Morning recap: Wike, Chinda meet Fubara, Obi vows to return petrol subsidy if elected, military records 10 air crashes in five years, other top stories

Minister Nyesom Wike, along with leaders of the Rainbow Coalition, met with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara at his private residence in Port Harcourt. This strategic meeting aimed to mend ties ahead of the 2027 coalition campaign. Meanwhile, presidential candidate Peter Obi pledged to reinstate the petrol subsidy if elected, reversing his previous opposition to the scheme. This change in position came after his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also endorsed a modified version of the subsidy.

Nigeria has experienced 10 military aircraft crashes between 2021 and October 2026, resulting in at least 68 deaths. These incidents have sparked demands for substantial safety reforms within the aviation sector. Lionel Messi has announced the end of his Argentina international career, marking his retirement after scoring a goal and providing two assists in Argentina's 3-0 victory over Benin in Buenos Aires. The world champions concluded their career with a total of 208 caps and 126 goals.

At the Port Harcourt Refining Company, support staff have threatened to shut down the facility due to unpaid salaries and the lack of implementation of a new salary structure. In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke convened a meeting with heads of security agencies to discuss a surge in cult-related killings. The meeting took place on Wednesday to address recent attacks that left two individuals dead and several others injured in Osogbo.

Adeleke also emphasized the necessity of securing forests following the death of an ISWAP leader in neighboring Ondo.