National Assembly Proposes November 2026 For Nigeria’s Next General Elections

The National Assembly has proposed rescheduling Nigeria’s next general elections to November 2026, moving them six months earlier than the usual February timeline. The recommendation comes through the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was presented on Monday at a joint public hearing by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The bill seeks to repeal the 2022 Electoral Act and introduce a new Electoral Act 2025. Lawmakers, civil society groups, and other stakeholders attended the one-day session. The draft amendment states that “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” The change is intended to ensure all election disputes are resolved before the May 29, 2027 handover. “The above provisions are to ensure that all litigations are concluded before swearing in,” the document notes. Lawmakers, however, emphasized that adjusting the election date alone may not be sufficient unless the judiciary is strengthened to handle the growing number of election cases. The joint committee questioned, “In a situation where a rerun is ordered by the Supreme Court at the end of 185 days, can we have vacancy in the office of the President?” highlighting the need for judicial preparedness. If the amendment is approved, presidential and governorship elections would take place in November 2026, about six months before the current administration’s term ends. Other notable provisions in the bill include voting rights for inmates, early diaspora voting, linking voter registration to the National Identification Number (NIN), and mandatory electronic transmission of results. The amendment also proposes significant changes to voter identification. It states that “The use of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) will not be compulsory, since the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) does not recognise the microchip in the PVC.” Registered voters would be able to “download and print their voter’s card whenever the need arises.” Lawmakers believe this digital approach will curb the buying and selling of PVCs, a challenge in past elections, and make voter verification fully electronic. The draft includes adjustments to Sections 18 and 47 and deletes Section 22 of the existing Electoral Act.  

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Tinubu Requests Senate Approval For Joash Amupitan As INEC Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has sent a formal request to the Senate seeking confirmation of Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The request, communicated in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was read during Tuesday’s plenary session. Amupitan’s appointment was unanimously approved by the National Council of State on October 9. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, he will succeed Mahmood Yakubu, who completed his tenure at the commission. In the letter, Tinubu emphasized that the confirmation aligns with Section 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and expressed hope that the Senate would expedite the approval process. Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative consideration.  

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Edo GIS Denies Viral Claim Of 17-Year-Old Buying 14,000 Hectares Of Land

Edo GIS Denies Viral Claim Of 17-Year-Old Buying 14,000 Hectares Of Land

The Edo Geographic Information Service (Edo GIS) has refuted reports claiming that a 17-year-old boy purchased 14,000 hectares of land in the state. The story, which circulated widely on social media, also suggested that Governor Monday Okpebholo had suspended the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy following the alleged purchase. In a statement on Monday, Edo GIS’s Director of Press, Tunde Egbiremonlen, described the claims as “false and mischievous.” Egbiremonlen clarified that no such transaction exists in the agency’s records and emphasized that, as a minor, a 17-year-old cannot legally acquire land under Edo law. He added, “The Edo GIS system will automatically reject such applications due to age restrictions.”  

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Prof. Joy Ogwu, Former Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dies At 79

Nigeria mourns the passing of Prof. Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, a distinguished diplomat and scholar, who died at 79 in New York. Family sources told the Nigeria Television Authority that she passed away in the early hours of Monday at a hospital, with her daughter present. Born on August 22, 1946, in Delta State, Prof. Ogwu had a long and impactful career in academia, research, and diplomacy. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2007 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and later became the country’s first female Permanent Representative to the United Nations, serving from 2008 to 2017. Prior to her government roles, she led the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) as Director-General, earning recognition for her expertise in international relations, disarmament, and Nigeria’s foreign policy. Her legacy has left a lasting mark on the nation’s diplomatic efforts and global presence.  

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Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina Leaves Country Amid Protests And Military Takeover

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has reportedly left the country as protests demanding his resignation escalate. Rajoelina was scheduled to address the nation at 17:30 GMT on Monday but postponed the speech after soldiers threatened to seize state television, the presidency said. This is the second time his address has been delayed, and he has not been seen in public since last Wednesday. Opposition leader Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko told Reuters that Rajoelina departed Madagascar on Sunday following defections from parts of the army that joined the protesters. “We called the staff of the presidency, and they confirmed that he left the country,” he said. A military source said Rajoelina flew out on a French military plane, with French radio RFI reporting he had reached an agreement with President Emmanuel Macron. Christian Ntsay, his former prime minister, and businessman Maminiaina Ravatomanga, a close ally, also flew to Mauritius on Sunday, confirmed the Mauritian government. Before leaving, Rajoelina warned of a plot to seize power illegally as soldiers joined youth-led demonstrations. Shortly after, CAPSAT, an elite army unit, announced it had taken control of the military command, overseeing all land, air, and naval forces. In Antananarivo, soldiers marched alongside protesters, openly supporting the demonstrations. This occurred just hours after the presidency’s warning about an attempted illegal power grab. No immediate violence was reported, but the military’s loyalty remains unclear, leaving Madagascar’s political future uncertain.  

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Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme Performs Africa’s First UroLift Procedure In Lagos

Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a Nigerian consultant in urology, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, has successfully carried out Africa’s first UroLift procedure in Lagos, marking a milestone in prostate enlargement treatment and medical innovation in the region. The surgery took place at The Prostate Clinic (TPC) in Victoria Island, Lagos, introducing a minimally invasive technique that treats benign prostate enlargement while preserving sexual function. Ekwueme said the procedure is a major advancement for Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare system, providing a safer alternative to traditional surgeries, which often come with side effects. “The UroLift works by lifting and securing the enlarged prostate tissue to open the urinary channel without cutting or removing tissue,” he explained. “This allows men to maintain normal sexual and reproductive functions, which has been a concern for younger patients.” Not all patients qualify for the procedure. Men with a prostate volume of 80 millilitres or less may be eligible after thorough screening to rule out cancer or other complications. He warned that untreated prostate enlargement, though usually non-cancerous, can lead to frequent urination, incontinence, or complete urinary blockage that may require catheterisation. If left untreated, it could cause permanent bladder damage or kidney failure. The UroLift procedure can be done under local or spinal anesthesia, allowing patients to return home within hours or by the next day.  

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Over 10,000 Mental Health Visits Recorded In Ogun State In First Half Of 2025

Ogun State has reported more than 10,000 visits to its mental health centers in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ilaro, and Ota in the first half of 2025. Tomi Coker, the state’s Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Friday during a news conference in Abeokuta marking the 2025 World Mental Health Day. Represented by Kayode Oladehinde, the ministry’s permanent secretary, she said nearly 1,000 of the patients were new, while the rest were follow-up cases. “The data reflects the growing burden of mental health issues in the state and the chronic nature of these conditions,” Coker said. Psychosis, neurosis, epilepsy, depression, and substance use disorders were the most common conditions recorded. Coker highlighted this year’s World Mental Health Day theme, “Access to Services Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” noting that disasters such as floods, disease outbreaks, insecurity, conflicts, and natural calamities leave lasting psychological impacts. In commemoration of the day, the government has planned awareness campaigns and community engagement programs. She urged families, employers, religious and community leaders, and the media to support mental well-being, challenge stigma, and promote access to care. Coker reaffirmed Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to sustainable, affordable healthcare, emphasizing that mental health services would remain accessible and acceptable to all residents.  

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Bilyaminu Bello’s Family Condemns Presidential Pardon Granted to Convicted Wife Maryam Sanda

Bilyaminu Bello’s Family Condemns Presidential Pardon Granted to Convicted Wife Maryam Sanda

The family of the late Bilyaminu Bello has voiced strong opposition to the presidential pardon granted to his wife, Maryam Sanda, who was convicted and sentenced to death for his murder. They described the clemency as “a grave injustice” that has reopened old wounds. In a statement released on Monday, Dr. Bello Mohammed, speaking on behalf of the family, said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to include Sanda among 175 inmates pardoned under the Prerogative of Mercy had disregarded the suffering of the victim’s loved ones. “To see Maryam Sanda walk free after committing such a brutal crime is the worst possible injustice any family could face,” the statement said. The family recalled that Sanda was convicted by the FCT High Court on January 27, 2020, for the premeditated murder of her husband. The conviction was later upheld by the Court of Appeal on December 4, 2020, and affirmed by the Supreme Court on October 27, 2023. The family said the rulings had provided some closure, despite Sanda showing “no remorse at any point.” “This development, coming just a few years after Bilyaminu’s tragic death, has reopened our deepest wounds,” the statement added. The family criticized the Federal Government, alleging that the pardon was influenced by appeals from Sanda’s relatives and failed to consider the pain inflicted on Bilyaminu’s family. “The pardon seems aimed at appeasing Maryam Sanda’s family while completely ignoring the agony of Bilyaminu’s grieving loved ones,” the statement said. They also accused the government of undermining the judicial process and diminishing the significance of Bilyaminu’s life, reducing him to “just another statistic” among crime victims. The family highlighted the impact on Sanda’s children, noting that they were deprived of their father’s love and care. “The grounds for her release relied partly on appeals from her family, yet Bilyaminu’s life and love for his children were equally important,” the statement said. Despite their grief, the family said they trust in divine justice. “We take solace in knowing that ultimate justice rests with the Supreme Judge, who will settle this matter on the Day of Recompense,” they said. Maryam Sanda was among 175 inmates granted clemency last week under the Prerogative of Mercy, a policy that allows the President to pardon prisoners on humanitarian grounds. She was convicted in 2020 for fatally stabbing her husband at their Abuja home on November 19, 2017.  

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