The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, says no one can stop people from defecting if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.

Amadi made this remark on Wednesday during a live appearance in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He was reacting to the anti-defection policy introduced by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, which required candidates seeking elective offices on its platform to sign legal documents committing to vacate their positions if they leave the party after winning elections.

“The NDC cannot solve a political problem through constitutional interpretation. The NDC is trying to solve a political problem through a constitutional question, but that approach is flawed.

“It is not possible to lawfully exclude people from decamping if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.

“If individuals choose to change political parties, they are allowed to do so, provided their reasons fall within the exceptions outlined in the constitution. In such cases, the law applies as provided,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued an update regarding the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, by eligible voters for the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.

The update was provided as the Commission announced the completion of the PVC collection process in the State.

A statement from Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, indicated that after the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the State on Thursday, 15th May 2026, and the subsequent cleaning of the voters’ register, the total number of registered voters in the State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

Furthermore, it was noted that the number of PVCs collected has grown from 958,052 in 2023, which reflects a collection rate of 97.0 percent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, corresponding to 97.1 percent of registered voters.

INEC also reminded that the PVC collection period, initially set to conclude on 11th June 2026, was extended to 14th June 2026 after discussions with stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

“With regards to Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the Commission to make available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of the loss, damage or defacement of their original PVC, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time and all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed most of which have been collected,” the statement added.

“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed. The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.

“For the Ekiti State Governorship Election, all the PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer, or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards. A detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms,” it stated.

INEC called on all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day. 

The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, says she did not see any report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha  Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Kingibe made this disclosure on Wednesday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

She said she was at a retreat with Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, when she heard about the report.

“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee.

“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.

“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it.

“I even complained to other Senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.