Ibadan court judgment: PDP staff declare loyalty to Turaki-led NWC
In the ongoing twists and turns to the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the senior management members of staff and other workers on Tuesday declared their loyalty and allegiance to the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). The decision came after Friday’s judgment of the Ibadan Federal High Court, which nullified the November 15, 2025 national convention that produced the NWC. The Turaki-led NWC immediately appealed the judgment and also filed for a stay of execution of the judgment. ALSO READ: Ibadan Convention: Court judgment technically-academic —Turaki-led PDPOn Tuesday, the PDP members of staff and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) jointly rejected the decision of the court, insisting that the Turaki-led NWC, having emerged in line with the provisions of the constitution of the PDP and the Electoral Act, 2022, remained legitimate and recognised by them. A total of 76 PDP members of staff and PDI officials signed to declare support for the NWC.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 21:41 UTC
One woman dies in fatal Oyo road accident at Iwo Road
The Federal Road Safety Corps in Oyo State on Tuesday confirmed the death of a yet-to-be-identified middle-aged woman in a road accident that occurred at Iwo Road, end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. A report by the FRSC made available to PUNCH Online in Ibadan, the state capital, said the accident, which involved four vehicles, has been attributed to brake failure. “One of the victims, who was identified as a woman, died on the spot, while others with varying degrees of injuries are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital,” the report explained. PUNCH Online reports that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, especially the Iwo-Ojoo axis in Oyo State, has recorded numerous vehicle crashes involving commercial and private vehicles. Recent crash reports from the same corridor include incidents with high casualties and multiple vehicles, often attributed to brake failure, loss of control, or collisions between trucks and smaller cars.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 21:41 UTC
Seif al-Islam Gaddafi killed by gunmen in Libya
(FILES) The son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, Seif al-Islam, gestures as he annouces his withdrawal from political life late on August 20, 2008, in the town of Sebha. Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, the son of Libya's deposed longtime ruler, has died, Libyan media reported on February 3, 2026, without providing details on his death. Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim told Al-Ahrar TV channel that Seif al-Islam was killed in his house by a group of four unidentified men. “Four armed men stormed the residence of Seif al-Islam Kadhafi after disabling surveillance cameras, then executed him,” Abdurrahim was reported as saying. Seif al-Islam, 53, had been seen as his father’s successor.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 21:19 UTC
Punch acquires 30 pubs from McMullen’s
‘Strategically important’Punch said the deal represents a small but strategically important addition to its estate as it continues to pursue targeted acquisitions alongside organic growth. James Croft, group strategy and commercial director at Punch Pubs & Co, said: “We’re delighted to have completed the acquisition of these pubs from McMullen’s. This is a fantastic collection of pubs with real heritage, strong community roots and proven operators running them day to day, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Punch family. The deal follows Punch’s recent leadership restructure and comes amid a period of improved trading performance, with the pubco reporting EBITDA growth driven by conversions and acquisitions in its most recent financial results. The acquisition aligns with Punch’s ambition to accelerate growth through single site and small portfolio deals, with the pubco having previously said it plans to double its single site acquisition run rate.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 21:15 UTC
US set to deport 79 Nigerians on criminal list
Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of AmericaThe United States Department of Homeland Security has said it will deport no fewer than 79 convicted Nigerians listed on its ‘worst-of-the-worst’ criminal list. PUNCH Metro findings on the DHS website on Monday revealed that the 79 Nigerians were convicted of offences bordering on fraud, drug peddling, assault, manslaughter and robbery, among others. An accompanying note showed that the convicts were arrested as part of the United States’ crackdown on criminal immigrants. The note read, “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump’s administration has continued to crackdown on criminal and illegal immigrants across the US with many Nigerians in the country affected by the policy.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 21:11 UTC
Africa must not be supplicant for shrinking pool of aid — Okonjo-Iweala
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said Africa must reach out to the rest of the world not as a supplicant for a shrinking pool of aid. The lecture, entitled ‘Challenges and Opportunities for Africa and Nigeria in the Present Global Geopolitical and Geostrategic Context’, was well attended. She disclosed that Africa had 60 percent of the world’s solar energy potential but attracted only two percent of its solar investment. Okonjo-Iweala further stressed that Africa had abundant arable land and mineral wealth. The WTO Director-General noted that Africa had missed windows of opportunity before, praying however that the continent would not do so again.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 21:03 UTC
NIS arrests trafficking suspect, rescues 59 women, children in Borno
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has rescued 59 women and children who were being trafficked from Katsina State to N’Djamena, the capital of the Republic of Chad. ALSO READ: Anambra: NAPTIP arrests four, rescues 17 victims in human trafficking raid“The agent deceived them with false employment offers. But recent breakthroughs came because of stronger cooperation with transport operators, drug control officers and community leaders in , Banki and Ngamboru Ngala,” he said. “I have visited Banki and Ngamboru Ngala to meet chairmen and stakeholders, urging them to share timely intelligence with our officers,” he said. The NIS has profiled the rescued victims and will hand them over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further care and investigation.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 21:03 UTC
APC e-registration: Shinkafi decries exclusion
…asks Tinubu to scrap seat of Minister of State DefenseChieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has alleged exclusion from the ongoing e-registration exercise. Shinkafi urged the APC National Chairman to rein in Honourable Matawale. “So, what we are saying, the party in the party constitution, it was clearly stated in the articles of the party, APC constitution on how a member of the party should be registered. “He has the experience, he has the educational background, and the qualifications to handle the national defence and security of this country. “So, removing Matawale from the Federal Executive Council is not a bad idea because he is the one who is hatching acts of hatred, disunity, lack of cohesion, fragmentation in Zamfara APC.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 21:03 UTC
Leaders pay tribute to late Senator Okey Ezea
Senator Ezea, a member of the 10th Senate, died in November 2025. Until his death, Ezea was regarded as one of the outspoken lawmakers from the South-East and a prominent figure in the Red Chamber. Senator Ezea was a very good legislator. And he has been taking the best.”Earlier, the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, described Ezea as a loyal and consistent party member. “Even on his sickbed, barely hours before his passing, Senator Ezea never wavered in his commitment to the cause of his people, despite the grave health challenges he faced.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 20:47 UTC
Court to rule on final forfeiture of ex-acting Accountant General’s property, April 30
He prayed the court to discountenance the prosecution’s final forfeiture application on the ground that the said property is also part of the reason for which he is facing criminal trial in another court, questioned the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter and prayed the court to set aside EFCC’s application. ALSO READ: Alleged misappropriation: Court adjourns Ganduje’s case to April 15In response, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, made reference to a motion dated May 6, 2024, and filed on the same date, that sought the final forfeiture order. Relying on all the paragraphs in the affidavit, the prosecuting counsel urged the court to grant the application for the final forfeiture of the property. Explaining further, the prosecution counsel said, “My lord, the respondent at the material time of these transactions was the Director of Finance in the Ministry of Defence. Further in his argument, the prosecution counsel stated that, “We also filed another affidavit on May 16, 2024.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 20:14 UTC
Army assures Onitsha traders of security
The 82 Division, Nigerian Army, has assured traders in the Onitsha Main Market and traders in other economic centres in the region of security and safety. This is contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, on Tuesday in Enugu. “This bold step represents a collective stand for peace, security, and economic progress in Anambra State and the South-East region at large. “Unrepentant criminals will face the full weight of the law and the decisive force of the security agencies, as no hiding place will shield them from justice. “The government collaboration with security agencies has strengthened confidence and provided the enabling environment for commerce to thrive,” the GOC added.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 19:57 UTC
UK Envoy Backs Nigeria's New Security Gender Policy
The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, has called on Nigerian security agencies to implement the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Gender Policy II for 2026–2030. “We hope that through this policy, NSCDC will ensure that its objectives are achieved. The adoption of this gender policy goes with Nigeria’s third action plan on women’s peace and security. A Women, Peace and Security Expert, Dr Eleanor Nwandinobi, urged security agencies to take ownership of the policy and lead efforts to support persons living with disabilities. She said ensuring women’s involvement in national affairs is “a responsibility of collective efforts.”The NSCDC Gender Policy II builds on the corps’ first gender policy, which was introduced to enhance women’s participation in security operations and promote gender equality within the organisation.
Source:Punch
February 03, 2026 19:43 UTC
Guessing game continues as Senate fails to pass Electoral Act
The Senate failed to pass the Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill 2026 on Tuesday for the third time. However, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, rising to offer an explanation, said lawmakers would first take the document home to study its details. The Senate subsequently set Thursday, the following day, as the new date to pass the bill. Being a joint committee report, the Senate and the House are expected to align on any changes. Electoral Act Repeal and Enactment Bill 2026
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 19:15 UTC
Nigeria targets early detection, research funding in nationwide cancer push
Nigeria is scaling up efforts to reduce cancer deaths through expanded early detection, increased research funding, and nationwide screening programmes, as government agencies and health advocates mobilise ahead of the 2026 World Cancer Day commemoration. And many lives can be saved if we act early, act together and act decisively.”While acknowledging progress made in recent years, including the establishment of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), an updated National Cancer Plan and the creation of the National Cancer Health Fund, he cautioned against complacency. He praised the Nigerian Cancer Society for its role in linking research to policy and practice. Waziri said efforts are under way to nationalise cancer screening services and integrate them across all levels of care. He added that strengthening the National Cancer Health Fund remains critical to improving access to care and addressing late presentation.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 19:15 UTC
Davido breaks silence on Grammy loss
Nigerian Grammy-nominated singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to his loss at the 2026 Grammy Awards, expressing gratitude to his wife, Chioma, for standing by him during the moment. Davido, who was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category, admitted that the loss affected him deeply and initially made him unwilling to attend the Grammy after-party. “I said, ‘Baby listen, we lost again, let’s not go.’ She said, ‘Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.’ We outside. She dey my back, active geng,” Davido wrote. Reacting to this in a separate response, Chioma reaffirmed her support and belief in her husband, writing, “You already know that you’re the perfect one.”
Source:Nigerian Tribune
February 03, 2026 19:13 UTC