By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Just over a week after President Bola Tinubu assented to the 2026 Electoral Act, signs of discord have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to reports from leadership, a number of APC governors are deeply unhappy with the removal of the indirect primary election mode from the newly signed legislation.

According to party insiders, the governors feel they were outmaneuvered by federal lawmakers, who they claim drove the amendment process with unusual speed, culminating in the President’s prompt assent.

“We feel frustrated and ambushed,” a governor from the South-East region was quoted as telling an aide to President Tinubu during a meeting in Abuja on Sunday. The source added that the South-East governor was accompanied by a colleague from the South-West to voice their collective concerns. Their primary grievance, it was gathered, is that the new law significantly curtails their influence over the candidate selection process within the party.

At the heart of the dispute is the removal of the indirect primaries option. The previous Electoral Act of 2022, in Section 84(2), allowed political parties to nominate candidates through direct, indirect, or consensus primaries. The new 2026 Act, however, prescribes only direct and consensus primaries in Section 84.

The indirect system, often referred to as the delegate system, has historically been a powerful tool for state governors, who typically wield significant control over the selection of delegates. The new direct primary mode, which mandates voting by all registered party members, is seen by the governors as a move that dilutes their control over who flies the party’s flag, particularly for National Assembly seats.

A credible source within the party elaborated on the governors’ perspective, stating that they felt sidelined during the legislative process. “All the governors elected on the APC platform are committed to complementing the efforts of our leader and President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the source said. “But the events of the last few days have felt like an ambush. There is a growing frustration that the President may be prioritising the counsel of some lawmakers over that of the governors.”

The source clarified that the governors’ opposition is not to the entire bill but to specific provisions. “It’s not that they have many issues with the entire Bill, but they had tabled specific reservations with Mr. President, particularly regarding the selection of National Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections. He had given his consent on those points. The governors believe they have a better grasp of the grassroots and who is electable.

Their plan was to complement Mr. President by ensuring the nomination of strong candidates. Now, they feel ambushed and frustrated that they may be sidelined from nominating candidates for the National Assembly elections.”

Responding to the reports, the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, moved to quell the narrative of a rift, stating that governors were not outwitted and remain loyal to the party and national interest.

In a statement released through his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Oguwike Nwachuku, Governor Uzodimma described the amendment process as a purely legislative affair. He stressed that the lawmakers acted in the national interest and that the resulting framework is for the overall good of the populace.

“The legislators deliberated on it and arrived at a compromise, which the president assented to,” Governor Uzodimma was quoted as saying. He emphasised that as responsible and responsive members of the party, “they are loyal to every decision of the party.”

He further submitted that the governors have “no reason to feel outwitted,” as the actions were taken “for the well-being and overall good and benefit of the populace.”

President Tinubu signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law last Wednesday. The signing proceeded despite public debate over another contentious clause that makes the electronic transmission of election results optional. The final version of the Bill notably deleted the indirect primary option, retaining only the direct and consensus modes.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, is currently in custody following his voluntary appearance for questioning at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

El-Rufai arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, February 16, 2026, after returning from Egypt on February 12. According to his media team, he has been detained since his arrival, with no official reports of interrogations been carried out.

A statement released via El-Rufai’s official social media account by his media adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, raised concerns over the conditions of his detention. Mr. Adekeye alleged that the former governor experienced a nosebleed during the night following his detention.

The statement further claimed that family members and legal representatives have faced significant difficulties in gaining access to him.

“Ubong Akpan also complained that lawyers and family were having difficulties in securing access to him in detention,” the statement read. “One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him in the evening of 17th February but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose.”

It has been confirmed that El-Rufai has been transferred from EFCC custody to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in connection with charges related to cybercrime.

As of the time of this report, neither the EFCC nor the ICPC has issued a statement regarding the alleged health incident or the conditions of his detention.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A fire outbreak has gutted the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, aviation authorities confirmed on Monday, raising concerns over infrastructure safety at Nigeria’s busiest air hub.

The blaze, which reportedly broke out in a section of the ageing terminal facility, was swiftly contained by emergency responders. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said no casualties were recorded and normal flight operations were not significantly disrupted.

In a brief statement, FAAN assured the public that firefighters and airport emergency teams responded promptly to prevent the fire from spreading to other operational areas of the airport.

“The incident was quickly brought under control, and there were no injuries or fatalities,” the authority said, adding that an investigation had commenced to determine the cause of the fire.

Passengers and airport workers were temporarily evacuated from affected sections as a precautionary measure, according to officials. Aviation analysts say the incident may renew scrutiny of ageing infrastructure within parts of the Lagos airport complex, particularly older terminals that have been earmarked for upgrades.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is expected to review safety protocols following the incident, in line with regulatory standards.

While damage assessment is ongoing, FAAN reassured travellers that safety remains its top priority and that airport operations continue under strict monitoring.

The old terminal at Lagos airport has long served as a key domestic travel hub, handling millions of passengers annually in Africa’s most populous nation.