Politics
INEC Explains Delay in Uploading Preliminary Voters’ Register Online
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the preliminary voters’ register has been displayed at the ward level but is yet to be uploaded to its official website.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, disclosed this in an exclusive conversation with The PUNCH on Sunday.
Haruna explained that the commission had made the register available at the wards, although the online publication was still pending.
“The voter register has been published, but in the wards. It just wasn’t published on our website,” he said.
The clarification follows growing concerns over the accessibility of the preliminary register, with Nigerians questioning why the document was not made available online for public scrutiny during the scheduled display period.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had, in a statement issued on Thursday, called on INEC to immediately publish the register, warning that its unavailability could undermine public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
Atiku faulted the commission for failing to make the detailed register accessible online during the scheduled display period of October 9 to 15, 2026.
He argued that Nigerians needed access to the register to verify their personal information, identify omissions and challenge questionable entries before the register is finalised.
“While INEC announced more than 103 million registered voters. Nigerians went to its portal to inspect the names and found an empty page.
That is an outrage. A figure cannot answer an objection. A press announcement cannot tell a voter whether her name has been omitted.
Show Nigerians the register,” Atiku said.
The controversy has renewed scrutiny of INEC’s compliance with the legal requirements for displaying and publishing the voters’ register ahead of an election.
Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires the commission to make copies of the register available for public scrutiny both on its official website and at every registration area for seven days within the period prescribed by law.
The provision states that INEC must, not later than 90 days before a general election, designate a seven-day period during which the voters’ register for each local government area, area council or ward must be displayed or published for public scrutiny at every.
registration area and on its official website or another website established by the commission for that purpose.
The exercise is designed to allow registered voters to confirm their details and enable members of the public to identify omissions or questionable entries before the final register is concluded.
The online publication is particularly important for voters who may be unable to visit designated registration areas during the display period.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the issue has placed renewed focus on electoral transparency, public access to voter information and the commission’s responsibility to ensure that eligible voters can verify their registration details.
Although INEC has confirmed that the preliminary register was displayed at the ward level, questions remain over the delay in uploading the document to its official website and the implications for voters who rely on online access to scrutinise the register.
Politics
Ogoni Youths Demand Bori State, Urge Tinubu to Implement Dialogue Report
A coalition of Ogoni youth groups has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the recommendations of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, insisting that the creation of Bori State must be given priority in the process.
The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG) made the demand in a statement jointly signed by 17 youth leaders, including Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly, on Saturday.
The coalition warned against attempts by politicians and other vested interests to hijack the dialogue process for personal or political gains, stressing that its outcomes must reflect the collective aspirations of the Ogoni people.
It described the dialogue as a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control and sustainable development.
On the leadership of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains its substantive leader, warning against attempts by individuals to assume authority outside the established structure.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful advocacy, the coalition insisted that the dialogue process must remain inclusive and accountable, adding that its recommendations should translate into measurable benefits for the Ogoni people.
“The Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people. Its implementation must be transparent, inclusive and measurable,” the statement added.
Politics
Dachung Bagos Wins APC Rerun Primary for Plateau Federal Constituency
Former member of the House of Representatives, Dachung Bagos, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun primary election for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
Bagos defeated his challenger, Esther Simi Dusu, in the rerun exercise conducted across 11 wards on Wednesday, following a court order nullifying the previous primary election over alleged irregularities.
The Chairman of the APC Rerun Electoral Committee, Simon Elisha, announced the results on Thursday at the party’s state secretariat, Kalwa House, in Jos.
According to the results, Bagos polled 12,181 votes to defeat Dusu, who secured 2,495 votes.
Elisha said the rerun election was conducted in compliance with the court order and in accordance with the party’s guidelines.
“The rerun was conducted in compliance with the court order and in line with the party’s guidelines to ensure transparency and fairness,” he said.
The rerun followed a decision by the High Court in Jos to nullify the earlier primary election over alleged irregularities in 11 wards within the federal constituency.
The affected wards are Du, Shen, Zawan ‘B’, Turu, Fobur ‘A’, Fobur ‘B’, Jarawan Kogi, Maijuju/Doss, Federe, Shere East and Shere West.
The court-ordered exercise was organised to address the irregularities identified in the previous primary election and determine the party’s candidate for the constituency.
With his victory, Bagos is set to represent the APC in the contest for the Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 general election.
Bagos previously represented the constituency in the House of Representatives.
His emergence as the party’s candidate places him in contention for another term in the Green Chamber, subject to the outcome of the 2027 general election.
Politics
Peter Obi Warns Those Terrorising Nigeria at Opening of NDC National Secretariat
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned individuals he accused of terrorising Nigerians, declaring that his party would confront insecurity and intimidation if elected in 2027.
“Those who think they can terrorize this country, wait, we’re coming,” Obi said during the opening of the NDC’s national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The remark came as the party formally opened its national headquarters and intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections. The event brought together Obi, his running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, NDC leaders and other party members.
Obi Puts Insecurity at the Centre of His Message
Obi’s statement signals that security is expected to feature prominently in the NDC’s campaign messaging ahead of the next presidential election.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, armed attacks and communal violence in different parts of the country. These problems have affected communities, disrupted economic activities and generated demands for stronger protection of lives and property.
At the Abuja event, Obi presented his political project as an effort to change how government responds to the country’s challenges. Reports of his remarks also highlighted commitments to address corruption, poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
However, the brief statement quoted above did not identify a particular group or individual as the target of his warning. It would therefore be premature to attribute the remark to a specific organisation or political opponent without further evidence.
NDC Opens National Headquarters Ahead of 2027
The secretariat opening marked another organisational step for the NDC as it builds its structures ahead of the elections.
The ceremony followed the party’s National Executive Committee meeting and formed part of a wider programme that included unveiling its National Campaign Council and presenting Certificates of Return to candidates contesting different offices.
Kwankwaso, the party’s vice-presidential candidate, attended alongside National Leader Seriake Dickson, National Chairman Moses Cleopas and other party figures.
The new facility is expected to serve as the party’s administrative headquarters and a centre for coordinating its national political activities.
Security and Accountability in the 2027 Campaign
Obi’s warning comes as political parties begin defining their messages for the 2027 election, with security, economic hardship and public accountability among the issues likely to feature prominently.
For voters, the significance of security promises will depend not only on campaign statements but also on the policies, resources and implementation plans candidates present.
Measures to improve security can involve intelligence gathering, police and military capacity, coordination between federal and state authorities, criminal investigations, justice delivery and support for communities affected by violence.
Obi’s statement did not set out specific measures in the quoted passage. Further policy details would be needed to assess how the NDC proposes to address the different forms of insecurity affecting the country.
The remark nevertheless makes clear that the party intends to present security and protection from intimidation as part of its campaign message.
As the 2027 election approaches, the challenge for all political parties will be to explain how their proposals would be implemented and how progress would be measured.
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