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INEC chairman seeks royal support ahead of Osun guber

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan, has appealed for the support of traditional rulers in ensuring a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election in Osun State in August.

Prof. Amupitan made the appeal on Tuesday during a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in Ile-Ife.

He expressed concern over the political atmosphere in the state, urging traditional rulers to appeal to politicians and political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns devoid of rancour and violence.

“The blood of Nigerians is not worth the ambition of any politician,” Amupitan said.

Amupitan said the visit was to formally notify the Ooni of the forthcoming governorship election and to seek royal prayers and blessings ahead of what he described as one of Nigeria’s most significant off-cycle elections.

“The visit is to formally announce to you that the Osun governorship election is coming up on Saturday, August 15, 2026,” the INEC chairman said, adding that Osun occupies a special place in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

The INEC chairman also called for proper verification of information to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, warning that false information could fuel unnecessary violence before, during and after the election.

Amupitan said restoring public confidence in the electoral body remained one of his priorities, stressing that the commission was committed to conducting elections that were credible, free, fair and transparent.

“We have decided that one of the ways we can build trust is to ensure that elections must be credible, free, fair and transparent,” he stated.

He explained that INEC, as a creation of the Nigerian Constitution, is responsible for conducting elections into elective offices across Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as registering and deregistering political parties, conducting referendums and maintaining the national voters’ register.

The INEC chairman also announced that the 2027 general elections would commence with the presidential and National Assembly polls on January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections would be held on February 6, 2027.

He noted that earlier off-cycle and by-elections had delayed his visit to Ile-Ife.

Describing the Osun governorship poll as “the most consequential off-cycle election in Nigeria,” Amupitan said it would serve as a mirror for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

He urged traditional rulers to work towards ensuring that the election was peaceful, commenced on schedule and had a timely declaration of results.

He disclosed that all 12 National Commissioners of INEC, representing the six geopolitical zones, accompanied him on the visit, saying the commission considered it important to pay homage to the Ooni in recognition of Ile-Ife as the ancestral cradle of the Yoruba race.

Responding, the Ooni of Ife said traditional rulers in Osun had remained above partisan politics despite growing political tension in the state.

“The traditional rulers have resolved to tell politicians the truth and encourage them to do what is fair and right because the political tension is becoming unbearable and worrisome,” the monarch said.

The Ooni urged INEC to remain impartial and allow the electorate to freely choose their preferred candidates, while commending President Bola Tinubu for strengthening the commission’s independence.

He appealed to the electoral body to “do what is right, just and fair,” stressing that the interest of traditional rulers was beyond politics and centred on the peace, stability and progress of Osun State.




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Insecurity: Nigerians deserve dividends of democracy not carnage – APM to govt

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The Allied Peoples Movement, APM, has told the government of the day that Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy rather than the violent deaths of numerous individuals and widespread devastation.

The party made the statement in response to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s acquisition of surveillance aircraft to enhance security operations within the state.

The two DA 42 MNG model aircraft are reported to possess the capability to identify targets from both high and low altitudes.

A statement issued by Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, the National Chairman of the APM and also the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), emphasized that governance should prioritize the welfare of citizens.

He said that, if utilized effectively, the aircraft would support the efforts of the nation’s security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities in Oyo State.

The APM, under which Governor Makinde is reportedly campaigning for the presidency in 2027, urged governments to prioritize the safety of lives and property over political interests.

“The well-being of the populace is the essence of democratic governance,” the party stated. “Nigerians seek and deserve the dividends of democracy, not violence.

“Together, we will establish a robust, stable, progressive, equitable and dignified democratic society that future generations will take pride in.”




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‘Mobilise for APC or resign’ – Yilwatda warns political appointees

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned political appointees serving in President Bola Tinubu’s administration that they must actively support and mobilise for the party or be prepared to leave their positions.

The party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, gave the warning on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, led by the chairman of Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State, Dr Mustafa Jibrin.

The forum briefed the APC chairman on its grassroots mobilisation plans ahead of the 2027 general election.

“You cannot hide behind the claim of being a technocrat to avoid your political responsibilities. If you accept a political appointment, you must also play your role as a politician,” he said.

The APC chairman further said anyone who did not want to participate in politics should not accept a political appointment in the first place.

The APC national chairman urged the local government chairmen to monitor the political performance of government appointees in their communities and report those who were failing to support the party at the grassroots.

According to him, council chairmen are in a better position to know whether political appointees are making meaningful contributions to the party in their wards.

“You know who is delivering politically at the grassroots. An appointee may be performing well in the office, but if they have no political presence in their ward, that is a problem. Anyone who accepts a political appointment must also accept the responsibilities that come with politics,” he said.

Yilwatda stressed that the APC’s success in the 2027 elections would depend on effective grassroots mobilisation rather than administrative performance alone.

He urged the local government chairmen to point out areas where political appointees were underperforming, identify where the party needed to improve, and highlight weaknesses that should be addressed to strengthen the APC’s chances of winning future elections.

“We will give you our full support in your mobilisation efforts. The party will also support the inauguration of your state coordinators and work with you to organise a mass endorsement rally for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Abuja,” he stated.




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APC is like Prophet Noah’s ark’ — Gov Namadi

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The Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, says joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is like boarding Prophet Noah’s Ark.

Governor Namadi stated this while commenting after receiving the Minority Leader of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

Before his defection, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim, who represents Birnin Kudu Constituency, was the only House of Assembly member from the opposition PDP.

Governor Namadi explained that in Jigawa, anyone interested in politics should join the APC.

“Today in Jigawa, if you want to engage in politics and you are not joining the APC, you are wasting your time.

“Therefore, the APC is like Prophet Noah’s Ark. Once it starts moving, if Allah helps you board, you have to thank the Almighty for giving you the opportunity to join.

“We thank Allah for the tremendous successes He has continued to grant us through the overwhelming support we are receiving from everywhere,” he said.

To Hon. Ibrahim, the governor said, “Your return brings to the end of opposition in the Jigawa State House of Assembly. No more opposition member. The whole state Assembly is now for APC.”

Earlier, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim said he joined the ruling APC due to its good manifesto and the leadership style of Governor Umar Namadi.

He said that before his defection, he consulted his followers, who all agreed to join him, including some PDP ward and local government executives.

He promised to do his best to ensure the party remained victorious in the coming general election.

The state chairman of the party, Ahmad Garba, assured the lawmaker and other defectors of equal opportunities with other APC members.




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