Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Abigail David

2Baba, Wife Natasha Osawaru Dedicate Newborn at Church Ceremony
Nigerian music star Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, and his wife, Natasha Osawaru, have dedicated their newborn baby during a church service attended by family and friends.
A video shared on social media shows the couple presenting their child at the altar as the officiating minister led prayers. The ceremony featured songs of praise and moments of celebration with close relatives and well-wishers.
The dedication comes about three months after the couple welcomed their first child together in November 2025. They held their traditional wedding earlier in the year.
In the circulating clip, 2Baba and Natasha are seen dancing toward the altar while holding their baby, as guests joined in the celebration.
The couple has not released an official statement about the ceremony, but the video has attracted congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues online.
February 12, 2026
Verydarkman Criticises Cubana Chief Priest Over APC Support, Mentions Nnamdi Kanu
Social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman, has criticised nightlife entrepreneur Cubana Chief Priest over his perceived political alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a video circulating online, Verydarkman questioned Cubana Chief Priest’s support for the “City Boy Movement,” a slogan associated with President Bola Tinubu’s supporters. He suggested that the businessman’s current political stance appeared inconsistent with earlier sentiments linked to the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.
Verydarkman argued that public political endorsements should lead to measurable outcomes rather than serve personal interests. He referenced previous statements allegedly attributed to Cubana Chief Priest regarding political support tied to Kanu’s release.
The activist said his respect for the entrepreneur would depend on tangible developments, particularly concerning Kanu’s case, which remains before the courts.
Cubana Chief Priest has not publicly responded to the remarks as of the time of this report.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, is currently facing trial on charges brought by the Federal Government. IPOB has been proscribed by Nigerian authorities.
February 12, 2026
Uzor Arukwe Denies Allegations Linking Him to Bambam’s Marriage Rumours
Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has denied social media claims linking him to alleged marital issues between former Big Brother Naija stars Bambam and Teddy A.
Speculation about the couple surfaced after fans noticed they had unfollowed each other on social media, prompting online rumours about a possible split. Bambam later posted a photo in which she appeared wearing her wedding ring, a move many interpreted as dismissing the claims.
The controversy escalated after an X user alleged that Bambam’s marriage had collapsed and linked Arukwe to the claims. The post, which circulated widely, drew mixed reactions.
In a statement shared on his social media page, Arukwe described the allegations as false and damaging. He said his relationship with Bambam is strictly professional and warned against the spread of unverified claims.
“A specific account has been identified to spread false rumours and baseless accusations about me and my professional engagement with a colleague,” he wrote, adding that he would not amplify the post but intended to address the matter through appropriate channels.
Arukwe cautioned social media users against making defamatory statements, noting the potential legal consequences of such actions.
Neither Bambam nor Teddy A has publicly confirmed any marital crisis.
February 12, 2026
Plateau Commission Rescues Five Children, Arrests Three Over Alleged Trafficking to Cross River
The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission says it has rescued five children allegedly being trafficked to Calabar, Cross River State, and arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.
The commission’s Chairperson, Olivia Dazyam, said the operation was carried out on Thursday in collaboration with security agencies and officials of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The suspects — identified as Lydia Bulus, Linda Monday and Esther Solomon — were arrested at Ngo Tallatu Jang Motor Park in Jos.
According to the commission, three of the rescued children are from Utan community in Jos North Local Government Area, while two others, who are twins, are from Irigwe Chiefdom in Bassa LGA.
Dazyam said the rescue followed a tip-off. She expressed concern that cases of child trafficking persist despite awareness campaigns across the state.
She urged residents and local government authorities to support efforts to curb human trafficking, describing it as a serious criminal offence under the law. She also advised parents to follow legal procedures in matters involving adoption or relocation of children.
Mrs. Miriam Riti, wife of the Chairman of Bassa LGA, confirmed receiving information about the case and described the incident as troubling.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing.
February 12, 2026
El-Rufai Alleges Attempted Arrest by Security Operatives at Abuja Airport
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was allegedly confronted by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, upon his arrival from Cairo, according to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye.
In a statement posted on his verified X account, Adekeye said the operatives approached El-Rufai on Thursday and sought to take him into custody. He claimed the former governor declined to accompany them, insisting on a formal invitation before complying.
“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir El-Rufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation,” the statement read.
Adekeye further alleged that the operatives seized El-Rufai’s passport from one of his aides during the encounter.
The incident followed comments by El-Rufai in a BBC Hausa interview in which he said he feared possible arrest, citing the detention of some former associates. The ex-governor, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has been critical of the current administration.
As of press time, the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had not responded to requests for comment.
February 12, 2026
NLC warns Senate over electronic transmission of election results
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that workers may embark on mass action if the Senate fails to legalise the real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.
In a statement on Monday, NLC President Joe Ajaero urged the Senate to issue an immediate and unambiguous clarification of its decision on the transmission of results, stressing that Nigerians deserve a transparent electoral process where votes are not only counted but seen to count.
The warning comes as the Senate announced an emergency plenary sitting scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, amid nationwide controversy over its handling of Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Amendment Bill. The clause sought to make real-time electronic transmission of results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing (IReV) portal mandatory.
Although the Senate passed the amendment bill on February 4, it retained the existing provision of the Electoral Act 2022, which gives INEC discretion over the mode of transmitting results, rather than mandating electronic transmission.
The NLC said the decision, and subsequent conflicting explanations from the Senate, have deepened public confusion and could undermine confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. It warned that any ambiguity in the law risks repeating past electoral disputes.
The Senate’s position differs from that of the House of Representatives, with both chambers now relying on conference committees to harmonise their versions of the bill before transmission to the President for assent.
February 9, 2026
Residents protest after bandits abduct seven in fresh Kaduna attack
Residents of Danhonu II community in New Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday staged a protest over worsening insecurity following the abduction of seven people by suspected bandits.
The protesters marched to the Millennium City Divisional Police Headquarters, briefly blocking the main access road while demanding urgent security intervention to curb repeated kidnapping incidents in the area.
The latest attack reportedly occurred around 11:30pm on Sunday, when armed men invaded the community and abducted members of two families. Those taken include Yahaya Yusuf, his wife Latifat, their sons Abdulgafar and Abdulqudus, as well as Mrs Abdulrazak Jimoh and two of her children.
Residents said the incident has heightened fear in the community, noting that at least 11 kidnapping cases have been recorded in recent months. Some alleged that the attacks mainly target non-indigenes, raising concerns about possible insider involvement.
Speaking during the protest, Chairman of the Danhonu II Landlords Association, Akoh Salifu, said residents could no longer live in peace due to persistent abductions. He added that attempts by youths to pursue the attackers after Sunday’s incident were unsuccessful.
Confirming the attack, Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said police received a distress call and deployed operatives alongside soldiers. However, he said difficult terrain and poor road access delayed their arrival, allowing the suspects to escape after an exchange of gunfire.
Hassan added that the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, has visited the community and assured residents that the command is considering establishing a police outpost to improve security.
February 9, 2026
First Lady: Economic reforms underway, critics exploiting re-election season
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has acknowledged the country’s ongoing economic challenges, saying they stem from reforms inherited by the current administration, while accusing critics of using the approaching re-election season to portray Nigeria negatively abroad.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News Digital shared by Arise TV on Monday, Mrs Tinubu said Nigeria recently emerged from a prolonged economic crisis, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy and limited domestic refining capacity had placed pressure on the economy.
She said the administration was implementing reforms to stabilise key indicators, including domestic fuel refining and exchange rate management. According to her, increased local refining has reduced fuel imports and contributed to greater currency stability.
The First Lady also suggested that some criticisms of the government, including allegations by foreign lawmakers of widespread religious persecution, were politically motivated.
“Nigeria is a democracy, and as we approach re-election, there will be attempts to shape narratives for the outside world,” she said.
On security, Mrs Tinubu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency on insecurity in November 2024, leading to the recruitment of 50,000 police officers, 24,000 soldiers and the arming of 10,000 forest guards. She added that over 11,500 police officers previously assigned to VIP duties had been redeployed to security flashpoints such as Plateau, Benue and Taraba states.
She said the government was also seeking international partnerships to support development efforts, acknowledging that Nigeria failed to make sufficient long-term investments during earlier periods of economic growth.
February 9, 2026
CBN, NCC unveil framework to curb airtime, data transaction failures
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have introduced a joint framework aimed at addressing persistent failures in airtime and data transactions, where customers are debited without receiving service.
The 20-page draft framework, published on the CBN’s website on Monday, was developed by the CBN’s Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion Department in collaboration with the NCC, with inputs from banks, mobile network operators, payment service providers and other stakeholders.
The initiative seeks to clarify responsibility among service providers, standardise timelines for resolving complaints, and establish a coordinated consumer redress mechanism spanning the financial and telecommunications sectors.
Director of Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion at the CBN, Dr Aisha Isa-Olatinwo, said the framework is designed to institutionalise accountability and ensure efficient handling of consumer complaints across both industries.
Stakeholders, including financial institutions and members of the public, have been invited to submit comments on the draft to the CBN on or before February 20, 2026.
The framework builds on earlier efforts by the two regulators. In January, banks and telecom operators were directed to implement a new refund process by March 1, 2026. Under the proposed system, failed transactions would attract automatic refunds within 30 seconds, while pending transactions must be resolved within 24 hours.
Director of Consumer Affairs at the NCC, Freda Bruce-Bennett, said the framework also provides for a Central Monitoring Dashboard, jointly managed by the NCC and CBN, to track transaction failures, refunds and service-level breaches in real time.
February 9, 2026
BREAKING: Appeal Court affirms Senate suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, ruling that the red chamber acted within its constitutional and procedural powers.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday by a three-member panel in appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, the court dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s challenge against the Clerk of the National Assembly and three others, holding that her suspension did not violate her parliamentary privileges or fundamental rights.
However, the appellate court set aside the contempt proceedings and the N5 million fine earlier imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice A. B. Muhammed ruled that the Senate President acted in accordance with Senate Rules when he denied Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary on February 20, 2025, on the grounds that she was not seated in her officially assigned seat.
The court held that the Senate President has the authority to reassign seats to lawmakers and that senators are only permitted to speak from their designated seats during plenary sessions.
The ruling effectively affirms the Senate’s disciplinary powers over its members, while limiting sanctions that fall outside established parliamentary procedures.
February 9, 2026