Bello El-Rufai, a federal lawmaker and son of former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, has addressed speculation surrounding a possible defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmaker reacted after a social media user urged him to leave the APC for the ADC.

In his response, Bello firmly dismissed the suggestion, emphasizing that his political decisions are not shaped by online pressure.

He referenced his electoral victory in Kaduna North as the basis of his stance, reminding critics of the mandate entrusted to him by voters and stressing that his primary loyalty is to the people he represents.

Referring to his win, he wrote: “Bello El-Rufai wins Kaduna North Rep seat with 51,052 to defeat the PDP candidate, Samaila who polled 34,808 votes. El-Rufai’s son sets a record by being the first candidate to win all 12 wards in Kaduna North.”

He maintained that the mandate belongs to the 51,052 constituents who elected him, not to voices on social media.

Bello added that only one circumstance could prompt him to leave the APC a directive from his father, whom he repeatedly referred to as “Mallam.”

“If Mallam asks me to leave the APC, I’ll resign the seat tonight. I can be non-Partisan. My people adore me,” he said.

He further challenged the social media user, saying: “I’ll send 10 million to you tonight if you can convince the 51,052 people that have me this mandate. Do you have an app to confirm?”

While reaffirming his deep respect for his father, Bello also underscored his loyalty to the Kaduna State administration led by Governor Uba Sani, whom he described as his “boss,” ruling out any act of disloyalty.

He revealed that after recently attending a public event with his father, he proceeded directly to a Kaduna APC caucus meeting alongside the Speaker and the governor, a move he described as both intentional and symbolic.

Bello also pointed to the opportunities he has gained within the APC, noting that the party has allowed him to collaborate with senior public officials, including Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso.

Addressing political ethics, he declared: “I will never publicly go against governor and I will not plan his demise. It is called honour.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained his decision to adopt what some critics described as “weakness” in his political confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, it was a deliberate move aimed at preserving peace, ensuring political survival, and safeguarding broader national interests.

Fubara made the remarks on Friday in Lagos while receiving a Man of the Year award at the New Telegraph Award/Dinner Night.

During his acceptance speech, he offered an emotional reflection on the pressures of leadership, ongoing political tensions, and efforts toward reconciliation in Rivers State.

“Today for me is a very special day, and also special for everyone who has believed in me, and I know for believing in me, you have a share of special pain,” the governor said.

Speaking on the prolonged political strain that has influenced governance in the state, Fubara noted that his strategy has often been misinterpreted by observers.

He emphasized that his choices were intentional and guided by a desire to maintain stability.

“Some of these pains, some persons described them as weakness, while others say it as being strong, but I choose for a lot of reasons to be weak. Weak, because I want peace.

“Weak, because we need to survive. Weak, because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation,” he said.

In a remark likely to further influence political conversations, the governor added, “weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Rescue Nigeria Alliance, RNA, has urged the Senate to revert to the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling-unit results in the amended Electoral Act or face sustained nationwide protests.

RNA made its position known on Friday at a media briefing in Abuja, declaring that any dilution of transparency amounts to an ‘assault’ on the Republic.

National Chairman of the group, Dr Basil Nwolisa, and the National Secretary, Akor Christian Oche, said the decision of the National Assembly, especially the Senate, to reject compulsory real-time upload of results after a clause-by-clause consideration of 155 provisions was a dangerous setback for Nigeria’s democracy.

It said that it had been protesting since Monday, February 9, 2026, and called for expanded, peaceful civic action from Monday, February 16, 2026, at and around the National Assembly and other symbolic locations nationwide.

“It’s either they restore the real-time electronic transmission or face total protest. We therefore condemn, in the strongest terms, the decision of the National Assembly, especially the Senate, to reject mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the newly passed Electoral Act amendment bill, after a five-hour clause-by-clause review of all 155 clauses.

“This decision is a direct attack on transparency, a dangerous setback for our democracy, and a reckless gamble with Nigeria’s stability as 2027 approaches,” the group said.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria has said divine justice will prevail over those responsible for last week’s attacks on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, expressing confidence that the perpetrators will not escape accountability.

The National Secretary of the fellowship, Bishop David Bakare, who spoke in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said Christians across the country were praying to God to avenge the victims of the attacks and strengthen security agencies to apprehend those behind the violence.

Bakare described the incident as a grave crime and a painful loss for affected families and communities, calling for sustained prayers and solidarity with victims of the attack.

He said the PFN believed divine intervention would help bring justice and restoration, while urging citizens to remain hopeful and united during the difficult period.

“We want to commiserate with the families of the victims of the Kwara attack. Our hearts go out very strongly to the people and the leadership of the state, from the governor to the people of Kaiama.

“That loss was huge, so colossal. It is a heinous crime, and even God himself will not be silent against the perpetrators of such a crime.

“We are praying as Pentecostals; we are praying as individuals that, in a very short while, the God of heaven will avenge those evildoers. God will strengthen our law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We sympathise with the people of Kwara and the people of Kaiama, and we want them to know that they are in our prayers. We know that in a short while, God will fight that battle himself,” Bakare said.

The PFN scribe commended the Federal Government for what he described as swift decisions following the attack, expressing optimism that recent actions would help curb further violence.

He acknowledged the visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima to the affected area, saying such steps demonstrated concern and responsiveness by authorities.

Bakare expressed confidence that the government and security agencies would succeed in restoring peace, noting that similar challenges in Kaduna had received intervention and attention.

He said the fellowship was hopeful that, with sustained efforts, attacks in Kwara, Kaduna and other parts of the country would soon become a thing of the past.

Nineteen suspected illegal miners have been arrested and a stolen rifle recovered following an attack on a joint security patrol in Zuzungi Kataeregi village, Niger State.

The arrests came after security operatives were ambushed on Wednesday during a routine patrol around a mining site. In the attack, a police officer was lynched and a patrol vehicle set ablaze.

Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Police, Wasiu Abiodun, told The PUNCH on Friday that a police officer was killed, his rifle taken, and another officer injured during the incident.

“Report received on 11/2/2026 indicated that some miscreants/illegal miners attacked a joint security team attached to a company; millennium metals in Zuzungi village Kataeregi, while on a routine patrol around the company business premises.

“The miscreants attacked the team, burnt the company’s patrol vehicle and unfortunately, a policeman was lynched to death, his firearm taken away and another was injured.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed reinforcement to the area, and on 12/2/2026 about 19 suspects were arrested and the rifle was recovered.

“All suspects arrested are under investigation in SCID Minna. Further development will be communicated, please,” he said.

Earlier, the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Siyaka Aniviye, had confirmed the attack, describing it as “criminal, barbaric, and a direct assault on constituted authority and Nigeria’s economic stability”.

He maintained that the corps’ operations in the mining sector are supported by law, noting that mining sites and solid mineral resources are designated as Critical National Assets, and that illegal mining amounts to economic sabotage under Nigerian law.

Detailing the events, Aniviye said: “The joint patrol team, comprising personnel of the NSCDC, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and local security operatives known as Anti-Drugs Control (ADC), in collaboration with Millennium Metals Mining Company, was on a lawful routine operation aimed at curbing illegal mining activities and preventing the unlawful smuggling of solid minerals from the mining site.

“While intercepting individuals suspected to be illegally smuggling extracted minerals from the mining area, the security team came under heavy attack by armed illegal miners.

“During the incident, the assailants set ablaze one operational Hilux vehicle belonging to the NSCDC security team.

“Regrettably, an officer paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

“His sacrifice in defence of Nigeria’s economic assets and public safety will not be in vain and is deeply mourned,” Aniviye said.

The Federal Government, through the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Thursday vowed to intensify its crackdown on illegal mining, describing the killing of a security officer in Niger State as a “criminal murder” and pledging that those responsible would be tracked down and prosecuted.

Fresh details have emerged over the leadership crisis rocking the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as rival voices within the party publicly restated their positions on its structure and political direction ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

At the centre of the dispute is the status of the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, who has rejected claims that he has been removed from office.

Bisi described the action of a stakeholders’ forum which announced his purported removal as unconstitutional and without effect.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, Bisi maintained that he remains the duly elected chairman of the party in the state and that his tenure remains valid.

“The forum lacks legal powers or mandate to remove or tamper with the elected structures of the party. I remain the chairman,” he said.

He argued that only properly constituted organs of the party, acting within the framework of its constitution, could take decisions affecting elected officials.

Bisi disclosed that the PDP in Osun had not fielded a candidate for the August governorship election and had instead endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election.

“As the PDP has no candidate for the August gubernatorial election, the party has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election. That is the fact of the situation,” he stated.

While acknowledging tensions within the party, Bisi said most elected officials in the state remained members of the PDP.

“Our elected officials minus the governor and the deputy governor remain in PDP. Our party has no candidate and we have accordingly endorsed Governor Adeleke,” he added.

The chairman also responded to remarks attributed to former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, describing them as inconsistent with the position of what he termed the mainstream structure of the party in Osun.

“The statement credited to former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is an open betrayal and a continuation of a failed 2022 plot to stop Governor Adeleke,” Bisi said.

He explained that internal divisions at the national level of the PDP had created uncertainties around the governor’s political future, prompting certain strategic decisions.

“The division within the PDP national leadership threatened the candidacy of our governor. The right thing was done by the governor to seek a platform for re-election. Prince Oyinlola was even the first to make this suggestion,” he said.

Bisi insisted that the core leadership and membership base of the party in Osun remained aligned with the current state executive and its decisions.

“The mainstream of Osun PDP stands by the governor, by our leadership and by our elected mandate as state officers which cannot be truncated by any unelected, illegal and unauthorised group,” he stated.

Earlier at a separate stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo, Prince Oyinlola had maintained that the PDP remained a viable political force in the state despite the reported defection of Governor Adeleke to the Accord Party.

According to him, the meeting was convened to clarify developments within the party at both national and state levels.

“There have been some confusing narratives being pushed out about the status of PDP, especially in Osun State, and what we have done today is to narrate situations as they are to our members, so that the entire wards and local governments in Osun will know exactly where PDP stands today in Osun State,” Oyinlola said.

Responding to suggestions that the PDP structure in the state had been collapsed into the Accord Party to facilitate Adeleke’s re-election, Oyinlola dismissed the claim.

“PDP is a party that has its tentacles in all the nooks and crannies of this country. It is not in our own time that we will allow it to die,” he said.

He added that the party remained open to future developments, stating: “We are holding on to PDP. If tomorrow, our governor decides to come back and be with his family in PDP, he is most welcome, but for now, PDP is standing in Osun State strongly.”

Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has cautioned residents against sharing images or personal details from their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, with political groups or unauthorised individuals.

The warning was issued in a statement on Thursday by the party’s Directorate of Communication, signed by its spokesperson, Oluwasegun Adekayero.

Adekayero said the party became concerned after noticing a circulating message allegedly requesting Lagos residents, particularly those on the mainland, to submit clear photographs of their PVCs via WhatsApp for political mobilisation purposes.

Describing the development as dangerous, he warned that such requests pose serious risks to voter privacy and the integrity of the democratic process.

“ADC considers it necessary, in the interest of public safety and democratic integrity, to caution Lagosians against sharing sensitive personal information with partisan groups,” Adekayero said.

He stressed that the PVC is a confidential electoral document issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and should be handled with utmost care.

“The Permanent Voter Card is a personal and confidential document that contains sensitive data which must be protected at all times,” he stated.

“Indiscriminate collection of PVC images through informal channels raises serious concerns about data privacy, voter protection and the possible misuse of citizens’ personal information,” he added.

Adekayero noted that political mobilisation should be carried out in a lawful and transparent manner that respects the rights of citizens.

“Political participation should build trust and confidence, not fear, coercion or undue pressure,” he said.

He advised residents to safeguard their PVCs and avoid transmitting copies through unsecured digital platforms, while urging the public to report any suspicious requests for voter information to the appropriate authorities.

Reaffirming the party’s stance, Adekayero said the ADC remains committed to issue-based politics and credible democratic engagement.

“We will continue to prioritise civic education, policy dialogue and lawful grassroots mobilisation, rather than the collection of private voter data,” he said, adding that democracy thrives only when citizens are informed, protected and respected.

The Accountant-General of Cross River State, Dr Glory Effiong has confirmed that as many as 1000 civil servants have not been paid their January 2026 salaries.

She attributed the delay to the failure of permanent secretaries to submit updated nominal rolls.

She disclosed that over 14,000 out of about 15,000 workers have received their salaries.

Effiong said the verification process was necessary to curb absenteeism and ensure that only active workers received pay, adding that salaries were processed once verified nominal rolls were submitted.

A notice at the Accountant-General’s Office has directed workers to channel salary enquiries through their respective permanent secretaries.

Despite the explanation, civil servants raised alarm that the figure is far more than what the AG mentioned.

They have alleged selective payment across ministries, departments and agencies.

Many affected workers claimed that more than 70 per cent of the state workforce, including senior officials and local government personnel, were yet to receive their pay as of mid-February, worsening economic hardship.

A few complained that they were yet to receive December salary.

A ministry director, Ikpi Adie, alleged that while some political appointees and selected staff had been paid, workers in key ministries such as Health, Agriculture and Education remained unpaid.

He said the delay had left many unable to meet basic needs, including school fees and household expenses.

Ikpi also faulted the directive requiring ministries to submit updated nominal rolls after partial payments had already been made, describing the situation as unprecedented and blaming inefficiencies in salary administration at the Accountant-General’s Office.

Another civil servant, Cecilia Offiong expressed frustration over the delay, noting that workers had not received salaries since December 2025.

She criticised the government’s public engagements, saying workers were struggling to survive while still being owed.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Gregory Olayi, confirmed that the union had received complaints and was engaging the government to resolve the matter.

He disputed claims that the delay was solely due to non-submission of nominal rolls, noting that some workers who complied were still unpaid.

Olayi said labour had given the state government a four-week ultimatum to address the issue, warning that further action would be taken if the concerns were not resolved.

The Chief Judge of Taraba state, Justice Joel Agya, on Thursday signed into law, the Taraba State Area Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules 2026 and the Taraba State District Courts Rule 2026.

Agya, while signing the rules at the Taraba State High Court Complex in Jalingo said the judiciary had extended its reforms to the foundation of the justice delivery system.

He said those instruments were designed to modernise procedure at the High Court and promote consistency, transparency and fairness in sentencing.

“With the signing today of the Taraba State Area Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2026 and the Taraba State District Courts Rules, 2026, we have now extended this reform to the foundation of our justice delivery system, the courts that ware closest to the people.

“Area Courts and District Courts are, for many of our citizens, the first and sometimes the only point of contact with the justice system.

” It is therefore imperative that their procedures be simple, efficient, accessible and responsive to contemporary realities. The new Rules reflect this commitment.

” First, they simplify and modernise the mode of service of processes by expressly providing for service by electronic and digital means.

” This reform recognises present-day communication realities and is aimed at reducing delays, cutting costs, and ensuring that parties are promptly notified of proceedings affecting them.

“Second, the Rules enhance and clarify the provisions relating to Inspectors of Area Courts. Effective supervision and inspection are essential to maintaining standards, promoting accountability, and strengthening public confidence in our lower courts.

“Third, the filing fees payable in the Area Courts and District Courts have been reviewed. This review was undertaken with careful consideration – to ensure sustainability of court operations while remaining mindful of access to justice for the ordinary citizen.

“Fourth, and significantly, the Rules now contain clear and coherent provisions on case management.

“By introducing structured procedures for handling cases, discouraging unnecessary adjournments, and encouraging timely disposition, we seek to foster a culture of efficiency and responsibility within our courts,” he said.

Agya emphasised that the reforms were not merely technical adjustments, but represented a broader vision.

” A judiciary that is modern in outlook, disciplined in process, humane in application, and accessible to all.

” I commend the Rules Committee, judicial officers, court administrators and all stakeholders who contributed to the drafting and refinement of these Rules. Their dedication and expertise have made this reform possible,” he added.

The chief judge further emphasised that the success of the new rules would depend not only on their text but on their faithful implementation.

He urged all judges of the District Courts, all Judges of the Area Courts, court staff, members of the Bar and all justice sector stakeholders to familiarise themselves fully with those provisions and to apply them diligently and in good faith.

According to him, the administration of justice is a sacred trust. Through these reforms, we reaffirm our resolve to deliver justice that is timely, fair, transparent and in tune with the needs of our people.