Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The presidency has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) of deliberate misinformation over the recently signed Electoral Act, 2026. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, said on Thursday that the opposition parties were exaggerating the effects of the law to mislead Nigerians and generate “cheap headlines.” The ADC and NNPP had described the Electoral Act amendment as “obnoxious,” a threat to democracy, and an alleged move to entrench a one-party system. The law, signed by President Tinubu on February 18, introduces electronic transmission of election results, with…

The wife of a slain terrorist commander surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Konduga on Thursday. The 25-year-old woman, Kaltum Dalha, arrived at a Forward Operating Base at about 11:00 a.m. on February 26, 2026, accompanied by her two-year-old child, Awana Dalha. Preliminary investigations revealed that her husband, reportedly the commander of the Mairam Buri enclave, was killed by troops during a recent firefight. Sources disclosed that the death of her husband prompted Dalha to surrender. During interrogation, she confirmed that the terrorist cell had disintegrated following the elimination of its leadership. “Her surrender is an indication of…

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that the choice of his successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election will be based on competence and loyalty to the state, rather than personal allegiance to him. Speaking at the 12th ‘Omituntun’ Annual Ramadan Public Lecture at the Ibadan North Local Government Motor Park, Agodi Gate, Makinde said the decision was informed by lessons from past administrations, where some leaders installed successors who later “misbehaved” once in office. “I have spoken with colleagues whose successors strayed after taking office. The common thread is that they chose individuals they believed would be loyal…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a total of N873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections, including N12.29 billion for the printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and N500 million for hand sanitisers across polling units nationwide. The commission presented the budget before the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters of the National Assembly in Abuja on February 12, detailing allocations for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and other critical election materials. A breakdown shows that INEC earmarked: N12.29 billion for PVC printing; N500 million for hand sanitisers; N359.88 million for methylated spirit; and N450.24 million for cotton…

A visitor simply identified as Ade has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle suspected hard drugs concealed in cooked food into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Agodi, Ibadan. The Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, said the suspect was apprehended during routine screening of visitors at the facility. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Olanrewaju Anjorin, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. According to him, the male visitor, who claimed he came to see an inmate, aroused suspicion during security checks at the entrance of the custodial centre. Anjorin said a thorough search of…

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six men for allegedly impersonating pastors and staging fake miracles to defraud unsuspecting residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state. The suspects, identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola, were apprehended following what the police described as a coordinated, intelligence-led operation. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Kazeem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the operation was carried out on February 16, 2026. According to him, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, working in collaboration with Community Safety Officers,…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has uncovered the use of calcium carbide, a hazardous industrial chemical, in the artificial ripening of fruits sold to consumers, warning that the practice poses grave health risks, particularly during the Ramadan fasting period. The agency’s Coordinator in Sokoto State, Mr Abdulsalam Lawal, disclosed this on Thursday, cautioning fruit dealers and vendors to immediately desist from the illegal act or face regulatory sanctions. Lawal expressed concern that fruit consumption typically rises during Ramadan, making unsuspecting consumers more vulnerable to the dangers associated with chemically ripened produce. “With Ramadan fasting, a…

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has recovered several government-owned vehicles from former commissioners who allegedly failed to return the official SUVs after leaving office. The Chairman of the commission, Sa’idu Yahaya, disclosed this during an enforcement operation in Kano on Thursday, stating that the action followed the refusal of the affected former officials to comply with earlier directives to surrender the vehicles. Yahaya explained that the move became necessary after the Office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government directed the ex-commissioners to return all government property in their possession, a directive he said was ignored.…

…President insists opposition is free, denies ‘killing’ rivals …Stresses unity needed to tackle terrorism and banditry Daud Olatunji President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday pushed back against allegations that he is plotting to emasculate opposition parties and steer Nigeria towards a one-party state, declaring that he neither wielded force nor suppressed dissent as claimed by critics. Speaking during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said accusations that he was “killing the opposition” were unfounded and politically motivated. “What they call you, any name, any nickname — critics must talk. When they accused me of killing…

…Governorship, State Assembly Elections to Hold February 6 Zainab Abioye The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, marking a historic shift in Nigeria’s electoral calendar. The commission also fixed February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed the new dates in a statement issued on Thursday, explaining that the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026. The electoral umpire…