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Ex-REC Sounds Alarm: Lawmakers’ 2027 Seats Threatened by E-Transmission Provision

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Ex-REC Sounds Alarm: Lawmakers’ 2027 Seats Threatened by E-Transmission Provision

Mike Igini, a former attorney and Cross River State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), has cautioned that the contentious requirement for real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results may cost most federal parliamentarians their seats in 2027.

Igini claimed in a statement that previous Assemblies had refused to address “well-documented election rigging vulnerabilities” in the statute, such as the type of proviso currently proposed by the Senate to qualify direct electronic transmission, “for reasons of convenience and party loyalty.”

He asked the parliamentarians to learn from the mistakes of their forebears, who he claimed lost elections because they refused to fix well-known flaws in the country’s democratic system.

“I urge Honourable and Distinguished Senators to heed the salutary lessons from the misfortunes that befell their predecessors as the National Assembly convenes to reconcile the divergent versions of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, particularly with regard to the Nigerian populace’s unequivocal demand for mandatory electronic transmission of election results directly from polling units to the INEC Result Viewing Portal, IReV,” he said.

“Those who denied them re-election party tickets took advantage of these flaws to sabotage polling-unit results during their tenure, making them victims of the very flaws they refused to fix,” he continued.

The majority of incumbent lawmakers who were denied party tickets by governors and party leaders, even after obtaining alternative platforms, were defeated during collation through manipulation of polling unit results, according to Igini, who presented what he described as empirical evidence from electoral cycles between 2007 and 2023.

“This unfortunate trend is now dangerously close to being repeated by the 10th Assembly.Members who are not well-liked or in the good graces of their state governors or party leaders will undoubtedly be refused tickets, and it will be extremely difficult to convert even the strongest support from their constituents into an electoral victory, he warned, given the possibility of an unprotected electronic transmission of polling unit results.

APC National Chairman Receives Wave of NNPP and PDP Defectors in Kano

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APC National Chairman Receives Wave of NNPP and PDP Defectors in Kano

Several members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) defected to the APC in the Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State on Sunday under the supervision of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s formal welcoming rally to the party, this event is taking place.

Both new defectors and party loyalists supported Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second terms in office during the event.

The Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, was publicly urged by a well-known native of the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency to get back into politics and run for the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa House of Representatives seat.

Among the prominent APC leaders who attended the well-attended event were:

Deputy Senate President Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, Senator Barau Jibrin, former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi), Senator Bashir Lado Mohammed, Ismail Ahmed, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, and a number of other group leaders and interested parties

Breaking: Protesters Converge as El-Rufai Reaches EFCC Headquarters Under Heavy Guard

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Breaking: Protesters Converge as El-Rufai Reaches EFCC Headquarters Under Heavy Guard

In response to accusations made against him, Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, arrived at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

However, his presence caused friction at the anti-graft agency’s entrance, as security personnel allegedly refused to let members of his entourage into the building.

As supporters of the former governor gathered at the intersection leading to the commission’s headquarters, it was reported that the development caused a brief commotion at the EFCC gate.

In a video that went viral, one of El-Rufai’s supporters said that the EFCC used tear gas to disperse their gathering while permitting anti-El-Rufai demonstrators to gather near the building.

Protesters opposed to El-Rufai were observed urging the commission to look into the former governor’s role in corruption and his recent claims that Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, had his phone jammed.

El-Rufai’s government as governor of Kaduna State is the subject of ongoing investigations by anti-graft organizations, such as the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), into corruption claims.

The investigations have been characterized as politically driven persecution by the former governor, who has repeatedly denied any misconduct.

The investigation into the former government was started in March 2024 by Uba Sani, El-Rufai’s successor. El-Rufai then filed a challenge in the Federal High Court against the investigative report’s findings.

The EFCC had not yet released a formal announcement about his presence before the commission as of the time of publication.

Fubara Speaks on Strategy and Weakness Amid Wike Rivalry

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Fubara Speaks on Strategy and Weakness Amid Wike Rivalry

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has given an explanation for his decision to side with weakness in his political conflict with Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to reports, Fubara stated that selecting weakness was a conscious decision meant to maintain peace, secure political survival, and protect wider national interests while accepting a Man of the Year award at the New Telegraph Award/Dinner Night on Friday in Lagos State.

Fubara discussed the long-standing political tension that has affected Rivers State governance in his victory address, pointing out that spectators have frequently misconstrued his approach as weakness.

He made it clear that his decisions were deliberate and motivated by a desire to preserve stability.

“Today is a very special day for me and for everyone who has believed in me, and I know that you have a share of special pain for believing in me,” he stated.

Some people characterize some of these pains as weakness, while others believe they are strength. However, I choose to be weak for a variety of reasons. I desire peace, so I’m weak.

We are weak since we must live. Weak because I have to defend the things that are important to our beloved country as well as to myself. It is a virtue to be weak. It pays when it’s supposed to.

Senate’s E-Transmission Plan May Allow Electoral Errors – Ubani

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Senate’s E-Transmission Plan May Allow Electoral Errors – Ubani

Bello, a member of the House of Representatives and the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed the prospect of leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run-up to the general elections in 2027.

According to reports, Bello said this after someone on social media persuaded him to switch from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Bello responded by stating that he does not let internet pressure influence his political choices, citing his electoral success in Kaduna North as justification for his position.

Bello emphasized that his primary allegiance is to the 51,052 citizens who elected him, not to voices on social media, while reminding detractors of the mandate given to him by voters.

In reference to his victory, he wrote: “Bello El-Rufai defeats PDP candidate Samaila, who received 34,808 votes, to win the Kaduna North Representative seat with 51,052 votes.” Being the first candidate to win all 12 wards in Kaduna North, El-Rufai’s son breaks the previous record.

Bello said his father’s order is another reason for the choice to leave APC.

He said, “I’ll surrender the seat tonight if Mallam asks me to leave the APC. I am not partisan. My folks love me.

“If you can persuade the 51,052 people who have me this mandate, I’ll send you 10 million tonight,” he said in a challenge to the social media user. Have you got an app to verify?

Bello reaffirmed his admiration for his father and his commitment to the Kaduna State government, which is headed by Governor Uba Sani, whom he called his “boss,” excluding any act of betrayal.

He disclosed that, following a recent public event with his father, he went straight to an APC caucus meeting in Kaduna with the governor and speaker, a move he characterized as both symbolic and deliberate.

He declared, “I will never openly criticize the governor, and I will not plot his downfall. It’s known as honor.

The APC has given him the opportunity to work with high-ranking government officials, such as Governor Olayemi Cardoso of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bello added, highlighting the chances he has acquired inside the party.

Peter Obi Inspires Nigerians to Celebrate Love Through Action This Valentine’s Day

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Peter Obi Inspires Nigerians to Celebrate Love Through Action This Valentine’s Day

Peter Obi, a former presidential contender, has called for Nigerians to channel their love into sacrifice, devotion, and a fresh dedication to the country this Valentine’s Day rather than just sending flowers and romantic messages.

Valentine’s Day, which is observed on February 14th every year, is typically connected to romance, presents, and extravagant actions. But according to Obi, the day’s spirit need to go farther. He believes that love—not in sentimentality, but in responsible action—is what Nigeria itself needs.

“Love is not only feeling; it is sacrifice, discipline, and commitment to what is right, honesty, compassion, respect, and devotion to the common good,” the former governor of Anambra State added in a message posted on his 𝕏 page on Saturday with the heading, “Nigeria Needs Our Love in Action.”

Obi specifically urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the occasion to consider their contribution in determining the future of their nation. Patriotism, in his opinion, ought to be more than just a catchphrase. It ought to show in everyday decisions and public behavior.

Like a living thing, a nation thrives when it is nourished with love and attention. Promoting fair elections, opposing vices like corruption, greed, divisiveness, and mediocrity, and supporting only people with ability, dedication, and character are all part of loving Nigeria, according to Obi.

He maintained that having the guts to voice concerns when they arise and the self-control to provide practical remedies are essential components of true patriotism. The former presidential candidate asserted that being silent in the face of misconduct is neglect rather than neutrality.

Along with supporting justice, competence, transparency, human and developmental values, and investments in healthcare and education, it also entails identifying flaws and suggesting fixes. He went on to say, “Where division breeds conflict, unity fosters progress; where corruption destroys opportunity, integrity restores it.”

Obi claimed that it would have a revolutionary effect if Nigerians could bring the spirit of Valentine’s Day into the public sphere in addition to their private relationships. Communities would be more cohesive, families stronger, and government more responsible.

“Let’s celebrate love that uplifts families, communities, and our country on this Valentine’s Day. He asserted that when love turns into action, a new Nigeria can emerge.

He wished everyone a happy Valentine’s Day as he wrapped up his speech.

Kwara Community Suffers as Boko Haram Parades 176 Abductees

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Kwara Community Suffers as Boko Haram Parades 176 Abductees

In a troubling video, suspected Boko Haram militants claim to have captured 176 kidnapped victims—including women, children, and a nursing mother—from the Woro hamlet in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area.

SaharaReporters was able to collect footage of the organization, which was officially known as Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, questioning the hostages.

In the video, a terrorist asked the hostages to identify the location of their kidnapping.

Speaking in Hausa, three ladies, one of whom was a nursing mother, reported that they had been kidnapped from the Woro community in the Kaiama Local Government Area.

There are scores of women and children in the video standing in rows, clearly upset. Some of the kids were spotted without pants, and many of them were ill-groomed and in tattered clothing, which suggested cruel and dehumanizing circumstances.

During the victims’ procession, one of the terrorists charged that the Kwara State Government had minimized the extent of the kidnapping.

He asserted that 176 victims were presently in the custody of the authorities, while they maintained that between 20 and 30 people had been abducted.

As the terrorist claimed in the video, “The Kwara State government lied to Nigeria and to the entire world.”

Upon posting this story, the Kwara State Government had not to formally address the allegations included in the video.

According to reports, suspected terrorists carried out a concerted attack on the Woro community on February 4, 2026, which resulted in a fatality.

The Emir’s family members were among the dozens of individuals slain in the incident, according to the locals.

A school principal, a headmistress, the Chief Imam of the town, two wives of the Emir of Woro, numerous of his children, and pupils who had just gotten home from school were among those who were allegedly slaughtered.

There are concerns that Woro’s Emir, Alhaji Saliu Bio Umar, may have been kidnapped or murdered because he is still unaccounted for. In addition to burning his palace, the attackers allegedly took his official car and used it to carry some of the kidnapped victims.

In the aftermath, neighbors bemoaned the extent of the destruction as videos showed burned structures and bodies on the ground.

A Sadiku-led Boko Haram group that is thought to have operational connections throughout the Sahel is allegedly associated with the assaults, according to sources.

Tensions had been rising for months before the attack, locals said. The militants allegedly tried to force locals to follow their radical beliefs and attend their sermons.

The Emir allegedly warned security services about the group’s activities and refused their requests.

It was claimed that the widespread reprisal against the community was brought on by this supposed disobedience.

Governor Fubara Forwards Commissioner Nominees to Rivers Lawmakers

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Governor Fubara Forwards Commissioner Nominees to Rivers Lawmakers

As part of new efforts to stabilize the state’s government, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is said to have sent a list of commissioner nominees to the Rivers State House of Assembly for review and approval.

Days after Fubara disbanded the State Executive Council and relieved all Special Advisers of their responsibilities, a source close to the governor told Business Day that the list was sent to the House on Friday.

The move is commonly interpreted as a component of the recent ceasefire between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, mediated by President Bola Tinubu.

The list, according to the source, was presented to the Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule, whose leadership was acknowledged by the Supreme Court after the state was rocked by a political crisis.

In the days ahead, the lawmakers are anticipated to start the screening and confirmation process.

According to the source, some nominees might be from Wike’s political camp in the interest of reconciliation.

Following the lengthy political impasse with the Assembly, Fubara was working with just eight commissioners prior to the cabinet’s dissolution.

In keeping with President Tinubu’s larger efforts to promote reconciliation, there are also hints that the governor might name a new chief of staff.

In order to allow lawmakers to move from their temporary quarters, Fubara is also anticipated to commission the recently built House of Assembly Complex as part of the peace process.

“The governor has already forwarded the names of commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly,” the source claims. It is now up to the speaker to invite them to the screening. Some names might originate from Nyesom Wike’s camp, the Federal Capital Territory’s minister, in the interest of reconciliation. Reappointments are another possibility for commissioners who did well.

“Lawmakers will soon relocate from their temporary quarters to the new facility when the governor’s house complex is put into service.”

The complex’s commissioning is seen as both a symbolic and pragmatic step in strengthening the ceasefire between the governor and the Assembly, which is led by Amaewhule.

Neither the Rivers State House of Assembly nor Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor’s chief press secretary, had formally acknowledged the submission of the nominee list as of the time this report was filed.

But after the Assembly starts the screening process, the list is anticipated to be released to the public.

Ms.

Bandits Kill Six in Tungan-Makeri, Set Police Station Ablaze in Konkoso

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Bandits Kill Six in Tungan-Makeri, Set Police Station Ablaze in Konkoso

In the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, armed bandits are accused of killing six people in Tungan-Makeri and burning down a police station in the neighboring Konkoso areas.

According to reports, the assault on Tungan Makeri started at around 8:00 p.m. on Friday when more than 200 armed men broke into the community, fired intermittently, and set fire to multiple homes.

According to locals, the attackers worked for hours, killing six individuals and displacing several others.

Along the assailants’ path, an eyewitness from Zagatina hamlet reported seeing dozens of motorcycles transporting the armed guys.

As they went by my village, I counted about forty-one motorcycles, each carrying two or three people, some of whom were women and children.

The resident stated, “They went through the back of my house, so I immediately hid myself in the bush when I saw them coming.”

The robbers were claimed to have moved into Konkoso on Wednesday morning after the attack on Tungan Makeri, where they allegedly conducted their operations without any obvious security.

Tension in the area increased when a municipal police station was set on fire during the incursion.

Concerns concerning the assailants’ increasing audacity were heightened when locals identified Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as the two main towns in Borgu LGA.

After the initial attack, there were also reports of an Air Force plane being seen in the vicinity of Tungan Makeri, which some locals believe compelled the bandits to leave the area.

As of the time this article was filed, attempts to get official confirmation from the Niger State Police Command had failed.

Residents of Borgu LGA are requesting immediate reinforcement in order to stop future attacks, as the incident has once again sparked worries about security in certain areas.

China to Remove Tariffs on 53 African Countries Starting May 1 – Xi Jinping

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China to Remove Tariffs on 53 African Countries Starting May 1 – Xi Jinping

In a step that could change the nature of trade between Beijing and the continent, China will start removing import duties on nearly all African nations on May 1.

Chinese state media report that President Xi Jinping confirmed on Saturday that 53 African countries with which China has diplomatic ties will be exempt from taxes.

With its recognition of Taiwan rather than Beijing, Eswatini is the sole exception. The self-governing island is considered part of China’s territory, and the country has stated time and again that it does not rule out using force to subjugate it.

33 African imports were already subject to a zero-tariff program implemented by Beijing. However, Chinese authorities said last year that all African diplomatic partners will be included in the agreement. The declaration on Saturday reaffirms that the more comprehensive policy will now go into force at the start of May.

China continues to be Africa’s biggest commercial partner and has made significant investments throughout the continent through its flagship Belt and Road Initiative, funding energy projects, ports, railroads, and highways.

The tariff decision coincides with a reevaluation of international trade connections by numerous African states.

Following last year’s global tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump, which caused changes in the dynamics of trade, a number of nations have been looking for other markets.

Xi revealed the schedule as African leaders gathered in Addis Ababa for the annual African Union meeting, saying the zero-tariff agreement “will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for African development.”

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