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Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi Polls: CDS, IG Read Riot Act
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, have warned those planning to disrupt the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi to stay clear of the three states.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja, Musa urged the residents of Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states not to entertain any fear.
Musa pledged that the Armed Forces would provide full support to the police in ensuring that the elections were free and fair.
“The Armed Forces, the police, and other security agencies would be on the ground. Every Nigerian, we are sure, is tired of elections with violence and this will try to make a difference.
“We want at the end of the day, every Nigerian should be proud of, first to be a Nigerian and to understand that elections are now free and fair.
“We want everybody who wins our elections to be happy that he won very well without any intimidation,’’ he said.
The army chief said that a warning had already been sent to security personnel to be deployed for the elections that whoever misbehaved during the elections would face the consequence.
Musa advised that the presence of security agencies in the three states should not scare anybody, but those with plans to disrupt the election.
Also speaking, the IG, Egbetokun, said there would be no room for those planning to perpetrate trouble or violence in the states to operate.
”We are aware of negative mobilisations by some supporters of some candidates and we are already monitoring them. We are ready for them for these elections. I appeal to them to stay away from this election.
“I also appeal to the electorate to come out en masse to cast their votes during this election. We are committed to peaceful elections and no going back,’’ he said.
He said that the security agencies were ready and committed to making the off-cycle elections free and fair.
“We have received all necessary information from INEC which has informed us on where to deploy during these elections.
“We have carried out a threat assessment and that has informed us concerning the allocation of our resources and the deployment of our men.
“All the security agencies are collaborating strongly to ensure that these elections are violence-free,’’ he said.
He assured that accredited journalists for the election would be protected in the cause of carrying out their duties,’’ Egbetokun said.
The IG also shed more light on why the police planned to hold its annual retreat in Imo, saying the choice of the state was deliberate.
“Our choice of Owerri is deliberate. It is deliberate because of this election. We want to send a message to the people of Imo that the state is free for this election.
“We want to encourage the voters to come out en masse to take part in this election.
“We are deploying massively for Imo to make sure that the election in the state is free and fair and hitch-free,’’ Egbetokun said
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.
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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.