History is being made as Senator Nenadi Usman, Nigeria’s first female national chairman of a political party, formally took over the Labour Party‘s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, amid heavy security presence. Armed police officers were stationed within and around the party headquarters as Usman, the acting National Chairman, assumed control from the Julius Abure-led faction. All Labour Party banners and billboards featuring Abure and his executives had been removed and replaced with those of Usman. It was gathered that the new leadership had directed members to begin preparations to take over Labour Party state secretariats nationwide. INEC subsequently updated its records, replacing Abure’s name with Usman’s as acting National Chairman, alongside other newly recognised national officers.

The Federal Government on Monday flagged off the distribution of food and nutrition support to 20,000 vulnerable households in Sokoto State in a bid to tackle hunger, malnutrition and poverty across northern Nigeria. The intervention, launched in Sokoto by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, is being implemented in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government and development partners. “This intervention is about protecting dignity, improving nutrition and building resilience among the most vulnerable,” the minister said. The minister acknowledged the support of international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP), while reaffirming the Federal Government’s resolve to localise and institutionalise humanitarian interventions. “These programmes show genuine commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society,” he said.

A former lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has endorsed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent support for the United States’ airstrikes against terrorist groups in Sokoto State, calling her stance justified. Sani, who questioned ongoing public criticism against Mrs Tinubu, described the December 2025 US airstrikes in the northwestern state as a “welcome development.”Speaking on Tuesday via his X handle, he called for more air strikes by the Nigerian Air Force. “The December air strikes against bandits and terrorists in the North was a welcome development. I don’t know why some people are attacking her in view of the heinous atrocities of those terrorists,” he added. “Nigeria looks forward to greater collaboration with the United States on security issues, and we expect there will be more,” she said.

When our correspondent visited the party’s national secretariat in Utako, Abuja, gun-toting and stern-looking policemen were stationed within and around the premises. When contacted to confirm whether the Otti-backed faction had fully taken over the national secretariat, Usman said the move was long overdue. So, the police are there for us.”Asked if her camp was prepared for possible resistance from the Abure faction, Usman ruled out any confrontation. “Since we started the agitation to take over the party secretariat, our name has not been on the INEC portal. Other officials listed include Senator Darlington Nwokocha as National Secretary; Hamisu Santuraki, National Treasurer; Aisha Madije, National Financial Secretary; and Eric Ifere, National Legal Adviser.

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport an additional 18 Nigerians listed on its “worst-of-the-worst” criminal register, bringing the total number of Nigerians scheduled for removal to 97. The development comes barely one week after PUNCH Metro exclusively reported that 79 Nigerians convicted of various offences had been marked for deportation. A follow-up check of the DHS website on Monday showed that 18 more names had been added to the list, indicating an expansion of the enforcement exercise. It read, “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The updated figures underscore the Trump administration’s continued tough stance on illegal and criminal immigrants across the United States, with several foreign nationals affected, including Nigerians.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the immediate deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion of special forces to Plateau State. The troops, already in the state, are tasked to aggressively and decisively address the recent resurgence of terrorist attacks. The statement read, “The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the immediate deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion of special forces to Plateau State. The deployment comes against a backdrop of renewed violence in the north-central region in 2026. Meanwhile, Major General Oyinlola appealed to residents of Plateau State not to panic at the sight of large troop movements and heavy military equipment.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has been summoned to appear in person or through legal representation in a suit instituted against him by some princes of Oyo at the Oyo State High Court sitting in Oyo town. The legal action against the Alaafin is rooted in a longstanding dispute over hierarchy and authority within the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, a body established to advise the state government on traditional matters. Tensions escalated in recent years following the reconstitution and grading of traditional rulers by successive Oyo State governments, particularly the elevation of some monarchs and the creation of parallel traditional structures. Central to the controversy is the recognition of Alaafin, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomoso as co-chairmen of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Oba Owoade has also been at odds with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, over supremacy claims.

On February 10, 1971, the People’s Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Nigeria formally established diplomatic relations. Over more than half a century, China-Nigeria relations have braved the shifting tides of the international landscape. These striking figures vividly demonstrate the strong resilience and vigorous vitality of China-Nigeria cooperation. Now, standing at a new historical starting point, China-Nigeria relations and our practical cooperation are embracing truly broad and unprecedented prospects. As we reflect on the journey behind us, China-Nigeria cooperation has achieved fruitful outcomes.

The Senate was thrown into confusion on Tuesday as lawmakers reconvened to revisit their earlier decision on the electronic transmission of election results contained in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026. Monguno anchored his request on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), and was seconded by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central). The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, then asked Abaribe whether he was proceeding with his request for a vote. Tuesday’s extraordinary sitting came less than one week after the Senate passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, amid growing pressure from civil society organisations, opposition leaders, labour unions, professional bodies, regional leaders and youth groups. The emergency sitting was formally announced on Sunday in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo.

A 69-year-old woman, Jann Alhafny, suffered four broken vertebrae after a police altercation at a Sydney protest, following clashes at a rally against the visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog, according to the woman and witnesses. The protest was held within a designated “major event” zone under state legislation, which gives police expanded powers during Herzog’s visit. Labor MP Stephen Lawrence, who attended the protest, said the state should have enabled a peaceful demonstration. I don’t deserve this.”On Tuesday, Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore called for an independent investigation into police actions at the Sydney protest and a broader review of protest policing. “What an unacceptable thing that they have done.”The case has renewed attention on policing at the Sydney protest, where a 69-year-old woman suffers four broken vertebrae after police interaction at Sydney protest, raising further calls for accountability.

In the bustling markets of 2026, the battleground for Nigerian commerce has shifted entirely to the chat window. The Trust Deficit and the “Human” FactorThe driving force behind this shift is the unique psychology of the Nigerian consumer. Unlike Western markets where “Add to Cart” is a reflexive action, the Nigerian market is built on negotiation and relationship verification. For a fashion vendor in Balogun Market, a well-optimized WhatsApp Business profile now generates more revenue than a Shopify store ever could. For the mass market, WhatsApp is the internet.

Nigeria has again been ranked among the world’s most corrupt countries, placing 36th on the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International, a global anti-graft coalition monitoring corruption trends worldwide. Despite sliding two places from its 140th position in 2024, the West African nation retained its status as the 36th most corrupt globally alongside other low-scoring countries. No African nation made the global top ten least corrupt list, which continues to be dominated by European and Asia-Pacific countries with strong governance systems. At the opposite end of the spectrum, South Sudan, Somalia and Venezuela were identified among the most corrupt countries in the world, scoring in the lowest tier of the index. Corruption challenges in NigeriaExperts say corruption remains deeply entrenched in Nigeria, affecting key sectors of governance and public service delivery.

He made this known at the Foreign Policy Lecture Series titled Elections and Democracy in Africa, organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos. Jinadu linked the challenges to what he described as a toxic political environment and a growing amoral political culture in some African countries, especially Nigeria, where he said politics had increasingly become criminalised. He argued that while independent electoral management bodies were important, they alone could not guarantee credible elections without a supportive political culture and strong accountability institutions. According to him, the factors create conditions where even the deployment of advanced technology and technical expertise by electoral bodies may fail to deliver credible elections. He warned that excessive focus on constitutional design and electoral reforms, without addressing the moral foundations of political culture, would limit democratic progress.

Nigeria Integrity Watch (NIW), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for placing housing and far-reaching institutional reforms at the centre of the Nigerian Army’s transformation within his first 90 days in office. The CSO said the scale and speed of reforms under Shaibu signal a decisive shift in Nigeria’s military strategy at a time of worsening security challenges across the country. According to the organisation, the Army Chief’s emphasis on intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and modern warfare training demonstrates a clear understanding of Nigeria’s evolving security threats. While urging sustained implementation of the reforms, NIW said the initiatives had raised expectations that improved welfare, enhanced training and stronger coordination would translate into better security outcomes nationwide. Nigerians will now be watching to see tangible gains on the battlefield and in the safety of civilians,” the statement added.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the immediate deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion of special forces to Plateau State. This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on late Monday night by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chiñonso Polycarp Oteh. “The troops who are already in the state to aggressively and decisively deal with the recent resurgence of banditry attacks will be a game changer in addressing the threat of insecurity,” the statement read. ALSO READ: Insecurity: Army adopting intelligence-driven technology approach — COASIt explained that while receiving the troops at Headquarters 3 Division, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, represented by the Chief of Staff, Operation Enduring Peace, Brigadier General Senlong Sule, welcomed the troops and urged them to be decisive and ruthless in carrying out offensive operations against the bandits. The statement added that the GOC appreciated the proactive leadership posture of the COAS for providing the needed combat enablers and other logistics requirements for the effective actualisation of the troops’ mandate.