By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that significantly alters the political landscape of the state.

In a statewide broadcast on Friday, the governor announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that he was joined by his entire cabinet and all state PDP executives.

Governor Fintiri framed his decision as being in the best interest of the state’s development, though he did not elaborate on the specific reasons for the switch.

“This action is for the developmental interest of the people of Adamawa State,” the governor said during his address.

The mass defection comes just days after a major shake-up in the State House of Assembly, where 14 lawmakers and the Speaker resigned from the PDP. While the timing suggests a coordinated political realignment, it remains unclear whether the legislative resignations were a precursor to the governor’s move or an independent development.

Further details on the political implications of the defection are expected in the coming days.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.

The commission also fixed February 6, 2027, as the date for governorship and state houses of assembly election.

Mohammed Haruna, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, announced the new election timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.

The electoral body had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections but was forced to review the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The Kano State Government has strongly rejected allegations made by Amnesty International in its recent publication titled “Kano: Escalating Repression Endangers Freedom of Expression.” The report accused security agencies of arresting, detaining, and harassing individuals critical of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on February 25, 2026, the government described the claims as “misleading, unfounded, and a gross misrepresentation of facts.”

According to Waiya, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. He stressed that at no time has the government directed security agencies to target or intimidate individuals for expressing dissenting opinions.

The Commissioner noted that while freedom of expression is constitutionally protected, it is not absolute. He explained that the law also safeguards the rights and dignity of others, adding that libel, slander, defamation, hate speech, incitement, and deliberate misinformation fall outside the boundaries of free speech. “No democratic society permits the weaponization of social media to spread malicious falsehoods or content capable of breaching public peace,” Waiya said.

Waiya further emphasized that security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), operate strictly within their statutory mandates. He clarified that arrests or invitations are based on petitions or credible allegations of wrongdoing, such as cyberbullying, defamation, or incitement. He insisted that the Kano State Government does not control or micromanage federal security agencies but supports lawful measures to curb cybercrime.

The statement also lamented the misuse of social media platforms by some individuals under the guise of civic liberty. Waiya argued that such practices encourage misinformation and personal attacks that undermine healthy democratic engagement. He maintained that the government has a responsibility to ensure digital spaces do not become breeding grounds for disorder or reputational damage.

Highlighting the administration’s record, Waiya said Governor Yusuf’s government has been recognized as one of the most media- and civil society–friendly in Nigeria. He pointed to the adoption of the Open Government Partnership initiative, which promotes citizen participation in governance. “This development has significantly recorded the highest civic engagements in the history of Kano,” he stated.

The Commissioner also cited Governor Yusuf’s precedent-setting decision to pay gratuities and entitlements to opposition members, describing it as evidence of tolerance and inclusivity. He reiterated that citizens are free to express opinions without harassment, but cautioned that criticism must not cross into defamation or incitement.

Waiya stressed that the government does not target social media influencers or political opponents. He urged organizations and commentators to verify facts before making sweeping conclusions that could undermine state authority or create unnecessary tension.

He said, the Kano State Government is committed to democratic values, rule of law, and peaceful coexistence. “This administration will continue to uphold justice, fairness, and respect for constitutional rights while ensuring those rights are exercised responsibly,”