Morning recap: INEC list controversy, Nigeria’s debt interest surge, other top stories

1. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria is facing controversy over discrepancies in the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections. Several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, Nigeria Democratic Congress, and African Democratic Congress, have raised concerns about missing names and internal leadership disputes. The Action Alliance has threatened legal action to secure the inclusion of its affected candidates.

2. Nigeria's debt interest payments surged 124% above the country's total revenue in the first half of 2026, according to the World Bank. The Federal Government spent N7.7tn on interest payments, exceeding its revenue of N6.2tn by N1.5tn. This has raised concerns about Nigeria's debt burden, despite improved revenue collections. The World Bank's October 2026 report, 'Beyond the Federal Purse: How Higher Revenues Shaped State Priorities,' highlights the issue.