Morning recap: Atiku’s northern ticket push faces resistance, ISIS shifts focus to W’Africa, other top stories

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Fresh political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections dominated discussions this morning as cracks widened within the opposition coalition over zoning and presidential ambitions.

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Meanwhile, security concerns also came to the fore after the United States warned that ISIS was shifting operations towards West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin, while a cleric involved in an alleged coup plot case claimed some suspects sought spiritual backing before their arrests.

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Here are the top stories making headlines this morning:

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Atiku’s northern ticket campaign sparks resistance

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Fresh divisions have emerged within the opposition coalition after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s push for a northern presidential candidate reportedly met stiff resistance from stakeholders favouring power rotation to the South.

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The disagreement has deepened tensions among coalition members ahead of the 2027 elections, with some loyalists of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso insisting the presidency should remain in the South after President Bola Tinubu’s first term. Read here: https://punchng.com/2027-presidency-atikus-northern-ticket-campaign-faces-resistance/n

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Kwankwaso explains Obi alliance

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Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said northern political stakeholders accepted Peter Obi as the “most capable ally” in the emerging opposition movement ahead of 2027.

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Kwankwaso argued that unity within the coalition was more important than prolonged zoning disputes, adding that many northern politicians accepted the arrangement to strengthen the alliance against the ruling APC. Read here: https://punchng.com/why-i-accepted-to-work-with-peter-obi-kwankwaso/

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FG, World Bank discuss fresh $1.25bn loan

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The Federal Government is reportedly in talks with the World Bank over a fresh `$1.25bn facility that could become Nigeria’s second-largest multilateral loan package in recent times.

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The proposed funding is expected to support key economic and development programmes as the Tinubu administration continues reforms aimed at stabilising the economy amid rising fiscal pressures. Read here: https://punchng.com/fg-world-bank-in-talks-over-second-largest-1-25bn-loan/n

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US warns ISIS is relocating operations to West Africa

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The United States has identified West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin as emerging fronts in the global fight against terrorism, warning that ISIS fighters are increasingly moving operations into the region.

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The warning has renewed concerns over insecurity across parts of the Sahel and Nigeria’s northern region, where authorities continue battling insurgency and cross-border terror threats. Read here: https://punchng.com/isis-moves-operations-to-wafrica-us-warns/n

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Coup suspects sought spiritual cover — Cleric

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An Islamic cleric involved in an ongoing coup plot trial alleged that some of the suspects approached him for spiritual protection before the planned operation.

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According to the cleric, one of the accused persons requested prayers and spiritual guidance for his “oga,” whom he claimed was involved in the alleged plot. Read here: https://punchng.com/coup-plotters-reached-out-for-spiritual-cover-cleric/n

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