The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the statement attributed to the former Senate President, David Mark, and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, during the launch of Abia ADC’s membership mobilisation, registration, and revalidation exercise in Umuahia.

The ADC National Chairman, who was represented at the registration event on Saturday by ADC National Welfare Secretary, Nkem Ukandu, said that the APC-led Federal Government lacks direction, adding that the government has abandoned Nigerians amid economic hardship.

Reacting to the opposition party’s statement, the Abia APC Caucus accused the ex-Senate President and the ADC of attempting to mislead Nigerians with rhetorical political rallies.

“We strongly reject the misleading narrative that the APC-led Federal Government lacks direction and has abandoned Nigerians to hardship.

“Nigeria is navigating complex reforms under the bold leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. These necessary reforms are aimed at stabilising the economy, strengthening the naira, boosting local production, and creating long-term sustainability,” the APC Caucus said.

The Abia APC further stated that individuals who have occupied the highest levels of leadership for decades in the country should not attempt to distance themselves from structural issues that accumulated over time.

On allegations that it was plotting against a free and fair election process in the country, the Abia APC Caucus said the party is committed to free, fair, and credible elections, not the manipulation of outcomes.

“Our party believes in competition based on ideas and performance, not unfounded allegations. Institutions responsible for elections and public finance operate independently within the bounds of the Constitution, and sweeping accusations of manipulation only weaken public confidence without evidence,” it said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has called on the Nigerian government to demystify the recently amended Electoral Act for easy comprehension by the electorate.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, explained that what Nigeria needs is a simple legislation on the Electoral Act, written in a simplified language, that will be easy for every Nigerian to understand.

Prof Amupitan made the call at a citizens’ town hall meeting organized by the Civil Society Network on Election Integrity and the Electoral Act, held in Abuja, on Sunday.

The INEC Chairman’s call comes amid the controversy surrounding the real-time transmission of election results, which he said must be clarified, considering that Nigeria is a highly diverse society, especially in its political and electoral landscapes.

He said, “We have gone through the Electoral Act, from the beginning to the end, and we have looked at some of the contentious areas, especially in a country that is highly diverse.

“What Nigeria needs is actually what I call simple legislation, a simple language legislation, whereby it will be possible for every Nigerian to understand and appreciate the provisions of every section.

“Talking about the transmission of the result, when INEC came in, we thought that transmission should be mandated. But let us be sincere about this, the only problem we had is how to define what we call real time.

“For instance, the FCT area council election that just took place, in Kuje, results came out on time in five area councils, but the result from Kabi ward did not come until the following day, Sunday. We could not reach our officers; they were not accessible by phone.

“I don’t see the issue of transmission as a problem; the problem is the adequacy of the network we have.
“You expect that in a place like FCT, you should be able to transmit your results without any encumbrance.
“But we had a situation where it was impossible for us to have a real-time transmission of results because of coverage.”

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has appealed to residents, particularly those in Minna metropolis, to remain patient amid the ongoing water shortage, assuring that his administration is working to address the situation.

The governor made the appeal while briefing journalists at the Government House in Minna on critical issues affecting residents, including water scarcity, electricity supply, and insecurity in parts of the state.

Bago attributed the water challenges to decades of neglected infrastructure, noting that many pipelines, some over 30 to 40 years old, are broken.

He also cited ongoing construction works and the growing population in the state capital as factors putting pressure on the existing water system, adding that the government has commenced steps toward a holistic overhaul of the water infrastructure to provide a lasting solution.

According to him, “Efforts are underway to desilt the Tagwai Dam, replace old pipelines, and revamp the distribution network in Minna, while expanding reservoirs and water articulation systems to ensure improved access to potable water.

“In the interim, we are deploying water tankers to distribute water to affected communities. We are also collaborating with development partners to drill boreholes in areas where residents need potable drinking water.”

On electricity supply, he urged citizens to consider alternative power sources, noting that the state government has already migrated critical public institutions, such as hospitals, schools, and the Government House, from the national grid to ensure uninterrupted services.

Bago disclosed that the state is working closely with the Federal Government to tackle insecurity and restore normalcy in troubled communities.

The governor further lamented that over 300,000 persons have been displaced by insecurity and flooding across 10 local government areas.

He then appreciated members of the press for their support and encouraged them to continue reporting government activities professionally and objectively.

The Edo State Migration Agency, EDMA, said it secured the conviction of 35 traffickers in 2025 in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the Director-General of the agency, Mr Lucky Agazuma, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen shortly after a stakeholders’ dialogue on migration and reintegration in Benin City.

The stakeholders’ dialogue, involving non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, was organized by International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA).

Agazuma also disclosed that the agency rescued over 393 trafficked victims in the state within the period.

“We secured the conviction of 35 traffickers and also rescued 393 trafficked victims within the period,” he said.

He added that among the rescued victims, 365 were female, 20 were children, while eight were male.

He attributed one of the major challenges for rescued victims to family rejection, noting that many families expect the victims to return with affluence, but when that does not happen, they are often rejected.

He noted that the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has a zero-tolerance policy for human trafficking and is doing everything possible to curb it in the state.

Agazuma, however, called on communities to promote safe migration rather than irregular migration, where victims are subjected to inhuman treatment.

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI have repelled coordinated attacks by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters on Forward Operating Bases in Mayanti, Gajigana and Gajiram communities of Borno State.

The attacks, which occurred between late February 28 and the early hours of March 1, 2026, targeted military positions under Sector II of Operation HADIN KAI.

In a statement on Sunday, the Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, said troops foiled the assaults and inflicted casualties on the attackers.

According to the statement, Forward Operating Base, FOB, Mayanti in Bama Local Government Area came under heavy attack by a large number of insurgents.

Troops reportedly held their ground despite intense gunfire, while reinforcements navigated ambushes and improvised explosive devices, IEDs, to repel the attackers.

Military sources said five insurgents were killed during the encounter, while weapons including PKT guns, RPG-7 tubes, AK-47 rifles, FN rifles, RPG bombs and ammunition were recovered. An officer was, however, killed during the fighting.

Similarly, at about 1:15 a.m. on March 1, insurgents attacked FOB Gajiram using heavy weapons and drones but were repelled with the support of air assets.

Three bodies were recovered along the withdrawal route, alongside rifles, anti-tank bombs, mortar bombs, an armed drone and other equipment. One wounded soldier was airlifted for medical treatment.

Troops also engaged insurgents at Kayawa village, forcing them to retreat and abandon motorcycles and bicycles.

In separate ambush operations around Bulturam Corner and Dadingel in Gujba Local Government Area, two insurgents were reportedly killed and weapons recovered.

The military said all affected locations remain under its control, while operations continue across the theatre.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on Friday said that millions of Nigerians are switching political allegiance out of sheer necessity, saying their primary concern is survival.

Atiku’s remark was contained in a statement released by his media office in reaction to the defection of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He criticized the growing trend of opposition governors joining the ruling party.

Atiku argued that the spate of defections reflects mounting pressure and political intimidation rather than genuine support, alleging that the administration of Bola Tinubu is deploying state institutions to harass rivals in an attempt to edge the country toward a one-party system.

Atiku maintained that intimidation tactics cannot distract from the severe economic realities confronting citizens, pointing to escalating food prices, deepening poverty, deteriorating security, and widespread joblessness, which he blamed on ineffective economic management.

“While some governors may switch parties to protect their own interests, ordinary Nigerians are changing political camps because they are fighting to stay afloat.

“Governors may defect for personal survival. Nigerians are defecting in their millions because they want survival,” Atiku said.

He urged citizens not to equate political cross-carpeting with popularity, questioning what the APC would campaign on in 2027.

“What will the APC campaign on in 2027 — hunger? hardship? hopelessness?” He asked.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has vowed to resign if President Bola Tinubu does not win the 2027 general elections.

Okpebholo made this vow on Friday during an interview on African Independent Television, AIT.

He reeled out development projects in the state, saying that Edo people will appreciate Tinubu through the ballot come 2027.

“Edo people have not even thanked Tinubu. How they will thank him is through their votes.

“The various projects across the state are the things that will speak for Tinubu and he will win here. Bet me, if he doesn’t win, I will resign as governor.

“There’s no election here for him. I’m a politician, who under-studied Chief Aneni. My style of politics is not thuggery but grassroots,” he said.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, has commenced a full investigation into alleged child molestation and abuse in a daycare setting in Lagos, based on suggestive online posts by Simi.

According to a statement released on Friday by NAPTIP, the Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, announced the commencement of full investigations following renewed controversy over old tweets linked to alleged child sexual misconduct.

“Director-General Binta Adamu Bello has directed operatives of the agency to commence a full-scale investigation into the alleged child molestation and abuse in a daycare setting in Lagos, based on suggestive online posts linked to a popular Nigerian singer,” the statement said.

The agency had earlier appealed to the general public for anyone directly involved to reach out to them.

However, in the early hours of Friday, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

Simi, the Joromi crooner, has been facing paedophile allegations from netizens over her old tweets involving a four-year-old boy at her mother’s daycare in Lagos.

Preliminarily, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, during her appearance on Channels Television’s programme Morning Brief on Thursday, February 26, referred Simi to the Nigerian Police for a full-scale investigation.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the Lagos State Government had been monitoring developments after old tweets, allegedly posted by the singer in 2012 and 2014, resurfaced online and sparked public concern.

“I can speak for what Lagos State is doing,” she said.

According to her, the state decided to involve the police to establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

“What we have done is to refer the case to the Commissioner of Police to at least conduct some preliminary investigation,” Vivour-Adeniyi said.

She added that the alleged incident may have taken place in a crèche reportedly run by the singer’s mother.

She, however, noted that prosecution would be difficult without a complainant and appealed to anyone who may have been affected to come forward.

“It is going to be very difficult to prosecute Simi without a survivor being present. We encourage anyone who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Simi to come forward and make a statement so the process can begin,” she said.

Earlier, NAPTIP had also called on members of the public to assist with information related to the allegations, following growing discussions around alleged child sexual abuse and misconduct in daycare centres across Nigeria.

“We are committed to thoroughly investigating credible reports,” the agency said in a public notice.

The singer later addressed the controversy, insisting that the tweets were innocent jokes taken out of context. She denied any wrongdoing and said she has always spoken against rape and sexual assault.

“Fourteen years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives. I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault even before you knew I existed,” she said.

NAPTIP has again urged anyone with clear information, evidence, direct knowledge, or personal experience related to the allegations to contact the agency privately so investigations can proceed.