Former lawmaker, Usman Bugaje, has said a recent court judgment by Justice M.G. Umar has set limits on the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, accusing the electoral body of overreaching its constitutional role.

Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Bugaje described the ruling as a declaratory judgment aimed at clarifying the boundaries of INEC’s authority in regulating elections.

According to him, Section 29 of the Electoral Act clearly outlines INEC’s responsibilities while allowing political parties adequate time to prepare for elections.

He said the judgment was intended to caution the commission against interfering in the internal affairs of political parties beyond what is provided by law.

Bugaje alleged that INEC had recently acted in ways that suggested it was moving beyond its role as a regulator to becoming a stakeholder in the political process.

He further claimed that some opposition parties had been affected by the commission’s actions.

The former lawmaker said the court ruling also addressed the timeline earlier issued by INEC, noting that the 120-day period given by the commission would now extend to September to enable political parties properly conduct their activities within the law.

He said: “The judgment by Justice Umar is a declaratory judgment basically explaining to INEC that it is going beyond the powers that it has been given.

“Section 29 has clearly demarcated the powers that INEC has in regulating elections and to allow the political parties to properly prepare for the election.

“So what the judgment has done is basically to set limits for INEC because INEC has been overreaching and overstepping the bounds that the electoral law has given it. They’ve been interfering in ways that we have not seen before.

“We can see that clearly with some of the opposition parties. So I think the judgment of Justice Umar was basically trying to lead INEC to play its role properly because what it did earlier on was clearly designed to muscle the opposition. It went beyond what the law has provided, trying to move from regulator to stakeholder.

“When you appeal for a declaratory judgment, you’re basically trying to step beyond the bounds of a regulator into a stakeholder. What the judgment basically did was to say no, this 120 days that INEC gave will go up to September to allow the parties to do their work properly so that they can work within the law.”

Seyi Makinde has urged Bimbo Adekanbi, the governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement, APM, in the state, to avoid inheriting his political enemies if she wins in 2027.

Makinde advised Adekanbi to concentrate on creating her own leadership style.

The governor gave the advice during the party’s presidential/governorship primary election, where he encouraged Adekanbi to stay focused on governance, service delivery, and the continuation of development projects.

The governor stated that leadership is not perfect by nature, pointing out that people in public positions will inevitably make mistakes.

“Don’t inherit my enemies, chart your own path. I am only human and I make mistakes,” Makinde said.

He encouraged the governorship candidate to build on what his administration has already accomplished while working to deliver better results in governance for the people of the state.

“Make sure you build on anything we have done to help our people,” he said.

Makinde also spoke about his government’s development plans based on the “Omituntun” framework.

He expressed optimism about the state’s future progress.

“You have gone through my first term, Omituntun 1.0. You’ve gone through my second term, Omituntun 2.0.

“Omituntun 3.0 is starting up, and I promise you that Bimbo Adekanbi will do a great job for you,” he stated.

The South-South leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Youth Wing, has commenced consultations with political mobilisers ahead of the 2027 elections to consolidate support for President Tinubu and the party in the region.

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday, signed by the APC Youth Leader for the South-South, Avwomakpotor Uhrorho, following a courtesy visit to the office of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Akwa Ibom State chapter.

Uhrorho noted that the party needs leaders with credibility, capacity, and strong grassroots acceptance to engage young people and help deliver victory for the party.

He said the regional youth leadership has identified young leaders with the credibility, capacity, and grassroots influence needed to drive youth mobilisation for the APC in the region, noting that the APC youth wing is ready to work with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to deepen grassroots mobilisation.

He explained that the visit aims to strengthen unity, promote collaboration, and advance the shared vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda through active youth engagement and strategic partnerships.

The APC youths noted that elections in modern times require effective communication and constructive engagement with young people rather than violence and intimidation, stressing that social media misinformation has contributed greatly to negative public perception of government policies.

“We are here because of the leaders in this region that we need to work with. We need leaders with credibility, capacity, and strong grassroots acceptance who can engage young people and help deliver victory for our party,” he said.

Speaking during the engagement, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Obong Prince Ikim, expressed appreciation to the youth leaders for their support and commitment to the party, describing the Renewed Hope Agenda as a practical and transformative vision already yielding visible results across the country.

He stressed that youths must serve as a bridge between government and the people by promoting civic engagement, strategic communication, and mass mobilisation, while also relaying the concerns and aspirations of citizens back to the government.

“Today, Nigerians can clearly see that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a slogan. As youth leaders and ambassadors of this movement, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that the achievements and reforms of government are properly communicated to the grassroots,” he said.

He further charged youth leaders across the South-South to remain deliberate, united, and focused in advancing the ideals of national development, peace, and responsible political participation.