The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has announced Wednesday, November 4, 2026, as the official start date for the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Stream II Orientation Course.

A statement issued by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, indicated that the exercise would be held across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to the statement, the enrolment of Corps Members will take place from Wednesday, November 4, through midnight on Friday, November 6, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026.

The NYSC further announced that the closing ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2026.

The Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State, has stopped Jonathan Akuns from presenting himself as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election.

Justice S.T. Ishaya issued the order on September 28 after considering an ex parte application filed by Alfred Dapal, a governorship aspirant challenging the party’s nomination process.

The case, marked FHC/J/CS/87/2026, has Mr Akuns as the first defendant, the NDC as the second defendant and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the third defendant.

The judge ordered Mr Akuns not to announce, publish or otherwise present himself as the NDC governorship candidate until the court hears and determines the case.

Mr Dapal told the court that he was the candidate produced by the NDC during its governorship nomination exercise held on September 15 at the party’s secretariat in Dogon Karfe, Jos North Local Government Area.

He is asking the court to stop the NDC, its officials and agents from replacing, withdrawing or removing him as the party’s candidate until the case is decided.

He also wants the court to stop the NDC from submitting Mr Akuns’ name to INEC as its governorship candidate in his place.

Mr Dapal further asked the court to prevent INEC from accepting, recognising, publishing or acting on Mr Akuns’ name as the NDC candidate for Plateau State.

Another request seeks an order directing all parties to maintain the position that existed after the September 15 nomination exercise until the case is finally determined.

The plaintiff also asked for an accelerated hearing because of the statutory deadlines for pre-election cases.

Justice Ishaya ruled that the application had succeeded in part and adjourned the case until October 5 for hearing.

The order was signed by the judge and issued under the seal of the Federal High Court by the Registrar, Chioma A. Eze.

The order does not amount to a final decision on who should hold the NDC governorship ticket in Plateau State. The court will still consider the competing claims arising from the party’s nomination process.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kebbi State has reinstated its State Chairman, Abubakar Muhammad Kana-Zuru, more than three months after his suspension.

The decision was announced on Thursday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Isah Abubakar Assalafi, at a press conference at the APC secretariat in Birnin Kebbi.

Assalafi said the State Working Committee (SWC) revoked Kana-Zuru’s suspension after reviewing subsequent developments surrounding the decision taken in June.

The SWC had, at its meeting on June 20, 2026, suspended Kana-Zuru from office through Resolution No. KSWC/010/2026.

However, at a meeting held on October 1, 2026, the committee resolved to revoke the suspension and restore him to office with immediate effect.

The decision also terminated the interim arrangement under which Adamu Mudi Augie had been serving as Acting State Chairman.

“Accordingly, Alhaji Adamu Mudi Augie shall cease to act as Acting State Chairman and shall resume his substantive office as Deputy State Chairman,” Assalafi said.

He added that all official records and documents relating to the office of State Chairman should be handed over to Kana-Zuru.

The party directed its state secretary to communicate the resolution to the appropriate party organs, including the national headquarters, for information and necessary action.

The APC said Kana-Zuru had resumed all the functions, powers and responsibilities of the State Chairman with immediate effect.

As Nigeria commemorates its 66-year independence anniversary, Toyin Amuzu, a PDP chieftain in Ogun State, has urged citizens to break free from political slavery that keeps them trapped in hardship and dependence.

According to Amuzu, true independence must go beyond flag celebrations to include freedom from hunger, hardship, hopelessness and a system where a few people determine the future of the majority.

He noted that government must exist to serve the people and not turn public resources into instruments of political control.

“Citizens must not allow themselves to be permanently subjected to a system where a few people determine their future while the majority continue to struggle,” he said.

Amuzu, who is the House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South, urged people of the constituency to recognise the power of their votes as a tool to demand leadership that respects their dignity, welfare and aspirations.

He said the cost-of-living crisis has placed enormous pressure on households, hence the need for people-centred leadership that provides practical support.

The PDP candidate said the 2027 election offers an opportunity for residents to renew their commitment to a better Nigeria and enthrone leadership that prioritises their welfare.

He added that his party was prepared to restore hope and rebuild confidence in governance in Ogun State.

The PDP House of Representatives hopeful also urged residents to see the Independence Anniversary as an opportunity to renew their commitment to a better Nigeria, saying true independence must include freedom from hunger, hardship, hopelessness and policies that leave ordinary citizens behind.

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the deaths of three people in a stampede at the Niger State Government House in Minna, saying the incident highlights the worsening economic hardship facing millions of Nigerians.

The stampede occurred on Tuesday after a crowd gathered at the Government House amid reports that Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago would distribute cash to residents.

At least three women died, while several others were injured. Local reports identified two of the deceased as internally displaced persons from Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Two critically injured victims were referred from Minna General Hospital to the IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.

Amnesty said the circumstances surrounding the deaths were particularly disturbing because some of those affected had already been displaced by insecurity.

The organisation said the incident was another indication of the level of economic hardship and food insecurity affecting vulnerable Nigerians.

“It is shocking that among the dead are families displaced by insecurity,” Amnesty said.

The rights group also recalled a series of deadly stampedes during food and relief-material distributions in December 2024.

At least 65 people died in stampedes recorded in Abuja, Anambra and Oyo within a few days, according to reports at the time.

Amnesty said the repeated incidents were “chilling reminders” of the consequences of the economic crisis, arguing that many families were increasingly struggling to afford basic necessities.

“These are chilling reminders that the current economic crisis has exacerbated the level of food insecurity amongst majority of the population living in poverty,” the organisation said.

It added that many households were increasingly unable to meet the cost of food, healthcare and education.

Amnesty urged the Nigerian authorities to take more concrete steps to address economic hardship and rising poverty, saying people should be able to live in dignity.

The Niger State Government said it would issue an official statement on the Minna incident, while the police said they were verifying reports about the deaths.