The recap of top 10 key latest stories that you might have missed this Friday evening, 20th February, 2026
Tinubu calls for orderly conduct as FCT, Rivers, Kano vote Saturday
President Bola Tinubu has urged voters, security agencies, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct themselves in an orderly manner during Saturday’s elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, and Kano states.
The polls, scheduled for February 21, 2026, come just days after Tinubu signed the Electoral Act 2026 into law.
In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu called on all eligible voters to come out and vote without fear, emphasising that democracy thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance, and mutual respect.
The President appealed to political parties, candidates, and their supporters to avoid violence, inflammatory statements, and any actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
DSS arraigns El-Rufai February 25 over NSA phone interception, cybercrime
The Department of State Services has fixed February 25 to arraign a former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged cybercrime and breach of national security.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/99/2026, was assigned to Justice Joyce Abdulmalik by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, who subsequently fixed the date for the defendant’s arraignment.
The DSS had on Monday filed a three-count criminal charge against the former governor, accusing him of unlawfully intercepting the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The secret police alleged that El-Rufai’s actions contravened provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, and the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
Tinubu expresses sadness over death of Naval operations chief
President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief of Naval Operations of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Musa Katagum, who died on Thursday, after a protracted illness.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condoled with the family of the deceased, as well as officers and men of the Nigerian Navy and the leadership of the Armed Forces.
“President Tinubu condoled with his family, officers and men of the Nigerian Navy, and the leadership of the Armed Forces over the loss.“
The President described Rear Admiral Katagum’s passing as a blow to the military and the country, given his vast experience and invaluable contributions to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces as a whole,” the statement read.
El-Rufai’s lawyer protests home raid amid ICPC detention
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday spent a second night in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission amid protests by his lawyers over the search of his residence.
El-Rufai was initially detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and released late Wednesday.
He was, however, immediately taken into custody by the ICPC, where he has remained since.
Prior to his arrest, El-Rufai had written to the ICPC through his lawyers, indicating his willingness to honour an invitation on Tuesday.
Bayelsa gov hails peaceful APC ward congresses Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has praised the peaceful conduct and outcome of the All Progressives Congress ward congresses held across the state on Wednesday.
Diri gave the commendation at his hometown, Sampou, headquarters of the Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, after participating in the congress.
The governor congratulated party delegates for unanimously electing the new leadership in his ward and other wards in the state through a generally accepted consensus and affirmation.
He stressed that politics should not divide the people but rather bring them together as the goal is to bring development to communities, local government areas and the state in general.
IPAC faults police for firing tear gas at N’Assembly protesters
The Inter-Party Advisory Council on Wednesday condemned the use of tear gas by the Nigerian Police on protesters at the National Assembly in Abuja, describing the action as “patently anti-democratic.”
IPAC’s National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Martins, disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja.
According to him, such attacks on citizens lawfully expressing their views violated democratic norms and constitutional principles.
“The right to peaceful protest is fundamental and inalienable in any democracy.
Any attempt to suppress or intimidate citizens for exercising this right is patently anti-democratic and must be condemned without reservation,” the statement read.
Fasting period: FRSC urges motorists to avoid fatigue, observe breaks
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has on Friday, urged motorists who are participating in the fasting periods, to ensure that they take rest at intervals, to avoid road crashes.
The FRSC Commander in-charge of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway corridor, Mr Nasir Mohammed, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota.
He noted that the advice had become expedient following the commencement of fasting periods by both Christian and Muslim faithfuls.
NAN reports that Catholic faithfuls had commenced lenten season with the distribution of Ash on Wednesday, which period is marked by 40 days fasting.
In the same vein, Muslim faithfuls had also began observation of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar, which period is also marked by fasting.
Tinubu urges orderliness in FCT, Kano, Rivers polls
President Bola Tinubu has urged voters, security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act responsibly during Saturday’s polls in FCT, Rivers and Kano states.
The president made the call in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.
INEC will conduct area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states.
The affected constituencies are: Ahoada East II and Khana II in Rivers, and Kano Municipal and Ungogo in Kano State.
Tinubu urged eligible voters to turn out peacefully and exercise their civic rights without fear.
“The democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance and mutual respect,” he said.
INEC will conduct area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory and by-elections in Rivers and Kano states
The affected constituencies are: Ahoada East II and Khana II in Rivers, and Kano Municipal and Ungogo in Kano State.
Tinubu urged eligible voters to turn out peacefully and exercise their civic rights without fear.
“The democratic process thrives best in an atmosphere of calm, tolerance and mutual respect,” he said.
Three-time African champions Nigeria will compete in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, during next month’s FIFA men’s international window.
The tournament, featuring Iran, Jordan and Costa Rica, is designed to provide high-level international exposure for participating teams.
A statement from Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Friday in Abuja, said the competition aligns with the federation’s technical development plans.
Gov Lawal donates cars to 40 Imams in Zamfara
Gov. Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, on Friday, donated cars to 40 Jumma’at Mosque imams as part of the state government’s support for their diligent discharge of religious duties.
Lawal, while presenting the cars, said the gesture was meant to improve their mobility and enhance their preachings and outreaches to communities.
The Governor explained that Zamfara was a state founded on strong Islamic principles, with numerous Imams serving communities across the 14 local government areas.
According to him, supporting the welfare of religious leaders remains a priority of his administration.
“We are constructing mosques and houses for Imams, and we also feel it is important for them to move freely.‘
Mobility is essential, especially for preaching and community engagements.
