Politics

Tinubu swears in Amupitan as INEC chairman, urges credible elections ‎

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging credible and transparent elections.

‎Tinubu administered the oath of office during an expanded National Economic Council meeting at the State House Council Chambers, Abuja.
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‎The president tasked Amupitan to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system and strengthen the institutional capacity of INEC.
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‎“It is important that our elections are free, fair, and credible. We must consistently improve our electoral process, addressing the challenges of yesterday and innovating for today and tomorrow.”
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‎“To maintain public trust in elections, electoral integrity must be protected. All aspects of the process, from registration to campaigning, voting, and counting, should be transparent, non-violent, and credible.”
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‎“No electoral system is flawless. But since elections are vital to a nation’s future, it is essential to continually strengthen electoral institutions, ensuring they are robust, resilient, and safeguarded against artificial setbacks.”
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‎Tinubu emphasized aligning Nigeria’s electoral processes with international best practices.
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‎“I therefore charge you, Prof. Amupitan, to take on this important assignment to protect the integrity of our elections and strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity,” he added.
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‎Speaking after the ceremony, Amupitan pledged to engage stakeholders to ensure free, fair, and credible elections across the country.
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‎“Like the President said, I was given a clear charge to ensure credible, fair, and free elections.”
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‎“Not just that I will ensure that that is done, I’m also going to engage all the stakeholders. Because no matter how you set the barometer and the level of success, you still need all the stakeholders to be able to succeed.”
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‎Amupitan’s appointment followed unanimous approval by the National Council of State, after President Tinubu’s nomination and Senate confirmation.
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‎Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, hails from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
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‎He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2014, specializing in company law, evidence, corporate governance, and privatisation law.
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‎As INEC Chairman, Amupitan’s immediate tasks include the Anambra governorship election in November and the FCT Area Council elections in February 2026.
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‎The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
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‎Other dignitaries included Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, House Leader Julius Ihonbvere, SGF George Akume, Head of Service Didi Walson-Jack, and several ministers.

Politics

Anambra 2025: ADC accuses Soludo of voter inducement ahead of election

The spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has accused Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, of voter inducement ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

According to the ADC spokesperson, Soludo has resorted to cash-for-votes because he has lost public confidence.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Abdullahi claimed that the governor’s actions violated the Electoral Act, describing them as evidence of desperation.

“Ahead of the November 8th election, Soludo has clearly lost the confidence of the people of Anambra, and it shows,” Abdullahi wrote.

“Only a sitting governor who has run out of public goodwill would so openly resort to cash for votes, in direct violation of Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act, which criminalise voter inducement of any form. This is a new level of desperation, wrapped in impunity, and I hope that INEC is not pretending not to see it.”

Recall that the ADC governorship candidate, John Nwosu, recently criticised Governor Soludo over reports of donations from individuals, groups, and local governments toward his re-election campaign.

Nwosu argued that such donations raised ethical and legal concerns.

“I am aware of reports that some groups and towns have made humongous donations to the candidate of APGA in purported support of his campaign,” Nwosu said.

“Such donations raise real concerns about compliance with the Electoral Act, morality, and the rule of law.” Vanguard

Politics

Sule Lamido declares bid for PDP national chairmanship

Wike over-rating himself, will soon become ‘political dustbin’ —Ex-Gov Lamido

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has officially announced his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lamido made this known in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday, saying he would visit the PDP national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, to buy his nomination form.

“By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 a.m., be at Wadata Plaza, the National Headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of National Chairman,” he wrote.

Lamido, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of the PDP’s founding members, said he was confident in his ability to rebuild and strengthen the party.

He added, “My commitment to democracy and resolve to restore our dear party to its old glory is unstoppable.”

The former governor, known for his advocacy of internal democracy and unity within the PDP, said his decision to contest was driven by the need to prepare the party for future elections.

The PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, is expected to elect a new National Chairman at its upcoming national convention.

Politics

Mass defection hits Zamfara PDP as over 10,000 members defect to APC

Over 2,000 representatives of more than 10,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, across Zamfara State’s 14 local government areas have defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The defectors were received by a member of the House of Representatives in Birnin Magaji/Kaura Namoda Federal Constituency, Aminu Sani Jaji.

Speaking at his Gusau residence on Sunday, Jaji expressed satisfaction with the mass defection, describing it as a clear indication that the APC would reclaim the state and sweep all elective positions in the 2027 elections.

“I am glad that the defectors have expressed readiness to join and support our great party, the APC, through the doors of my Jajiyya movement. This shows they are satisfied with our ideology of playing politics for the development of the state,” he said.

The lawmaker assured the new members of equal treatment within the party, adding that they would not regret their decision to join the APC.

“I am optimistic that whoever emerges as the APC flag bearer in any position will surely win, from the presidential and gubernatorial elections to other political seats in Zamfara by 2027. There is now only one political party in the state,” he added.

Jaji further highlighted the renewed unity within the Zamfara APC, noting that the divisions that led to the party’s 2019 defeat had been resolved.

“There is perfect unity and mutual understanding among the leaders and members of our great party. We know what led to our failure in 2019, and we have resolved those issues to ensure history does not repeat itself,” he said.

He also described Zamfara as an APC stronghold, recalling that the state played a key role in delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.