National

The All Progressives Congress has reconstituted the leadership of its 2026 National Convention Central Coordination Committee, appointing former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, as the new chairman. In the revised arrangement, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who was earlier named to head the committee, has been reassigned to serve as treasurer. The ruling party also announced an expansion of the committee’s membership from 73 to 90 members, a move it said was aimed at accommodating more party stakeholders ahead of the planned national convention. Read Also: APC Unveils 73-Member Committee For March National Convention Among the newly added members are Senator Barry Mpigi and other prominent chieftains of the party. According to the party, the reconstitution forms part of a broader review of the committee’s composition to reflect zoning considerations and address other strategic exigencies connected to the preparations for the 2026 national convention. The party maintained that the adjustments were necessary to ensure inclusiveness and effective coordination as it intensifies preparations for the convention.

The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria has restated its firm position on the ongoing process for the appointment of the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, insisting that the exercise must strictly comply with the provisions of the law. The position was taken at a duly convened meeting of the Council of the Association held on January 30, 2026, in Kano, in collaboration with the Advisory and Radiography Stakeholders Committee. In a press statement signed by the President of the Association, Musa Y. Dambele, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Modu Ali, the Association said it remains fully committed to the rule of law, due process, and professional self-governance as provided under the Radiographers Registration Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The Association explained that the enabling Act, particularly Section 7 subsection one, clearly vests the authority to appoint the Registrar or Secretary of the Board in the Governing Board of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, with mandatory institutional involvement of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria. According to the Association, any recruitment or appointment process conducted outside a duly constituted Governing Board is inconsistent with the provisions of the Act regulating the profession. Read Also: Retreat: BUK Professor Advocates Ethical, Inclusive Digital Journalism Engineers Urged to Harness Northwest Biomass as COREN Demands Certified Leadership Censorship Board Mediates Fulani Concerns, Builds Cooperation With Filmmakers Following extensive deliberations, the Council of the Association unanimously ratified and endorsed its earlier letter to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, titled Appeal for the Constitution of the Governing Board of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria and Request for Suspension of the Ongoing Recruitment Exercise for the Position of Registrar or Secretary of the Board, describing it as the collective and official position of the Association taken in good faith and in defence of the law. The Association also rejected any illegal, backdoor, administrative, or extra-statutory screening, shortlisting, or appointment process for the position of Registrar or Chief Executive of the Board that does not strictly comply with the enabling Act. It further called for the immediate inauguration of the Governing Board of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria to enable it lawfully discharge its statutory responsibilities, including the transparent appointment of a substantive Registrar or Chief Executive, particularly as the tenure of the current Registrar draws to a close. The Association stressed that all its actions on the matter are guided solely by the need to protect institutional integrity, professional autonomy, and public confidence in radiographic practice in Nigeria. It clarified that its position is not adversarial and is not directed at any individual or institution, but is driven purely by respect for the law and the long-term interest of the profession and the Nigerian health system. The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government and all relevant stakeholders, while reserving its right to pursue all lawful means to prevent any action capable of undermining the statutory framework governing the radiography profession. The Association concluded by calling on all stakeholders to support a lawful, inclusive, and credible process in the appointment of the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, assuring the Federal Government and the Nigerian public of its continued cooperation in advancing quality healthcare delivery and professional standards in the country.

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Electoral Act amendment bill following a five-hour clause-by-clause deliberation. The bill was the sole item on the order paper after a valedictory session held in honour of the late Okey Ezea. It was approved by the Committee of the Whole after lawmakers considered and adopted its 155 clauses. During the review, senators amended some provisions while retaining the majority of the clauses as originally proposed. Read Also: INEC Finalises Timetable for 2027 General Elections One of the key amendments reduced the timeline for the Independent National Electoral Commission to publish a notice of election from 360 days to 180 days. The Senate also ruled out the real-time transmission of election results but retained the provision allowing electronic transfer of results, as stipulated in the 2002 Electoral Act.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has finalised the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, despite delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. The Commission disclosed that while legislative action on the proposed amendments is still pending, it has completed internal preparations necessary to guide the conduct of the next general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, made this known on Wednesday in Abuja during an engagement with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). According to him, INEC has already submitted its recommendations on the Electoral Act amendment to lawmakers and is now awaiting the outcome of the legislative process. Professor Amupitan explained that the timing of the amendment’s passage could necessitate adjustments to certain activities outlined in the election timetable, depending on when the new law is enacted. Read Also: APC is a Living Party, Ganduje Says as Kano Govt Joins Ruling Platform Shari’ah Council Clarifies Call for Removal, Prosecution of INEC Chairman Another Kano Commissioner Aligns With APC, Backs ‘Kano First’ Agenda “Some aspects of the timetable may require review based on the final provisions of the amended Electoral Act,” he said. He, however, assured stakeholders that the Commission remains fully committed to delivering a credible, transparent, and well-organised election in 2027. The INEC Chairman added that until the amended Electoral Act is passed and signed into law, the Commission will continue to discharge its duties strictly in accordance with the existing legal framework. He reiterated INEC’s readiness to adapt swiftly to any legal changes once the amendment process is concluded, stressing that preparations for the 2027 polls remain on course.

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has clarified its call for the removal and prosecution of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, stressing that the position is not driven by religious considerations but by concerns over national unity, institutional integrity, and constitutional responsibility. In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by its Secretary-General, Malam Nafi’u Baba-Ahmad, the council said the decision followed resolutions reached during its Annual Pre-Ramadan Conference and General Assembly held on January 28, 2026, in Kaduna. According to the council, its earlier resolution generated widespread public reactions and was misconstrued by some individuals, prompting the need for clarification. The statement said the call for Prof. Amupitan’s removal was based on what the council described as grave concerns over his antecedents and certain public positions attributed to him, which it alleged could undermine the neutrality required of the head of Nigeria’s electoral body. The council emphasised that religion has never been a factor in the acceptance or rejection of electoral leadership in Nigeria, noting that most individuals who have headed the country’s electoral institutions since independence have been Christians. Read Also: Coups, Counter-Coups and the Cost to Nigeria Industrial Peace Restored in FCT Following Wike-Labour Talks APC is a Living Party, Ganduje Says as Kano Govt Joins Ruling Platform It stated that out of 13 chairmen who have led Nigeria’s electoral bodies, only two were Muslims, adding that Nigerian Muslims have never opposed any electoral chairman on religious grounds. However, SCSN expressed concern over a legal brief reportedly authored by Prof. Amupitan in 2020, which it alleged contained prejudicial assertions against Nigerian Muslims, the historical Caliphate, and Northern Nigeria. The council particularly faulted claims of “Christian genocide” and attempts to link present-day insecurity in Northern Nigeria to the 19th-century jihad led by Sheikh Uthman dan Fodio, describing such assertions as historically inaccurate and potentially destabilising. It further alleged that the presentation of such claims to foreign actors portrayed Nigeria negatively and could expose the country to external pressure based on what it described as false narratives. Rejecting claims of religious genocide, the council maintained that insecurity in Northern Nigeria is multi-dimensional, driven by terrorism, banditry, criminality, poverty, governance failures, and social injustice. It added that both Muslims and Christians have suffered from the violence, although available data, it claimed, showed Muslims constitute the majority of victims in several affected states. SCSN stressed that leadership of Nigeria’s electoral system requires the highest level of impartiality, credibility, and public trust, arguing that anyone accused of bias or misinformation should not preside over elections. The council also expressed concern that Prof. Amupitan had neither denied authorship of the alleged document nor issued any apology or retraction, noting that the Federal Government had reportedly been compelled to counter the claims at diplomatic and financial cost. According to the statement, the council believes such developments have caused reputational damage to Nigeria and may warrant constitutional and legal action where appropriate. SCSN reiterated that it does not oppose Christians occupying public office and reaffirmed its support for competent, fair, and inclusive leadership irrespective of religious affiliation. It also urged the Nigerian Christian community to resist divisive narratives, while reaffirming the Muslim community’s commitment to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and the protection of the rights of all Nigerians.