In today’s (Sunday) snapshot of the major stories shaping conversations across Nigeria’s political, business, sports and entertainment landscapes are discussions over an alliance between former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections which continued to generate debate, with reports indicating that there is a resistance from some northern political stakeholders who are questioning the viability and power-sharing arrangements of any coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Also in the political arena, controversy trailed the recent mob attack in Lagos, with a chieftain of the ruling party, Joe Igbokwe, alleging that the incident was politically motivated.
His comments have further fueled discussions about rising political tensions ahead of next year’s election.
Meanwhile, for motorists and transport operators, one of the most talked-about stories remains the implications of the Court of Appeal judgment on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers.
The appellate court upheld an earlier ruling that VIO officials in the Federal Capital Territory lack the legal authority to stop vehicles, impound them or impose fines on motorists.
However, the Lagos State Government has clarified that the judgment does not automatically apply to Lagos, as the state has its own transport laws that empower its Vehicle Inspection Service.
Below is a rundown of some of the identified leading stories, with their links embedded beneath them.
2027: Obi-Kwankwaso’s bid faces Northern resistance
The presidential ambition of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, is facing serious resistance from some northern political stakeholders and sections of the electorate, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed.
Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with our correspondents, disclosed that “the majority of northerners” had yet to embrace his party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
It was also gathered that some northern leaders had started warning their followers against the party, while portraying Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as anti-northern interests.
In one of the political materials circulating on some WhatsApp groups in the region, Obi and Kwankwaso were portrayed as “haram” (forbidden).
On Tuesday, there were reports that some angry youths in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State burnt Obi and Kwankwaso’s campaign posters.
Similarly, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Muhammad Tomas, who recently joined the NDC from the All Progressives Congress, returned to the APC.
(https://punchng.com/vio-powers-what-appeal-court-ruling-means-for-motorists/)
VIO powers: What Appeal Court ruling means for motorists
The powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers to stop, impound, confiscate, or fine motorists remain a subject of controversy across Nigeria despite a Court of Appeal ruling that affirmed a Federal High Court judgment against the Directorate of Road Traffic Services in the Federal Capital Territory.
The debate has been fuelled by differing interpretations of court judgments, varying state enforcement practices and questions over the legal basis for roadside vehicle inspections.
Across several states, including Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Rivers, officials of the Vehicle Inspection Service and other traffic enforcement agencies routinely stop vehicles for offences such as expired vehicle particulars, defective lights, worn tyres, tinted windows and alleged roadworthiness violations.
In many cases, affected vehicles are impounded and taken to government facilities pending compliance with regulatory requirements or payment of prescribed penalties.
The Vehicle Inspection Service is a state government agency responsible for ensuring that vehicles operating on public roads meet prescribed safety standards.
Its functions include conducting vehicle inspections, issuing roadworthiness certificates, testing drivers, issuing learner’s permits and certifying driving schools.
The agency also inspects vehicles involved in crashes to determine possible mechanical causes and promotes road safety through routine inspections and compliance monitoring.
(https://punchng.com/vio-powers-what-appeal-court-ruling-means-for-motorists/)
Lagos mob attack politically motivated, says Joe Igbokwe
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Joe Igbokwe, has alleged that the hostility he faced at the Ladipo Market in Lagos on Saturday was politically motivated, even as he dismissed reports that he was physically attacked during the incident.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, Igbokwe said he was not physically assaulted during the incident, contrary to reports circulating on social media.
The Lagos APC stalwart, however, alleged that the hostility directed at him stemmed from his political affiliation and outspoken views on national issues.
“There was no mob attack. Nobody touched my body. It was just that they were making noise and people tried to caution them.
“Maybe politics. Maybe because I am an APC man. Maybe because I don’t like the politics they play. Make friends with major ethnic groups, and that is how you can rule Nigeria, but it is not forthcoming,” he said.
Igbokwe added that some people often view his comments and advice as antagonistic despite his intentions.
(https://punchng.com/lagos-mob-attack-politically-motivated-says-joe-igbokwe/)
EFCC under fire over killing of 16-year-old suspect
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has come under intense public scrutiny following the killing of 16-year-old Sesugh Atser.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in May 2026 in the Kanshio axis of Makurdi, Benue State, has sparked allegations of extrajudicial killing and renewed calls for an independent investigation.
In a statement on Saturday, the EFCC detailed what it described as the sequence of events leading to Sesugh’s death.
According to the commission, operatives arrested 26 suspected cyber fraudsters on April 28, 2026, at its Makurdi Zonal Directorate.
The suspects were profiled and remanded after being taken to court.
On May 4, three suspects, including Sesugh, allegedly escaped after being allowed to use the toilet.
They reportedly broke through the toilet roof and fled.
(https://punchng.com/efcc-under-fire-over-killing-of-16-year-old-suspect/)
Bandits demand release of fighters for abducted ex-Army spokesman
The abductors of a former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd), and his wife have demanded the release of three detained fighters and the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations as conditions for the couple’s freedom.
The demands were conveyed in a four-minute video released by the kidnappers and obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Saturday.
The video shows the retired military officer and his wife in captivity days after they were abducted in Katsina State.
In the footage, the wife of the former defence spokesman, who spoke in Hausa, appealed to the Katsina State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders across five local government areas to intervene and facilitate release of the detained bandits identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru.
(https://punchng.com/bandits-demand-release-of-fighters-for-abducted-ex-army-spokesman/)
