Author: Gabby

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the official candidate list for the upcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election, expanding the field from four to six contenders.

According to the updated roster released by the electoral body, which is set for the June 20, 2026 poll, two additional parties—the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—now have candidates in the race. This adjustment follows the omission of these parties from the earlier publication.

Previously, INEC’s preliminary list featured only the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and National New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). However, the latest version now includes Alaku Mohammed Steve Ahmadu representing the ADC and Duba Shaya Dodo of the NDC.

The full list of cleared candidates is as follows: Alaku Mohammed Steve Ahmadu (ADC), Hallu Danladi Envu-Uza (APC), Maku Labaran (LP), Duba Shaya Dodo (NDC), John Paul Araneshi (NNPP), and Emmanuel David Ombugadu (PDP).

The bye-election, scheduled for June 20, 2026, will take place across the five local government areas that constitute the Nasarawa North Senatorial District.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has put forward a set of reforms that could enable the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct transparent and fair elections in 2027. Speaking in a statement released on Sunday, he emphasized that INEC must be fortified and protected from partisan interference to restore public trust in the electoral system.

Baba-Ahmed, who previously served as a Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on political issues, called for a fundamental overhaul of the appointment process for the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). According to him, the existing framework grants the executive branch excessive leverage over the electoral body, compromising its independence. He stated, “When you entrust an electoral body to a government that is determined to remain in power, its impartiality naturally comes under scrutiny.”

The PRP leader also advocated for financial autonomy for INEC, proposing that the commission should have the authority to prepare and defend its budget directly before the National Assembly without executive manipulation. Additionally, he urged the government to enforce stricter penalties for politicians and individuals engaged in electoral fraud and violence. He attributed the persistence of electoral malpractices to a lack of accountability and stressed that offenders must face legal consequences. “The era of impunity must be brought to an end,” he remarked, underscoring the need for decisive action to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral processes.

Ayodele Arise, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress and a contender for the Ekiti North Senatorial District ticket, has strongly criticized the party’s primary election, calling it a farce. He is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the chaos that has followed the exercise.

Speaking over the weekend, Arise pointed to state governors as a significant obstacle hindering a transparent primary process within the APC. He stressed that the committee tasked with overseeing the election declared incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi the winner, but Arise and other aspirants, including Dipo Bamisaye and Dare Owolabi, have rejected this result, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation.

Arise, who previously represented the district from 2007 to 2011, maintained that the primary lacked integrity and accused the party of merely paying lip service to the resulting crisis. He emphasized the gap between having a constitution or guidelines and actually adhering to them in practice.

“When we speak about internal democracy, it remains a huge challenge,” Arise stated. “It is one matter to have a constitution; it is another to see people deliberately violate it or the election guidelines. That was clearly shown during my attempt to return through this primary. I knew what was coming, so I participated to make a point.”

He added, “It would be a disgrace if some of us who have passed through this country fail to speak out against these irregularities and inform people that if we intend to practice democracy, we must do so properly. If not, that is a different matter altogether.”

Arise expressed hope that party leadership, including the chairman and President Tinubu, are examining the issues and that those who legitimately won their races will eventually receive their mandates. He praised the President for being proactive in addressing such challenges and making corrections before it is too late.

“The issue of governors remains a major barrier when it comes to Senate elections,” Arise noted. “Even if you are not running against them, if you are not their preferred candidate, your chances become extremely difficult.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) achieved a clean sweep in the Adamawa State local government elections, winning chairmanship positions in all 20 Local Government Areas where results have been announced so far. The only outstanding contest is in Numan LGA, where voting was rescheduled for today after being postponed from the original date of Saturday, June 13.

This landslide victory comes as a surprise to many, given that the state government is currently under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s defection from the PDP to the APC on February 27. However, observers note that the election arrangements were largely finalized before the governor’s party switch.

While most of the governor’s loyalists followed him to the APC, the incumbent council chairmen, who had already received party endorsements to seek re-election under the PDP banner, remained with their original party. Other political parties contested the election but failed to make any significant impact.

Chief Maurice Vunobolki, the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections, who campaigned vigorously ahead of the council polls, congratulated the newly elected chairmen. He described the outcome as a clear indication that the PDP remains the preferred choice among the electorate.

The election was conducted by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC), which has now shifted its focus to the Numan LGA poll. Among the notable winners is Jibril Ibrahim Jimeta, who was elected chairman of Yola North LGA.

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Sam Amadi, has alleged that the majority of primary elections recently conducted by political parties were characterized by fraud. He made this assertion during an appearance on Arise Television, noting that the outcomes have exacerbated internal disputes and undermined the authority of party leadership.

Amadi emphasized that political parties currently lack the necessary strength to enforce discipline among aspirants and their members. He stated, “Most party primaries were fraudulent. Even some House of Representatives aspirants who were favored by zoning arrangements failed to make the list, highlighting the excessive influence of governors.”

He further pointed to the chaos within party structures, where new entrants displace long-standing members. As an example, he cited the situation in Delta State, where former governor Ifeanyi Okowa managed to unseat Ned Nwoko. “It’s not necessarily that Nwoko underperformed, but structural shifts disrupted the status quo,” Amadi explained.

In a startling declaration, Sabo Nakudu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flagbearer for Jigawa State, has announced his intention to leave Nigeria should the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge victorious in the 2027 general elections, provided the party fails to enhance citizens’ living standards.

Nakudu issued this pledge during a meeting with ADC youth members in Jigawa. He lamented the escalating hardship nationwide and cautioned that young people would continue to suffer if pressing issues remain unaddressed.

The candidate criticized successive administrations for their inability to deliver fundamental necessities, leaving many Nigerians frustrated and uncertain about what lies ahead. He emphasized that access to clean water, electricity, education, and security should no longer be mere campaign slogans decades after independence.

“It is disheartening that many communities still lack potable water and stable power. Governments should be judged by how their policies affect ordinary people’s daily lives,” Nakudu stated.

He further declared, “I will depart Nigeria if the APC wins the 2027 polls. The younger generation will bear the heaviest burden if unemployment, insecurity, and poor infrastructure persist.”

Nakudu urged youths not to shy away from politics but to participate actively in democracy. “Only leaders dedicated to development and accountability deserve public trust,” he concluded.

In a major political development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally declared Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, as its vice-presidential candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This decision positions Amaechi as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, setting the stage for a high-profile presidential contest.

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement confirming the selection. According to the statement, the party’s national leadership conducted extensive consultations with coalition allies, party stakeholders, women and youth groups, and representatives from all geopolitical zones before arriving at this choice. The statement also highlighted Amaechi’s strong performance in the ADC presidential primaries, where he finished as runner-up, earning broad support from party members nationwide.

The Atiku-Amaechi partnership is described as more than a mere political alliance; it is depicted as a merger of two seasoned statesmen whose combined experience, national influence, and leadership skills can address Nigeria’s pressing challenges. The ticket is intended to usher in an era of prosperity, security, and inclusive development.

Amaechi’s extensive public service record was underscored in the statement. He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking one of the longest tenures in that role during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Later, as Governor of Rivers State for two terms, he drove significant advancements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public sector reforms. At the federal level, as Minister of Transportation, he spearheaded ambitious rail and transportation modernization projects.

The ADC statement emphasized that few politicians today can match Amaechi’s balanced experience across both legislative and executive branches. This depth, it argued, would be crucial from day one of an ADC administration. Strategically, Amaechi’s influence in the South-South and broader Southern Nigeria, along with his reputation as a reform-minded administrator and coalition builder, makes him an ideal complement to Atiku Abubakar.

Together, the statement asserts, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi represent a truly national ticket that bridges regions, generations, and political traditions. Their collective expertise in governance, economic management, public administration, and nation-building offers a credible alternative capable of restoring public trust and accelerating development. The party called on all members, partners, civil society, youth, women, and Nigerians of goodwill to join this historic mission to renew the nation and secure a better future.