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Reported

Giant Tinubu campaign balloon spotted floating in Lagos lagoon

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A large inflatable balloon promoting President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign has been spotted floating loose in the Lagos lagoon.

The video

A short clip shared on X on Friday, 13 November 2026, shows the oversized balloon, bearing Tinubu's image, the All Progressives Congress (APC) colours and campaign branding, drifting in the water beside the Third Mainland Bridge. Comedian and content creator Carter Efe, who filmed it from his car, reacted with surprise, and his response quickly became the highlight of the clip for many viewers.

Background

Large inflatable balloons and outdoor displays have been part of the APC's early campaign push in Lagos and other cities ahead of the 2027 elections. It is not clear how the balloon ended up in the lagoon. The APC had not commented at the time of writing.

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Viral gistReported
President Bola Tinubu in a green cap and glasses at a meeting
Photo: Trend Naija

APC-branded ₦200 recharge cards reportedly handed out at Tinubu's Rivers rally spark debate

Photos of ₦200 recharge cards bearing APC branding, reportedly distributed at President Tinubu's campaign rally in Rivers State, have drawn mockery and debate online about campaign giveaways.

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Images of recharge cards bearing the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reportedly handed out at President Bola Tinubu's campaign rally in Rivers State, have sparked debate on social media.

What happened

A man who came across pictures of the ₦200 airtime cards questioned online what anyone could achieve with such a small amount, and his comment, shared on Thursday, 12 November 2026, quickly drew reactions. The cards were said to have circulated among people who attended the rally.

How people reacted

Some users mocked the giveaway and said the money would be better spent on fixing the country, while others joked about how the airtime might be used. Some warned that small gifts like this could still influence some voters.

Background

Campaign giveaways have become a talking point ahead of the 2027 elections. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recently accused the APC of handing out cash and gifts at campaign events and called on the anti-graft agency and INEC to investigate. The APC had not publicly responded to the recharge card images at the time of writing. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

SportReported
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Arokodare scores twice as Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 in AFCON qualifier

Substitute Tolu Arokodare scored twice as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo on matchday three of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, moving the Super Eagles to second in Group L, a point behind Guinea-Bissau.

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Nigeria's Super Eagles beat Tanzania 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 13 November 2026, in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

How the match went

Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria a dream start with a goal in the second minute, but Tanzania equalised through Alphonce Masanga. Ademola Lookman was forced off injured late in the first half and replaced by Moses Simon. Coach Eric Chelle then brought on Tolu Arokodare and Moses Usor in the second half, and the change paid off immediately: Arokodare scored in the 52nd minute, and the two substitutes combined for Arokodare's second goal and Nigeria's third in the 60th minute.

Table

The win moved Nigeria to second in Group L, one point behind Guinea-Bissau, who were held 1-1 by Madagascar. Nigeria play Tanzania again in their next match, and a win there would take them to nine points, putting them in a strong position to qualify with two games left.

Arokodare delivers

Arokodare, who has been in strong form on loan at Ajax in the Netherlands, had promised to carry his club form into the national team in the absence of the injured Victor Osimhen. Chelle later sent him a message after his brace.

Background

Tanzania are one of the co-hosts of AFCON 2027, along with Kenya and Uganda.

2027 electionsReported
A glass ballot box
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Lalong, Dariye and other Plateau leaders endorse Tinubu for 2027

A coalition of Plateau State political leaders, including former governors Simon Lalong and Joshua Dariye, has endorsed President Tinubu and other APC candidates for 2027 at a meeting in Jos.

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Prominent political figures from Plateau State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid for 2027.

The meeting

The endorsement was made by voice vote at a meeting in Jos organised by Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a pro-Tinubu group, according to a statement released on Friday, 13 November 2026. Those present included former governors, ministers, senators, members of the House of Representatives, commissioners and council chairmen, who also adopted other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state.

What the leaders said

Former governor Simon Lalong, who chaired the meeting as deputy chairman of A4A's board of trustees, said those present believed the President was committed to Nigeria's development and that keeping him in office would speed up economic growth. Former governor Joshua Dariye credited the Tinubu administration with meaningful contributions to Plateau and the country.

Background

Plateau is a key battleground in the North Central. Peter Obi won the state in the 2023 presidential election. A Middle Belt youth group that backed Obi in 2023 also recently switched its support to Tinubu. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

World & WestReported
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US revokes more than 6,000 visas in crackdown on 'birth tourism'

The US State Department says its birth tourism task force has revoked more than 6,000 visas held by foreigners who travelled to give birth in the United States or helped others to do so. It did not say which nationalities were affected.

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The United States has revoked more than 6,000 visas in a crackdown on so-called birth tourism.

What was announced

In a statement on X on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the State Department said its Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force had cancelled the visas of foreign nationals found to have taken part in or facilitated the practice. It said the crackdown targets not only people who travelled to give birth but also those who helped arrange such trips, and described the practice as illicit. The department did not release a breakdown of the nationalities affected.

What is birth tourism

Birth tourism refers to travelling to the United States specifically to give birth, so that the child acquires US citizenship under the birthright citizenship provision of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution.

Why it matters to Nigerians

Giving birth in the US has been popular among some Nigerians who can afford it, and the US has previously warned that visitor visas may be refused to applicants suspected of travelling to give birth.