Author: Gabby

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a directive to all Resident Electoral Commissioners across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to gear up for monitoring political party primaries in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

This instruction was communicated through a letter dated May 11, 2026, signed by the Commission Secretary, Rose Oriaran Anthony. The document, titled ‘Notice of Political Party Primaries Ahead of the 2027 General Elections’, outlines the next steps for the electoral body.

According to the attached timetable, a total of 19 political parties—including major players like the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, and Nigeria Democratic Congress—have already submitted their activity schedules to INEC, in compliance with the 2026 Electoral Act.

In the correspondence addressed to all Resident Electoral Commissioners, INEC stated: ‘I write to notify all Resident Electoral Commissioners that Political Party Primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Presidential, Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly elections ahead of the 2027 General Election are scheduled to hold within the period approved by the Commission.’

The commission further emphasized: ‘Accordingly, you are hereby requested to make the necessary arrangements for the monitoring of the primaries in your respective states and the Federal Capital Territory, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); as well as the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.’

INEC also noted that the timetable and schedules submitted by political parties may still be subject to review where necessary.

The newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, Aminu Idris, has formally assumed his role at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), vowing to uphold the integrity of the 2027 general elections. In a media briefing in Makurdi, Idris emphasized that every eligible Nigerian citizen deserves the chance to vote freely and fairly.

Idris underscored the media’s critical role in strengthening democracy by providing accurate electoral updates and educating the public on INEC’s initiatives. He called on journalists to work closely with the commission to ensure transparency throughout the electoral process.

The commissioner also updated citizens on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) drive, now in its final phase. He urged all unregistered eligible residents to seize the opportunity before the deadline. On the restoration of state constituencies, Idris reported that work has been completed in four out of five affected local government areas, with the remaining one soon to be finalized.

Reassuring Benue residents, Idris affirmed that INEC remains committed to conducting its duties with impartiality, transparency, and professionalism, strictly adhering to its constitutional mandate.

The industrial action that paralyzed judicial activities in Abia State for two months has been called off. The Abia State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) announced the end of the strike on Thursday, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government.

The strike, which started on March 15, 2026, was suspended immediately after the union’s congress ratified the agreement. The union’s chairman, Chinedu Ezeh, and secretary, Chibueze Nwachukwu, confirmed the development in a statement, noting that the MoU substantially addressed the workers’ demands.

The union expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for his intervention and commitment to improving the welfare of judiciary workers. JUSUN also thanked the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, judges, the Nigerian Bar Association, and the public for their support during the strike.

The union called for the full implementation of all agreements to strengthen the judiciary and enhance justice delivery across the state.

China has once again underscored its unwavering adherence to the One-China policy, emphasizing that Taiwan is not a sovereign state but rather an integral component of Chinese land. This assertion was delivered by Dong Hairong, Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nigeria, during a media gathering in Abuja on Thursday.

The event, hosted by the Centre for China Studies and the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, served as a platform for Hairong to call for enhanced global comprehension of the Taiwan issue and China’s territorial stance. She highlighted recent events, such as Taiwanese regional leader Lai Ching-te’s visit to Eswatini and reports of interactions between Nigerian journalists and Taiwanese representatives, as instances of efforts to promote separatist viewpoints.

“Since ancient times, Taiwan has been an inseparable part of Chinese territory,” Hairong declared. “Taiwan has never been a country, is not one now, and will never become one.”

Echoing this sentiment, Otunba Segun Showunmi, Convener of The Alternative Movement, urged Nigeria to deepen strategic collaboration with China, citing Beijing’s rise as a global economic and technological powerhouse. Showunmi argued that Abuja would derive greater benefits from robust ties with China than from separate dealings with Taiwan. “In another century, the advantages Nigeria will gain from a solid partnership with China far exceed what Taiwan could offer in a millennium,” he stated.

Furthermore, Prof. Ghali Ibrahim, Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria and Director of the Centre for China-Africa Research, affirmed that the One-China principle enjoys widespread international acceptance due to Taiwan’s lack of sovereign legal status. “Taiwan is not an independent sovereign entity; it is a territory belonging to China,” Ibrahim noted.