The Peoples Democratic Party in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has said that it is fully prepared for February 21, 2026, area council elections.

The FCT Publicity Secretary of the party, Josephine Itoyah-Splendor, made the declaration in a statement on Sunday.

The party insisted that its candidates are duly qualified and recognised by both the party’s national leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

This comes against the backdrop of ongoing internal wranglings within the party, including disputes involving a faction linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other party stakeholders.

“Our candidates, men and women of proven integrity and commitment, have been duly approved and signed in by the Damagum-led National Working Committee,” the statement said.

The opposition party further explained that it is entering the polls united and confident of victory, dismissing reports questioning the eligibility of its candidates as misinformation.

A former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clarified that he does not need to officially join the Africa Democratic Congress, ADC.

According to Obi, he has always been a member of the ADC and was part of the coalition from its inception.

He stated this while speaking during an X Space on Sunday night.

Obi also made it clear that he will always have respect for ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.

“I am not joining ADC. I can’t re-join what I am already a part of,” Obi said.

“I’ve been part of the coalition from day one.

“Nobody is stepping down for me in ADC.

“We have all agreed to work together and Atiku remains my respected leader.”

The National Judicial Council has disclosed that 34 applicants, including a Chief Superintendent of Police, failed the judges’ appointment integrity test conducted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The council made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, explaining that while 62 applicants passed the Computer-Based Test conducted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, only 28 nominees emerged successful after the integrity screening.

According to the NJC, the 62 candidates who passed the CBT were forwarded to the FJSC for further assessment in line with the integrity policy recently introduced by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

Upon assuming office, Justice Kekere-Ekun introduced a public-feedback-based integrity test for judicial appointments, allowing members of the public to submit petitions or comments on shortlisted nominees.

The NJC statement said, “Sixty-two applicants passed the CBT conducted by the Federal High Court. Their names were forwarded to the FJSC. In line with the policy introduced by the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the FJSC published the names of the 62 nominees to invite public feedback on their integrity, reputation and suitability for judicial appointment. The publication was made on September 17, 2025.”

One petition, sighted by The PUNCH, accused a serving CSP of collecting bribes and lacking the requisite integrity to be appointed as a judge.

The petition, submitted by a legal practitioner on behalf of a client, alleged that the officer had a reputation for soliciting bribes, rendering her unsuitable for judicial office.

The petition alleged that while serving as Officer-in-Charge of the Legal Section at Zone 7 Police Command, Abuja, the CSP demanded N1m through a proxy to grant bail during a court enforcement exercise on January 16, 2025.

The petitioners claimed that the matter was investigated by the Police Service Commission, and the money was traced to the CSP’s account, demonstrating a lack of integrity.

The petitioners commended the judiciary for the integrity screening process, calling it necessary to restore public confidence in the justice system.

They urged the NJC to reject the CSP’s nomination, stating: “She is a corrupt police officer and, if appointed, would only become a corrupt judicial officer.”

Following the public feedback process, the FJSC forwarded only 28 names to the NJC, with 34 nominees failing the integrity test.

The Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, confirmed that the NJC is scheduled to meet on January 13 and 14 to deliberate on issues arising from the selection process.

She said the 28 shortlisted nominees would face the council’s interview panel ahead of the meeting.

Ogedengbe added that the council remained resolute in maintaining high standards, stressing that transparency and judicial integrity remain top priorities under the administration of Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun.

A civil society coalition, the Patriots, has pledged its support for the National Assembly’s decision to re-gazette the Tax Acts 2025, amid controversy over alleged alterations between the versions passed by parliament and those said to be in circulation within government agencies.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Coordinator, Muhammad Dauda, the group said its independent review showed that the tax laws, as passed by the National Assembly, were intact and free of material discrepancies.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of growing public concern following claims that certain provisions of the newly enacted tax laws were modified after passage by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The allegations sparked intense debate among stakeholders, including tax professionals, civil society groups and lawmakers, with fears that post-legislative alterations could undermine legislative authority and legal certainty.

In response, the House of Representatives recently resolved to probe the allegations and constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to examine the versions of the Tax Acts as passed by the legislature, the harmonised conference reports and the copies published in the Official Gazette.

The House also directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to make available Certified True Copies of the Acts to the public, as part of efforts to promote transparency and restore confidence in the legislative process.

Reacting to these developments, the Patriots expressed support for the leadership of the National Assembly, insisting that the authoritative versions of the laws remain the Votes and Proceedings of both chambers.

The statement read in part, “We, the Patriots, a coalition of civil society organisations committed to constitutional governance, the rule of law, and legislative accountability, wish to express our firm support for the leadership of the National Assembly regarding the decision to re-gazette the Tax Acts 2025.

“Recent public discourse has highlighted alleged discrepancies between the versions published in the Official Gazette and the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“It is important to state clearly that the Votes and Proceedings of May 28, 2025 of the Senate and the House of Representatives constitute the authoritative records of the decisions of the National Assembly on these Acts.

“We are aware that these Votes and Proceedings were published as far back as May 29, 2025, and have been in circulation since then.”

According to the group, a careful comparison of the harmonised copies of the laws with the Votes and Proceedings and the conference reports revealed no substantive differences.

“We have taken our time to carefully go through the harmonised copies of these Acts and the Votes and Proceedings, as well as the Conference Reports.

“Interestingly, we are yet to see any material discrepancies in the records of the National Assembly.”

The Patriots further addressed claims that conflicting versions of the Acts were published in the Official Gazette, stressing that gazetting is an administrative, not legislative, function.

“It is alleged that there are two versions of the Acts published in the Official Gazette. We are yet to ascertain this allegation.

“However, gazetting is a ministerial and administrative function, not a legislative responsibility. It exists to give the public notice of laws already validly enacted; it does not confer authority to alter, amend, or rewrite laws passed by the National Assembly.

“Accordingly, any variance arising from administrative publication cannot override what both Houses of the National Assembly duly approved,” it added.

The group cited several judicial authorities to support its position, including AGF vs Guardian Newspaper Ltd (1989) 1 NWLR (Pt. 99) 1; AG of Lagos State vs AG of the Federation (1986) NWLR (Pt. 17) 244; and AG, Ondo State vs AG of the Federation (2002) 6 NWLR (Pt. 764) 279, all of which affirm the supremacy of parliamentary records over administrative publications.

While acknowledging that allegations of alterations are serious, the Patriots argued that such claims must be proven and addressed through lawful means.

“While allegations of alterations are serious and must be addressed through appropriate internal machinery, it is settled in law that the burden of proof lies on those making such allegations.

“We have carefully studied the allegations, and our findings revealed that there are no material alterations. Pending any judicial determination, Acts duly passed by the National Assembly remain valid and binding,” the statement further read.

The group endorsed the decision to re-gazette the laws as the proper remedy, warning against calls for suspension, repeal or re-enactment.

“We totally agree with the leadership of the National Assembly that re-gazetting the Tax Acts in their correct form – as reflected in the harmonised clean copies, the Votes and Proceedings and the Conference Report – is proper, lawful and appropriate remedy.

“Calls for suspension of implementation or repeal and re-enactment are unnecessary, constitutionally unsound and risk creating avoidable legal and fiscal uncertainty,” it said.

The Patriots also commended the directive to issue Certified True Copies of the Acts to the public, describing it as a step that would enhance transparency and public trust.

“We urge all aggrieved persons and the general public to respect parliamentary records, support prompt re-gazetting of the Acts, and refrain from narratives that undermine the authority of democratic institutions.

“We make the above submissions in the best interest of our country, the citizens and for good governance to prevail in our dear nation,” it stressed.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the state government of imposing restrictions on the use of billboards by the opposition ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The party, in a statement by the chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Friday, alleged that the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke had created an uneven playing field for political activities by directing the state’s signage regulatory agency to halt approval for APC campaign billboards in parts of the capital, Osogbo.

Lawal said the directive was targeted at the party and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

According to the statement, “the state government allegedly instructed O’ Signage Agency not to approve the erection or pasting of APC billboards within Osogbo, particularly along the Akoda axis to the Osogbo City Stadium corridor, for a specified period leading to the election.”

The Osun APC chairman, while claiming that the decision amounted to a misuse of incumbency power, added that it was intended to restrict the campaign visibility of the APC candidate.

“The directive is oppressive, unlawful and aimed at stifling opposition activities,” he said.

The APC alleged that the state government had ordered the signage agency to identify owners of existing billboards across Osogbo and compensate them for up to three years per billboard, a move the party described as unusual and politically motivated.

Describing the development as undemocratic, the APC chairman said the party would resist the directive through lawful means.

He stated that the party believed the action was inconsistent with democratic principles and the right of political parties to campaign freely.

Referencing the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, formerly known as APCON, the APC noted that the alleged directive was not in line with national advertising regulations governing political communication.

“We want to put all statutory security agencies on notice, including the Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to be aware of this development,” Lawal said in the statement.

The APC leadership called on the Adeleke administration to reconsider the alleged policy, urging the government to allow all political parties to operate on equal terms ahead of the election.

The party maintained that its governorship candidate would continue preparations for the poll, insisting that no administrative action would prevent participation in lawful campaign activities across the state.

Efforts to get the spokesperson of the Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, to react to the allegation proved abortive as he was not responding to calls made to his phone number.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has vindicated former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the G-5 governors who were previously labelled as traitors.

Speaking during an interview on TVC, Fayose said, “Most of the governors that jumped did so in their own interest, what they felt would secure their future and their people. I wouldn’t blame them.”

He disclosed that he had earlier warned PDP leaders about looming challenges within the party.

“When the roof started sinking, I came out and spoke. I told Sẹ́un Okinbaloye that the PDP would face a lot of challenges,” he stated.

Fayose said Wike was open about grievances within the party, particularly regarding agreements reached with the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which he claimed were not honoured.

“Governor Wike did not hide anything. He openly said that what Atiku agreed with them was not done. He fought that cause and he did not fight alone,” Fayose said.

He added that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other members of the G-5 alliance stood firm, noting that they engaged the president on several occasions.

According to Fayose, although many Nigerians initially branded the G-5 governors as traitors, recent events have changed perceptions.

“Many people saw the G-5 governors as traitors. But if you sit back now, the presidential candidate of the PDP has left, the vice-presidential candidate has left, governors and senators have left,” he said.

Fayose concluded that the mass defections show that Wike had foreseen the crisis earlier than others.

“That means Wike has been vindicated. What they never saw, Wike saw earlier on,” he said.

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said the Federal Government will operate a single budget from March 2026.

Agbese disclosed this on Friday in an interview with journalists in Abuja, stating that the repeal and re-enactment of both budgets would ensure a coherent and predictable funding structure.

He said the repeal and re-enactment of the budget is intended to align the nation’s budgeting system with global and international best practices.

According to him, it would also ensure transparency and accountability at all levels and lessen the burden of oversight during implementation.

“By adopting a single budget after 31 March 2026, the executive will be able to execute the budget without much hassle. When there is a single funding system, it becomes easier to manage cash flow and ensure timely releases,” he said.

The deputy spokesperson of the Green Chamber also praised President Tinubu for promising budget discipline and economic stability.

Agbese added that the parliament is committed to reforms that would strengthen public finance management, improve service delivery, and restore public confidence in the budgeting process.

DAILY POST reports that the Federal Government has faced significant challenges in executing the 2024 and 2025 budgets, resulting in the operation of multiple appropriations within a single fiscal year.

It is recalled that on Tuesday, the National Assembly, at the request of President Tinubu, repealed and re-enacted the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

It also extended the implementation timeline of the 2025 budget through March 2026 to ensure fiscal alignment and continuity of public expenditure.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has stated that, in close coordination with the Government of the United States of America, it successfully conducted precision strike operations against two major Islamic State ISIS terrorist enclaves located within the Bauni Forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

A statement signed by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, said intelligence confirmed that these locations were being used as assembly and staging grounds by foreign ISIS elements infiltrating Nigeria from the Sahel region, in collaboration with local affiliates, to plan and execute large-scale terrorist attacks within Nigerian territory.

The minister stated that the precision strike operations were executed between 00:12 hours and 01:30 hours on Friday, 26 December 2025, following explicit approval by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and that the operation was carried out under established command and control structures, with the full involvement of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and under the supervision of the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff.

“The strikes were launched from maritime platforms domiciled in the Gulf of Guinea, after extensive intelligence gathering, operational planning, and reconnaissance,” the statement said.

“A total of 16 GPS-guided precision munitions were deployed using MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial platforms, successfully neutralising the targeted ISIS elements attempting to penetrate Nigeria from the Sahel corridor.

“During the course of the operation, debris from expended munitions fell in Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel. No civilian casualties were recorded in either location, and relevant authorities promptly secured the affected areas.”

The Federal Government of Nigeria reiterated its unwavering resolve to confront, degrade, and eliminate terrorist threats, particularly those posed by transnational extremist networks seeking to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and security. Nigeria remains fully aligned with its strategic partners and Friends of Nigeria in executing coordinated actions aimed at ensuring lasting peace, border security, and regional stability.

The Federal Government assured all Nigerians that it remains firmly in control of the national security architecture and is fully committed to the protection of lives and property. Citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant as decisive actions continue against all terrorist groups threatening the nation.