Tinubu

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Seyi Law has argued that security in Nigeria has improved compared to a decade ago, stating that the current administration has performed better than previous governments.

The comedian-turned-politician made the remarks during a yet-to-be-aired episode of the Honest Bunch podcast. He was responding to a question on whether the country is safer today than it was 10 years ago.

He maintained that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered stronger security outcomes than those of former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, more bandits have been eliminated under the current government. He also pointed out that incidents such as bomb explosions have reduced in recent times. The 42-year-old further stated that the economy has improved since Tinubu assumed office.

“Nigeria is safer now than 10 years ago. This government has killed more bandits since Jonathan’s. When have you last heard of a bomb blast? It is not today that they have been kidnapping people in their houses,” he said.

“Nigeria’s economy is better than Tinubu met it.”

However, his comments were challenged during the discussion, as another guest disagreed with his position, insisting that “Nigeria is more unsafe than it has ever been”.

Nigeria continues to grapple with security threats in several regions. These include attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits, who engage in kidnappings and armed attacks.

Data from the National Human Rights Commission indicates that at least 2,266 people lost their lives to banditry and insurgency within the first half of 2025. The figure exceeds the total recorded for the whole of 2024.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that its victories in last weekend’s by-elections across several states serve as a clear public referendum endorsing the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration’s policies.

The Lagos State Chapter of the APC characterized the outcomes in Rivers, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a resounding affirmation of the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

“The resounding victories recorded by our candidates reaffirm the confidence of the electorate in the Renewed Hope Agenda and the transformative policies being implemented at both the federal and state levels,” the statement read.

The ruling party asserted that the results demonstrate public recognition of its governance strides, including economic reforms and infrastructural development. It framed the wins as a direct rebuttal to opposition criticism, stating that “the people have spoken decisively through the ballot.”

In a pointed critique of its political rivals, the APC described the opposition as “uninspiring and unworthy of serious consideration.” The party suggested that the by-election results represent “the final straw on the back of an opposition that has remained largely uninspiring,” accusing them of relying on “rhetoric, sensationalism, and obstruction” rather than offering credible alternatives.

The Lagos APC also downplayed the influence of digital activism, suggesting that the opposition’s significant presence on social media failed to translate into actual votes. “The amplified noise of the opposition across digital platforms did not translate into real electoral penetration or public acceptance when it mattered most—at the ballot box,” the statement noted, adding that “Democracy is ultimately decided by voters, not virtual trends.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the party expressed strong confidence, suggesting the recent momentum could make the next national vote “a walk in the park” for the APC.

The party extended its appreciation to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting the polls and commended security agencies for their professionalism. It also lauded its party members and campaign teams for their grassroots engagement.

The Lagos APC concluded by reaffirming its “unwavering support” for President Tinubu and calling on all Nigerians, including those in the opposition, to collaborate on the task of nation-building.

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

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the Electoral Act amendment bill, officially making it part of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.

The new law comes after the National Assembly concluded work on the legislation on Tuesday. Both chambers had spent several months deliberating on the bill. Lawmakers carried out reviews and introduced a series of amendments before its final passage.

The presidential approval marks the last stage required for the amendment to take effect, following the legislative process.

Details of the new provisions contained in the amended Electoral Act are expected to emerge subsequently.

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 Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has declared that the successful holding of the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival signals the return of stability to Kebbi State and the nation at large, as over 50,000 fishermen from Nigeria and neighbouring countries participated in the four-day cultural extravaganza.

Speaking at the grand finale in Argungu on Saturday, the President witnessed a local fisherman, Abubakar Usman from Maiyama Local Government Area, emerge as the overall winner after landing a 59kg catch. Usman went home with N1 million and two brand new cars.

The festival, which returned after a six-year hiatus, featured cultural displays, water competitions, traditional boxing, and dancing, drawing participants and spectators from across the region.

“This festival has endured for 83 years and stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” Tinubu told the gathering. “The organisation, security arrangement, and internal outlook of the event demonstrate what is possible when leadership is purposeful and inclusive.”

The President used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the fight against banditry and insurgency is being won, attributing the peaceful conduct of the festival to sustained investments in security and community engagement.

“I am pleased to note that significant progress has been made in combating insecurity across Kebbi and other parts of our nation,” he said. “The relative peace we are witnessing today in this region is not accidental. It is the result of sustained investment in security, intelligence gathering, and community engagement.”

Tinubu pledged stronger federal support for agriculture, tourism, and rural development, noting that events like Argungu can only thrive in a conducive security atmosphere. He commended Governor Nasir Idris for what he described as purposeful leadership in organising the historic event.

Before attending the festival, the President commissioned several infrastructure projects in Birnin Kebbi, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Secretariat Complex, a new modern motor park, a three-lane dual carriageway, and the Kauran Gwandu College of Nursing and Midwifery Sciences.

Governor Idris, in his remarks, outlined his administration’s achievements across infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, including the recruitment of over 1,800 health workers, construction of thousands of classrooms, and free distribution of fertilisers and improved seedlings to farmers.

The Emir of Argungu, Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, described the President’s presence at the festival as “a profound identification with the core values of courage, reconciliation, peace, and friendship” that the 61-year-old festival represents.

In the keenly contested fishing competition, Abdullahi Garba from Argungu secured second place with a 40kg fish, winning N750,000, a brand new car, and a Hajj seat. The third position was jointly claimed by two contestants from Jigawa and Kogi states with a 33kg catch each, earning them N1 million and a motorcycle apiece.

All four winning fish were presented to President Tinubu as souvenirs at the conclusion of the event.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) to produce a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sani Zaria, before it on February 18 over allegations linking him to a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.

The order followed proceedings on Friday before Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the cleric. Zaria has remained in custody since December 2025.

Earlier in January, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the arrest of 16 military officers during the first week of the month in connection with an alleged attempt to overthrow the current administration.

Court documents showed that the cleric was first arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before he was transferred to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Respondents in the suit include the EFCC, DIA, the attorney-general of the federation, and Jaiz Bank Plc.

The applicant is asking the court to order his release. He argued that his continued detention has no lawful basis.

During the hearing, the federal government was unable to present a valid court order authorising his detention. The development drew criticism from the bench.

Justice Lifu had earlier instructed the DIA to produce any detention order or provide legal justification for holding the cleric under applicable laws, including provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The judge faulted the length of the detention. He subsequently ordered the intelligence agency to produce the cleric in court. The appearance, the court noted, will allow consideration of his bail application pending the continuation of the case.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said he fears he could be arrested in the near future, citing recent actions taken against some of his political associates.

El-Rufai made this known during an interview with BBC Hausa on Wednesday. He suggested that the detention of individuals who worked closely with him may signal a move against him by the Federal Government.

“Four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said.

Although he acknowledged that he has not been taken into custody, the former governor insisted that the arrests of his allies point to the possibility of imminent action.

El-Rufai recently left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the present situation as part of what he called increasing political intimidation directed at opposition figures.

According to him, the political climate has become tense for politicians who are not aligned with the ruling party. He alleged that both subtle and open pressures are being applied to force politicians either to defect to the APC or remain within it.

He added that the atmosphere has pushed many political actors into making decisions out of necessity rather than personal conviction. In his view, concerns about safety and political survival now influence alignments more than ideology.

His remarks come at a time when political defections and realignments are gathering pace ahead of future elections. While the Federal Government has not issued any official response to his claims, his comments reflect widening distrust between sections of the opposition and the ruling party.

El-Rufai’s warning that his arrest could occur “anytime” has further stirred political debate, with observers monitoring developments closely.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the former governor also spoke about his relationship with President Bola Tinubu. He said even if he had accepted a ministerial role, he would not have remained long in the administration because of ideological differences.

“I think it’s important to make this clarification. There is an assumption that I was ever Tinubu’s friend. I was not. We never got along with Tinubu. We never had a personal relationship,” he said.

He explained that his support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was based on party considerations rather than personal ties.

“For me, Tinubu was initially just an aspirant of the party. I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the South-West and asked to support the emergence of a South-West Muslim presidential candidate,” he stated.

Reiterating his stance, he again said: “I think it’s important to make this clarification. There is an assumption that I was ever Tinubu’s friend. I was not. We never got along with Tinubu. We never had a personal relationship,” he said.

El-Rufai noted that his backing of Tinubu rested on an internal agreement within the APC on power rotation.

He said: “As one of the founders of the APC, I knew that we had an understanding with the South, specifically the South-West, that after eight years of Buhari, power would go to the South. It was a matter of principle. It wasn’t about Tinubu.”

He stated that once Tinubu emerged as the party’s flagbearer, he committed himself fully to the campaign.

“It is a principle of mine that I fight for the candidate of my party in every election to win, whether I like the candidate or not. Tinubu emerged as the candidate, and I gave everything to ensure that he won. And that’s what I did,” El-Rufai said.

Despite that support, he said differences in governance philosophy later created a divide between them.

He said: “I am in government for delivery, for results and performance. Public service is not about making money for yourself, it’s not about stealing, it’s not about appointing your cronies or your tribesmen.”

El-Rufai further revealed that he was offered a ministerial appointment. He maintained that he would not have stayed long if the appointment had been finalised.

“Even if the offer that Tinubu made to me to be a minister had gone through, I would have left the government long ago. The philosophy of this government is contrary to everything I have been taught as a Muslim, as a northerner, and as a Nigerian,” El-Rufai declared.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has approved a series of new appointments across federal agencies overseeing energy, scientific research, and fiscal policy.

In a major move for Nigeria’s science and technology sector, Hon. Magaji Da’u Aliyu has been appointed as the Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO) in Abuja. The complex is a critical national asset, responsible for advanced technological research and operating a nuclear research facility.

Simultaneously, the President reconstituted the leadership of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA). Engr. Adesayo Olusegun Michael was appointed as the agency’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

A new board for NEMSA was also unveiled. The members include Engr. Aliyu Abdulazeez as Executive Director (Technical), Ikechi Clara Nwosu (Chairman, South East), and zonal representatives from across the nation: Zubair Abdur’rauf Idris, Igba Elizabeth (North Central), Sani Alhaji Shehu (North East), Adeyemi Adetunji (South West), Engr. Emmanuel Eneji Nkpe (South South), and Engr. Charles Ogbonna Asogwa (South East).

In a separate development, President Tinubu has nominated two individuals as Commissioners for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The nominees are Amina Gamawa (representing Bauchi State) and Abdullahi Muktar (representing Kaduna State). Their names have been forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The World Bank has described Nigeria as a country increasingly cited around the world as a model of steady and credible reform leadership.

This is contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dated February 3, 2026.

The remark came from the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday. Other officials of the Bank accompanied her to the meeting.

Bjerde praised Nigeria’s reform efforts over the past two years, with emphasis on the government’s determination to remain consistent despite economic pressures. She said the approach and the visible outcomes had strengthened confidence among investors, policymakers and players in the private sector.

She also drew attention to the upcoming Country Partnership Framework, which she said aligns closely with Nigeria’s own development agenda, especially the target of achieving a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product and 7 per cent economic growth.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the reform agenda and acknowledged the difficulties that accompanied the process. He said “there will be no turning back.”

The President explained that although the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates initially pushed inflation upward, the situation has improved, with inflation easing and the naira showing signs of stability. He added that the developments have helped to boost investor confidence and improve the business environment.

According to President Tinubu, the reforms are built on transparency, accountability and policy stability.

He identified agriculture as a major focus of his administration and said investments have been directed toward the sector through the establishment of zonal mechanisation centres, improved seed development and better access to fertilisers. He noted that support from the expanding petrochemical industry has also helped to improve output and encourage farmers to form strong cooperatives.

“Nigeria is the heart of the continent, and we must do what’s necessary to strengthen the economy, particularly looking at the young population of this country, looking at the vast area of arable lands.

“How do we employ mechanisation and make agriculture easier? I have embarked upon that. We have created zonal mechanisation centres to help the farmers,” he said.

President Tinubu urged the World Bank to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria through faster financing, reduced bureaucracy, shared development models, effective risk management and improved capacity building to support inclusive growth.

In her remarks, Bjerde stressed the need to improve access to finance for small, medium and large enterprises, with special attention to mid-sized businesses, which she described as critical to job creation.

She also commended Nigeria’s emphasis on early childhood development and described it as vital to long-term productivity. She assured the country of the Bank’s continued support in that area.

“Many countries around the world, even middle-income and upper-middle-income countries, are suffering again with rising levels of stunting. And here, we’ve identified early childhood development as a strong entry point. So, all of this, to say we’re looking forward to a new country partnership framework,” she said.

Bjerde restated the World Bank Group’s commitment to a programme that reflects Nigeria’s priorities and combines public and private sector support. She added that the Bank, through the International Development Association, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation, stands ready to sustain support for Nigeria’s reform agenda.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as well as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, attended the meeting.