National Assembly to Hold Extraordinary Sitting on Electoral Act Amendment Bil

The National Assembly has scheduled an extraordinary sitting for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to deliberate on the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill following the release of the 2027 General Election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In a notice issued to lawmakers, Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Jake Dan-Azumi, explained that the special session became necessary after it was observed that the proposed dates for the presidential and National Assembly elections fall within the Ramadan period, a situation considered likely to affect voter participation.

According to the notice, the House will undertake a recision and recommittal of the Electoral Act Bill earlier passed, with the aim of reviewing key provisions. One of the major issues for reconsideration is the statutory notice period for elections, which is proposed to be reduced from 360 days to 300 days to allow greater flexibility in election scheduling and alignment with prevailing national considerations.

The statement added that all legislative processes on the Bill are expected to be concluded the same day to allow Members attend to other political engagements, including the forthcoming ward congresses of the All Progressives Congress.

Members of the National Assembly were strongly urged to prioritise attendance, given the constitutional and national importance of the proposed amendment.

The ancient community of Apa-Agila came to a standstill on Friday as family members, dignitaries, media professionals and admirers gathered to bid farewell to renowned journalist and elder statesman, Chief Dan Agbese, whose life and career were widely described as symbols of truth, courage and public service.

The funeral service, held at Saint Rose Venerini Catholic Church, drew tributes from government officials, political figures and colleagues who reflected on the late media icon’s influence on journalism and national discourse.

Representing the government and people of Benue State, Deputy Governor Sam Ode described Agbese as more than a journalist, calling him “a symbol of intellectual courage and integrity” whose contributions would endure across generations. He announced that the Benue Printing and Publishing House has been renamed in honour of the late media veteran in recognition of his legacy.

Also paying tribute, Benue South senatorial aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, David Olofu, described Agbese’s death as a profound loss to both the state and the nation, noting that his commitment to truth remained steadfast even in difficult times.

In an emotional remark, his nephew and lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Philip Agbese, said the late journalist’s legacy could fill volumes but was defined not by titles, rather by values of integrity, humility and compassion. He added that Agbese inspired many through his wisdom, generosity and mentorship.

Delivering the homily, Bishop Michael Apochi urged mourners to emulate the virtues exemplified by the deceased, describing his life as a reflection of righteousness and moral conviction.

Agbese’s journalism career spanned decades and was marked by distinction. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine and later as General Manager of Radio Benue, roles through which he helped shape professional standards in Nigerian media and mentored younger journalists.

Speakers at the ceremony noted that beyond his public accomplishments, he remained deeply connected to his roots as a community leader, adviser and role model.

Chief Dan Agbese was laid to rest amid tributes celebrating a life many described as devoted to truth, integrity and service, with mourners affirming that his influence would continue to resonate in Nigeria’s media and civic space for generations.

Nigeria has called for a continental transition toward health security sovereignty in Africa, urging nations to reduce dependence on foreign aid and build resilient, self-sufficient health systems across the continent.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made the call on Friday while speaking at a high-level side event titled “Building Africa’s Health Security Sovereignty,” held on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The initiative, a collaboration between Nigeria and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, is aimed at mobilising investments in health workforce development, community health systems and sustainable immunisation programmes.

Representing President Bola Tinubu at the summit, the Vice President said Africa must ensure that the health of its citizens is no longer vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains or shifting international priorities. He stressed that Nigeria is prepared to work with other African countries to build a continent capable of responding independently to health emergencies.

Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Shettima noted that Africa had to wait and negotiate for limited vaccines and oxygen supplies when wealthier nations prioritised their own populations. He warned that endurance alone is not a strategy, insisting that leadership should be measured by deliberate efforts to reduce vulnerability.

He outlined Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in the health sector, including efforts to boost domestic pharmaceutical production, expand health financing and strengthen regulation. He cited programmes such as the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, which he said secured over $2.2 billion in commitments and aims to revitalise more than 17,000 primary healthcare centres, train 120,000 frontline workers and widen insurance coverage.

According to him, Nigeria is also strengthening epidemic intelligence, expanding laboratory networks and improving emergency coordination through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, while tightening oversight against substandard medicines under the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, commended continental partners for supporting efforts to build resilient health systems, noting that Nigeria is prioritising workforce development and data systems to bridge rural-urban disparities in healthcare access.

Director-General of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, highlighted persistent shortages of skilled health workers across Africa and called for coordinated investments to address fragmented funding and fragile community health structures. He praised Nigeria’s leadership in strengthening immunisation and resilience programmes.

Health ministers including Ibrahim Sy of Senegal and Mekdes Daba of Ethiopia expressed support for the initiative, pledging to align national policies with continental efforts to strengthen workforce databases and community-level health systems.

Representatives of organisations such as UNICEF and Gavi also delivered goodwill messages backing the programme.

In a communiqué presented by Prof. Pate at the end of the forum, African ministers of health and finance urged governments to increase sustained investment in human resources for health and community systems, accelerate progress toward the target of two million community health workers by 2030, and prioritise workforce development as a cornerstone of primary healthcare, universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness.