Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Saturday, 31st October, 2026.
1. FG Begins ₦50,000 Monthly Payments To Vulnerable Nigerians.
The Federal Government has commenced monthly cash payments of ₦50,000 to vulnerable Nigerians under a relief programme designed to ease the impact of rising living costs.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), on October 30 in Abuja.
Doro said the programme would provide financial assistance to millions of vulnerable households, with payments made through licensed digital financial service providers.
2. Peter Obi Vows To Rescue Abducted Schoolchildren
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has vowed to personally go into the bush to rescue abducted citizens if elected president in 2027.
Obi made the promise while addressing supporters at the party’s campaign rally in Bayelsa State, where he said kidnappers would have no hiding place under his administration.
He also promised to tackle corruption, introduce free primary education in partnership with state governments and increase Nigeria’s electricity supply to at least 10,000 megawatts.
3. Police Deny Sowore Was Kidnapped In Ekiti
The Ekiti State Police Command has denied reports that African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was kidnapped in Ado-Ekiti.
The police said Sowore was involved in an altercation with some individuals at a restaurant around the Dalimore area, sustaining minor injuries before receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.
However, Sowore rejected the police account, insisting that he was attacked. The Commissioner of Police has ordered an investigation into the incident.
4. INEC Speaks On Preferred Candidate In 2027 Elections
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja while receiving an ECOWAS pre-election fact-finding mission led by former Sierra Leone Vice-President Victor Foh.
He disclosed that registered voters had exceeded 103 million and that INEC had completed nine of the 14 major activities in its revised election timetable.
5. El-Rufai Demands Fair Trial After 256 Days In Detention
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has renewed his demand for a fair trial as his detention over allegations of financial misconduct and unlawful telephone interception reaches 256 days.
El-Rufai made the demand in a statement shared on his official X account on October 30, describing a fair trial as a fundamental human right.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody despite previous bail decisions, with some of the conditions reportedly preventing his release.
6. Isaac Fayose Urges Sowore To Unite With Peter Obi
Businessman and younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Isaac Fayose, has urged Omoyele Sowore to work with Peter Obi and other opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fayose made the appeal while reacting to the attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, arguing that opposition figures needed to put their differences aside.
He also called on security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the incident.
7. Doris Ogala Kneels In Court, Apologises For Misconduct
Nollywood actress Doris Ogala has knelt in court and apologised to Justice Akintayo Aluko over her behaviour during an earlier sitting in her case involving alleged cyberstalking, cyberbullying and attempted extortion of Pastor Chris Okafor.
Ogala expressed regret over shouting and singing in the courtroom, which disrupted proceedings and prevented the court from hearing other cases. Her lawyer also apologised on her behalf.
The court subsequently heard arguments on her bail application and reserved its ruling until November 6, 2026. Ogala was returned to Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the decision.
8. Tacha Clears Air On Controversial Tattoo Linked To Davido
Reality TV star Tacha Akide has clarified the controversy surrounding her former chest tattoo, which many people believed was the face of Afrobeats singer Davido.
Speaking on the Thanks For Coming Podcast, Tacha explained that the tattoo was actually the face of a child and not Davido.
She said she eventually covered it because people grow and move on, adding that correcting the misinformation would not have changed public opinion.
9. Man United, Leeds Eye Nigerian Defenders Bassey, Sanusi
Manchester United and Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Nigerian defenders Calvin Bassey and Zaidu Sanusi ahead of the January transfer window.
Manchester United have identified Bassey as a potential signing following his performances for Fulham, where he has established himself as one of the club’s consistent players.
However, Newcastle United, Everton, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also reportedly monitoring the Nigerian international.
10. U-17 World Cup: Busari Warns Flamingos Against Venezuela
Head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingos, Akeem Busari, has warned his players against underestimating Venezuela ahead of their 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final on Sunday, November 1.
Nigeria booked its place in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Mexico, while Venezuela defeated Germany 1-0 to advance.
Busari acknowledged Venezuela’s quality and urged his players to approach the encounter with the right mentality as they target a place in the semi-finals.
