In today’s morning recap, Nigeria’s political, energy, education, security and economic sectors feature prominently, with developments ranging from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s decisions on political aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections to plans for the commencement of operations at seven modular refineries next year.
Also making headlines are a philanthropist’s intervention for the family of late singer Toluwanisings, the Federal Government’s reported N5tn expenditure on military operations and former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political move to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The developments cut across governance and electoral politics, the downstream petroleum industry, entertainment, national security and defence spending, as well as political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has also taken a swipe at Governor Hope Uzodimma, while pledging to build a political coalition to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Read the full stories below:
2027: INEC rejects Adebutu, Gwarzo, confirms Pantami
The fate of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and that of the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate in Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, remains uncertain as their petitions were among the 64 rejected by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Thursday.
However, the candidacy of former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy and Gombe State PDP governorship candidate, Isa Ali Pantami, was cleared by the electoral commission for the 2027 election.
A source in INEC, who spoke to The on Thursday night on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment on the matter, said Adebutu’s and Gwarzo’s candidacies remained uncertain following the review of complaints over the final lists of candidates for the 2027 governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
He confirmed that Pantami had been cleared to contest in Gombe State.
Seven modular refineries to begin operations in 2027
Nigeria’s modular refining sector is expected to expand next year, with seven new refineries projected to commence operations with a combined capacity of 83,000 barrels per day, according to Argus Media’s George Maher-Bonnett.
Maher-Bonnett disclosed this in Lagos on Wednesday during a presentation at the OTL Africa Downstream conference, where he highlighted the changing dynamics of Nigeria’s petroleum products market amid rising local refining capacity and declining fuel demand.
In his presentation, titled ‘African Energy Outlook’, Maher-Bonnett said four modular refineries operated in Nigeria in September, with a combined capacity of 32,000 barrels per day.
“Four modular refineries operating in September, total 32,000 b/d capacity,” he said.
Osun philanthropist offers scholarships to Toluwanisings’ children, housing for father
An Ikirun-born philanthropist and All Peoples Movement senatorial candidate for Osun Central, Ibraheem Luqman, has offered to provide accommodation for the father of late gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings, and scholarships for the deceased’s two children.
The gesture follows public concerns over the living conditions of the singer’s father, Muniru Adekunle Olayemi, after images and videos showing the state of his home attracted attention on social media.
Luqman, in a statement issued by his campaign organisation on Wednesday, said he had dispatched a team to Ikirun, Osun State, to meet the elderly man and communicate his commitment to supporting the family.
According to the statement, the philanthropist offered to relocate Olayemi to decent accommodation within Ikirun for a more comfortable living environment. He also pledged to sponsor the education of the late singer’s two daughters.
Osun philanthropist offers scholarships to Toluwanisings’ children, housing for father
FG pumps N5tn into military operations
The Federal Government has disbursed N5.15tn in special intervention funds to the Nigerian military and related security agencies between November 2023 and September 2026, amid persistent insecurity, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
An analysis by The of documents from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, obtained on Thursday, revealed that the government received N5.65tn into a dedicated special intervention account over the period, out of which N5.15tn had been disbursed, representing 91.15 per cent of the total funds.
The records showed that the intervention was financed through allocations from the Federation Account and other government revenue sources, including non-oil revenue and funds transferred from a FAAC withholding account.
The document, titled ‘Ledger of Special Intervention Programme for Nigerian Military September, 2026”, was prepared by the Federation Account Department of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and formed part of the records presented to the Technical Sub-Committee of FAAC at its meeting in Abuja on October 14, 2026.
Okorocha slams Uzodimma, vows ‘Rainbow Coalition’ for Tinubu
Former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has described current Imo governor Hope Uzodimma as an opportunist, saying he lacks the political power to carry the Southeast.
Okorocha also noted that Uzodimma doesn’t beat his popularity among the Imo people, saying he (Uzodimma) only exists in the Aso Villa.
On Thursday, Okorocha had commended a Federal High Court judgment on the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Imo West as a victory for the judiciary, democracy and the Nigerian Constitution.
Following conflicting claims over the outcome of the APC primary ahead of the 2027 elections, Okorocha had sued the ruling APC and others, seeking a declaration that he was the authentic party candidate for Imo West Senatorial District, as opposed to Uzodimma, who was declared by the party.
Okorocha slams Uzodimma, vows ‘Rainbow Coalition’ for Tinubu