Political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continued to heat up as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) projected almost ₦1 trillion for election logistics. The tension also deepened with a fresh clash between Atiku Abubakar and Ayodele Fayose over Governor Seyi Makinde’s visit to Minna.
Elsewhere, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai sparked public debate after reports of an alleged airport arrest attempt, while the National Assembly moved to harmonise the controversial Electoral Bill.
On the international scene, US President Donald Trump announced plans to meet troops involved in the capture of Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro.
Below are the major stories making waves:
1. INEC seeks nearly ₦1tn for 2027 elections
INEC has told the National Assembly that it needs ₦873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections.
The commission also requested ₦171bn to cover its operations for the 2026 fiscal year.
The 2027 projection represents a major increase compared to the ₦313.4bn released for the 2023 elections.
2. Atiku, Fayose clash over Makinde’s Minna visit
A political disagreement erupted after Fayose criticised Governor Makinde’s visit to Minna, sparking a strong reaction from Atiku.
Atiku dismissed Fayose’s claims of a political deal as “baseless” and “desperate,” while Fayose threatened to reveal details of the alleged meeting with former Head of State Gen Ibrahim Babangida.
3. Trump to meet troops behind Maduro capture
US President Donald Trump is set to meet with special forces soldiers involved in the operation that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January.
The White House said First Lady Melania Trump will accompany him to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where they will meet troops and military families.
4. El-Rufai sparks controversy after airport arrest drama
Mixed reactions followed reports that Nasir El-Rufai was nearly arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
El-Rufai described the alleged move by security operatives as executive overreach and warned that he could be arrested soon, claiming some of his former aides had already been detained.
5. NASS to harmonise Electoral Bill Monday
Lawmakers have scheduled a session to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the Electoral Bill.
The conference committee has been given one week to resolve key disagreements, especially the clause on electronic transmission of election results.
6. Appeal Court reserves judgment in PDP leadership dispute
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in nine appeals filed by rival PDP factions over decisions that stopped the party’s November convention in Ibadan.
That convention produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as PDP National Chairman.
7. Lagos to prosecute 75 suspects arrested on Coastal Road
The Lagos State Government says it will prosecute 75 suspected miscreants arrested along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road.
Authorities said the suspects include 68 males and seven females, and that substances suspected to be illicit drugs were recovered.
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8. Lookman has matched Osimhen’s impact — Peseiro
Former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro has praised Ademola Lookman, saying the forward has now matched Victor Osimhen’s impact in the national team.
9. Obasanjo blames 1979 rice policy reversal for Nigeria’s setback
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed Nigeria’s long-term dependence on rice imports on the 1979 policy reversal that lifted a ban imposed by the outgoing military government.
He said the reversal delayed Nigeria’s push towards rice self-sufficiency by decades.
