The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed the inclusion of candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Saturday’s by-election following a court directive. Earlier, INEC had excluded the SDP from the polls, citing non-compliance with electoral guidelines. According to the Commission, the party failed to submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries, and the process was not monitored by INEC officials, leading to the disqualification of its candidates. However, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, ordered INEC to reinstate the party’s candidates for the elections scheduled to hold across 12 states. Responding…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its readiness to conduct a free, fair, and credible bye-election in Jigawa State on Saturday. INEC National Commissioner in charge of Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States, Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, gave the assurance during a visit to the Jigawa State Police Headquarters in Dutse as part of ongoing consultations ahead of the Babura/Garki Federal Constituency poll. Prof. Zuru commended the state Commissioner of Police and his management team for their efforts in ensuring a peaceful electoral atmosphere, stressing the importance of synergy among security agencies and other critical stakeholders. In his remarks,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the inclusion of candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Saturday’s by-elections following a recent court ruling. InfoStride News recalls that the commission had earlier excluded the party, citing failure to submit valid notices for the conduct of its primaries. INEC maintained that the primary elections were not monitored by its officials, hence the disqualification of SDP’s candidates. However, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, ordered INEC to allow the SDP to participate in the polls taking place across 12 states. In a statement on Friday, Sam…
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of defying valid court judgments and engaging in administrative negligence by failing to upload the names of its newly elected national executives. In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Secretary, Mr. Ogini Olaposi, the NNPP expressed deep frustration over what it described as deliberate delay by INEC, saying the development has disrupted its internal operations and preparations for upcoming state and national elections. “The NNPP is gravely concerned and utterly disappointed by INEC’s delay in complying with binding judicial pronouncements that unequivocally recognised…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Lagos State Office, has secured the conviction of Ijamulisi Ayodele James for his involvement in producing falsified documents used in fraudulent United Kingdom visa applications. The conviction followed intelligence provided by the British High Commission, which alleged that James was responsible for forging documents such as invitation and introduction letters purportedly issued by Clarivate Analytics and Thomson Reuters. He also prepared counterfeit bank statements and payslips to support the fraudulent applications. According to the ICPC’s prosecution team, led by Yvonne William-Mbata, investigations confirmed that James produced the fake documents at…
The Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State has raised concerns over the omission of its candidate from the list of contestants for the forthcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election scheduled for August 16. State Chairman of the party, Sadiq Atayese, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday. Atayese lamented that the absence of the LP candidate’s name on the ballot had negatively impacted voters’ perception of the party’s participation in the election, thereby affecting its campaign activities and preparations. He explained that the party had resorted to legal action to compel…
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has dismissed claims that the North is dissatisfied with the current administration. Bwala’s comments came in response to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who recently alleged that Tinubu was neglecting the North and cutting the region off from ongoing federal projects. Lawal further claimed that key northern politicians had formed a forum ahead of the 2027 elections to challenge Tinubu’s leadership. Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Bwala rejected Lawal’s position, stressing that the region remains supportive of the president’s style of governance.…
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has criticised the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as an “Uber politician.” Abure made the remark in a statement personally signed on Friday, accusing Obi of playing double politics and engaging in constant contradictions that undermine his credibility. He alleged that Obi had become known for subterfuge in political discourse, claiming the former Anambra governor now “cries wolf where there is none.” According to Abure, Obi’s frequent association with multiple political parties shows desperation to lead the country at all costs. “It is unfortunate that Obi has turned…
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has released over ₦580 million as compensation to victims of the violent communal crisis that recently rocked the Nkalaha community in Ishielu Local Government Area. The disbursement, flagged off on Thursday at Ezillo, the council headquarters, was presented by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, on behalf of the governor. The event was attended by community leaders, security chiefs, and residents. Chairman of Ishielu LGA, Mrs Peace Ifeoma Agwu, described the governor’s intervention as unprecedented, noting that the swift compensation had restored calm and stability in the once-troubled community. “This is a historic…
Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South and serving as the Senate Minority Leader, has dismissed speculations of division within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that the party remains united despite recent leadership crises. The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been grappling with internal wrangling stemming from competing interests and power struggles, fuelling concerns about its preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, on Wednesday, Moro clarified that the current situation does not amount to a division. He explained that a party can only be considered divided if two parallel leadership…
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Idris Olorunnimbe as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The announcement, made on Wednesday, confirmed that the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Waida, will retain his position. Alongside the new chairman, the President also approved the appointment of several members to the NCC board. They include Abraham Oshidami as Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi, former Director of Human Capital and Administration; Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie; and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko. The appointments are expected to…
The Federal Government has taken decisive steps to address recent incidents of unruly behaviour involving passengers and airline staff at Nigerian airports, announcing a series of resolutions on compassionate grounds. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday disclosed that criminal complaints against two high-profile passengers — Ms Comfort Emmanson of Ibom Airline and Fuji music star Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) — would be withdrawn following consultations with stakeholders, expressions of remorse from the individuals involved, and appeals from concerned parties. The government has also directed a comprehensive retraining programme for aviation security personnel to better…
The Presidency has accused former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of peddling falsehoods in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the allegation during an appearance on Channels Television on Wednesday, where he faulted the approach of opposition leaders to national discourse. Bwala claimed that the opposition has failed to present constructive alternatives or coherent policy proposals, particularly on key issues affecting the country. “Opposition cannot come here and talk about malnutrition, you know why? They don’t have the ideas,” Bwala said.…
Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has kicked off a large-scale membership mobilisation drive for the party in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, calling on Nigerians to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the rally on Monday, Aregbesola accused the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) of failing to deliver good governance or meaningful development to Nigerians. He described the ADC as the only credible alternative capable of “resetting the country on the path of progress.” “This…
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has announced himself as the self-appointed Director General of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign for 2027, declaring Niger State as the campaign headquarters. Speaking in Minna on Tuesday, Bago said his decision was aimed at ensuring the continuity of the current administration’s leadership, stressing the importance of honouring Nigeria’s unwritten power rotation arrangement between the North and South. “I’m now the self-imposed Director General of the Tinubu campaign for 2027, and Niger State is the campaign headquarters for Asiwaju 2027,” the governor stated. He criticised some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who…
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has openly reaffirmed his friendship and political support for President Bola Tinubu, describing the Nigerian leader as a close ally of 22 years. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday after visiting Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Soludo said he was unapologetic about standing by the president and backing his reform agenda. The governor notably wore a cap bearing Tinubu’s insignia during the visit. “These caps were produced even from the time the president visited Anambra State, and you saw all the billboards and materials proclaiming that Progressives are working together,” Soludo said. He…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected accusations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that its investigations into opposition figures are driven by political motives. In a statement issued on Monday, EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, insisted that the Commission operates under a non-partisan mandate, probing corruption cases involving both members of the ruling party and the opposition without fear or favour. “If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said. The ADC had alleged that the EFCC…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target and weaken opposition leaders in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the recent detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the EFCC’s sudden probe into the brief seven-month tenure of former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha were clear signs of selective justice. “When the fight against corruption targets only the opposition, it’s no longer justice but…
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has revealed that his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed six months of extensive consultation with stakeholders. Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, the governor said his move was guided by political realities, stressing that Akwa Ibom could not afford to remain in opposition, particularly after producing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. “I consulted for six months before moving; I didn’t just wake up and decide to move,” Eno explained. “We have stayed in the opposition for so many years. There…
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ogun State Command, has announced the arrest of 395 suspects and the securing of 97 convictions between January and June 2025. The State Commander, Tijjani Rabe, disclosed this on Monday at the 2025 International Youth Day celebration organised by the Consolidated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, held at the NUJ Secretariat, Iwe Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. This year’s theme was “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future.” Rabe, who chaired the event, revealed that the arrested suspects comprised 331 males and 64 females. He added that the command seized…