The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has said it did not force the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, out of the Labour Party and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, respectively.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Tuesday, the National Chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda, denied allegations that the ruling party is responsible for the internal crises and defections rocking opposition parties.

Yilwatda said the APC neither forced Obi out of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, nor compelled him to leave the Labour Party or join any other political platform.

“Nobody in APC chased Peter Obi out of PDP. Nobody from APC chased him out of the Labour Party; nobody in APC chased him out of the Labour Party to ADC. Who chased him from ADC again to the NDC,” he asked.

According to him, the former Anambra state governor had been changing political parties long before the APC assumed power at the federal level.

He also denied claims that recent defections from the APC reflected declining support for the party, arguing that many politicians who left were motivated by the desire to secure electoral tickets rather than ideological differences.

The APC National Chairman stressed that the APC remained united and attractive to Nigerians, adding that one year after assuming office as national chairman, the party had fulfilled key promises aimed at strengthening its internal structure and expanding its appeal.

President Bola Tinubu has defended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, dismissing concerns over the electoral body’s neutrality and accusing political opponents of raising unfounded allegations.

The President made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Ndagoso, at the State House in Abuja, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president spoke after the Catholic bishops urged his administration to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, describing credible polls as one of the legacies expected from his government.

Responding, the president insisted that INEC had remained impartial and had not intimidated any political party or candidate.

“INEC is neutral. They have never intimidated anyone. If political opponents are crying wolf, maybe they are afraid of their own shadows and uncertainty in the company they keep, not me,” Tinubu said.

The president also assured the bishops that his administration was strengthening the country’s security architecture to tackle terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping through improved intelligence gathering, restructuring of security institutions, and enhanced welfare for security personnel.

“I have just approved the expansion of the armed forces. We are getting more equipment, building new barracks. We will defeat terrorism. It should be part of your sermons,” he said.

On the economy, Tinubu maintained that the country had recovered from the financial challenges his administration inherited and expressed confidence that better days lie ahead.

“This government has stabilised, and there is prosperity on the horizon. Life is improving,” he stated.

He also highlighted the absence of prolonged industrial actions by university lecturers, saying students could now complete their programmes within the expected duration.

“You can’t say a four-year course in the university is not four years now. ASUU is not on strike. They are not bringing agony to our homes,” the president added.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for an amendment to the Electoral Act to require political parties to conclude their primary elections at least one year before general elections.

Amupitan said the proposal would give political parties sufficient time to resolve disputes arising from candidate nominations, thereby reducing election-related litigation.

According to a statement posted on INEC’s X handle on Tuesday, Amupitan made the call while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023) in Abuja.

He explained that resolving party primary disputes well before elections would allow the electoral commission to focus on its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible polls rather than addressing conflicts originating from political parties.

According to Amupitan, most election-related litigation stems from disagreements over party primaries rather than issues arising during elections themselves.

“Most election-related legal disputes begin long before Nigerians cast their votes. If political parties conclude their primaries early and conduct them in a transparent, credible and inclusive manner, it will go a long way in reducing unnecessary litigation,” Amupitan said.

He said political parties could only strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by respecting their constitutions, adhering to their rules and providing members with a genuine opportunity to choose candidates.

Amupitan warned that the imposition of candidates, lack of transparency during party primaries and disregard for party guidelines had continued to fuel avoidable pre-election court cases, weaken public confidence and undermine the country’s electoral process.

“Strengthening internal democracy within political parties is as important as strengthening the nation’s electoral institutions,” he said.

He added that credible elections begin with credible candidate selection.

Amupitan also called for constitutional and electoral reforms to grant INEC greater financial autonomy to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

He noted that although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge, the commission still operates under the annual budget system, which limits its operational efficiency.

To address the challenge, he proposed that INEC’s funding should come directly from the Federation Account, enabling the commission to conduct voter registration, regulate political parties and organise elections without unnecessary administrative delays.