EXCLUSIVE: IGP Egbetokun Defies Tinubu, Approves Police Escorts for INEC Officials Nationwide Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Egbetokun, has reportedly approved police escorts for all INEC officials, including National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, and other Directors of the Commission across the country. The approval comes despite a directive from President Bola Tinubu ordering the withdrawal of police security personnel from VIPs and government officials. The decision has raised questions about protocol, security, and the independence of law enforcement in electoral matters, especially as preparations for upcoming elections intensify. Documents obtained by SaharaReporters confirm that the continued deployment of police officers to INEC officials has been officially sanctioned by the IGP. No statement has yet been issued by the IGP’s office or the presidency regarding the matter. #IGPControversy #Tinubu #INECSecurity #NigeriaPolitics

Hope Uzodimma Sponsors Imo INEC Officials’ Jerusalem Pilgrimage, Sparks Controversy Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has sponsored the Resident Electoral Commissioner, seven INEC department heads, and 27 electoral officers on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, scheduled to begin January 20, 2026. Sources confirmed the officials will be prayed for and formally sent off from the Government House Chapel before departing Owerri for Israel. The development has raised concerns over political patronage and the independence of electoral officials amid Nigeria’s fragile democracy. #BreakingNews #INEC #ImoPolitics #HopeUzodimma #ElectoralIntegrity #NigeriaPolitics

INEC Releases Final List of Candidates for June 2026 Ekiti Governorship Election INEC has released the final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 Ekiti governorship election, clearing 12 political parties for the race. Incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji will contest on the APC platform with Monisade Afuye as deputy, while the Labour Party fields Olajuyin Ikusayede Gbegbe Oyebanji. Younger contenders from NNPP and AAC are also in the race. Candidates’ qualifications range from primary school certificates to PhDs, sparking debate as campaigns intensify ahead of the poll. #Ekiti2026 #INEC #GovernorshipElection #NigerianPolitics #EkitiDecides

Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused ICE of "pure racism" and the Trump administration of being "domestic abusers" during a Congressional hearing about the actions of immigration agents in Minnesota on January 16. #JasmineCrockett #ICE #Immigration #Hearing

Rep. Jasmine Crockett accused ICE of "pure racism" and the Trump administration of being "domestic abusers" during a Congressional hearing about the actions of immigration agents in Minnesota on January 16. #JasmineCrockett #ICE #Immigration #Hearing

2027 Elections: How Elite Politics, Insecurity and Weak Institutions Threaten Nigeria’s Democracy As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections, democratic institutions are coming under growing strain from early campaigns, elite bargaining, party defections, and rising insecurity. Despite INEC’s pledge to deliver credible polls, public trust remains low due to past electoral flaws, security interference, and judicial inconsistencies. With key elections scheduled in 2026, the conduct of INEC, the neutrality of security agencies, and citizens’ vigilance will determine whether Nigeria strengthens its democracy or slides toward electoral authoritarianism. #2027Elections #NigeriaDemocracy #INEC

Wahala Don Dey Oo! SERAP Drag INEC to Court Over ₦55.9B “Vanished” for 2019 Elections 😳💸 Bros and sis, na serious gbege don show face! SERAP don sue INEC because ₦55.9 billion wey suppose buy smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election wahala materials for 2019 don disappear. Na the Federal High Court, Abuja, dem carry matter go last Friday (FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026). SERAP dey yan say: Make INEC show us how dem spend the ₦55.9B Make dem drop contractor names, directors, and shareholders The Auditor-General don yan tori wey go make you open mouth: ₦5.3B for smart card readers—paid but no proof say dem deliver am 😱 ₦4.5B for ballot papers—no documentation ₦41B printing election papers—contractor eligibility? Zero ₦297M for 4 Land Cruisers—market price? Maximum N50M each. Who dey approve this? 🤯 SERAP dey yan say: “If INEC no clean their hands, how dem go run free and fair election again? Na wah oo! Nigerians need answer sharp sharp!” Court no don fix date yet, but wahala don really dey oo, people dey vex, and social media go soon scatter 🔥💥

Can Datti Baba-Ahmed Really Replace Peter Obi? LP’s 2023 Running Mate Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition Amid Party Crisis Is a new political battle for Nigeria’s presidency already taking shape within the opposition—and could Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed be positioning himself as the next major contender? These are the questions dominating political discussions after the former Labour Party (LP) vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidency. Baba-Ahmed made the announcement at a rally at the Labour Party’s national secretariat in Abuja, at a time when the party is grappling with internal realignments following the high-profile exit of its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His declaration comes barely days after Obi’s departure, instantly igniting debate about the future direction of the Labour Party and the broader opposition ahead of the next general election. Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed was quick to dismiss any suggestion that his ambition was a reaction to Obi’s political move. Instead, he insisted that his presidential aspiration predates his alliance with Obi, stressing that he was not “following anybody’s trajectory” or attempting to step into anyone’s political space. According to him, records clearly show that he had sought the presidency even before Obi entered the 2023 race. He recalled his participation in the 2018 presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, noting that his eventual decision to serve as Obi’s running mate was driven by what he described as a rare opportunity for national unity rather than personal ambition. For Baba-Ahmed, aligning with Obi was not a surrender of his own political vision but a strategic choice aimed at offering Nigerians an alternative leadership model. Beyond ambition, his speech touched on sensitive but unavoidable themes in Nigerian politics—religion and ethnicity. Baba-Ahmed openly acknowledged his identity as a practising Muslim and a Hausa man, but maintained that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every qualified citizen the right to seek elective office. According to him, his decision to run is rooted in what he described as a genuine desire to help rescue Nigeria from its many challenges, rather than sectional or personal interests. However, he also struck a cautious tone, emphasizing that he would respect due process within the Labour Party and the electoral framework. While affirming his intention, he stated that he would not formally pursue the ticket until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) releases its timetable and the party leadership officially calls for aspirants. To him, this approach reflects both loyalty to party structures and adherence to democratic norms. His declaration has added a new layer of complexity to an already evolving opposition landscape. With Peter Obi now outside the Labour Party, questions are being raised about who will command the loyalty of the party’s grassroots supporters, many of whom were mobilized by the “Obidient” movement in 2023. Can Datti Baba-Ahmed inherit that momentum, or will the party struggle to redefine itself without its most visible figure? Reacting to the announcement, Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure praised Baba-Ahmed for remaining within the party despite speculation that he might defect following Obi’s exit. For party loyalists, his decision to stay is being interpreted as a signal of continuity and internal stability. For critics, however, it raises deeper questions: does the Labour Party still have a unified ideological direction, or is it entering a phase of leadership contest and fragmentation? As 2027 approaches, Baba-Ahmed’s declaration invites broader national reflection. Is Nigeria’s opposition finally preparing early for the next election, or is this the beginning of another cycle of internal rivalry that could weaken alternative voices? Can Baba-Ahmed’s experience, ideology, and personal narrative convince Nigerians that he offers something fundamentally different from the political establishment? And perhaps most importantly, can he fill the vacuum left by Peter Obi’s departure—or will the Labour Party need a complete reinvention to remain politically relevant? On Fintter, this development is more than a headline. It is a conversation about leadership, loyalty, and the future of opposition politics in Nigeria. Is Datti Baba-Ahmed the natural successor within the Labour Party, or is his ambition likely to deepen internal divisions? Can he rally young voters and reform-minded citizens the way Obi once did? 💬 What do you think? Is Datti Baba-Ahmed the right figure to lead the Labour Party into 2027—or is the party losing its political identity? Share your views and join the debate on Fintter.

“Why Was PDP’s Ekiti Governorship Candidate Oluyede Excluded From INEC List? Is Nigeria’s Electoral Process Transparent?” Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State have taken to the streets, staging a peaceful protest at the INEC state office in Ado-Ekiti, over the removal of their governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, from the official candidate list for the 2026 election. The protest highlights growing concerns about transparency, accountability, and fairness in Nigeria’s electoral process. Dr Oluyede, officially declared the PDP flagbearer by the party’s National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), was shocked to find his name missing from INEC’s portal despite INEC previously supervising and confirming his emergence during party primaries. Supporters insist that the exclusion raises serious questions about due process and the integrity of the electoral system. INEC officials in Ekiti stated that only the national headquarters can provide an official explanation, leaving party members and voters anxious and frustrated. The incident has sparked widespread debate about whether powerful party factions and bureaucratic lapses are undermining the rightful representation of voters. This situation begs urgent questions: Why was Dr Oluyede removed despite legal recognition as PDP’s candidate? Is the electoral body acting transparently? What does this mean for democracy in Ekiti and across Nigeria? Fintter readers, we want to hear from you: Should INEC be more accountable to voters in situations like this? How can Nigeria ensure that party candidates are not unfairly excluded? Join the conversation in the comments and share your thoughts.

INEC Denies Releasing 2027 General Elections Timetable, Warns Nigerians Against Fake Schedule Circulating on Social Media The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports claiming it has released the timetable and schedule of activities for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, describing the information as false and misleading. In a statement issued on January 2, 2026, INEC clarified that no official timetable has been published and stressed that any document circulating online did not originate from the Commission. INEC explained that under Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, a Notice of Election can only be issued not later than 360 days before the election date. The Commission assured Nigerians that the authentic timetable would be released in due course through its verified channels and urged the public and media to disregard unverified reports and rely solely on official INEC communications.

PDP Heads to Court as INEC Excludes Oluwole Oluyede From 2026 Ekiti Governorship List, Accuses Electoral Body of Bias and Partisanship The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to seek legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the exclusion of its candidate, Dr. Oluwole Oluyede, from the official list of contestants for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. In a statement issued on December 30, 2025, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, described INEC’s action as further evidence of bias against the opposition party. The PDP maintained that INEC was duly notified of its governorship primaries, monitored the exercise, and issued reports confirming that the process complied with all legal requirements. The party also alleged that INEC initially provided nomination portal access codes before later blocking them close to the submission deadline, forcing a manual submission that was officially acknowledged. According to the PDP, there was no court order or formal challenge disputing Oluyede’s nomination, making his exclusion unjustified. The party argued that the safest and most lawful step would have been for INEC to include its candidate’s name pending any legal disputes. Warning that perceived partiality could undermine democratic credibility, the PDP said it had already begun legal proceedings to compel INEC to recognise its candidate and uphold electoral neutrality ahead of the 2026 polls.

Turaki-Led PDP Accuses INEC of Bias, Insists Wike’s ‘Committee of Friends’ Is Not a Faction Amid Leadership Dispute The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of hypocrisy and sustained bias, insisting that there is no faction within the party despite claims by the electoral body. In a strongly worded statement, the PDP faulted INEC’s refusal to recognise and upload the names of its elected National Working Committee members following the party’s November 2025 convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to the party, INEC’s position—anchored on subsisting Federal High Court judgments—is misleading, as those judgments have already been appealed with applications for stay of execution before the Court of Appeal. The PDP further alleged that INEC deliberately suppressed key facts in court, including its own role in monitoring PDP National Executive Committee meetings, the convention process, and party primaries conducted in Osun and Ekiti states under the current leadership. Warning against interference in internal party affairs, the PDP cited recent Supreme Court rulings barring INEC from meddling in party leadership disputes. It maintained that all legitimate organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, National Assembly caucuses, and state chairmen, recognise the Turaki-led NWC. The party dismissed the Wike-backed “committee of friends” as illegitimate, urging members to remain calm while the legal process continues. #PDP #INEC #NigerianPolitics

INEC Refuses to Recognize Turaki-Led PDP National Working Committee Amid Legal Dispute The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognize the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing ongoing court cases and unresolved litigation over the party’s leadership. In a letter dated December 22, 2025, INEC stated it could not acknowledge the officers elected at the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan. The commission emphasized that any recognition of a faction would be inappropriate until a definitive judicial resolution is reached. Both the Turaki-backed and Wike-backed factions attended a recent emergency meeting at INEC headquarters in Abuja, highlighting the intensifying leadership crisis within the opposition party. #PDPLeadershipCrisis #INECNigeria #KabiruTuraki #NyesomWike

We Are Keeping Our Eyes on INEC’ — Kwankwaso Warns as NNPP Holds National Convention, Prepares for 2027 Elections in Abuja Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared that his party will closely monitor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections. Speaking at the NNPP national convention in Abuja shortly after newly re-elected party executives were sworn in, Kwankwaso stressed that INEC’s role is critical to the survival of democracy in Nigeria. He congratulated the commission on the appointment of its new chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, noting that public confidence in the electoral process depends largely on the conduct of the electoral umpire. Kwankwaso assured party members that NNPP leadership would continue strengthening the party nationwide, as the convention ratified key NEC decisions and elected members of the National Working Committee, signalling the party’s determination to build on its breakout performance in the 2023 elections ahead of 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday met with the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following ongoing crisis rocking the opposition party.

Supreme Court Dismisses INEC’s Appeal On SDP Leadership, Awards ₦2 Million Cost Against Commission The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s appeal challenging the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), ruling the matter purely academic as the by-elections had already been conducted and winners sworn in. The apex court upheld earlier judgments of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, which compelled INEC to recognise and include SDP candidates across 12 states. The court also awarded ₦2 million in legal costs against INEC’s counsel. Justice Mohammed Idris, delivering the lead judgment, emphasized that courts do not entertain academic questions where no live dispute exists, noting that INEC’s appeal lacked merit.

INEC Says It Will Await Court of Appeal Judgment on PDP Leadership Crisis as Rival Factions Lay Claim to Party Control Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that it will not recognise any faction in the ongoing leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until the Court of Appeal delivers a final ruling. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this after meeting with rival PDP factions at the commission’s Abuja headquarters, urging them to resolve the crisis amicably while acknowledging that the matter is already before the courts. The prolonged leadership tussle, stemming from disagreements after the party’s last national convention, has deepened internal divisions and raised concerns about the PDP’s unity, stability, and readiness to challenge the ruling APC in future elections.

INEC Hosts PDP Factions The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has met with the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP at its headquarters in Abuja. The meetings aims at resolving the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP. Chairman of the Commission Prof. Joash Amupitan says INEC has the responsibility in line with its mandate to resolve issues within political parties especially ahead of the FCT area councils election, Ekiti and Osun off cycle governorship elections. On the entourage of the kabiru Turaki led national working committee is BoT chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, former Governor of Niger state Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, among others. The Abdulrahaman Mohammed-led national working committee is accompanying by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Captain Umar Bature and a host of others.

Senate Confirms Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ibas, Mahmood Yakubu and 61 Other Ambassadorial Nominees The Nigerian Senate has confirmed all 64 ambassadorial nominees, including high-profile figures such as Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, and Mahmood Yakubu. The confirmations followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Sani Bello. President Bola Tinubu had forwarded the list, urging swift confirmation to fill critical diplomatic positions. The nominations, particularly of former INEC Chairman Yakubu, sparked nationwide debate, with opposition party ADC criticizing the list as politically motivated and underwhelming, calling for more professionalism and credibility in Nigeria’s diplomatic corps.

Senate Committee Clears Reno Omokri, Ex-INEC Chair Yakubu, Others as Ambassadors Despite Nomination Controversy The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has cleared Reno Omokri, former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, former Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and several others nominated as Nigerian ambassadors. The screening followed President Tinubu’s submission of 32 ambassadorial nominees. While many nominees were asked to “take a bow and leave,” Omokri’s appearance drew public scrutiny due to past criticisms of government administrations and allegations of divisive online commentary. Despite the controversy, the committee affirmed its constitutional duty to vet all candidates and will submit its final report to the full Senate for confirmation.