Morning recap: Wike, Chinda meet Fubara, Obi vows to return petrol subsidy if elected, military records 10 air crashes in five years, other top stories

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and leaders of the Rainbow Coalition have met Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to restore the petrol subsidy if elected in 2027, reversing his earlier stance against the scheme.

Nigeria has recorded at least 10 military aircraft crashes between 2021 and October 2026, resulting in at least 68 deaths and triggering calls for comprehensive safety reforms.

Lionel Messi has ended his Argentina international career with a goal and two assists as the world champions defeated Benin 3-0 in Buenos Aires.

Support staff of the Port Harcourt Refining Company have threatened to shut down the facility over seven months of unpaid salaries and non-implementation of a new salary structure.

And Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has summoned heads of security agencies in the state to a meeting over a spike in cult-related killings.

Below are the details of these top stories:

1. Rainbow Coalition: Wike, Chinda meet Fubara

Wike, APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda and Senator Magnus Abe met Fubara at his private residence.

Sources described the meeting as strategic fence-mending ahead of the Rainbow Coalition’s 2027 campaign.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/rainbow-coalition-wike-chinda-meet-fubara/

2. Obi makes U-turn, vows to return subsidy if elected

Obi told the BBC he would restore the subsidy but first eliminate the corruption associated with it.

The shift comes after his running mate Rabiu Kwankwaso also backed a modified form of subsidy.

• Messi calls Argentina retirement ‘saddest day of my career’
• Adeleke summons security chiefs over Osun cult killings
• Messi bows out with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0

Read full story: https://punchng.com/obi-makes-u-turn-vows-to-return-subsidy-if-elected/

3. Military air crashes: 10 incidents in five years trigger calls for reforms

The latest crash involved a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 in Ondo State that killed all 25 on board.

Aviation experts have called for stronger collaboration between the Air Force, NCAA and NSIB to improve safety.
Read full story: https://punchng.com/military-air-crashes-10-incidents-in-five-years-trigger-calls-for-reforms/

4. Messi bows out with goal, two assists as Argentina beat Benin 3-0

Messi assisted Otamendi and Nico Paz before converting a penalty in his final international appearance.

He finished his Argentina career with 208 caps and 126 goals.
Read full story: https://punchng.com/messi-bows-out-with-goal-two-assists-as-argentina-beat-benin-3-0/

5. Ph Refinery workers threaten shutdown over seven months’ unpaid salaries

Support Staff Union members gave NNPCL a 48-hour ultimatum to implement the approved salary structure and pay outstanding salaries.

They barricaded the refinery entrance in Eleme, Rivers State.

Read full story: https://punchng.com/ph-refinery-workers-threaten-shutdown-over-seven-months-unpaid-salaries/

6. Adeleke summons security chiefs over Osun cult killings

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to address recent cult attacks that left two dead and several injured in Osogbo.

The governor’s aide also cited the need to secure forests after an ISWAP leader was killed in neighbouring Ondo.
Read full story: https://punchng.com/adeleke-summons-security-chiefs-over-osun-cult-killings/