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.
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.
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.
