The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 16 to June 25, 2026, for the conduct of political party primaries in restored state constituencies across Benue, Delta, Jigawa and Kogi states ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The commission announced the decision in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to INEC, the action followed court judgments directing the restoration of several previously suppressed constituencies and was carried out in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2026.

In Benue State, the restored constituencies are Nyamatsor, Ukum Afia, Konshisha III (Shangev-Tiev), Makurdi III (South East), and Gboko III State Constituencies.

INEC said the special primary elections would enable political parties to nominate candidates for the restored constituencies in preparation for the 2027 general election.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all other timelines and activities contained in the already published revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election shall apply to the restored constituencies,” the commission stated.

The electoral body also directed political parties to submit notices of their primaries to the commission before the scheduled dates, citing the peculiar nature of the arrangement.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible, inclusive and transparent electoral processes as preparations for the 2027 general election continue.

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, says the party did its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a favour by granting him a platform.

Dickson spoke to Arise Television on Wednesday, where he said that the NDC is the vehicle that will take Peter Obi and his running mate Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to the Presidential Villa come 2027.

According to him, nobody is doing the NDC any favour by joining it, stressing that he had received some prominent politicians across the country before the coming of Obi and Kwankwaso.

“No one is doing NDC a favour, rather my colleagues and I are doing people a favour by granting our platform to them.

“And that narrative is important. You cannot be supporting Peter Obi and disparaging me, the leader the platform itself. That is nonsensical.

“Before Peter Obi and Kwankwaso came, Nigerians from all walks of life were coming to our party. I received Marafa from Zamfara. I received Binani from Adamawa, and several other people across the country.

“Peter Obi is a cherished member of our party, and on our own we have made him a sole presidential candidate and that counts for something. Same applies to his running mate, Kwankwaso. We are all working together,” Dickson said.

A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Reagan Ufomba has officially quit the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and defected to the Labour Party, LP.

 Receiving Ufomba and his supporters into LP on Wednesday at Okpuala Ngwa, Abia State Governor,  Alex Otti said the defection is a major boost  to the Labour Party  and to the development of the State. 

The Governor described the Labour Party as one founded on equity, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for all members and assured the new entrants that they would not be subjected to discrimination  by old LP members.

“The interesting thing about Labour Party is that there is no discrimination.

“We don’t have old and new members,” Governor Otti said.

The Governor commended Chief Ufomba for his commitment to the development of the State and acknowledged his support for the administration’s reform agenda.

Earlier in his speech, Ufomba pledged his commitment to contributing to the growth and progress of Abia State under the platform of the Labour Party.

He  thanked Alex Otti and the leadership of the LP in Abia State for receiving him into their fold.