Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Friday, 13th February, 2026

February 13, 20269 Mins Read

Good morning Nigeria. Welcome to the Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today, Friday, 13th February, 2026.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the sum of ₦873.778bn for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

The electoral body is also pushing for the approval of a separate ₦171bn to fund its 2026 operations.

This was disclosed on Thursday by INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, while defending the Commission’s budget proposals before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.

Amupitan explained that the nearly ₦874bn earmarked for the 2027 polls is separate from the proposed ₦171bn 2026 budget, which is meant to cover routine administrative activities, by-elections and off-cycle governorship contests.

A breakdown of the 2027 estimate shows that ₦379.748bn is allocated for operational expenses, ₦92.317bn for administrative costs, ₦209.206bn for technology, ₦154.905bn for capital expenditure and ₦42.608bn for miscellaneous items.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday resisted an attempt by security operatives to arrest him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Naija News reports that the security operatives had approached El-Rufai at the airport lobby upon arrival from Cairo, Egypt.

However, the former Governor insisted on having a formal letter of invitation before he could comply and follow them anywhere.

“Listen, nobody, not even the president could tell me I have to do anything. If you want to invite me, give me a letter,” he said.

Naija News had earlier reported that the security operatives seized the international passport of the former Governor.

According to his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, in a post on his 𝕏 account, the security agents attempted to arrest El-Rufai, but the former Governor resisted them and demanded a formal invitation, after which they took his passport from an aide.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dissolved the State Executive Council.

Naija News reports that all Commissioners and Special Advisers were instructed to hand over to Permanent Secretaries or the most senior officers in their respective Ministries.

According to TVC, Fubara, on Thursday, issued a directive following his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.

The meeting, held on Sunday at the Presidential Villa, came amid heightened political tension in Rivers State and a fresh impeachment move against the governor.

Presidency sources had indicated that the intervention was aimed at diffusing the crisis rocking the state’s executive and legislative arms.

The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed the claims of engaging in a negotiation with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over a Vice-Presidential ticket.

Naija News reports that Fayose accused Makinde of plotting to be the running mate of Atiku in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while reacting to a meeting held on Tuesday in Niger State between the former Vice President, Makinde and former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ekiti former governor said Makinde promised to divide the vote of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Southwest and also deliver Rivers State votes for Atiku.

According to Fayose, Makinde said he would release 10 billion naira for the opposition party, promising to make more funds available when the campaign starts.

However, Atiku, in a statement, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described Fayose’s statement as a shameless concoction, a distortion, and cheap propaganda.

Atiku stated that at no time did he engage in the imaginary horse trading, negotiations over vice presidential tickets, or ₦10 billion contributions.

The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) maintained that he does not conduct politics in secrecy, bribery, or transactional desperation, as mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed, and urged the public to disregard the publication.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, recused himself from two separate cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Naija News reports that the judge, who was recently assigned the matters by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, said his decision to step down was motivated by “personal reasons” and the “better interest of justice.”

The development followed shortly after one of the cases, a civil suit seeking the forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami, was called for mention.

Although Justice Egwuatu did not elaborate on the exact grounds for his withdrawal, he made it clear that he believed stepping aside was the most appropriate course of action given the circumstances.

The cases had initially been handled by Justice Emeka Nwite, who sat as the vacation judge during the Christmas judicial break.

The EFCC is pursuing civil forfeiture proceedings against Malami over the disputed properties, while a separate criminal suit is reportedly linked to alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.

It is now expected that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court will reassign the case to another judge.

The 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has raised concerns over the cohesion and electoral prospects of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, saying the party lacks unifying political heavyweights capable of rallying nationwide support.

Baba-Ahmed stated that the absence of figures with the political influence of former President Muhammadu Buhari or President Bola Tinubu could undermine the coalition’s chances in future elections.

Naija News reports that Baba-Ahmed argued that the ADC had yet to produce personalities with comparable political stature and national appeal.

“They don’t have a Buhari or a Tinubu in the ADC. Tinubu has a lot of sense. They don’t have it in ADC,” he said during an interview with Daily Trust.

He noted that strong leadership and political experience were critical in building party unity and driving electoral success.

Baba-Ahmed also warned that the coalition could face internal disagreements depending on who emerges as its presidential candidate.

According to him, the emergence of major political figures within the party could trigger divisions rather than unity.

Popular Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade Ekeinde has shared her thoughts on how couples should handle in-laws who do not quickly accept them.

Naija News reports that the movie star spoke during a recent interview with Morayo Afolabi Brown, where she discussed marriage and family relationships.

She advised spouses to make real efforts to build a good relationship with their partner’s family, even when the welcome is not warm at the beginning.

Omotola said couples should try their best to make their in-laws understand them.

According to her, patience, calmness and steady effort can help reduce tension and create peace within the family.

However, she also admitted that not every situation can be fixed.

The actress explained that some parents may already have a fixed opinion and may refuse to accept a new spouse no matter what the person does.

Nollywood actor, Uzor Arukwe, has responded to the allegation of impregnating his colleague, Bamike Olawunmi, better known as Bambam, and being responsible for the crisis in her marriage with her husband, Teddy A.

Naija News reports that the controversy, which gained traction on social media, stemmed from Arukwe’s collaboration with Bambam in the 2025 YouTube film Love In Every Word, which went viral shortly after its release.

Amid the controversy online, a 𝕏 user wrote, “Popular movie actress BamBam (achalugo) has been reportedly divorced by her husband after finding out his wife was pregnant for her colleague who played the role of her odogwu in their recent movie, he got to find out through her leaked private chat with him. Hmmm it’s sad to say women are never to be trust worthy.”

However, in a statement, Arukwe warned that those behind the rumours would face consequences, revealing that he had already identified a particular social media account.

Clearly angered by the allegations, Uzor Arukwe vowed to make the identified individuals spreading the rumours and baseless accusations a scapegoat so that others can learn to respect boundaries.

Former Super Eagles head coach José Peseiro has opened up on the emotional journey that led Ademola Lookman to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Speaking about the Atlético Madrid forward, Peseiro explained that Lookman’s decision was influenced by disappointment after repeated omissions from England’s senior national team, despite his impressive rise through their youth ranks.

Born in London to Nigerian parents, Lookman represented England at Under 19, Under 20 and Under 21 levels. However, his anticipated breakthrough into the senior side never materialised. In February 2022, FIFA officially approved his request to play for Nigeria.

Now a key figure for both club and country, the former African Footballer of the Year recently completed a late transfer to Atlético Madrid. Last weekend, he made history as the first English-born footballer to feature in the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga and La Liga.

Peseiro, speaking to Marca, reflected on Lookman’s career move and the motivation behind it.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with two additional counts of rape involving a new alleged victim, increasing the total number of women connected to the case to four.

Thomas Partey, a 32-year-old Ghana international had already pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape linked to two women, along with one count of sexual assault involving a third complainant.

The latest charges stem from alleged incidents in 2020 that were first reported to police in August last year and followed a fresh investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 13 March for his first hearing relating to the new allegations.

He was previously granted conditional bail at Southwark Crown Court in September after entering not guilty pleas to the original charges. Those earlier allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, during his time with Arsenal.