A civil society organisation, the Center for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA), has reopened controversy surrounding the academic credentials of President Bola Tinubu, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify his eligibility ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a letter addressed to the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the group asked the electoral body to provide what it described as “urgent legal clarification” on the certificates submitted by the President during the 2023 election cycle, warning that failure to do so could trigger legal action. The group, which described itself as a pro-democracy and anti-corruption advocacy…
Author: National Update
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the outcome of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election, calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to cancel the exercise and conduct a fresh poll over alleged irregularities. In a statement issued on Sunday by its Publicity Secretary, Danjuma Joseph, the party alleged widespread flaws in the conduct of the election, including issues it said undermined the credibility of the process. The by-election, conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission, was held to fill the vacant Nasarawa North Senatorial seat following the death of former lawmaker, Senator Godiya Akwashiki. The party claimed that…
APC chieftain Hon. Jonathan Vatsa has raised fresh concerns over the possible conduct of the 2027 general elections, warning that the credibility of key democratic institutions may determine the stability of the process. Speaking during a thanksgiving service marking his 64th birthday, Vatsa expressed apprehension over what he described as the “body language” of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the potential role of the judiciary in post-election disputes. He cautioned that if INEC fails to strictly uphold neutrality and transparency in the management of the electoral process, and if the judiciary is perceived as partisan in adjudicating election…
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned reported incidents of violence, voter intimidation and vote-buying that characterised the Ekiti State governorship election and several by-elections, describing the development as a disturbing setback for Nigeria’s democratic process. HURIWA said the recurring electoral irregularities under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that Nigeria’s elections continue to face serious ethical, legal and credibility challenges that must be urgently addressed. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group expressed disappointment that despite the deployment of security personnel and operatives of…
The National Organising Secretary of the Labour Party, Oluchi Oparah, has extended warm greetings and heartfelt appreciation to fathers across Nigeria and around the world in commemoration of Father’s Day. In a goodwill message released on Sunday, Oparah described fathers as “pillars of strength, protectors, providers, mentors, and silent builders of society,” noting that their sacrifices often go unnoticed but remain the foundation upon which stable families and communities are built. She paid special tribute to Nigerian fathers, commending their resilience in the face of economic and social challenges, and their unwavering commitment to the welfare and upbringing of their…
The Senate has launched a fresh effort to resolve the lingering regulatory dispute between the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), in a move aimed at eliminating uncertainty in Nigeria’s petroleum industry and restoring investor confidence. Leading the intervention, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream Petroleum Sector, Senator Sulaiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, said lawmakers are determined to address the jurisdictional overlaps that have sparked tensions between the two agencies and raised concerns among industry players. Speaking at a five-day stakeholders’ retreat in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Sumaila described the…
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has secured a resounding second term in office after winning Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election by a massive margin, cementing the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Oyebanji winner of the poll after he polled 319,224 votes, defeating his closest challengers, Olumayokun Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 40,533 votes, and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who garnered 12,872 votes. The result underscored the APC’s overwhelming strength in the state, with Oyebanji winning all 16 local government areas and recording…
Supporters of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim in Jigawa State have intensified calls for him to contest Nigeria’s presidency, pledging widespread grassroots support and a strong voter mobilization drive should he enter the race. The supporters, drawn from all 27 local government areas of the state, made their position known during a meeting with the state coordinator of the Olawepo-Hashim political movement in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital. At the gathering, the coordinator described Olawepo-Hashim as a seasoned politician, nationalist, and development advocate whose contributions to nation-building have earned him admiration across different regions of the country. He argued that the growing demand…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies have described the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election in Independent National Electoral Commission as peaceful and hitch-free. According to officials, the exercise recorded smooth voter turnout, no violence, and no reported disruptions. The Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Amb. Abdu Zango, said the election went smoothly with full BVAS functionality and strong coordination among security agencies. The Kano State Police Command also confirmed there were no arrests, weapons, or incidents recorded during the exercise, attributing the calm process to improved synergy and voter awareness. The poll was held to fill a…
Civil society organisations monitoring the Ekiti State governorship election have warned political parties and candidates against exploiting poverty through vote buying, urging them to allow voters make independent choices free from inducement and intimidation. The groups, operating under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub, issued the warning on Saturday in Ado-Ekiti as voting progressed across the state. In a preliminary assessment of the electoral process, the observers expressed concern over reports of voter inducement and called on political actors to uphold democratic principles by conducting themselves responsibly throughout the election. The observation hub,…