Morning recap: Senator summoned over ‘kill them’ comment as Osun election tension rises, 10 cops killed in Kebbi bandit attack, other top stories
August 12, 2026 7:38 am
File photo: Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke
With Saturday’s Osun State governorship election three days away, a senator has been summoned by police over a viral video in which he appeared to threaten the killing of Accord Party members
The police have also barred Amotekun and other non-state security outfits from the poll.
Ten police officers were killed and 17 bandits neutralised in a fierce gun battle in Kebbi State.
Aviation unions grounded about 70 Air Peace flights over alleged non-remittance of N15bn in ticket charges, leading to stranded passengers in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Peter Obi are demanding a wholesale overhaul of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
President BolaTinubu urged Nigerians to preserve national unity at an interfaith conference in Abuja.
The standoff between Governor Fubara and Rivers lawmakers is holding up a N1.85tn state budget, a month after it was presented.
And Cristiano Ronaldo has married long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez in a private ceremony in Portugal after a decade together.
Here is a recap of the major stories making headlines this morning.
1. Osun election: 10 battleground LGs that may decide Adeleke, Oyebamiji race
With Saturday’s vote days away, analysts have identified seven key local government areas where the fight between Governor Ademola Adeleke and APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji will be decided — Osogbo, Olorunda, the three Ife LGAs, Odo Otin, Iwo and Ilesa East. Both parties are claiming they will sweep all 30 LGAs, but the real battle is far more nuanced — and hinges on the influence of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and where his loyalties land.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/osun-election-10-battleground-lgs-that-may-decide-adeleke-oyebamiji-race/
2. Police summon Osun senator over killing comment
Osun State Police Command has summoned Senator Francis Fadahunsi after a video went viral in which he appeared to threaten the killing of any Accord Party member spotted in Ilesa before Saturday’s election. Governor Adeleke demanded his arrest, saying the comments constitute a national security threat. Fadahunsi said the video was edited and taken out of context.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/police-summon-osun-senator-over-killing-comment/
3. No difference worth breaking Nigeria apart — Tinubu
President Tinubu, represented at an interfaith security conference in Abuja, urged Nigerians to preserve the country’s unity despite their differences, while APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda warned political leaders against weaponising religion and ethnicity for electoral gain. The Sultan of Sokoto added that Nigeria does not lack solutions to its problems — only implementation.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/no-difference-worth-breaking-nigeria-apart-tinubu/
4. Police bar Amotekun, vigilantes from Osun gov poll
The Inspector-General of Police has barred Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations and all other non-state security outfits from participating in Saturday’s Osun governorship election. The Force warned that any group or sponsor found deploying unauthorised personnel for election-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/police-bar-amotekun-vigilantes-from-osun-gov-poll/
5. Passengers stranded as unions ground Air Peace flights
Aviation unions shut down Air Peace operations across Lagos, Abuja and Enugu on Tuesday, grounding about 70 flights and stranding passengers over two disputes — the alleged non-remittance of N15bn in ticket sales charges owed to the NCAA, and claims that the airline was blocking workers from unionising. Air Peace denied both allegations and said its own staff had chosen not to join the unions.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/passengers-stranded-as-unions-ground-air-peace-flights/
6. 10 cops, two civilians killed, 17 bandits neutralised in Kebbi
Ten police officers and two civilians were killed when bandits intercepted a security patrol along the Rafin Makuku axis in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State on Monday morning. Seventeen suspected bandits were neutralised during the gun battle. Additional personnel have since been deployed to the area to pursue fleeing suspects.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/10-cops-two-civilians-killed-17-bandits-neutralised-in-kebbi/
7. Obasanjo, Obi demand major shake-up of democratic institutions
Former President Obasanjo declared that Western-style democracy has failed Africa, calling for a model rooted in African history and values, while Obi alleged that academics, lawyers, judges and religious leaders had all contributed to Nigeria’s institutional decay. Both spoke at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/obasanjo-obi-demand-major-shake-up-of-democratic-institutions/
8. Fubara, lawmakers battle stalls Rivers N1.85tn budget
The Rivers State N1.85tn 2026 budget has been stalled for a month in the House of Assembly, with insiders saying lawmakers are holding it back because Governor Siminalayi Fubara has failed to fulfil secret agreements reached before the late submission was allowed. Former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike put it plainly: the governor has failed 90 per cent of what he agreed to do.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/fubara-lawmakers-battle-stalls-rivers-n1-85tn-budget/
9. Cristiano Ronaldo marries long-term partner Georgina Rodriguez
Ronaldo and Rodriguez tied the knot on Tuesday in a private ceremony in Cascais, Portugal, a decade after they met in a Gucci store in Madrid. The couple shared a photo of their wedding bands on social media. Their five children attended the ceremony.
Read Here: https://punchng.com/cristiano-ronaldo-marries-long-term-partner-georgina-rodriguez/
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.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]