49 die in Ondo herbal drink crisis; King's College concession proceeds

Aisha Buhari visited ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, signaling her support ahead of the 2027 elections, while Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe joked that some consumers asked him to slow down power improvements because their "freezers were freezing." Vice-President Kashim Shettima revealed that only six of the 19 northern governors backed President Bola Tinubu in 2023, underscoring regional fissures. In Kano, the PDP named Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha, son of the late Head of State, as its governorship candidate for next year after the earlier nominee withdrew. The Anambra State Government said external loans contracted under former governor Peter Obi total N127.4 billion as of June 2026, disputing his claim of leaving an N2.1 billion ecological fund. The Federal High Court in Abuja granted Atiku's request to serve Tinubu with court papers through the APC, allowing substituted service. The Department of State Services will today re-arraign five suspected Ansaru members over the May 15 abduction and killing of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. In Ondo State, the death toll from a suspected poisonous herbal drink has risen to 49, with about 170 people affected and the outbreak spreading to additional LGAs. Despite opposition from workers, parents and other stakeholders, the Federal Government said it will proceed with the concession of King's College, Lagos. The Presidency challenged Peter Obi to prove his claim of leaving Anambra debt-free, threatening to call his bluff if evidence shows outstanding liabilities.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/17/nigerian-newspapers-10-things-you-need-to-know-thursday-morning-143/