Politics

INEC Rules Out Altering 2023 Elections Sequence

Published

4 years ago

October 31, 2022

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission has rejected calls for the re-ordering of the sequence of the 2023 general elections.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye made this known in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday.

A civil society group, Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria, had on Saturday called on the commission to re-order the election sequence.

The group said the 2023 polls should start with the governorship elections, and not the presidential election as contained in INEC’s timetable, noting that the re-ordering of the election sequence is necessary to avoid any disruption that might arise from the conduct of the presidential poll.

Responding, Okoye said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission does not and will not on any account share its constitutional and legal powers with any individual, group, or organisation.

“It is the sole responsibility and prerogative of the commission to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President, the governor, and deputy governor of a state, and the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House of Assembly of each state of the federation.

“By the provisions of sections 132(1) and 178(1) of the Constitution, an election to the office of the President and Governor shall be held on a date to be appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission in accordance with the Electoral Act. Sections 132(2) and 178(2) of the same Constitution makes it mandatory that an election to the said offices shall be held on a date not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of that office.

“On February 26, 2022, the commission, in compliance with section 28 of the Constitution, gave the statutory notice, stating the dates of the 2023 general elections and the place at which nomination papers are to be delivered. It is too late in the day to suggest an adjustment or tinkering with the sequence of elections.

“Suggestions in that direction are diversionary and intended to create an atmosphere of uncertainty in the electoral process. Dates for the conduct of elections and the sequence of elections must be certain and not subject to arbitrary change.”

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”