Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has made it clear that opposition political parties should be allowed to use government-owned facilities in the state, provided they follow the proper procedures and pay the required fees.

The directive

According to the governor, he has already given instructions that no political party should be prevented from using public facilities, including the stadium, simply because it belongs to the opposition.

A message of political tolerance

Otti's position sends an important message about tolerance and fairness. Government facilities are maintained with public resources, and access to them should not depend on which party someone supports.

This is one area where Nigerian politicians need to learn to separate governance from party politics. You can disagree with your opponents and campaign against them, and still respect their right to operate within the law.

Governor Otti appears to be making that distinction clear in Abia State.

The big question

How many Nigerian governors would willingly allow opposition parties to use government facilities for their political activities?

Politics should never be an excuse to deny citizens their rights.

President Bola Tinubu has hosted senior government officials, state governors and business leaders at a dinner in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during his Umrah pilgrimage.

Who attended

According to a statement by the President's adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, 1 November 2026, those at the dinner included Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, Kaduna Governor Uba Sani, Jigawa Governor Mohammed Namadi, Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Borno Governor Babagana Zulum. Also present were National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Health Minister Muhammad Ali Pate, political adviser Ibrahim Masari and Oando chief executive Wale Tinubu. Kwara Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, BUA chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu and Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi also spoke at the event.

What the President said

Tinubu reportedly prayed for peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria and urged Nigerians to see the country's ethnic, religious and cultural diversity as a strength. He said Nigeria's people and natural resources provide a foundation for an inclusive and prosperous nation, and asked God to turn the country's diversity into prosperity. Guests offered prayers for the President and the country.

Background

Tinubu travelled to Saudi Arabia on 29 October for the Umrah pilgrimage. The trip has been criticised by opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, who claimed it was a cover for travel to France, and activist Omoyele Sowore, who claimed it was for medical treatment. The Presidency has rejected both claims. It says the President is expected back in Nigeria this week.

How people reacted

Supporters shared photos of the dinner as evidence of the President's good health, while critics questioned the cost of taking a large delegation abroad.

Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1, according to reports, after sealing the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

What happened

Antonelli, who drives for Mercedes, needed only a ninth-place finish to make sure of the championship. He finished third, behind race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, which put the title out of reach of his rivals with four races of the season still left. Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell had been his closest challengers.

Records broken

At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli breaks the record set by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 134 days old when he won his first title with Red Bull in 2010. He is also the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a wait of 73 years for the country. Remarkably, he is only in his second season in Formula 1.

What he said

Celebrating with his family and the Mercedes team, Antonelli reportedly thanked both, saying he would not be there without them. Verstappen was among the first to congratulate him and said he was very proud of the young driver, adding that it must be an emotional day for his family.

Background

Antonelli was picked by Mercedes as a teenager to replace Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari in 2025. Many questioned whether he was ready for such a big seat, but he has now delivered the team's first drivers' title since Hamilton's last championship in 2020.

What happens next

The remaining four races will decide the other places in the drivers' standings and the constructors' championship.

The Namibian music industry is in mourning after Afrobeats singer Nally Simson, widely known as Nally, died in a road accident on Sunday, 1 November 2026. He was 33.

What happened

Nally was one of seven people killed in a head-on collision between a pickup truck and an SUV at the Elim Curve on the Okahao-Oshakati main road in the north of the country. The regional police commander for Omusati, Commissioner Ismael Basson, said the crash happened at about 4am, and that six occupants of one vehicle and the driver of the SUV died at the scene. Police have not given further details about the cause.

Family statement

The singer's brother, Benjamin Simson, confirmed his death and asked for privacy as the family grieves.

His last post

A day before his death, on Saturday, 31 October, Nally shared a clip of his latest song, 'Untouchable', on Instagram. In the song he addresses critics, saying their words have no power over him. Fans who returned to the post after the news broke filled the comments with tributes, saying the lyrics now felt very emotional. A separate video in which a fan appeared to predict tragedy for him hours before the crash also spread online, drawing shocked reactions.

Background

Nally was one of Namibia's best-known Afrobeats artists and had built a following across southern Africa. Fellow musicians, fans and public figures in Namibia have paid tribute to him on social media.

What happens next

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.