National

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to upload their candidates for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

The commission moved the deadline from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

Mohammed Haruna, chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday.

“The submission window, which, according to the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the general election, was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the statement reads.

According to the commission, the decision followed requests from several political parties for more time to complete the submission process.

“The extension follows growing appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the process.”

INEC also announced the end of the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

It said voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs had until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.

“In a related development, the commission wishes to notify voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced PVC that the window to print downloadable copies of their cards will expire by midnight of Sunday, 9th August, 2026,” the statement added.

The commission said the measure would enable it to determine the final number of PVCs collected before the election.

“This is to allow the commission to compile the data of downloaded PVCs for final statistics of total PVCs collected ahead of the August 15th Osun governorship election.”

INEC also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been provided for voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas whose cards were reportedly taken during an invasion of two collection centres.

“The commission also wishes to state that replacement downloadable PVCs have been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife central local government areas whose cards were carted away by hoodlums who invaded the two centres. The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote,” INEC said.

Haruna explained that the PVC collection exercise in Osun began at the Registration Area level on July 22 and was initially scheduled to end on July 28.

“It will be recalled that the collection of PVCs in Osun State commenced at the Registration Area (RA) level from 22nd to 28th July, 2026,” he said.

He added that the commission extended the exercise after voters complained about overcrowding and challenges at collection centres.

“Owing to complaints of large crowds and difficulties encountered by voters at collection centres, the commission approved an extension of RA-level collection to 31st July, 2026, before collection moved to LGA level, running from 1st to 7th August, 2026.”

INEC restated its commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election in Osun State on August 15.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Air operations by Nigerian military forces have reportedly killed four Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and severely injured a senior commander in the Lake Chad area.

The operations were carried out under Operation HADIN KAI, according to intelligence sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.

One of the commanders injured in the attacks was identified as Ba Ari Hisbah, a senior figure in ISWAP’s police wing in the Lake Chad region.

Field assessments indicated that Hisbah suffered serious injuries to both legs after an airstrike near Arege on August 5.

The attack formed part of military aerial operations aimed at disrupting terrorist fighters and their logistics networks around the Lake Chad basin.

Sources said the strikes disrupted the activities and movements of the insurgents and forced some surviving fighters to leave the area.

In a separate air operation on Friday, troops reportedly killed Ba Usman Maidhar­aib, a 55-year-old ISWAP member who was described as one of the group’s longest-serving fishing tax collectors in the Lake Chad area.

Maidhar­aib was reportedly travelling with three other fighters on two motorcycles when the aircraft struck.

The intelligence report said the four fighters died in the attack, while both motorcycles were destroyed.

The death of Maidhar­aib is considered significant because of the role played by ISWAP’s fishing tax collectors in raising funds for the group across the Lake Chad region.

For several years, ISWAP has imposed illegal taxes, levies and other charges on fishing and other economic activities in communities around the Lake Chad islands.

According to the sources, the loss of a key revenue collector and disruption of movement routes could weaken the group’s ability to raise funds and maintain its operations.

Military sources said intelligence surveillance detected the movements of the fighters before the airstrikes were conducted.

They added that Operation HADIN KAI would sustain aerial interdiction operations alongside ground forces to restrict terrorist movements and target their logistics, command and control networks.

The Lake Chad area remains one of the major operational theatres in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, as security forces continue efforts to weaken ISWAP formations and their support networks across land and waterways.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The African Democratic Congress has questioned the independence of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after President Bola Tinubu directed the agency to return to court and withdraw its order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

The opposition party said the President’s directive had raised concerns about the extent of executive influence over the anti-corruption agency.

Tinubu had on Thursday ordered the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the state government’s accounts.

The President said the commission acted within its legal powers but faulted the timing of the action, which came days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Tinubu said he felt “deeply embarrassed” by the development because actions taken by federal agencies are often associated with the presidency. He also said no action should create an impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the outcome of the election.

The EFCC had earlier defended the freezing of the accounts. The commission said it was investigating alleged mismanagement of ecological and intervention funds by the Osun State Government and had detected suspicious transfers during the investigation.

The commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, also described the action as a routine measure and rejected claims that it was politically motivated. He cited a similar restriction placed on the accounts of the Edo State Government before its 2024 governorship election.

Reacting to the President’s directive in a statement on Thursday, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, welcomed the decision but said Tinubu’s explanation had created additional questions.

“What we find most curious about the statement is the President’s repeated reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts,” he said.

“In all of its public statements on this matter, the EFCC never once claimed that it had obtained a court order. The commission consistently defended its actions on the basis of its statutory powers and what it described as its ‘preventive mandate’.

“At no point did it inform Nigerians that a court had authorised its actions. The obvious question, therefore, is: where did the President obtain the information that a court order existed? If such an order exists, why was it never mentioned by the EFCC in its statement while defending one of the most controversial actions it has taken in recent times?

“If no such order exists, why would the president introduce one into the public narrative? It is either the president was misinformed or he had chosen to misrepresent the facts. Either possibility is deeply disturbing.”

The ADC also said the President’s admission that he directed the EFCC to withdraw the matter from court appeared inconsistent with claims that anti-corruption agencies operate independently.

“The President also insists that he does not interfere in the operational activities of anti-corruption agencies, yet in the same statement he publicly announces that he has directed the EFCC to approach the court, vacate the alleged order, and discontinue its case,” Abdullahi said.

“If the President possesses the authority to direct the EFCC to withdraw from court proceedings because the political consequences may affect an election, then it follows that he possesses the authority to direct the commission in other operational matters as well.

“The net implication is that the carefully cultivated argument that these agencies operate entirely independently collapses under the weight of the President’s own statement.”

The dispute comes less than two weeks before the August 15 Osun State governorship election, which has heightened political attention around actions involving the state government and federal institutions.

The ADC said the circumstances surrounding the account freeze and the subsequent presidential directive required further clarification from the Federal Government and the EFCC.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigerian Army has declared 38 senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted as part of efforts to intensify operations against the terrorist group in the North-East.

The declaration followed intelligence gathered during recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State. According to the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI, troops recovered a camcorder and other intelligence materials during the offensive.

The military said forensic examination of the recovered devices helped security operatives identify several key ISWAP leaders and trace their locations within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

Among those on the wanted list is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, who the army identified as the Wali (governor) of ISWAP and one of the group’s most wanted leaders in the Lake Chad Basin.

The list also includes Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man,” who was identified as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish. Another suspect is Hamad Abu Hanifa, whom the military identified as ISWAP’s Amirul-Fiya.

Operation HADIN KAI announced that a financial reward would be offered to anyone who provides credible information that leads to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa.

The military assured members of the public that all information received would be handled with strict confidentiality. It also said the identities of informants would be protected.

The army appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-insurgency operations by supplying timely and credible intelligence through established security channels or by calling 07084988859.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has cautioned against the proposed creation of state police, saying it should not be seen as a quick solution to the country’s security challenges.

In a press statement issued on July 30, 2026, the Council acknowledged Nigeria’s worsening security situation but argued that the problems facing the nation’s security architecture are rooted in inadequate funding, corruption, poor welfare for personnel, weak intelligence, obsolete equipment and ineffective coordination.

The Council called for comprehensive reforms of existing security institutions rather than an immediate transfer of policing powers to state governments. It also expressed concern over what it described as the apparent haste in pursuing constitutional amendments on the matter, urging broader public consultations and national consensus before any decision is taken.

SCSN further warned that without strong constitutional safeguards, independent oversight, transparent recruitment and accountability mechanisms, state police could become instruments of political intimidation and abuse of power.

The Council appealed to the President, the National Assembly, state governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the concerns of Nigerians are adequately addressed before proceeding with the proposed reform. The statement was signed by the Secretary General of the Council, Malam Nafi’u Baba Ahmad, mni.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir 

Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, has announced plans to host an international conference in honour of renowned Hausa literary icon and musician, Aminu Ladan Abubakar, popularly known as Alan Waka.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammad Khalid Othman, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to ensuring the success of the event, describing it as an opportunity to promote Hausa language, literature and cultural heritage on the global stage.

Speaking during a meeting with the Local Organising Committee, the Chairman, Professor Ibrahim Garba Satatinu, commended the university management for its support and pledged effective coordination to deliver a successful conference.

In his remarks, Aminu Ladan Abubakar expressed gratitude to the university for recognising his literary contributions, describing the conference as a rare honour. He said the event would inspire younger generations of writers, poets and researchers to preserve and promote Hausa literary traditions.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Bashir Aliyu Sallau, and other university officials also praised the initiative, noting that the conference would attract scholars, researchers and cultural enthusiasts from within Nigeria and abroad.

The conference is expected to bring together academics, writers, poets and students to examine the literary philosophy, poetic style and enduring contributions of Aminu Ladan Abubakar to Hausa literature and African scholarship.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A Nigerian lawyer and human rights advocate, Faisal Manir, has called on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to immediately review its registration policy that allegedly compels married female Prospective Corps Members (PCMs) to adopt their husbands’ surnames.

In a letter dated July 30, 2026, and addressed to the Director-General of the NYSC, Manir argued that the policy violates the constitutional rights of married women by overriding their choice to retain their maiden (father’s) names during online registration.

According to the letter, female PCMs who indicate that they are married are prompted to provide their husbands’ details. While the registration portal appears to offer them the option of retaining their maiden names, Manir alleged that the system ultimately requires them to accept their husbands’ surnames before completing the registration process.

He contended that the practice is inconsistent with Sections 37, 38(1), and 42 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee the rights to privacy, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and protection from discrimination.

The lawyer further argued that the policy disproportionately affects Muslim women, noting that Islamic teachings emphasize preserving a person’s lineage through the father’s name. He cited Qur’an 33:5 and a Hadith to support his position that adopting a surname other than one’s father’s is contrary to Islamic principles.

Manir also referenced a Supreme Court decision, Lagos State Government & Ors v. Asiyat AbdulKareem (SC/910/16), stating that it affirmed citizens’ rights to practise their religion and uphold their beliefs in matters of personal identity.

He called on the NYSC to discontinue the practice immediately and to amend its registration system to allow married women to retain their maiden names without coercion or additional justification.

In addition, the lawyer demanded that the NYSC reissue, free of charge, certificates to women who were allegedly compelled to adopt their husbands’ surnames during the scheme.

The letter serves as a pre-action notice, warning that failure to address the demands could result in legal proceedings seeking a declaration that the practice is unconstitutional, an order directing the NYSC to issue corrected certificates, and compensation for affected women for the psychological distress and inconvenience allegedly caused.

As of the time of filing this report, the NYSC had not publicly responded to the allegations or the demands contained in the letter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A new report by civic technology organisation BudgIT has shown that the cost of maintaining a healthy diet in Nigeria is highest in Taraba State and lowest in Bayelsa State.

The findings appeared in BudgIT’s report, The Price of Survival: Nigeria’s Cost of a Healthy Diet Tracker, Q1 2026. The report analysed monthly Cost of a Healthy Diet (CoHD) data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).

According to the report, the national average cost of a healthy diet rose by 11.7% between December 2025 and March 2026. The figure increased from ₦1,380 to ₦1,541 per person per day.

BudgIT said the increase erased the 6.4% decline recorded during the final quarter of 2025, when the harvest season temporarily reduced food prices.

“It was seasonal relief, not a structural improvement. Q1 2026 reversed it entirely,” the report said.



The organisation attributed the rise to tighter post-harvest food supplies and dry-season conditions, which pushed food prices higher across all categories.

It also noted that Yobe and Oyo recorded some of the sharpest increases after experiencing price declines in the previous quarter. According to the report, Yobe’s healthy diet cost fell by 18.6% in the last quarter of 2025 before rising by 42.5% between December and March. Oyo recorded a 19.5% decline before rebounding by 40.2% during the same period.

Taraba recorded the largest increase in healthy diet costs between January and March, with a 49.3% rise. Gombe followed with 34.1%, while Yobe, Cross River, Kano and Ogun posted increases of 29.9%, 28.1%, 27% and 26.7%, respectively.

The report also found that eight states recorded lower healthy diet costs during the quarter. Adamawa led with a 26.7% decline, followed by Akwa Ibom (21.6%), Ondo (13%), Edo (12.7%), Borno (8.3%), the Federal Capital Territory (6.3%), Rivers (3.5%) and Bayelsa (0.3%).

However, BudgIT warned that percentage increases alone do not present the full picture because Taraba started the period with the country’s lowest daily healthy diet cost.

> “Any policy response built on the national figure alone would be responding to an average that describes almost none of the states that comprise it,” the report added.


The report also highlighted regional differences in food affordability. It said eight of the 10 least expensive states for a healthy diet were in northern Nigeria, while all 10 most expensive states were in the south.

Ekiti recorded the highest daily healthy diet cost at ₦2,091, followed by Imo (₦2,052), Abia (₦1,970), Lagos (₦1,910) and Ebonyi (₦1,891).

Adamawa had the lowest daily cost at ₦1,004. The Federal Capital Territory followed at ₦1,113, while Taraba, Borno and Bauchi recorded ₦1,149, ₦1,244 and ₦1,273, respectively.

BudgIT further stated that the North-West recorded the fastest quarterly increase at 17.5%, despite northern states generally remaining less expensive than their southern counterparts.

“A narrowing gap driven by northern costs rising faster is, if anything, a worsening of conditions for households in a region that was already more vulnerable on other welfare indicators,” BudgIT said.



The organisation warned that the rising cost of food is placing greater pressure on household incomes. It noted that the daily cost of a healthy diet in Ekiti would consume about 89.6% of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage. It said this would leave only about ₦7,261 each month for rent, transport, electricity, healthcare, education and other household expenses.

BudgIT called on the governments of Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Cross River, Kano and Ogun to explain the sharp increase in food prices recorded in their states.

“A 49% increase in the cost of eating well in a single quarter, as recorded in Taraba, is not a minor fluctuation. It is a signal that something is wrong in local food markets,” the report said.


“Silence from government in the face of data this stark is itself a governance failure.”


The organisation also urged state ministries responsible for agriculture and food security to publish quarterly reports on market conditions, food price trends and intervention measures.

It asked the federal government to treat insecurity in the North-West and North-Central as a food security emergency. It said conflict has disrupted farming activities and increased food prices in many rural communities.

BudgIT also urged the NBS to publish detailed food basket cost breakdowns alongside state and zonal averages to help policymakers identify the factors driving food inflation and develop targeted responses.

The organisation said it would continue to publish the tracker every quarter to monitor changes in food affordability across Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration rejected negotiations with the kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State because security agencies understood the terrain where the victims were held.

The president spoke on Thursday at the State House in Abuja while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.

Tinubu said the successful rescue operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the country’s security forces. He maintained that the government would continue to confront criminal groups without paying ransom.

“Congratulations on the Oriire Oyo state rescue that succeeded. I think we succeeded with your support, prayers, and I agree with you that we should commend the men and women of the armed forces for their excellent performance,” the president told the delegation.


“On behalf of them, I accept the message and I will forward this same message on. I should emphasise the question of security that each event teaches us new method, open our eyes, challenge us to examine and re-examine our architecture, our strategies, our map and operations.


“And you would agree that we gifting geographical and numerical answers to the challenge. We refused to pay ransom. We have the geography of the forest.


“We know what it is and in answer to it, you see that from eight divisions, we are now moving to 12 divisions to shorten the response time, to give that response time the teeth that is needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry. It is very necessary and we are doing so.”


The president also reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing state police as part of efforts to strengthen security across the country.

“We have equally embarked upon what was missing, several decades of fears and uncertainty about what to do about security at the local level will be corrected,” he said.


“There will be state police. And as state police will have guardrails from abuses. We protect it from abuses.”


Tinubu also appealed to traditional rulers to support the fight against insecurity. He said the government is strengthening the capacity of forest guards to confront criminals operating in forests.

“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards. They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase the criminals and deal with them in various forests,” he added.


Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA on May 15 and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of one of the affected schools.

The kidnappers later killed one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, while he was in captivity.

The Presidency announced on July 10 that all the remaining abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun implementing the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The new framework seeks to strengthen the country’s fiscal and trade policies, improve economic competitiveness, and increase government revenue.

In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS said the revised measures align Nigeria’s tariff structure with regional and international obligations. The Service added that the policy also supports local industrial growth and facilitates legitimate trade.

According to the statement, the amendments introduce major changes to the Customs and Excise Tariff framework. They include the Revised Import Adjustment Tax (IAT) List for the implementation of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2022–2027), the Revised National List under the same tariff regime, the Revised Import Prohibition List (Trade), the Revised List of Goods Liable to Excise Duty, the Green Tax Surcharge on motor vehicles with engine capacities of 2,000cc and above, and the Revised Export Prohibition List.

The Service advised importers, exporters, manufacturers, licensed customs agents, and other stakeholders to study the revised tariff schedules and comply with all applicable fiscal and regulatory requirements.

The NCS also announced that the complete 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments have been published on its official website to ensure transparency and ease of access. It urged stakeholders to review the provisions carefully and comply with the approved measures.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to implementing government policies through its statutory responsibilities of trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security.

It further noted that effective implementation of the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments will depend on the cooperation of stakeholders across the trade sector. The NCS said such collaboration will help build a more competitive, transparent, and sustainable economy.