Category: Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) —The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will deploy more than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the 2027 general elections across the country.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the leadership of the NYSC in Abuja on Monday.

Amupitan met with the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between both institutions ahead of future elections.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, quoted Amupitan as describing the NYSC as a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic and electoral process.

He said corps members had consistently supported election operations since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

“I dare say INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC,” Amupitan said.

According to him, corps members remain the backbone of field election operations nationwide.

“When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of your corps members,” he added.

The INEC chairman said the neutrality, discipline and commitment of corps members continue to strengthen the credibility of elections across the country.

“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election staff we have,” he said.

Amupitan noted that corps members serve as ad hoc staff during elections and play key roles in safeguarding electoral materials and processes at polling units nationwide.

He cited the 2023 general elections as an example of their importance to election management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff during the 2023 elections, with more than 70 per cent — nearly 850,000 — comprising corps members and student volunteers.

According to Amupitan, the 2027 elections will require an even larger mobilisation.

“INEC will deploy 707,384 corps members for the presidential and National Assembly elections.

“The same number will be required for governorship and state assembly elections. This brings the total requirement to 1,414,768 ad hoc personnel nationwide,” he said.

He added that an additional 52,446 corps members would be needed for off-cycle and bye-elections.

Amupitan said corps members account for nearly 90 per cent of key electoral officers deployed nationwide, noting that they had protected the integrity of the ballot across Nigeria’s 176,846 polling units.

“These young Nigerians protected the sanctity of the ballot in difficult terrains,” he said.

He also commended their performance during the Anambra governorship election and the Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls.

According to him, their digital skills contributed significantly to the successful deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

“Their tech competence is central to modern electoral administration,” he added.

Amupitan assured that INEC was working to improve welfare packages and insurance coverage for corps members engaged in election duties.

“We are constantly refining safety and welfare measures for all ad hoc staff,” he said.

He stressed the need for early training and preparation ahead of the 2027 elections, while also referencing upcoming off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

“These elections will test our innovations before the 2027 general elections,” he said, while seeking continued collaboration from the NYSC leadership.

In his response, NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, commended the longstanding partnership between both institutions, noting that the INEC-NYSC Memorandum of Understanding had been in operation since 2011.

Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable personnel.

He added that incoming Gen Z corps members possess strong digital skills that would further enhance electoral processes.

“Their digital competence will further strengthen electoral processes,” he said.

He assured INEC of the NYSC’s continued support for electoral activities nationwide.

“We remain committed to supporting credible elections in Nigeria,” Nafiu added.

WASHINGTON, U.S (NPA) —The President of the United States has criticised The New York Times and one of its reporters, David Fahrenthold, over reports concerning the ongoing rehabilitation of Washington’s Reflecting Pool, accusing the newspaper of biased and misleading coverage of the project.

In a post on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, the President dismissed what he described as attempts by the newspaper to defend the Obama and Biden administrations’ handling of the project.

“The Failing New York Times, which is one of the worst newspapers anywhere in the World, and is losing subscribers on an hourly basis, is now at it again,” he wrote.

He further accused the newspaper of inaccurate coverage of the 2024 presidential election and alleged that it was attempting to justify what he described as the “expensively botched” rehabilitation of the Reflecting Pool located between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

According to the President, previous administrations spent more than 55 million dollars on efforts to rehabilitate the pool without success, alleging that the project left the site closed for years and in deteriorating condition.

“It was an embarrassment to Washington, D.C., and to our Country itself,” he stated, adding that despite the large sums spent, the pool allegedly continued to leak and suffered cosmetic defects.

The President claimed his administration could complete a superior rehabilitation project for between five and six million dollars within two weeks, compared to what he alleged would have taken four years and cost about 400 million dollars under previous plans.

He said the new approach treated the Reflecting Pool “as a highly sophisticated swimming pool” rather than as a conventional building structure, arguing that the revised method would deliver better long-term results at significantly lower cost.

“This is not just a paint job,” he wrote, rejecting characterisations he attributed to Fahrenthold’s reporting. “It is a deeply complicated work of smart and beautiful construction.”

The President also maintained that the project contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior and not by him personally, adding that he had no prior relationship with the contractor handling the rehabilitation.

“I saved more than 390 Million Dollars, and four years of no ‘mess,’ and was, of course, given no credit by the biased New York Times,” he added.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a final call for eligible Nigerians to register to vote ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The commission described the exercise as the third and final phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) process before the next general election.

In a notice released on Monday, INEC stressed that there would be no extension of the registration deadline.

“No extensions. No second chances,” the commission stated.

INEC urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing exercise, noting that voter registration remains the first step toward participating in the democratic process.

“Register now, your voice starts here, and your future depends on it,” the commission added.

According to INEC, registration is taking place daily between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at INEC state and local government offices, as well as designated registration centres nationwide.

The commission also assured citizens of a smooth and transparent registration process across all centres.

In its campaign message, INEC said: “The final phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise begins today. Your voice starts with registration.”

It added that every Nigerian deserves a voice and that the process was designed to be simple and accessible.

For online services and further information, the commission directed prospective voters to its official portal.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Fadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security coordination and intelligence-driven operations.

The announcement was contained in a circular signed by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and issued by Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary, General Services Office. According to the statement released on May 11, 2026, by Chris Ugwuegbulam, Head of Information & Public Relations, the appointment reflects Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing inter-agency collaboration and addressing emerging security threats across the country.

Major General Fadewa, a highly decorated officer with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service, is recognised for his expertise in national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy. His career has been marked by operational excellence, strategic foresight, and leadership in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Between 2015 and 2021, Fadewa served as Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). During this period, he played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern intelligence coordination framework, spearheading the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC). The IFC integrated multiple agencies — including the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces — to improve national threat assessment and strategic response.

Following his retirement, Fadewa continued to contribute to national security as a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, where he provided thought leadership on policing, civil-security cooperation, and reform. His scholarly work includes the widely acclaimed monograph “Policing and National Security in Nigeria”, which offers practical frameworks for strengthening civil-security collaboration.

President Tinubu expressed confidence that Fadewa’s appointment will bolster efforts to achieve a safer Nigeria through improved coordination of homeland security initiatives, intelligence integration, and proactive risk management. He urged the retired General to deploy his wealth of experience and professionalism in advancing national security objectives and supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

This appointment comes at a time when Nigeria faces complex security challenges, ranging from terrorism and banditry to cyber threats and communal conflicts. By bringing in a seasoned strategist like Fadewa, the administration signals its determination to reinforce the country’s security architecture and ensure greater stability.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Festus Keyamo has strongly criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) over its recent decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region and impose a single-term tenure for its candidate if elected.

The decision, announced over the weekend at the party’s maiden national convention, has continued to generate political reactions across the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, Keyamo described the arrangement as deceptive and politically manipulative, labelling it a “419 decision”.

“The decision of NDC to zone its Presidential ticket to the south for JUST ONE TERM (emphasis on ‘one term’) is an audacious attempt to hoodwink Nigerians. It reminds us of the undertaking by Jonathan in 2011 to serve just one full term and quit,” he said.

The minister, a lawyer-turned-politician, questioned the enforceability of such a political commitment should the party’s candidate emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election.

He specifically queried what would happen if figures such as Peter Obi were to win and later deviate from the arrangement.

Keyamo further argued that the NDC’s decision was an insult to the political intelligence of Nigerians, describing it as a reflection of desperation within the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.

“It is just a joke taken too far; it is nothing but political 419,” he said.

The NDC’s zoning arrangement, according to analysts, has unsettled political camps within the ruling establishment, with analysts suggesting it may be aimed at consolidating support in the northern and southern regions concurrently to diminish the APC’s political bases.

Political observers also note that the decamping of prominent figures such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a political powerhouse from the north, to the NDC has further reshaped the emerging political dynamics ahead of the election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political stakeholders are also closely monitoring the developments amid concerns over shifting voter alignments and how it would affect its fortunes in northern Nigeria as the 2027 general elections approach.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has launched a blistering critique of opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, accusing them of opportunism, disloyalty, and an insatiable obsession with power, while praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a “special one” destined to prevail in Nigeria’s political battles.

In a lengthy media statement on Sunday titled “The Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage Between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi”, Fani-Kayode described Tinubu as “akanda eniyan” — a Yoruba phrase meaning “the special one” — endowed with extraordinary resilience and mystical grace. He argued that Tinubu’s patience, forgiveness, and loyalty to his political platforms set him apart from rivals. “Simply put, he cannot be stopped and this is a lesson his enemies have yet to learn,” he wrote.

The former minister, who once opposed Tinubu before switching allegiance in 2020, claimed that those plotting against the president ahead of the 2027 elections are engaged in “an exercise in futility.” He cited divisions within opposition coalitions, including acrimonious disputes between Atiku’s supporters (“Atikulators”), Obi’s followers (“Obidients”), and Kwankwaso’s loyalists, as evidence of their fragility.

Fani-Kayode accused Atiku and Obi of repeatedly abandoning parties for personal ambition, noting that between them they have switched platforms 11 times since 1999. “Political parties are not established to be used like toilet paper and flushed down the lavatory,” he said, adding that their constant defections reflect a lack of loyalty and ideological conviction.

He likened both men to Tolkien’s character Gollum, consumed by a destructive obsession with power. “You crawl and hiss like snakes in a pit as you slither from one political party to the other looking for the power that neither of you shall ever achieve,” he wrote, warning that their ambitions have negatively affected their mental health and credibility.

Turning to Atiku, Fani-Kayode lamented that the former vice president, once respected, has become “a shadow of his former self.” He argued that Atiku’s repeated attempts at the presidency are driven by vanity and hubris, comparing him to Icarus who flew too close to the sun.

On Obi, he accused the former Anambra governor of inconsistency and opportunism, citing his moves from APGA to PDP, LP, ADC, and now NDC. He warned that Obi’s insistence on securing presidential tickets without contesting primaries undermines democratic norms. He quoted former allies such as Datti Baba-Ahmed, Kenneth Okonkwo, and Babachir Lawal, who have publicly criticized Obi’s temperament, loyalty, and leadership style.

Fani-Kayode also dismissed the possibility of a viable Obi–Kwankwaso ticket in 2027, arguing that Kwankwaso’s principles and northern political base would not allow him to play second fiddle. He suggested that Obi’s past actions against northerners in Anambra and his business ties to alcohol production make him incompatible with Kwankwaso’s values.

The statement further praised Tinubu’s political journey, contrasting it with Atiku and Obi’s record. Fani-Kayode emphasized that Tinubu founded and nurtured his parties — AD, AC, ACN, and later APC — demonstrating loyalty and patience until his eventual presidential victory in 2023. “He built his own, funded it, developed it, expanded it, and when the time was right, his party rewarded him,” he wrote.

He concluded by urging Atiku and Obi to reconcile themselves to life outside power, declaring: “You will never smell it again. Settle down and accept that your political careers are over.”

The fiery statement underscores deepening fractures within Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the 2027 elections; while reinforcing Tinubu’s image among loyalists as a leader whose patience and strategic foresight continue to secure his dominance.

OSHOGBO, Nigeria (NPA) — Former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, on Sunday attended the stakeholders’ meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held in the Ilesa axis of the state.

Addressing party members and supporters at the gathering, Aregbesola appreciated attendees for what he described as their steadfastness despite alleged intimidation and political pressure.

He commended stakeholders for remaining resolute and unwavering in their support for the party and its political movement.

According to him, those currently in charge of affairs at the national level had failed to uphold the fundamental responsibilities of government, particularly the welfare and security of citizens.

“Therefore, we have no reason to rejoin them. We are proud members of the ADC, and despite all attacks against us, our party continues to grow in leaps and bounds,” he said.

The former governor urged party members not to relent, expressing confidence that the ADC would emerge victorious.

Aregbesola also threw his weight behind the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming Osun election, Najeem Folasayo Salaam Iwaloye.

He described Iwaloye as a loyal and committed leader passionate about restoring Osun State to what he called its previous path of development.

“We call on everyone to support us. We will not let you down,” he added.