Evening recap: Tinubu to launch 2027 campaign in Kaduna, FG rejects immediate solar import ban, police warn churches over testimonies, other top stories

1. President Tinubu plans to launch his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, according to the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Kaduna and subsequent stops in Rivers and Borno are part of the campaign schedule. 2. The Federal Government has decided against an immediate ban on solar panel imports, citing concerns about potential price hikes and a slower transition to clean energy.

Local manufacturers are still struggling to meet the growing demand. 3. Police have issued a warning to churches against sharing personal achievements during testimonies, following an alleged plot to kidnap a female cleric in Abuja. The cleric's testimony may have been the catalyst for the plot, prompting stricter security measures in places of worship.

4. Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emphasized the importance of preserving Yoruba language and culture, appearing on the Yoruba-language game show Masoyinbo. Penalties for code-switching during the show reduced his prize money to N20,000. 5. A mini-truck driver from Ekiti borrowed N3.5 million to support the re-election campaigns of President Tinubu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Ekiti Assembly member Steve Fatoba.

The driver displayed cheques for N2 million to support Tinubu, N1 million for Bamidele, and N500,000 for Fatoba. 6. The Nigerian Army has graduated a new Special Forces battalion, increasing its capacity to handle terrorism and other security threats. The battalion is trained to navigate difficult terrain, counter drone threats, and manage improvised explosive devices.

7. The Nigerian Navy paid tribute to retired Commodore Bethel Adogu, who passed away at 69 after a brief illness. Adogu served as a naval engineer and weapons specialist and will receive full military burial honors in his hometown of Anambra on October 16.