Author: Platform Times Newspaper

The Senate on Tuesday amended Clause 28 of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, reducing the statutory notice period for general elections from 360 days to 300 days, in a move aimed at preventing the 2027 polls from coinciding with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The decision followed a motion for rescission moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who cited Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders. Bamidele said a critical review of the earlier version of the bill revealed that the 360-day notice requirement could compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to fix…

Daud Olatunji …Urges Muslims To Pray For Nigeria, Support The Needy The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH following the sighting of the crescent moon. The announcement was conveyed in a statement on Tuesday by Sambo Junaidu, Chairman of the Sultanate Council’s Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs. According to the statement, verified reports of the new moon were received from various moon-sighting committees across the country and were carefully authenticated in collaboration with the National…

Members of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives on Tuesday staged a dramatic walkout during plenary after the chamber voted to retain a controversial clause in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which provides for both electronic and manual transmission of election results. The protest followed the adoption of Clause 60(3), which allows for real-time electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission Result Viewing Portal (IReV), while also permitting manual transmission in the event of technical glitches, network failures or other disruptions. The clause was sustained through a voice vote, with the “nays” prevailing,…

A 38-year-old officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Chidiebere James, has allegedly been stabbed to death by his wife in Abia State. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Monday at Umuizi, Ekeoba Ohuhu, in Umuahia North Local Government Area. The deceased, who was popularly known in the community as “Agali,” was said to have engaged in a heated argument with his wife a day before the tragic incident. Residents told PLATFORM TIMES that the dispute began over their sick child and the officer’s alleged inability to provide funds for medical treatment. The situation was further compounded by…

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially announced Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH following the sighting of the crescent moon. The Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed on Tuesday that credible testimonies of moon sighting were received from various committees across the country, signalling the commencement of the holy month for Muslims in the Kingdom. In a statement, the court said the decision was reached after reviewing and verifying reports submitted by authorised moon-sighting committees and trusted witnesses in line with Islamic tradition, which emphasises physical sighting of the crescent as the basis for…

.. Faces Three-Count Charge Under Cybercrimes Act, Communications Act The Federal Government has filed criminal charges against former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted the telephone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the charges were filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, February 16, 2026. According to court documents sighted by our correspondent, El-Rufai is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful interception of communications, conspiracy, and acts deemed prejudicial to national security. In Count One, the Federal Government alleged that the former governor admitted during a…

An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has been abducted by suspected terrorists in Ekiti State, with a disturbing video circulating online showing the victim being brutally beaten by his captors. The footage, which surfaced on Sunday, shows heavily armed men flogging the officer with a cane while ordering him to face forward. The visibly distressed officer was heard pleading for mercy as the assault continued. “I don dey look. Sorry, I use Allah beg you,” the victim said in pidgin English while crying. The incident was brought to public attention by social commentator and activist, Rinu…

No fewer than 14 persons, mostly women, have lost their lives after a boat conveying over 100 wedding guests capsized in Kebbi State. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday at Gumbi village in Yauri Local Government Area of the state as the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony. PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the passengers had accompanied a bride to her husband’s residence in Gwarzo village, Ngaski Local Government Area, when the wooden boat overturned mid-journey, throwing occupants into the river. Residents said more than 100 passengers were crammed into the ill-fated vessel at the time of the accident. Of…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to end banditry and terrorism across the country, assuring Nigerians that ongoing security operations would ultimately restore peace and stability. The President gave the assurance in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, during a one-day visit to commission projects executed by Governor Umaru Fintiri. Tinubu, who acknowledged the security challenges confronting parts of the country, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Armed Forces to defeat criminal elements threatening national security. “We are grateful to the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment to liberating Nigeria from banditry and insurgency. Together, we will…

… 165 Confirmed Cases Recorded Across Nine States In Five Weeks Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba Account For 79% Of Total Infections … 135 Patients On Treatment, 110 Under Surveillance Nationwide … Young Adults Aged 21–30 Most Affected Daud Olatunji No fewer than nine health workers have been infected with Lassa fever as the disease claimed 31 lives across Nigeria within five weeks, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has disclosed. The agency, in its latest Lassa fever situation report for 2026, confirmed 165 cases out of 754 suspected infections recorded so far this year, with the outbreak spreading across nine…