The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II state constituencies in Rivers State, scheduled for February 21, 2026.

The commission disclosed this during its extraordinary meeting held on Monday, where it also reviewed preparations for the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections, set for the same date.

DAILY POST reports that under Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is empowered to conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies in state assemblies.

Recall that the Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of its former member, while the Khana II seat was vacated due to the death of its representative.

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly has formally notified INEC of both vacancies.

A key member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dele Momodu, on Monday disclosed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may become the Abraham Lincoln of Nigeria in 2027, if God permits.

Momodu insisted that Atiku stands a strong chance of becoming Nigeria’s president in 2027.

He spoke while fielding questions from participants of an X Space session titled “Avrilsspace: The Electoral Mathematics for 2027.”

Atiku has been contesting for the presidency since 1993, when he stepped down for MKO Abiola under the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Jos, Plateau State.

In the 2023 presidential election, Atiku lost to President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ahead of the 2027 election, there are indications that he might once again vie for the presidency.

Momodu said: “There is no conflict of interest anywhere, Atiku has been running since 1993 and if God favours him, he may likely become the Abraham Lincoln of Nigeria, I leave that to God.

“Like I said, I’m never a desperate supporter of any candidate, I’m a realist but I believe that he stands the best chance today. He’s in good health, his business is thriving, and his family is adorable.

“He has conducted his lifestyle in a very simple and straightforward manner; despite the occasional skirmishes with his then boss, Obasanjo, he has never uttered any insult against him.”

Fear has spread among residents of Lagos following the arrest of two suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, in the state, according to PREMIUM TIMES.

It was gathered that the suspects, identified as Modu Gana and Ibrahim Dugge, were arrested on Sunday, December 21, by operatives of the State Security Service, SSS.

A security source familiar with the operation disclosed that the arrests were carried out in the Apapa area of Lagos at about 8:45 a.m.

The source confirmed that both men are currently in detention and undergoing interrogation.

Investigations revealed that the arrests followed intelligence reports indicating that the suspects had relocated from Nigeria’s conflict-hit North-east to Lagos.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the SSS were unsuccessful, as a representative of the agency’s media unit said the incident had not yet been formally communicated to them.

Since the redeployment of its former spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the SSS has maintained a low-profile media approach, citing operational effectiveness as the reason.

As of the time of filing this report, the purpose of the suspects’ presence in Lagos remains unclear.

There is also no immediate evidence suggesting plans to carry out attacks in the commercial hub.

Nevertheless, security analysts have warned that ISWAP has been seeking to extend its activities beyond its traditional strongholds in the North-east.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has reaffirmed that the Ogoni clean-up remains a top priority for his ministry.

Lawal made the statement when the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, led a presidential delegation, including the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and senior officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said projects recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, are progressing steadily, including mangrove restoration, healthcare services, human capacity building, and women empowerment programmes.

Also speaking, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, said the company was fully committed to the ongoing Ogoni dialogue.

He added that the focus will now be on improving the lives of the people rather than oil activities.

The Federal Government has been in talks with the Ogoni people to resume oil exploration in the area after more than 30 years.

However, some rights groups and community members opposed the move, saying the land was still polluted.

Hundreds of artisans operating within the Isheri-Idimu Powerline corridor, on Monday, staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleging threats to their livelihoods following moves to displace them from their workplace.

The protesters told reporters at the Assembly complex that suspected hoodlums, allegedly acting on the instruction of the Chairman of the Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Idris Balogun, were attempting to take over their mechanic village located along Oladun Road, Isheri-Idimu, for private interests.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Save us from land grabbers,” “Powerline belongs to government, not Omo Onile,” and “We demand competency and decency at Egbe-Idimu,” the artisans appealed to lawmakers to intervene and protect them from what they described as persistent harassment.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Chairman of the mechanic village, Adeleke Odufeko, maintained that the land was lawfully allocated to them by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.

“It was the Ministry of Transportation that allocated the space to us for use as a mechanic village. We have official approval,” Odufeko said.

He explained that the artisans were instructed not to construct permanent structures on the land and had strictly adhered to that directive.

“There are no permanent buildings there, only spaces where we keep our tools and equipment. We were also directed to pay annual royalties to the traditional rulers in Idimu and Isheri, and we have consistently done so,” he added.

Odufeko alleged that tensions escalated when Balogun, whom he described as a royal family member but not a reigning monarch, allegedly demanded payments from the artisans.

“He came and said we should start paying him money. He is related to the royal family, but he is not the king. His father was the late monarch. Since 2016, he has been harassing and intimidating us,” he claimed.

According to him, the artisans have suffered repeated arrests and intimidation.

“There is hardly any police station he has not taken us to. Some of our members were even sent to Ikoyi prison without committing any offence,” he alleged.

Odufeko also stated that despite a court order directing all parties to maintain the status quo, violence erupted at the site late last month.

“When the harassment became unbearable, we went to court in 2021. In 2024, the court ordered that the status quo be maintained and warned him not to interfere with us,” he said.

“However, on November 29, thugs accompanied by soldiers and police officers invaded the area. Vehicles undergoing repairs were damaged and shops were vandalised.”

He said officials of the Ministry of Transportation later intervened, deploying a task force to remove the hoodlums.

“But shortly after they left, the thugs returned and resumed attacks, beating people. Although some were arrested during a second intervention, we later learnt that influential individuals secured their release. Since then, peace has eluded us,” he added.

Odufeko said the artisans have been barred from operating and that he has personally been targeted because of his leadership role.

“They shut down the entire place and warned us not to work. I am being hunted because I am the chairman representing about 10,000 artisans. That is why we came to the Assembly for help,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency, Stephen Ogundipe, assured them that their grievances would be addressed.

“We are here on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashir Obasa. We have listened to your concerns and will formally present them to him,” Ogundipe said.

“We commend you for remaining peaceful. The House will invite all concerned parties, including the Ministry of Transportation and your representatives, and ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated. We urge you to remain calm and law-abiding.”

No fewer than hundred thousand supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lega Local Government Area of Kebbi State have dumped the party.

The APC supporters joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in a mega defection rally held at the weekend.

According to ADC mobilization X handle, the defectors were over 120,000.

DAILY POST reports that the embattled for Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is from Kebbi State, has been wooing politicians into the opposition party.

The former Minister, who is currently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was one of the opposition figures that adopted ADC as platform for the 2027 general elections.

The party has received significant numbers of defectors across the country.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened, with the Kabiru Turaki (SAN)-led faction heading to court over the continued sealing of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the faction is seeking an order compelling the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately unseal and vacate the PDP national headquarters, as well as all other party offices across the country.

Court filings show that the request is contained in a Motion on Notice brought by the plaintiffs through their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

The application asked the court to issue a mandatory injunction directing the police to remove all barricades and withdraw from the party’s offices without delay.

The PDP national secretariat was sealed in November following violent clashes between two rival factions of the party one led by Turaki and the other aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tension escalated after both factions fixed meetings at the headquarters on the same day, prompting police intervention.

Tear gas was reportedly deployed before the premises were locked and cordoned off with barbed wire.

As a result of the closure, the Turaki-led National Working Committee was unable to hold its postponed inaugural meeting at the secretariat.

Turaki had emerged as national chairman at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November.

However, the Wike-aligned faction rejected the convention, arguing that it breached existing court orders restraining the PDP from holding the exercise.

Ahead of the convention, Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had issued orders stopping the PDP from conducting its scheduled November 15 and 16, 2025 convention.

Despite this, a High Court in Ibadan later granted an ex parte order allowing the party to proceed.

At the Ibadan convention, the party announced the expulsion of Wike, the embattled national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, the factional chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, and eight others over alleged anti-party activities.

In the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/252/2025, the PDP, alongside Turaki and the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, asked the court to restrain the police from further interference in the party’s affairs.

The Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force are listed as defendants.

The plaintiffs specifically sought an order compelling the police to immediately remove all barricades, unseal and vacate the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, and its annex, Legacy House in Maitama, pending the determination of the suit.

They also requested an order restraining the police from sealing, occupying or restricting access to any PDP office nationwide during the pendency of the case.

In their arguments, the plaintiffs contended that the police acted without lawful authority when they sealed and occupied the party’s offices from November 18, 2025, and have remained there since.

They maintained that Turaki and Wabara are principal officers charged with the party’s administration and management.

An affidavit in support of the motion was sworn to by the PDP national secretary, Taofik Arapaja, who stated that the party held its elective national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, where new officers, including Turaki as national chairman, were elected.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission was duly notified of the outcome on November 17, 2025.

Arapaja explained that the party merely informed security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for November 18, 2025, and requested security coverage.

Instead, he alleged, a large contingent of police officers led by the FCT Commissioner of Police stormed the secretariat, fired over 200 tear gas canisters and sealed the premises.

He further claimed that party officials, staff and visiting governors, including those of Bauchi and Oyo states, were denied access to the building.

According to the affidavit, the police action was taken without any valid court order and amounted to an unlawful occupation of PDP property.

The party argued that the prolonged closure of its secretariat has severely disrupted its operations, including administrative coordination, policy formulation, membership management and preparations for future elections.

The plaintiffs also insisted that the police, as an institution established under the Nigeria Police Act 2020, must not act in a partisan manner.

They urged the court to grant the application, arguing that the balance of convenience favours the PDP and that monetary compensation would not adequately remedy the damage if the reliefs are refused.

Granting the application, they maintained, would serve the interest of justice and dispel any perception that the court is endorsing the police action. action is being endorsed by the court.

​Some youths in Kebbi State on Saturday staged a peaceful protest in Birnin Kebbi, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The protesters described Malami’s continued detention as unjustified and prolonged, despite an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.

Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been in EFCC custody since early December after reportedly failing to meet administrative bail conditions.

The investigation reportedly involves issues related to the handling of recovered Abacha loot, alleged abuse of office, and other financial matters.

Malami and his supporters, however, have denied the allegations, claiming the probe is politically motivated, particularly in light of his recent political activities and defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The protest comes amid rising tensions, with Malami’s camp accusing the EFCC of bias and calling on the commission’s chairman to recuse himself from the case.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had earlier upheld Malami’s detention, dismissing his bail application.

His supporters argue that he should either be formally charged in court or released, citing constitutional provisions against unlawful detention.

The EFCC has denied claims of political persecution, insisting that its actions are guided strictly by law and due process.