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The House of Representatives has constituted a bipartisan Conference Committee on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to harmonise areas of difference between the versions of the bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi.

He said the development was conveyed in an internal correspondence from the Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, following the directive of the House leadership.

According to the statement, the committee is chaired by Rep. Adebayo Balogun, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters with Reps. Fred Agbedi, Sada Soli, Ahmadu Jaha, Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Saidu Musa Abdullahi, and Dr. Zainab Gimba as members.

The conference committee is mandated to engage with its counterpart from the Senate to reconcile the differing provisions in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, with a view to producing a harmonised version for final passage by the National Assembly.

The House of Representatives reaffirmed its commitment to advancing electoral reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, credibility and public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

Daily Trust reports that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio had on Wednesday named members of the conference committee to work alongside the House of Representatives for the harmonisation of the electoral bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Akpabio said the committee will be chaired by Senator Simon Bako Lalong.

Other members of the committee include senators Niyi Adegbonmire, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Adamu Aliero, Orji Uzor Kalu, Abba Moro, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Aminu Abbas and Tokunbo Abiru.

Suspected bandits have attacked Zurak community in Plateau State’s Wase local government area, killing at least five residents and a soldier.

The incident occurred on Monday around 3:00 pm, with reports indicating that three soldiers are missing after a gun battle with the attackers.

The bandits, who had earlier burnt down houses in Sabon Gari community, also looted shops and carted away food items and valuables.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, confirmed the attacks, stating that the body of the slain soldier has been moved to Jos.

“This incident is devastating, and Zurak community is currently deserted as residents have fled to neighboring villages for fear of further attacks,” said Jibrin Isa, a resident of Zak community.

The attack is part of a larger wave of banditry and kidnapping in Wase LGA, with 28 travelers abducted on December 21, 2025.

Community leaders are calling on authorities to intervene and restore law and order.

Frontline activist, Aisha Yesufu has warned that hunger and poverty have been deliberately weaponized in Nigeria, describing them as tools used to weaken citizens and suppress critical thinking.

In a post on X, Yesufu said the widespread hunger has left many Nigerians struggling to survive, with little capacity to engage politically or hold leaders accountable.

According to her, this condition has created a society where those who are not hungry must think and act not only for themselves, but also on behalf of those who no longer have the strength or space to do so.

“Hunger that is deliberately inflicted has made many lose their capacity to think,” she said, adding that poverty has become “a cancer that has eaten up the very soul of our society.”

Yesufu accused the political leadership of entrenching poverty while offering temporary relief measures during election periods.


She argued that such interventions are short-lived and designed primarily to secure votes rather than address systemic issues.

She called on Nigerians who are economically stable to come together and serve as the “soul and conscience of the nation,” urging them to take a deliberate stand for the country’s future.

“Nigeria has everything it needs to be great,” Yesufu said, emphasizing the need to confront hunger and revive what she described as the nation’s weakened spirit.

“We must unlock the spirit that has been starved the Nigerian can-do spirit.”

Her remarks come amid growing public concern over rising food prices, deepening poverty, and economic hardship across the country.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the National Assembly of deliberately stalling the passage of the 2025 Electoral Act, warning that continued delays could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the failure of the legislature to transmit the Electoral Bill for presidential assent has raised concerns about the sincerity of lawmakers, particularly in a National Assembly dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC alleged that the delay appeared aimed at slowing down key amendments designed to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process and reduce the likelihood of manipulation during future elections.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply concerned by the continued prevarications of the National Assembly over the 2025 Electoral Bill.

According to the opposition party, several of the proposed amendments introduce new compliance and eligibility requirements for political parties, which require adequate time for proper understanding and implementation.

The ADC warned that insufficient time to study and adapt to these provisions could create serious challenges for political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially if the guidelines are not clearly defined.

“Lack of clarity in the electoral guidelines would not only create potential booby traps for opposition parties, but also make it difficult for INEC to prepare and issue clear rules within the required timeframe,” the party said.

The ADC further drew attention to existing provisions in the current electoral framework, noting that INEC is required to publish election notices at least 360 days before a general election.

It warned that with the 2027 polls drawing closer, the window for adequate preparation and compliance was rapidly closing.

The party called on the National Assembly to pass the Electoral Bill without further delay, stressing that any postponement could damage public trust in the electoral process.

“Any delay risks the integrity of the 2027 general elections and undermines confidence in the entire electoral process. Nigeria cannot afford another acrimonious or dubious election,” the party added.

The ADC also appealed to civil society organisations, international partners, and other political parties committed to democratic governance to mount pressure on the National Assembly to act swiftly.

At 7:21 a.m. on Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, a battered Toyota Carina II taxi crawled toward the Federal Secretariat. The radio crackled through the traffic hum as the morning news broke: another governor had defected.

Inside the car, civil servants stared ahead in silence. No one looked surprised.

For Musa, a senior aide to one of Nigeria’s remaining opposition governors, the announcement carried weight far beyond politics.

Each defection quietly shifts the line between safety and vulnerability, leaving aides, commissioners and political appointees to face an uncomfortable reality, their futures now hinge on a single question: does their principal stay outside federal power, or cross over and submit to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)?

Across many states and the FCT, political defections have become almost ordinary; no lengthy speeches, no ideological battles. Most happen quietly, sealed with a letter, a closed-door meeting at the State House Aso Villa, and a short post on social media.

Since the start of the year, this steady trickle has tilted the balance of power. The APC now effectively controls about 29 states, boosted by a wave of defections, including Kano’s recent shift. What remains is a small, and steadily shrinking, circle of governors still standing outside the ruling party’s embrace.

A Narrowing Circle
Those still standing are Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Alex Otti of Abia, Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra.

Their continued resistance comes amid political isolation, internal party turmoil and mounting pressure from the centre, raising questions about how long opposition politics can survive at the state level.

Bala Mohammed: Opposition Under Siege
In Bauchi, opposition has become personal. Governor Bala Mohammed, chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, now governs under heightened federal scrutiny. Investigators recently filed charges against the state’s finance commissioner and other officials, developments allies describe as sustained pressure on the administration.

Despite this, Mohammed has remained in the PDP, positioning himself as a rallying point for what remains of organised opposition among governors, even as scrutiny of his administration intensifies.

Seyi Makinde: Power Built at Home
In Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde’s refusal to defect is rooted in political self-sufficiency. Investments in infrastructure, education and healthcare have strengthened his local legitimacy, reducing the incentive to seek protection through realignment.

Sources say Makinde’s electoral strength makes defection a liability rather than an advantage, particularly in a state where performance has translated into rare cross-party support.

Dauda Lawal: A Mandate at Risk
Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal governs in a state shaped by insecurity and deep public distrust of political elites. His victory, breaking APC dominance in 2023, was widely interpreted as a rejection of entrenched political arrangements.

Analysts note that defection would likely be seen by supporters as a betrayal of the mandate that brought him into office, especially in communities that viewed his election as a political rupture rather than routine succession.

Ahmadu Fintiri: Stability Over Alignment
In Adamawa, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has chosen caution over confrontation, prioritising agriculture, education and political balance.

Aides describe his continued loyalty to the PDP as a calculated effort to preserve stability in a politically sensitive state, where abrupt realignments could fracture fragile alliances.

Alex Otti: Governance as Shield
In Abia, Governor Alex Otti’s insulation comes from governance. Economic reforms that restored regular salary payments and revived investor confidence have earned his administration credibility beyond party lines. That performance has reduced the urgency to align with the ruling party, strengthening Otti’s political position ahead of 2027.

Ademola Adeleke: Outside Power, Still Standing
Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke has remained outside the APC despite months of speculation last year that he would defect. Elected in 2022 after defeating the ruling party, Adeleke has leaned on populist appeal, entrenched local structures and visible governance initiatives to sustain support.

Although he resigned from the PDP in late 2025 following internal disputes, he has stopped short of joining the APC, leaving Osun outside the ruling party’s control.

Chukwuma Soludo: Cooperation Without Defection

In Anambra, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has drawn a clear distinction between cooperation and defection. While publicly supporting aspects of federal economic policy, he has remained loyal to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), framing the party as an expression of regional political identity.

Public Voices, Competing Readings
Public reaction to the shrinking opposition has been divided. “Let me tell you an open secret: some of the remaining non-APC governors are APC in blood. Adeleke was blocked by the Osun State APC. Soludo has declared support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. Alex Otti has not hidden his admiration for Tinubu. Seyi was part of the PDP G-5 governors that ‘worked’ for Tinubu in 2023,” said Ahmed Kayode, an archivist.

The PDP Governors’ Forum rejects that interpretation. Shehu Ahmed, its Head of Media, said: “Bala Mohammed has remained constant in opposition to the sustained effrontery of the current APC government against democratic order… In December last year, the EFCC went after his administration by filing against the Bauchi State Finance Commissioner, Yakubu Adamu and three other officials, terrorism financing and money laundering charges.”

Others dismiss defection narratives as political mischief. Adelani Adekanmbi, a professional athlete.l, said: “If you listen to APC propagandists without questioning their claims, you might be misled. But it’s all lies. The APC and its supporters will be put to shame in Yorubaland come 2027.”

Holding the Line
As the APC keeps welcoming new political converts, aides like Musa return to their desks each morning unsure of what headline the day will bring.

For now, Nigeria’s remaining opposition governors carry on under intense pressure. Their survival depends on performance, grassroots legitimacy, and the political price of defecting. In a season defined by constant movement, they are choosing, for now, to stand their ground.

Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Duke was formally registered as a member of the ADC in Ward 5, Calabar Municipality, where he also received his membership card amid cheers from supporters.

This marks the second time the former governor has left the PDP. He previously defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, a move that was trailed by controversy.

Meanwhile, the ADC leadership in Bakassi Local Government Area has called on Cross Riverians to identify with the party, describing it as a credible platform for transformative change in Nigeria.

The call was made after a stakeholders’ meeting involving chapter executive members, ward chairmen, and secretaries of the party in Bakassi. The leaders urged Nigerians to reclaim the country from what they described as the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).


In a statement made available to journalists in Calabar on Friday, the party said:
“We invite our family and friends who are still undecided to join the ADC today, as the party is poised to bring about transformative change in Nigeria.”

The statement, signed by the Bakassi Chapter Chairman, Emmanuel Asuquo, and Secretary, Eko Boco, reaffirmed the chapter’s loyalty to the national leadership of the party.

“We express our unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of Senator David Mark, National Chairman, and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary, and pledge our loyalty to all recognised organs and structures of the party at all levels as we work towards building a strong and united ADC,” the statement read.

Farouk Aliyu: If Nigerians Feel So Bad About Muslim-Muslim Ticket, Let Them Vote For Party Of Their Choice

Farouk Aliyu insists the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket is a political decision, which leaves Nigerians free to make the final decision.

Farouk Aliyu, Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has weighed in, stressing that the decision is ultimately a political calculation and that the electorate will have the final say, urging Nigerians to focus on numbers and representation rather than speculating about religious imbalance.

In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Aliyu explained that the choice of running mates rests squarely with the party and its candidates, highlighting that demographic realities should guide any political decision, emphasising that both Muslim and Christian voters must have confidence that the government is impartial in its governance.

“In terms of their values, their governance. It’s for the people to decide. What I’m saying, it then left for the people to decide. If you fill Muslim-Muslim ticket, if the people of this country feel so bad about it, so be it. Let them vote for any party of their choice.”

He further explained that the northern region’s demographics make it practical for parties to select a Muslim candidate if the numbers dictate, adding, “In my opinion, the numbers will be looked at whether to fill in a Muslim or a Christian. I mean, the numbers are there to show. Whether in the northern part of the country there are more Muslims is absolutely without doubt. There are more Muslims in the northern part of the country. So any party can decide to either pick a Christian. But, I mean, if it goes in terms of numbers, certainly there are more Muslims in the north, which means it will be best for the party to take a Muslim from the northern part of the country.”

Aliyu dismissed concerns that a Muslim-Muslim ticket would alienate southern Christians, stressing that representation should reflect population distribution rather than assumptions of favoritism. “No. We’re talking about numbers. We’re talking about numbers. In the northern part of this country, there are more Muslims than the Christians. So no representation. So that’s it.”

On potential political consequences, he acknowledged that any decision contrary to demographic realities could cause friction in the north. “Certainly, if you drop a Muslim for a Christian in the north, there’ll be a problem. Certainly, that’s because of the numbers, that’s what we’re talking about.”

Aliyu also addressed broader criticisms of political leadership and advisory teams, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s decisions are informed by a wide range of advisors across the country, not limited to elite urban centers. “I think there are so many people around the president who are not from Ikoyi and Victoria Island. I mean, I can name a lot of them, you know. But of course, he has people that are working with him that he knows more than other people. And as a president of Nigeria, you cannot be said to be leading the country with just a few people. And I’m sure President Bola Tinubu is not doing that. There are people across the country that help him to govern this country.”

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday rejected claims that newly passed tax laws were altered after leaving the National Assembly, insisting that the versions signed into law fully reflect the resolutions reached by lawmakers.

Akpabio addressed the controversy during plenary following concerns raised by Abdussamad Dakuku, a member of the House of Representatives, who alleged discrepancies between the tax reform bills approved by the legislature and copies later circulated publicly.

“Any document circulating outside the officially certified versions should be disregarded, as such materials do not represent the outcome of the National Assembly’s legislative proceedings,” Akpabio said. He maintained that the versions gazetted and assented to by President Bola Tinubu accurately capture deliberations and decisions of both chambers.

“I understand there is another version circulating, which was not in compliance with our votes and proceedings. There was no adulteration whatsoever in the final laws,” he added.


Akpabio explained that four tax-related Acts had completed the full legislative process, received presidential assent, been gazetted, and certified by the Clerk to the National Assembly to avoid confusion.

He stressed that the documents reflect resolutions reached during the harmonisation process between the Senate and House of Representatives.

To reinforce confidence in the legislative process, Akpabio directed the Clerk of the Senate to distribute certified copies to all senators, emphasizing that the documents should not be issued through unofficial channels. “So every senator is expected to go home with one today,” he said, adding that absent senators would receive their copies directly.


He cautioned that the documents must only be issued by the Clerk to prevent speculation and misinformation. “The final texts incorporate proceedings from both chambers, including the outcomes of the harmonisation committee, before receiving presidential assent,” Akpabio noted.

Meanwhile, the Senate postponed consideration of the report from its Committee on Electoral Matters to allow lawmakers more time to review the document. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the delay was partly due to the absence of the committee’s chairman, Senator Simon Lalong.

Backing the decision, Akpabio said the upper chamber would prioritise thoroughness over speed in its work. “We don’t need to rush the report,” he said, stressing that the Senate would ensure due process and fairness in its deliberations.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has increased petrol price to N835 per litre in Lagos, and N839 per litre in Abuja.

On Wednesday, TheCable observed that the national oil company made the price adjustment across retail outlets in both cities.

NNPC increased the price of the product by N50 from N785 per litre in Lagos and by N20 from N815 in Abuja.

The development comes a day after the Dangote refinery increased the ex-gantry price of its petrol to N799 per litre.

The refinery said MRS retail outlets will now sell the product at N839 per litre — up from N739 per litre.

On January 28, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said with sustained competition, the prices of petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will keep decreasing across the country.

Saidu Mohammed, the NMDPRA’s chief executive officer (CEO), said Nigerians are steadily moving toward more affordable energy, as improved supply continues to support price stability.

“Sustained competition, rather than subsidies, will guarantee adequate supply of petrol and gas at affordable prices for Nigerians,” he said.

Mohammed explained that the removal of the petrol subsidy has enabled market forces to operate effectively, enhancing efficiency throughout the downstream sector.