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INEC Denies Secret Meeting with Adamawa Officials
The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied meeting with Adamawa government officials to rig the supplementary governorship election in the state.
The denial came following a report that INEC officials deployed to supervise the Adamawa State supplementary governorship election paid a nocturnal visit to the state Government House ostensibly to rig the polls for Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, made the denial in a statement on Thursday.
Okoye said, “The attention of the commission has been drawn to a press statement by a candidate in the recently concluded Adamawa State governorship election in which officials deployed for legitimate duty in the state were alleged to have undermined the electoral process after a discreet ‘nocturnal’ visit to the Government House and ostensibly met with one of the candidates in the election who gave them a list of ‘collation and returning officers’ deployed for the election.
“Ordinarily, the commission does not take issues with partisan actors, particularly where no evidence has been provided.
“To set the record straight, no such visit or meeting took place let alone the compilation of any purported list of collation and returning officers. Such a meeting would have been contrary to the oath of neutrality that we all swore to.
“Moreover, every conscientious observer would have noticed that the commission appointed and retained only one Returning Officer for the governorship election who also doubled as the state Collation Officer for the presidential election. Like all Returning Officers nationwide, he was issued with a letter of appointment by the commission and the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State was duly informed.
“The list of Collation Officers was also forwarded to the state with every page of the list personally endorsed by the chairman of the commission well ahead of the arrival of the National Commissioners.”
The National Commissioner further said the same press statement created the impression that the national headquarters of the commission specifically targeted Adamawa State in its deployment of National Commissioners and other officials with the sole intention of influencing the outcome of the supplementary election held on Saturday, April 25 and sidelining the REC.
He added, “Nothing can be further from the truth. For the record, it has been the standard policy and practice of the commission to deploy National Commissioners, RECs and other staff from the headquarters or neighbouring states for supplementary or off-cycle elections where doing so is considered necessary.”
“In the case of Adamawa State where supplementary governorship election was held in 69 polling units, two National Commissioners were deployed while for Kebbi State, involving 142 polling units, three National Commissioners were deployed. Similarly, one National Commissioner each was deployed to Sokoto, Zamfara, Imo, Rivers, Ekiti and Ogun states.
“This has been the standard practice of the commission of which all RECs are informed in advance. Therefore, Adamawa State was not specifically targeted. In all other states, the RECs worked cooperatively with the National Commissioners except in Adamawa State for reasons that are now obvious to all.
“The public is advised to discountenance these insinuations as nothing more than a claptrap. We also advise those behind the mischief to desist forthwith as such fabrications have endangered the lives of our officials (both ad hoc and regular) engaged in legitimate election duties. We expect well-meaning citizens to act within the bounds of propriety and decency.”
The Punch
The Attorney-General of the Federation has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, arguing that their continued existence violates constitutional provisions and undermines Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
In court filings, the Attorney General contended that unless the court intervenes, INEC would “continue to act in breach of its constitutional duty” by retaining parties that have failed to meet the minimum requirements prescribed by law.
The filing stressed that the right to associate as a political party is not absolute and must be exercised within constitutional limits. It further argued that it is in the interest of justice for the court to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026 and filed at the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court, lists the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators as the plaintiff.
The defendants include INEC as the first defendant and the Attorney General of the Federation as the second defendant, alongside five political parties: African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord (A), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
At the center of the issue in the case is whether INEC has a constitutional obligation to remove parties that fail to meet electoral performance thresholds set out in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s own regulations.
The plaintiffs argue that the affected parties have persistently failed to satisfy the constitutional benchmarks required to retain their registration. These include winning at least 25 per cent of votes in a state during a presidential election or securing at least one elective seat at the national, state or local government level.
They contend that the parties performed poorly in the 2023 general elections and subsequent by-elections, failing to win seats across key tiers of government, yet continue to be recognised by INEC as eligible political platforms.
The plaintiffs maintain that this continued recognition is unlawful and undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
In the affidavit supporting the suit, the forum’s national coordinator, Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, states that allowing parties that have not met constitutional requirements to remain on the register “is unconstitutional, illegal and a violation” of the governing legal framework.
The suit asks the court to declare that INEC is duty-bound to deregister such parties and to compel the commission to do so before preparations for the 2027 elections advance further.
Beyond declaratory reliefs, the plaintiffs are also seeking far-reaching orders that would bar the affected parties from participating in the next general elections or engaging in political activities such as campaigns, rallies and primaries. They further request injunctions restraining INEC from recognising or dealing with the parties in any official capacity unless and until they comply strictly with constitutional provisions.
Central to the plaintiffs’ argument is their interpretation of the law as imposing a mandatory duty on INEC. They argue that the use of the word “shall” in the Constitution leaves no room for discretion once a party fails to meet the stipulated thresholds.
In their written address, they rely on statutory provisions and judicial precedents to contend that electoral performance is an objective condition that must be enforced to maintain discipline, transparency, and accountability in the political system.
Tribune
The Lagos State Police Command has restored normalcy in Onosa Community in the Elemoro area of Lagos State, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement, signed by the Lagos Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, recalled that “In the early hours of today, August 29, 2025, six officers from Elemoro Division while on routine patrol encountered an irate mob. In the course of ensuring their own safety, the officers used their firearms, resulting in three individuals sustaining injuries. The injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention.”
The statement further observed that “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, promptly responded to the incident by personally leading a detachment of officers to the scene. The swift intervention led to the removal of all barricades, restoring the free flow of traffic in the affected area. CP Jimoh also moved deep into the community and engaged with youth and community leaders in the neighborhood to de-escalate tensions and foster understanding. He has further extended an invitation to these leaders for continued dialogue to address concerns and prevent future occurrences.
“The officers involved in the shooting have been taken into custody as investigations into the incident commence. The Lagos State Police Command is committed to a thorough and transparent inquiry to establish the facts surrounding the event.
“Normalcy has been restored to the area, and significant police presence remains in place to ensure the sustenance of the restored peace and order. The Command urges residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement, and refrain from actions that could disrupt public safety.”
Hundeyin assured members of the public that further updates will be provided as the investigations progress.
Former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), have expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London.
In separate condolence statements, the elder statesmen paid glowing tributes to the late Nigerian leader, describing him as a patriot who served the country with distinction as a soldier, administrator, and statesman.
Obasanjo, through a statement issued in Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that Buhari played his role dutifully throughout his life and gave his best to the country.
“It is with a heavy heart that I received this afternoon the passing to glory of a colleague, a comrade, a co-patriot, General Muhammadu Buhari,” Obasanjo said.
“As a soldier, he played his role; as an administrator, he played his role; as a statesman, he played his role.”
He added that Buhari’s death comes at a critical time when Nigeria needed the wisdom and experience of leaders who have previously steered the country through difficult times.
“He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Obasanjo added.
Babangida described Buhari as a brother, course mate, and fellow patriot whose life was defined by discipline, humility, and unwavering loyalty to Nigeria.
In a personal tribute, Babangida recalled their shared history that began in 1962 at the Nigerian Military Training College in Kaduna, noting that Buhari stood out early as a principled and deeply patriotic officer.
“Through the years, we shared trenches and trials, dreams and disappointments, victories and moments of reflection,” IBB said.
“Our bond was forged not only by military training but by a shared commitment to service and love for country.”
He acknowledged that while they may have held differing views at times, Buhari’s sincerity and patriotism were never in doubt.
“His passing today is not just the loss of a former Head of State or two-term civilian President—it is the loss of a symbol. He embodied the transition from the old guard to the new republic,” Babangida stated.
He prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the late leader and extended condolences to his wife, Aisha Buhari, their children and grandchildren, as well as the entire nation.
“May his legacy endure, and may Allah (SWT) grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” he concluded.
