News
Trump to boycott Biden inauguration, Twitter permanently suspends president
President Donald Trump on Friday said he would not attend Joe Biden’s inauguration later this month.
“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the inauguration on January 20th,” he announced on Twitter.
This also ‘provoked’ a permanent suspension order slammed on the US President by Twitter.
Trump’s decision to boycott Biden’s swearing-in ceremony comes after weeks of his refusing to acknowledge that Biden defeated him in the November 3, 2020 presidential election, US Today reports.
Trump finally acknowledged his loss in a video on Thursday, saying a new administration would take office on January 20.
But Biden said he won’t miss Trump and called Trump’s decision to boycott his inaugural “one of the few things he and I have ever agreed on.”
“It’s a good thing he’s not showing up,” Biden said on Friday at a news conference in Wilmington, Delaware.
Trump is not the first outgoing president to skip his successor’s inauguration. John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson did not attend the inaugurals of the men who succeeded them. Richard Nixon left the White House after resigning and did not go to Gerald Ford’s swearing-in.
After reports on Thursday that Vice President Mike Pence was expected to attend the inauguration, spokesman Devin O’Malley tweeted: “You can’t attend something you haven’t received an invitation to.”
But a spokeswoman for Biden’s inaugural committee said Pence is “of course invited to attend the Inaugural.” She said the president and vice president traditionally do not receive formal invitations. Attendance is coordinated at a staff level “and that is taking place,” the spokeswoman said.
Pence and his wife “have yet to make a decision regarding their attendance,” O’Malley said Friday.
Asked if Pence should attend his inauguration, Biden said it was important to stick to historical precedence “as much as we can.”
“The vice president is welcome to come,” Biden said, adding he’d “be honored to have him there.”
Biden’s inauguration will be a scaled-down event because of the health risks posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Tickets to the swearing-in ceremony will be limited. The traditional parade down Pennsylvania Avenue will be replaced by a virtual parade that will be televised.
Meanwhile, Twitter has announced that it has permanently suspended Trump.
“After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter — we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence,” Twitter wrote in a statement Friday evening.
Trump’s final tweet said he would not be attending the inauguration of Biden.
Hashtags for “TrumpBanned” and “Thank you Twitter” quickly rose to the top of the social media site in the wake of the permanent suspension, according to abcnews.go.com.
Hours after his suspension, Trump released a statement criticising the ban, and teasing a possible new platform.
“I predicted this would happen,” he wrote in part. “We have been negotiating with various other sites, and will have a big announcement soon, while we also look at the possibilities of building out our own platform in the near future. We will not be SILENCED!”
“Twitter is not about FREE SPEECH. They are all about promoting a Radical Left platform where some of the most vicious people in the world are allowed to speak freely,” he added.
Trump had attempted to post the same statement on Twitter, using the official @POTUS account, but the platform deleted the thread, saying users who are banned cannot post from other accounts.
The @POTUS account, rarely used by Trump himself over the past four years, will be transferred over to the Biden administration following his inauguration, the ABC News report adds.
News
Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents
Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents
The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Abdulganiyu Obasa, has announced a free 3kg cooking gas refill programme for 4,000 residents of the council area.
Obasa made the announcement via a post on X on Friday, stating that the initiative is aimed at reducing household energy costs and providing immediate relief at the grassroots amid rising prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
According to the council chairman, beneficiaries will be selected from the seven wards in Agege, with equal allocation across all wards to ensure fairness, accessibility, and inclusiveness.
“As part of our continued commitment to easing the daily burdens faced by our people, I am pleased to announce a free cooking gas refill programme for 4,000 residents across the seven wards in Agege,” Obasa said.
He explained that designated gas refill stations have been assigned to each ward, adding that the distribution would run on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are required to bring their personal gas cylinders, as only refill services will be provided.
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Obasa warned that once the allocated slots for any ward are exhausted, the exercise would be concluded in that location.
The council boss said the intervention is part of measures to cushion the impact of rising gas prices, support vulnerable households, and promote the use of cleaner and safer cooking energy.
“This is one of several people-focused programmes we are implementing to improve quality of life, encourage clean energy adoption, and demonstrate that governance must be felt where it matters most — in our homes and communities,” he stated.
Obasa is the son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, though the council stressed that the initiative is part of its local social intervention programmes.
The announcement has attracted mixed reactions on social media, with many residents welcoming the scheme as timely relief amid economic pressure.
However, some critics questioned the sustainability of the intervention, arguing that job creation, empowerment programmes, and small business support would provide more long-term economic solutions.
As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued by Obasa to the criticisms, though council officials said further details on distribution dates and locations would be communicated through official channels.
Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents
News
UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing
UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing
The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has confirmed that 100-level student Sadiya Usman has been found safe after being reported missing earlier this week. The university expressed relief and gratitude to the public and security agencies for their assistance in locating the student.
Sadiya Usman, who is enrolled in the Department of Accounting, was last seen leaving her residence at Kontagora Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, at around 8:00 a.m. She was on her way to the university’s Main Campus to sit for her Computer-Based Test (GST 111) but did not arrive for the exam.
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After her disappearance, her guardian reported her missing when all attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful. The university promptly activated internal safety protocols and collaborated with security agencies, campus authorities, and the public to ensure her safe recovery.
The student was eventually located late on Thursday, 20 February 2026, around 11:49 p.m., and is reported to be safe, unhurt, and in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that coordinated efforts between the university, law enforcement, and concerned members of the public were instrumental in her recovery.
The university reaffirmed its commitment to student safety and welfare, promising continuous updates as necessary. It also thanked those who responded to the public appeal for information and urged students and parents to remain vigilant about safety.
This incident highlights the importance of campus security measures, timely reporting of missing persons, and the role of community involvement in safeguarding students.
UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing
News
Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim
Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed plans to arrest and prosecute TikTok user Mirabel after she admitted that her viral rape allegation was false, authorities and investigative reports indicate.
Mirabel, a social media influencer, first sparked national attention after posting videos alleging she had been sexually assaulted in her home in Ogijo, Ogun State. The posts quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage, calls for justice, and prompting the police to launch an immediate investigation.
An audio recording of a phone conversation, shared online by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), reportedly captures Mirabel acknowledging that parts of her story were fabricated. In the recording, she apologises and admits creating a threatening TikTok account to support her narrative, claiming she had been taking drugs at the time and “was not thinking clearly” when posting the videos.
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A police source said senior officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving medical care. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody and formally charged under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to false reporting of sexual offenses. “The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others,” the source added.
The Ogun State Police had earlier ensured that Mirabel received medical treatment and support, following procedures to protect her health while the investigation continued. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the incident fell outside its jurisdiction and forwarded all relevant information to the Ogun authorities.
This development has sparked public debate about the responsible use of social media, the impact of false allegations, and the importance of evidence-based reporting. Legal experts warn that fabricating sexual assault claims can carry serious criminal penalties and may undermine the credibility of genuine victims.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to cooperate with law enforcement in ongoing investigations. Updates on the case will be issued by the Ogun State Police Command as formal legal proceedings begin.
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