March 12, 2026 - Voice of Liberty NG

H’Reps amend Electoral Act, proposes ₦10m fine, jail term for dual party membership

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

The 10th House of Representatives has moved to crack down on political cross-carpeting by amending the Electoral Act 2026 to criminalise dual membership of political parties. The lower legislative chamber passed the amendment during yesterday’s plenary. Under the new provision, individuals found guilty of belonging to more than one political party at the same time will face a fine of ₦10 million and a maximum prison term of two years. The amendment introduces three new subsections to section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, which deals with political party membership…

Naira hits ₦1,401/$ amid global tensions

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

…Analysts warn of FX volatility The Naira traded at ₦1,401.4 per dollar at the official foreign exchange (FX) market on Tuesday, marking a 4.09% depreciation over the past three weeks from ₦1,346.32/$ on February 20. Data from the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) showed that the local currency crossed the ₦1,400/$ threshold on Monday, trading at ₦1,405.62/$. This is the first time the naira has hit this level since January 27, when it traded at ₦1,401.2/$. At the parallel market, the naira weakened slightly by 0.70%, moving from ₦1,430/$ on…

Rising Attacks: Defence Minister orders S’Chiefs to rejig operations in N’East, N’West

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), yesterday summoned Nigeria’s Service Chiefs to an emergency security meeting in Abuja and directed them to immediately review and strengthen military operations in the North-East and North-West following recent attacks on military formations. The high-level meeting, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, brought together top military leadership including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Air Staff, Air-Marshal Sunday Aneke, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Idi Abass. Representatives…

Katsina: Bandits kill 3, injure 11 in dual attacks – Police

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

At least 14 persons were killed and dozens injured when armed bandits carried out two separate attacks on communities in Katsina state on Tuesday. The attacks occurred in Ɗandume and Musawa local government areas, according to residents and local sources. In the first incident, the bandits reportedly stormed Ɗansoda community in Ɗandume LGAs at about 8 p.m., killing 11 people. According to a resident, the attack occurred shortly after residents had broken their Ramadan fast and were relaxing outside their homes. “People had finished breaking their fast and many were…

3 more Senators dump PDP for APC

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

Three Senators yesterday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection was announced during plenary by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. According to reports, the lawmakers, in separate letters, cited the internal crisis and leadership issues affecting the PDP for their decisions to defect to the APC. The defectors are: Sen. Ikra Bilbis, Senator representing Zamfara-Central; Sen. Aminu Iya Abbas, Senator representing the Adamawa-Central, and Sen. Amos Yohanna, Senator representing Adamawa-North. In other news, the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by…

FG halts petrol import licences, as Ɗangote Refinery supplies 92% of Nigeria’s fuel

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Federal Government has halted the issuance of petrol import licences for a second consecutive month, a move that has effectively prioritised domestic refinery production, and allowed the Ɗangote Refinery to dominate fuel supply in Nigeria. Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) show that no petrol import licences were issued in February, while the Crude Oil Refineries Association of Nigeria (CORAN) confirmed that none have been granted so far in March. Under the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), import licences can only be…

S’Court set to deliver judgment on Kano Emirate dispute

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

The Supreme Court is set to deliver a landmark judgment in the long-running dispute over the leadership and structure of the Kano Emirate, a case that has drawn intense political, legal and traditional interest across the country. The apex court’s ruling is expected to address a series of appeals arising from the controversial restructuring of the historic emirate and the subsequent reinstatement and recognition of traditional rulers in the state. The dispute dates back to the administration of former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who in 2019 approved a…

ICPC gets court order to detain el-Rufa’i for another 14 days

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Aminu Imam

An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has granted the request of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), to further detain a former Kaduna state governor, Nasir el-Rufa’i, for another 14 days. The order was granted by Chief Magistrate Okechukwu Akweke to enable the anti-graft agency to conclude investigations into fresh allegations against the former governor, who also served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (GCT). Court records indicate that the renewal of el-Rufa’i’s detention was granted l Thursday following an application by the ICPC, with the…