Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Sunday afternoon, 22nd February, 2026
2027: INEC to unveil new timetable
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will review the Electoral Act 2026 in order to comply with the law as regards schedules for the 2027 elections.
Mr Adedayo Oketola, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the commission would release a “revised timetable”.
Oketola, who was not specific on the date for the release, insisted that INEC was committed to abiding by the laws of the land.
He stated this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH while reacting to the demand of some political parties for the release of a new timetable.
APC leads as voter apathy mars FCT council poll
The All Progressives Congress took an early lead in some polling units in the Federal Capital Territory area council polls on Saturday.
This is based on results uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
As of the time of filing this report (10:15 pm), the APC had polled 2,726 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party had 2,104 votes, and the African Democratic Congress had 180 votes across surveyed polling units in Kwali Local Government Area of the FCT.
In Kuje Council Area the APC led with 615 votes, followed by the PDP with 393 votes.
APGA had 146 votes, ADC 24 votes, and the NNPP five votes.
In Abuja Municipal Area Council, the APC recorded 2,520 votes; ADC polled 750 votes, while the PDP had 115 votes.
In Gwagwalada, results uploaded as of 10:15pm showed that the PDP had garnered 2,019 votes, the APC 1,779 votes, while the ADC recorded 115 votes.
El-Rufai, Malami’s detention cripples ADC
QThere are growing concerns in the African Democratic Congress over the detention of two leaders of the party, former Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that many party chieftains were worried that the legal woes of the men could disrupt party activities.
Party insiders said their detention was a big blow to the coalition.
Malami, who served under the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is standing trial for alleged money laundering to the tune of N8.7bn.
In December 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Malami, his wife, Hajia Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
My biggest regret is not loving women right — Rapper Future
American rapper Nayvadius DeMun Cash, popularly known as Future, has admitted that one of his biggest personal regrets is not loving women better in his past relationships.
Speaking in an interview that began trending Saturday on Hot 97, the music star said his struggles with romance stemmed partly from growing up without a male role model.
According to him, he never witnessed his mother being treated with genuine affection by a partner, an experience he believes shaped his understanding of relationships.
“My biggest regret in life is, I should have loved harder.
I should have found a way to love the right way.
“I came from nothing and I didn’t have a person or a male role model to show me how to treat a woman. I have never seen someone buy my mum a flower,” he expressed.
The rapper, who has nine children with different women, explained that his past relationships became his primary learning ground for understanding relationship dynamics.
He added, however, that he does not use his upbringing as an excuse for mistakes he made.
A’Ibom gov threatens to revoke village head’ certificates over vandalism
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has threatened to withdraw the certificates of village heads for any acts of vandalism of government property committed in their domains.
The governor issued the warning during the State Government House Monthly Prayer Service held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, on Saturday.
He stressed that a village head who allows government property to be vandalised by hoodlums is of little use.
“Any village that we have government presence, and there is vandalism of government property in that village, we will withdraw the certificate of the village head,” he said.
“If a public school, well furnished with modern facilities by the government, could be conveniently vandalised by hoodlums in your locality, what is the usefulness of the village head there?” Eno asked.
NDLEA arrests real estate boss, Ivorian with drugs
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a Lagos real estate developer who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trans Fortress Global Resources, Kolapo Raji, at his residence in Ikate, Lekki, on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Raji, 57, had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2025 and was arrested after returning from the United Kingdom.
Babafemi said a search of his residence led to the recovery of 89.20 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strain of cannabis, as well as a 2024 Toyota Hilux vehicle.
The statement partly read,
“The 57-year-old drug kingpin was arrested at his Safe Court Apartment residence in Ikate, Lekki, Lagos on Thursday, 12th February 2026, after sustained surveillance soon after his return from the United Kingdom.
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to be commissioned by May – Umahi
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has assured that section one of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is scheduled for commissioning by May.
Umahi, who lamented over the vandalism along the corridor, particularly the cutting of metal fences and dumping of refuse into maintenance holes.
The Minister, who stated this during an inspection of the project at the weekend, said the Federal Government has intensified work on the strategic coastal corridor linking Lagos to the South-South and South-East.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Works (Media), Mr Francis Nwaze, in a statement, said the progress recorded on the section demonstrated the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to deliver transformative infrastructure despite difficult terrain and environmental challenges.
Another opposition gov set to defect to APC
The wave of defections by governors and lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has generated mixed reactions across states, with stakeholders sharply divided on whether Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party state.
As of May 29, 2023, when governors elected in the general elections were sworn in, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled 11 states, reinforcing its position as the country’s main opposition party at the time.
However, a series of defections to the APC has significantly weakened that structure.With the latest exits, the PDP is now left with only four serving governors, namely Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Troops arrest suspected gun runner, recover ammunition and ₦2.4m in Taraba
Troops of the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have intercepted and arrested a suspected gun runner during a stop-and-search operation at Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Brigade’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Umar Muhammad, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities and sustain peace in the state.
According to him, troops acting on credible intelligence flagged down an Audi vehicle with registration number RBC 798 DV (Abuja) during early morning sentry duty.
“Upon a thorough search of the vehicle, one Mr. Monday Reuben, a 48-year-old male from Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was arrested,” he said.
INEC declares APC’s Ishaku winner of Bwari chairmanship election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council chairmanship election held on February 21, 2026.
The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, announced the results on Sunday in Bwari, stating that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to secure victory.
“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council Bwari chairmanship election held on Feb. 21, 2026.
Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” he said.
According to Nurudeen, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 4,254 votes to place second, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) candidate came third with 3,515 votes.
