Evening recap: Tinubu’s 2027 alliance, Eaglets’ AFCON setback, Tenia Abraham’s death, other top stories

Adeleke, Wike, and Soludo

Political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s planned investigation into alleged Abuja fraud syndicates, Nigeria’s latest football setback and developments in Nollywood are among the major stories making headlines this evening.

The appointment of Nyesom Wike, Ademola Adeleke and Chukwuma Soludo to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign council has unsettled some opposition figures, while the EFCC has promised to investigate alleged fraud syndicates accused of impersonating popular content creators.

In sports, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets have been eliminated from the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Championship, ruling them out of the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup.

Meanwhile, Nollywood mourned actress Tenia Abraham, while faith-based film Agbara Nla: The Return crossed the N307m mark at the box office.

Read the full stories below:

1) 2027: Wike, Adeleke, Soludo’s alliance with Tinubu rattles opposition

The appointment of prominent opposition figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign council has triggered discontent among some APC stakeholders and raised concerns among opposition candidates.

Findings by Sunday PUNCH across several states showed growing unease in Osun, Anambra and Rivers states, where the opposition politicians were appointed to coordinate Tinubu’s campaign, with some candidates expressing fears over the possible impact of the alliances on their parties.

The development has added a new dimension to preparations for the 2027 elections, with the affected opposition parties and their members reacting to the decision by their prominent figures to support the President’s re-election bid.

Read here: https://punchng.com/2027-wike-adeleke-soludos-alliance-with-tinubu-rattles-opposition/

2) EFCC promises probe as YouTuber exposes Abuja fraud syndicates

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has vowed to investigate a suspected internet fraud syndicate in Abuja accused of impersonating popular content creators to defraud victims seeking to recover lost funds.

The development followed revelations by US-based scam-baiter and YouTuber NanoBaiter, who alleged that the suspects impersonated creators including MrBeast, Airrack and himself to lure victims into paying for fake recovery services. He said evidence gathered during his investigation had been submitted to the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the commission would investigate the allegations and go beyond the findings of the YouTuber if the matter had been formally reported.

Read here: https://punchng.com/efcc-promises-probe-as-youtuber-exposes-abuja-fraud-syndicates/

• Tinubu committed to LG autonomy — Uzodimma
• 2027: APC campaign council banks on Tinubu’s reforms, targets nationwide mobilisation
• 2027: Abia youth group backs Tinubu, Benjamin Kalu

3) Nollywood actress Tenia Abraham dies at 32, buried in Abuja

Nollywood actress and beauty queen Tenia Abraham has died at the age of 32 after battling a kidney infection. She was buried at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday, October 17.

Her family announced her death on Thursday, describing her as a vibrant talent, loving daughter, sister and friend. The actress, whose lifespan was given as 1993 to 2026, died on October 13.

Abraham was also involved in beauty pageants and held the Beauty Queen South South 2020 title. Following her death, one of her social media posts in which she reflected on mortality and encouraged her followers to show love resurfaced online.

Read here: https://punchng.com/nollywood-actress-tenia-abraham-dies-at-32-buried-in-abuja/

4) Agbara Nla grosses N307m, ranks fourth among 2026 Nollywood films

Nollywood faith-based film, Agbára Nlá: The Return, has grossed more than N307.2m at the box office, making it the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2026.

The film’s distributor, Nile Group, announced the milestone on Friday, describing the performance as the highest-grossing Nollywood title ever for an October release. The movie had earlier grossed more than N170.6m within its first four days in cinemas.

Agbára Nlá: The Return, a remake of the 1993 Christian film created by Mike Bamiloye, returned to cinemas on October 1, 2026, more than three decades after the original production.

Read here: https://punchng.com/agbara-nla-grosses-n307m-ranks-fourth-among-2026-nollywood-films/

5) Eaglets to miss 2027 U-17 AFCON, World Cup

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will miss the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup after they were eliminated from the 2026 WAFU-B U-17 Championship following a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast in Ouagadougou on Saturday.

The result left Nigeria bottom of Group B with one point from two matches, ending the team’s hopes of qualification. The Eaglets had earlier lost 2-1 to Niger Republic in their opening match.

The failure to progress means Nigeria will miss the U-17 AFCON for the third consecutive edition and the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth consecutive edition. The Golden Eaglets last featured at the World Cup in 2019.

Read here: https://punchng.com/eaglets-to-miss-2027-u-17-afcon-wcup/