Nigeria's debt, subsidy pledges, floods, and security shape Tuesday's headlines

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused President Bola Tinubu of seeking a fresh $1.5 billion World Bank loan while Nigeria's public debt stands at N166.79 trillion, demanding accountability for existing borrowings. Presidential candidate Peter Obi (NDC) pledged to reinstate the petroleum subsidy after tackling corruption, speaking at a Sokoto town hall for the Obi/Kwankwaso ticket. Heavy rainfall exceeding nine hours submerged houses in Makurdi, Benue State, destroying household items and stranding commuters. The naira weakened to N1,382 per dollar in the parallel market and N1,331.5 in the NFEM. The Federal High Court in Abuja set October 13, 2026, to hear Atiku and ADC's amended suit challenging Tinubu's 2027 eligibility, joining APC and INEC as defendants. The Rivers State House of Assembly unanimously backed the bill for state police, aligning with Osun and Edo. Gunmen attacked a mining site in Rakum community, Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State, around 4:30 p.m. Monday, killing three workers and injuring another. A joint NDLEA, Edo State Command, and Nigerian Army operation destroyed two cannabis plantations (0.544092 hectares, ~1,360kg yield) and 107kg of processed cannabis at Eko Camp, Illushi, Esan South-East LGA, Edo State. In Kwara State, about 1,500 PDP members from Alapa/Onire/Odegiwa Ward, Asa LGA, defected to the APC during a Sunday ward meeting. Oyo State Governor and APM presidential candidate Seyi Makinde asserted Nigeria could be reset within four years if elected in 2027, proposing new security architecture, education reform, and data-driven economic rebuilding at an APM meeting in Lafia, Nasarawa State. With debt rising, subsidy debates, currency pressure, flood risks, and security incidents, how will you assess leaders' promises and prepare for potential economic and safety impacts?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/29/nigerian-newspapers-10-things-you-need-to-know-tuesday-morning-147/