The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Senate decision to adopt Section 60 (3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2025 as a victory for Nigerians. The statement read, “The decision of the 10th Senate to urgently reverse the contentious provisions of the Electoral Amendment Bill that it passed is a significant victory for the Nigerian people. It is a testament to the resilience, vigilance, and rising political consciousness of Nigerians across all walks of life. “In this regard, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) salutes the courage and tenacity of Nigerians. We commend every citizen who raised their voice, whether online or offline, to resist legislative mischief that threatened to undermine our electoral integrity.

“Rainfall cessation is anticipated to be earlier than normal in parts of Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kogi and Niger States. However, a delayed end of season is expected in Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna States. “A longer-than-normal length of rainy season is expected in Lagos, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ogun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Anambra, Kwara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Gombe and Taraba States. Whereas, parts of Borno, Yobe and Niger States are expected to have a shorter-than-normal length of rainy season. I am particularly glad that the early warnings of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) through such products and services are having positive impacts on the socioeconomic development of our dear nation.

Veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie is currently trending on X (formerly Twitter) in Nigeria following the rapid spread of a false rumour claiming that the Nollywood icon had died. Many Nigerians posted RIP messages, shared clips from Edochie’s legendary film roles, and circulated his famous proverbs, believing the reports to be true—until the claims were swiftly debunked. However, checks by TRIBUNE ONLINE confirmed Pete Edochie is hale and hearty. This is not the first time Pete Edochie has been targeted by death hoaxes. Similar false reports circulated in 2012, 2020, 2023, and 2024, often traced to clickbait pages seeking views, likes, and ad revenue.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Tuesday reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s uncompromising resolve to intensify air operations against insurgent and terrorist elements in all theatres of operations nationwide. The CAS gave the assurance while speaking during a high-level strategic meeting with Air Component Commanders (ACCs) held in Abuja. The meeting featured detailed operational briefings and interactive reviews, with Branch Chiefs and senior officers contributing to a unified operational roadmap. The CAS reassured the public that the Nigerian Air Force was maintaining relentless operational momentum and would not yield ground to forces that threaten national stability. He emphasised that every operational decision was being guided by the protection of civilians, national assets, and territorial integrity, saying, “The Nigerian Air Force stands as a shield over the nation.

Five suspected drug dealers, including a patent medicine vendor and a supermarket owner, have been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army in Benin, Edo State. The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Benin. Commander Ofoyeju revealed that the five suspects were apprehended during intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army. “I have been mandated by the Chairman to take drug criminals out of Edo State. On their part, the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Major General M. Hassan, and the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, Brigadier General A. O. Balogun, reaffirmed the Army’s support for the NDLEA.

…calls for genuine devolution at NEC 2026The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has called for a critical re-examination of Nigeria’s federal structure, insisting that sustainable growth and development will remain elusive without a sincere devolution of powers. Speaking on the sub-theme, “Strengthening Inter-State Collaboration and Strategies in a Federal System,” the Deputy Governor argued that Nigeria’s claim to federalism is contradicted by its day-to-day governance practices. “Nigeria’s claim to operating a federal system cannot be justified by our present realities,” Lawal said. Lawal noted that the initiative, jointly driven by Southwest governors, has strengthened regional security and shown that states can achieve measurable progress when they work together, even within existing limitations. Also contributing, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, faulted the legal framework regulating natural resources, describing it as fundamentally flawed.

Nigeria records about 128,000 new cancer cases every year, but conflict and insecurity are increasingly cutting off vulnerable communities from early diagnosis and lifesaving treatment, the Imo State First Lady and Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC), Barr. As chairperson of FLAC, she said the coalition, established in 2015, has worked to close gaps across Nigeria’s cancer care continuum through awareness campaigns, screening programmes, patient support and policy advocacy. She called for mobile clinics, stronger protection for health workers, safe corridors for medical supplies and expanded funding for the National Cancer Health Fund. He said Nigeria has produced a draft national cancer incidence report for the first time, describing it as a major milestone for policy development and programme implementation. He noted that the annual World Cancer Day Symposium has become a platform for engaging high-level actors and shaping national conversations on cancer.

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has accused Abia State Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, Senator Nenadi Usman, and others of breaking into the party’s National Secretariat, carting away valuables, and barring staff from gaining access. In a statement, the spokesperson for the Abure-led faction of the party, Obiorah Ifoh, condemned the takeover, describing it as an invasion. “The Abure-led leadership is dumbfounded by the invasion of its secretariat by Nenadi camp, aided by police in the early hours of Tuesday. However, the party leadership has obtained a Stay of Execution and has since appealed the judgment. It is therefore inappropriate and needless for any group to resort to self-help by illegally breaking into the National Secretariat,” Ifoh said.

The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers in connection with the abduction of Alhaji Ahmadu in Malabu, Fufore Local Government Area. According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led raid carried out in collaboration with local security stakeholders. “The Adamawa State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained fight against kidnapping and related violent crimes, following coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out in collaboration with local security stakeholders,” the statement read. The operation followed the recent kidnapping of Alhaji Ahmadu on January 30, 2026, in Malabu. The suspects have been identified as Lawali Haruna, 45; Yahaya Ibrahim, 25; and Da’u Alhaji Ahmadu, 28, all residents of Jera in Fufore LGA.

According to the officials, although the two political rivals arrived separately, Fubara rode away with Wike after the President’s intervention. The meeting marks a potential turning point in the Rivers’ political crisis, which has paralysed governance in the oil-rich state for over nearly two years. Tensions flared in October when members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Wike initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara. In December 2023, President Tinubu intervened, facilitating a fragile truce that led to a peace deal in which Fubara conceded several political appointments to Wike’s loyalists. However, the arrangement broke down, and the conflict resurfaced, culminating in President Tinubu declaring a state of emergency on March 18, 2025.

United States flagged ships have been advised to avoid Iranian waters in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. The advisory was issued Monday by the U.S. Maritime Administration, part of the Department of Transportation, urging ship captains to stay “as far as possible” from Iranian waters and decline permission for Iranian forces to board U.S. vessels. The notice comes after boarding attempts, including efforts to force commercial vessels into Iranian waters using small boats and helicopters, were reported as recently as February 3. It was the first engagement between the two countries since U.S. bombers struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day conflict last June. Israel has urged the U.S. to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, limit its ballistic missile program, and end support for regional militant groups.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has explained why he supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, saying it was a political decision and not based on friendship. El-Rufai, who spoke during an interview with Trust TV on Monday, said he never had a close personal relationship with Tinubu and described claims of friendship as incorrect. We never had a personal relationship like the one I had with General Buhari,” El-Rufai said. He explained that his involvement in the process began after he was contacted by Islamic stakeholders from the South-West who wanted a Muslim presidential candidate from the region. “I was approached by certain Islamic stakeholders from the southwest to support the emergence of a Southwest Muslim presidential candidate.

If you cannot secure the people, you have failed,” the SAN insisted. He warned that the insurgency, once confined to the Sambisa Forest and parts of the North, is now moving southward. “Anyone who thinks the 1999 Constitution will fix Nigeria is living in La-La Land,” Ubimago remarked. Ubimago pointed to the 2014 National Conference (Confab) Report as the starting point for any meaningful solution. You cannot have terrorists running roughshod over everyone because you have over-centralised internal security,” he said.

At least 14 passengers who were traveling from Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State were whisked away by suspected kidnappers. According to the report, two passengers were reported to have been shot dead when the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. “I have been trying to reach my colleague in Okpokwu LGA but not yet connected, but I have contacted the personnel of Directorate of State Security Service in the area. “I learnt that two of the passengers were killed and the bandits whisked away the remaining passengers. When contacted, the state command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, did not confirm or deny the report.

Security experts and stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to criminalise ransom payments to terrorists, describing it as the biggest betrayal in the war against insurgency in Nigeria. Experts who condemned the menace, especially when the government secretly paid terrorists’ ransom, said that such practice only further encouraged and deepened insecurity in the country. Ogunsanya, who supported the creation of state police in Nigeria, cautioned the FG against blindly adopting the American state policing system, citing the complexity of crimes and societal differences. He said, “Government ransom payment is what is empowering the terrorists and further deepening insecurity. DIG Oyebade traced the challenges of the Nigerian policing system to a faulty foundation, tribalism, inadequate manpower and training, and the dynamism of crime in the face of evolving technology.