Tinubu mourns Ondo crash victims; INEC registers 103m voters nationwide
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning for those who died in the Ondo State military aircraft crash on Monday, ordering flags flown at half-mast nationwide. The Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, ending a legal dispute over the ticket. Meanwhile, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri met FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Port Harcourt as political consultations intensify ahead of 2027.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has halted petrol sales to major marketers who blend its product with imported grades, a move that could affect fuel supply and prices. INEC announced Nigeria’s voters’ register now exceeds 103 million after completing the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration and biometric cleanup, and said it has acquired 57,000 new BVAS devices for the 2027 polls.
A fatal crash on the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway near Bethel killed nine people Monday evening involving a Delta Line bus and a Bill Gas Solution truck. The Nigeria Democratic Congress dismissed claims that its leader Senator Seriake Dickson is secretly collaborating with the APC, and its Rivers State governorship candidate Dumo Lulu-Briggs pledged to donate his salary and allowances to widows across the state if elected. Sokoto State denied reports that 18 students of Gamji College of Health Technology were abducted while travelling to Oyo State.
For Nigerians, the mourning period signals national respect for the fallen, with flags at half-mast until Thursday. The halted Dangote petrol sales may lead to tighter fuel availability and possible price changes at pumps, so commuters should monitor local stations. The surge in registered voters to over 103 million shows heightened electoral engagement; eligible citizens should verify their registration status ahead of the 2027 elections. Meanwhile, the expressway crash highlights ongoing road safety risks on the Ijebu-Ode-Ore corridor; travelers are advised to use caution and consider alternative routes. The political pledges and party dynamics indicate shifting alliances ahead of 2027, worth watching as campaigns develop.
SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/06/nigerian-newspapers-10-things-you-need-to-know-tuesday-morning-148/