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Tinubu Hands Over ECOWAS Leadership to Sierra Leone’s President

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday officially handed over the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government to President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. The handover ceremony took place in Abuja during the closing of the ECOWAS Authority’s 67th Ordinary Session.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu described it as a profound honour to have chaired the regional body, noting that he was deeply humbled by the trust and support of fellow leaders throughout his tenure. “As I now hand over the mantle of leadership to my great friend and dear brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, I do so with a deep sense of fulfilment and optimism for the future of West Africa,” Tinubu said.

Reflecting on the challenges of his tenure, Tinubu acknowledged the region’s political and security hurdles but expressed optimism that ECOWAS, under Bio’s leadership, will continue to advance peace, stability, and prosperity. “I remain confident that with the continued cooperation of all its members, ECOWAS will scale greater heights in our collective pursuit of peace, security, stability, and prosperity for our people and our region,” he added.

President Tinubu used the opportunity to urge regional leaders to remain committed to the evolving needs of West African citizens. He stressed the importance of inclusive governance and empowering vulnerable groups, including youth and women. “Let us deepen cooperation, uphold diplomatic principles, and foster inclusive growth that leaves no one behindespecially our youth, women, and vulnerable populations,” he stated.

He also emphasized that political stability and economic integration must go hand in hand for the region to achieve sustainable development. “Economic integration cannot be superimposed on an untenable political environment. That is why we must remain steadfast in our resolve to rise to these emerging challenges,” he declared.

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Tinubu commended the ECOWAS Commission, member state institutions, and technical staff for their commitment and professionalism in supporting the Authority’s operations. “As you return to your respective countries, let us remain resolute in our shared mission to deepen our integration, protect our people, and build a prosperous, secure, and united West Africa,” he concluded.

In his acceptance remarks, President Julius Maada Bio expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by member states. He promised to lead a people-centered, action-oriented ECOWAS that prioritizes stability, democracy, and regional integration. “We must engage transitional governments constructively and support member states in building stronger democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law,” Bio stated.

The Sierra Leonean leader outlined four key priorities for his tenure: restoring constitutional order, revitalizing regional security cooperation, unlocking economic integration, and enhancing institutional credibility. “We must overhaul our collective security architecture—from intelligence sharing to rapid response capabilities—to confront new threats with unity and resolve,” he said.

President Bio further highlighted the need for economic policies that serve citizens and promote resilience. “The ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, regional infrastructure, and cross-border value chains must become engines of job creation, trade, and resilience, especially for our women and youth,” he noted.

Acknowledging the achievements of his predecessor, Bio commended Tinubu for laying a strong foundation in regional dialogue, economic recovery, and peacebuilding. “I am humbled to build upon the strong foundation you have established,” he said, extending appreciation for Tinubu’s leadership and vision.

President Bio also addressed the complex realities facing West Africa, including terrorism, illicit arms flow, political instability, and transnational crime. He stressed the importance of reforming ECOWAS to meet the expectations of its people. “ECOWAS must reform itself to become more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of its people. This is how we will rebuild trust in regional cooperation,” he added.

In his concluding remarks, President Bio called for solidarity and renewed commitment to the ECOWAS vision. “Across West Africa, citizens—especially our youth—are demanding not just elections, but also accountability, transparency, and a fair stake in national life,” he said.

In a statement by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy Bayo Onanuga said the handover marks a new chapter in ECOWAS leadership as the region navigates multiple security, political, and economic challenges with renewed hope and collective resolve.

 

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APC Extends Membership Registration, Reschedules Congresses and Convention

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a revised timetable for its internal activities, extending its electronic membership registration and rescheduling upcoming congresses and its national convention.

The decisions were reached during the 183rd meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party outlined the key changes.

The electronic membership registration exercise has been extended from January 31 to February 8, 2026. According to the statement, the extension follows requests from party stakeholders and is intended to allow more supporters and members to register or validate their membership.

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Furthermore, the schedule for party congresses has been adjusted. Ward congresses are now set to hold on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while the National Convention has been rescheduled for March 27–28, 2026.

The statement also clarified that some states would be excluded from the forthcoming state congresses. Osun State, Ekiti State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are exempted due to upcoming elections, while Rivers State is excluded because of the subsisting tenure of the current party executive committees in the state.

Additionally, the NWC confirmed the constitution of a National Convention Planning Committee. The party noted that further details regarding the adjusted timetable and the composition of the planning committee would be communicated in due course.

These changes mark a significant recalibration of the APC’s internal electoral calendar as it prepares for its national convention and subsequent political engagements.

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Turaki-Led PDP Faction to Appeal Court Ruling, Affirms Legitimacy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced it will appeal a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that refused to grant its request for an order of mandamus. The court, in its Friday judgment, stated that granting the order would amount to reviewing decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction—a ruling the faction described as “not unexpected.”

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the faction confirmed it has directed its legal team to file an appeal immediately and take all necessary legal steps to defend its standing.

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Despite the legal setback, the faction asserted that its leadership, which emerged from the PDP’s Ibadan convention, remains legally intact and unaffected. The statement called on members to stay calm and resolute, assuring them there is “absolutely no cause for alarm” and that the party’s “rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”

The development is part of an ongoing internal dispute over leadership and legitimacy within the PDP, with rival factions seeking judicial affirmation. All eyes are now on the appellate courts, whose decisions could significantly influence the party’s structure and direction ahead of future political activities.

The faction expressed confidence that higher courts would ultimately uphold its position, stating it “awaits the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”

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Fayemi Denies Alleged Closed-Door Meeting with Kwankwaso

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.

Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.

The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.

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According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting.

“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.

It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”

The former governor acknowledged that he and Kwankwaso have been friends since their time as governors, but stressed that their relationship is personal and non-partisan.

He noted that the friendship is “based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to the progress of Nigeria, rather than on any political alignment.”

Fayemi also cautioned against attempts by political actors to attach partisan interpretations to private relationships, noting that many of his friends and associates are either not involved in partisan politics or belong to different political persuasions.

The statement added that Fayemi’s associates “span the entire spectrum of Nigeria’s political terrain.”

It, therefore, reaffirmed the former governor’s commitment to national unity, principled engagement, and responsible public discourse.

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