Politics
APC demands Kano election cancellation, PDP leaders, INEC officials nabbed
APC demands Kano election cancellation, PDP leaders, INEC officials nabbed
As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducted by-elections across 12 states of the country on Saturday, arrests over vote buying were made, thugs nabbed, party members abducted, and agent beaten up.
The elections are in two senatorial districts in Anambra and Edo states; five federal constituencies in Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Ogun and Oyo; and nine state constituencies in Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna (2), Kano, Kogi, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara.
These by-elections were caused by the resignation or death of serving members of national and state houses of assembly.
Also, the court-ordered re-run election in Onitsha South 1 State Constituency of Anambra State, and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State, will be held simultaneously with the by-elections.
PDP leader, INEC staff
In Ogun State, security operatives arrested officials of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and two INEC staff at a hotel in Iperu-Remo area, with a huge amount of money in their possession.
In a video that went viral, an interrogator said report indicated that the INEC officials had been contacted and given a large sum of money by the party officials for alleged vote buying.
He disclosed that the arrest of the officials of the electoral body led to the eventual arrest of the PDP officers at a hotel in Iperu-Remo.
The male INEC officer told the interrogator that he was asked by his supervisor to go and collect the cash from the politicians.
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Meanwhile, one of the PDP members, who introduced himself in the video as “PDP official in Ogun State”, was heard denying his involvement in the alleged cash-for-vote incident.
He said: “You are just showing money; I don’t know anything about it.”
PDP allege foul play
Reacting, PDP has described the arrest as a ploy to intimidate and disenfranchise its members ahead of the by-election.
Director of Media and Communications of the party, Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, said the party officer was arrested around 3:30am by security operatives, who allegedly broke into his hotel room in what he termed a “commando-style operation”.
According to him, the PDP officer was in his hotel room relaxing with his driver and an aide when he was whisked away.
Bankole maintained that contrary to reports, no electoral materials were found in his possession, nor was he caught with large sums of money.
His words: “He had only ₦100,000 in his room. No electoral material was discovered in his hotel room or car.
“It is part of a grand plan to scare our people and disenfranchise them. This is unfortunate and shameful in a democracy.”
He also dissociated the arrested member from the arrest of two INEC officials and others who were allegedly apprehended with large amounts of cash in the area.
“He does not know the INEC staff arrested. It is practically impossible for him to lodge in the same hotel room with an INEC official.
“He was only carrying out his responsibility as the state officer of the party under whose watch this election is being conducted,” Bankole added
288 thugs in Kano, APC kicks
In Kano State, the Police arrested 288 suspected thugs during the the Bagwai/Shanono and Ghari/Tsanyawa constituencies by-elections.
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The election is expected to produce a replacement for Halilu Kundila, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly, who died after a brief illness.
The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Bakori, said the election was marred by violence, with thugs allegedly hired to disrupt proceedings.
He said eligible voters were afraid to come out and exercise their civil rights due to the presence of thugs wielding dangerous weapons.
Following the development, the All Progressives Congress, APC, called for the elections’ cancellation.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the call in a statement on Saturday. He alleged widespread violence and disruption of the exercise by armed thugs in several polling units.
He claimed that voters were forced to flee from polling areas, while security personnel deployed to the affected constituencies were overwhelmed by the attacks.
PDP Reps candidate, 25 others abducted in Kaduna
In Kaduna, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused security operatives of abducting its House of Representatives candidate for the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency bye-election, Princess Esther Ashivelli Dawaki, along with 25 supporters.
At a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, the state PDP Chairman, Sir Edward Percy Masha, alleged that the operation was carried out by a joint security network.
According to him, the security personnel stormed the hotel in Malali in a bid to arrest the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Hon. Hussein Ahmed-Kero.
But when they could not find him, they allegedly whisked away Dawaki and others.
APC demands Kano election cancellation, PDP leaders, INEC officials nabbed
Vanguard
Politics
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
Prominent business leaders and influencers have donated buses worth millions of naira in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, signalling a growing grassroots mobilisation effort by his backers across Nigeria.
The donations were led by Cletus Uzoezie Oragwa, founder of Zenco Oil, alongside Chief Christian Okonkwo of C-Energy Oil and popular nightlife entrepreneur Obi Cubana. The buses were handed over to CityBoyMedia, an affiliate of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven grassroots support platform actively engaging communities in the Southeast and beyond to strengthen Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
During the presentation ceremony, the donors emphasised that the buses would enhance the movement’s logistics, voter mobilisation, and outreach efforts in key regions, particularly rural communities. The initiative underscores the role of private sector support in bolstering campaign infrastructure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Obi Cubana, who has previously been prominent in civic engagement and social advocacy, signalled stronger political alignment with the Tinubu-led administration. In recent events, including hosting Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son, in Abuja, Cubana reaffirmed his commitment to youth mobilisation and inclusive political participation through the City Boy Movement.
Also present at the event was social media personality Cubana Chief Priest, who expressed support for the administration and reiterated his opposition to former presidential candidate Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 elections.
The donations coincide with a wider surge in pro-Tinubu mobilisation activities nationwide, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allied groups intensify efforts to consolidate support and ensure a strong grassroots presence. Political observers note that contributions from private citizens and business figures play a key role in sustaining momentum for the campaign.
This initiative highlights the intersection of political support, business influence, and grassroots mobilisation, reflecting strategic efforts to galvanise youth engagement and strengthen the administration’s electoral prospects.
City Boy Movement Receives Bus Donations from Zenco, Obi Cubana for Tinubu’s Campaign
Politics
Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode
Jakande’s servant-leadership mindset remains relevant — Olurode
LAGOS — A retired Professor of Sociology at the University of Lagos, Lai Olurode, has described the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, as a symbol of ethical and people-centred leadership, saying his “servant mindset” continues to offer lessons for today’s political class.
Olurode spoke in Lagos on February 11, 2026, at a commemorative event marking the fifth anniversary of Jakande’s passing, where he delivered a tribute titled “Jakande’s Servant Mindsets Remain Evergreen.”
Reflecting on Jakande’s legacy, Olurode said the late governor’s decisions were largely driven by public good rather than personal gain.
“An analysis of Jakande’s actions… reveals that his major actions weren’t self-interest driven but motivated by a consuming concern for the enhancement of public goods,” he said.
He noted that Jakande’s tenure expanded access to education, healthcare, roads and employment, with benefits reaching ordinary citizens rather than a narrow political circle.
According to him, the former governor demystified governance by taking it to the grassroots and maintaining close contact with the masses.
Olurode also recalled the period following the 1983 military coup, when praise for Jakande’s achievements continued despite the prevailing political climate, citing an incident where a government official described the ousted governor as a “superstar.”
Highlighting Jakande’s personal style, he said the late leader avoided flamboyance, cut the cost of governance and remained accessible even after leaving office.
“Jakande shunned flamboyance and the wasteful paraphernalia which many Nigerian leaders artificially surround themselves with,” Olurode added.
He urged contemporary leaders to embrace ethical values, inclusivity and accountability, noting that Jakande’s legacy endures decades after his single term in office.
The event also featured reflections on Jakande’s contributions to Lagos State and tributes to his family, including his wife, Alhaja Sikirat Abimbola, and their children.

Politics
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El‑Rufai has raised alarm that he could be arrested at any time by Nigeria’s security agencies, claiming his outspoken criticism of the federal government and the alleged targeting of political opponents may make him a potential target. In an interview with BBC Hausa, El‑Rufai said that although he has not yet been detained, he believes his arrest is imminent, noting that several close associates have already been picked up by security forces. “About four people we worked with in Kaduna have been arrested; so it’s only a matter of time before they come for me too,” he said, highlighting what he described as political pressure and intimidation of opposition voices.
El‑Rufai alleged that the APC-led federal government is using security and anti-corruption agencies to intimidate dissenting politicians, forcing some to either defect to the ruling party or face punitive action. His remarks come amid heightened political tension in the country and follow the arrest and ongoing trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, who faces charges including abuse of office — allegations he describes as politically motivated. Critics say selective targeting of opposition figures undermines democratic principles and escalates mistrust in governance, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections. El‑Rufai’s warning has intensified debates about the independence of law enforcement agencies and their role in political matters.
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Once a key figure in the APC, El‑Rufai has become a vocal critic of parts of the current administration. He claims that officials linked to his past administration have faced repeated investigations and detentions without formal charges, alleging these actions are politically motivated. In a confidential memo dated February 10, 2026, he stated that several former aides and associates had been detained and arraigned on what he called “phantom charges” designed to tarnish reputations and limit political competition.
While he insists he has committed no wrongdoing, El‑Rufai has called for due process and transparency, stressing that Nigeria’s political space must remain free from intimidation and unlawful targeting of opponents. His statement underscores growing concerns about political intimidation and the misuse of security agencies, highlighting the need for institutional independence and protection of opposition voices as the country navigates an increasingly charged political atmosphere.
El‑Rufai Warns He Could Be Arrested Amid Rising Political Tensions
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