The Kano state government has directed all public office holders planning to contest in the 2026 elections to step down from their positions on or before March 31, 2026.

The directive was issued in an official circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, and dated March 24, 2026.

It was addressed to top government officials, including commissioners, advisers, directors-general, and other senior appointees across the state.

According to the statement, the decision is in line with the Electoral Act and other relevant regulations guiding the conduct of public officers.

It stressed that political office holders who intend to participate in the upcoming elections must resign their appointments to comply with the law.

The government explained that the move is aimed at enforcing Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which regulates the involvement of public servants in partisan political activities. It added that the directive is also meant to protect the core values of the civil service, including neutrality, accountability, and integrity.

“All public officers who are interested in contesting in the forthcoming general elections are requested to resign or retire as the case may be on or before Tuesday, 31st March 2026,” the circular stated.

The government further urged all relevant authorities to ensure the directive is widely circulated and strictly followed.

Vice President, Kashim Shettima has expressed confidence that Nigeria will soon overcome its security challenges, assuring citizens that the Federal Government is working hard to restore peace across the country.

Shettima made the statement on Tuesday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, during a ceremony where he formally received Governor Dauda Lawal and his supporters into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We pray for more unity and progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because as our leader, he is working very hard to ensure the safety of lives and property across Nigeria,” Shettima said.

He noted that the move by the Zamfara governor to join the ruling party would strengthen ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, particularly in troubled states.

The Vice President also assured Lawal of the full backing of both the Federal Government and the APC, while praising the people of Zamfara for their support.

Earlier, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said lawmakers elected on the APC platform were fully in support of the governor’s defection.

“The Governor will now be working together with other governors to help address the problems of the state and further enhance development,” Barau said.

He added that while security challenges are not unique to Zamfara, they can be addressed through cooperation among leaders.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the defection as a significant political development, saying it marked a new phase for the state.

“Today there is no opposition in Zamfara State,” Abbas said, urging residents to support the governor for greater development.

Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, also welcomed the move, describing it as beneficial to both the state and the party.

“APC is a moving train and we are happy that the State has joined that train. All Governors of APC will support Governor Lawal to do more for this State,” he said.

Similarly, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda declared that Zamfara had now fully aligned with the ruling party. He commended Lawal’s performance, especially in infrastructure development, and presented him with the party’s flag.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal thanked former governors, including Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle and Senator Abdulazeez Yari, for their support.

“I will embrace all my predecessors, and I will work hard for the progress of Zamfara State,” Lawal said, pledging loyalty to the APC and commitment to development.

The Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations (CDAs) Forum has raised the alarm over threats by terrorists, militias and bandits to attack some of its communities.

Chairman of the CDAs forum, Dr. Samuel T. Achie in a statement said terrorists are targeting Kachia, Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas of Southern Kaduna.

It said over the last four days, the leadership of the Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations Forum has become aware of security alerts circulating in the media on threats by terrorists, militias and bandit gangs to attack communities in Kachia, Chikun and Kajuru Local Government Areas in Southern Kaduna.

*It is with much concern that the leadership of the CDAs Forum views these threats as dangerous because such threats have occurred many times over the last ten years, and they have almost unfailingly been followed by devastating attacks by terrorists in the Southern Kaduna region.

“We are concerned because we have seen no visible efforts being made by the federal, state and local government to apprehend these threats,” the statement said.

The forum further alerted security agencies that hundreds of people have been taken into captivity in these very Local Government Areas in the last three months.

The CDAs Forum said that it is aware that the threats of attacks are coming from different quarters, and must be taken seriously by the government.

“While the leadership of the CDAs forum is aware of some of the efforts by the government to ensure peace across the nation, it still becomes necessary to call the attention of the government and security agencies, as well as other critical stakeholders in Kaduna State to intensify efforts to ensure the entire Kaduna State and Southern Kaduna in particular are kept safe.”

Lagos State Government has commenced its 2026 promotion exercise for civil servants and personnel in its parastatal and agencies.

The development was announced via the state government’s official X handle, indicating that the exercise covers officers on Grade Levels 01–05 within the core civil service and those on Grade Levels 01–16 in parastatal organisations.

As part of the process, officers on Grade Levels 01–05 in the mainstream service and Grade Levels 01–10 in parastatals are participating in the Revised Structured Training Programme, RSTP, while those on Grade Levels 12–16 in parastatal agencies are undergoing the Structured Evaluation Assessment Programme, SEAP.

SEAP is being introduced for the first time as a formal requirement for senior-level promotions, incorporating written examinations and computer-based tests, in line with the state’s push for a merit-driven system.

According to officials, the initiative is designed to ensure that career advancement is determined by competence, performance, and professional development, in line with the government’s broader reform agenda.

The exercise is currently taking place at the Public Service Staff Development Centre in Magodo and the Women Development Centre in Agege.

A total of 388 officers are participating in the SEAP, while 4,870 officers are undergoing the structured training programme.

The Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Afolabi Ayantayo, who monitored the exercise, described the conduct of participants and the coordination at the centres as orderly. He encouraged officers to remain committed throughout the process, urging them to “approach the process with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility.”

Ayantayo noted that the introduction of SEAP would ensure that promotions are based on proven knowledge, skills, and competence, while also strengthening the capacity of the public workforce.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Olubusola Abidakun, expressed satisfaction with the level of organisation and preparedness, reiterating the ministry’s resolve to sustain reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and productivity within the civil service.

The promotion exercise is expected to continue through the week and into the following week, with various sessions designed to prepare officers for higher responsibilities.

In line with civil service regulations, promotion committees will assess eligible candidates, while officers who are unsuccessful retain the right to appeal within a stipulated period.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has apologised to Nigerians over the ongoing power challenges across the country, assuring that the situation is temporary and efforts are underway to restore stable electricity supply.

Adelabu expressed remorse that the disruption has caused hardship for citizens, particularly during the current dry season marked by intense heat, affecting businesses, schools and industries nationwide.

He tendered his apologies during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adelabu explained that the challenges were caused by factors beyond the government’s control but stressed that authorities are working round the clock to resolve them.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians for this temporary issue that is causing hardship, especially during this dry season where there is so much heat everywhere and where businesses, schools and industries are being affected,” Adelabu said.

According to him, the government was not expecting the situation but has intensified efforts to address it.

“It is not our wish to find ourselves in this situation, but some factors are actually beyond our control. However, we are not relenting. We are working on it 24/7 to make sure we return to the trajectory we achieved in 2025,” he said.

“In 2025, you commended us, praised us for a job well done. If we were able to provide such a service then, this is 2026 and we are willing to do even more and do better,” the minister added.

He further assured Nigerians that the current power challenges would soon be resolved.

“I can assure Nigerians that in the next few weeks all these issues will be over,” Adelabu said.