The Independent National Electoral Commission has restored the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ access to its candidate nomination portal, allowing the party to upload the names of its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, despite the ongoing legal battle over the party’s status. Dickson disclosed the development in a post on his X account on Tuesday. He described it as a positive step after the party filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution against last week’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Lokoja. He said the appeal and accompanying applications had been served on the electoral commission with a covering letter urging it to act in accordance with the law. According to him, the NDC remains a duly registered political party and has validly conducted its primaries under INEC’s supervision. “Today, the NDC has filed an appeal against the ruling as well...

The Edo State government on Monday said the controversies surrounding the ownership of the Museum of West African Arts would soon be resolved. He noted that the report of the presidential committee on the controversial project would soon be ready. The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilo, stated this on Monday during the Summit, Exhibition and Fashion Show 2026 organised by the Edo State Tourism Agency in Benin City. The SSG also noted that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo was committed to updating and implementing the state’s Tourism Master Plan. Ikhilor said that in addition to implementing the master plan, all stakeholders must be involved to ensure that the tourism industry grows in the state. “I have seen that master plan, and it is actually a wonderful job, I have to admit, and I want to encourage the Director General of the Tourism Agency to look at how...

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States on Monday launched its Electronic Case Management System, describing the platform as a major step towards strengthening regional judicial integration, improving access to justice and enhancing transparency across the sub-region. Speaking at the official launch in Abuja, the Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court, Yaouza Ouro-Sama, said the digital platform would harmonise judicial processes among member states while making justice more accessible to citizens across the region. He explained that the platform would streamline case management by reducing delays and eliminating bottlenecks, while enhancing transparency through real-time access to case information for stakeholders. “The ECMS will: Streamline case management by reducing delays and eliminating bottlenecks. Enhance transparency by providing real-time access to case information for all stakeholders. Promote accessibility by bridging geographical divides and ensuring that justice reaches every corner of our community. Strengthen regional integration by...

Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points, after two draws against Uruguay (1–1) and Cape Verde (0–0), and a heavy 4–0 defeat to Spain. “The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility for it. I offer my apologies to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position,” he wrote on X late Sunday. “A sense of responsibility requires giving the opportunity to open a new chapter, and I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term,” he added. At the head of the federation for seven years, Misehal played a central role in Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup, a cornerstone of its strategy to diversify an economy heavily dependent on oil. Saudi...

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has purchased two cargoes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, marking its first-ever procurement of Middle Eastern crude as it expands its feedstock sources amid persistent domestic supply constraints. According to a report by S&P Global Commodity Insights, the two cargoes will be the first sourced by the 700,000-barrels-per-day refinery from any Middle Eastern supplier, signalling a shift from its traditional reliance on Nigerian, African, and United States crude grades. The report said the purchases followed the resumption of oil exports from the Middle East after the United States and Iran reached an interim peace agreement that restored confidence in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The refinery, designed primarily to process Nigeria’s light sweet crude, has increasingly diversified its crude slate as operations ramp up. S&P Global reported that an agreement between the refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company had guaranteed the...

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation Fansan Yamma, have killed two suspected Lakurawa terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition during an operation in Kebbi State. The operation was carried out on June 27, 2026, in the Sabarumawa area as part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and improve security across the North-West. The Media Information Officer of Operation Fansan Yamma, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. According to Danja, the troops acted on credible intelligence that the terrorists were planning an attack on the Sabarumawa community. He said troops of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion 7 were immediately deployed to the area, where they laid a tactical ambush along the route suspected to be used by the terrorists. “As the terrorists approached the ambush position, the troops engaged them with overwhelming firepower, resulting in a fierce gun...

The group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup featured several standout individual performances. Still, only six players won the Superior Player of the Match award twice before the knockout rounds. Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who also has the most goals (six), is among the players to claim the accolade on two occasions. The other players are from co-hosts USA, Norway, Brazil, Switzerland and England. The awards underline their influence in helping their countries reach the Round of 32. As the knockout stage commences on Sunday (today), PUNCH Online highlights the players who have won the Superior Player of the Match award twice so far. Players who won the Superior Player of the Match award twice in the World Cup group stage Lionel Messi (Argentina) – vs Algeria, vs Austria Erling Haaland (Norway) – vs Iraq, vs Senegal Folarin Balogun (USA) – vs Paraguay, vs Australia Vinicius Junior (Brazil) –...

The Nigerian Medical Association, Akwa Ibom State branch, has called on Governor Umo Eno to designate the Ibom Medical City corridor as a tax incentive and Free Trade Zone to attract both local and international investors. A statement issued on Sunday by the association’s chairman, Prof. Aniekan Peter, in Uyo, said the move would encourage the establishment of world-class hospitals, pharmaceutical industries, medical equipment manufacturers and producers of hospital consumables, while also creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic growth. The 350-bed Ibom Medical City was unveiled last week by the state government as a deliberate policy initiative aimed at transforming healthcare delivery, reducing medical tourism and positioning the state as a leading destination for specialised healthcare services in Nigeria and beyond. The statement partly read: “To maximise the enormous healthcare and economic potential of the Ibom Medical City, the Association respectfully appeals to the State Government to designate the Ibom...

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen caused a near stampede on the streets of Ojota, Lagos, after videos of him visiting the area spread rapidly online, drawing a massive crowd of fans who surrounded his car and refused to let him pass, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Footage circulating on social media showed hundreds of excited supporters converging on the Nigeria international, screaming his name, recording videos and pressing against his vehicle until it could no longer move. The situation grew so intense that Osimhen was forced to step out of his Lamborghini personally to calm the crowd, walking among the fans in an attempt to manage the overwhelming reception. The scenes in Ojota were a vivid illustration of the love Nigerians have for their most celebrated footballer, even as speculation continues to swirl over his club future. Osimhen, 27, remains at the centre of transfer interest from several European clubs despite...

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, comprising chairmen elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, on Saturday presented 60 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state. The presentation was made at the Osun State Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Osogbo by the association’s chairman, Samuel Idowu. Idowu, who recalled the previous donation of 30 patrol vehicles to conventional security agencies in the state, said the initiative was a demonstration of the association’s commitment to the safety, security, and well-being of the people. “Just few weeks ago, we were here to unveil the distribution of the patrol vehicles and I am glad to inform this gathering that the remaining of the vehicles are here for distribution aimed at strengthening the security, maintenance of law and order in the state. This is indeed, ‘a promise made, a promise kept.’ “Security remains the...