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Delay in Polls Dangerous for GEJ, Good for Boko Haram, Buhari

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The call for the postponement of the February general elections in the country may benefit Boko Haram, the Islamist militants group and Muhammadu Buhari more than the nation’s democracy, according to TIME Magazine.

Also, the TIME reported that if Boko Haram continues with its campaign of deadly bombings— a delay in elections might actually harm Jonathan’s chances.

Incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge from former general Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan’s record on fighting Boko Haram is weak, and Buhari has made security the cornerstone of his campaign.

In the end, delaying the elections could end up benefitting Boko Haram the most.

More debate on who should be the next president means less attention on what should be done about militancy.

Over the past five years, an insurgency led by Boko Haram group has driven 1.6 million Nigerians from their homes in the country’s northeast.

So it comes as a bit of a surprise that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is only now starting to voice concern about how those citizens will vote in upcoming presidential elections, slated for February 14th.

On February 4, just ten days before the start of polling, INEC commissioner Amina Zachary told Reuters that the elections may have to be delayed over fears that not enough registered voters would actually be able to cast ballots.

At issue is the requirement that citizens vote where they are registered — difficult enough when Boko Haram threatens to launch squads of suicide bombers across the region in the run up to the election; impossible when your hometown is under militant occupation, as 20 out of 27 local governorships are in the three northeastern states of Borno, Adamwa and Yobe.

The commission is also worried about the slow rollout of its anti-fraud system. Each voter must have Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in order to cast a ballot.

The cards are digitally embedded with the voter’s fingerprint and can be read by a small battery powered scanner. If the voter’s fingerprint doesn’t match the information on the card, they won’t be issued a ballot.

This is designed to prevent accusations of ballot box stuffing that have marred past elections.

But the problem is that not all voters have their cards yet. Only 44 million out of 68.8 million registered voters have received their cards, according to INEC, many of them in areas plagued by insurgency.

In theory, would-be voters can pick up their cards at government offices, but not if fighting shuts those offices down.

INEC has extended the deadline for picking up voter cards to Feb 8, but if the number of cards distributed by then is too low, the commission may decide to postpone the vote. “Let’s see how the PVC distribution goes,” Zachary told Reuters. “Then maybe.”

It’s not just INEC that is concerned. In January, President Jonathan’s national security advisor Sambo Dasuki also suggested that the vote be delayed, for the same reason.

And on February 3, about 100 protestors stormed INEC headquarters, brandishing placards demanding a delay. “INEC, do the right thing,” they chanted. “We demand for the extension of election to allow Nigerian exercise their franchise.”

Never one to pass up a good conspiracy story, Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper posited that the protestors, and Dasuki, may have been put up by Jonathan supporters who feel that their candidate might benefit from a longer campaign season.


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WEBINAR: Techeconomy Business Series Hosts Experts from MTN, Interswitch, BusinessPlus, others this Wednesday

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Techeconomy, Africa’s leading technology, business and digital economy publication, has announced an upcoming edition of its Techeconomy Business Series, a virtual webinar.

WEBINAR: Techeconomy Business Series Hosts Experts from MTN, Interswitch, BusinessPlus, others this Wednesday

Techeconomy

This month’s edition focused on “Navigating a Career in Tech Sales, is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM (WAT)

Register here: https://shorturl.at/mMvLu),

It will bring together seasoned professionals from across Africa’s technology ecosystem to share practical insights, real-life experiences, and career guidance for individuals looking to build or transition into successful careers in tech sales.

“As Africa’s digital economy continues to expand, tech sales has emerged as a critical growth driver, bridging innovation, customer adoption, and revenue generation,” said Joan Aimuengheuwa, managing editor at Techeconomy.

“The session is designed to equip professionals, young talents, and business leaders with a clearer understanding of the skills, mindset, and career pathways required to succeed in this fast-evolving field”, she added.

The panel features accomplished industry experts including, divisional head, Growth Marketing (Enterprise), Interswitch Group; Ekundayo Ayeni, co-founder, BusinessPlus; Adepeju Ajayi, manager, Mobile Advertising, MTN Nigeria; and Bukayo Ewuoso, Business Growth Consultant.

The session will be hosted by Imoh Anselem, an IT Project Manager and Customer Success Specialist.

Participants will gain insights into: Ogechi Okwechime

·       Breaking into tech sales and identifying entry opportunities

·       Key skills and competencies employers look for

·       Career growth strategies within Africa’s digital economy

·       Lessons from real-world sales and growth experiences

Webinar Details:

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (WAT) | Format: Virtual (Zoom)

Registration/Access Link: https://shorturl.at/mMvLu

Attendance is free, but registration is required.

“The Techeconomy Business Series is part of Techeconomy’s ongoing commitment to fostering informed conversations, capacity building, and talent development across Africa’s technology and business landscape”, the managing editor added.

TAGS: #TechSales, #Techeconomy, #Techeconomy, #TechSales, #CareerInTech, #DigitalEconomy, #BusinessSeries, #AfricaTech, #TBS #TecheconomyBusinessSeries


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Nigeria Treats Religious Violence as Attack on State – NSA Ribadu

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National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has said the federal government considers religious violence an attack on the Nigerian state, stressing that the protection of all citizens, regardless of faith, is non-negotiable.

Nigeria Treats Religious Violence as Attack on State – NSA Ribadu

According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu made the remarks in Abuja at the close of a US–Nigeria Joint Working Group session.

“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens, Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs, is non-negotiable,” Ribadu said.
“Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”

In a follow-up post on X, Ribadu said the joint working group has recorded “tangible operational gains” in the fight against terrorism.

The working group was set up following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by US President Donald Trump, a label that often triggers policy actions aimed at ending severe violations of religious freedom.

At the meeting, Ribadu led Nigeria’s delegation, which included representatives from 10 ministries and agencies, while the US delegation, made up of eight federal agencies, was led by Allison Hooker, US under-secretary of state.

Ribadu said Nigeria-US security cooperation has moved from dialogue to action, resulting in the disruption of terrorist networks and transnational criminal groups. He also praised the US for supplying drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and other support systems over the past five years.

Speaking at the session, Hooker said the US was committed to expanding its partnership with Nigeria, particularly on deterring violence against Christian communities.

“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritising counter-terrorism, insecurity, investigation of attacks, and holding perpetrators accountable,” she said.

She added that efforts would focus on reducing killings, forced displacement, and abductions of Christians, especially in Nigeria’s north-central states


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PalmPay User Shares Experience on Fintech Apps to Trust in Nigeria

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For many Nigerians, fintech apps are judged by one simple question: Can I trust the platform? For Happiness, a young Nigerian entrepreneur, the answer manifested in the most defining moments of her life.

Trust Built Through Everyday Use

In 2025, Happiness relied on PalmPay to run her business, from receiving customer payments, paying vendors, and managing daily transactions. During PalmPay’s Hustle Grant Campaign, she joined thousands of small business owners hoping to win the N500,000 funding.

While she didn’t make the shortlist, the campaign gave her business something just as valuable: visibility. New customers discovered her brand, enquiries increased, and sales followed.

PalmPay didn’t just host a campaign; it created an ecosystem where small businesses could be seen and supported.

Just days later, Happiness’ life changed. On August 30, 2025, she lost her father. With this loss came challenges, especially payments. They tried transferring money through regular banks but were met with declined transactions. Happiness suggested using her PalmPay account and it was successful.

In a moment defined by loss and urgency, PalmPay cut through the chaos, proving that reliability isn’t a feature, it’s a lifeline. Happiness’ relationship with PalmPay didn’t stop at transactions. Through other management tools on the app, she learned to build discipline around her finances.

More Than an App, a Financial Partner

Beyond transactions, PalmPay’s tools helped Happiness build better money habits and financial discipline. Today, the brand continues to reward reliability through initiatives like its ongoing Premier Cool campaign, reinforcing a simple message: consistency should come with value.

The idea is simple: Purchase a bar of soap and stand a chance to get ₦10,000cash and other cash benefits.

It’s PalmPay’s way of saying that smart money habits deserve real value in return.

Why PalmPay Earns Trust

Life doesn’t give warnings before it tests you. When it does, you need a platform that doesn’t just usually work but always works.

For many users, PalmPay proves to be more than a payment app. It is a trusted partner powering ambitions, supporting users through defining life moments, while helping them bank smartly.

When it mattered most, PalmPay worked. To watch the full testimonial visit: @palmpayapp_ng


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