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FCT Area Council Polls: Police Deploy Massive Security, Restrict Movement 6am–6pm



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja

Residents of Abuja will experience tight security and movement restrictions this Saturday as authorities prepare for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has announced a large-scale deployment of security personnel across the territory to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls.

According to the Command, the operation involves coordinated support from several sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, directed officers to maintain professionalism and impartiality while providing adequate security at polling units and collation centres.

He emphasized that personnel must remain vigilant, courteous, and respectful of citizens’ rights throughout the exercise.

Movement Restriction

To strengthen security during the elections, authorities have announced a restriction of movement from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM across the FCT.
Only:
Essential service providers
Accredited election officials
will be allowed to move during this period.

Residents are advised to comply fully with security guidelines and cooperate with officers on duty.

Public Advisory

The police reassured citizens of adequate protection and encouraged everyone to come out peacefully to exercise their civic responsibility without fear.

Members of the public are also urged to report suspicious persons or activities using the emergency lines:
📞 08032003913
📞 08061581938

Security agencies say all necessary measures have been put in place to guarantee a free, fair, and violence-free election.

Pope Leo XIV Urges Christians to ‘Fast From Hurtful Words’ as Lent Begins


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

As Christians around the world prepare to observe the Lenten season, Pope Leo XIV has called for a different kind of sacrifice — one that goes beyond food and focuses on the way people speak to one another.

In his 2026 Lenten message released ahead of Ash Wednesday and published by the Vatican, the Pontiff urged believers to abstain from words that offend, wound, or humiliate others, describing it as a “very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence.”

“I would like to invite you to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour,” the Pope said.

A Season of Reflection and Conversion

Lent, the 40-day period marked by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, offers Christians an opportunity to refocus their lives on God, the Pope explained. 

He noted that true conversion begins when believers allow God’s word to touch their hearts and guide them toward renewed commitment to Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

According to him, listening plays a central role in spiritual growth — listening not only to God but also to others. He stressed that authentic relationships are built on attentiveness and compassion.

“In the midst of the many voices present in our personal lives and in society, Sacred Scripture helps us to recognise and respond to the cry of those who are anguished and suffering,” he said.

Fasting Beyond Food

While traditional fasting remains important, the Pope said it should not be limited to physical sacrifice. Instead, fasting should help believers rediscover their hunger for justice and free themselves from complacency.

“Precisely because it involves the body, fasting makes it easier to recognise what we ‘hunger’ for and what we deem necessary for our sustenance,” he explained.

However, he cautioned that fasting must be practiced with humility and faith, warning that it should never become a source of pride or self-righteousness.

‘Disarm Your Language’
Highlighting what he described as an often-overlooked form of fasting, the Pontiff urged Christians to “disarm” their speech.

He called on believers to avoid harsh words, rash judgment, gossip, slander, and speaking ill of others — especially those who are not present to defend themselves.

“Let us begin by disarming our language,” he said.

The Pope encouraged kindness and respect in everyday interactions — at home, at work, in churches, on social media, and even during political debates.
If practiced faithfully, he said, “words of hatred” would give way to “words of hope and peace.”

Building Communities of Compassion
Beyond personal discipline, the Pope emphasized the communal nature of Lent, urging families, parishes, and religious communities to become spaces of listening, welcome, and support — particularly for the poor and suffering.

He concluded with a prayer that Christian communities would find the strength to practice a deeper, more meaningful fast — one that creates space for others by choosing words that heal rather than harm.

Ramadan and Lent Begin as Millions of Muslims and Christians Enter Season of Fasting and Reflection

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Millions of faithful across the world are today beginning the sacred observances of Ramadan and Lent, marking solemn periods of fasting, prayer, sacrifice, and spiritual renewal in Islam and Christianity.

For Muslims, Ramadan — the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar — is a deeply significant time devoted to fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayers, charity, and self-discipline. 

The holy month encourages believers to strengthen their relationship with God, support the needy, and cultivate patience and gratitude.

Christians observing Lent are also commencing a 40-day journey of prayer, repentance, and self-denial leading up to Easter Sunday. The season begins with Ash Wednesday, symbolizing reflection and spiritual preparation.

Moon Sighting Confirms Start of Ramadan

Authorities in Saudi Arabia officially announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Tuesday, confirming the start of Ramadan 1447. With the Hilal sighted, fasting begins on Wednesday, while Taraweeh prayers were held after Isha on Tuesday night.

A post shared on X by @Muslim stated:
“BREAKING: Saudi Arabia announces the first day of fasting for Ramadan to begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Taraweeh will begin tonight on the first evening of the blessed month. It’s recommended to follow the fasting time designated by your local community and country.”

Countries Begin Fasting

Muslims in Nigeria, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, alongside Saudi Arabia and several other nations, will observe their first fast at dawn on Wednesday.

However, due to differences in moon sightings and time zones, some countries will begin a day later. Muslims in Japan, Oman, Singapore, and Turkey have officially announced Thursday, February 19, as the first day of Ramadan.

Nigeria’s Sultan Declares Ramadan
In Nigeria, the President-General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan following widespread reports of crescent sightings across the country.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaid, the moon was sighted in multiple locations on the 29th day of Sha’aban, confirming the commencement of the fast.

The Sultan urged Muslims nationwide to dedicate the holy month to prayers for peace, national unity, and improved security, while continuing to support one another through acts of kindness and charity.

A Season of Faith and Renewal

As Ramadan and Lent begin simultaneously this year, both Muslims and Christians are united in a shared spirit of sacrifice, devotion, and reflection — a powerful reminder of faith’s enduring role in fostering compassion and hope around the world.

Manual Transmission Retained as National Assembly Advances Electoral Bill



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

Despite heated debates and a tense floor vote, the National Assembly has pushed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill closer to passage, retaining manual transmission of results as a backup while approving electronic uploads.

During clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate amended Clause 28, cutting the election notice period from 360 days to 300 days. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the change would prevent the 2027 general elections from clashing with Ramadan, which could dampen turnout and disrupt logistics.

The adjustment followed consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission, which had scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027.

Committee Chairman Simon Lalong clarified that the dates were based on an earlier timetable set by former INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu, not a deliberate attempt to overlap with the holy month.

Clash Over Result Transmission

The biggest controversy came over Clause 60, which addresses how results are transmitted from polling units.

While lawmakers agreed to electronic transmission to INEC’s portal, a provision allowing manual collation where networks fail sparked division. 

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe pushed for strictly real-time electronic uploads, warning that manual alternatives could weaken transparency.

After a closed-door session and a standing vote, 55 senators backed retaining manual transmission as a safeguard against connectivity failures, while 15 voted for mandatory electronic-only uploads.

Presiding officer Godswill Akpabio described the outcome as “democracy in action,” arguing the fallback would prevent cancelled polls and endless reruns.

What the Bill Means

Under the proposed law:
Electronic transmission is officially recognised
Polling unit results remain the primary legal record
Manual submission is allowed during network failure
Direct and consensus party primaries are adopted

With the third reading complete, the bill moves Nigeria closer to a hybrid system that blends technology with contingency measures — a compromise lawmakers say will strengthen credibility ahead of 2027.


Tinubu, Trump, Biden, Harris Lead Global Tributes as Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies at 84



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

World leaders across continents are mourning the death of legendary American civil rights leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., who passed away peacefully at the age of 84, closing a historic chapter in the global struggle for racial equality and social justice.

Among those paying tribute are Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Joe Biden, each describing Jackson as a towering moral voice whose activism reshaped America and inspired justice movements around the world.

A Life Devoted to Justice

Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson emerged as one of the most recognisable faces of the American civil rights movement in the 1960s.

A close ally of Martin Luther King Jr., he worked within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, standing on the frontlines of protests demanding voting rights, racial equality and economic justice.

Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson refused to let the dream die. Instead, he intensified the fight — later founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organisation that championed political empowerment, economic inclusion and opportunities for marginalised communities.

In a statement announcing his passing, his family described him as:
“A tireless change agent whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.”

Breaking Barriers in Politics

Jackson didn’t just march — he ran.
His historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 made him one of the first African-Americans to mount serious bids for the White House. 

Though unsuccessful, those campaigns dramatically widened political participation and laid the foundation for future Black leadership in American politics.

Many believe his efforts paved the way for the eventual election of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president.

Tinubu: “A Servant-Leader”

President Tinubu, in a personally signed tribute, described Jackson as a servant-leader whose activism shaped global struggles for justice.

Reflecting on his student days in Chicago during the 1970s, Tinubu said he witnessed Jackson’s grassroots campaigns firsthand.

“I saw his commitment to justice and fairness. He helped steer American society closer to its founding promise of equality.”

Tinubu also praised Jackson’s deep connection to Africa, highlighting his vocal opposition to apartheid and advocacy for the freedom of Nelson Mandela and other African liberation leaders.

Trump: “A Force of Nature”
President Trump remembered Jackson as energetic, charismatic and deeply people-oriented.

Writing on his social platform, he called Jackson:
“A force of nature… very gregarious — someone who truly loved people.”

Trump also recalled providing office space in New York for Jackson’s coalition, noting his ability to connect across political divides despite strong progressive convictions.

Biden: “Determined and Tenacious”

Former President Biden described Jackson as both a spiritual and political giant.

“Determined and tenacious. Unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our nation,” Biden wrote.

He said Jackson influenced generations of Americans and leaders by relentlessly pushing the country toward its promise of equality.

Harris: “One of America’s Greatest Patriots”

Vice President Harris shared a personal memory from her student days in California, proudly displaying a “Jesse Jackson for President” sticker on her car during the 1980s.

She said those small moments of solidarity captured Jackson’s mission:
“Lifting up the dignity of working people, building community and strengthening our democracy.”

Civil Rights Leaders React

Tributes also poured in from prominent voices in the movement.

Veteran activist Al Sharpton called Jackson “transformative,” saying he changed laws, policies and lives.

Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock described him as “one of America’s great moral voices,” while political figures like Pete Buttigieg, Stacey Abrams, and Bernice King praised his courage, inclusiveness and ability to unite diverse communities.

A Legacy That Lives On

For more than five decades, Jesse Jackson stood at the intersection of faith, activism and politics. From marching beside Dr. King to running for president and mobilising millions of voters, he remained a relentless advocate for those pushed to society’s margins.

Though he is gone, the movement he helped build — and the doors he forced open — remain.

His life was proof that one voice, when persistent enough, can move a nation.

Senate Passes Electoral Act, 2022 Amid Clauses Row


By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The Senate on Tuesday passed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026, following a stormy debate over key provisions of the legislation.

Heated Debate Over Clause 60
The upper chamber’s proceedings began on a tense note as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC/Abia South) demanded a division on Clause 60, which addresses the electronic transmission of election results.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially stated that the demand had been withdrawn, prompting immediate objections from opposition senators.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Order 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, arguing it would be out of order to revisit any provision already ruled on by the Senate President.

The intervention sparked further uproar, with Senator Sunday Karimi briefly clashing with Abaribe. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele reminded lawmakers that his motion for rescission invalidated previous decisions, making Abaribe’s demand procedurally in order.

Abaribe, invoking Order 72(1), called for a division specifically on Clause 60(3), which provides that if electronic transmission fails, Form EC8A should not serve as the sole basis for results. 

He sought the removal of the proviso allowing manual transmission in case of network failure.

During the division, 55 senators supported retaining the proviso, while 15 opposed, effectively upholding the existing clause.

Clause-by-Clause Consideration
The Senate had earlier moved into clause-by-clause deliberation following the formal seconding of a motion to rescind the earlier passage of the bill.

This allowed lawmakers to dissolve into a Committee of the Whole for detailed consideration and re-enactment of the legislation.

The process stalled briefly at Clause 60 after Abaribe’s point of order, prompting murmurs and consultations across the chamber before the session moved into a closed-door deliberation.

Timing of 2027 Elections

Concerns over the 2027 general elections timetable and technical inconsistencies in the bill prompted the motion for rescission. 

Bamidele noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the elections for February 2027, but certain provisions in the amended law, particularly the 360-day notice requirement in Clause 28, could conflict with this schedule.

He explained that conducting elections during Ramadan could adversely affect voter turnout, logistical arrangements, and the overall inclusiveness of the process.

The motion also highlighted discrepancies in the Long Title and multiple clauses, including Clauses 6, 9, 10, 22, 23, 28, 29, 32, 42, 47, 51, 60, 62, 64, 65, 73, 77, 86, 87, 89, 93, and 143. These issues reportedly affected cross-referencing, serial numbering, and internal consistency within the bill.

Women Affairs Ministry Seeks Increase in 2026 Budget Allocation



By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for an upward review of the N134.2 billion proposed for her ministry in the 2026 fiscal year.

The appeal was made during her budget defence before the Senate Committee on Women Affairs on Monday, as the committee expressed concern over what it described as “abysmally low” cash releases for the ministry’s capital and overhead components in the 2025 budget.

According to the minister, increasing the allocation would enable the ministry to effectively implement programmes aimed at addressing the complex challenges facing women across the country.

“In line with the plan and the need for more domestic allocations in the 2026 fiscal year, an upward review of budget estimates for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development should be done,” Hajia Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated.

Responding, the committee chairman, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), said while there was no objection to a higher allocation for 2026, the persistent issue of poor fund releases must first be addressed.

“We are not against an upward review of what is earmarked for your ministry in 2026, but the problem is abysmal. Release of funds, as reflected in your presentation on the 2025 budget appropriation and releases, is a serious concern to us. 

That problem must be addressed first,” she said.

During her presentation, the minister revealed that out of N89.8 billion appropriated for capital expenditure in 2025, only N394 million was released in December, which was ultimately unutilised. Similarly, of the N2.8 billion allocated for overhead costs, only N471 million was released.

For 2026, the ministry has been earmarked a total of N134.2 billion, broken down as N2.1 billion for personnel costs, N131.2 billion for capital expenditure, and N810.9 million for overhead.