As Wednesday winds down, PUNCH Online brings you the major stories making headlines across politics, entertainment and the Metro in Nigeria.
In politics, Omoyele Sowore’s African Action Congress seeks approval to inaugurate its campaign council at Aso Villa.
In entertainment, Afrobeats star Davido pays an emotional tribute to his late son, Ifeanyi, on his posthumous birthday, sharing a poignant reminder of the personal loss behind the singer’s public life.
Meanwhile, in the Metro, more than 100 students in Ogun State are hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas, sparking concerns over their health and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This is the fifth time such an incident has happened in the state and now raising questions on the possible action of the government especially about health concerns and state of the affected students.
These are among the major developments shaping the day. Read these stories and other trending reports on PUNCH Online to get the latest updates.
Sowore’s AAC seeks approval to inaugurate campaign council in Aso Villa
The African Action Congress has asked President Bola Tinubu to approve the use of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for participants at the proposed event scheduled for November 11, 2026.
The AAC made the requests in a letter dated October 21, 2026, addressed to the President and signed by its National Secretary, Oshiokhai Ikpeminioghena.
In the letter titled “Request for Approval to Hold the Inauguration of the AAC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa and for Logistical Support,” the party said the event was part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“On behalf of the African Action Congress (AAC), I respectfully write to request approval to hold the inauguration ceremony of our Presidential Campaign Council on the 11th of November 2026 at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, in preparation for the 2027 general elections,” the letter read.
Sowore’s AAC seeks approval to inaugurate campaign council in Aso Villa
Davido pays emotional tribute to late son Ifeanyi on posthumous birthday
Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has celebrated his late son, Ifeanyi, on his posthumous birthday, expressing his love for the deceased child.
Ifeanyi was born on October 20, 2019, to Davido and his wife, Chioma Adeleke. He would have turned seven on Tuesday.
The singer shared a tribute on social media, saying he and Ifeanyi’s mother continued to miss him.
“Happy birthday son …. Me and mommy miss and love you! Keep flying high ,” Davido wrote.
Davido pays emotional tribute to late son Ifeanyi on posthumous birthday
Over 100 Ogun students hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas
Over 100 students across some secondary schools in Ijebu Ode, Ago Iwoye and Ijebu Igbo were reportedly hospitalised at the State Hospital, Ijebu Ode, General Hospital Ijebu Igbo and other healthcare facilities after inhaling offensive gaseous substance.
The worst hits according to information gathered by our correspondent include Ijebu Igbo Girls Grammar School, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, Itamerin Comprehensive High School, Ago Iwoye, among others.
A circulating video shows how some of the students were fainting and being rushed to hospitals after inhaling this gaseous substance which the government had earlier this year identified as methane.
A teacher in one of the affected schools who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “The incident happened at about 10 am in the morning. The students and the staff started inhaling this gas and began to have difficulty in breathing and were fainting after which they were rushed to the hospitals.
Over 100 Ogun students hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas
JPMorgan lodges N50bn with CBN for banking licence
JPMorgan Chase & Co has deposited N50bn with the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of efforts to secure a merchant banking licence and expand its operations in Africa’s largest economy.
The deposit, valued at about $38m, meets a key requirement in the American lender’s application and signals its readiness to establish a licensed banking operation in Nigeria, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
However, the payment does not guarantee approval, as the CBN is yet to make a final decision on the application.
People familiar with the process, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private, said the deposit was one of the final regulatory requirements for the licence. They added that the bank expects to obtain approval by the end of 2026 or in early 2027, subject to the regulator’s decision.
The report read, “JPMorgan Chase & Co. deposited 50 billion naira ($38 million) with the Central Bank of Nigeria as it moves closer to securing a banking license in Africa’s most populous nation, according to people familiar with the matter.