The recap of top 10 key important updates you might have missed this Thursday evening, 29th January, 2026
Electoral Act: Senate names Oshiomhole, Tambuwal in seven-man review committee
The Senate has constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to harmonise and distil senators’ inputs on the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act, as lawmakers intensify efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision followed a three-hour closed-door executive session held on Thursday, during which senators further scrutinised the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill currently before the National Assembly.
Announcing the outcome of the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the committee was set up to synthesise lawmakers’ views and address outstanding concerns on the proposed amendments.
He said the panel was “mandated to contribute, galvanise and distil the opinion of senators on the bill.
“In no particular order, the committee will be led by Niyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters,” Akpabio said.
Other members of the committee are Adamu Aliero, Aminu Tambuwal, Adams Oshiomhole, Danjuma Goje, Tony Nwoye and Titus Zam
Fayemi debunks claim of closed-door meeting with Kwankwaso
Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has denied reports claiming that he held a closed-door meeting with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Abuja residence.
Fayemi, immediate past Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, dismissed the report in a statement issued by the Head of his Media Office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Thursday, describing the claim as false and urging the public to disregard it.
The report, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, was shared by several social media handles alongside an old video clip showing Fayemi greeting Kwankwaso at his residence.
According to the statement, the former Ekiti governor had met Kwankwaso only once in the past year and not in any private political setting
“Dr Fayemi has only met Senator Kwankwaso once in the last year, and that occasion was at the public book launch of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN,” the statement said.
It added that, “At no time has Dr Fayemi held, or is he holding, any closed-door political meeting with Senator Kwankwaso as suggested by the post.”
Court grants Yahaya Bello permission to travel for pilgrimage to Mecca
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, granted an application by former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for lesser hajj to observe the last 10 days of Ramadan in the Holy Land.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the application after the ex-governor’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, SAN, moved the motion to that effect.
Moving the motion, Daudu said the application, which was dated Jan. 19, was filed on Jan. 20.
The senior lawyer said that the motion sought an order directing and permitting a temporary release of Bello’s international passports to enable him to travel to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj during this year’s Ramadan, which commences on Feb. 18 and ends March 19.
Why Kano deputy governor should resign — Commissioner
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, has said the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, should resign following his decision not to defect with Governor Abba Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress.
Channels TV reports that Waiya stated this while speaking with journalists in Kano on Thursday, stressing that effective governance is built on trust, loyalty and mutual confidence among members of the executive council.
According to him, it would be inappropriate for a deputy governor who no longer shares political alignment with the governor to continue participating in key government meetings.
“This is his personal decision, but there is no way someone who is no longer with you should be part of the routine council meeting.
Wizkid, Burna Boy, Asake headline Afro Nation 2026 in Portugal
Popular Nigerian artistes Wizkid, Burna Boy and Asake have been announced as headliners for the 2026 edition of the Afro Nation festival in Portugal.
The organisers revealed the lineup in a post shared via X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, featuring leading Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall and amapiano stars.
“PHASE 3 IS HERE. Legacy energy meets Afro Nation debuts.
This is the sound of a summer taking shape,” the organisers wrote in the caption accompanying the lineup poster.
The three-day festival will be held from July 3 to July 5, 2026, at Praia da Rocha Beach in Portimão, Portugal.
Grammy Award winner Burna Boy will headline the opening night on July 3, performing alongside South African star Tyla.
Asake will take centre stage on July 4, while the festival will close on July 5 with a headline performance by Wizkid.
Oyebanji urges politics without bitterness to strengthen democracy
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has canvassed the entrenchment of politics without bitterness as a means of ensuring a more virile, stronger and enduring democracy capable of delivering quality governance to Nigerians.
Oyebanji, who urged political actors not to turn elections into warfare, added that the winner-takes-all mentality should be discouraged.
According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, made available in Ado Ekiti, the governor spoke on Thursday at the Faculty of Arts Distinguished Alumni Lecture of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
He spoke as Ekiti State prepares for its governorship election in June and as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
Adeleke promises more reforms in Osun
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said his administration would not rest, but continue to initiate more projects and reforms, seeking partnership with groups and individuals to further improve the foundation for future growth of the state.
Adeleke disclosed this in Osogbo on Thursday at the foundation laying of the Osun Development Association House and the launch of the Teachers Transformation and Empowerment Programme.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Bunmi Jenyo, who read his address at the event, the governor said he valued the contributions of ODA to the issues relating to the development of the state, and expressed readiness to collaborate with the association.
“Across the state, we have recorded progress in road rehabilitation, school renewal, health facility upgrades and social protection programmes.
Our commitment to prompt payment of salaries and pensions has no doubt restored confidence and dignity to public service.
Lassa Fever kills 17 Nigerians in eight states – NCDC
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says that no fewer than 17 people have died from Lassa fever across eight states in Nigeria in the first three weeks of 2026.
The NCDC, on Thursday, in its weekly epidemiological report for week three, said eight states, including Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Ondo, Edo, Ebonyi, Benue, and Nasarawa, reported new confirmed cases, with Bauchi accounting for 46 per cent of infections.
The center said that the country recorded 93 confirmed cases from the states.
According to the report, the country’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR) currently stands at 18.1 per cent, slightly lower than the 18.2 per cent recorded during the same period in 2025.
The Nigerian Public Health noted that four health workers were infected in week three, highlighting ongoing occupational risks amid the outbreak.
Tinubu condoles with Samuel Chukwueze on mother’s death
President Bola Tinubu has sent his condolences to Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze on the passing of his mother.
The President also extended his sympathies to the family and friends of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away on Thursday
President Tinubu, who mourned with the Chukwueze family, encouraged them to find solace in the memory and legacy of their late matriarch.
“The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles’ Captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening.
I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President said.
Kano Emirship tussle to end soon – Kano Govt
The Kano State government has disclosed that the lingering Emirship tussle in the state will soon come to an end as some of the contenders will step down for the other peacefully.
The State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, made this known while addressing newsmen in the state.
Waiya said the issue will be resolved amicably through dialogue and understanding.
Recalled that the Kano Emirate Council has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis, which is pending before the court.
According to him, “All these problems will be restored amicably.
Some of them will, by themselves, say they are stepping down for the other because they are now one family and ready to place Kano first
