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EKPOMA PROTEST: Detained AAU Students Likely to be Released Tomorrow
The Fifty-two suspects, including students from Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, arrested following Saturday’s violent protest against rising kidnappings and insecurity, are expected to regain their freedom as early as tomorrow.
The detainees are currently held at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre in Esan South-East Local Government Area. Parents of the affected students gathered at the facility, appealing to authorities for the immediate release of their children.
The protest, initially sparked by concerns over frequent abductions in Ekpoma and surrounding communities, reportedly escalated into violence when hoodlums hijacked the demonstration. Incidents included looting, property destruction, attacks on traders, and vandalism at the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma.
Osadebamen Ehozogie, President of the AAU Students’ Union Government (SUG), who visited the correctional facility, stated that the protest was not organized by genuine students.
He emphasized that it was hijacked by hoodlums and external elements, including groups like the “Ambrose Alli Comrade Community” (comprising former students or non-students), who exploited the situation for criminal activities.
The Edo State Government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, has initiated processes to verify and release bona fide AAU students, with Commissioner for Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu deployed to the Ubiaja facility to oversee the effort.
Authorities maintain that the violence was orchestrated by non-students, and the university was not in session at the time.
Amid widespread calls from groups like the PDP, NANS, SERAP, and figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for unconditional release, the development signals a potential resolution focused on distinguishing innocent students from those involved in the unrest.
The case, involving charges such as malicious damage and armed robbery, was adjourned to February 26, 2026, but efforts continue to facilitate releases through due process.
Parents and student leaders expressed relief at the prospect of freedom, while urging sustained action against the root cause: persistent insecurity in the region.
News
PAACA Thumbs Up Protest over Senate’s Rejection of Electronic Transmission of Election Results
PACCA emphasised that the conversation should go beyond the election transmission of results to cover collation and more in depth involvement of political parties .
• Peter Obi address the protesters in front of the National Assembly
The Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu, has described the protest around the transmission of election results in real-time as a step in the right direction.
Nwagwu made the declaration during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday.
“The current agitation that we have seen around the electoral act amendment is positive.
Positive in the sense that we have continued to ask for more and more citizen oversight over governance, over the activities of those who govern us,” he said.
PACCA emphasised that the conversation should go beyond the election transmission of results to cover collation and more in depth involvement of political parties
The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has voiced strong concern over the Senate’s recent stance on the transmission of election results in the ongoing Electoral Act amendment process, warning that it is eroding public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement, the NGE described the Senate’s decision to retain non-mandatory provisions—similar to those in the 2022 Electoral Act—as a step backward that fosters doubt and mistrust in Nigeria’s electoral system.
The group highlighted widespread public outrage, noting that the position contradicts the demands of most Nigerians and many lawmakers for compulsory, real-time electronic transmission from polling units to INEC’s central server and collation centres.
The NGE emphasized that mandatory and immediate transmission has become a global standard for enhancing transparency, efficiency, accuracy, and voter confidence while reducing fraud and disputes.
At a time when other democracies are advancing digital reforms, Nigeria risks missing a key opportunity to strengthen electoral integrity and democratic governance, the statement said.
With the National Assembly set to harmonize positions between the Senate and House of Representatives tomorrow (February 10, 2026), the Guild called on lawmakers to approve mandatory real-time transmission in the final bill.
Anything less, it warned, would be out of step with progressive electoral practices and could further discourage voter participation while undermining confidence that votes will count.
The statement comes amid broader backlash following the Senate’s February 4 passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, which rejected proposals for compulsory e-transmission, prompting criticism from civil society, opposition parties, labour unions, and other stakeholders.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Nigerian Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, ruling that the upper chamber acted within its constitutional powers.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, February 9, 2026, the appellate court affirmed the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, including through suspension.
However, the court set aside related contempt proceedings and vacated a ₦5 million fine previously imposed on the senator over a satirical apology she issued.
The decision partially resolves a protracted legal dispute stemming from the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan in early 2025, following allegations of misconduct during plenary sessions.
The ruling comes amid ongoing appeals, with aspects of the case potentially headed to the Supreme Court as both sides have challenged lower court decisions.
In a separate development, President Bola Tinubu held a closed-door meeting last night (Sunday, February 8, 2026) with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The late-night talks, confirmed by presidency sources and reported across multiple outlets, focused on efforts to resolve the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
The meeting is seen as a fresh intervention by the president to foster reconciliation between the governor and his predecessor, amid tensions that have disrupted governance in the oil-rich state.
Details of the discussions remain limited, but sources indicate Governor Fubara later accompanied Wike to his residence in Guzape, Abuja, signaling possible progress toward de-escalation.
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