Reports have surfaced via activist Omoyele Sowore and Sahara Reporters alleging that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the removal of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.

Sowore claimed that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, FCIID, in Lagos.

While these reports claim the development is “confirmed” by internal sources, both the Presidency and the Nigeria Police Force have yet to issue an official public statement.

He, however, did not provide official confirmation to back the claim.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no statement from the Presidency or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the development.

Efforts to get a confirmation from Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were not successful. Hundeyin did not answer calls placed to his phone.

He subsequently sent a message asking that a text message be forwarded to him, assuring that he would respond.

However, as at press time, he had yet to reply.

Sowore has repeatedly questioned Egbetokun’s tenure, arguing that the police chief ought to have exited office upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting Inspector-General of Police in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.

The appointment took effect on October 31, 2023.

Following controversy over the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government sponsored an amendment to the Police Act providing for a single four-year term for an Inspector-General of Police, irrespective of age or years of service.

The provision allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0).

Designed to equip women with practical, income‑generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship; HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023.

Speaking with journalists at a media chat to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact.

“HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects our commitment to continuous improvement. Having evaluated feedback from the first edition, we have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities,” he said.

“At the heart of the programme is guided, real‑world learning. Participants will undergo intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across select fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration,” Ede added.

He noted that HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 goes beyond skills acquisition by offering participants a wide range of business advisory services. These include business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to Fidelity Bank’s women‑focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Further emphasising the bank’s vision, Ede said, “By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities. This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper.”

Interested participants are encouraged to indicate their interest by visiting https://bit.ly/Apprenticeshipbyherfidelity.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, 2026, introduces a massive overhaul of campaign financing and election management in Nigeria.

A central pillar of the reform is the substantial increase in campaign spending limits across all elective offices to account for inflation and logistical costs.

The national assembly has doubled the campaign spending limit for presidential candidates to N10 billion and increased the governorship ceiling to N3 billion in the Electoral Act 2026.

On February 17, the national assembly harmonised versions of the Electoral Bill 2026 passed by both chambers and transmitted same to President Bola Tinubu for assent ahead of the 2027 general election.

Tinubu signed the bill into law within 24 hours of its transmission, completing a two-year consultative process.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his directorate of media and public affairs, Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, disclosed the revisions while outlining key reforms introduced in the new electoral framework signed into law ahead of the 2027 general election.

Under the repealed Electoral Act, 2022, presidential candidates spend was capped at N5 billion, while governorship candidates were limited to N1 billion.

The 2026 law, however, raises the senate spending ceiling from N100 million to N500 million.

The limit for house of representatives candidates has been increased from N70 million to N250 million.

For state house of assembly elections, the ceiling rises from N30 million to N100 million.

Area council chairmanship outlay has been reviewed upward from N30 million to N60 million, while councillorship candidates can now spend up to N10 million, up from N5 million.

Bamidele said the upward review under section 92(1-8) reflects prevailing economic realities and rising campaign costs, while retaining statutory limits to regulate election financing.

He added that enforcement provisions remain in place to sanction candidates who exceed the prescribed thresholds.