Politics

Amupitan pledges to uphold electoral integrity INEC

… As he assumes office.

Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has pledged to uphold integrity, transparency and discipline in the management of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Amupitan made the pledge during his first meeting with directors of the commission in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that the integrity of electoral system was not negotiable.

“As we’ve marked the beginning of a new chapter, I want to assure you of my commitment to holding the highest standard of integrity, transparency and discipline in all our operations.

“I want to give you that assurance and also to let you know that our mandate is very clear as INEC.

“INEC has a constitutional responsibility and a statutory mandate to deliver free, fair and credible elections that reflects the will of Nigerian people,” he said.

Describing his appointment as divine, Amupitan said that he is at INEC for a purpose.

“I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country and my coming is divine.

“With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed,” he said.

Amupitan, however, said that to achieve that he needs the collaboration and team work of all INEC staff members, leveraging on each other unique skills and expertise to improve on the process.

He noted that the upcoming Anambra governorship election represents an opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its commitment to free, fair and credible elections.

He said that the eyes of Nigerians are upon INEC staff members, adding that it is their duty to rise to that occasion.

“The credibility in our elections is paramount and we must ensure that every voters feel confident that their vote will count. Please, because that is a constitutional task.

“Let’s restore back the confidence of every voter that whenever there is an election, their votes will count so that we can address this issue of voter apathy,” he said.

Amupitan, who was accompanied by his wife, children, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Tanko Ishaya and officials from the institution, also pledged to prioritise the welfare INEC staff.

“For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you and because of that, you also deserve to be well equipped and supported to deliver.

“We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel,” he stated.

Earlier in her remarks, the acting chairman of the commission, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who took over from Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, congratulated Amupitan on his appointment.

Agbamuche-Mbu described Amupitan’s appointment as not only a recognition of his distinguished record as a legal scholar, administrator and patriot, but also a call to national service of the highest order.

She said that Amupitan was assuming office at a most crucial time; when the commission was at the final stage of preparations for the Anambra governorship election.

“The task ahead, no doubt, is enormous. Elections are the lifeblood of democracy and the expectations of Nigerians have always been higher.

“However, you are not walking into an empty field. You are stepping onto the firm and fertile ground laid by your predecessor, Prof. Yakubu under whose leadership the commission recorded landmark innovations;

“From the introduction of technology-driven processes such as the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal to the strengthening of institutional transparency and voter confidence.

“The foundation has been laid; the path is defined. What lies ahead is the building, the consolidation and the forward march,” she said.

Agbamuche-Mbu reminded Amupitan that the assignment before him was a herculean national service that demanded sacrifice, patience and unflinching dedication.

“I have no doubt that you are equal to the task giving your pedigree” she said.

She pledged the commitment and readiness of the commission’s staff members to work with him.

She also appreciated the commission and Nigerians for the privilege to have served as acting chairman of INEC.(NAN)

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.