Latest News from Wednesday, August 19th, 2026

Nigeria’s official campaign season for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections begins Wednesday, August 19, with political parties and candidates pledging to pursue peaceful, issue-based campaigns and reject violence, hate speech, misinformation and personal attacks.

 The United States Coast Guard has lifted a 12-year Condition of Entry imposed on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria, ending enhanced security requirements for ships that had called at designated Nigerian ports.

US President Donald Trump says there are no talks with Iran, despite reports that Washington and Tehran have been holding discussions.

Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Joash Amupitan has urged political parties and candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to uphold the commitments contained in the National Peace Accord, warning that the credibility of the polls depends not only on INEC but also on the conduct of political actors.

The National Peace Committee has brought political parties and presidential candidates together in Abuja to sign the first National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nigeria and Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians not to vote for politicians who violate the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Peter Obi has congratulated Nigeria's U18 women's basketball team, the Junior D'Tigress, after they won silver at the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket Championship in Abidjan and secured qualification for the 2027 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in China.