Nigeria

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially signed the amended Electoral Act into law, enacting significant changes to Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new legislation introduces seven major modifications designed to streamline voter registration, candidate nomination, and result management.

Here are the key changes now in effect:

1. Voter Registration: INEC will now only require three identification documents for registration: a birth certificate, Nigerian passport, or National Identification Number (NIN). Previously accepted forms like traditional ID cards and driver’s licenses have been removed.

2. Digital PVCs: Registered voters will be able to download their Permanent Voter’s Cards directly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website.

3. Revised Result Transmission: Election results will be uploaded in real-time to the IREV portal. In the event of network failure, electoral officers are authorized to revert to the manual Form EC8A for result collation.

4. Primary Elections: The controversial indirect primaries have been abolished. Political parties must now adopt either direct primaries or consensus candidacy to select their flagbearers.

5. Funding Timeline: The timeframe for the release of funds to INEC for election preparations has been halved, moving from 12 months to just six months before election day.

6. Candidate Nomination: Political parties are now required to submit the names of their candidates 120 days before the election, a reduction from the previous 180-day window.

7. Final Candidate List: INEC will publish the final, comprehensive list of all nominated candidates 60 days prior to the election, significantly later than the previous 150-day deadline.

This newly amended law will govern all electoral preparations and activities leading up to the 2027 elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has issued a strong warning against vote buying ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area council elections set for February 21.

He spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened to review the commission’s readiness for the exercise. He assured participants that INEC remains committed to delivering a peaceful, transparent, and credible election.

Amupitan disclosed that over 1.6 million registered voters are expected to take part in the polls. Voting will take place across 2,822 polling units. A total of 570 candidates will contest for 68 elective offices spread across the six area councils.

He explained that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) will be used in all polling units. Election results will also be transmitted instantly to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to strengthen transparency.

The INEC chairman added that 89 observer groups have received accreditation to monitor the process. About 700 journalists will also cover the election. He said several security agencies will be deployed to maintain order.

He noted in particular that personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) will be present to prevent vote trading and related offences.

“Any individual found buying or selling votes will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law,” Amupitan said.

“Vote trading undermines the sanctity of the ballot and erodes public confidence in democratic institutions. It must not be tolerated.”

On logistics, Amupitan said 1,132 vehicles, 620 motorcycles, and 14 boats have been arranged for the movement of officials and election materials. He stressed that operational failures must not occur on election day.

He stated that polling units are scheduled to open at 8:30 am. This decision followed consultations with transport unions to ensure early delivery of materials.

The INEC chairman also reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality.

“INEC does not have a political party and does not have a preferred candidate. Our mandate is clear: to provide the enabling environment for residents of the Federal Capital Territory to freely choose their representatives,” he said.

Amupitan urged political parties, candidates, and supporters to maintain peace before and during the election. He also called on security agencies to act professionally and remain impartial throughout the process.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

No fewer than 37 miners have reportedly died following a suspected carbon monoxide leak at a mining site in Zurak community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Tuesday while the workers were operating in underground shafts, according to sources familiar with the incident.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said the miners were performing routine excavation when toxic fumes allegedly accumulated in the tunnels due to insufficient ventilation. The confined gas reportedly spread rapidly, causing dozens of miners to lose consciousness before help could arrive.

Witnesses described a harrowing scene, recounting how some miners collapsed while trying to escape the shafts. Local residents and colleagues rushed to pull the victims to safety, while others alerted emergency responders.

At least 25 miners were rescued alive and transported to a primary healthcare centre in the area for urgent medical attention. Health workers are reportedly working to stabilize several victims, some of whom remain in critical condition.

A police source confirmed that the site has been secured to prevent further casualties and allow investigators to examine the circumstances. “The site has been placed under control, and access is currently restricted as authorities carry out preliminary findings into what led to the gas exposure,” the source stated.

As of press time, the mining company had not released an official statement on the incident. The disaster has reignited concerns over safety practices in Nigeria’s informal and semi-formal mining sector.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, as a Renewed Hope Ambassador and the Deputy Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation.

The appointment, which takes immediate effect, is aimed at strengthening the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to a statement released on Monday, the President leveraged Governor Sani’s “salient leadership and organisational abilities” to fill the role. As Deputy Director-General, Sani will work closely with the party hierarchy, particularly the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje—to ensure harmony and strategic coordination across the party’s mobilisation framework.

In an official letter conveying the appointment, President Tinubu outlined the strategic importance of the new role.

“The overall objective of your appointment is to ensure that the entire citizenry is aware of, understands, and ultimately supports our party and its candidates at all levels for broad national acceptance in the 2027 election,” the President wrote.

“Preparation is critical and essential to achieving this outcome, and your leadership will be central to guiding this process effectively and strategically.”

The President further charged Sani with galvanising support for the party’s policies and milestones, reinforcing the “Renewed Hope” agenda nationwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has spoken publicly about the circumstances that led to his controversial departure from Napoli in 2024, alleging disrespect and unfair treatment during his final days at the club.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Nigerian forward said his relationship with the Italian side deteriorated after videos that mocked him were posted on the club’s TikTok page. He explained that the incident marked the beginning of the crisis between him and the club’s hierarchy.

Osimhen disclosed that he reacted by removing all photos of himself in Napoli colours from his Instagram account. According to him, the club then turned supporters against him.

Speaking on a penalty he missed during a Serie A match at the peak of the controversy, he said, “Anyone can miss a penalty, anyone can be mocked for it. Napoli only did it to me, and with certain innuendos, too. I was the victim of racist insults, and I made my decision: I wanted to leave. I deleted photos of me in a Napoli shirt from my Instagram, and they seized the opportunity to turn the fans against me.”

The striker further revealed that there had been an understanding that he would be allowed to leave the club the following summer. He alleged that the agreement was not respected.

“We had a gentleman’s agreement that I could leave the following summer, but the other side didn’t fully keep their promise.”

Osimhen said the club’s conduct afterward made the situation worse, claiming he was pushed around without regard for his career plans.

“They tried to send me to play everywhere, treating me like a dog. Go here, go there, do this, do that. I worked so hard to advance my career, I couldn’t accept that kind of treatment. I’m not a puppet,” he said.

Following the dispute, Napoli excluded the forward from their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. He was not registered for Serie A action and was later sent out on loan to Galatasaray. He eventually sealed a permanent exit from the Italian side, completing a €75 million move to his current club last year.

Osimhen’s remarks have reignited debate among fans and analysts over the breakdown in relations between the Nigerian international and his former employers.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Human rights lawyer Audu Bulama Bukarti has called for transparency following the announcement by the Defence Headquarters that about 100 United States military personnel have arrived at the Bauchi Airfield.

According to the statement, the troops are in Nigeria to support the Armed Forces in training and intelligence-sharing operations.

Bukarti raised concerns over the lack of detail in the official release, noting that it did not indicate whether the US troops will be permanently stationed in Bauchi or are simply passing through to another location.

He said, “If they are going to stay in Bauchi, the public deserves to know why that location was chosen instead of frontline theatres of terrorism such as Zamfara, Niger or Borno.”

He acknowledged that there may be tactical or strategic reasons for the deployment but warned that the absence of clear communication fuels speculation. “Given the sensitivities surrounding foreign military presence on Nigerian soil, transparency is not a luxury – it is a necessity,” Bukarti added.

The lawyer further reiterated that Nigerians should be informed about the specific scope, duration, and limits of the mission. “The public deserves to know how long the US personnel will remain, the specific nature of the training they will conduct and mechanisms for Nigerian oversight,” he wrote.

Bukarti noted that if the partnership is lawful, limited, and in Nigeria’s best interest, a straightforward explanation would build public trust. “Silence or opacity, however, risks fuelling suspicion, speculation and misinformation at a time when clarity and candour are most needed,” he stressed.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Federal Ministry of Health has directed the immediate retirement of directors who have spent eight years or more in the directorate cadre.

Those affected include directors working within the ministry, federal health institutions, and related agencies. The directive was contained in an internal memo obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday morning.

This development follows an earlier report that the Federal Government had instructed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to implement the eight-year tenure policy for directors and permanent secretaries. The instruction came with a fresh deadline issued through the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

The memo enforcing the decision in the health ministry was signed by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Tetshoma Dafeta. It stated:

“Further to the Eight (8)-Year Tenure Policy of the Federal Public Service, which mandates the compulsory retirement of Directors after eight years in that rank, as provided in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021(PSR 020909) copy attached, I am directed to remind you to take necessary action to ensure that all affected officers who have spent eight years as Directors, effective 31st December, 2025, are disengaged from Service immediately.

“Accordingly, all Heads of Agencies and Parastatals are by this circular, to ensure that the affected staff hand over all official documents/possessions with immediate effect, their salaries are stopped by the IPPIS Unit and mandate the officers to refund to the treasury all emoluments paid after their effective date of disengagement.

“This is reiterated in a circular recently issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Ref. No. HSCF/3065/Vol.I/225, dated 10″ February 2026. A copy is herewith attached for guidance, please.

“In addition, you are to forward the nominal roll of all directorate officers (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15) In your institution, send to DHRM@health.gov.ng and Agudosi.obinna@health.gov.ng. You may please note that officials from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministry will conduct a monitoring exercise to ensure compliance.

“Failure to adhere to paragraph 2 above shall be met with stiff sanctions.”

The policy has its roots in the revised Public Service Rules introduced in 2023. The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, announced the implementation during a lecture held at the State House, Abuja, to mark the 2023 Civil Service Week.

In a circular issued at the time to permanent secretaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Auditor-General for the Federation, and heads of extra-ministerial departments, she confirmed the enforcement date.

“Following the approval of the revised Public Service Rules (PSR) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on September 27, 2021, and its subsequent unveiling during the public service lecture in commemoration of the 2023 Civil Service Week, the PSR has become operational with effect from July 27, 2023,” the circular read.

Under Section 020909 of the revised rules, permanent secretaries are to serve a four-year tenure, renewable only on the basis of satisfactory performance. The same rules prescribe compulsory retirement for any director on Grade Level 17, or its equivalent, after eight years in office.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has remained silent after a video emerged showing individuals spraying naira notes on popular praise singer, Dauda Kahutu Rarara, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to Adamawa State.

The footage, circulated online, captured unidentified persons throwing ₦1,000 notes at the singer while he performed in praise of the president. The incident reportedly happened in Tinubu’s presence at the public event.

The development is coming despite repeated warnings by the Central Bank of Nigeria against abuse of the national currency.

The apex bank had earlier renewed its campaign in Abuja, cautioning Nigerians against acts such as spraying, mutilating, hoarding, or mishandling the naira.

Speaking at the campaign launch, the Deputy Governor of Operations, Mr. Bala Bello, represented by Dr. Adetona Adedeji, Director of Currency Operations and Branch Management, condemned such practices.

He said, “The naira is more than just a means of payment. It represents our national pride, sovereignty, and shared destiny.”

He added, “Unfortunately, careless practices like spraying money at events, tearing or writing on notes, and mutilation destroy its dignity and make it expensive to maintain.”

Observers have pointed out that the commission’s silence over the Adamawa incident contrasts with its previous enforcement actions.

Not long ago, the anti-graft agency arraigned and secured the conviction of musician Hamisu Sa’id Yusuf, popularly known as Hamisu Breaker, alongside Kano-based TikToker Abubakar Ibrahim, also called G-Fresh, for abusing the naira.

Justice S.M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano delivered the judgment after viral videos showed the duo spraying and mishandling the currency.

According to case details, Abubakar Ibrahim sprayed and stepped on ₦1,000 notes totaling ₦14,000 while dancing at Rahma Sa’idu’s shop in Tarauni Local Government Area in November 2024. The charge was filed under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.

The Adamawa video has since triggered fresh reactions, with many questioning why similar action has not been announced by the EFCC following the latest incident.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly have reportedly agreed to revise the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 elections, moving the presidential poll from February 20 to January 16 and the governorship elections from March 6 to January 30. The decision comes after widespread criticism that the original schedule coincided with the Ramadan fasting period.

Insiders within the electoral body and federal legislature confirmed the shift, describing it as a response to mounting concerns from religious groups, political stakeholders, and civil society organizations.

“After several meetings, both sides agreed that the February date is no longer tenable. The new proposal now on the table is January 16 for the presidential election and January 30 for the governorship polls,” a senior INEC official told newsmen on condition of anonymity.

A ranking senator echoed the development but noted that the proposal would still undergo debate in the National Assembly.

“That is the working proposal. But until it is formally adopted, it remains subject to change,” the lawmaker said.

The change follows intense opposition to the initial schedule. INEC had first set February 20, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and state assembly elections slated for March 6. Muslim groups and political actors criticized the timing, pointing out that it fell within the 2027 Ramadan period, projected from February 7 to March 8.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly warned that holding elections during fasting could suppress voter turnout among Muslims. Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad also urged the commission to reconsider, stressing that meaningful participation could be affected during a period traditionally devoted to fasting and spiritual reflection.

Over the weekend, some lawmakers reportedly proposed February 13 as a compromise. However, fresh consultations between INEC and the National Assembly appear to have produced a more substantial adjustment, pushing the elections into January. If approved, January 16 would rank among the earliest presidential election dates in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

The National Assembly acted swiftly to reflect the urgency of the matter. Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana directed senators and members of the House of Representatives to reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, for what was described as a session to take “very crucial decisions.”

Although the official notice did not outline the agenda, insiders confirmed that reconsideration of the 2027 election timetable was the primary reason for the emergency plenary session. Consequently, a conference committee meeting scheduled for Monday to harmonize differences in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was suspended.

Sada Soli, a member of the House conference committee, confirmed the suspension, while another member, Iduma Igariwey, acknowledged the postponement. A Senate source said lawmakers would prioritize resolving the sensitive issue of election dates before returning to other contested provisions of the bill.

The proposed change signals INEC’s willingness to respond to public and political pressure, illustrating the influence of citizen engagement, religious concerns, and political discourse in shaping electoral arrangements in Nigeria.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has expressed serious concern over what he described as the inadequate response of security agencies to intelligence on criminal activities, claiming that crucial information is often ignored because it is “not their priority.”

In an interview, Governor Lawal said that despite advances in technology that allow real-time tracking of criminal movements, security operatives have repeatedly failed to act decisively.

“If you follow all my interviews about insecurity, I strongly believe that we are not ready for this. I still believe we are not ready because it doesn’t take anything. With technology, every movement of any bandit, I have it in my system because we have satellites and drones. Every movement is communicated to all the relevant security operators: police, military, DSS and civil Defence real-time. But it is not their priority and it’s frustrating. When you have the tool, you can neutralise these guys easily. They live within us. How is it difficult? You are telling me a bandit, a terrorist is superior to the state? How is that possible? It’s not,” he said in the interview with Vanguard.

Governor Lawal stated that he personally briefed President Bola Tinubu about the true level of insecurity in Zamfara and parts of Kaduna, insisting that federal authorities have not been accurately informed.

“I met the president and I made it very clear to him that this is what you need to do, that they are not telling you the truth,” he added.

The governor lamented that, despite deploying advanced surveillance systems, security agencies have allegedly failed to treat intelligence as urgent, allowing attacks to continue unchecked.

Reflecting on the state he inherited upon taking office, Governor Lawal described Zamfara as “a very, very serious and dysfunctional state,” noting challenges such as unpaid salaries, an empty treasury, collapsed healthcare services, lack of potable water in Gusau for five months, students unable to sit for WAEC and NECO examinations, and widespread infrastructural decay. Electricity had also been disconnected from government offices, including the Government House, due to unpaid bills, forcing him to rely on personal resources to run the state.

Despite these challenges, the governor emphasized that insecurity remains the most pressing issue and warned that neglect by security agencies could continue to undermine peace efforts in Zamfara and neighbouring states such as Kaduna.

His remarks come amid continued violence in the state. Last Monday, SaharaReporters, a Nigerian online newspaper, reported that bandits armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Moriki town in Zurmi Local Government Area, killing a senior local government official and abducting several residents.

The attackers reportedly fired sporadically, causing panic as residents fled. During the attack, Lauwali Musa Moriki, the Zurmi LGA Health Educator, was shot dead, and members of his family were abducted, according to a local source, Bakatsine.

The incident has plunged Moriki town into mourning and heightened fears over worsening insecurity, with residents accusing security agencies of failing to prevent repeated attacks despite multiple warnings. Moriki town, like many rural communities in Zamfara, has faced frequent assaults by armed groups exploiting poor security presence and difficult terrain.