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2027: November not ideal for general election, BOOT party warns

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Rivers LG Polls

…. Says no need to legalize BVAS

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA—ON the heels of the proposed electoral reforms, the Because Of Our Tomorrow, BOOT, Party, yesterday, warned that shifting 2027 general elections to November would not be ideal as it will terribly impact the electoral process and defeat the purpose.

The warning was contained in a statement signed by the National Chairman, BOOT party, Sonny Adenuga, where the party also raised other concerns on key issues proposed for reforms ahead of the elections.

The statement read in part, “Nigeria stands at a defining crossroads. Electoral reform is necessary, and technology can strengthen our democracy—but only when thoughtfully introduced, transparently tested, and backed by infrastructure that is resilient, secure, and professionally governed.

“Today, two major proposals are before the National Assembly: Shifting future general elections to November, and making electronic transmission of results by BVAS a legal mandate, rather than an operational guideline.

“These proposals are significant. Yet, in their current form, they carry risks capable of undermining electoral credibility rather than improving it—especially because the internet infrastructure required for electronic transmission is not controlled by INEC, the body responsible for elections.

“If we fail to address these technical, legal, and operational gaps, the proposed reforms may create a perfect storm of disenfranchisement, confusion, and contestation.

“November is still a flood-prone month: For southern and riverine states—Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, parts of Ondo and Lagos—the rainy season often extends into October and November. Floods regularly destroy roads, isolate communities, disrupt transport, and displace voters.

“Moving elections to November means: Polling materials may not reach thousands of polling units; BVAS devices may be exposed to moisture, power instability, and transport barriers; Entire local governments may be inaccessible on election day; and turnout could decline unevenly, creating regional disenfranchisement.”

The party also pointed out that that Early voting in the Bill excludes the Nigerian public, proposes special-day voting—but only for: Security personnel, INEC staff, essential workers

“This is not the early voting system used by countries that protect citizens from weather disruption.

The general electorate receives no early voting option. Thus, November elections could suppress turnout for millions while offering no compensatory early-voting mechanism.”

The party warned that the failure of BVAS in several elections has to be considered instead it should not be legalized as being proposed.

“In 2023, INEC introduced: BVAS for accreditation and result imaging; and IReV for result upload and public access. These were guidelines, not legal mandates.

“Yet the deployment saw outages; device failures; inconsistent network coverage; delayed uploads; and public distrust fueled by unclear technical explanations

“Instead of resolving these issues, the new bill proposes to elevate electronic transmission into law—binding the entire system to internet infrastructure that INEC does not own, control, secure, or manage”, and it described it as a “dangerous mismatch”, it pointed.

Meanwhile, the party said the BVAS being a mobile-based device depends on the reliable networks connectivity that is subject to these threats, saying that, “If the law mandates electronic transmission but does not mandate infrastructure obligations for NCC and Mobile Network Operators.

“Nigeria risks partial transmission; Network-based disenfranchisement in rural or flood-affected areas; Device manipulation or denial-of-service attacks; Legal crises from missing, late, or corrupted uploads; and a repeat or worse version of the 2023 credibility challenge.

“Electronic transmission cannot be guaranteed unless infrastructure providers are legally bound to provide the required uptime, security, and nationwide readiness”, the party stated.

However, part of the party’s call includes; A safer election date; Clear, enforceable obligations for all infrastructure providers; Transparent testing; Realistic timelines; and a credible system that Nigerians can trust.

Adding that, “Democracy is not strengthened by speed. Democracy is strengthened by reliability, fairness, and public confidence.”

The post 2027: November not ideal for general election, BOOT party warns appeared first on Vanguard News.


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Probe Anyanwu, Mohammed over false information to INEC – Factional PDP petitions IGP

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Ogbeide Associates, Solicitors and Counsel, holding brief for the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, requesting an investigation into the party’s Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and factional National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, over a letter dated November 3, 2025, addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The petition alleges that the letter falsely claimed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had suspended Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as Acting National Chairman and appointed Mohammed in his place.

According to the petition, the NWC’s 608th Emergency Meeting of November 1, 2025, held barely 48 hours before the letter was written, resolved to suspend Anyanwu himself, along with three other officers, over allegations of anti-party activities.

The petition stated that no NWC resolution, minutes, or attendance record has been produced showing that the committee ever resolved to suspend Ambassador Damagum or appoint Mohammed.

The petition further noted that the official attendance record of the 608th meeting shows that Anyanwu was absent, while Mohammed was present at the meeting.

It noted that Mohammed had direct, firsthand knowledge of the meeting’s actual outcome before the disputed letter was sent.

The petition also draws attention to a subsisting Federal High Court judgment of October 10, 2024 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024), which recognised Ambassador Damagum as Acting National Chairman and restrained INEC from acting on any document not bearing his signature—a judgment Senator Anyanwu himself had forwarded to INEC for compliance in November 2024.

The petition notes that the Court of Appeal, on March 9, 2026, affirmed the NWC’s suspension of Senator Anyanwu.

In addition to seeking an investigation of the two named individuals, the petition asks the Inspector-General to examine how INEC handled the November 3 letter, given that the commission was already in possession of both the subsisting court judgment and the NWC’s suspension resolution at the time.

“This petition is not about personalities. It is about whether public institutions can be misled with documents that do not reflect the true position of internal party processes, and whether such conduct will be investigated as the law requires,” counsel for the petitioner said.

The lawyers called on the Nigeria Police Force to treat the matter with urgency, while indicating that the petitioner stands ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the relevant court judgments and internal party records, to assist in the investigation.




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Alleged fraud: Peter Obi officially serves Kenneth Okonkwo

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has officially served a writ of summons on actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo in a defamation suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.

According to court documents dated June 25, 2026, Obi is seeking N8 billion in damages over statements allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, and subsequently circulated on social media platforms.

The legal action is being pursued on Obi’s behalf by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme, SAN & Co. (Madiba Chambers), Awka, Anambra State.

DAILY POST reports that case stems from a growing dispute between the two former political allies, who have recently exchanged criticisms over political developments and leadership issues within the opposition movement.

The writ, issued by the court and marked for service outside Anambra State in neighbouring Enugu State, directs Okonkwo to enter an appearance within 42 days of being served or risk judgment being entered against him in his absence.

In the suit, Obi contends that comments made by Okonkwo during the television interview, which was later uploaded to Channels Television’s YouTube platform and amplified through his verified social media accounts, were false, malicious and defamatory.

The former Anambra State governor is claiming N5 billion as general damages for alleged injury to his reputation, character, integrity, public image, political standing and goodwill.

He is also seeking N2 billion as aggravated damages, citing what he described as the breadth, persistence and repetition of the alleged defamatory statements, including publications made after his lawyers issued a demand letter dated June 9, 2026.

In addition, Obi is asking the court to award N1 billion in exemplary damages, arguing that the defendant deliberately repeated and amplified the allegations despite being notified of his complaint.

Beyond monetary compensation, the plaintiff is seeking several court orders, including a directive compelling Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels Television, its YouTube platform, his social media accounts and in three national newspapers.

Obi is also requesting an order directing the defendant to remove all publications containing the disputed allegations from platforms under his control and a perpetual injunction restraining him from making similar allegations in the future.

The suit further seeks post-judgment interest on any monetary award granted by the court, as well as the costs of the action.




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Aisha Yesufu explains why she rejected House of Reps ticket

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Activist Aisha Yesufu has explained why she turned down an offer to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Speaking at a public lecture on citizens’ participation in governance at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, Yesufu said she rejected the ticket because about 20 people had already purchased nomination forms and were contesting for the position.

“About 20 people had picked up forms for the ticket and I was not going to be part of irregularities. I was not going to be part of that system even though it was going to benefit me,” she said.

She explained that accepting the ticket would have unfairly affected other aspirants who had spent money and effort pursuing the position.

“The reason I didn’t take it was because of the process. There were about 20 competent people from whom money had been collected during the process who would be shortchanged,” she stated.

Describing the arrangement as unfair, Yesufu said: “The process was unjust; in my view, it was criminal. If we claim to be guided by the law, then why should we do something unjust?”

She added that she would rather lose than benefit from an unfair political process.

“I have no problem with losing. I would rather stand with ordinary people than pursue titles and honours through an unfair process. That is how I have always lived my life,” she said.

She also urged young Nigerians to become more involved in politics, stressing that political participation should go beyond voting during elections.




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