Morning recap: Wike meets Fubara, FG disputes World Bank debt figures, other top stories

File: Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State lawmakers have met Governor Siminalayi Fubara as reconciliation efforts continue ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Federal Government has challenged the World Bank’s assessment of Nigeria’s interest payments and debt sustainability.

Hospital workers and patients in Lagos have foiled an alleged attempt to steal a newborn.

The Presidency has disputed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claims over N250bn in NLNG dividends allegedly withheld from states.

Angry Algerian football fans have allegedly attacked a team official and vandalised stadium facilities after MC Alger lost to Enugu Rangers.

Nollywood film, Agbara Nla: The Return, has grossed more than N307m, ranking fourth among the country’s highest-grossing films of 2026.

Actress and beauty queen Tenia Abraham has died at 32.

Below is the recap of the top stories:

1. 2027: Wike, lawmakers meet Fubara in Rivers

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the state’s 23 local government chairmen have met Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt. The meeting follows earlier reconciliation talks between the rival political camps, but questions remain over whether the renewed engagement will deliver lasting peace and how Fubara’s loyalists will fit into the political arrangement ahead of 2027.

Read full story here: https://punchng.com/2027-wike-lawmakers-meet-fubara-in-rivers/

2. Lagos hospital workers, patients foil newborn theft

Hospital staff and patients at P and G Hospital in Abule-Egba, Lagos, have foiled an alleged attempt by a woman to steal a newborn baby. Police said the suspect was in custody, while efforts were ongoing to arrest an alleged accomplice who fled the scene.

Read full story here: https://punchng.com/lagos-hospital-workers-patients-foil-newborn-theft/

3. FG disputes World Bank’s N7.7tn interest payments

The Federal Government has rejected the World Bank’s assessment that interest payments reached N7.7tn in the first half of 2026, arguing that the figures used to assess debt sustainability were misleading. The Finance Ministry said the calculation compared debt obligations involving multiple tiers of government with federal revenue alone, while also disputing the use of six-month figures as a definitive measure of fiscal health.

• W’Bank: FG pays N658.9bn to 10.46m poor households
• 2027: Wike, lawmakers meet Fubara in Rivers
• Algerian fans attack coach, vandalise stadium after Rangers defeat

Read full story here: https://punchng.com/fg-disputes-world-banks-n7-7tn-interest-payments/

4. N250bn NLNG row: Presidency faults Makinde, gov demands answers

The Presidency has rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government is withholding N250bn in NLNG dividends for each state until after the 2027 elections. It argued that the alleged amount would exceed the company’s entire lifetime dividend payments to the Federation, while Makinde’s camp has challenged the government to explain how the funds were distributed.

Read full story here: https://punchng.com/n250bn-nlng-row-presidency-faults-makinde-gov-demands-answers/

5. Algerian fans attack coach, vandalise stadium after Rangers defeat

Angry MC Alger supporters allegedly attacked an assistant coach and vandalised facilities at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta after their side lost 2-0 to Enugu Rangers in a CAF Champions League qualifying tie. The reported violence also extended to the VVIP section, where members of the Algerian delegation allegedly attacked former Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba. Rangers will take a two-goal advantage into the return leg in Algiers on October 23.

Read full story here: https://punchng.com/algerian-fans-attack-coach-vandalise-stadium-after-rangers-defeat/

6. Agbara Nla grosses N307m, ranks fourth among 2026 Nollywood films

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. Its distributor, Nile Group, said the film also recorded the highest grossing for a Nollywood title released in October, following an opening run that brought in more than N170.6m in its first four days.

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

7. 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 suffering from a kidney infection. She was buried at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on October 17, following an announcement by her family. Abraham also held the Beauty Queen South South 2020 title.

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