Nigeria news recap: Tinubu, WAEC crisis, insecurity, and CNG buses

Nigeria's political and social landscape is currently dominated by several pressing issues, including internal party politics, educational integrity, and pervasive insecurity.

President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors to address the controversy surrounding the party's Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 elections. The list faced criticism over the inclusion of controversial figures and allegations of a lack of consultation. Party sources suggest a revised list is expected after Tinubu approves proposed changes. The APC is also reportedly planning to intensify social intervention programs to connect with voters and mitigate the effects of economic hardship ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the integrity of the 2026 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) results for school candidates is under scrutiny. An official from the examination body alleged glitches and irregularities, particularly affecting candidates who took computer-based examinations in core subjects like Mathematics and English. These allegations have intensified concerns over the recently released results and are likely to prompt further calls for clarification from WAEC regarding the circumstances surrounding the affected candidates and their results.

Compounding these issues is a stark report by SBM Intelligence detailing the extent of insecurity across the country. Between July 2025 and June 2026, Nigeria reportedly experienced 1,713 kidnapping and related incidents, resulting in the abduction of 7,825 people and the deaths of at least 1,142 individuals. The report, titled "The Capture of the Kidnap Economy," also revealed that a staggering N7.8 billion was paid in ransom during this period, highlighting the deep-seated nature of the kidnapping crisis.

In other news, efforts are underway to reduce transportation costs through the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, and political tensions are noted in Ondo State. The Federal Government's household palliative program has also sparked a fresh clash.