Today’s Headlines: Tinubu Imports Food, Abandons Farmers —Atiku; FCT Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of neglecting farmers and worsening Nigeria’s agricultural trade balance. He said agricultural exports fell by 33.3 per cent in the first half of 2026, contributing to a reversal from a N740.27 billion surplus to a N56.13 billion deficit within a year.

Atiku blamed insecurity, high transportation and production costs, and limited local processing for the challenges facing farmers and businesses. He also proposed a capped and independently audited production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, while pledging to support farmers and processors if elected, with greater emphasis on producing and processing goods locally.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory Council, has commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes involving FCT workers, particularly teachers. The action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, with the union demanding changes to teachers’ promotion conditions and the withdrawal of redeployment and demotion letters issued to some education directors.

The NLC also wants 2025-eligible teachers allowed to take their promotion examinations alongside the 2026 batch and is calling for changes in the management of the FCT Secondary Education Board and Universal Basic Education Board. The union directed workers to shut schools, hospitals, offices and other government establishments until its demands are addressed, while enforcement committees will monitor compliance.

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain neutral ahead of the 2027 general elections and not favour the ruling All Progressives Congress. The council said a credible election would require INEC to ensure that registered voters are able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

The ADC-PCC also alleged delays and bureaucratic obstacles at PVC collection centres, particularly in opposition strongholds. It called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to decentralise PVC collection to wards, extend collection hours and use technology to notify voters when their cards are ready, while insisting that the commission’s loyalty should be to the Constitution rather than any political party.

The Oyo State Police Command has paraded suspects linked to three separate criminal cases, including the alleged killing of a family of six at Oloba Village in Lagelu Local Government Area. Three suspects were arrested over the incident, with police alleging that they attacked the family following a dispute over a damaged mobile phone, stole valuables and killed four members before throwing two surviving children into the Osun River.

Police also paraded three suspected armed robbers allegedly involved in an attack at Wofun Olodo, Ibadan, where a 44-year-old woman was reportedly killed and valuables worth about N3.493 million stolen. In a separate case, an auxiliary nurse, Benjamin Adeniyi, was arrested for allegedly practising as a doctor without the required qualifications and operating two hospitals. Investigations into all three cases are ongoing.

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