By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has declared that security agencies will identify and decisively deal with anyone planning electoral violence or vote-buying in the upcoming polls.

The warning was delivered on Friday at an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. The session focused on securing the February 21 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano States.

Represented by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu stated that security forces are mobilising comprehensively to safeguard the electoral process.

“Political thugs and politicians with violent dispositions will be identified and restrained before, during, and after the election, while vote buyers will be traced and apprehended,” he asserted.

He called on political parties, candidates, and their supporters to act with responsibility and uphold democratic norms, warning that “any non-compliance will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.” He also urged the media, civil society, and community leaders to foster a shared commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democracy.

Ribadu commended INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election, noting it set a positive benchmark. He linked this success to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to credible and violence-free polls—a standard expected in the forthcoming elections, including the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States later this year.

In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Abayomi Shogunle, assured the public of massive security deployments to guarantee peaceful polls. He pledged continuous protection for INEC personnel and facilities nationwide.

Concluding the meeting, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan called on security agencies to enhance their planning, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the success of the imminent elections.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a mock accreditation and results upload exercise ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

In a statement signed by INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, the electoral umpire said the mock exercise will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in 289 selected polling units between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

According to the commission, the exercise is aimed at ensuring a hitch-free Area Council election by testing accreditation procedures and the results upload process.

INEC encouraged voters in the affected polling units to turn out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the mock exercise, noting that their participation would help fine-tune preparations for the main election.

The commission said that the list of designated polling units for the mock exercise is available on its official website.

INEC also assured residents of the FCT of its readiness to conduct a credible and successful Area Council election on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the replacement of Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, with former Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, as Chairman of its National Convention Central Coordination Committee ahead of the party’s convention scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2026.

The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, and posted on the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

Basiru stated that the reconstitution followed “further consultation with the leadership and national stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

According to the statement, “the Central Coordination Committee for the 2026 National Convention has been reconstituted. Sub-committees of the Central Coordination Committee will be constituted and announced in due course.”

Under the revised structure, Uzodimma, who was initially appointed as the committee chairman, has now been reassigned as Treasurer. The party also expanded the membership of the committee from 73 to 90, bringing in additional senior figures, including Senator Barry Mpigi and other notable party stalwarts.

Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim was named Vice Chairman I, while Kwara State governor and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, will serve as Vice Chairman II. Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, was retained as Secretary of the committee.

The leadership changes came just days after the APC had unveiled Uzodimma as head of the initial 73-member committee, signaling a renewed drive toward ensuring a smooth and inclusive convention process that will produce new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).