The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has indefinitely postponed the start of the 2026 national elections following a targeted cyberattack on its electronic voting platform. Although voting was scheduled to begin at midnight on Saturday, July 18, 2026, the exercise was halted due to a “deliberate, coordinated and sustained” attempt to compromise the system.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The ECNBA has issued an apology to all stakeholders, including candidates, voters, and observers, for the disruption. In response to the breach, the committee’s cybersecurity experts and voting service provider have activated emergency protocols to neutralize the threat and secure the infrastructure.

• Technical teams are currently working to restore the system to ensure the election proceeds with its credibility intact.

• The voting platform is not currently accepting ballots, and no new start time has been announced.

• The portal will only be reopened once technical experts confirm the system is fully operational and safe.

Safety Precautions and Official Communication

The ECNBA has issued a stern warning to lawyers to avoid unofficial platforms, malicious links, or unauthorized messages claiming to provide access to the voting portal. Eligible voters are advised to await official communication from the ECNBA and to rely exclusively on information released through the committee’s official channels.

Despite the delay, the electoral body confirmed that the process remains under the supervision of the committee, with candidates, agents, and independent observers stationed at the designated monitoring center. Signed by Chairman Aham Ejelam (SAN) and Secretary Ibrahim Nassarawa, the statement reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to delivering a transparent and credible election once all security threats are mitigated.

Asia Ahmad El-Rufai, a lawyer and the wife of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has issued an appeal to the international community to scrutinize her husband’s ongoing incarceration, which she characterizes as “punishment before trial”. Marking the 150th day of his detention, she urged foreign governments, international human rights organizations, and multilateral groups to monitor the legal proceedings, arguing that his continued imprisonment threatens Nigeria’s democratic foundations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Asia highlighted the severe physical and emotional impact the five-month detention has had on her husband and family, noting the loss of family milestones and access to proper medical care. She specifically alleged that the former governor suffered serious health crises while in custody, including bleeding from his nose and mouth, and claimed that authorities were hesitant to provide adequate medical attention or accept prescribed medication from his family.

She further asserted that this treatment has extended to her husband’s associates, specifically citing the prolonged detention and solitary confinement of Joel Adoga, the health deterioration of Jimi Lawal, and the difficult bail conditions imposed on his personal physician, Professor Abubakar Bello.

Allegations of “Lawfare” and Political Persecution

Asia argued that the legal proceedings against her husband are intentionally confusing and punitive, involving overlapping charges, duplicated claims, and shifting legal arguments across multiple courts. She alleged that authorities are using the judicial system as a political weapon—a practice she termed “lawfare”—to keep him detained regardless of bail conditions.

She contends that her husband’s predicament stems from his political rupture with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC). While she emphasized that she does not seek special treatment or immunity from investigation, she insisted that any such process must be transparent, impartial, and compliant with constitutional safeguards.

An Appeal to International and Domestic Authorities

Directly addressing President Tinubu, Asia cautioned that history is often critical of leaders who use their power to silence critics. She urged the President to allow the judiciary to operate independently and fairly. Furthermore, she called on Nigeria’s diplomatic and development partners to ensure that international support for Nigerian institutions does not inadvertently facilitate the suppression of political opposition.

“Nigeria’s friends must understand that this case is larger than Nasir El-Rufai,” Asia stated, noting that the situation raises broader questions regarding judicial independence and whether citizens can remain protected by law after falling out of political favor. She concluded by requesting that her husband be granted proper access to his legal team, doctors, and family to address any credible allegations against him in an open, fair court.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has expressed astonishment at the “crazy” turn of events that will see him face Spanish teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in this Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The encounter carries extra significance due to a viral photograph from years ago, which shows a young Messi cradling a baby Yamal during a charity event at Barcelona’s Camp Nou.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Reflecting on the coincidence during a Friday press conference, Messi remarked, “That picture with Lamine is incredible. Now we are facing each other in a final after a photo was taken of us when he was a baby, it’s just crazy!”. While Messi hopes for an entertaining match, he joked that he intends to ensure the youngster and his Spanish teammates do not perform at their best during the final.

High Praise for a Rising Star

Despite the fierce rivalry awaiting them on the pitch, Messi offered significant praise for Yamal, identifying him as one of the elite players in world football today. The Argentine icon highlighted the 19-year-old’s immense talent and bright future, while emphasizing that Argentina is prepared to face the challenge posed by both Yamal and the broader Spanish squad. “He’s a tremendous player. A global star,” Messi stated, while noting that Argentina would “give it our all to ensure he doesn’t become champion this time”.

From Charity Calendar to Global Spotlight

The famous photograph, captured by photographer Joan Monfort during a UNICEF charity project, has gained massive worldwide attention as the two players prepare to face off. Monfort noted that the timing of the final in the U.S. has amplified the image’s popularity, telling The Associated Press that the narrative of this match is “better than any film script”.

The Road to the Final

Messi enters the title decider in peak form, having contributed eight goals and four assists throughout the tournament. As Argentina aims for back-to-back world titles, Messi is currently tied with Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot. Sunday’s match represents a significant showdown between the current European and Copa América champions, serving as the first competitive meeting between Spain and Argentina after a previously scheduled Finalissima was cancelled due to regional conflicts.