Author: kajarbi54

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled Nigeria’s 2027 elections, moving Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections to February 6, 2027. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, revealed on Thursday that party primaries, including dispute resolution, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. The commission had previously set the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Assembly polls for March 6, 2027, under the Electoral Act, 2022. However, following the repeal of the…

President John Dramani Mahama will today deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, outlining the government’s performance over the past year and presenting a roadmap for the year ahead. The Ghanaian leader is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the nation, focusing on key sectors including the economy, infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, and energy. The address, delivered in accordance with constitutional provisions, is anticipated to set the tone for the year while building on progress made so far. President Mahama is also expected to address issues related to inflation, public debt…

Residents and opposition parties in Namibia have criticized the government for failing to commence construction of a planned state hospital valued at N$2.9 billion (approximately $181.9 million). The 500-bed facility, initially scheduled for completion in 2027, was intended to ease the burden on Katutura Intermediate Hospital, but construction has yet to progress two years after the groundbreaking ceremony. Many residents view the project as a political tool, accusing the ruling Swapo party of using it to garner votes ahead of the 2024 elections. During the groundbreaking in 2024, former Minister of Health and Social Services, Kalumbi Shangula, insisted that the…

Zambia has rejected a clause in a proposed $1 billion health assistance agreement with the United States, prompting a delay in the signing of the five-year deal. According to a spokesperson for Zambia’s Ministry of Health, the disputed provision did not align with the government’s national interests, leading authorities to request further revisions. The official did not specify the exact details of the clause. The agreement, which was initially expected to be signed in November, outlines U.S. funding to support efforts against diseases such as HIV and malaria, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and improve maternal and child health services. Under the…

The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) has called for stronger female representation in high-level decision-making positions to better advocate for issues affecting women and children. Hon. Veronica Kaddy Sise, outgoing President of ECOFEPA, made the call on Thursday on the sidelines of the First Extraordinary Session of the Regional Parliament. While noting that significant progress has been made, she pushed for greater female participation in leadership roles and called for improved gender-friendly laws and initiatives that empower women and children. These, she said, include securing the election of more female Speakers of the ECOWAS Parliament, following the historic election of…

The Supreme Court of Uganda has unanimously upheld the election of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the duly elected President, formally closing the final legal chapter of the January 15 general election. Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija said the Court reached a unanimous decision on the substantive matter following the withdrawal of Presidential Election Petition Number One of 2026 by former candidate Robert Kasibante. Only Justice Christopher Madrama Izama dissented, and solely on the issue of costs. With the petition withdrawn, the Court affirmed that “the candidate earlier declared winner by the Electoral Commission of Uganda remains the…

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the escalating conflict in eastern DRC, as clashes intensify between pro-government forces and the M23 rebel group. Tshisekedi was received at the Élysée Palace, where the two leaders addressed security concerns, humanitarian assistance, and diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the Great Lakes region. The meeting followed reports of the death of M23 military spokesperson Willy Ngoma, who was allegedly killed in a drone strike near the mining town of Rubaya in North Kivu province. In a statement posted on X, Tshisekedi…

Guinean authorities have detained 16 Sierra Leonean soldiers accused of crossing into its territory without authorization, escalating tensions along the shared border. In a statement issued Sunday, the Guinean army said several dozen Sierra Leonean troops entered Guinean territory near Koudaya in Faranah Prefecture, erected a tent, and raised their national flag. “The General Staff of the Armed Forces informs the national and international public that on Sunday, February 22, 2026, several dozen armed soldiers from Sierra Leone unlawfully entered Guinean territory in the area of Koudaya,” the statement said. However, Sierra Leone disputed the account, alleging that Guinean forces…

Malian-owned firm Niangadou Distribution Company (NDC) has acquired approximately 80 service stations previously operated by French energy company TotalEnergies, the company confirmed on Wednesday. The stations were initially sold to Coly Energy Mali in January 2025, a subsidiary of Benin Petro, marking the gradual end of TotalEnergies’ direct presence in Mali’s retail fuel market. One year later, NDC has taken full ownership of the network. The acquisition marks the French group’s withdrawal from Mali after more than 25 years of operations in the country. NDC, led by businessman Mamadou Niangadou, was previously a major fuel importer with a fleet of…

Amnesty International has accused a police unit in Imo State, South-East Nigeria of committing serious human rights violations including torture, extrajudicial killings and extortion. The unit, popularly known as “Tiger Base,” was originally established to combat kidnapping and armed robbery but, according to a report released on Wednesday, has allegedly become a hub of unchecked police brutality in Owerri the state capital. The report, “Tiger Base of Atrocities,” detailed that detainees were often held in overcrowded, inhumane conditions, coerced into confessions, and in some cases shot or disappeared. Former detainees recounted being beaten with rods and cables, cut with knives…