Nigeria News Today, 13 November 2026: Campaign Violence Spreads, INEC on Atiku, N300,000 Wage Demand
Last updated: 13 November 2026 · By Naijatipsland Editorial Team · Editorial policy
Morning roundup · Friday 13 November 2026 · By Ade Adeniyi, Founder and Editor
Good morning. With roughly nine weeks to the presidential and National Assembly polls, the big worry this Friday is violence around campaign events. We also look at what the INEC chairman told a London audience about court cases and Atiku Abubakar, fresh security operations in the North-East and North-West, a new pay demand from senior civil servants, and the latest on Nigeria’s single Ebola case.
Today at a glance
- Political violence reported in at least seven states in a week, including an attack on an NDC town hall in Lagos.
- INEC chairman says the commission faces more than 300 court cases and will obey the courts on Atiku’s eligibility.
- Military says air and ground operations killed 42 insurgents in Borno and Adamawa; police report 17 kidnap victims freed.
- Senior civil servants demand a ₦300,000 minimum wage; the government says the review is due in 2027.
- Ebola: the Swiss patient has recovered and only 10 Nigerian contacts remain under watch.
1. Campaign violence spreads across several states
What happened
Suspected thugs carrying guns, machetes and other weapons stormed a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, ahead of a meeting with the party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso. Lagos police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi confirmed two people were injured and said the situation was under control. Obi, who went ahead with the meeting, condemned the attack and urged supporters of every party to stay peaceful. Daily Trust counted violent incidents in at least seven states over seven days, including Edo, Delta, Gombe and Cross River. In Zamfara, an APC rerun primary for the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji seat was marred by attacks; two deaths were reported but not officially confirmed, and the result announced by the party committee (Hassan Umar Dangaladima as winner) is disputed by the rival camp.
The APC presidential campaign council, through Dele Alake, condemned attacks across party lines, including the Lagos incident, and asked security agencies to arrest those responsible. The House of Representatives also passed a motion, moved by Minority Leader Fred Agbedi, condemning disruption of rallies by any party.
Why it matters
Violence before an election keeps voters at home and can be used to challenge results later. Both the ruling party and the opposition now say they want arrests, so the test is whether police actually prosecute anyone. Track key dates on our 2027 election deadlines page.
Source: Daily Trust; Vanguard; Channels TV.
2. INEC: over 300 court cases, and a clear line on Atiku
What happened
Speaking at Chatham House in London on Thursday, INEC chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan said the commission has more than 300 pending lawsuits with about 66 days to the polls, and that it has started buying sensitive election materials. Asked whether Atiku Abubakar could stand if he fails to overturn the 5 November Federal High Court judgment that nullified the David Mark-led ADC leadership, Amupitan said INEC must obey court orders, especially from the Supreme Court, whatever the political effect. He called for pre-election cases to end six to twelve months before polling day. Separately, INEC has begun moving non-sensitive materials to its zones.
The ADC has appealed and wants the judgment suspended; its lawyer Kalu Kalu argues the ruling contains no express order cancelling Atiku’s candidacy. ADC governorship candidates asked the AU, ECOWAS, the UN and the Commonwealth to watch how opposition parties are treated. ADC chieftain Solomon Dalung alleged on Channels TV that APC-run states have sealed opposition venues, including Atiku meeting places in Kaduna. These are allegations; we could not find a response from the APC or the Kaduna State Government at the time of writing.
Why it matters
Whether the main opposition candidate makes the ballot is now in the hands of the appeal courts, and the clock is short. Follow the twists on our 2027 Nigeria Election Hub.
Source: TheCable; The Guardian; Daily Trust.
3. Security: 42 insurgents killed, 17 kidnap victims freed
What happened
A military report released through NAN says ground and air operations in Borno and Adamawa killed 42 suspected terrorists. Most died in air strikes near Wulgo-Momaduru in Ngala LGA of Borno, after a first aircraft’s munition malfunctioned and a second jet took over. Troops of 226 Battalion also repelled an attack at Zangula junction in Gombi, Adamawa, and 13 suspected illegal miners were arrested in the FCT. Police separately said operations between 10 and 12 November in Kano, Adamawa, Ogun and Benue freed 17 kidnap victims, including an APC chairman held for 68 days; in Benue, three of five rescued victims later died of injuries from the attack. In Sokoto, the DSS reportedly seized 21 AK-47 rifles and four machine guns smuggled from Niger Republic on camels, according to the security publication Zagazola Makama; the DSS had not issued its own statement when we checked.
Why it matters
Weapons moving across the northern border feed the banditry and kidnapping that hurt farmers and travellers. Election security also depends on keeping these areas calm in the coming weeks.
Source: Nigerian Tribune (NAN); TVC News; Intelregion.
4. Senior civil servants demand ₦300,000 minimum wage
What happened
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), at its national executive meeting in Abuja on Thursday, asked the Federal Government to raise the lowest federal salary from ₦70,000 to ₦300,000 now, with knock-on increases for higher grades, instead of waiting for the next statutory review. Its president, Shehu Mohammed, also asked for unpaid gratuities and for state police. Labour Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who attended, urged dialogue over strikes; the government has said the wage is due for review in June 2027. Lawyer Femi Falana told the meeting that workers must be treated with respect at the negotiating table. Elsewhere, non-teaching unions at Kaduna State University are on a seven-day warning strike, though ASUU at the school says lecturers are still working.
Why it matters
Fuel, food and transport costs have outrun the 2024 wage. The current ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance runs for only six months, so pay talks could become a campaign issue.
Source: BizWatch Nigeria; AIT; Peoples Gazette.
5. Senate warns oil regulators against “sabotage”
What happened
Screening seven nominees for executive director posts at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Thursday, Senate Downstream Committee chairman Abdulrahman Sumaila warned that some agencies were not helping the government’s oil reforms and said the Senate would not tolerate inefficiency or lack of transparency. He also told the nominees to look for ways to ease the effect of high fuel prices on households and businesses.
Why it matters
The NMDPRA oversees petrol supply, depots and pricing rules. Who runs it affects how quickly pump-price changes reach your local filling station.
Source: Headtopics (summarising Punch).
6. Ebola: Swiss patient recovers, Nigerian contacts nearly cleared
What happened
The woman who caught the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and was flown from Abuja to Switzerland in October has recovered and left Geneva University Hospitals on 11 November. The NCDC dashboard showed 10 of the 62 people who had contact with her still under monitoring as of 11 November, with no new confirmed case or death in Nigeria; seven suspected cases tested negative. The government has said Nigeria could be declared free of the outbreak around 7 December if no new case appears.
Why it matters
So far there is no local spread. If a health officer contacts you, the NCDC asks that you cooperate; travellers should expect stricter screening at airports and borders.
Source: Punch Healthwise; News Central.
What to watch next
- Saturday 14 November: APC North-Central presidential rally at Zaria Road Stadium, Jos.
- Whether the Court of Appeal fixes a hearing date for the ADC’s appeal and stay request.
- Any arrests over the Lagos town hall attack and the Zamfara primary violence.
- National Assembly decision on the ₦10.79 trillion external loan terms.
- Around 7 December: possible end of Nigeria’s Ebola countdown.
Frequently asked questions
Can Atiku Abubakar still contest in 2027?
For now he says he is in the race and the ADC has appealed. INEC says it will follow whatever the higher courts, especially the Supreme Court, finally decide.
When are the 2027 general elections?
The presidential and National Assembly elections are set for mid-January 2027, with governorship and state assembly polls in February. Check our election deadlines page for exact dates.
Is there Ebola spreading in Nigeria?
No. Nigeria has recorded one imported case, the patient has recovered abroad, and no other case or death has been confirmed.
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.
