Politics

Reported

Tinubu departs Saudi Arabia for Abuja after Umrah

4 Nov 2026, 20:42 GMT

President Bola Tinubu has left Saudi Arabia for Abuja after completing his Umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, in Makkah.

The departure

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President's aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 5.13pm Saudi time on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. He was seen off by the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya. Before leaving, the President held a brief meeting with the deputy governor at the Royal Guest Palace in the airport.

Background

Tinubu left Abuja for Makkah on 29 October. During the trip he was granted the rare honour of entering the Kaaba with his delegation, where he said he prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for Nigeria. He also hosted governors and senior officials at a dinner in Makkah. The trip drew comment from opposition figures, with Atiku Abubakar's campaign saying it would not guarantee him a second term and activist Omoyele Sowore claiming it was for medical treatment, which the Presidency denied.

What happens next

The President is expected to resume official duties in Abuja. Among matters awaiting him is his request to the Senate for approval of $7.7 billion in new foreign borrowing.

The President left Jeddah at 5.13pm Saudi time.
He was seen off by the Deputy Governor of Makkah.
He had left Abuja on 29 October.

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The National Assembly complex in Abuja — Stock image: Kabusa16 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Appeal Court upholds Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, losing faction heads to Supreme Court

4 Nov 2026, 17:42 GMT

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Senator Adolphus Wabara and seven others, affirming the PDP National Working Committee led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. The losing faction says it will go to the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, the latest turn in the party's long-running leadership crisis.

The judgment

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, a three-member special panel led by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu dismissed an appeal filed by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and seven others, according to reports. The appellants had asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise an interim National Working Committee led by Turaki instead of the Abdulrahman-led NWC. The panel upheld an earlier Federal High Court judgment that backed the Abdulrahman-led committee.

What happens next

The losing faction announced plans to take the matter to the Supreme Court, vowing to continue the legal battle.

Background

The PDP, Nigeria's main opposition party for much of the past decade, has been split by leadership disputes since its defeat in the 2023 elections. Several of its leading figures have left to join other parties or opposition coalitions, while others, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have backed President Bola Tinubu. The party has continued to field candidates for the 2027 elections in many states, but its internal crisis has raised questions about its strength.

Why it matters

Who controls the party's national leadership affects the nomination of candidates and the party's dealings with INEC ahead of the January 2027 elections.

PoliticsReported

Court fixes 8 December for judgment in El-Rufai's ₦10bn suit against ICPC

4 Nov 2026, 17:42 GMT

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 8 December for judgment in former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai's ₦10 billion rights suit against the ICPC over access to him in custody. The ICPC says his wife broke access rules.

A Federal High Court in Abuja will deliver judgment on 8 December 2026 in a ₦10 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The case

Justice Chigozie Onah fixed the date on Wednesday, 4 November, after lawyers for both sides adopted their written arguments, according to reports. The suit, filed on 13 August, concerns access to El-Rufai while he was in the commission's custody. His lawyer argued that CCTV footage shown in court did not prove any security breach by his wife or son that could justify denying them visits.

The ICPC's position

The ICPC told the court that El-Rufai's wife broke its access rules on two occasions, including entering its premises after official visiting hours.

Background

El-Rufai governed Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023 and later left the APC to join the opposition coalition that adopted the African Democratic Congress. He has been involved in several legal disputes with anti-corruption agencies, and has appealed publicly for a fair trial. This week he told his supporters, through an ally, to vote for the ADC at every level in 2027.

What happens next

The court's ruling on 8 December will decide whether the ICPC violated El-Rufai's rights and whether he is entitled to compensation.

PoliticsReported

A Nigerian 500 naira note — Photo: CBN / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Tinubu asks Senate to approve $7.7bn foreign borrowing for 2026 budget

4 Nov 2026, 14:42 GMT

President Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve $7.7 billion in new external borrowing, about ₦10.79 trillion, mainly through Eurobonds and loans from international lenders. He said it would fund the 2026 budget and support the naira.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve fresh external borrowing of $7.7 billion to help finance the 2026 budget.

The request

The request was contained in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. At the budget exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar, the amount is equal to about ₦10.79 trillion. According to the letter, the money would be raised mainly through Eurobond issuance, as well as loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders, international financial institutions and syndicated loans. The President said the borrowing would help finance the budget, strengthen foreign reserves and support the stability of the naira. He also asked the Senate to authorise the Minister of Finance and the Debt Management Office to carry out the plan.

What the Senate did

Akpabio said the new request appeared to replace an earlier borrowing proposal and gave more detail on where the money would come from. He referred it to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for consideration and a report.

Background

Nigeria's public debt has risen sharply in recent years, and borrowing has become a major political issue ahead of the 2027 elections. Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the government's borrowing as 'absolute nonsense', while opposition candidates have warned that debt servicing is taking up too much of government revenue. The government says borrowing is needed to fund infrastructure and that its reforms have improved Nigeria's credit rating and ability to raise money abroad.

What happens next

The Senate committee is expected to review the request before the full Senate votes on it.

Politics

Tinubu says he drove a taxi to pay for his education in the United States

4 Nov 2026, 14:42 GMT

President Tinubu says he drove a taxi and took other jobs in the US to fund his university education, and even delayed starting school to save money. He linked the experience to his government's student loan scheme.

President Bola Tinubu has shared how he worked to pay for his university education in the United States, saying the experience shaped his government's education policies.

What he said

In a post on his official X account on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the President said that when he arrived in the US as a young man, he drove a taxi to earn money for his education, and even had to postpone starting school for several months to save enough. He said he did several other jobs while studying.

The policy link

Tinubu connected his personal story to his administration's education programmes, pointing to the student loan scheme, investment in medical schools and increased enrolment in nursing training as evidence of efforts to widen access to education.

Background

The President studied accounting at Chicago State University, graduating in 1979. On Tuesday, Education Minister Tunji Alausa said Tinubu graduated with a first class and described him as a genius, urging Nigerians to ignore opposition questions about his academic record. The Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging the President's 2023 election, including claims about his certificates. The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, set up in 2024, provides interest-free loans to students in public tertiary institutions.

How people reacted

Supporters said the story showed the President understood the struggles of young Nigerians, while critics said many students still face high fees and limited opportunities despite the loan scheme.