1. The Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal access for the 2027 elections has sparked fresh power struggles within major political parties, as rival factions and state chapters dispute control of candidate uploads and nomination lists ahead of the deadline.
The PUNCH learnt that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has commenced the upload of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission portal after receiving INEC’s access code
2. Heavy rainfall on Sunday left many parts of Lagos under water, flooding major roads and residential communities, disrupting traffic and forcing the temporary closure of a terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). Videos reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES showed floodwaters taking over several roads. At the same time, canals in different parts of the state were filled with plastic waste, old tyres, rubber and other debris that appeared to have blocked the free flow of water
3. The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, to ensure petroleum marketers do not exploit Nigerians through excessive pricing under the deregulated downstream petroleum market. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the directive in Abuja yesterday while delivering the keynote address at the NMDPRA General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum.
4. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, OPHK, have rescued 10 National Examination Council, NECO, candidates and teachers abducted during a terrorist attack on a secondary school in Lassa community, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Similarly, the Oyo State Police Command separately rescued two abducted children and smashed a kidnapping syndicate in the Ibarapa axis.
5. Households across parts of the country are beginning to experience relief as retail prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, popularly known as cooking gas, decline following improved product supply and softer depot prices. The latest market update from gas marketers showed that retail LPG prices have started easing in major cities after weeks of elevated prices.
6. Federal Executive Council on Monday approved the first comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC since the scheme was established 53 years ago. The reforms include the full digitalisation of the scheme’s operations, enhanced security and welfare measures for corps members, and improved attention to their special needs.
7. Companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange spent N400.83bn on alternative energy sources in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the growing financial burden of the country’s unreliable electricity supply as businesses increasingly relied on diesel, gas and other self-generated power to sustain operations. An analysis by The PUNCH of the unaudited Q1 2026 financial statements of companies listed on the NGX Main Board showed that expenditure on alternative energy rose by 3.66 per cent from N386.67bn recorded in the corresponding period of 2025 to N400.83bn.
8. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, saying the president has fulfilled his responsibility by giving directives to the military.
Adeboye made the remarks while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington on June 23.
9. Niger State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, has confirmed the arrest of a police officer serving with the Niger Police Command for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl. Hajiya Kuta disclosed this in an interview NAN in her office in Minna on Monday. She said two other suspects were also arrested for allegedly raping the same girl.
10. WhatsApp says it has started rolling out username reservations, a new privacy feature that will allow users to connect without sharing their phone numbers. WhatsApp made this known in a statement on Monday. The messaging platform said username reservations commenced on Monday, June 29, ahead of the full launch of the feature later this year, with users to be notified in the app once the option becomes available to them.
