Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has announced that he will comply with an invitation from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

El-Rufai made the disclosure on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, a day after what he described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his return from Cairo, Egypt.

“Yesterday, after the futile attempt to abduct me, the ICPC delivered a letter inviting me to their office. My lawyer has confirmed that I will attend on Wednesday, 18 February 2026,” he wrote.

The incident at the airport involved security operatives reportedly trying to detain El-Rufai without presenting a formal invitation and temporarily seizing his international passport.

His media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, and legal counsel, Ubong Akpan, condemned the attempted arrest as unlawful and a violation of constitutional rights and procedural norms.
Akpan emphasized that El-Rufai is willing to cooperate with lawful investigations, provided due process is followed.

He added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously invited El-Rufai while he was abroad, and his team had communicated their intention to comply upon his return.

“The EFCC invitation was delivered to Malam El-Rufai’s residence while he was abroad. We notified them that he would voluntarily appear at their office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026,” Akpan explained.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has confirmed that the African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and Labour Party will not take part in the upcoming bye-elections into the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The polls are scheduled for February 21 in two constituencies — Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada East State Constituency II.

Speaking at a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, disclosed that five candidates will contest in Khana Constituency II, while seven candidates will vie for the seat in Ahoada East Constituency II.

Participating parties include AA, APC, APM, BP, NNPP, YPP, and ZLP.

INEC explained that the PDP failed to conduct a primary election and therefore did not produce a candidate.

The ADC was excluded after it could not upload its candidate’s details to the commission’s nomination portal before the deadline, while the Labour Party is currently entangled in legal disputes over its candidacy process.

The commission added that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines have been configured and are ready for deployment, with training and screening of election personnel already underway.

To ensure credibility, all Supervisory Presiding Officers will be drawn from core INEC staff, given that the exercise will take place in only two local government areas.

Other ad hoc staff, including Assistant Presiding Officers, will be sourced from the National Youth Service Corps.

INEC said non-sensitive materials have been distributed to the affected LGAs, while sensitive materials will be delivered to registration centres on election morning under security escort.

The commission also revealed that potential flashpoints have been identified and security agencies briefed to guarantee safety and order during the exercise, assuring voters and stakeholders of its commitment to a free, fair, and credible poll.

The Kano State Government has denied allegations that it made moves to prevent former governor and senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from entering the state, describing the claim as false and politically motivated.

The allegation was earlier raised by Kwankwaso’s associate, Buba Galadima, who claimed that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had written to the Federal Government of Nigeria seeking to restrict the senator’s movement into Kano.

Reacting in a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, dismissed the claim as reckless and unfounded, insisting that the state government had never attempted to stop any citizen from entering Kano.

He stressed that the administration remains committed to upholding constitutional rights, including freedom of movement and association, and is focused on governance and service delivery rather than political distractions.

The government also cautioned against spreading unverified claims capable of heightening tension in the state, urging those making such allegations to provide evidence or withdraw their statements in the interest of peace.

It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability, unity and democratic freedoms, noting that no political provocation would derail its mandate to serve residents of the state.

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in multiple appeals arising from the leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party over its controversial national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The appellate panel fixed a date to be communicated later after parties adopted their written briefs in the nine appeals challenging earlier rulings of the Federal High Court that halted the party’s November 15 and 16 convention.

The convention had produced Tanimu Turaki as national chairman alongside other party officers, but the process was contested by rival factions.

In one of the appeals, the PDP, its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee are seeking to overturn an October 2025 judgment that stopped the convention.

Counsel to the appellants argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and urged the appellate court to set aside the ruling.

However, lawyers representing opposing factions maintained that the appeal lacked merit, insisting that disputes over party leadership fall outside the competence of the Federal High Court.

The legal battle stems from separate judgments delivered by different Federal High Court judges, including Justice James Omotosho, who ruled that the PDP failed to comply with statutory provisions guiding party conventions and electoral processes.

The court had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising any outcome of a convention conducted without adherence to due process, including mandatory notice requirements and compliance with the Electoral Act.

Other rulings similarly barred the party from proceeding with the convention and directed INEC not to supervise or publish its results, citing alleged breaches such as failure to conduct congresses in some states and irregular notification procedures.

With arguments now concluded, attention shifts to the Appeal Court’s final decision, which is expected to determine the legitimacy of the convention and shape the party’s future.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 20, 2027, for the conduct of Nigeria’s next presidential and National Assembly elections.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, unveiled the timetable on Friday during a press briefing in Abuja, confirming that governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on March 6, 2027.

The announcement comes amid ongoing debate over the delayed passage of amendments to the Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.

Earlier this month, the commission indicated that it had concluded work on the election timetable and schedule of activities despite uncertainties surrounding the legislative process.

INEC said it had already submitted the schedule to lawmakers but warned that certain aspects could be adjusted depending on when the amended Electoral Act is finalised.

The commission’s disclosure is expected to shape preparations by political parties, candidates and stakeholders as the country begins early planning for the 2027 general elections.

Stay tuned…