Politics

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to account for more than ₦126.46 billion allocated for electoral operations. The organisation is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel INEC to disclose how the funds were spent, following allegations of financial irregularities contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 audited report. The suit, filed last week, seeks details of payments, contractors, beneficiaries and the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral materials, vehicles and other election-related equipment. No hearing date has been announced. According to SERAP, the report, published on August 7, 2026, identified several questionable transactions covering 2022 and extending into 2023. The organisation alleged that more than ₦112 billion was irregularly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or the required certificate of no objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement. It added that the Auditor-General found no evidence that the items had been procured. SERAP also raised concerns over payments exceeding ₦1 billion for Toyota Prado vehicles, more than ₦3.1 billion paid to four contractors for electoral materials before the contracts were awarded, and over ₦9.2 billion spent on 22 contracts allegedly split to circumvent procurement procedures. Other transactions highlighted in the suit include ₦504 million for accreditation devices, ₦235 million for sleeping mats and digital archiving, and ₦129 million paid to accounting firms for audit services without sufficient evidence of utilization. The organisation is asking the court to compel INEC to provide documentary and physical evidence showing that the items were procured and to disclose their current locations and status. It is also seeking the publication of the names of contractors, suppliers, consultants and public officials who authorised or benefited from the transactions. SERAP wants INEC directed to preserve the assets involved to prevent their disposal or destruction while accountability efforts continue. The group argued that transparent management of electoral funds is particularly important ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying Nigerians have a right to know how public resources allocated for credible elections are used. SERAP further cited constitutional provisions and Nigeria’s international anti-corruption obligations in support of its case, insisting that public institutions must account for every naira entrusted to them.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is targeting three million votes in Kaduna State in the 2027 general elections. He announced the target on Saturday in Zaria during a reception for former Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Bashir Sa’idu, and other politicians who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the APC. Sani said the party had increased its target from two million votes, citing the growing number of supporters joining its ranks. He added that Kaduna has 4.6 million registered voters, with 96 per cent reportedly having collected their Permanent Voter Cards. The governor said the APC would intensify grassroots mobilisation through door-to-door campaigns to secure victory across the state. He also urged residents to support the party, citing projects and political appointments the federal government had provided to Kaduna State. Among the prominent defectors are Sa’idu, a former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance under ex-governor Nasir El-Rufai; former Commissioner for Education Jafaru Sani; and former Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari, who also served as commissioner for finance under El-Rufai. Sa’idu claimed that more than 200,000 ADC members and supporters had joined the APC through his political group, Kaduna De-Initiatives. He said the group became dissatisfied with the ADC’s leadership and candidate-selection process, alleging that the party’s affairs were controlled by a small group. The defections followed disagreements over the ADC’s governorship primary, in which Isah Ashiru emerged as the party’s candidate for 2027 after securing 86,113 votes. Uba Sani, who also contested the primary, came second with 29,580 votes and rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities. Sa’idu declared that the ADC had lost its political relevance in Kaduna following the defections and predicted that the party would finish third in the state in the 2027 elections. The political realignment comes amid growing divisions among politicians previously associated with El-Rufai, who governed Kaduna from 2015 to 2023. El-Rufai recently reflected on relationships with former associates in a statement, saying he had no regrets about supporting people and causes he believed in, even when others did not reciprocate. The impact of the defections on Kaduna State’s political landscape remains to be seen as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says artificial intelligence will not determine the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, says the choice of who leads the country must remain in the hands of Nigerian voters. He made this known on Wednesday at the 2026 AI and Democracy Forum in Abuja, where he stressed that artificial intelligence should support democracy rather than undermine it. Amupitan says INEC is exploring the use of AI to improve election logistics, detect irregularities and strengthen the security of the electoral process. He adds that the commission is developing a governance framework to guide the responsible use of artificial intelligence in elections, with emphasis on transparency, integrity and human oversight. Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, warns that technology alone cannot guarantee credible elections, stressing that the integrity of those managing electoral systems is equally important. The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6.

The Obidient Movement has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating attacks on opposition supporters across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. The movement warns that failure by security agencies to hold suspected perpetrators accountable could push the country towards anarchy. It cites reported attacks in Enugu, Edo, Delta and Benue states, accusing the police and the Department of State Services of failing to act decisively. The allegations follow reports of an attack on Nigeria Democratic Congress supporters in Enugu State over the weekend. The movement claims armed men disrupted party activities with gunshots, leaving several supporters injured and one person dead. It also alleges that the attackers followed supporters from Akanu Ibiam International Airport to the party’s campaign office. Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance, have raised concerns over alleged political intimidation in Enugu State. They called for an independent police investigation into the reported attacks and urged the state government to establish transparent rules for political campaigns. However, the Enugu State Government has denied involvement in the airport attack, describing the incident as a matter between the NDC and federal authorities. The government also accused some opposition elements of planning to engage armed thugs to create insecurity, while maintaining that it supports peaceful political participation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the display of the preliminary voters’ register and collection of Permanent Voter Cards from the first phase of its Continuous Voter Registration exercise. The seven-day exercise runs from October 9 to 15, including weekends. Registered voters are encouraged to verify their details and report errors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Code of Conduct Tribunal cannot account for 52 contracts worth 52.2 million naira awarded in 2023, according to a report by the Auditor-General of the Federation released in October 2026. The report found that the tribunal failed to submit the required procurement records to the Bureau of Public Procurement, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in public spending. The audit also uncovered 46.86 million naira in payments made without the required pre-payment audit, while another 9.38 million naira was spent without adequate supporting documents. In total, the questioned transactions amounted to 108.46 million naira. The Auditor-General recommended that the tribunal account for the funds before the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees, recover and return the amounts to the federal treasury where required, and face possible sanctions for irregularities. The report attributed the issues to weaknesses in the tribunal’s internal control system.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says Lagos State has the highest number of registered voters ahead of the 2027 general elections, with over 7.4 million voters. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this in Abuja as the commission began its 100-day countdown to the elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6, 2027. INEC says the total number of registered voters nationwide stands at over 103 million. Kano follows Lagos with about 6.5 million voters, while Kaduna ranks third with over 4.6 million. The commission says the voter register will be displayed nationwide from October 9 to 15 for public scrutiny. INEC has also established an Artificial Intelligence Division to detect anomalies in election results and combat misinformation, including deepfakes and AI-generated content. The commission plans to deploy 57,000 newly procured BVAS devices during the elections and will conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force says it is working with other security agencies to address security threats and protect voters, election materials and collation centres ahead of the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards will begin on Friday, October 9, ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, announced this at a strategic workshop for media executives in Abuja. The commission says Nigeria’s National Register of Voters has now risen to more than 103 million, following its Continuous Voter Registration exercise, which attracted over 10.6 million new applicants. INEC says the public display of the Preliminary Register has been completed, alongside the final biometric clean-up of the voter register. The commission says it is also working to strengthen the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the INEC Result Viewing Portal, while improving transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. INEC has urged Nigerians to rely on accurate information as PVC collection begins, warning that misinformation and disinformation could further discourage citizens from participating in the elections.

Labour Party youth leaders have proposed exploring an alliance with the All Progressives Congress and groups supporting President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The proposal followed a virtual meeting involving the party’s National Youth Leader, Prince Kennedy Ahanotu, five zonal youth leaders and 32 state youth leaders. The youth leaders reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as inadequate recognition, engagement and support for young people during and after the 2023 elections. They have mandated Ahanotu to begin consultations with the APC, Renewed Hope Movement, City Boy Movement and Tinubu Support Groups on possible political cooperation. The group said it wants a political platform that would provide greater opportunities for youth participation, leadership development, economic empowerment and inclusion in national decision-making. The proposed alliance is still at the consultation stage, with the youth leaders expected to hold a physical meeting in Abuja after the discussions to decide their next steps. The development comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections and continued divisions within the Labour Party.

Opposition groups have challenged President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria has entered an “age of prosperity,” saying many Nigerians are still struggling with high living costs, insecurity and declining purchasing power. The ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the cost-of-living crisis and failing to ensure that economic reforms translate into better living conditions. Atiku criticised the removal of the petrol subsidy and naira reforms, saying they had contributed to higher fuel, transportation and food prices. He also questioned the President’s claim of economic prosperity, arguing that lower inflation only means prices are increasing more slowly, not that essential goods have become affordable. The Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation also criticised Tinubu’s Independence Day address, saying it failed to provide specific and measurable plans to tackle economic hardship, poverty and insecurity. Similarly, the Lagos State PDP demanded tangible benefits for Nigerians, saying economic growth must be reflected in lower living costs, more jobs, safer communities and improved household incomes. Meanwhile, security expert Dr Kabir Adamu has urged the Federal Government to publish a quarterly and annual security performance scorecard to show whether increased spending and security interventions are actually improving public safety.