In the ongoing amendment to electoral law, the National Assembly made a proposal that would grant prisoner inmates in Nigeria the right to cast ballots in elections.
Prior to the start of the National Assembly’s Christmas break, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate’s leader, gave the hints that the proposed law would require the release of funds for general elections at least a year in advance of the election day.
Additionally, Bamidele further revealed that the Electoral Bill, 2025 introduces at least 20 key defining features that would help it stand out from previous electoral regimes.
A similar story is being read by INEC, according to Mahmood.
To accomplish this goal, we have begun reviewing the Electoral Act, 2022, clause by clause. We have accomplished a lot with the Electoral Bill, 2025, to improve how we conduct elections; increase the process’s credibility and hold the political parties accountable.
This perspective aligns with public demands for an electoral system that guarantees voter security. No fewer than 20 defining features are included in the Electoral Bill, 2025, to help it stand out from previous electoral regimes.
First, the Bill recognizes the right of prisoners to vote in accordance with Section 12(1) and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s obligation to register all of the prisoners who are eligible in all correctional facilities nationwide.
Formula 1 drivers gave a cautiously positive reaction to this year’s new cars at the end of the first day of pre-season testing in Spain on Monday.
Mercedes driver George Russell said: “The cars looked really cool out on the circuit and that’s positive for our sport.
“They are quite different for us as drivers but, once you get your head around it, driving them is quite intuitive.
“It’s enjoyable being behind the wheel and there’s a lot for fans to look forward to with these new regulations.”
The Briton’s team-mate Kimi Antonelli described his car as “very nice to drive”, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson said “there is a lot more we can do as drivers to make a difference” and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto said the new engines felt “very cool”.
The drivers were speaking in pool interviews provided by rights holder F1 and governing body the FIA, or in team statements.
Teams are holding a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, to which independent media have not been given access.
Secrecy was so intense that a number of journalists who were trying to observe the new cars from outside the circuit reported being moved on by security guards despite being on public land.
The decision was made to run the test in private as a result of the severe reliability problems a number of teams suffered when the engine rules were last changed in 2014.
This year, the cars are all new – with changes to the regulations governing chassis, engines, tyres and the mandating of carbon-neutral sustainable fuel.
McLaren
Seven of the 11 teams were running on Monday – Red Bull, Mercedes, Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine and the new Audi and Cadillac teams.
McLaren said last week that they would not take their car on to the track until after day one as a result of trying to maximise design time. Ferrari, after an initial test at their factory last week, had also announced they would not run on Monday.
Aston Martin have said their new car will not be ready until Thursday, and Williams are missing the test entirely after delays to their design and production programme.
No times were issued, and all teams ran into at least some technical issues as they learned about their new cars.
Rival teams were impressed by the amount of mileage the two Red Bull teams managed considering it was the first full day of running with their new in-house engine, which has been developed in conjunction with new partner Ford.
Before the test started, McLaren and Red Bull revealed images of their 2026 cars for the first time.
McLaren, who won the drivers’ and constructors’ championship double last year for the first time since 1998, showed the car in the one-off testing livery it will run in this week.
Red Bull showed studio shots of their car, carefully chosen to disguise key design features.
Russell added: “We are pleased with our day, but I’ve also been impressed by several other teams.
“The Red Bull power unit has completed a lot of laps which, given that it’s their first engine they’ve built, means they’ve clearly done a good job.
“Haas also managed a similar amount of running to ourselves, so the Ferrari power unit has also put together plenty of mileage. It’s not quite how it was in 2014! The sport has evolved so much since then and the level, in every single aspect, is so high now.”
Audi have taken over the Sauber team for the German car company’s first entry into F1. They suffered a reliability issue that prevented Bortoleto driving in the afternoon.
Team principal Jonathan Wheatley said: “We had a technical issue, spotted it and decided to switch the car off. Plenty of testing this year and wanted to really understand the problems, see what the weather conditions are and decide whether we run tomorrow.”
Rain is forecast for Tuesday’s second day of the test, during which teams are permitted to run on a maximum of three of the available days.
Bortoleto said: “The cars are very different. I feel these are going to be slower but it’s very cool to have the power unit being 50% electric – you go out of the corner and you have so much speed being deployed and you can see how strong the engine is.
“You need to adapt but it’s still a racing car.”
Racing Bulls’ Lawson said: “[The car is] very different to drive and I haven’t got my head around it fully yet. We will keep learning. It feels like there is a lot more we can do as drivers to make a difference, potentially, but right now it’s very early days, very hard to know where we are for now just trying to optimise the car.
“[The power unit] feels good. But it’s very hard to tell – the main thing is reliability at the moment.
In order to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, President Bola Tinubu has made a state visit to Ankara, the capital of the Republic of Türkiye.
The President had earlier left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Monday at around 2:05 p.m.
His aircraft touched down at the Ankara Esenbo Airport at 9:03 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Yusuf Tekin, the Minister of National Education.
Ambassador Zayyad Abdulsalam, the ambassador’s envoy at the Nigerian embassy in Turkey, along with other embassy officials, welcomed him as well.
On Monday, January 26, 2026, President Bola Tinubu was welcomed by a Turkish delegation. Photo by Bayo Onanuga/X
Read more about President Tinubu’s State Visit to Turkey.
The presidency made it clear that Tinubu’s visit is focused on strengthening Nigeria’s already cordial relationship with Turkey and looking into potential new cooperation opportunities in order to build a mutually beneficial partnership.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoan and President Tinubu are scheduled to speak with each other during the visit.
Other official engagements will also be included in the program, along with the signing of several memoranda of understandings between the two nations.
On the day of the visit, a business forum will be held to discuss opportunities for reciprocal economic growth between Nigerian and Turkish investors.
The President was greeted by senior Nigerian officials at his hotel, including Lateef Fagbemi, the Justice Minister, the Attorney General of the Federation, Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dele Alake, and General Christopher Musa (rtd), the Defense Minister.
On January 26, 2026, President Bola Tinubu arrived in Turkey and received his greetings from the Turkish delegation. Photo by Bayo Onanuga/X
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, Kingsley Udeh, the House Committee on Defense, Babajimi Benson, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, and Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed Mohammed, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, were also present at the hotel reception.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Tinubu is anticipated to make a second visit to Nigeria.
Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, was removed from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a betrayal of the party and its leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, according to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP’s national spokesperson, made this statement on Monday during a Politics Today interview with Channels Television.
Johnson questioned whether Kwankwaso personally felt violated by the governor’s decision, claiming that Kano State’s citizens were also affected.
He feels betrayed, “Naturalway.” However, it’s not just about him. The people of Kano came out in their numbers and gave the NNPP a mandate through Kwankwaso’s leadership after eight years of what they saw as poor governance.
Governor Yusuf defeats the APC with nine federal lawmakers in the states.
Combination of the Kwankwaso_Governor and Yusuf_APC flag
He made the point that the party’s victory was still secured despite the fact that the state had no prior political structure.
“They created a blank slate for the NNPP.” We won the state even though we had no chairman or councillor. They supported Abba Kabir Yusuf, according to the spokesman, from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Johnson claimed that leaving the APC without consulting the electorate constituted a betrayal of public trust.
You grant power to those who were voted out after eight years without consulting the electorate. No matter how you try to cover it up, he said, that is a betrayal.
Without Kwankwaso, support is lacking.
Johnson refuted the claim that Yusuf could have won the election without Kwankwaso’s support.
“That is now simple to say.” They are having fun with their five minutes. Abba Kabir Yusuf, His Excellency, would not be hesitant to say that anywhere in the world, he said.
Ibrahim Karaye, the party’s public relations officer, said the development had caused the party much pain but that the party remained politically strong in Kano.
“We are incredibly devastated. We are unhappy with this development because we feel betrayed. However, Karaye remarked that the NNPP is still a formidable force in Kano.
Governor Yusuf’s hands raised on the APC’s hands by deputy president Barau Jubrin on January 26, 2026, after he previously defected to the APC. X / @ Noble_Hassan
He claimed that key party stakeholders were aware of the governor’s intentions but were dissuaded, and that Yusuf had left because of internal difficulties at the NNPP.
He claimed that party leaders couldn’t provide advice and had limited access to the governor.
The governor’s residences were closed. He claimed that he had no access to him.
Kwankwaso and Gov Yusuf’s defection are linked.
(L-R) Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, and (L-R) Musa Rabiu Kwankwao, the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), respectively. Abba Kabir Yusuf/X PHOTO
On Monday, Governor Yusuf joined 22 House of Representatives members and nine members of the Kano State House of Assembly in formally defecting to the APC.
At a political ceremony held at Government House in Kano, the Coronation Hall made the announcement.
Yusuf stated that the decision was the result of extensive state consultations, including with party leaders, lawmakers, and supporters.
The governor explained that the action was intended to promote better governance and promote development.
“We’re deciding to work together rather than polarize.” Political parties are vehicles, with a goal to effect positive change in Kano’s citizens. Judge this based on the good deeds we put forth for the people, Yusuf said.
Former APC leaders Abdullahi Ganduje, former president of the country, Senator Barau Jibrin, Deputy president of the Senate, and Abubakar Kabiru Bichi, former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, were present at the event.
Up until their split in January 2026, Yusuf’s election as governor of Kano State was closely linked to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya movement.
Up until their split, Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya movement had a close relationship with Governor Yusuf’s ascendance to the Kano governorship.
Yusuf gained widespread recognition as Kwankwaso’s political protégé thanks to the movement’s strong grassroots and widespread backing.
On the NNPP platform, Kwankwaso polled 1, 019, 602 votes to defeat the APC candidate, earning widely credited with helping Yusuf win the 2023 governorship election.
However, Yusuf’s administration caused him to be under more pressure to become a constitutionally elected governor.
Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, was removed from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a betrayal of the party and its leader, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, according to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Ladipo Johnson, the NNPP’s national spokesperson, made this statement on Monday during a Politics Today interview with Channels Television.
Johnson questioned whether Kwankwaso personally felt violated by the governor’s decision, claiming that Kano State’s citizens were also affected.
He feels betrayed, “Naturalway.” However, it’s not just about him. The people of Kano came out in their numbers and gave the NNPP a mandate through Kwankwaso’s leadership after eight years of what they saw as poor governance.
Governor Yusuf defeats the APC with nine federal lawmakers in the states.
Combination of the Kwankwaso_Governor and Yusuf_APC flag
He made the point that the party’s victory was still secured despite the fact that the state had no prior political structure.
“They created a blank slate for the NNPP.” We won the state even though we had no chairman or councillor. They supported Abba Kabir Yusuf, according to the spokesman, from the tribunal to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Johnson claimed that leaving the APC without consulting the electorate constituted a betrayal of public trust.
You grant power to those who were voted out after eight years without consulting the electorate. No matter how you try to cover it up, he said, that is a betrayal.
Without Kwankwaso, support is lacking.
Johnson refuted the claim that Yusuf could have won the election without Kwankwaso’s support.
“That is now simple to say.” They are having fun with their five minutes. Abba Kabir Yusuf, His Excellency, would not be hesitant to say that anywhere in the world, he said.
Ibrahim Karaye, the party’s public relations officer, said the development had caused the party much pain but that the party remained politically strong in Kano.
“We are incredibly devastated. We are unhappy with this development because we feel betrayed. However, Karaye remarked that the NNPP is still a formidable force in Kano.
Governor Yusuf’s hands raised on the APC’s hands by deputy president Barau Jubrin on January 26, 2026, after he previously defected to the APC. X / @ Noble_Hassan
He claimed that key party stakeholders were aware of the governor’s intentions but were dissuaded, and that Yusuf had left because of internal difficulties at the NNPP.
He claimed that party leaders couldn’t provide advice and had limited access to the governor.
The governor’s residences were closed. He claimed that he had no access to him.
Kwankwaso and Gov Yusuf’s defection are linked.
(L-R) Abba Kabir Yusuf, governor of Kano State, and (L-R) Musa Rabiu Kwankwao, the leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), respectively. Abba Kabir Yusuf/X PHOTO
On Monday, Governor Yusuf joined 22 House of Representatives members and nine members of the Kano State House of Assembly in formally defecting to the APC.
At a political ceremony held at Government House in Kano, the Coronation Hall made the announcement.
Yusuf stated that the decision was the result of extensive state consultations, including with party leaders, lawmakers, and supporters.
The governor explained that the action was intended to promote better governance and promote development.
“We’re deciding to work together rather than polarize.” Political parties are vehicles, with a goal to effect positive change in Kano’s citizens. Judge this based on the good deeds we put forth for the people, Yusuf said.
Former APC leaders Abdullahi Ganduje, former president of the country, Senator Barau Jibrin, Deputy president of the Senate, and Abubakar Kabiru Bichi, former chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, were present at the event.
Up until their split in January 2026, Yusuf’s election as governor of Kano State was closely linked to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya movement.
Up until their split, Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiya movement had a close relationship with Governor Yusuf’s ascendance to the Kano governorship.
Yusuf gained widespread recognition as Kwankwaso’s political protégé thanks to the movement’s strong grassroots and widespread backing.
On the NNPP platform, Kwankwaso polled 1, 019, 602 votes to defeat the APC candidate, earning widely credited with helping Yusuf win the 2023 governorship election.
However, Yusuf’s administration caused him to be under more pressure to become a constitutionally elected governor.
Abba Abubakar, the son of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, has officially become a member of Adamawa State’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Yola North Local Government Area, Abubakar completed his registration on Monday.
He thanked party leaders and supporters who welcomed him after the exercise.
He said, “I am very grateful that these people have come out and supported me.”
Abubakar expressed his optimism regarding his political journey within the state and acknowledged APC leaders at all levels of the state’s political structure.
“I want to thank the APC members, the state exco leaders, the leaders of women, youth, and chairman.
I’m proud of the people of Adamawa because they deserve my gratitude. You and I are your children. We are going to go a very long way thanks to God’s grace, he said.
Governor Yusuf defeats the APC with nine federal lawmakers in the states.
His temporary APC membership card includes information for his registration, including Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government Area, and Adamawa State.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, is in. Images courtesy of Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun
The former Vice President, however, earlier said that his son’s choice was a personal choice driven by individual conscience, underscoring that such political choices are common in democratic settings, even when they involve close family members.
He added that plural politics’ distinctive political alignments are common.
The development comes a few months after Atiku Abubakar officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which platform he frequently used to run for president.
