As a new weekend begins, PUNCH Online brings you some of the major stories making headlines across health, security, politics, metro and sports.
Rising temperatures and erratic electricity supply have left many households struggling to cope with the heat, while the attack on activist Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti has sparked a dispute between him and the police over what happened.
Organised labour is also pushing state governments to adopt the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport allowance initiative, with the Lagos NLC proposing N100,000 monthly for workers.
In politics, Lagos APC governorship candidate and Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Hamzat, has unveiled a 100-point manifesto ahead of the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, the family of Ondo businessman Kayode Akinbolusere has raised concerns over his death after he died by suicide at his office, questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In sports, Nigeria’s D’Tigers forward Precious Achiuwa scored 24 points for the Sacramento Kings, but his impressive performance was not enough to prevent a 132-120 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans.
1. No light, no sleep as heatwave bites
Rising temperatures, compounded by erratic electricity supply, are forcing residents in many states to sleep outdoors, take repeated night-time baths and spend more on alternative power sources as households struggle to cope with the heat.
While many Nigerians who spoke with Saturday PUNCH reported prolonged blackouts and inadequate water supply, others said the conditions had made nights uncomfortable.
They also lamented the high cost of fuel, inadequate water supply and the expense of rechargeable fans and solar installations.
The situation has raised concerns about the health of children, the elderly and residents with underlying medical conditions as the country prepares for months of dry weather.
2. Sowore, police trade words over Ekiti attack
The Ekiti State Police Command and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday gave conflicting accounts of a reported attack on the activist in Ado-Ekiti.
While Sowore alleged that he and his associates were attacked by government-sponsored thugs, the police said their personnel rescued him following an altercation at a restaurant and took him to the Police Hospital, where he received treatment for a minor injury.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the command received information that Sowore was having issues with individuals at a restaurant in the state capital and immediately deployed operatives to the scene.
3. N70,000 allowance: Labour turns heat on govs
State chapters of organised labour have begun moves to commit state governors to adopt the Federal Government’s N70,000 transport relief initiative for workers, Saturday PUNCH reports.
While the Nigeria Labour Congress in Lagos State is eyeing N100,000 monthly for workers, its Kebbi counterpart is considering an allowance of between N40,000 and N70,000.
Our correspondents gathered that labour leaders in other states are also preparing to engage their governments, while some are awaiting directives from their national leadership.
Read the full story here
4. 2027: Hamzat unveils 100-point manifesto
The Lagos State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Dr Kadri Hamzat, has unveiled a 100-point manifesto, promising to expand public transportation, build new hospitals, provide affordable housing and create more jobs if elected governor in 2027.
Hamzat, the incumbent deputy governor, who is seeking to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the pledges on Friday while unveiling his manifesto, tagged The Lagos Promise (Ileri Eko), at an event held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, Lagos.
The manifesto, anchored on seven pillars, outlines plans to improve transportation, healthcare, education, housing, security, job creation and government accountability.
Read the full story here
5. Ondo bizman commits suicide, family cries foul play
The family of a 46-year-old businessman, Kayode Akinbolusere, popularly known as Tolufe, has raised questions over his death after he reportedly recorded a video shortly before allegedly taking his own life at his office in Igba, Ondo State.
Akinbolusere, the owner of Esther Estate in Ondo State, was said to have died on Thursday after allegedly ingesting a poisonous substance.
In a video that circulated on social media before his death, the businessman spoke about his struggles and said he was leaving his properties to his wife, Esther, and their three children based in Canada.
He also stated that he was making the decision voluntarily and that nobody had pressured him.
Read the full story here
6. Achiuwa bags 24 points as Kings fall to Pelicans
D’Tigers forward Precious Achiuwa scored 24 points, but the Sacramento Kings lost 132-120 to the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Centre and remain winless in the 2026/27 NBA season.
The Kings had lost their first four games and travelled to New Orleans in search of their first win. However, the in-form Pelicans proved too strong for them.
Sacramento started well and took the first quarter 30-24.
Read the full story here
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