Half a century after his assassination, the legacy of General Murtala Ramat Mohammed continues to resonate across Nigeria and beyond. At a commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of his death, organized by the Kano Patriotic Front in collaboration with Bayero University Kano, speakers described him as a leader whose courage, reforms, and patriotism remain etched in the nation’s conscience.

Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Oduaredu Ogomudia, who served under Murtala as Head of Corps Signals, reflected on the enduring impact of the late Head of State. “His actions spoke louder than his voice,” Ogomudia said, emphasizing that Murtala’s leadership style was defined by sacrifice and unwavering influence.

Ogomudia said General Ishola Williams, who was close to Murtala, described him as a man of charisma and empathy. He highlighted Murtala’s decisiveness, transformational leadership, and insistence on accountability in public service. “Courage defined him. He took difficult decisions, demanded accountability, and embarked on bold reforms,” Said General Alexander . He recalled Murtala’s famous “Africa has come of age” speech, which asserted Nigeria’s leadership role on the continent and remains a landmark in African diplomacy. “He was bold, straight to the point, and a man with a sense of purpose,”.

General Alexander Ogomudia was Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 2001 to 2003 and Chief of Defence Staff from 2003 to 2006.

Representing Bauchi State Governor, Deputy Governor Muhammad Auwalu Jatau (Madugun Katagum) praised Murtala’s enduring legacy. “His name is permanently in the conscience of our nation despite his brief stint as Head of State,” Jatau said. He described Murtala as not only a Nigerian hero but also an African icon who rekindled hope in the Nigerian spirit and upheld the dignity of the Black race. “His decisiveness was admired by his peers, respected by his subordinates, and his legacy continues to be blessed long after he left this world,” he added.

Jatau also noted that the creation of Bauchi State remains one of Murtala’s enduring legacies, underscoring his commitment to national unity and development. “He died for his beloved country, and today he is remembered. Generations yet unborn will continue to honor him,” he said.

The anniversary celebration also featured the launch of a book in Murtala’s honor, further cementing his place in Nigeria’s historical narrative. Speakers agreed that his brief but impactful tenure as Head of State left behind a leadership template defined by discipline, courage, and patriotism.

Fifty years on, Murtala Mohammed’s story remains one of sacrifice and unwavering influence. His reforms, his bold stance on African independence, and his insistence on accountability continue to inspire Nigerians and Africans alike, ensuring that his legacy endures across generations.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Protesters on Monday, February 16, stormed the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC)

The demonstrators, comprising civil society organisations including Situation Room and ActionAid, insisted that manual collation of results be scrapped entirely to curb manipulation during the collation process.

The protest followed a five-day lull after lawmakers gave assurances during last Tuesday’s plenary that concerns around Clause 60(3) of the amendment bill would be revisited.

Security operatives mounted barricades at the entrances to the National Assembly complex, preventing the protesters from gaining access. The demonstrators subsequently staged their rally outside the main gates, chanting and displaying placards calling for transparency in the electoral process.

They argued that there was no justification for retaining manual backups, noting that election budgets already provide for technological infrastructure to support seamless electronic transmission.

Last Tuesday, the Senate reconvened in an emergency plenary to reconsider its earlier position on Clause 60(3). Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), moved a motion to delete the phrase “real-time” and replace the word “transmission” with “transfer.”

The proposal triggered heated debate on the floor, with senators including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) raising repeated points of order in opposition.

At the end of deliberations, the Senate approved electronic transmission of results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal but retained manual collation as a fallback option in the event of technical failure.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 a.m., where further decisions on the bill and other national matters are expected.

Meanwhile, the protesters vowed to sustain pressure on lawmakers until real-time electronic transmission is made mandatory without exceptions.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged unlawful interception of communications belonging to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The charge, marked C2/99/2026 and dated February 16, 2026, lists the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and El-Rufai as the sole defendant.

According to court documents obtained by our correspondent, the prosecution alleged that during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme in Abuja on February 13, 2026, El-Rufai admitted that he and others unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the National Security Adviser.

In count one, the Federal Government contends that the alleged admission constitutes an offence under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count two accuses the former governor of stating during the same interview that he knew and associated with individuals involved in the alleged interception but failed to report them to appropriate security agencies, contrary to Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes Amendment Act, 2024.

The third count alleges that El-Rufai and others said to be at large, sometime in 2026 in Abuja, used technical equipment or systems to unlawfully intercept the National Security Adviser’s communications. The prosecution argues that the act compromised public safety and national security, contrary to Section 131(2) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

As of press time, no date had been fixed for arraignment. Efforts to reach El-Rufai’s legal team for comment were ongoing.