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2027 Elections

BREAKING: INEC announces timetable, schedule of 2027 elections

by Folarin Kehinde February 13, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the timetable and schedule for the 2027 general election.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, slammed earlier reports which suggested that the electoral umpire had released the timetable for the election.

Amupitan said the release of the timetable for the general election was in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, as amended.

He said that Presidential Election will hold on 20th February, 2027, while the governorship, senatorial and other elections will hold on the 6th of March, 2027.

February 13, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

INEC Proposes ₦873.78 Billion Budget for 2027 General Elections

by Folarin Kehinde February 12, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has submitted a proposed budget of ₦873.78 billion to conduct the 2027 general elections. The commission also requested ₦171 billion for its 2026 operations, including bye-elections and off-season polls.

INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan presented these figures to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja. The proposals comply with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires election budgets to be prepared at least one year in advance.

2027 Election Budget Breakdown (₦873.78 billion total)

Operational costs- N379.75 Billion

Administrative costs – N92.32 Billion

Technological costs – N209.21 Billion

Election capital costs – N154.91 Billion

Miscellaneous expenses – N42.61 Billion

This represents a significant increase from the ₦313.4 billion released for the 2023 general elections.

2026 Operations Budget Proposal (₦171 billion requested)

Personnel costs – N109 Billion

Overheads – N18.7 Billion

Election-related activities – N42.63 Billion

Capital expenditure – N1.4 Billion

The Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of only ₦140 billion, which INEC says is insufficient due to the need for urgent and flexible funding.

February 12, 2026 0 comments

Politics

Tinubu Welcomed into Labour Party – Abia Deputy Governor Emetu

by Folarin Kehinde February 10, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

Ikechukwu Emetu, Deputy Governor of Abia State and chairman of the party’s National Steering Committee on Membership, Revalidation and e-Registration, has declared that the party is inclusive and welcomes anyone who wishes to join.

Speaking during the presentation of the new membership drive report by the Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee, Emetu said, “The Labour Party is a party for all, irrespective of who they are.”

“The Labour Party is a national party and is not a cult group, where people will be restricted to coming into the party,” he added.

According to the deputy governor, even President Bola Tinubu is free to join the party.

“Even Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, can decide, on or before the 2027 elections, to join the Labour Party, and we will gladly accept him.

“This is a national party; it is not a cult group where people are restricted from joining. It is a party for everybody,” Emetu declared.

February 10, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Senate adopts electronic, manual transmission of election results

by Folarin Kehinde February 10, 2026

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate on Tuesday made a U-turn by rescinding its earlier decision rejecting real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission Results Viewing Portal (IReV) “provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”

The resolution followed its consideration and approval of a motion moved by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North) during its emergency plenary session in Abuja.

The Minority Leader, Abba Moro, seconded the motion.

The proposal in clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, was amended by the Senate before it was passed by the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the new amendment before putting it to vote.

Akpabio said: “The clause being debated provided that presiding officers shall electronically transmit the results from the polling units to the INEC’s IReV portal and provided that if the electronic transmission fails and it becomes difficult to transmit the results, the Form EC8A will be the primary means of collation.”

Monguno’s motion titled “Motion for rescission on clause 60(3) of the electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill, 2026” read: “The Senate: Recalls that the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill was passed by the Senate on Wednesday, 4th February, 2026;

“Notes that upon careful examination of the Bill, fresh issues have emerged in respect of Clause 60(3), which requires further legislative consideration in order to ensure the conduct of smooth, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria; and

“Relying on the provisions of Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).

“Accordingly resolves to: (i). Rescind its earlier decision on Clause 60(3) of the Electoral Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill as previously passed; and (ii). Recommit Clause 60(3) to the Committee of the Whole for further reconsideration and passage.”

Monguno said the decision to rescind the Senate’s earlier rejection of electronic transmission was informed by the need for the Electoral Act to reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

“This amendment is to bring our laws to make it a replica of the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he said.

Majority of Senators voted to approve the new amendment when the new amendment was put to vote.

February 10, 2026 0 comments

Headlines

Opposition Coalition Accuses Tinubu Government of Politicising EFCC Ahead of 2027

by Nelson Ugwuagbo December 15, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political instrument to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The opposition leaders said the alleged selective application of anti-corruption laws by the EFCC and other security agencies undermines the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and erodes public confidence in state institutions.

The allegation was contained in a joint statement endorsed by the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Lawal Batagarawa; Bode George; Peter Obi; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.

Titled “The Weaponisation of the EFCC,” the statement accused the anti-graft agency of persistently targeting opposition figures for political advantage in favour of the ruling APC.

According to the opposition leaders, the trend reflects a past remark by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who once suggested that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have their past “sins” forgiven upon joining the APC.

They said the comment, whether made casually or deliberately, has reinforced a troubling perception that allegations against members of the ruling party are often ignored, while opposition figures are aggressively investigated and subjected to intense media scrutiny without proven evidence.

The coalition called for the immediate removal of political interference from the EFCC’s operations, stressing that the agency must function independently and professionally.

“The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not function at the behest of any president, political party, or faction,” the statement said.

The opposition leaders further urged the Federal Government to restore the EFCC to its original legal mandate, insisting that its responsibilities do not include selective prosecution or the harassment of political opponents.

December 15, 2025 0 comments

Headlines Uncategorized

2027: You are banned from playing politics — FG to civil servants

by Folarin Kehinde August 15, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

Ahead of the 2027 general election draws nigh, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has issued a stern warning to civil servants against engaging in political activities while in service.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during the Quarterly Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement interactive session, Mrs Walson-Jack emphasised that civil servants must remain neutral and uphold the rules of the service.

Addressing concerns about a trending Supreme Court judgement, she clarified that while civil servants are allowed to be card-carrying members of political parties to protect their fundamental right of association, this does not permit partisan conduct.

Mrs Walson-Jack stated, “It’s an old judgement, and it is still very much in force.

But what that judgement said was that civil servants can be card-carrying members of a political party, just so that their fundamental human right of association is not denied. It went on to caution that civil servants must abide by the terms and conditions of their service.

“We all know a civil servant is supposed to be non-political. So your first responsibility is to be neutral, non-political, and do your job.”

She further warned, “You cannot go and be partisan. You serve the government of the day with neutrality. Anything contrary will be dealt with in accordance with the rules and regulations of the public service.”

August 15, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

Nigeria Needs Competent Leaders, Not Rotational Presidency – Sowore

by Nelson Ugwuagbo August 5, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised Nigeria’s practice of rotational presidency, arguing that competence — not geography — should determine who leads the country.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Sowore said Nigerians are more concerned about having an effective leader than where such a person comes from.

“If I have a good president in Nigeria who can run this country very well, I don’t care where he comes from,” he said.

According to him, zoning the presidency based on region is counterproductive and undermines the principles of merit and fairness.

“That is what the majority of the Nigerian people are aspiring for. That is the idea of this federation — that all federating units should have an opportunity,” he stated.

He argued that the current arrangement often pits regions against one another, without guaranteeing that the best candidates emerge.

“When you zone it to the north, the majority of the northerners want to take a shot at it. When you zone it back to the south, the south is not just Yoruba or Igbo alone. It is senseless,” he said.

Sowore insisted that every presidential hopeful should be allowed to contest irrespective of their region, with emphasis placed on qualification, vision, and capacity.

Zoning the presidency to the worst character in the country is not going to make you get anywhere,” he warned.

August 5, 2025 0 comments

Headlines

El-Rufai Struggle to Rally Opposition After Defection to SDP

by Nelson Ugwuagbo May 16, 2025

written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is facing political headwinds following the lack of traction surrounding his recent defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), particularly across Nigeria’s North-West region.

El-Rufai had on March 10, 2025, announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his exit to a growing “misalignment between his values and the direction of the party.”

Following his move to the SDP, the former FCT Minister pledged to unite opposition leaders and political parties into a strong coalition aimed at unseating the APC in the forthcoming general and bye-elections.

“Without prejudice to this decision, as a member of the SDP, I will focus on engaging with and persuading other opposition leaders and parties to join us and congregate under a unified democratic platform to challenge the APC in all elections and bye-elections between now and 2027, by the Grace of God,” he said in a statement issued shortly after his defection.

However, two months later, El-Rufai’s efforts appear to have yielded little success. Despite a series of meetings and outreach efforts, the SDP has reportedly failed to gain political presence or influence in any of the seven North-Western states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that El-Rufai had made repeated attempts to woo political heavyweights in the region, including state governors and federal lawmakers, but was rebuffed at every turn.

“He reached out to key players, especially governors and sitting senators and reps, but none gave him a positive response. Not even a state assembly member,” a source familiar with some of the discussions revealed.

The source further disclosed that El-Rufai had approached Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki in Kebbi State, but all three declined his offer and instead opted to join the APC.

May 16, 2025 0 comments