Political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections dominated Monday’s headlines as the rivalry between supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, resurfaced during the APC governorship screening process.
Meanwhile, concerns grew over governance and development after reports showed that capital expenditure by state governments dropped sharply amid rising political activities linked to the 2027 elections.
In the education sector, the Federal Government introduced mandatory drug integrity tests for secondary school students as part of efforts to combat substance abuse among youths.
Elsewhere, a university in Kogi State expelled four students over alleged lesbianism and cyber-related offences, sparking debate on disciplinary policies in tertiary institutions.
The Central Bank of Nigeria also urged state governments to reduce dependence on overdraft facilities, warning against unsustainable borrowing practices.
In Lagos, tragedy struck on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway after a vehicle reportedly plunged off a bridge, leaving 11 people dead.
Below are the top stories:
2027 Rivers governorship: Drama as APC committee screens Fubara, Wike allies
Fresh political tension has emerged in Rivers State following indications that the ruling All Progressives Congress may be positioning the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to play a major role in determining the party’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development followed a closely monitored screening exercise involving some of Wike’s key allies, including former House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and the state Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly.
The exercise was conducted by a screening panel chaired by the APC Deputy National Chairman, Benjamin Nwoye.
However, credible party sources disclosed on Sunday that the process was briefly overshadowed by tension after Governor Siminalayi Fubara allegedly received what insiders described as a “cold shoulder” from the governorship screening committee led by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/2027-rivers-governorship-drama-as-apc-committee-screens-fubara-wike-allies/
States’ capital spending plunges 58% as 2027 politics intensifies
The capital expenditure of 26 state governments fell sharply by N2.19 trillion within three months in the first quarter of 2026, raising fresh concerns over slowing infrastructure development and worsening fiscal pressures as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to intensify.
An analysis of quarter-on-quarter financial reports published on the official websites of the states showed that total capital expenditure dropped by N2.20 trillion, representing a 58.1 per cent decline, from N3.79 trillion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025 to N1.59 trillion in the first quarter of 2026.
A further breakdown of state government expenditure between January and June 2025 showed that 31 states collectively spent N2.75 trillion, averaging N1.38 trillion on capital projects during the six-month period.
The sharp decline in capital spending is coming at a time when many state governments are grappling with mounting recurrent expenditure obligations, including salary payments, pension liabilities and the ripple effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy, which, while boosting federation account allocations, has also driven up the cost of governance across all tiers.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/states-capital-spending-plunges-58-as-2027-politics-intensifies/
FG mandates drug tests for secondary school students
The Federal Government has introduced stricter measures to tackle drug and substance abuse in secondary schools, including mandatory drug testing for students and temporary suspension for learners who repeatedly test positive after rehabilitation efforts.
Under the new policy, all newly admitted secondary school students will undergo compulsory drug integrity tests as part of admission procedures.
The measures are contained in the National Implementation Guidelines Against Drug and Substance Use in Schools in Nigeria for secondary schools, aimed at curbing the rising rate of substance abuse among students nationwide.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/fg-mandates-drug-tests-for-secondary-school-students/
Kogi varsity expels four students over alleged lesbianism, cyber offences
The management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, in Kogi State, has expelled four undergraduates and rusticated one student over offences ranging from alleged lesbianism and physical assault to cyber-related misconduct.
The disciplinary actions followed investigations by the university’s Students’ Disciplinary Committee, with the recommendations approved during the institution’s 30th Regular Senate Meeting held on April 29, 2026.
According to separate letters signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academic Affairs, Eli Usman Gbadafu, two female students, Ezekiel Precious Omeneke, a 200-level Economics student, and Aku Joy Chinyere, a 200-level Accounting student, were expelled over alleged involvement in lesbianism.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/kogi-varsity-expels-four-students-over-alleged-lesbianism-cyber-offences/
CBN pushes states to cut reliance on overdrafts
The Central Bank of Nigeria has called on state governments to reduce reliance on overdrafts and short-term borrowing, warning that weak fiscal discipline at the sub-national level could threaten Nigeria’s transition to an inflation-targeting monetary policy framework.
The apex bank made this known in a statement issued on Sunday after an engagement with sub-national stakeholders organised through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat in Abuja.
According to the statement, the CBN Deputy Governor in charge of the Economic Policy Directorate, Muhammad Abdullahi, stressed the need for state governments to adopt stricter fiscal discipline in order to support price stability and ongoing macroeconomic reforms.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/cbn-pushes-states-to-cut-reliance-on-overdrafts/
11 die as vehicle plunges off bridge on Lagos-Abeokuta expressway
No fewer than 11 people have been confirmed dead after a vehicle plunged off the Eruku Bridge along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Afolabi Odunsi.
According to the statement, the crash occurred late Sunday night and involved a gold Toyota vehicle with registration number GGE722KJ, which reportedly somersaulted before plunging off the bridge.
The FRSC said rescue operations were carried out at the scene, while investigations into the cause of the fatal accident are ongoing.
Read more here: https://punchng.com/11-die-as-vehicle-plunges-off-bridge-on-lagos-abeokuta-expressway/
