Politics
2023 Polls: Candidates From 10 Parties File 436 Petitions

Dissatisfied with the conduct of the 2023 general elections, no fewer than 10 of the 18 political parties have filed 431 petitions at the various election tribunals in 27 states of the country to quash the victories of those the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared winners.
There are five petitions against the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as president-elect. This brings the tentative figure of petitions, according to Vanguard’s checks to 436. The figure will be more if those from the remaining nine states are tallied.
Those seeking the nullification of Tinubu’s victory are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour, LP; and candidates of the Action Alliance, AA; Allied Peoples Movement, APM; and Action Peoples Party, APP.
There are also petitions across the states against the outcomes of some governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.
READ ALSO: We Can Only Fight On As United Nigerians, Says Obi
Apart from the five parties kicking against the result of the presidential election, other parties at the tribunals include the APC; Social Democratic Party, SDP; New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; and Young Progressives Party, YPP.
The number of petitions may rise further after the April 15 supplementary polls for two governorship, five senatorial, 31 House of Representatives, and 57 state assembly slots.
431 petitions in 27 states
Across the states, the tally of petitions are Abia (35), Anambra (31), Ebonyi (2), Enugu (14), Akwa Ibom (15), Bayelsa (9), Cross River (13), Delta (25), Edo (14), Rivers (34), Lagos (30), Ekiti (4), Ogun (18), Ondo (9), Osun (14) and Oyo (20).
Others are Benue (17), Niger (11), Kogi (2), Plateau (16), Adamawa (8), Bauchi (15), Gombe (3), Taraba (7), Yobe (3), Kaduna (18), Katsina (11), Kano (23) and Kebbi (8) among others.
READ ALSO: Supplementary Polls: Opposition Parties Rally To Seize Control Of NASS
2023 more credible than past polls — INEC source
Speaking on the controversies trailing the 2023 general polls, yesterday, a source in the INEC said the 2023 exercises were the best since 1999.
There was no data on the number of petitions filed in 1999 when three parties – Alliance for Democracy, AD; All Peoples Party, APP; and PDP contested the elections. The AD and APP fielded a joint Presidential Candidate, Chief Olu Falae against PDP’s Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Falae did not challenge Obasanjo’s victory at the tribunal.
However, for the following electoral cycles, there were 564 petitions in 2003; 1,291 in 2007; 732 in 2011; 611 in 2015 and 807 in 2019.
The source said: “The INEC crashed post-election litigation to half of what we had in 2019 with the innovations it introduced such as the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, and e-transmission of election results. It is very sad that the commission experienced glitches in the transmission of the presidential election results in real-time from the polling units “The 2023 general elections are like no other. We have never witnessed the kind of upsets we had this year. We had governors and political heavyweights losing elections they should not lose. BVAS ensured that the voter’s list was not padded and votes cast inflated.
READ ALSO: Soyinka Chides ‘Obidients’ Movement Over Attacks On Him
“The number of post-election litigation shows how credible the elections were compared to what we had in the past. There are about 400 post-election petitions in 2023. In 2019 we had 807 post-election litigations. The parties complaining fared worse than INEC in organizing primaries. There was 1,370 pre-election litigation in 2023 compared to 370 in 2019.”
Past election petitions
1999-No data; 2003 – 574; 2007-1291; 2011-732; 2015-611; and 2019-807
We’re sure of victory—Atiku’s aide
When contacted, Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant, Public Communications to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said the party is optimistic about securing victory at the tribunal.
Shaibu said: “We are very optimistic.”
We have water-tight petitions —Osuntokun
Also, the Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Akin Osuntokun, said his party has water-tight petitions to get victories at the various tribunals.
He said: “I don’t see how many petitions, numbering in hundreds, can be evidence for credibility; I see it as a twisted logic. In fact, the reverse should be the case. Are you saying 400 people are accusing somebody of theft? If you have 400 complaints of an election conducted, how can that be evidence of credibility? It is exactly the opposite.
“In any case, we have a watertight petition, the evidence is too conspicuous. That is the kind of confidence that we have.
“We have evidence against their servers of the results they announced; I don’t know what anybody can say about that.”
VANGUARD
Politics
PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.
He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.
READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC
Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.
The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.
“The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Forgery Claim, Says He Signed Convention Letters
Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.
Politics
Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.
Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.
Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.
“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.
READ ALSO:Four Miners Feared Dead, Others Trapped As Illegal Mining Site Collapses In Plateau
Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.
Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.
“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?
“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo
Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.
Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.
“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”
El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.
In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.
READ ALSO:Provide Evidence Of My Third Term Ambition’, Obasanjo Challenges Nigerians
“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.
“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.
“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.
He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.
“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.
Politics
FULL LIST: Borno Tops In Voter Online Pre-registrations

Borno State has recorded the highest number of voter online pre-registrations nationwide as of Week Nine, according to newly released data from the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday.
Out of a total of 8,003,196 Nigerians who completed the pre-registration process, Borno accounted for 826,130 entries, the highest figure recorded across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Osun State follows with 646,580 pre-registrations, while Lagos is next with 604,819. Kebbi registered 581,135, slightly ahead of Kaduna, which recorded 510,490. Ogun is close behind with 510,062, and Kano comes next with 421,941. Kogi also posted high numbers, registering 361,233, while Zamfara and Yobe followed with 304,065 and 292,714, respectively.
Jigawa added 284,384 pre-registrations, with the FCT recording 228,264. Oyo followed closely with 224,713. Katsina registered 205,933, while Sokoto and Nasarawa posted 209,392 and 183,519, respectively.
READ ALSO:Tinubu Nominates New Minister
Bauchi recorded 181,671, ahead of Delta, which registered 160,188. Kwara contributed 142,084, followed by Cross River with 119,773 and Ekiti with 114,244.
Imo State recorded 109,245 pre-registrations, with Niger adding 107,153 and Gombe logging 103,150. Plateau followed with 93,963, while Rivers and Adamawa registered 82,840 and 80,556, respectively. Taraba posted 65,684, Akwa Ibom 60,638, Benue 53,747, and Bayelsa 52,957.
At the lower end of the table, Enugu registered 25,541 voters, followed by Ondo with 17,618, Ebonyi with 13,979, Edo with 11,570, and Abia with 11,221, the lowest figure in the country.
Also, INEC announced that a total of 1,710,450 voters have completed their CVR nationwide as of week eight, combining both online pre-registration (956,566) and physical registration (753,884).
READ ALSO:Acting INEC Chair Outlines Preparations or Anambra Poll
In accordance with Section 9(6) of the Electoral Act 2022, INEC confirmed that registration activities in Anambra State remain suspended until after the governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
Until recently, states in the South-West, particularly Osun, Lagos, and Ogun, had consistently led the CVR process since the exercise commenced on August 18, 2025.
However, recent data indicated an uptick in participation from northern states, especially Borno and Kebbi, amid renewed mobilisation campaigns.
It was reported that community-based organisations, religious leaders, and local officials in several northern states intensified sensitisation efforts to boost awareness and encourage eligible residents to register.
Politics4 days agoTenebe Fingers Edo APC Chieftains As Plot To Replace Him As Chair Thickens
News4 days agoEdeduna Obaseki Descendants Felicitate Benin Monarch On Coronation Anniversary, Birthday
News4 days agoBREAKING: Edo LG Commission Orders Heads On Compulsory Leave
Headline3 days agoUK Cuts Post-study Work Period For Foreign Students
News4 days agoTinubu Nominates New Minister
Headline4 days agoUK Links Nigeria, Others To Poisonous Alcoholic Drinks
Politics4 days agoFULL LIST: Borno Tops In Voter Online Pre-registrations
Metro3 days agoDrama As Kanu Lists Danjuma, Wike, Sanwo-Olu As Witnesses
Headline4 days agoTrump Urged Ukraine To Give Up Land In Peace Deal Talks — Official
News4 days agoTeenager Becomes Nigeria’s ‘Vice President For A Day’














