lagos political heavyweights rally behind the APC's 2027 ticket, the Federal Government hands over Port Harcourt airport to private operators, and political tension flares after an attack on opposition supporters in Lagos — all while the Emefiele fraud trial and the NGX's rebound keep the economic pages busy.
2027 Politicking Heats Up
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his predecessor Akinwunmi Ambode led APC leaders in rallying residents across Lagos East and beyond behind President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid and the governorship ambition of his deputy, Kashim Shettima's running mate Hamzat. ThisDay reports the duo "applauded President Tinubu's contributions to Lagos' development" at the party's campaign launch, while Vanguard notes the event sought "voters' support for Tinubu, Hamzat." Elsewhere, support groups are also mobilising at scale, with Vanguard reporting that the BTO4PBAT '27 group is targeting "1m votes for Tinubu in Ondo" through grassroots mobilisation across nearly 4,000 polling units, while in Rivers State, Vanguard quotes a push from Wike's camp: "He said, 'How much is the registered votes here?' I said, 'over three million.' He said, 'Okay, you will bring three million.'" In Kwara, PDP governorship candidate Sulaimon Bolakale Kawu unveiled his manifesto for 2027, with Channels TV reporting he "Pledges ₦100bn Security Fund" to tackle insecurity if elected.
“rallied support for President Bola Tinubu and the APC governorship candidate”
“Kwara PDP Candidate Kawu Pledges ₦100bn Security Fund”
Political Violence Draws Condemnation
The ruling APC's Presidential Campaign Council has condemned a violent disruption of an NDC town hall meeting in Lagos, with Punch reporting the council "condemned recent attacks on political gatherings" and urged police to arrest those responsible. Channels TV adds that the APC-PCC "urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning against actions capable of triggering violence and public disorder," while Vanguard reports that the House of Representatives, the NDC and the APC-PCC have all "condemned reported cases of political violence across the country" following the Lagos attack on opposition supporters.
“urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint, warning against actions capable of triggering violence and public disorder”
“condemned reported cases of political violence across the country”
Port Harcourt Airport Goes Private
The Federal Government has concessioned the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport in Port Harcourt to a private operator for three decades. Nairametrics reports the facility has been handed to "Port Harcourt Airport Company Ltd. for 30 years as part of efforts to reduce the financial" burden on government, while Punch notes the agreement comes with assurances to aviation unions "of no job losses." Vanguard frames the move as part of a broader strategy "to attract private investment" in the sector.
“assuring aviation unions of no job losses”
“as part of efforts to attract private investment”
Emefiele Trial and Anti-Graft Recoveries
The $4.5 billion fraud trial against former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele continued in an Ikeja court, where a witness told the EFCC that the ex-CBN chief "acquired multi-billion naira properties through proxies," according to Tribune Online. Premium Times reports the witness alleged Emefiele "used his position to create a system that made it difficult for businesses and ordinary Nigerians to access foreign exchange, forcing some applicants to resort to special arrangements." In a separate anti-corruption push, Punch reports that the ICPC "has recovered over N5.3bn from local government accounts in seven states and the FCT," and is now partnering with NITDA on an online transparency initiative. Meanwhile, in a related court matter, Daily Trust reports the EFCC arraigned musician Felix Osagie over an alleged N21.2 million fraud.
“forcing some applicants to resort to special arrangements”
“recovered over N5.3bn from local government accounts in seven states and the FCT”
Economy and Infrastructure
The Nigerian equities market bounced back on Thursday, with Tribune Online reporting the NGX "rebounded 0.20% as market capitalisation gains N328bn," driven by renewed buying interest in heavyweight stocks including Seplat Energy. Separately, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu hailed the upcoming Bakassi Deep Seaport project ahead of its groundbreaking by President Tinubu, with ThisDay quoting him calling it a "Game-Changer for C'River, Nigeria's Economic Future." However, the opposition Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation is pushing back on the administration's oil dealings, with ThisDay reporting the group has demanded an inquest into a reported commitment of "approximately 340 million barrels" of crude tied to an N11.2 trillion advance sale.
Tragedy at UNN
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka has confirmed a tragic incident after four students died and six others were hospitalised following an off-campus house party. Punch reports the university "confirmed the deaths of four students and the hospitalisation of six others after an off-campus party," while Tribune Online notes that Enugu State Police have launched an investigation into the "sudden deaths of four persons reportedly identified as students."
“confirmed the deaths of four students and the hospitalisation of six others after an off-campus party”
“sudden deaths of four persons reportedly identified as students”
World & Sports
In Washington, DC, a gunman killed one person and wounded four others in an upscale neighbourhood before turning the gun on himself, with Vanguard reporting he went on to barricade "himself inside his apartment and taking his own life." On the pitch, Italy delivered a statement result in Milan, coming from behind to beat France 3-1 and, as Leadership reports, "handing Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France head coach" while moving the Azzurri top of their Nations League group.
“barricading himself inside his apartment and taking his own life”
“handing Zinedine Zidane his first defeat as France head coach”