Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his decision to address President Bola Tinubu by his first name, describing the action as disrespectful to the office of the President.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), came under criticism from the ruling party, which said his conduct fell short of the decorum expected of a former vice-president and a presidential aspirant.

In a statement dated October 12, 2026, and signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, the party said it expected Atiku to demonstrate greater respect for constituted authority.

The statement was titled, “APC Campaign Spokespersons Will Not Travel Atiku’s Route of Disrespecting Protocol.”

The ruling party accused Atiku of allowing political animosity and ambition to influence his public conduct since losing the last presidential election.

“Since Alhaji Atiku lost the last Presidential election, he has allowed political animosity and uncontrollable ambition to rob him of the statesmanship that should guide his public conduct and utterances,” the statement said.

The APC also criticised what it described as Atiku’s failure to set a positive example for younger politicians, arguing that his conduct was inconsistent with the standards expected of someone seeking the country’s highest office.

Despite its criticism, the APC Presidential Campaign Council urged party leaders, spokespersons, members and support groups to accord Atiku the respect and courtesies due to him as a former vice-president and presidential candidate.

The party said it would not adopt what it described as Atiku’s approach to political conduct, citing its commitment to progressive ideals and African traditional values of respect.

The campaign council said it would concentrate on issues affecting Nigerians, the APC’s programmes and Tinubu’s record in office as the President seeks a second term.

“Our campaign will focus on issues important to Nigerians. We will sell our party programmes, President Bola Tinubu’s achievements in office, and how the administration is moving Nigeria from reforms to prosperity as the President seeks a second-term mandate from Nigerians,” the statement said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defended the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, saying the technology could improve electoral planning, voter education, cybersecurity and results management.

The commission’s position comes amid concerns from opposition parties and other stakeholders over the credibility of the electoral process and whether INEC can deploy emerging technologies transparently and effectively.

In a statement on Wednesday, INEC said it was committed to adopting AI responsibly, with safeguards to protect electoral integrity, fairness and public trust.

“From voter registration and election planning to results management, artificial intelligence presents new possibilities for improving Nigeria’s electoral processes,” the commission said.

INEC Highlights AI’s Potential in Elections

The commission made the remarks following the second plenary session of the AI and Democracy Forum 2026, which focused on the theme, “Artificial Intelligence in Elections: Emerging Use Cases, Lessons Learned, and Critical Issues for Electoral Integrity.”

The session examined practical applications of AI in elections and the measures needed to protect the credibility of electoral processes.

Participants included INEC’s Director of ICT, Dr Lawrence Bayode, and Google’s Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for West Africa, Adewolu Adene, who joined virtually.

The session was moderated by Dr Lisa Poggiali, Chief AI Advisor at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Discussions covered the potential use of AI in voter education, election administration, cybersecurity and the detection of misinformation.

Commission Acknowledges Need for Safeguards

The forum also examined concerns surrounding data protection, algorithmic bias, transparency and human oversight in the deployment of AI for electoral purposes.

INEC said the adoption of the technology ahead of the 2027 general elections must be guided by clear safeguards to ensure that improvements in efficiency do not undermine accountability, fairness or public confidence.

However, the statement did not specify which AI systems the commission intends to deploy in 2027, how they would be used or what oversight mechanisms would govern their application.

-NPA

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Obidient Movement has warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 presidential election in favour of President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group, which supports the political ambition and leadership of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, described Wike’s recent comments about his role in Tinubu’s re-election campaign as provocative and potentially threatening to electoral credibility.

In a statement signed by its Media and Communications Directorate and cited by Newpost Africa on Wednesday, the movement said coordinating a political campaign did not give Wike ownership of voters or control over the electoral process.

The group also questioned the response of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to Wike’s remarks, alleging that the authorities had failed to address concerns raised by his statements.

The statement referred to comments Wike reportedly made on October 12, when he described himself as the field commander of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State.

It also cited his earlier description of himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and his pledge to deliver both territories to the President.

The movement alleged that Wike’s statements suggested he had influence over electoral officials and security personnel. It further accused him of involvement in electoral manipulation in Rivers State during a previous election, but did not provide supporting evidence in the statement.

“The Obidient Movement has observed Nyesom Wike’s increasingly provocative declarations about his determination to rig the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State results in favour of Mr Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections,” the statement said.

The group argued that Rivers State belonged to its residents, while the FCT belonged to the Nigerian people, insisting that neither territory was the property of any politician or political party.

It maintained that Nigerians had the constitutional right to determine their leaders through free, fair and credible elections.

The movement urged Wike to campaign for Tinubu and allow voters to decide the outcome of the election, rather than resorting to intimidation or electoral manipulation.

“If Wike believes the APC deserves victory, he should campaign for it and allow the people to decide,” the statement said.

The group warned that any attempt by Wike, his associates or other political actors to manipulate the 2027 elections should attract legal consequences.

It also called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, protect their votes, document alleged electoral irregularities and report credible evidence to the appropriate authorities.

The movement further warned against what it described as the use of political power to intimidate citizens and evade accountability.

The group said the 2027 election should not be treated as the personal contest of Wike, Tinubu or the APC, but as a democratic process in which citizens determine who governs the country.

“The Nigerian people will decide who governs Nigeria. No political godfather will decide for them,” the statement added.

As of the time of filling this report, Nyesom Wike, INEC and the security agencies to the accusations are yet to issue their responses.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The media office of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo A. Adelabu, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he called on Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Adelabu’s media office, the former minister described the report as misleading and malicious, accusing those circulating it of attempting to undermine his loyalty to the party and create tension between him, President Bola Tinubu and the APC leadership.

The statement, which was also republished by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, urged the public to disregard the report.

It said Adelabu had consistently demonstrated his commitment to the APC and loyalty to Tinubu throughout his political career.

Adelabu served as minister under the APC-led Federal Government before voluntarily leaving office to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The statement acknowledged that the APC governorship nomination process in Oyo State was controversial, alleging that a preferred aspirant was imposed without the transparent release of the primary election results.

It maintained, however, that Adelabu had repeatedly stated that he had no intention of leaving the APC and that his political ambition was not a do-or-die affair.

“His position has been consistent: loyalty does not preclude the demand for fairness, transparency and adherence to democratic principles,” the statement said.

According to the media office, Adelabu questioned the practice of declaring a winner without publishing election results and subsequently setting up a reconciliation committee to address grievances among party stakeholders.

It argued that the transparency and accountability expected of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should also apply to political parties’ internal electoral processes.

The statement described attempts to portray Adelabu’s demand for internal democracy as a call to reject the APC as mischievous.

The media office said the video circulating online was an excerpt from an interview Adelabu granted in 2022 when he was the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State.

According to the statement, Adelabu had expressed the view that political parties had disappointed Nigerians and urged voters to pay greater attention to the credibility and character of individual candidates.

It said the comments reflected the political circumstances at the time and were not intended as a call to reject the APC or oppose Tinubu’s presidency.

The statement added that Adelabu had supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition despite contesting under a different political platform in Oyo State.

“We challenge those circulating the video to publish the full interview, unedited, rather than selectively extracting statements and presenting them out of context to advance a malicious political narrative,” it said.

The media office further claimed that Adelabu had not granted any media interview making the alleged statement since the conclusion of the controversial APC governorship nomination process in Oyo State.

The statement described the relationship between Adelabu and Tinubu as longstanding and based on mutual respect, trust and affection, adding that it remained cordial.

It rejected suggestions that Adelabu had renounced his loyalty to the President or called on Nigerians to reject the APC, challenging those making the allegation to provide verifiable evidence.

The media office urged APC members, the public and the media to verify information before sharing it and avoid spreading claims that could create divisions within the party.

It maintained that Adelabu remained committed to the APC and supportive of its broader political objectives, insisting that his demand for fairness and internal democracy should not be interpreted as disloyalty.

The statement advised the public to disregard the report and rely on statements issued by Adelabu or his authorised representatives.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —  The presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr Esther Okereke, has promised to prioritise grassroots development and basic infrastructure, including roads and railways, if elected president in 2027.

Okereke made the promise during a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview in Abuja on Sunday, saying her presidential ambition was driven by her firsthand understanding of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians.

She said that, unlike many political elites, she experienced the daily realities of citizens by using public roads, visiting local markets and accessing community healthcare services.

“I am called the grassroots candidate because I use the same roads, go to the same markets and visit the same hospitals as the average Nigerian. I feel what they feel,” she said.

Okereke also claimed that the NRM had established an organisational network across Nigeria’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 774 local government areas, with structures in wards and polling units to mobilise voters.

“We have built structures in every ward and polling unit across the country to give power back to the people,” she said.

Okereke Criticises Poor Road Infrastructure

Addressing the state of national infrastructure, the NRM candidate criticised the poor condition of inter-state roads, describing them as a major obstacle to economic growth and public safety.

She recounted a recent road trip for a family funeral, saying the condition of dilapidated highways subjected Nigerians to hardship and unnecessary risks.

“Building quality roads across all 36 states is not rocket science; we see infrastructure development happening in the FCT, so it can be replicated nationwide,” she said.

Okereke argued that poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities left citizens vulnerable to vote-buying and political manipulation during elections.

“When people have good roads, steady power, housing and food security, no one can buy their dignity or recruit their children for political thuggery,” she added.

Candidate Urges Voters to Demand Accountability

Okereke urged Nigerians to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to hold political leaders accountable rather than allow short-term financial inducements to determine their votes.

She called on voters dissatisfied with unemployment, unreliable electricity, deteriorating hospitals and poor roads to support her candidacy, describing her ambition as an effort to rescue and rebuild the country.

“What Nigeria needs is not another manager, we need rescue. We need to restore, we need to rebuild Nigeria,” she said.

She maintained that her candidacy was about competence and accountability rather than gender, adding that elected leaders should be answerable to citizens for their management of public resources.

Okereke also advised Nigerians to accept items distributed by political parties during campaigns but make their voting decisions based on accountability.

“Collect the rice, collect the money, collect the plastic plate, they are sharing. Collect whatever it is they are sharing, it’s your money, it’s your right, collect it, but vote for accountability, and that is me, Esther Okereke,” she said.

She described herself as a prospective servant of the people, pledging to represent their interests and give them a voice in decision-making if elected.

(NAN)

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The Enugu State Government has alleged that some opposition elements are planning to bring armed thugs and bandits into the state to create panic and portray the state as insecure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, made the allegation on Sunday during a press conference at the Government House, Enugu, while addressing Saturday’s incidents involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the party’s state secretariat.

Onyia denied any involvement of the state government or Governor Peter Mbah’s Chief Security Officer, Ifeanyi Osondu, in either incident. He described the airport confrontation as a matter between the NDC and federal authorities, while noting that the shooting at the party’s secretariat was under police investigation.

Airport Confrontation

According to the SSG, the government’s preliminary findings indicated that the airport incident followed the NDC’s attempt to hold what it called a “Grand Statewide Campaign Flag-off 2026” at the facility without obtaining approval from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He said the party had publicised the event and invited members and supporters, including through the Facebook page of its governorship candidate in Enugu State.

Onyia explained that the police had advised the party to obtain FAAN’s approval before security personnel could be deployed to the airport for the event.

“Further findings, however, revealed that the NDC did not secure the approval of FAAN to host a grand statewide rally at its facility. Security agencies, therefore, advised the organisers of the rally to rethink it,” he said.

The SSG alleged that the party proceeded to mobilise supporters to the airport and attempted to gain entry, leading to a confrontation with airport authorities.

He said security agencies intervened to disperse what he described as “riotous” party members and restore order around the airport, which he characterised as a strategic national asset.

Onyia added that the government’s account was consistent with a statement issued by the Enugu State Police Command on Sunday.

Government Disputes Fatality Reports After Secretariat Shooting

Addressing the shooting incident at the NDC state secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu, Onyia said security reports indicated that a violent clash had occurred at the party’s office and that the police were investigating the matter.

He disputed reports of fatalities, claiming that the government’s findings indicated that nobody had died in the incident.

According to him, a 43-year-old man identified as Ifeanyi Nworie sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, where he was stabilised before being transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, for further examination.

“We can, therefore, authoritatively report that there were no deaths as falsely claimed by some reports and NDC leaders,” Onyia said.

The SSG also rejected allegations that Osondu was present at the secretariat and supervised the shooting. He maintained that the governor’s security chief was with Mbah at the Teachers Grassroots Movement mega rally at Okpara Square, Enugu, when the incident occurred.

Onyia further criticised reports of a minute’s silence being observed for an individual he claimed was still alive, describing the action as an attempt to mislead the public for political advantage.

Reaffirming the government’s position, the SSG said Mbah had sworn to protect the lives and property of all residents, regardless of their religious beliefs or political affiliations.

He said the administration remained committed to its development agenda.

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) —  The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it will inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on October 20 as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party also plans to issue certificates of return to its candidates on the same day.

The National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, saying the activities were part of efforts to prepare the party for the forthcoming elections.

Cleopas said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had developed the structure of the PCC and submitted it for consultation with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to him, the consultations are intended to ensure that key appointments reflect the experience, contributions and expectations of the candidates who will lead the party’s presidential campaign.

He listed positions under consideration to include director-general, deputy director-general, finance director, director of mobilisation and spokesperson.

The chairman said the party was taking time to make appropriate appointments to prevent disagreements that could disrupt its campaign activities. He added that preparations for the 2027 elections were continuing despite public concerns about the timing of the PCC inauguration.

Cleopas said Obi and Kwankwaso had been engaging Nigerians through consultations and town hall meetings. He cited previous engagements in Rivers, Sokoto and Kaduna states, adding that another town hall meeting was scheduled for Enugu on October 15.

He also disclosed that the party had begun preparations for the deployment of polling agents, with its state structures already activated.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at addressing challenges associated with election-day representation and strengthening the party’s capacity to protect votes during the 2027 elections.

He said the NDC was working with its senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and state assembly candidates to identify and prepare agents for their respective constituencies.

Cleopas urged Nigerians to remain vigilant after voting and ensure their ballots were properly recorded and counted, stressing that vote protection should begin with voter awareness.

The NDC chairman also cautioned support groups against interfering in party administration, saying the responsibility rested with constitutionally recognised party structures.

He acknowledged the importance of groups such as the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement in electoral mobilisation but urged them to operate within their assigned roles.

“ We are not against the Obidient Movement. We recognise its relevance, we need it, we value it and we regard its members as our friends,” he said.

Cleopas added that support groups had no authority to manage the party or independently perform the functions of its Presidential Campaign Council.

(NAN)