Morning recap: NLC ultimatum heightens FG tension, Tinubu defends subsidy removal, other top stories

File photo: Organised Labour

The Nigeria Labour Congress has maintained its ultimatum to the Federal Government amid rising petrol prices and demands for fresh wage negotiations.

Nigeria’s passport ranking has fallen sharply on a global index, with visa-free access shrinking.

President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to remove the petrol subsidy, insisting he has no regrets.

Former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin has endorsed Sharafadeen Alli for the Oyo State governorship election in 2027.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s support for Tinubu’s re-election bid has deepened divisions within the PDP. Peter Obi has denied asking Nigerians living abroad to abandon their families.

Here are the top stories:

1. NLC ultimatum fuels tension with FG over petrol prices, wages

The Nigeria Labour Congress has insisted its two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government remains in force, warning that workers’ earnings are no longer enough to meet basic needs despite the N70,000 minimum wage. NLC President Joe Ajaero has demanded petrol price relief and fresh wage negotiations, while the government has urged a balance between workers’ welfare and its financial capacity.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/nlc-strike-ultimatum-fuels-labour-fg-tension/

2. Nigeria’s passport ranking falls to 181 as visa-free access shrinks

Nigeria’s passport has plunged to 181st out of 196 countries in the latest IziVisa Passport Ranking Index, down from 90th position in July 2026. The number of destinations Nigerians can visit visa-free has also fallen from 44 to 24, highlighting a significant decline in reported travel access.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/nigerias-passport-ranking-falls-to-181-visa-free-access-shrinks/#google_vignette

3. Subsidy: No regrets, Nigeria won’t return to Egypt — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has defended his decision to remove petrol subsidy, declaring that Nigeria will not return to the policy. Speaking at a political event in support of his 2027 re-election bid, he likened reversing the decision to asking Moses to return to Egypt and argued that the country had been heading towards bankruptcy before the reform.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/subsidy-no-regrets-wont-return-to-egypt-tinubu/

• I never asked Nigerians abroad to abandon families — Obi
• Rivers Assembly recalls three Fubara loyalists after apology
• 2027: Ndigbo group banks on grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu

4. 2027: Folarin buries hatchet, backs Alli for Oyo governorship

Former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin has endorsed Sharafadeen Alli and other APC candidates in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 elections, signalling a move towards party reconciliation. Folarin, who had challenged the process that produced Alli as the party’s governorship candidate, urged aggrieved members to set aside their differences, while calling for a fairer reward system within the party.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/2027-folarin-buries-the-hatchet-backs-alli-for-oyo-gov/

5. Aliko Dangote accepts Bae U’s invite to curiosity made me ask

Nigerian content creator Adebayo Ridwan, popularly known as Bae U Barbie, has invited billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to appear on his YouTube show, Curiosity Made Me Ask.

Bae U extended the invitation on Monday during a visit to Dangote Refinery in Lagos, where he asked the businessman about his media appearances and the need to engage younger Nigerians interested in his business and its planned public offering.

The content creator observed that many of Dangote’s interviews had been on platforms that younger audiences might not typically watch, despite their interest in investing in his business and participating in the company’s proposed initial public offering.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/aliko-dangote-accepts-bae-us-invite-to-curiosity-made-me-ask/

6. Wike’s Tinubu re-election push triggers fresh PDP divisions

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election has exposed divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party, with several state chapters rejecting his Rainbow Coalition. While political blocs in some states have declared support for Tinubu, others insist they will contest the 2027 elections on the PDP platform rather than step aside for APC candidates.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/wikes-tinubu-re-election-push-triggers-pdp-rift

7. Obi denies asking Nigerians abroad to abandon their families

Peter Obi has pushed back against criticism over his remarks to Nigerians living abroad about sending money to relatives at home. His position has sparked debate among opposition figures, with critics warning that withholding remittances could worsen hardship for families who depend on them, while his supporters argue that the message was a call for political accountability.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/i-never-asked-nigerians-abroad-to-abandon-families-obi