Nigeria News Today, 12 November 2026: APC manifesto scrutiny, Senate airtime probe, Plateau attack
Last updated: 12 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Thursday 12 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good morning. The 2027 campaign is now about documents as much as rallies: the ruling party’s manifesto is drawing scrutiny, while opposition parties want answers on the voters’ register. The Senate has also taken up a complaint almost every phone user shares, and there is fresh violence in Plateau. Here is what you need to know, explained in plain language.
Today at a glance
- APC manifesto under the microscope: 6% growth, 78,000 more security personnel and 200,000 homes promised by 2031.
- Opposition parties demand a forensic audit after INEC removed about 1.6 million invalid voter records.
- Senate orders a probe of airtime deducted on failed and dropped calls, with a four-week deadline.
- Reps and Senate advance bills on hospital drugs, agricultural colleges and secondary schools.
- Three killed in an attack on a mining site in Riyom, Plateau State.
- Troops report rescuing 30 kidnap victims in Niger, Plateau and Bauchi; Afenifere raises alarm on South-West abductions.
1. APC’s re-election manifesto: what it promises and the questions it faces
What happened
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council presented its 2027 to 2031 manifesto, titled From Reforms to Prosperity, in Abuja on Tuesday 10 November. The 109-page plan sets targets for 2031 that include 6% annual economic growth, halving youth unemployment, raising available power towards 10,000 megawatts, installing seven million additional electricity meters, at least $15 billion a year in non-oil exports, and 200,000 affordable homes. On security it proposes about 28,000 extra military personnel and 50,000 more police officers. Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila said the targets would be published with named responsibilities so citizens can track delivery. A BBC analysis on Thursday noted that the housing pledge is small next to an estimated national deficit of about 14.9 million units, and that farm output targets depend on security in the north.
On Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking for President Tinubu at a rally in Akure, said the opposition was campaigning mainly on social media. Opposition camps have rejected such claims and say the cost of living after subsidy removal is the record voters will judge.
Why it matters
Manifestos give voters something concrete to hold any winner to. Every major candidate’s plan deserves the same test: are the numbers costed, and who is accountable if they are missed? Compare all the main contenders on our 2027 Nigeria Election Hub.
Source: BBC News; Blueprint; Leadership; The Point.
2. Voters’ register: parties want an audit after 1.6 million records removed
What happened
INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said on Monday that the commission had removed 1,608,660 invalid registrations from the 2025/2026 Continuous Voter Registration exercise, plus 873 records of verified dead voters. INEC reviewed about 11.09 million records and said 54 registration staff across 10 states had been identified for disciplinary action and possible prosecution. The final register is due for publication in mid-December (reports give 15 or 16 December). In response, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties called for a forensic audit of the commission and prosecution of any officials found responsible. INEC has said a record flagged by its biometric system is not automatically fraudulent and that the clean-up is now concluded.
Why it matters
A clean register protects every honest voter’s ballot. If you registered recently, check that your details are still valid and collect your card early: see our guide to checking if your PVC is ready for collection.
Source: Peoples Gazette; ABN TV; Nigeria Info.
3. Senate orders probe of airtime lost on failed calls
What happened
On Wednesday the Senate adopted a motion by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno (Borno North) urging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to investigate billing by MTN, Globacom, Airtel and T2 (formerly 9mobile) over airtime deducted on calls that fail, drop or are inaudible. Senators want rules forcing operators to automatically refund airtime for verifiably failed calls, an easy complaints channel, and independent audits of billing systems. Senate President Godswill Akpabio told the Communications Committee to engage the NCC and the communications minister and report within four weeks, warning that officials and operators could be summoned if answers fall short. The operators had not publicly responded at the time of writing.
Why it matters
Small deductions add up across tens of millions of lines, especially for traders and workers who live on their phones. Until any refund rule exists, keep screenshots of failed-call charges if you plan to complain to your network or the NCC.
Source: TheCable; ThisDay; The Guardian.
4. National Assembly: hospital drugs, new colleges and secondary schools
What happened
The House of Representatives passed for second reading a bill (HB 1873) to give legal backing to the Drug Revolving Fund in public hospitals, so money from medicine sales is ploughed back into buying essential drugs, with audits to stop leakages. It was sent to the Health Care Services Committee. The House also passed for third reading a bill sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu amending the Agricultural Research Council Act to create specialised colleges, including a Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology in Alayi, Abia State; it now goes to the Senate. Separately, the Senate passed the National Senior Secondary Education Act (Amendment) Bill for third reading to strengthen how the federal and state governments coordinate public senior secondary schools.
Why it matters
Empty hospital pharmacies push patients to buy drugs outside at higher prices. A properly run revolving fund could keep basic medicines on the shelves.
Source: NALTF; ThisDay; The Sun.
5. Plateau: three killed at Riyom mining site
What happened
Gunmen attacked artisanal miners at a site in Jol community, Riyom Local Government Area, at about 6pm on Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring others, according to residents and the Berom Youth Moulders Association. The youth group’s spokesman alleged the attackers were Fulani militias, a claim that has not been independently verified. The attack came two days after five people, including a soldier, were reported killed around Sho in Barkin Ladi. The police and Operation Enduring Peace had not commented when reports were filed. A dusk-to-dawn curfew has applied to several affected areas since 21 September.
Why it matters
Repeated killings in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu keep farmers and miners away from their livelihoods and deepen distrust between communities. Independent investigation and prosecutions are what break the cycle of blame.
Source: Daily Trust; Vanguard; Daily Post.
6. Kidnapping: 30 rescued, and a warning from the South-West
What happened
The Army said troops rescued 30 kidnapped people in separate operations: 21 at Sabon Wuri and Abaha in Mariga, Niger State; four along the Rafin Sanyi forest axis in Riyom, Plateau; and a woman with her baby plus three others in Bauchi State. In Adamawa, troops rescued three people near Mubi South. In Kwara, attackers killed one resident and abducted another in Ilorin East early on Tuesday; troops said rescue efforts were ongoing. Separately, the pan-Yoruba group Afenifere urged South-West governors to equip Amotekun with modern weapons, citing recent abductions of travellers on the Ijebu-Ode to Ibadan route.
Why it matters
Kidnapping is no longer a problem of one region. Before road trips, especially at night, check recent alerts for your route and share your travel plans with family.
Source: The Moment (NAN); PM News; Nuus.ng.
What to watch next
- Whether opposition candidates publish costed manifestos for direct comparison with the APC plan.
- INEC’s response to the audit demand and publication of the final register in mid-December. Key dates are on our 2027 election deadlines page.
- The Senate Communications Committee’s report on airtime deductions, due in about four weeks.
- Police and military statements on the Riyom attack.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 presidential election?
INEC has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for 16 January 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections on 6 February 2027.
Will I get a refund for airtime lost on failed calls?
Not yet. The Senate has only urged the NCC to investigate and to consider automatic-refund rules. For now, complain to your network first, then escalate to the NCC if it is not resolved.
Does a flagged voter record mean fraud?
No. INEC says its biometric system flags records for review, and only those confirmed after adjudication are removed.
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.
