Morning recap: China dominates Nigeria’s imports, Obi rejects Atiku step-down call, other top stories

FILE: Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi

Five major stories dominate the morning news, with China accounting for a record share of Nigeria’s imports, opposition leaders trading positions ahead of the 2027 election, controversy over citizens filming police officers and fresh US military equipment for the Nigerian Air Force.

Read these and other trending stories below:

China supplies 39% of Nigeria’s N28tn imports

China supplied goods worth N11.01tn to Nigeria in the first half of 2026, accounting for 39.27 per cent of the country’s total imports of N28.04tn. The figures show China’s growing dominance of Nigeria’s import market, even as the overall import bill declined by more than 15 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

Read here: https://punchng.com/china-supplies-39-of-nigerias-n28tn-imports/

Obi: Why I can’t step down for Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has ruled out personally stepping down for African Democratic Congress candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 election. Obi said any decision on a possible opposition alliance must now be negotiated by the political parties rather than individual candidates.

Read here: https://punchng.com/obi-why-i-cant-step-down-for-atiku/

IG’s police filming warning sparks outrage

• Police arrest woman over sexual abuse of minor, rescue four children
• Police arrest two over killing of Kano political commentator
• Obi: Why I can’t step down for Atiku

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu’s position on citizens filming police officers performing their duties in public has sparked criticism from human rights groups and the African Action Congress. The controversy follows a Federal High Court judgment affirming Nigerians’ constitutional right to record police officers while they perform their duties in public.

Read here: https://punchng.com/igs-police-filming-warning-sparks-outrage/

Kwankwaso asks Atiku to quit 2027 race

Former Kano State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso has asked Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, citing the former vice-president’s age and health. The call comes amid efforts by opposition politicians to unite against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Read here: https://punchng.com/kwankwaso-asks-atiku-to-quit-2027-race/

US arms NAF for terror war

The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force under a foreign military sales agreement aimed at strengthening the security partnership between both countries and supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations. The latest delivery comes amid continuing US-Nigeria military cooperation, including training in unmanned aircraft systems and combat casualty care.