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16th February 2026 10:23 AM 
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the swift implementation of the revitalised peace agreement in South Sudan, urging the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, and other key opposition figures.
The pledge was made in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, on Monday.
The statement highlighted President Tinubu’s position, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, also called the C-5 Plus Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the margins of the 39th AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The summit was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Nigerian leader said the country joins other African nations in recognising the South Sudanese people’s desire for peace, sustainable development, and a speedy resolution of the conflict.
Tinubu stressed that national unity and elite consensus were crucial to achieving progress in the country’s transition, urging African leaders to prioritise inclusive, peaceful, and transparent elections as the only way to build trust and confidence in the country’s future and leadership.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s role in the recently launched Regional Partnership for Democracy and called attention to the adverse effects of insecurity and political tension on South Sudan’s transitional processes, including security sector reforms and constitution drafting.
President Ramaphosa commended African leaders for their determination to resolve the conflict and noted the delayed implementation of the revitalised agreement, eight years after it was endorsed.
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VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA RETURNS TO ABUJA AFTER 39TH AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union, AU, Heads of State and Government.
The summit held between Saturday and Sunday, focused on advancing continental commitments toward sustainable water management, improved sanitation systems, and the broader development aspirations encapsulated in the AU’s Agenda 2063 framework.
Besides the Heads of State meetings, Vice-President Shettima participated in high-level side events and bilateral engagements with political and business leaders aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic, economic, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
Meanwhile, the vice-president secured the goodwill of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, who urged Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a new global order.
Shettima also called for a continental shift towards health security sovereignty in Africa aimed at moving the continent from reliance on foreign aids to self-sufficient, homegrown health systems.
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The Nigerian Senate has reeled out empirical data that guided its decision to make the electronic transmission of election results discretionary rather than mandatory in the ongoing reform of the country’s electoral governance framework.
The upper chamber stated that the decision was based on the stark realities of the country and not on emotion or sentiment, after due consultation and engagement with principal actors in the country’s communications and power sectors, among others.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, clarified the position of the upper chamber through a statement issued by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in Abuja.
According to him, lawmaking comes with huge obligations globally and the senate cannot discharge such responsibilities to the detriment of the citizenry.
Recall that the senate had resolved against Clause 60 of the Electoral Bill, 2026.
In specific terms, the clause stipulates that the presiding officer “shall electronically transmit the results from each polling unit to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) in real time…”
Meanwhile the senate subsequently reviewed the contentious clause to further strengthen the electronic transmission of results, in response to public demand, though with a caveat that in the event of internet failure, Form EC8A would serve as the primary means of result collation.
Bamidele, however, described Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill, 2026 as an initiative that any legislature or parliament globally would have embraced ordinarily.
He cited its potential to deepen trust in the democratic institutions, especially the National Assembly and INEC.
The senate leader explained that the senate looked at the other side of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Bill 2026, revealing that the country’s communication and power infrastructure would not guarantee the real-time electronic transmission of election results as envisaged by some stakeholders.
Citing data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bamidele said Nigeria had only achieved about 70 per cent broadband coverage in 2025 while it’s internet user penetration was only 44.53 per cent of the population within the same timeframe.
He also cited the Speedtest Global Index, which ranked Nigeria 85th out of 105 countries in mobile network reliability and 129th out of 150 countries in fixed internet broadband reliability.
The senator equally cited official data that revealed the state of the power infrastructure, indicating that, at least, 85 million Nigerians “still lack access to grid electricity. This figure amounts to about 43 per cent of the population.
With the conditions of the country’s communication and power infrastructure, Bamidele expressed doubt over the practicability of the real-time electronic transmission of election results, noting that making such a provision mandatory could plunge the country into crisis.
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Protesters returned to the National Assembly on Monday, demanding that real-time electronic transmission of election results be made mandatory in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026.
Demonstrators, including civil society groups, insisted that manual collation be completely eliminated to prevent manipulation during the collation of results.
The protest comes after a five-day break from the National Assembly, following assurances from the last Tuesday sitting.
Security operatives reportedly barricaded the entrances to the complex, forcing the crowd to hold their demonstration outside the gates.
The demonstrators are insisting on full transparency and mandatory real-time e-transmission, arguing that there is no justification for manual backups since the election budget already covers technological requirements.
Recall the Senate reconvened for an emergency plenary last Tuesday to revisit its earlier decision on Clause 60 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
This action sparked heated objections from other senators, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), who repeatedly raised points of order.
At the end of deliberations, the Senate approved electronic transmission to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal but allowed manual collation as a backup in case of technical failures.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m. to make further decisions on national issues. However, the protesters vowed to continue pressing lawmakers until full real-time transmission is guaranteed.
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SULTAN OF SOKOTO URGES MUSLIMS TO LOOK FOR RAMADAN CRESCENT TUESDAY
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged Muslims across the country to search for the crescent of Ramadan immediately after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, corresponding to 29 Sha’aban 1447 A.H.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of NSCIA, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, made the declaration in the press statement signed by the Secretary-General of NSCIA, Prof Is-haq Oloyede.
The Council said the crescent should be observed after sunset on the specified date, noting that the National Moon Sighting Committee, in consultation with the National Space Research and Development Agency, has put facilities in place to monitor and report credible sightings.
According to the statement, if the crescent is sighted on Tuesday evening, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the NSCIA will declare Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan. #
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The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has faulted what it described as a viral report of misrepresentation of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which affirmed an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court on the powers of Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
In a statement signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, the ministry said its attention was drawn to reports mischaracterising the appellate court’s decision, which upheld a ruling declaring the impounding or confiscation of vehicles and imposition of fines by VIO officials in the FCT illegal.
It recalled that Justice Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had held in 2025 that the respondents in the suit which included the Director of Road Transport; the Team Leader, the Area Commander Jabi; as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound or confiscate vehicles and/or impose fines on motorists.
It said that the court consequently restrained the VIO from carrying out such actions in Abuja.
According to the ministry, both courts based their decisions on the absence of statutory power conferred on the respondents under laws applicable in the FCT.
While acknowledging the validity of the rulings, the Lagos State Government stressed that the judgment, though binding, is not of general application or of nationwide effect in Nigeria.
It further clarified that only parties to the suit and any state that has no statute on VIO, like FCT Abuja, are bound by the judgments, noting that Nigeria operates a federal system of government with clearly defined legislative powers between federal and state authorities.
The statement further emphasised that vehicle inspection and traffic management fall within residual matters for states and that Lagos has its own statutory framework regulating such activities.
It said that, unlike the FCT, Lagos State has enabling provisions under its transport laws establishing the Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, and defining its enforcement powers.
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The All-Progressives Congress, APC, has firmly rejected opposition claims that it will implode after its forthcoming national convention, describing the projections as misguided and politically motivated.
The party said the narrative was being driven by rivals seeking relevance amid their own internal disarray and electoral uncertainty ahead of the next political cycle.
Lagos State APC Spokesman, Seye Oladejo, made the remarks in a statement issued, insisting the ruling party remained cohesive and forward-looking.
According to him, the APC continues to be defined by resilience, discipline and a structured commitment to internal democracy.
The spokesman argued that while the APC was consolidating structures, opposition parties remained weakened by leadership disputes and persistent defections.
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OGUN ADC SUSPENDS CHAIRMAN OVER REPORTED CHAOS AT PARTY EVENT
The Ogun State Executive Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Femi Soluade and suspended him from office as Chairman pending the outcome of an investigation into a series of allegations levelled against him.
The party condemned Soluade for allegedly leading armed individuals to disrupt the governorship declaration of Jimi Lawal in Abeokuta.
ADC said in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, that the party has appointed the deputy chairman, Adedeji Abiodun, as acting state chairman pending the conclusion of the investigation.
A disciplinary panel was also constituted to examine the allegations against Soluade.
The panel was mandated to submit its report to the State Executive Committee within 14 days.
The statement read: “The State Executive Committee (SEC) of our great party, at its duly convened meeting held today, Sunday, 15th February, 2026, at the party State Secretariat, deliberated extensively on the numerous allegations levelled against the state chairman, Otunba Dr Femi Soluade.
The committee said such conduct, if established after due investigation, was not only unbecoming of a party leader but also constituted a serious breach of party discipline and a threat to public peace and safety.
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Troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army have neutralised two terrorists during a tactical operation conducted along Akunu–Auga road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Irabor Njoka, made this known in a statement on Monday in Akure.
Njoka said the operation was carried out on Feb. 14 by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Auga, explaining that the troops acting on credible intelligence on the movement of the criminals within the area, swiftly mobilised and intercepted the suspects.
The Assistant Director stressed that the troops’ interception of the criminals led to a firefight that resulted in neutralising two of the terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
He therefore revealed that the success of the operation highlighted the Nigerian Army’s unwavering resolve to deny criminals freedom of action and movement, as well as to protect lives and property across the state.
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GOVERNOR OKPEBHOLO OF EDO STATE NAMES MOMODU COMMISSIONER-DESIGNATE
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo has approved the appointment of Andrew Momodu as Commissioner-designate.
The decision was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, in Benin.
Ikhilor described Momodu as a seasoned political administrator and public affairs practitioner with extensive governance and security coordination experience.
He said Momodu had held strategic roles across government and party structures over the years, noting that the appointee previously served as Special Adviser on Security and Public Order, coordinating critical safety matters across the state.
Momodu also served as political aide to Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo governor and ex-national chairman of the APC.
According to Ikhilor, Momodu has remained active in civic discourse and political education to promote democratic participation.
In 2023, Momodu contested a House of Representatives seat to deepen his commitment to public service.
His nomination will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation, in line with constitutional provisions.
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POLICE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTS OVER MURDER OF THREE CAMEROONIANS IN ANAMBRA STATE
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested four additional suspects over the murder of three Cameroonian nationals in the state.
Recall that the gang of suspects reportedly kidnapped and murdered the victims in November 2025 and dumped their bodies in a river in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state, while some days later, police operatives found their decomposing bodies floating on the river.
Following the discovery, the command launched an investigation which led to the arrest of two suspects who had been assisting with information.
However, in a statement released on Monday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that through the confession of the two suspects already in custody, four more suspects were arrested by security operatives on February 13, 2026.
Ikenga also disclosed that the suspects, all males, were arrested in a shrine located in Nando, Anambra East LGA, after a fierce gun duel, stating that two pump action guns, one locally made Beretta pistol, one machete, assorted ammunition and criminal charms were recovered from the suspects during the arrest.
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VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA LEADS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO KANO STATE OVER MARKET FIRE DISASTER
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Kano on account of the Saturday Market fire disaster.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.According to the statement, delegation, scheduled to depart Abuja on Monday, will convey Tinubu’s sympathies to traders who lost billions of naira in the Saturday fire.
President Tinubu therefore expressed sadness that the incident was the second at the same market in less than two weeks.
The delegation will also pledge financial assistance to support victims and aid Kano State in facilitating the quick reopening of the market.
Members of the delegation include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibrin.
Others are Sen. Kawu Ismaila and Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation.
Also on the delegation are the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, and the Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar.
The fire, which reportedly started on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning, caused extensive damage to the market.
The President had earlier spoken on telephone with Governor Abba Yusuf to obtain a situation report on the incident.
President Tinubu also directed a comprehensive investigation into the causes of recurrent market fires.
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The Government of Adamawa State, has called on residents to turn out en-masse to welcome President Bola Tinubu as he embarks on a one-day working visit to the state on Monday.
In a public announcement issued, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Iliya James, said temporary road closures would be enforced to ensure a smooth and secure visit by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The roads affected include; Airport–Kofare Road through Galadima Aminu Way/Bank Road, Jimeta Grade Interchange/Police Roundabout, Justice Buba Ardo Way, Adamawa Sunshine Express–Faro Road, as well as other connecting routes.
The state government therefore urged the residents to come out to receive the President, while advising motorists to ply alternative routes during the visit.
According to the state government, Tinubu’s visit will feature the inauguration of several projects executed under the administration of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
The Commissioner disclosed that the President would inaugurate the newly constructed underpass at the former Bekaji Roundabout, the expanded Bank Road in Yola, and a model school in Yola North Local Government Area, one of 21 recently built across the state.
Tinubu is also expected to perform the groundbreaking ceremony for a new NYSC permanent orientation camp in Malkohi, commission an ultra-modern High Court Complex, unveil the automated gate at Government House, and inaugurate the newly constructed Governor’s Office complex.
Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Police Command has heightened security across the state ahead of the President’s visit.
The Commissioner of Police, Morris Dankombo, has ordered the deployment of operational assets, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Surveillance Squad, and Crowd/Traffic Control Unit, to maintain law and order.
The police added that covert surveillance operations would be conducted statewide to ensure a peaceful and incident-free visit.
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FRSC YOBE STATE REFUTES CLAIMS OF 120 DEATH CASE ALONG DAMATURU-BUNI YADI ROAD
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Yobe sector command, has refuted claims that 120 lives were lost along the Damaturu–Buni Yadi road in 2025.
Yobe Sector Commander, Andrew Longkam, clarified the matter in a statement in Damaturu, calling the media report misleading and inaccurate.
Official 2025 statistics presented at the end of the year briefing showed road traffic crashes fell by 26 per cent, from 158 cases in 2024 to 117 cases in 2025.
He noted that fatalities, however, rose from 78 in 2024 to 115 in 2025, while injuries increased from 867 to 926 within the same period.
He said total persons involved in crashes rose from 1,549 in 2024 to 1,664 in 2025, while those rescued without injury increased from 604 to 623.
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Rangers International FC of Enugu, defeated visiting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi by 2-0 in the Nigerian Premier Football League 2025/26 season.
The encounter played at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu started with both teams showing their determination to win.
The free-flowing Wikki boys made serious incursions into Rangers 18-yard box at the beginning of the match but could not penetrate the flying Antelopes back.
However, the home team broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Wisdom Ebirim put Rangers ahead.
In the 35th minutes of play veteran striker Godwin Obaje made it two for Rangers to end the match 2-0 in favour the home team at half time.
In the second half the visitors took the initiative, especially in the midfield forcing the home team to their own half
Rangers also created some half chances but could not increase the tally.
In a post-match interview, the Acting Coach of Wikki Tourist, Bashir Sale lamented the mistake of his boys.
The win now takes Rangers to 43 points after 43 games.
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PRESIDENT ERDOGAN POSTPONES UAE VISIT OVER HEALTH CONCERNS
Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan, has announced postponing a visit to Abu Dhabi because Emirate leader Mohamed Al-Nahyan had a health problem.
The message, posted by Erdogan’s team on X, said he had talked with President Al-Nahyan by phone.
The three-paragraph message revealed that during the course of the call, President Erdogan expressed his sadness over the health problem experienced by President Al Nahyan and wished him a prompt recovery.
According to the statement, Erdogan would travel to the United Arab Emirates at a later date.
Recall that the Emirati leader’s team on Saturday evening released photos taken the same day showing Al Nahyan, known as MBZ, smiling and apparently in good health, with the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Al Thani.
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FRESH ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 12 PEOPLE
Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 12 people since dawn on Sunday, while a military official said the attacks were in response to ceasefire violations.
Despite a US-brokered truce that entered its second phase last month, violence has continued in the Palestinian territory, with Israel and Hamas blaming each other for violating the agreement.
The civil defence agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas authorities, said one strike hit a tent of displaced people in northern Gaza, and another targeted an area in the south.
The agency said in a statement. Five people were killed, and several were injured when an air strike targeted a tent sheltering displaced people in Jabalia in the north.
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