COLUMNS

Tinubu, el-Rufai and the cobra

Daily Dispatch February 20, 2026

By Tunde Odesola (Published in The PUNCH, on Friday, February 20, 2026) If they were not venomous, snakes would probably garland the necks of the rich and the influential to delineate social class. With a body handwoven by its Creator, the snake is the most awesome creature, epitomising

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Breaking: El-Rufai Granted Bail, Rearrested by ICPC Officials

Daily Dispatch February 18, 2026

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been rearrested by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) shortly after being granted bail. Sources familiar with the development said El-Rufai had secured bail following earlier questioning by authorities. However, moments after his release, ICPC officials reportedly

NEWS

Just In: Nasir El-Rufai’s Bail Collapses as Surety Withdraws

Daily Dispatch February 18, 2026

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has remained in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the collapse of his bail arrangement. The development comes after a surety who had initially agreed to stand in for the former governor reportedly withdrew, leading to a dramatic setback in efforts to secure his […]

NEWS

Group Raises Fresh Allegations Against El-Rufai, Seeks House Intervention

Daily Dispatch February 18, 2026

A coalition under the Kaduna State Stakeholders Forum has formally submitted a petition to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, calling for legislative action over allegations of financial mismanagement and human rights violations during the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai. The petition was presented to the Speaker of the House, Yusuf Liman, following a

NEWS

Fani-Kayode Links NSA Phone Bugging to Terror Network, Cites Uba’s Killing

Daily Dispatch February 17, 2026

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has alleged that those responsible for tapping the phone of the National Security Adviser (NSA) may be the same network that enabled terrorists to track and kill the late Brigadier-General Dzarma Zirkusu. In a strongly worded statement, Fani-Kayode suggested that the individuals who allegedly intercepted the NSA’s

COLUMNS

Opinion: El-Rufai and the Perils of Playing Speed Chess in a Long-Game Arena

Daily Dispatch February 17, 2026

By Sunday Oladapo Malam Nasir El-Rufai has never lacked intelligence. From the political turbulence of the Olusegun Obasanjo/Atiku Abubakar era to the high-stakes maneuvering before the 2023 elections, he proved himself a sharp strategist, unafraid of confrontation and adept at political brinkmanship. But politics evolves, and so do its battlegrounds. What worked in one