Security, politics and the economy dominated Friday’s headlines as the United States withdrew most of its troops from a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin following the killing of an ISIS deputy. Washington, however, said intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reaffirmed his 2027 presidential ambition after the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld David Mark’s leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Atiku described the ruling as a victory for constitutional democracy.
At the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara,” drawing laughter from guests in an apparent reference to recent public reactions to her comments on small-scale businesses.
In Ogun State, a 50-year-old Ifa priest, Muritala Shodiya, allegedly set himself on fire in an uncompleted building in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area. He later died in hospital, while police launched an investigation.
Meanwhile, petrol prices remained above ₦1,000 per litre despite lower global crude prices, as Dangote Refinery and fuel importers continued to disagree over pricing.
