Morning recap: Tinubu, Obi sign peace pact, states’ budgets jump 47%, other top stories
August 19, 2026 7:37 am
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan during the signing of the peace accord. Photo: INEC
Political parties and presidential candidates, including President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, have signed the first National Peace Accord on issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections as public campaigns begin today.
Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have raised their combined budgets by 47.5 per cent to N40.14tn in 2026, yet the share allocated to capital projects has fallen from 73.24 per cent to 64.34 per cent.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has dismantled an international cocaine cartel and has arrested its alleged Nigerian arrowhead, social media influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, popularly known as KC Luxury, as he attempted to flee to Paris.
The Federal Government, 36 states and 774 local government councils have shared a record N3.007tn from the Federation Account in July 2026, the highest monthly allocation ever recorded.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has decried the growing practice of serving governors and senior officials converging on states holding off-cycle elections with large security details, warning that it risks creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the Federal Government to urgently resolve the lingering salary dispute with the Joint Health Sector Unions, warning that failure could trigger another industrial crisis in the health sector.
President Bola Tinubu has met the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the Minister of Housing to discuss the management and disposal of houses seized nationwide, the first public engagement since the Osun account freeze row.
And the Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun the mass demolition of houses and structures built on water channels in Abuja after the Minister, Nyesom Wike, ordered their immediate removal following flooding in Maitama.
Here is a recap of the major stories making headlines this morning.
1. Presidential election: Tinubu, Obi, others sign peace pact as 2027 campaign begins today
Political parties and candidates, including President Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, sign a National Peace Accord pledging to shun violence, hate speech and personal attacks ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ceremony, held a day before campaigns officially begin, is organised by the National Peace Committee. Some major actors, including Atiku Abubakar, are absent.
2. 36 states’ budgets jump 47% to N40tn, capital spending falls
The combined budgets of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory rise from N27.22tn in 2025 to N40.14tn in 2026, a 47.5 per cent increase.
Capital expenditure’s share, however, drops from 73.24 per cent to 64.34 per cent, raising concerns about infrastructure and long-term growth. South-East, South-West and North-Central regions cut their capital allocations.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/36-states-budgets-jump-47-to-n40tn-capital-spending-falls/
3. NDLEA nabs alleged cocaine baron fleeing to Paris
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency seizes 184.50kg of cocaine, the largest haul through a courier company in Nigeria, and arrests social media influencer Afolabi Kazeem Michael, known as KC Luxury, at the boarding gate as he tries to board a flight to Paris.
The agency says the cartel hoped to realise as much as N39bn from the consignment. Investigators recover cash, jewellery and exotic vehicles.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/ndlea-nabs-alleged-cocaine-baron-fleeing-to-paris/
4. FG, states, councils share record N3tn in July
The three tiers of government share N3.007tn from the Federation Account for July 2026, the highest monthly allocation on record, driven by stronger petroleum and non-oil tax receipts.
Gross statutory revenue rises 17.8 per cent to N4.359tn. Officials urge states to convert the revenue windfall into productive investment rather than temporary gains.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/fg-states-councils-share-record-n3tn-in-july/
5. Off-cycle polls: Jonathan decries govs’ show of force
Former President Goodluck Jonathan warns that the convergence of serving governors and senior officials with heavy security details on states holding off-cycle elections risks intimidation and undermines democratic competition.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa calls for intelligence-led security planning months before polls. Senior lawyers urge reforms to reduce the need for massive deployments.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/off-cycle-polls-jonathan-decries-govs-show-of-force/
6. Salary crisis: NLC warns of fresh health sector strike
The Nigeria Labour Congress has written to the Minister of Labour urging immediate resumption of negotiations with the Joint Health Sector Unions over the long-running Consolidated Health Salary Structure dispute.
The congress says years of agreements have yet to resolve the grievances and pledges full support if the unions are forced to resume industrial action. The dispute previously triggered an 84-day nationwide strike.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/salary-crisis-nlc-warns-of-fresh-health-sector-strike/
7. Tinubu, EFCC boss meet on seized houses after Osun freeze row
President Bola Tinubu receives the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and the Housing Minister to discuss the transparent management and disposal of houses seized nationwide.
The meeting is the first public engagement since Tinubu overruled the commission over its freeze of Osun State accounts days before the governorship election. Governor Ademola Adeleke later withdrew the state’s suit against the agency.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/tinubu-efcc-boss-meet-on-seized-houses-after-osun-freeze-row/
8. Abuja flooding: Mass demolition begins after Wike’s order
The Federal Capital Territory Administration begins demolishing houses and structures built on water channels in Maitama after Minister Nyesom Wike orders their immediate removal following flooding.
Wike insists the exercise will spare no one, including senators and other high-profile owners.
He also directed the desilting of blocked drainages and denies claims that the administration allocated land on waterways.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/abuja-flooding-mass-demolition-begins-after-wikes-order/
Fawzi is a journalist and subeditor covering a wide range of beats including politics, metro, and international news, among others. He also optimises stories for digital audiences.
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