The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army said on Sunday that it would investigate allegations that some military officers were shielding drug peddlers in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

This followed accusations by the chairman of the LCDA, Jimoh Saliu, who alleged that some top military officers were protecting illicit drug peddlers in the area.

In a statement on Sunday, Saliu claimed that a place known as Gidan Drama in the Marine Beach community of Apapa, which is not far from the Tego Army Barracks, served as a hub for illicit drug activities.

Describing the area as a hideout for notorious criminals, the LCDA chairman said various criminal activities were being perpetrated there, including the sale of illicit drugs and stolen goods.

Speaking at an event marking the 70th anniversary of the Corona Schools Trust Council at St Theresa Nursery and Primary School, Marine Beach, Saliu urged the state government and well-meaning organisations to acquire the area for the construction of a secondary school.

“The security situation in the LCDA is so bad and porous that even here in Marine Beach, there is a place called Gidan Drama, which is a nightmare to our existence.

“The whole area has been troubled by these bad boys, and I have been working with the police to track them down. If you go there now, you will find top military and police officers making it difficult to arrest drug peddlers and other criminal elements operating in the area.

“When they commit any criminal act, they run into the place, and when you get there, they are protected and arrest is prevented.

“With this situation, the future of our children is uncertain. We have many millionaires and billionaires in this community, yet none is investing in its future or development. If you go to Gidan Drama at night, you will see people bringing out bales of naira to buy all sorts of illicit drugs. If any local government official goes there, they are threatened or arrested.

“I recall that three staff members of the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA were arrested two weeks ago and taken to the Naval Dockyard. I had to contact the commander to explain that they were on an intelligence visit to Gidan Drama before they were released,” he said.

Saliu commended the Corona Schools Trust Council for its initiative in investing in the education and future of children.

When contacted over the allegations made by the council chairman, the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lt Col Musa Yahaya, said the chairman needed to be specific about which arm of the military he was referring to in order to aid investigations.

“When you say ‘military,’ you are referring to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The military is a very large organisation.

“I speak for the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army. Issues like this require investigation before any response. I cannot speak on it for now, but I will make inquiries,” he told The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Sunday.

Former Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Dr Mustapha Lecky, says Nigeria is not technically ready for real-time electronic transmission of election results.

Lecky said this on Friday when he featured in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

His remark comes amid the ongoing debate on the rejection of e-transmission of election results by the Senate.

DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday reportedly turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, sub-section 3 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill that sought to make electronic transmission of election results compulsory.

Reacting, Dr Lecky said, “It doesn’t really make sense to me that we should be talking about instantaneous transmission of results live as it is happening because we don’t do electronic voting anywhere. Nigeria is not yet ready for that.

“You have to think about those things. Those things must go together. It’s not electronic voting. When we are doing electronic voting, then it can be instantaneous, right?

“So if we are not doing that, people are still coming with papers to put on the ballot box.

“And then you have to count there for everybody to see, one by one, separate them according to the political party, the argument is baseless. We don’t need electronic transmission of election results,” he said.

A Professor of Communications at Baze University, Abiodun Adeniyi, has suggested why Nigeria’s elections are always shrouded in dispute.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Friday, Adeniyi said elections are always contested and disputed because there is no transparency.

He added that the bane of Nigeria’s democracy was elections, stressing that to grow the nation’s democracy, every hand must be on deck to make elections credible.

“Obviously no one benefits because often times, we celebrate the longevity and the fact that democracy has stayed 26 years.

“But I’ve also highlighted the fact that the bane of our democracy is election, electioneering, the fact that we are so vociferous about it, always contested, always disputed, and it is disputed because there is no transparency. It’s often we find it difficult to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent election.

“The major problem we have identified, and we have also said that to grow a democracy, to consolidate it, to make it much more imbued with integrity, we need to do everything possible to make it open, transparent, credible, and one way to do this is the ramping up of technology into the process.

“So whenever citizens see anything that appears to deviate from that trajectory, it becomes very concerning, and that’s why the communication that came out from the Senate was very disturbing, until we started having some kind of problems with semantic and people started wondering that, is it a matter of inappropriate communication, miscommunication and such other things. As we speak now, I think they see a bit of confusion,” he said.

The lawmaker representing Isuikwuato constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Lucky Udoka Nweke Johnson,  has expressed sadness following the killing of a 35-year-old man, Uche Simon by unknown gunmen.

Johnson, who  raised a  matter of urgent public importance on the floor of Abia State House of Assembly during plenary session, also said that the motorcycle belonging to the victim was stolen by his attackers.

He noted  that the incident happened on January 28, 2026 when his constituent, Uche Simon was returning home with his motorcycle.

The lawmaker also said that  on January 29, 2026, one  Awba Abdulsalam, a 19-year-old motor boy, was also  shot  dead  by gunmen, at Nnunya junction, also in  Isuikwuato.

While confirming that the Police and the Vigilante were working round the clock to arrest those responsible for the crimes, Johnson called for a collaboration between security agencies in Abia and Imo States, particularly around Okigwe zone to address insecurity, and for effective intelligence sharing.

He called for the dismantling of informal settlements around ABSU and Uta Farm, suggesting that a similar approach used in the Lokpa cattle market should be implemented in his own area.

The Isuikwuato constituency representative, who also called for the installation of solar-powered surveillance cameras in the area, assured his constituents that he was working hard to ensure their safety.

The North East Development Commission, NEDC, has expressed deep sympathy to the Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, Bauchi State Chapter, and the Bauchi State Government over a tragic road accident that occurred on the Bauchi–Alkaleri road on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The accident, as gathered by DAILY POST, involved journalists who were accompanying an NEDC delegation during the commissioning and handover of completed projects across Bauchi State.

In a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Corporate Services, Abba Musa, the governing board, management, and staff of the Commission described the incident as heartbreaking and extended their condolences to the affected journalists, their families, and the entire journalism community.

The Commission announced that its governing board has approved the provision of full support and care for victims of the accident and their families.

It added that contacts are already being made with the respective parent organizations of the affected journalists, as well as their families, to ensure coordinated assistance.

The NEDC also joined colleagues in the media industry in praying for the quick and complete recovery of those injured in the incident.

The accident, as noticed by our reporter, came barely a few weeks after the tragic accident that occurred in the nearby Gombe State that killed not less than seven journalists and media workers.

The passage of the electoral act amendment bill by the senate on Thursday has drawn sharp criticism from experts, who say the rejection of real-time transmission of election results risks eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s elections.
Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs analyst has criticized the National Assembly over their decision, describing it as a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, Shehu said the refusal by lawmakers to approve key electoral reforms shows a deliberate attempt to undermine the value of citizens’ votes.

“It is one assault too many. The Senators has abandoned the very reasons Nigerians elected them and have continued to take the people for granted.”

Shehu warned that by rejecting reforms such as mandatory electronic transmission of election results, the Senate was sending a dangerous message that votes may no longer count.

“When votes will not count, there is no point voting,” he stated.

Shehu likened the Senate’s action to deadly global disasters.

“The Senate’s action can be likened to HIV, Ebola and a Tsunami combined,” he said.

He added that the damage to democracy could be long-lasting.

He also accused the political system of failing to provide checks and balances, claiming that the executive, legislature and judiciary were no longer holding one another accountable.

“When the executive, judiciary and legislature, who are supposed to check each other, are actively in bed with one another, reforms become a mirage; a dream within a dream,” Shehu said.

He further alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had become compromised, describing it as a convenient selection of the president.

“INEC is expected to do the bidding of the president, which is to be declared winner whether he wins or not,” he claimed.

According to him, the continued weakening of democratic institutions could push Nigerians to begin questioning the future of the country.

“Less than two million people are destroying the lives, livelihoods and commerce of over 250 million Nigerians,” he said.

Electoral act amendment is a deliberate plot for 2027 – NNPP’s Ibrahim Karaye

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State also described the recent amendment to the Electoral Act as a calculated political move by the ruling party to gain advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, the NNPP Kano State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Ibrahim Karaye, said the Senate’s decision was not accidental but a deliberate strategy to manipulate future elections.

“I see it as a deliberate political move by the ruling party. This is because the 2023 election was one of the closest contests in Nigeria’s history, with very little difference between the contestants.”

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerged as president with minority votes, a development he said had made the ruling party uncomfortable with a free and fair electoral process going forward.

“President Tinubu is the only president in this democratic dispensation that won the presidency with minority votes. So the ruling party is now planning to maneuver the outcome of the 2027 election in its favour.”

Karaye said the rejection of key electoral reforms, including mandatory electronic transmission of results, was aimed at weakening transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

Despite these concerns, the NNPP spokesman said the Senate’s decision would not discourage Nigerians from participating in future elections.

“I don’t think this decision will affect voter confidence or turnout. Our people are very determined to come out en masse and change their destiny, which I strongly believe is in their hands.”

He argued that Nigerians were more politically aware than ever before and understood the stakes ahead of the 2027 polls.

“This is the first time in the history of this country that almost all the resources that should be channelled towards citizens’ welfare are being diverted to fund politics and prepare for the 2027 elections,” Karaye claimed.

He also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively participate in the electoral process to protect their votes.

“Every citizen should be ready to defend their electoral rights,” he said. “People must participate fully in the process and work together to block rigging and voter manipulation.”

He stressed that protecting democracy required collective effort and lawful civic engagement.

He added that citizens must not allow their votes to be taken for granted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties.

The registration brings the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21. The Commission warned that persistent internal leadership crises within parties pose a serious threat to democratic consolidation as preparations for the 2027 General Election intensify.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday 5th February, 2026 in Abuja at the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in 2026, describing the year as a critical phase of heightened electoral activities that would test the preparedness and commitment of all stakeholders.

Speaking on political party registration, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. He explained that the applications were assessed strictly in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

According to him, only 14 associations scaled the initial prequalification stage, while eight successfully uploaded their documents on the Commission’s dedicated portal. Following final assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, the Chairman said only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all conditions and was consequently registered as a political party with effect from 5th February 2026.

He further disclosed that INEC would comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which ordered the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. With the registration of the two parties, Prof. Amupitan noted that Nigeria now has 21 registered political parties, adding that certificates of registration would be presented to the new parties in due course.

The INEC Chairman expressed deep concern over the increasing incidence of leadership disputes within political parties, describing the trend as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy and a distraction to the Commission’s core mandate. He noted that frequent litigations arising from internal party crises often result in INEC being joined as a party, thereby diverting time and resources from election management.

According to him, such disputes create uncertainty among party members and supporters, erode public confidence in the political system and undermine democratic stability. While reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, Prof. Amupitan urged party leaders to prioritise internal democracy, transparent leadership and constructive dialogue, stressing that cohesive party structures are indispensable to credible elections.

On ongoing and forthcoming electoral activities, the Chairman recalled that shortly after assuming office, the Commission successfully conducted the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election in November 2025, which he said was widely acknowledged as credible, peaceful and transparent.

He said INEC is currently focused on the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026, noting that over 1.68 million registered voters are expected to vote across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils. He added that non-sensitive materials had been delivered, training of Electoral Officers, Assistants and election security personnel concluded, while BVAS devices were being configured ahead of the polls.

Prof. Amupitan also disclosed that bye-elections would hold the same day in Rivers State for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies, as well as in Kano State for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies, following vacancies occasioned by resignation and the death of lawmakers.

Looking ahead, the INEC Chairman confirmed that the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on 20th June 2026, while the Osun State governorship election is scheduled for 8th August 2026, noting that activities in the respective timetables were progressing as scheduled.

On the 2027 General Election, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had finalised the Timetable and Schedule of Activities in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, but was awaiting the conclusion of ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly. He urged stakeholders to encourage the legislature to expedite the process to ensure a stable legal framework well ahead of the elections.

The Chairman also announced that INEC would soon embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of 2027, explaining that despite regular updates since 2011, the current voters’ register still contains anomalies such as duplicate registrations, inclusion of deceased persons and inaccurate records, which undermine public confidence.

He described a credible voters’ register as the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections and said sanitising the register was essential to strengthening the integrity of the electoral process.

Prof. Amupitan further lamented the steady decline in voter turnout over successive elections, citing presidential election figures that dropped from 53.7 per cent in 2011 to 26.7 per cent in 2023. While noting that technologies such as BVAS have eliminated ballot stuffing and ghost voting, he stressed that voter apathy cannot be addressed by technology alone.

He called on political parties to intensify voter education and mobilisation efforts, noting that rebuilding public trust and inspiring citizens to participate in the electoral process is a shared responsibility.

On the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the INEC Chairman disclosed that 2,782,587 eligible voters were registered during the first phase conducted between August and December 2025, while the second phase, which commenced in January 2026, will run until April 2026. He warned that multiple registration is a violation of the law and assured that INEC’s technology would detect and remove offenders from the voters’ register.

Responding, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment and described the consultative meeting as timely, given the scale of electoral activities leading to the 2027 General Election.

Dr. Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s expectation that INEC would continue to act independently, neutrally and decisively, while providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

He acknowledged the prevalence of leadership disputes within some political parties and urged INEC to be guided strictly by the constitutions of the respective parties when recognising and publishing party leadership on its website, noting that such recognition confers legitimacy and determines the official leadership with which the Commission engages.

According to him, strict adherence to party constitutions would reduce litigations, dispel perceptions of bias or interference and strengthen internal party democracy. He also urged political parties to utilise IPAC’s internal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting prematurely to the courts.

The IPAC Chairman further called on the National Assembly to expedite the harmonisation of the electoral legal framework, stressing that time was of the essence as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State has accused former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of neglecting his home community while in office.

The allegation was made at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Tambuwal, where the party’s local government chairman, Isa Sadiq Achida, said the former governor failed to deliver meaningful development to the area during his tenure.

Achida also criticised Tambuwal’s reported involvement in a political coalition, describing it as a regrouping of familiar political figures rather than a new movement. He urged residents, particularly youths, to support continuity rather than align with what he described as recycled political interests.

During the meeting, the APC formally received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including three former councillors.

Representing the Tambuwal Local Government Chairman, the Council Leader, Nasiru Jabo, said the local government leadership remained committed to improving the party’s performance in future elections.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Ala, disclosed that the state government had approved the establishment of three secondary schools in Tambuwal Local Government Area.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Aminu Dikko, said several indigenes of Tambuwal had been appointed into political offices under the current administration.

He dismissed speculation about any personal political ambition, saying he would abide by party decisions.

Efforts to reach former Governor Tambuwal for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, the PDP, through its spokesperson, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, said the party would respond at an appropriate time.