February 11, 2026 - Voice of Liberty NG

Senate makes U-turn on e-transmission after heated plenary

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Allows digital upload with manual backup The Senate yesterday reopened the door to electronic transmission of election results, reversing its earlier decision that excluded the provision from the Electoral Act amendment, following a tense and rowdy plenary session. At an emergency sitting, the upper chamber rescinded its approval of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026, and re-amended the law to permit electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IREV). However, the amendment stops short of making…

2026 Budget: FG to borrow again, as Senate flags ₦25.27tr deficit

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

Nigeria will continue to borrow to plug its widening budget deficit, the 10th Senate has confirmed, amid mounting concerns that rising debt and weak revenue mobilisation could push the country toward fiscal distress. At a public hearing on the 2026 Appropriation Bill in Abuja, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, disclosed that the proposed 2026 Budget projects total expenditure of ₦58.47 trillion against expected revenue of ₦33.19 trillion, leaving a deficit of ₦25.27 trillion. Debt servicing alone is estimated at ₦15.90 trillion. Adeola said borrowing had…

“ADC won’t zone 2027 presidential ticket”, el-Rufa’i declares

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

Former Kaduna State governor and senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nasir el-Rufa’i, has announced that the party will not zone its presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that all aspirants will be allowed to compete freely. Speaking in an interview programme, el-Rufa’i said the ADC had resolved to reject zoning, consensus arrangements or forced withdrawals, stressing that credible and transparent primaries would determine its flagbearer. “We will not have zoning. We will not force anyone to step down. Everyone will be given the opportunity…

Yiaga Africa, others urge INEC to issue notice for 2027 election

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the election timetable and schedule for the 2027 election in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 without further delay. The organisation also urged the 10th National Assembly to harmonise the Bill seeking to amend the 2022 Electoral Act and transmit it to the President for assent within two weeks. The organisations argued that the delay in concluding work on the Bill introduces uncertainty that may compromise preparation for the 2027 general election.…

Livestock Sector Reform: FG selects Kwara as pilot state for ranching policy

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has designated Kwara State as a key pilot location for its newly-developed ranching policy, part of broader livestock and agricultural reforms aimed at reducing farmer‑herder conflicts and modernising livestock production across the country. Under the initiative, the government plans to establish national communal ranches in selected states including Kwara to provide structured environments where cattle and livestock can be reared in designated ranch facilities rather than through traditional open grazing. The pilot ranching policy is designed to support a transition away from open grazing, a longstanding source…

U.S. eyes North for drone-refueling hub to monitor Sahel insurgencies

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

On Monday, February 9, 2026, reports emerged that the United States is in advanced negotiations with the Nigerian government to establish a dedicated drone refueling and logistics outpost in Northern Nigeria. This strategic move, which follows the arrival of a “small team” of U.S. military officers in Abuja last week, is designed to restore American Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that were severely degraded following the 2024 withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger. Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, confirmed that the new…

NAHCON Chairman breaks silence, reveals why he resigned

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Usman, has officially confirmed his resignation. Recall that Usman announced his decision in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, stressing that he stepped down for personal reasons and denying any wrongdoing. His resignation comes amid reports that the NAHCON board had petitioned President Bola Tinubu, seeking his removal over alleged abuse of office and misconduct. The petition, dated January 19, 2026, and signed by 11 board members, was titled: ‘Vote of No Confidence in…

‘Oyo Muslims will follow Sultan’s leadership on all Islamic matters’ – Chief Imam

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has reaffirmed the commitment of Muslims in Oyo Land to follow the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto on all Islamic-related matters. Sheikh Akeugberu stated this as Muslims in Yoruba Land have remained resilient in the face of attempts by what they described as divisive elements seeking for political reasons to incite them against the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah. He added that this position is in line with Islamic teachings, stressing that it conforms with…