The recap of top 10 key happenings that you might have missed this Monday evening, 26th January, 2026
DHQ finally confirms coup attempt, indicted officers to face military trial
The Defence Headquarters on Monday said investigations into alleged misconduct by some officers revealed claims of a plot to overthrow the government.
In October 2025, the DHQ announced the arrest of 16 officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations.
Sahara Reporters reported on October 18 that the officers — ranging in rank from Captain to Brigadier General — were arrested by the Defence Intelligence Agency for allegedly holding secret meetings to topple the government.
The platform also linked the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade to the alleged plot.
Reacting at the time, the former Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, said the publication was intended to create tension and distrust among Nigerians, adding that the matter was strictly a disciplinary issue handled internally.
Kano gov officially rejoins APC
The Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress.
Yusuf defected to the ruling party on Monday at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House.
He was formally received into the APC by the former National Chairman of the party and immediate past Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje; the Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Kano South, Barau Jibrin; the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Ata; and other top party leaders.
Speaking at the event, the governor said his return to the APC was anchored on the need to work more closely with the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
“Leadership must rise above comfort, sentiment and personal selfishness.
That is why, after wide consultations and careful reflection on the future of Kano State and present realities, I have relinquished my membership of the NNPP and joined the party that I believe is better for Kano,” Yusuf said.
He announced that his decision was taken collectively with key political stakeholders in the state.
22 Kano lawmakers defect to APC after Yusuf’s exit from NNPP
Twenty-two members of the Kano State House of Assembly have defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The lawmakers announced their defection during a plenary session on Monday, shortly after Governor Abba Yusuf formally resigned from the NNPP following his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
In his resignation letter addressed to the chairman of the Diso–Chiranchi Ward in Gwale Local Government Area, Yusuf attributed his decision to what he described as “prolonged leadership disputes” within the party.
The governor’s defection was carried out alongside 22 state lawmakers, eight members of the House of Representatives, and all 44 local government chairmen in Kano State
Tinubu likely to approve creation of single additional state – Source
There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may approve the creation of only one new state after the National and State Assemblies complete the legislative process.
It was learnt that Anioma State, which promoters say will assuage the feeling of marginalisation among South-Easterners, is likely to take the slot.
Vanguard gathered in Abuja yesterday that consultations have reached an advanced stage among various interests, especially among those opposed to the proposed state being listed among states in the South East.
This is coming amid renewed calls by Senator Ned Nwoko for sustained and unified support from Ndigbo for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state of the South-East
HURIWA seeks Tinubu’s intervention over rejection of 17 house officers at UCTH
A civil rights group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Monday called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in a controversy surrounding the alleged rejection of 17 newly posted medical house officers at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, Calabar.
In a press statement, HURIWA urged the President to direct the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, to work with relevant authorities to ensure a swift and transparent resolution of the matter, which it said has left young doctors stranded and unable to commence their mandatory one-year housemanship.
The group also appealed to the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN), which issued the posting letters, to clarify the situation and ensure that due process is followed in line with extant regulations
NNRA secures DSS, Police partnership for stringent enforcement of nuclear safety regulations – DG
The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has reinforced its collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure strict enforcement of nuclear safety and radiation protection regulations.
The Director-General of the NNRA, Dr Yau Idris, gave the caution in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of a workshop organized for staff members of the authority by Halimasalam Nigeria Ltd. in AbujaThe workshop was titled “Strengthening Regulatory Competence, Inspector Effective and Service Delivery Reforms.”
He explained that the mandate of the agency covered entities operational in the oil and gas, health, education, excavation and construction among others where radioactives are utilised or researched upon.
My defection not personal ambition but in Kano’s interest — Gov. Yusuf
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has explained that his decision to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the overall interest, stability, and development of Kano State, and not by personal political ambition.
The governor made this known on Monday during his formal defection ceremony held at the Government House in Kano.
He defected alongside 22 of the 24 members of the Kano State House of Assembly, nine of the state’s 14 federal lawmakers, 44 local government chairmen, and several other political office holders.
2027: ‘Divisive’ label against us masks fear of scrutiny — Obidients
The Obidient Movement has dismissed claims that it is divisive, insisting that such accusations are a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny and accountability as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Im a statement signed by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, the movement said branding the supporters of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as a source of division distorts the reality of why the movement emerged and what it represents in Nigeria’s political space
Calling Obidients ‘divisive’ fundamentally misrepresents both the origins and purpose of the movement.
“Obidients did not emerge out of extremism or intolerance.
The movement arose from years of poor governance, worsening poverty, institutional decay, and a political system that consistently shut out ordinary Nigerians,” it said..
Sunday Igboho returns to Nigeria today as supporters storm Ibadan residence
Barring last-minute change, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho is set to return to Nigeria today, January 26th, 2026 The Nation has learnt.
According to The Nation, Olayomi Koiki, spokesman for Igboho, said all arrangements have been concluded for his principal’s return to Nigeria after prominent monarchs persuaded President Bola Tinubu to remove Igboho’s name from the list of wanted persons.
According to Koiki, the traditional rulers who intervened include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.
Upon his arrival today, Igboho is expected to visit the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The Nation also learnt that there is security beefed up at his residence as detachments of policemen and other security agencies were spotted at strategic locations.
CDS reaffirms military’s commitment to human security
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to a people-centred, ethically grounded and professionally accountable military, stressing that modern security operations must prioritise the protection of civilians and human dignity.
General Oluyede stated this at the opening of the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course on Monday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja. He was represented by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa.
He said Nigeria’s security environment has become increasingly complex, marked by asymmetric warfare, violent extremism, communal conflicts, transnational crimes and humanitarian emergencies that directly affect civilian populations.
