AfriPulse
Top headline on Thursday morning is a blow to Nigerian football after FIFA has officially confirmed DR Congo’s participation in the inter-confederation play-off tournament, dashing the Super Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Political manoeuvring is heating up in Oyo State ahead of 2027, with lobbying intensifying for the ministerial seat expected to be vacated by Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
This is as Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly weighing a defection from the PDP to the APC as the INEC deadline approaches and PDP internal crises persist.
On security reforms, Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has inaugurated a committee to propose a framework for state police in Nigeria.
Here is a roundup of some of the top stories in Nigeria this morning:
FIFA dashes Super Eagles’ World Cup hope, confirms DR Congo in play-off tournament
World football governing body, FIFA, has confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament for the 2026 World Cup, naming Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s representative.
The decision effectively ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament after the Super Eagles lost to Congo DR in the African play-off and their subsequent protest failed to alter the outcome.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/breaking-fifa-dashes-super-eagles-world-cup-hope-confirms-dr-congo-in-play-off-tournament/#google_vignette
Oyo 2027: Jostle for Adelabu’s ministerial seat heats up
Interested individuals are already jostling for the seat of the Minister of Power, as the current minister, Adebayo Adelabu, prepares to contest the Oyo State governorship election.
This is even as stakeholders urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a technocrat as his replacement.
Barring any last-minute change of plans, Adelabu is expected to resign his appointment in the coming weeks to vie for the Oyo governorship ticket under the All Progressives Congress.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/oyo-2027-jostle-for-adelabus-ministerial-seat-heats-up/
Zamfara gov weighs defection as INEC deadline looms
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly considering joining the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Speculation has it that APC leaders in Abuja have reportedly wooed the governor to the party, allegedly offering him an automatic ticket to contest the governorship in 2027.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/zamfara-gov-weighs-defection-as-inec-deadline-looms/
IGP sets up panel to develop state police framework
Newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a committee on the establishment of state police.
The panel is expected to examine operational, legal and structural issues surrounding the long-debated proposal.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/state-police-ig-sets-up-panel-to-propose-framework/
‘I won’t die anytime soon,’ Obasanjo says at 89
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that he has no intention of dying soon as he marked his 89th birthday, joking that he still has work to do for Nigeria and humanity.
The elder statesman spoke during the celebration’s activities, where he also discussed the “loneliness” of leadership.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/i-wont-die-anytime-soon-obasanjo-declares-at-89/
Yabatech student killed amid rising cult violence in Lagos
A student of Yaba College of Technology has been reportedly killed in Lagos in what authorities suspect to be linked to cult-related violence.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about escalating cult clashes around tertiary institutions in the state.
Read the full story here: https://punchng.com/yabatech-student-killed-in-lagos-amid-rising-cult-violence/#
Source: PunchNG | Read the Full Story…
