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Feb 3 Bye-Elections: INEC Expresses Concern Over Threats Of Violence
Speaking Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu stated that, based on his experience, conducting isolated elections, such as bye-elections and reruns, can be extremely difficult.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He said, “We must pay attention to the potentials for disruptive behaviour by some candidates and their supporters. A re-run election conducted in one Polling Unit or a handful of Polling Units can be severely disrupted by acts of thuggery knowing full well that these few locations will determine the outcome of the election.
“Arising from the reports we received from the States, concerns have been raised about the impact of the prevailing insecurity in some States on the conduct of the elections, made worse by incendiary statements by some political actors. We will present such concerns and reports at this meeting for appropriate security response.”
Nivo News reports that Yakubu noted that there are many parties involved in elections and that security agencies must ensure that INEC can deploy staff and materials, protect observers, the media, and the polling and collation agents who represent the candidates and political parties.
“Without a secure and peaceful environment, the conduct of credible elections is imperiled,” he stated.
Speaking on the by-election, Yakubu said, “There are two categories of elections. First are the bye-elections arising from the death or resignation of members of the National and State legislative houses affecting two Senatorial Districts, four Federal and three State Assembly Constituencies.
“The second category is the re-run elections by order of Election Petition Appeal Tribunals. In my remarks at the Commission’s extraordinary meeting with leaders of political parties last month, I reported that the elections affect 35 National and State Constituencies. Since then, four additional orders of the Court of appeal have been served on the Commission in respect of Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Madara/Chinade State Constituency of Bauchi State as well as Kudan and Kauru/Chawai State Constituencies of Kaduna State.
“This brings the total number of affected constituencies to 39 which translates to 2.6% of the 1,491 Constituencies for which elections were conducted nationwide in the 2023 General Election.
The Supreme Court has effectively ended the legal dispute regarding the potential deregistration of the Action Peoples Party (APP), confirming its status as a legally registered political entity. A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, presided over by Justice John Inyang Okoro, dismissed Appeal No. SC/CV/248/2026 on May 12, 2026, after the appellant, Mr. Blessing Elujiuba, chose to formally withdraw the case.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This ruling leaves the previous decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which favored the APP, final and binding. The initial legal challenge aimed to force the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party, alleging it did not meet the requirements set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.
The Court of Appeal in Owerri had previously dismissed these claims, with the court noting that the APP provided valid evidence of its electoral success, such as winning a councillorship seat in Jigawa State and victories in local government elections in Rivers State. The appellate judges also supported the interpretation that Section 225A should be read disjunctively, meaning a party only needs to meet one of the stipulated conditions to remain registered.
With this definitive ruling from the Supreme Court, the legal threats against the party’s leadership and its ability to participate in the 2027 general elections have been resolved in the party’s favor.
In their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 52 years, the Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a resilient performance to secure a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their Group K opener. This result adds to Portugal’s ongoing struggles in World Cup tournament debuts, marking only one victory in their last five opening matches.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Portugal initially took control when João Neves scored a header from a Pedro Neto cross just six minutes into the game. While Portugal sought to capitalize on their lead, the Leopards maintained defensive discipline and began to find their rhythm. DR Congo’s persistence was rewarded just before halftime when Yoane Wissa headed in a corner, marking the nation’s first-ever goal in World Cup history.
The second half saw Portugal attempt to increase the pressure, though a potential go-ahead goal from João Cancelo was overturned due to an offside call. Cristiano Ronaldo also had an opportunity to secure a victory but was unable to convert a pass from Francisco Conceição. Despite efforts from both teams to find a late winner, the match concluded in a stalemate.
This draw marks a notable improvement for DR Congo, who previously exited the tournament without a point or a goal in their last appearance. With upcoming matches against Colombia and Uzbekistan, the team now holds realistic ambitions of advancing to the knockout stages.
A Kogi State High Court, presided over by Justice Abdul Nicodemus Awulu, has sentenced Jibrin Halilu to death for his role in the kidnapping and murder of Uche Andrew Offo, a hotel owner in Obajana. Halilu was found guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping, in violation of the Kogi State Kidnapping and Other Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2023.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The incident occurred on March 23, 2023, when Halilu and an armed gang abducted Offo from his hotel, the Everready Hotel. Although Offo’s family paid a ₦2.5 million ransom, he was killed after recognizing Halilu—his own neighbour—among his abductors. Halilu was eventually arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on December 4, 2025, and was also linked to the April 2, 2023, kidnapping of Ibrahim Abdullahi in Lokoja, for which a ₦5 million ransom was paid.
This verdict is part of a series of recent major legal successes for the DSS:
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Owo Church Attack: On June 3, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced four men—Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, and Abdulhaleem Idris—to death for the 2022 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, which resulted in over 40 deaths and 100 injuries.
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Katsina Arms Courier: Just 24 hours prior to the Kogi ruling, a Katsina State High Court sentenced a female arms courier apprehended by the DSS to death.
Security sources stated that these consecutive convictions serve as a strong message that those involved in terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime will be held accountable and face the full extent of the law.
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