By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Army has announced a major reshuffle of its senior officers, with changes affecting key operational, command, training and staff appointments.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the reshuffle is part of efforts to strengthen national security and improve operational effectiveness across the country.

The statement added that the postings affected field commanders, school commandants and principal staff officers at the Army Headquarters.

It noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, approved the strategic redeployment of senior officers, saying the move was aimed at enhancing the Army’s capacity to address emerging security challenges.

Under the new appointments, Major General WM Dangana has been named the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, replacing Major General EF Oyinlola.

Similarly, Major General EI Okoro has been appointed GOC 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force South-South Operation DELTA SAFE, succeeding Major General EE Emeka.

The statement also announced the appointment of Major General JR Lar as Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, while Brigadier General OM Oyekola will serve as Acting Military Secretary (Army). Brigadier General I Waziri retains his position as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff.

As part of efforts to strengthen operational leadership and combat readiness, Brigadier General IB Buhari was appointed Commander of Headquarters 63 Brigade, while Brigadier General K Rabiu was named Commander of Headquarters 31 Artillery Brigade.

In a move reflecting the Army’s growing emphasis on technology and emerging security threats, Major General SA Emmanuel was appointed Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command.

The statement noted that the appointment “reinforces the Army’s growing focus on emerging domains of warfare and technology-driven security operations.”

Major General O Adegbe was also appointed Director of Intelligence and Security at Defence Headquarters.

In the area of military education and institutional development, Major General KE Chigbu was appointed Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College, while Major General SD Makolo became Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armour School.

Other appointments include Major General SO Adejimi as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and Major General FS Etim as Chief of Training at the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC).

Brigadier General U Ahmad has also been appointed Commandant of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

The reshuffle further saw Major General KO Ukandu appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Post Housing Development Limited, while Major General AI Allison was named Managing Director of Defence Properties Limited.

The statement added, “The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating exemplary leadership, professionalism, innovation and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian Army’s constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting its territorial integrity and supporting civil authority in maintaining peace and security across the nation.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in its transformation drive and commitment to building a highly professional, combat-ready and people-oriented force capable of effectively addressing contemporary and future security challenges in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.”

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A federal high court in Lokoja has set aside its earlier judgment which compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party.

Isah Dashen, presiding judge, while delivering ruling in a suit marked FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, held that the December 10, 2025, judgment was reached without hearing all necessary parties, rendering the proceedings constitutionally defective.

According to NAN, the ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which argued that it had a legal interest in the case and should have been made a party before the court delivered judgment.

Dashen agreed, holding that the applicant had established sufficient interest to be a party in the proceedings.

The judge said the omission rendered the entire process null and void.

He also held that material facts were not disclosed during the earlier proceedings, making it necessary to vacate the previous order.

Consequently, he ordered that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court also ordered that the substantive suit begin afresh, with INEC, the PMP and the NDC joined as parties.

On February 5, 2026, Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, said “only two” out of the eight “qualified for final assessment and verification of due compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act”.

Despite not being part of the pre-qualified associations, the NDC was also registered by INEC.

“The Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi state, in suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025 between Barr Takori Mohammed Sanni & Ors v. INEC ordered the commission to register Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party,” Amupitan said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked mixed reactions online following her remarks encouraging Nigerians to explore low-capital ventures such as akara frying, roasted corn sales, and kuli-kuli production as means of livelihood.
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‎She made the comments during a press briefing with State House Correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. A video of her statement surfaced online on Friday via News Channel 247.
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‎In her address, the First Lady highlighted the initiative’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and empowerment programmes, stressing that beneficiaries were given financial assistance without repayment obligations.
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‎According to her, the aim was to provide immediate relief and encourage self-reliance through simple business ideas that require minimal startup capital.
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‎“We’re trying to give hope, and starting an akara business doesn’t take much money. Roasting corn or even kuli-kuli doesn’t require much either. We didn’t give loans; we gave grants,” she said, adding that she has continued to support Nigerians within available resources.
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‎She further noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative has extended interventions into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and social welfare. She revealed that she personally contributed funds including ₦2 billion for tuberculosis control, ₦1 billion for breast cancer interventions, and ₦500 million for malnutrition support.
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‎Tinubu also explained that the initiative had facilitated scholarships, ICT training, agricultural support, and other social investment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods across the country.
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‎Reaffirming the government’s agenda, she urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite prevailing economic difficulties, saying the Renewed Hope Initiative is designed to restore confidence and improve living conditions.
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‎However, her remarks quickly triggered backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of being out of touch with the realities of economic hardship in the country.
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‎Critics on X (formerly Twitter) described the comments as insensitive, arguing that they downplay the scale of unemployment and rising cost of living.
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‎One user, @ADCVanguard_, said the statement reflects how disconnected the political class has become from ordinary citizens, while another, @ireteeh, compared the initiative with private-sector empowerment efforts that focus on tech and skill development.
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‎Some users also expressed concern that promoting petty trading was not enough given current economic challenges, insisting that Nigerians need sustainable jobs and structural economic reforms.
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‎However, others defended the First Lady, arguing that small-scale businesses like akara and roasted corn sales have historically sustained many families and remain profitable ventures when properly managed.
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‎A user, @Akikanju1568901, described akara business as a viable source of income that has helped many families educate their children and build financial stability.
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‎Another user, @PemiOladapo, emphasized that there is dignity in all forms of labour and encouraged Nigerians to embrace available opportunities and scale up gradually.
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‎Conversely, some commenters clarified that the criticism was not directed at the businesses themselves, but rather at the timing of the message, given the current economic hardship facing citizens.