Getafe manager Jose Bordalas has firmly backed Barcelona`s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or later this month, declaring he has "no doubt" the winger will claim football’s ultimate individual prize. Bordalas was left awestruck by the Spain international`s brilliance on Saturday night, despite it coming at his own expense during Getafe’s heavy 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in LaLiga. Speaking to the press after the match, the Getafe tactician admitted that Yamal’s talent is currently operating on an entirely different level, making him nearly impossible to plan for. "We all know Lamine’s level. He’s fantastic," Bordalas said, in quotes carried by Mundo Deportivo. "He is very difficult to stop, even when you take precautions. He is a magnificent young player, and he shows the level he has. He will improve much more and can win the Ballon d’Or. I have no doubt." The 19-year-old Euro 2024 hero is among the frontrunners on the 30-man shortlist for this year`s award. While Yamal faces incredibly stiff competition from established global superstars like Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, Bordalas believes the teenager`s trajectory is already unstoppable.

Security operatives have uncovered a bizarre plot where a 29-year-old man, Godwin Yahaya, allegedly contracted a gang of kidnappers to assassinate a wealthy farmer and illegally seize his land in Niger State, according to a report by THENEWSCREDIT. The suspect, who has been taken into police custody, reportedly targeted Jonah Isah, a prominent, large-scale farmer residing in Zawudna village within the Munya Local Government Area. According to a statement issued by the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, and reported by THENEWSCREDIT, the horrific scheme dates back to 2024 when Yahaya first approached an accomplice identified as Bashiru—who remains at large—to coordinate the abduction of Isah for ransom. The sinister plot was executed on June 26, 2026. Around midnight, Bashiru and his heavily armed gang stormed the victim’s home, brutally killing the farmer before abducting several members of his family along with three other villagers. The criminal syndicate subsequently extorted N2.1 million in ransom from the grieving family before freeing the remaining hostages. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the tables turned on Yahaya when the recently rescued hostages came forward. The victims implicated him, stating that during their terrifying captivity, the abductors openly identified Yahaya as the mastermind who financed and commissioned the entire operation. Acting on this intelligence, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) tracked down and arrested Yahaya in the Kuchi area on September 27, 2026. He was subsequently handed over to the Sarkin-Pawa Police Division. Police authorities revealed that during interrogation, Yahaya confessed to orchestrating the abduction with Bashiru to share the lucrative ransom money. Furthermore, police investigations proved that immediately following Isah`s murder, Yahaya took full possession of the deceased farmer’s vast agricultural fields for his personal use. The Niger State Police Command confirmed that the suspect is currently undergoing rigorous questioning at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna. A manhunt is actively underway to apprehend Bashiru and all remaining members of the murderous syndicate to fully uncover the conspiracy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially published the final list of candidates for the 2027 presidential election, narrowing the battlefield down to 18 presidential candidates and their running mates. The document, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, cements the political match-ups for the highly anticipated ballot. The list features prominent political heavyweights, including incumbent President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a notable shift of political banners, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is listed under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi represents the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). A diverse field of contenders has emerged in the latest political lineup, featuring prominent heavyweights and grassroots candidates across multiple party platforms. High-profile figures anchoring the list include Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde running under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Sandy Ojang Onor representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). Additionally, prominent activist Omoyele Sowore features prominently on the list under the African Action Congress (AAC) banner, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest. The remaining ten slots on the list showcase a broad representation of political parties aiming to challenge the status quo. These candidates include Rufai Adekunle Omo-Aje of the Action Alliance (AA), Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yusuf Kabiru of the Action Peoples Party (APP), and Sunday Adenuga of the Boot Party (BP). The lineup is completed by Adebisi Olusoji (DLA), Sunday Okereke (LP), Adewole Adebayo (SDP), Peter Agada (YPP), and Nwanyanwu Daberechukwu (ZLP), highlighting a deeply multifaceted democratic field. According to the published data, the age of presidential hopefuls ranges from 35 to 79, while vice-presidential candidates span from 35 to 80. The oldest presidential candidate is 79, while 35-year-old Moses Adebisi of the DLA stands out as the youngest candidate in the race. Gender diversity on the ballot remains lean but present. Two women are vying for the presidency: Ada Elizabeth Frederick Okwori (National Democratic Party, NDP) and Nkem Esther Okereke (National Rescue Movement, NRM). Additionally, four women are listed as vice-presidential candidates: Peace Egobia (APP), Nafisat Usaku (DLA), Hajja Konto (LP), and Patience Key (YPP). Following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, INEC revised its official election timeline. Voters nationwide will head to the polls for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on January 16, 2027. The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to follow three weeks later on February 6, 2027.

Major fuel retailers, including Dangote Refinery-backed MRS, Ranoil, and AA Rano, have increased the retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, across Abuja and neighboring areas over the weekend. A market survey conducted on Sunday reveals that MRS filling stations adjusted their pump prices upward by N39 per litre, moving from N1,370 to N1,409 per litre. The new pricing structure is already active at MRS outlets in Kubwa, Katampe, Gwarimpa, and other strategic locations within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a simultaneous move, Ranoil and AA Rano raised their retail prices by N10 per litre, pushing their pump prices up to N1,410 per litre from the previous N1,400. This fresh round of price hikes hits consumers just as the Federal Government, through the Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, proposed a petrol price discount to N1,350 per litre exclusively at Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) retail stations. In response, independent fuel retailers and oil marketers are mounting pressure on the Federal Government. They are urging authorities to extend the proposed fuel subsidy discount initiative to private and independent filling stations to ensure fair market competition and wider relief for Nigerians. The unexpected weekend price hike snaps a brief downward trend enjoyed by consumers during the previous week. On the global stage, energy markets remain highly pressurized, with Brent crude trading at $104 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude standing at $91 per barrel.

The crucial importance of character, identity, and the spiritual weight of a good reputation took center stage today, October 11, 2026, during a powerful and glorious Sunday live broadcast service on BRAVE 91.1FM, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Delivering the sermon was the respected cleric, Bishop Akintayo Asamu, who mounted the altar of grace to deliver a soul-stirring message titled, "The Consequences of Name and Wealth in the Life of Mankind." Drawing his scriptural foundations from the books of Proverbs 22:1–29 and Haggai 2:6–9, the Bishop systematically dissected how human identity and material resources shape destiny across generations. According to reports by THENEWSCREDIT, Bishop Asamu explicitly cautioned listeners to prioritize building a virtuous reputation over the aggressive pursuit of gold and silver. "A good name is better than fine perfume," the cleric noted, echoing Ecclesiastes 7:1. He warned the congregation to desist from any ungodly attitudes capable of tarnishing their reputations, emphasizing that a person`s name does not belong to them alone but leaves a lasting impact on their family and descendants. Bishop Asamu enjoined the listeners to open the doors of their hearts to God, who alone can grant a truly transformative name. He also directed a strong charge to parents, urging them to be spiritually minded when naming their children, as names carry deep spiritual consequences that direct the trajectory of a person`s life. Invoking deep cultural wisdom, the Bishop quoted the timeless adage: "Oruko eni ni ijanu eni, atipe ile laa wo kato so omo loruko" (A person`s name acts as their restraint, and one must thoroughly consider the history and state of a household before naming a child). He warned that evil doers often exploit names to execute dark assignments, reinforcing that names are inherently tied to the glory and life of mankind. Bishop Akintayo Asamu has cautioned the public to prioritize building a virtuous reputation over the aggressive pursuit of material wealth, warning that ungodly attitudes can permanently tarnish a family`s legacy. Speaking on October 11, 2026, during a live Sunday broadcast on BRAVE 91.1FM in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, the cleric delivered a soul-stirring sermon titled, "The Consequences of Name and Wealth in the Life of Mankind." Drawing from Proverbs 22 and Haggai 2, he systematically dissected how human identity and material resources shape destiny across generations. During the service, which was reported by THENEWSCREDIT, Bishop Asamu emphasized that a person`s name does not belong to them alone but leaves a lasting impact on their descendants. He urged parents to be spiritually minded when naming their children, invoking the traditional Yoruba adage that a name acts as a restraint and must reflect the history of the household. The Bishop warned that names carry deep spiritual consequences, noting that evil doers often exploit names to execute dark assignments against a person`s life and glory. Turning his focus to material riches, the cleric provided profound insights into the dual nature of wealth, describing it as an amplifier of character rather than a transformer of identity. He explained that money merely magnifies who a person already is—making the generous more impactful and the greedy more destructive. Drawing from Deuteronomy and 1 Timothy, he warned that wealth often breeds pride, a false sense of independence, and the dangerous temptation to completely forget God. To illustrate his message, Bishop Asamu contrasted biblical figures whose lives were shaped by their identities and actions. He cited the tragedy of Ichabod, whose name sealed a legacy of lost glory, and contrasted it with Jacob`s divine identity shift at Peniel, where his name was changed to Israel to rewrite his destiny. Finally, he highlighted the radical transformation of Judah, who evolved from selling his brother Joseph into slavery to selflessly offering his own freedom to save Benjamin, demonstrating the ultimate triumph of character over past failures. This profound act of substitutionary sacrifice moved Joseph to reveal his identity and ultimately secured Judah the primary messianic blessing from his father, Jacob (Genesis 49:10). Bishop Asamu noted that this act established the royal line of King David, pointing directly to Jesus Christ—the Lion of the tribe of Judah—who stepped forward as the ultimate substitute for humanity`s debt. Concluding the broadcast, Bishop Asamu made a passionate altar call, urging listeners to surrender their lives completely to Jesus Christ. "Let us surrender our lives to Christ so He can give us a new name that will transform our lives, fulfill our destinies, and pass down a sustaining spiritual treasure to our future generations," he urged. Citing Philippians 2:9, the Bishop reminded the audience that because of Christ`s ultimate humility and obedience, God has exalted Him to the highest place, giving Him the name that is above every other name—the ultimate anchor for anyone seeking a legacy that outlasts physical mortality.

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Governor Seyi Makinde, has pledged to reset Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory through a single, transitional four-year term. Speaking on Saturday at an APM North-East town hall meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, the Oyo State Governor announced that his administration would focus on national unity before returning presidential power to the North. “I want to assure you that the government we will put in place from May 2027 will be a transitional government of national unity,” Makinde declared. “It will not last beyond four years.” The town hall meeting brought together APM leaders, stakeholders, and candidates from all six states across the North-East region. Makinde emphasized that absolute sincerity and active listening would be the cornerstones of his administration. “My promise to you is we will be sincere in finding solutions to our problems. We will listen to you because solutions can come from anywhere,” the APM presidential flagbearer added. Endorsing his candidacy, the APM National Leader and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, described Makinde as one of Nigeria’s finest minds. He assured the candidate of the region`s massive support at the polls. “We in the North East have the numbers to influence who becomes president of Nigeria. The North East will vote massively for you,” Governor Mohammed stated. Corroborating this commitment, the APM governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Abdulrahman Haske, affirmed that gubernatorial candidates across the six North-East states are fully mobilized to secure a resounding victory for Makinde and all APM candidates in the upcoming general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared its intention to strictly monitor campaign spending by candidates ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that individuals caught engaging in vote-buying or electoral malpractice will face prosecution. The warning was delivered by Dr. Queen Elizabeth Agwu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Anambra State, during a stakeholders` meeting on Friday. The session brought together political party leaders, candidates, community heads, and media representatives to discuss guidelines for the upcoming polls. Dr. Agwu urged candidates to focus their campaigns strictly on policy and ideas rather than personal attacks or smear campaigns. Reflecting on past political cycles, she emphasized that the commission will not tolerate character assassination. "Campaigns have been lifted and we expect candidates to go into the field and tell the people what they can do," Agwu stated, stressing that personal family matters are entirely immaterial to governance. Addressing the persistent challenge of financial inducement at the polls, the REC placed the responsibility directly on political actors, clarifying that vote-buying is driven by parties rather than electoral or security agencies. She challenged politicians to utilize their resources transparently during the official campaign window to win over voters legally. "We will monitor vote-buying and we are urging people to report vote buyers," she said, appealing to stakeholders and the public to cooperate with law enforcement to flag offenders. With exactly 97 days left until the election, INEC affirmed its readiness and stated that security loopholes are actively being closed. Dr. Agwu warned politicians against hiring thugs to disrupt voting centers, noting that advanced electoral technology has made stolen ballot boxes completely useless to perpetrators. Furthermore, the commission issued a stern warning against attempting to compromise its personnel. INEC has cautioned its staff against accepting financial inducements and vowed to prosecute any politician attempting to bypass the system by seeking access to official result sheets.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu, likening him to a "dull student who copied his classmate`s answers" blindly. Atiku’s fierce remarks followed the federal government`s announcement of a 30-day fuel price discount at all Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) filling stations. The temporary relief measure was originally unveiled by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele. Reacting to the policy during a press briefing at the inauguration of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Atiku accused the president of plagiarising his economic blueprint but altering the structural parts that would make it sustainable. Addressing the president directly in a video broadcast, the former vice president stated: “Wait a minute, Bola. You have borrowed the idea but missed the lesson. You are like a dull student who copied his classmate’s answer. You have done it so blindly that you even copied the classmate’s name at the top of his exam paper and then demanded marks for original thinking. You copied my production subsidy proposal—nothing wrong with that—but you stripped away the part that makes it work and handed Nigerians a 30-day discount. Where is the rest of the answer, Bola? You see why it is good to go to school.” Atiku further argued that his original policy framework proposed a transparent, long-term production subsidy targeted specifically at locally refined petroleum products to lower living expenses permanently. He dismissed the administration`s 30-day window as a short-term, panic-driven political gesture designed to suppress looming civil protests and buy votes ahead of elections. "What happens on Day 31?" Atiku queried, asserting that temporary palliatives fail to fix the core macroeconomic wounds inflicted by the sudden deregulation of the energy market.

The Benue State Government has sealed two private schools, Orenda and Opal Schools, following allegations of violating state education policies and victimising pupils whose parents failed to purchase textbooks directly from the institutions. The enforcement action was executed on Thursday by the Benue Education Quality Assurance and Examinations Board (BEQAEB) after obtaining a valid court order, THENEWSCREDIT reports. According to official statements, the closure followed numerous petitions from aggrieved parents and guardians. The regulatory board resorted to judicial intervention after the proprietor and administrators of the affected schools repeatedly failed to honour invitations to a meeting aimed at resolving the lingering complaints. BEQAEB Executive Secretary, Dr Terna Francis, led officials of the Directorate of Enforcement and Compliance to serve the court warrant on the premises. State authorities reiterated that the government’s standing policy is designed to provide financial flexibility for families by explicitly allowing parents to reuse textbooks previously purchased for older children. The state policy also permits parents to obtain textbook lists from schools and purchase the required books from external bookstores where prices might be more affordable. However, Orenda and Opal Schools allegedly insisted on a strict monopoly, forcing parents to buy materials directly from the school or face severe penalties, THENEWSCREDIT reports. The board revealed that pupils whose parents bought books from outside vendors were subjected to punitive treatments, including having their homework left unmarked by teachers. In worse cases, pupils were barred from bringing external textbooks into classrooms, a practice Dr Francis described as an unacceptable violation of learners’ rights that left several children demoralised. Further details showed that some parents who had already paid full tuition fees were given an ultimatum by the school administrations to either purchase the school-vended textbooks or withdraw their children entirely. The enforcement exercise, however, took a violent turn after the court order was served on the school’s proprietor, Onyinye Okoye. The board alleged that the proprietor led members of staff in a physical and verbal assault against the government team, which resulted in the destruction of an official BEQAEB vehicle. The board strongly condemned the attack, emphasizing that regulatory disputes must be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence or intimidation. Dr Francis confirmed that Orenda and Opal Schools will remain sealed until the management fully complies with government regulations and demonstrates a clear commitment to protecting the rights of pupils. He further urged the public to formally report similar policy violations to the board, assuring them that all petitions backed by evidence will be thoroughly investigated.

The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has dismissed the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day fuel price discount, describing it as a clear sign of confusion and desperation by President Bola Tinubu`s administration. In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric asserted that the administration is struggling near the point of collapse and that a short-term fuel discount is a superficial gesture that lacks any real substance. According to Primate Ayodele, the President is caught in a deep political and economic crisis as he maneuvers to salvage his administration ahead of the next election cycle. “When we were telling Nigerians that Tinubu would not be able to handle security, people didn’t listen, but the government has been lying about not paying ransom,” Ayodele stated. “Tinubu’s government is on the verge of failure; the petroleum discount is nothing. I have said he will do anything to bail himself out for a second term; they will do anything, and something big is coming ahead of this election.” The spiritual leader further claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is frantic to retain power by any means necessary, noting that the party’s leadership is visibly disoriented. He warned the President to exercise extreme caution regarding his campaign strategies and public outings, claiming that the administration is quietly backtracking toward reintroducing fuel subsidies—a policy move that highlights its internal contradictions. “APC is very desperate for this election; they want to win by all means, and there is confusion,” he said. “Tinubu will do what he shouldn’t do, and he must be careful; even the campaign council doesn’t understand what is coming up, and time will tell. There is serious confusion and shame in this government. They are trying to return fuel subsidy.” Looking ahead, Primate Ayodele warned that handing President Tinubu a second term in office would plunge Nigeria into unprecedented economic distress. He maintained that the present struggles of citizens are only a preview of a much deeper collapse if the current administration remains in power. “Tinubu’s second term will bring serious hardship to Nigeria, and there are signs already. This is not a prophecy said out of hatred but what God has shown me,” Ayodele added. “If Tinubu wins a second term, the country will suffer greatly, and what we see today will be nothing compared to what will happen if he returns for a second term.”