1. El-Rufai Family Gives Defence Minister Seven Days to Prove or Retract Southern Kaduna Claim

The family of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has given Defence Minister Christopher Musa seven days to provide evidence supporting his claim that El-Rufai planned killings in Southern Kaduna or publicly retract the allegation and apologise.

The demand was contained in a statement signed by El-Rufai’s eldest son and House of Representatives member, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, following Musa’s remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on September 3. The family described the allegation as serious and said no evidence was presented during the broadcast.

Family Demands Evidence

The statement acknowledged Musa’s right to express his opinion but stressed that allegations involving planned killings must be supported by evidence.

The family warned that failure to comply within the seven-day deadline would leave it with no option but to pursue legal action.

The development has added to political tensions involving El-Rufai, who is now associated with the opposition, and the Federal Government, amid renewed debates over his administration in Kaduna State.

2. Peter Obi Declares Seyi Makinde Qualified for Presidency at APM Campaign Office Launch

Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi on Monday attended the inauguration of the Allied Peoples Movement presidential campaign office of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Abuja, where he declared Makinde qualified to become president.

Obi stressed the need for unity and inclusion, saying Nigerians should freely choose their leaders through credible elections before working together to address hunger, poverty and insecurity.

Obi Calls for Unity

Obi said the focus should remain on rescuing Nigeria rather than partisan desperation, regardless of who wins the 2027 election.

APM national leader and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed also praised Makinde’s record in Oyo State and urged Nigerians not to underestimate the party.

Obi’s appearance at Makinde’s campaign event has raised fresh discussions about possible cooperation among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections.

3. Over 500 APC Members in Delta North Defect to NDC

More than 500 members of the All Progressives Congress from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress on Monday in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area.

The group was led by former Delta Coalition for Equity convener Chief Alex Ikpeazu and included former party leaders and other stakeholders who cited marginalisation, deprivation and neglect under the APC as reasons for their departure.

Defectors Pledge Support for Obi

NDC Delta State Chairman, Dr Oyidobo Richmond, received the defectors and described the move as a significant boost to the party’s strength in the state.

The new members pledged support for NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi and the party’s Delta governorship candidate, Deacon Yovwaye Chris, ahead of the 2027 elections.

4. Suspected Boko Haram Insurgents Kill at Least 11 in Adamawa Attack

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Zaranga village in Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State in the early hours of Monday, killing at least 11 people, burning houses and forcing residents to flee into surrounding forests.

Residents said the gunmen opened fire while many people were asleep, while search teams and security personnel continued efforts to locate several missing residents.

Residents Search for Missing Persons

One resident said his wife and two other family members were among those killed in the attack.

The incident is one of several recent attacks reported in Adamawa and has heightened concerns about the safety of communities close to areas historically affected by Boko Haram activities.

Local leaders have called for stronger security measures to protect residents from further attacks.

5. Dangote Refinery Completes IPO Sign-Off for N2.15 Trillion Share Offer

Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Monday completed the endorsement of its initial public offering documents in Lagos, clearing the way for its N2.15 trillion share offer to open on September 14.

The offering will involve 4.1 billion ordinary shares at N525 each, with the company seeking to raise about N2.15 trillion, equivalent to $1.6 billion, to fund expansion of its production capacity towards 1.4 million barrels per day.

Retail Investors Set to Participate

The minimum subscription has been set at 10 shares, valued at N5,250, to encourage participation by retail investors.

Aliko Dangote led the signing ceremony alongside advisers involved in the transaction. The Securities and Exchange Commission had approved the offer days earlier.

The proposed listing is expected to increase the market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange and deepen local ownership of the refinery.

6. Falconets Open FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Campaign with 2-0 Defeat to Spain

Nigeria’s Falconets began their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Spain in their Group F opener at Arena Sosnowiec in Poland on Monday.

Marisa García opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Alba Cerrato doubled Spain’s lead in the 73rd minute as the European side controlled much of the game.

Nigeria Face China and New Caledonia

The result leaves Nigeria needing positive results against China PR on Thursday and New Caledonia on Sunday to progress from Group F.

China opened its campaign with a 5-0 victory over New Caledonia and currently leads the group.

The Falconets, twice runners-up at the tournament, will now look to recover in their remaining group matches.

7. FG Clarifies No Extra Passport Charges for Nigerians in UK

The Federal Government has clarified that Nigerians in the United Kingdom applying for international passports under the ongoing special intervention exercise are not required to pay fees beyond the approved rates.

The official charges are $150 for a five-year passport and $230 for a 10-year passport, excluding bank charges.

Government Addresses Processing Concerns

The clarification was issued by Alao Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Minister of Interior on Media and Publicity, on behalf of Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

The intervention was introduced to improve access to passport services for Nigerians living in the UK.

The ministry said it was working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to resolve logistical challenges reported at some centres and improve service delivery.

8. Osun APC Denies Filing Petition Against Adeleke’s Re-Election

The All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council in Osun State has denied reports that the party or its candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, filed a petition challenging Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the August 2026 governorship election.

The council described the reports as false and mischievous.

Party Denies Tribunal Challenge

The clarification followed confusion over a document displayed at the Election Petition Tribunal.

APC officials maintained that neither the party nor its candidate had instituted a challenge against the election result.

The party’s statement was aimed at ending speculation over whether it had formally challenged Adeleke’s re-election.

9. NNPP Yobe Chairman and Thousands of Members Defect to APC

Yobe State Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Yakubu Shehu Damagum, and more than 8,000 members of the NNPP and Peoples Democratic Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress.

The defection involved members from Fune, Fika, Potiskum and Nangere local government areas and took place at Sabon Garin Nangere on Monday.

Defectors Praise Yobe Government

The defectors cited the performance and inclusive programmes of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration as reasons for joining the APC.

Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana received the new members on behalf of the governor and assured them of equal treatment within the party.

The mass movement comes as political parties continue efforts to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

10. Electricity Workers Protest Sack and Casualisation at IBEDC Ibadan

Electricity workers in Ibadan on Thursday protested at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company office on Ring Road over the dismissal of 17 colleagues and the prolonged casualisation of workers.

The protesters alleged that some employees had worked for years on low salaries without being moved into permanent employment.

Workers Demand Better Conditions

The protest highlights continuing labour concerns in Nigeria’s electricity distribution sector, particularly over job security and employment conditions.

It also comes amid wider challenges surrounding service delivery and workforce conditions across electricity distribution companies.

IBEDC management had yet to issue a detailed public response to the workers’ allegations as of the time of the report.