Nigeria News Today, 8 November 2026 (Evening): Zamfara family killed, INEC on Atiku ballot, register date set
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Evening roundup · Sunday 8 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good evening. Since this morning’s edition, a deadly bandit raid in Zamfara has been confirmed by police, INEC has said it will not decide Atiku Abubakar’s ballot status until it studies the court judgment, and the electoral body has set a date for the final voters’ register. Here is what changed today, and why it matters to you at home and abroad.
Today at a glance
- Zamfara: police confirm 11 members of one family killed and 14 people abducted in Maradun.
- ADC ballot row: INEC will meet next week and wants the certified judgment first.
- INEC sets 15 December for the certified voters’ register; staff leave cancelled.
- Asaba violence: Obi demands a probe; Delta government says organisers ignored police advice.
- Campaign economics: the ₦15.8 trillion subsidy-savings figure, checked against official records.
- Power: minister now promises improvement in four areas within 24 hours; TCN rejects Ikeja Electric’s blame.
- Fuel: Lagos depot petrol prices rose about ₦41 a litre this week while diesel eased.
1. Zamfara: family killed in overnight raid on Gidan Taba
What happened: Armed bandits attacked Gidan Taba village in Dosara Birnin Kaya Ward, Maradun Local Government Area, late on Saturday. Members of the household of Mallam Muhammadu Sani, said to be linked to a local vigilante group, had locked themselves in a room to avoid abduction; the attackers set the building alight. The Zamfara Police Command spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, put the toll at 11 dead and 14 abducted, while the local government chairman, Sanusi Ahmed Dosara, told reporters 12 died. Police say tactical teams and vigilantes are pursuing the attackers, and the victims were buried on Sunday morning.
Why it matters: Communities along the Gusau-Sokoto axis have suffered repeated raids, and attacks on people who resist bandits show how exposed local vigilantes remain. With campaigns intensifying, security in the North-West will weigh on turnout and on how candidates are judged.
Source: Radio Nigeria; Daily Trust; Leadership.
2. ADC ballot row: INEC waits for the certified judgment
What happened: INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna said the commission will not act on Thursday’s Federal High Court judgment, which nullified the David Mark-led ADC leadership and the primary that produced Atiku Abubakar, until it obtains a certified true copy. He said the commission meets next week and would obey any stay of execution granted on appeal. The ADC says it has already appealed and applied for a stay. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo (APC) posted on Sunday that the ADC itself will be on the ballot but candidates from the Mark faction may not be, depending on the final ruling. The APC has said the matter is internal to the ADC.
Why it matters: With the presidential election on 16 January 2027, whether a leading candidate appears on the ballot could reshape the race. Filing an appeal does not by itself suspend a judgment, so the stay application is the next key step.
Source: Nigeria Info; BusinessDay; Tribune.
3. INEC: final voters’ register on 15 December
What happened: Wrapping up a nationwide readiness tour in Lokoja, INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said the certified register will be published on 15 December 2026 and that nine of 14 statutory milestones have been met. He ordered staff on leave to resume and said no leave will be granted until after the polls. The elections involve more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units; 57,000 newly bought BVAS devices are being configured and result systems audited.
Why it matters: If your name or photo on the preliminary register is wrong, the window to fix it is closing. Check your status and collection point now using our guide on how to check and collect your PVC.
Source: New Telegraph; Nigeria Info.
4. Asaba violence: Obi demands probe, Delta government responds
What happened: A day after one person died and five were hurt at an Obidient/OK Movement procession on Nnebisi Road, NDC candidate Peter Obi said on Sunday that “no political aspiration is worth the life of a Nigerian” and urged a thorough investigation regardless of party. The Delta State Government, through Commissioner Charles Aniagwu, condemned the violence but said it could have been avoided had organisers followed police advice to use a designated venue. Movement leaders allege their members were attacked by armed thugs; Delta APC has said nothing links it to the violence. Police say their investigation is ongoing and victims are yet to be identified.
Why it matters: Campaign violence in several states, including the attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar last week, is raising concern about safety at rallies. Each side’s account is still unverified until police conclude their probe.
5. Campaign economics: what the ₦15.8 trillion figure really is
What happened: Obi has challenged President Tinubu to account for ₦15.8 trillion in subsidy savings and over $100 billion in borrowing, and the NDC says an Obi-Kwankwaso government would end “borrowing-dependent” governance. On the APC side, Vice President Kashim Shettima defended the reforms at the Port Harcourt rally, saying external reserves have risen sharply under this administration. A Premium Times check found the ₦15.8 trillion matches a Finance Ministry estimate of extra federation revenue from June 2023 to December 2025, shared across federal, state and local governments, not a single federal cash pot. Total public debt of about $120.9 billion (June 2026) includes loans from past governments.
Why it matters: Subsidy, debt and the cost of living are central to this election. Knowing what the numbers measure helps voters weigh every party’s claims. Track the campaigns on our 2027 election hub.
Source: Premium Times; Arise News; The Guardian.
6. Power: 24-hour promise as agencies trade blame
What happened: Power Minister Joseph Tegbe said supply to Abuja, Lagos, Kwara and Oyo should improve within 24 hours, with the first idle generating units back in 48 to 72 hours. Separately, the Transmission Company of Nigeria rejected Ikeja Electric’s claim that “grid instability” caused Band A feeder outages, saying only the system operator can rule on causes. TCN said most interruptions on 1 and 2 November were load shedding due to low generation, and about a quarter were linked to Ikeja Electric’s own network or non-compliance with load allocation.
Why it matters: Band A customers pay the highest tariffs for at least 20 hours of supply. If outages persist, ask your DisCo for compensation under the regulator’s rules, and see our solar cost guide if you are weighing alternatives.
Source: ThisDay; BizWatch Nigeria.
7. Fuel: petrol up at depots, diesel down
What happened: Weekly depot data show the average petrol price at seven comparable Lagos depots rose from ₦1,238 to about ₦1,279 a litre between 2 and 6 November, with some depots up ₦60. Diesel fell on average by about ₦33 to roughly ₦1,777. Brent crude dropped nearly 5% over the same week.
Why it matters: Depot moves usually reach the pump within days, so transport fares and food prices may tick up again. Cheaper diesel offers some relief to businesses running generators during the blackouts.
Source: PetroleumPrice.ng; Legit.ng; Vanguard.
What to watch next
- INEC’s meeting next week on the ADC judgment, and whether the Court of Appeal grants a stay.
- Police updates on the Zamfara abductees and the Asaba investigation.
- Whether electricity improves in Lagos, Abuja, Kwara and Oyo by Monday as promised.
- Pump price changes after this week’s depot increases.
- Publication of the certified voters’ register on 15 December.
Frequently asked questions
Is Atiku Abubakar still on the 2027 ballot?
For now, nothing has been removed. INEC says it will decide after studying the certified judgment at its meeting next week, and will obey any stay of execution the ADC obtains on appeal.
When is the final voters’ register published?
INEC says the certified register will be published on 15 December 2026. Check your details on the preliminary register before then.
When is the presidential election?
The presidential and National Assembly elections are on 16 January 2027; governorship and state assembly polls follow on 6 February 2027.
This roundup summarises reporting by the outlets credited under each story, in our own words. Follow Naijatipsland Updates on WhatsApp for the next edition. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it under our editorial policy.
