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Party Leaders Storm NASS, Drum Support For Yakubu
A Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) stormed the National Assembly, yesterday, to express their support for the screening and confirmation of Prof Mahmood Yakubu by the Senate as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The coalition urged the lawmakers to shun the alleged clandestine move by some politicians to scuttle the confirmation of Yakubu for a second term.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently reappointed Yakubu for another five-year tenure.
The Coalition of Political Parties, which stormed the National Assembly with banners of various inscriptions, appreciated Mr President for reappointing Yakubu for a second term, adding that his reappointment was a right step in a right direction.
The inscriptions read: ‘All political parties in Nigeria accept professor Yakubu reappointment as INEC chairman, commend Senate President and Senators for speedy screening action.
“All political parties in Nigeria say President Buhari’s reappointment of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as INEC chairman will help consolidate the ongoing reforms in INEC, especially electronic voting.”
Addressing newsmen at the venue, the National Chairman of Action Alliance, Kenneth Udeze, gave kudos to President Buhari for the reappointment of Yakubu, adding that as oppositions it is not all issues that should be criticised.
He said that when the President does something good, he should be appreciated.
Commending Yakubu for his innovation in Edo and Ondo elections, Udeze said that the transmission of election results by electronic means is commendable.
“He has done well. One thing is to have a team and another to have a good man at the head”, he said.
He called on Yakubu to stop using ad-hoc staff as returning officers, but staff.
Udeze urged the INEC chairman to replicate what he did in Edo and Ondo in the forthcoming 2023 general election, by ensuring that the process of using electronic voting in the election was put in place.
Recall that the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) had raised the alarm that some people in President Buhari’s government were working to scuttle the screening of his nominee.
IPAC had alleged that it has uncovered a plot to use the court to truncate Senate screening of Yakubu as INEC chairman, adding that two serving ministers are behind the plot to stop his reappointment.
IPAC had said that ‘a few desperate politicians particularly those in the cabinet of the President have conspired to yet again desecrate the temple of justice, the institution of the judiciary like they did in the removal of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria to hijack the legislative powers of the Senate to screen and confirm the nominee.
“We have uncovered a deadly plot to procure a midnight court order to destabilise the electoral stability of the country and throw the electoral body into leadership vacuum and challenges. This plot is being secretly spearheaded by those who parade as loyalists of Mr President in the day time but wear a treacherous dress to undo the President and sabotage his agenda in pursuit of a desperate ambition to be president and governor.”
Meanwhile, the nominee for the position of Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu has told the Senate that one major challenge that confronted him in his first five year was the postponement of 2019 election by one week.
Yakubu, who appeared before the Senator Kabiru Gaya, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kano South-led Senate Committee on INEC for screening, said that the postponement was a major issue that he learnt a lot from, and hope that such a situation or experience does not occur again.
He also told the committee that if confirmed by the Senate for another five-year tenure, he would do his best to deliver on reforming the commission to meet the needs of millions of Nigerians for transparent elections.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.