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African News Digest, lagos, Owerri (2026)

27/09/2026

🔥 BREAKING: IRAN CLAIMS SEIZURE OF SECOND U.S. UNDERWATER DRONE IN HORMUZ

TEHRAN, Iran, September 27 (African News Digest) – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy says it has seized a second U.S. military autonomous underwater vehicle operating in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the IRGC, the vehicle is a REMUS 600 and was captured during what Iranian authorities described as a coordinated operation involving intelligence and electronic-warfare capabilities. Iranian officials said the vehicle was allegedly conducting surveillance and that specialists were examining its data.

The announcement follows Iran’s earlier seizure of an Anduril Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle near the Strait of Hormuz on September 8.

That earlier incident was acknowledged by U.S. Central Command, which said the Dive-LD had malfunctioned more than a day before it was recovered by Iranian forces and did not contain classified sonar or radar technology. Anduril has also described the system as an attritable platform designed to operate in dangerous environments where loss is possible.

The REMUS 600 seizure has not yet been independently detailed by U.S. officials in the available reporting. Iran’s latest claim therefore remains based primarily on the IRGC announcement.

The two incidents highlight the growing use of autonomous underwater systems around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway for global energy shipping.

27/09/2026

🔥 ‘I WON’T FIGHT MY ELDER BROTHER’ — NDC’S ONUKWO RESPONDS TO SOLUDO

AWKA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District, Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, says he will not engage Governor Chukwuma Soludo in a war of words following comments the governor reportedly made about him.

Soludo, during a visit to Ihembosi in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, reportedly urged residents to support the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) senatorial candidate and said governance and Senate representation were not for “illiterates.”

The governor also referred to Onunkwo as an industrialist and factory owner and urged him to focus on his business rather than politics.

Onunkwo, speaking with journalists during Nanka’s New Yam Festival, said he would not respond to the governor because he regarded Soludo as his elder brother and remained focused on his senatorial campaign.

He said he had previously served as chairman of Soludo’s campaign organisation in Ihembosi during the governor’s re-election campaign, arguing that his business background was not considered an issue at the time.

“I have no intention of responding to the governor or engaging him in a political confrontation,” Onunkwo said.

He also expressed confidence in his chances in the 2027 election, saying the electorate would ultimately determine which candidate was popular and capable of representing the district.

Onunkwo is listed as the NDC’s Anambra South senatorial candidate for the 2027 election.

27/09/2026

🔥 RIVERS 2027: GROUP ASKS INEC TO DISQUALIFY APC CANDIDATE KINGSLEY CHINDA

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Kingsley Chinda as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State in the 2027 election.

In a letter dated September 26, ALDRAP urged INEC to convene an urgent meeting with the association, the APC and Chinda to resolve issues arising from a pending Federal High Court case and last week’s Supreme Court judgment on political party membership registers and candidate nominations.

ALDRAP is the plaintiff in a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja involving INEC, APC officials, Chinda and other respondents. The association alleges that relationships involving members of the APC Rivers State screening and appeal committees created a reasonable apprehension of bias in the nomination process.

The group has asked the court to, among other things, examine the circumstances surrounding Chinda’s participation in the APC screening process and the party’s Rivers State governorship nomination.

The latest request follows the Supreme Court’s September 24 judgment restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026. The provisions concern party membership registers and procedures for nominating candidates.

The Supreme Court held that the disputed provisions were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and set aside the earlier Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated them.

ALDRAP argues that the ruling has implications for the legal questions surrounding Chinda’s nomination and has asked INEC to consider the party’s membership records and other documents submitted in connection with the primary.

However, the Supreme Court did not specifically nullify or disqualify Chinda’s candidacy in its September 24 judgment. Legal commentators have noted that the judgment did not make factual findings about individual candidates’ membership status, primary elections or defection timelines.

The Rivers APC has also rejected reports that Chinda had been disqualified, saying its candidate remains qualified to contest the 2027 governorship election.

The dispute is therefore expected to remain before the relevant courts and electoral authorities as preparations for the 2027 Rivers governorship election continue.

27/09/2026

🔥 NDC ACCUSES SOLUDO FAMILY OF HOSTILITY TOWARD PETER OBI

AWKA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the family of Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of being hostile toward its presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Theo Abu Agada, the NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, made the allegation while reacting to a clarification from Soludo’s wife, Nonye, over Obi’s recent comments about their families’ godparent relationship.

Obi had said at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ conference in Enugu that he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children, describing the two families as close despite their political differences.

However, Nonye Soludo, through her media aide Daniel Ezeigwe, disputed the claim, saying Obi is not a godfather to any of Soludo’s children.

According to the clarification, Nonye Soludo is the confirmation godmother to Obi’s daughter, while Obi’s wife, Margaret, is the baptismal godmother to one of Soludo’s daughters. The statement said neither Obi nor Soludo had served as godparent to the other’s children.

Reacting to the clarification, Agada wrote on X that the Soludo family “hates Obi” and warned the NDC presidential candidate to recognise what he described as the family’s lack of goodwill toward him.

The First Lady’s aide, however, said the relationship between the two families remained cordial and suggested that Obi may have misspoken when making his original remarks.

The exchange comes amid renewed public disagreements between Obi and Soludo over issues including Anambra’s finances and Obi’s record as former governor.

27/09/2026

🔥 EXPLOSION ROCKS KUBWA GAS OUTLET, BUILDINGS SHAKE AS FIRE RAGES

ABUJA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – An explosion at a gas refilling outlet near Liberty Junction in Kubwa, Abuja, triggered panic among residents early Sunday morning after a fire broke out at the facility.

The Federal Fire Service, FCT Command, said firefighters and other emergency responders arrived at about 6:30am and quickly contained the fire, preventing what it described as a potentially major gas explosion.

The blast reportedly shook nearby buildings, uprooted signposts and overturned a traffic warden’s booth around Liberty Junction.

Some eyewitnesses alleged on social media that the fire started after a motorist driving against traffic crashed into the gas outlet where gas cylinders were kept. The claim has not been independently verified.

Additional fire service tankers and personnel from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were also deployed to the scene.

Residents of nearby areas, including Dantata Estate, reported hearing a loud explosion that woke people from sleep, with some saying their buildings shook.

The cause of the fire and whether a vehicle collision triggered the incident remained under investigation. There was no immediate official confirmation of deaths or injuries.

27/09/2026

125 years old man makes amazing shoe from old bike tires.

27/09/2026

🔥 ENUGU LG POLL: ADC ALLEGES ‘SELECTION’, QUESTIONS MOVEMENT RESTRICTION

ENUGU, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State has criticised Saturday’s local government elections, alleging that the exercise did not provide a level playing field for opposition parties.

In a statement signed by its media team member, Paul Anigbogu, the party described the election as an “APC vs APC” process and alleged that candidates had effectively been selected by the state government and the ruling party.

The ADC said other political parties were not given adequate opportunity to compete, describing the exercise as a “selection” rather than a genuine contest. The allegations have not been independently established.

The party also criticised the restriction of movement imposed across Enugu State on election day, arguing that it disrupted commercial activities and affected residents whose livelihoods depend on daily movement.

The state government had announced restrictions on vehicular and other forms of movement from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 26, while the police separately announced restrictions from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Essential workers, accredited election personnel, security officials, observers and authorised media practitioners were exempted.

Reports from the election indicated that roads, markets and shops were largely closed during the restriction, while police said the measure was being enforced to maintain security and order during the polls.

The ADC argued that public resources should not be used for what it described as an election without sufficient competition.

The party said its 2027 governorship candidate, Ocho Obodoeze, would seek to promote competitive local government elections if elected governor, and pledged to focus on infrastructure, payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, and greater grassroots participation.

Meanwhile, the election itself was conducted across Enugu’s 17 local government areas, with voters choosing chairmen and councillors. Reports indicated that the exercise was generally peaceful, although low voter turnout and delayed arrival of materials were recorded at some polling units.

The ADC’s allegations come alongside separate concerns raised by the NDC over access to election-material distribution points in some local government areas. The NDC chairman said his own polling area in Nkanu West was peaceful and transparent while asking ENSIEC to investigate reported irregularities elsewhere.

Results were being collated following the close of voting, with ENSIEC expected to make the official declarations.

27/09/2026

🔥 ‘WHERE IS NIGERIA’S PRESIDENT?’ — PETER OBI QUESTIONS TINUBU’S UNGA ABSENCE

ABUJA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the 81st United Nations General Assembly, contrasting it with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama’s participation.

In a statement, Obi praised Mahama’s address at the UN General Assembly, describing it as an example of leadership and international engagement.

Obi then asked why the president of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, was not personally present at the global gathering.

“Where is the President?” Obi asked, noting that Tinubu has not personally attended the UN General Assembly for three consecutive years.

Vice President Kashim Shettima represented Nigeria at the 81st UNGA and delivered the country’s national statement. The Federal Government said Shettima was given the President’s full mandate and would participate in high-level meetings and bilateral engagements.

The Presidency said Tinubu was on annual leave and had extended his working vacation by a few days. It also rejected suggestions that his absence was linked to any restriction on travelling to the United States.

Obi said the issue was particularly important given Nigeria’s domestic and international challenges, and called for continued attention to presidential leadership and representation on the global stage.

27/09/2026

🔥 ATIKU HITS TINUBU: ‘NIGERIANS CAN’T FEED THEIR CHILDREN’

ABUJA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, saying rising food, fuel and transportation costs are placing additional pressure on Nigerian households.

In a statement issued by his Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that improvements in government revenue and some macroeconomic indicators had not translated sufficiently into better living conditions for many Nigerians.

The former vice president cited the International Monetary Fund’s June 2026 assessment, which said Nigeria’s economic reforms had improved macroeconomic outcomes but also noted that conditions remained difficult for many Nigerians.

The IMF estimated poverty at 63 percent under Nigeria’s national poverty line and said about 27 million Nigerians were estimated to have experienced food insecurity in late 2025. It also warned that higher fuel, food and fertiliser prices could worsen poverty and food insecurity.

Atiku said Nigerians should be able to see tangible benefits from economic reforms through improved access to food, transportation, housing, healthcare, education and electricity.

He questioned the continued hardship despite higher government revenues, saying Nigerians were promised that the sacrifices associated with the reforms would eventually produce economic gains.

The ADC candidate also criticised the administration over borrowing and debt servicing, arguing that government should explain how borrowed funds are being used and what benefits they are producing.

The Debt Management Office reported Nigeria’s total public debt at ₦166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026, a figure Atiku has used to demand greater transparency over borrowing and debt obligations.

Atiku further called on the Tinubu administration and the All Progressives Congress to acknowledge the hardship Nigerians are experiencing and provide clearer explanations of the government’s economic policies.

The government’s economic reforms have also received positive assessments from the IMF, which said they had strengthened macroeconomic stability and resilience, while stressing that poverty, food insecurity and higher living costs remained significant challenges.

27/09/2026

🔥 ATIKU DEMANDS TINUBU EXPLAIN ₦166.79TN DEBT, APOLOGISE OVER HARDSHIP

ABUJA, Nigeria, September 27 (African News Digest) – Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to explain Nigeria’s rising public debt and apologise for the hardship associated with the administration’s economic reforms.

Atiku’s demands were contained in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

The statement followed the latest figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO), which put Nigeria’s total public debt at ₦166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026. The figure comprises ₦91.59 trillion in domestic debt and ₦75.20 trillion in external debt.

Atiku said the government should provide a detailed reconciliation showing how much of the current debt represents obligations inherited from previous administrations, the impact of exchange-rate movements on foreign debt, new borrowing since 2023, repayments and outstanding balances.

He also questioned the ₦19.48 trillion Federal Government Treasury Bills outstanding as of June 30, 2026, asking for details of bills that matured, were redeemed, rolled over or represented new borrowing.

The former vice president further questioned $39.25 million listed as “other charges” in the DMO’s second-quarter 2026 external debt-service report, including $22.5 million associated with a First Abu Dhabi Bank Total Return Swap and about $8.97 million linked to Deutsche Bank AG.

Atiku asked the government to explain the purpose of the First Abu Dhabi Bank transaction, the agreement authorising it, the original facility, the amount drawn and any outstanding obligations.

The DMO has published the relevant second-quarter external debt-service report among its September 25, 2026 releases.

On living conditions, Atiku argued that increased government revenues and improvements in some macroeconomic indicators had not sufficiently translated into affordable food, transportation, housing, education, healthcare and electricity for many Nigerians.

The International Monetary Fund, in its June 2026 Article IV assessment, said Nigeria's reforms had improved macroeconomic outcomes and strengthened resilience, while also noting that conditions remained difficult for many Nigerians. The IMF estimated poverty at 63 percent under the national poverty line and said an estimated 27 million Nigerians experienced food insecurity in late 2025.

The IMF also projected Nigeria’s economy to grow by about 4.1 percent in 2026, while warning that higher food and transport costs could weigh on economic activity and that external price pressures could worsen poverty and food insecurity.

Atiku said the Tinubu administration should account for the borrowing, explain the debt-service charges and address the economic pressures facing households.

He also called on President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to apologise to Nigerians over the hardship he attributes to the administration’s economic policies.

African News Digest

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