Author: Opalim Lifted

Political parties could be barred from fielding candidates in the 2027 general election if they fail to comply with Section 77 of the newly amended Electoral Act 2026. On February 18, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act amendment bill into law after its passage by the national assembly. The law has since drawn fierce criticism from opposition parties, who describe key provisions as “obnoxious”. What Section 77 Requires Section 77(2) mandates all political parties to submit a comprehensive digital membership register to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before their primaries. The register must contain…

Leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the South-South have unanimously endorsed the 2027 presidential ambition of Rotimi Amaechi. The endorsement was announced on Friday by John Odigie-Oyegun, former governor of Edo State, during the ADC South-South leaders’ consultative meeting in Benin City. Oyegun said Amaechi formally notified regional leaders of his intention to contest the presidency under the ADC platform. “We are glad that our son, Rotimi Amaechi, took advantage of this meeting to brief us formally of his intention to run for the presidency of our great nation,” Oyegun said. “I can report that a unanimous decision…

The coroner’s inquest into the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son has been plunged into uncertainty after it emerged that the child was cremated, leaving the court without primary forensic evidence. Nkanu Nnamdi Esege died on January 7, 2026, following complications during preparatory medical procedures. The tragedy prompted the author to serve a legal notice on the hospital, alleging medical negligence and professional misconduct. At a preliminary sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed April 14, 2026, for the commencement of the inquest. The proceeding was initiated at the request of the Lagos State attorney-general. Counsel…

A team of federal medical pathologists has exhumed 105 bodies from 13 mass graves in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as investigations intensify into the June 13, 2025 attack. The exhumation forms part of a federal probe into the killings that left dozens dead and forced many residents to flee their homes. According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the forensic team was led by Saad Ahmed from the office of the attorney-general of the federation. They arrived in Yelwata on February 23 alongside operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from Abuja. The delegation reportedly worked…

The United States (US) and Israel have launched coordinated missile strikes on Iran, in what Israeli officials describe as a “pre-emptive” operation to neutralise security threats. Initially believed to be an Israeli-only action, the mission was later reported as a joint operation involving Washington. According to Fox News, the attacks are a “combined US-Israeli mission”. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said on Saturday the strikes were aimed at “removing threats against the State of Israel”. He declared a “special and permanent state of emergency” nationwide, warning that Iran could retaliate with drones and ballistic missiles. Explosions rock Tehran In Iran,…

Amnesty International has accused operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Imo state, known as Tiger Base, of systemic torture, extortion and unlawful detention. The rights group unveiled its findings on Wednesday in Enugu, detailing what it described as a pattern of grave human rights abuses at the Owerri-based facility. Tiger Base was originally established to combat kidnapping. However, Amnesty said the unit has “deviated from its core mandate” and now operates as a centre of abuse. Prolonged Detention Without Trial According to the Amnesty International Tiger Base report, detainees are routinely held for weeks, months…

A non-governmental organisation, Youterus Health, in collaboration with White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, has revealed that 45.1 per cent of Nigerian women suffer from uterine fibroids, according to recent studies. The disclosure was made during a stakeholders’ engagement and media interaction focused on prioritising women’s menstrual and reproductive health through evidence-based research and policy leadership. The event was held on 25 February 2026 at the conference hall of the Niger State Ministry of Health in Minna. Earlier, Dr Fatou Wurie, CEO of Youterus Health, alongside Chief Tonte Ibraye, highlighted that Nigerian women tend to develop fibroids at a younger age compared…

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has firmly rejected a proposal by US lawmakers seeking the repeal of Sharia law in Nigeria, describing the move as external interference and political intimidation. Sharia law operates alongside statutory and customary law in Nigeria, particularly in 12 northern states where it was adopted in 1999 as a principal body of civil and criminal law. For Muslims, it is regarded as a comprehensive religious, moral and legal framework. US lawmakers renew call The latest call to scrap Sharia law was restated in a report submitted to the White House on Monday. Some…

The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has revealed that more than 10,000 armed bandits are attacking communities in Alkaleri Local Government Area, forcing thousands to flee. Speaking recently during a visit to displaced residents, the governor described the security situation as “very bad”, saying entire villages have been emptied by heavily armed groups. The victims fled from Mansur, Yalau, Futuk, Duguri and Gwana communities in Alkaleri LGA and are currently sheltering in a government learning facility in Kashere, Gombe State. Mohammed said the attackers are not only well-armed but are actively recruiting locals and outsiders, including former illegal miners.…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to roll out a cross-sector digital platform that will enable financial and security regulators to monitor recycled phone numbers and curb fraud associated with SIM card reassignment. Details of the initiative were outlined in a document obtained by Chronicle NG on Friday. The platform, named the telecoms identity risk management system (TIRMS), is scheduled for launch before the end of March. According to the commission, TIRMS is designed to address risks arising from SIM recycling, including cases where new subscribers receive messages intended for previous users or face scrutiny over alleged infractions linked…