The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed recent court judgments that questioned aspects of its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, insisting that its constitutional mandate includes the authority to prescribe timelines necessary for the orderly conduct of elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during the Commission’s second quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja, where he defended the Commission’s powers to coordinate and regulate critical electoral processes. Amupitan said the Commission was compelled to seek clarification from appellate courts following what he described as conflicting judicial decisions…
Author: National Update
In a bold move aimed at reversing decades of industrial decline, the Senate on Tuesday called for an immediate ban on textile imports, arguing that Nigeria cannot continue to depend on foreign-made fabrics while its once-thriving textile industry lies in ruins. The upper chamber said reviving domestic textile production has become an economic and national security imperative, warning that continued reliance on imported textiles is costing the country jobs, foreign exchange and opportunities for industrial growth. The lawmakers consequently urged the Federal Government to adopt aggressive measures to restore the sector, including restricting textile imports, expanding cotton production and providing…
The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to give Nigerians a detailed account of how borrowed funds have been utilized, insisting that transparency and accountability must accompany every debt incurred on behalf of the nation. Obi made the demand on Tuesday in a statement shared via his X account and circulated by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), where he expressed concern over Nigeria’s rising debt profile and questioned the management of resources obtained through government borrowing. The former Anambra State governor said the issue facing the country…
The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, has said the party remains open to reconciliation with aggrieved members as it intensifies internal restructuring and prepares for the 2027 general elections. Speaking in Abuja after a quarterly consultative meeting between political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission, Gombe said the SDP has largely contained its internal disagreements but is still willing to welcome back members who follow due process as provided in the party constitution. He stressed that reconciliation within the party must be guided by discipline and established procedures, noting that the SDP’s internal…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has aligned itself with recent judicial pronouncements on the leadership dispute within the Social Democratic Party (Social Democratic Party (SDP)), effectively recognising the faction led by National Chairman Prof. Abubakar Sadiq Gombe. The move is seen as a major setback for the rival camp led by former National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam, whose claim to the party’s leadership has been at the centre of a prolonged internal crisis. The development followed a high-level meeting in Abuja between INEC officials and leaders of the Gombe-led faction, during which the Commission reportedly acknowledged court decisions affirming…
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Niger State, Dr. Mohammed K. Kpautagi, has called on Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago to publicly account for alleged ₦4.9 billion donations received for victims of the Mokwa flood disaster, amid growing concerns over the condition of displaced persons one year after the tragedy. Kpautagi made the call in a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday, describing the situation of the flood victims as “pathetic and worrisome,” and alleging that there has been little evidence of meaningful resettlement despite the volume of funds reportedly received. He said the funds, which he…
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has raised an alarm over the activities of fraudsters operating fake online portals used to deceive unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of recruiting examination supervisors. In a statement issued on Tuesday in Minna, the Council’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Azeez Sani, disowned the fraudulent platforms, stressing that NECO is not collecting payments from applicants for any supervisory roles in its examinations. According to him, the fake portals have been requesting applicants to submit academic credentials and make payments, a practice he described as criminal and misleading. “NECO wishes to…
The Federal High Court hearing the high-profile Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project case witnessed fresh drama on Monday as a prosecution witness admitted under cross-examination that a crucial aspect of his earlier testimony was incorrect, further complicating efforts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to defend the authenticity of documents central to its case. The witness, Mr. John Illya, who testified as the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), was expected to reinforce the prosecution’s position on disputed Federal Executive Council (FEC) records. Instead, his testimony opened a new line of attack for the defence, which has spent weeks questioning inconsistencies…
By Lamara Garba The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been honoured with the prestigious Best Governor in Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj Exercise Award by Sana Company, one of the leading Saudi hospitality and service providers responsible for the welfare of pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The award was presented during a colourful dinner and recognition ceremony held at Iskan, Makkah, where Saudi officials, Hajj administrators, Islamic scholars, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate individuals and institutions that distinguished themselves during this year’s pilgrimage. Presenting the award, the Head of Sana Company, Alhaji Abdullah…
By Douglas Baye-Osagie Nigeria missing the World Cup is painful, but it also creates a rare window. This is a sober time for fans as the biggest sporting event on earth is just days away. With the talent at our disposal, the next three years give us time to stop fire-fighting and start building for 2030. The U23 team, aimed at the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028, is the perfect project to reset our football identity with purpose and direction. The Olympics football tournament is unique. It’s U23 with 3 overage players, so it forces investment in youth. Countries like…