The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has warned against vote-buying ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, assuring that the commission is fully prepared to deliver a free, fair and credible poll.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Tuesday at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security held in Abuja.

Warning against voter inducement, Amupitan vowed that INEC would work closely with security and anti-graft agencies to curb the menace of vote-buying.

“We would like to warn that any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election will be met with the full force of the law. Together, we must combat vote-buying, uphold the values of democracy, and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections,” he cautioned.

Reaffirming his commitment to credible elections, the INEC Chairman said, “For INEC, this represents a new chapter. I wish to reiterate my personal commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the Nigerian people.”

He disclosed that INEC was taking urgent steps to resolve the network challenges encountered during last weekend’s mock accreditation exercise in the state.

The exercise was conducted to test the functionality of the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the efficiency of result transmission through the INEC Result Viewing Portal.

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“We recently conducted a mock accreditation exercise in 12 selected polling units across six local government areas in Anambra State. Although we encountered some network issues, efforts are underway to ensure a seamless exercise on November 8, 2025. The commission is ready for large-scale deployment on Election Day,” he said.

Amupitan stated that about 24,000 INEC personnel would be deployed across 5,718 polling units, with results collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government areas, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.

On the issue of voter readiness, Amupitan disclosed that the commission had extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards in Anambra from Wednesday, October 29 to Sunday, November 2, to allow more eligible voters to collect their cards.

“We are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he added.

The INEC boss commended security agencies for their collaboration in ensuring a peaceful electoral environment, stressing that inter-agency synergy was crucial to maintaining public confidence in the process.

“Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, particularly at a time when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” he said.

He also revealed that the commission had finalised logistics arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Road Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, for the movement of election materials and personnel.

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“We have hired 200 buses and 83 boats to ensure the smooth transportation of personnel and sensitive materials,” he said.

The meeting, co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director of Internal Security in his office, Hassan Abdullahi, brought together top security, intelligence, and law enforcement officials to fine-tune strategies for a smooth and incident-free election.

Amupitan expressed optimism that collective commitment among stakeholders would make the Anambra governorship election a benchmark for electoral integrity.

“The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he said.

INEC noted that about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election. Of the 13 activities on the timetable, 11 have already been concluded, with political campaigns ending on November 6 and the governorship poll scheduled for November 8.

The BVAS technology, introduced during the 2023 general elections, is designed to authenticate voters biometrically and transmit results electronically in real time via the IReV portal.

However, challenges experienced during the last general election prompted the commission to strengthen its systems ahead of the Anambra poll.

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The People’s Democratic Party is currently navigating a tumultuous period, beset by crises erupting from multiple factions within the organization.

After Nyesom Wike, another prominent stakeholder, felt increasingly disenchanted with the party’s direction, he is poised to take drastic steps that could jeopardize its political future.

Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa State, has threatened to drag the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to court if the party fails to sell the nomination form for the position of the national chairman ahead of its forthcoming national convention.

The former governor stormed the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to obtain the nomination form on Monday, October 27. However, he was informed by the PDP national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the national organising secretary, Umar Bature, that they had no information concerning the availability of the forms.

Lamido expresses dissatisfaction with PDP

Lamido then expressed dissatisfaction with the development, adding that, being a founding member of the leading opposition party, he has the right to be part of the internal democratic process of the PDP.

The former governor’s move came after some northern leaders of the PDP endorsed former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as their consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan.

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The endorsement came after a closed-door meeting of northern PDP stakeholders, including governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and other party leaders, held on Wednesday, October 22, in Abuja.

Fintiri: Decision followed wide consultation

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state said the decision was reached following “extensive consultations and deliberations” among party leaders from the North.

“We have met this evening to deliberate and take a decision on the office of the chairman of our great party, the PDP, which was zoned to the North,” Fintiri said.

“After deep reflection and wide consultation, we have adopted a consensus candidate to represent the North and by extension, Nigeria, as the chairman of the PDP. That gentleman is KT Turaki, SAN.”

He added that the consensus choice represented all 19 northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Aspirants free to contest, says Fintiri Governor

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Fintiri clarified that the endorsement did not preclude other aspirants from contesting at the convention.

“Anybody who still feels he wants to contest any position is free to do so. We are not excluding anybody. “Altogether, we have 10 positions zoned to the North. We have simply agreed on a consensus for the chairmanship position,” he said.

Source: Legit

Whispers have been circulating regarding the prospects of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, casting doubts on his intentions for the 2027 election. A new development has surfaced.

Obi has been grappling to secure the Presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a situation complicated by the ambitions of Atiku Abubakar. The atmosphere among coalition members suggests a wavering commitment to granting the ticket to Obi, heightening concerns about his future political aspirations.

Trending Video: Socialite Omoge Saida’s Leaked Tape Tops Social Media Buzz

These uncertainties have fueled rampant speculation surrounding his ambitions for 2027, intensified by the Labour Party’s explicit announcement that Obi will not be the party’s nominee in the upcoming election cycle.

However, a source close to the former Governor of Anambra State has hinted at a bold and strategic maneuver. There are indications that Obi is considering adopting an already established party, albeit one that currently lacks prominence, to mount a spirited campaign against formidable rivals like Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the race for the presidency in 2027.

A source, who requested to remain anonymous, indicated that the former governor is contemplating making a significant address to the Obidient Movement. In this upcoming speech, he may outline his recommendations on which political party to endorse as the movement prepares for the crucial 2027 elections.

“His Excellency, Peter Obi, has not dropped any hope of contesting in 2027; as a matter of fact, political stakeholders are meeting tirelessly to ensure he becomes the next president in 2027. Peter Obi wants the best for Nigeria as a country and the youths who have been supporting his political career. He will contest but on the existing party. There are three parties, but likely to be the Zenith Labour Party, but the likes of Action Peoples Party and African Action Congress are under consideration.”

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Trending Video: Socialite Omoge Saida’s Leaked Tape Tops Social Media Buzz

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, says the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has now become a new haven for fugitives fleeing from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Babachir made this statement during the ADC stakeholders’ meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, declaring that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would be defeated in the 2027 general elections.

The National Vice Chairman of the ADC accused the APC of being delusional, claiming that its only mantra was to write election results even before elections begin.

“This is pure delusion because it will not happen. Nigerians will back us to frustrate any criminal manipulation of the 2027 election results,” he stated.

The ex-SGF, however, warned that not every politician defecting from other parties would be accepted into the ADC, lest they corrupt its ideals with attitudes imbibed from their corrupt, undemocratic home parties.

He described the ADC as a party of visionaries and patriots who are fed up with the direction of the country under the leadership of the PDP and APC.

“Every patriotic Nigerian now understands that our country has reached the edge of a cliff. The ADC offers Nigerians an opportunity to make a U-turn, recalibrate, and redirect our governance toward a progressive, people-centric system,” he stated.

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…Waive, Oguma, Oghenechovwen, Majemite, Others Preach Unity, inclusivity

Leaders and stakeholders of the Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency Forum (U3) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday, threw their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, endorsing them as the party’s sole candidates for the 2027 general elections.

Moving the motion for the vote of confidence and endorsement of the duo as the APC’s sole candidates for 2027, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, commended President Tinubu for his developmental strides, particularly the approval of the Federal Medical Centre in Udu.

Waive also commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori whom he described as a hard working progressive Governor, insisting that both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori deserved a second term for the good works they are doing.

He called on members to mobilize constituents to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise to ensure massive support for both Tinubu and Oborevwori in 2027.

The motion, which was unanimously adopted after being put to voice vote by the Chairman of the forum, Olorogun John Oguma, was seconded by the member representing Ughelli North Constituency I at the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Omonade.

Earlier in his welcome remarks during the meeting, which was held at Ovwian, Udu Local Government Area, Oguma said the group was put together to strengthen unity of the party in the area and to ensure the re-election of both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

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“This gathering is to see how we can deliver Tinubu and Oborevwori come 2027. In Abuja, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock, and in Asaba, there is no vacancy in Dennis Osadebe House,” Oguma declared.

Continuing, he said; “we want to work and ensure that we win all five elections for the APC in 2027”.

He stressed that the U3 forum predated the merger of the legacy parties, adding that it was necessary for members to come together, strategize, and ensure that everyone is carried along in the scheme of things.

Also in his remarks, the host and deputy chairman of the forum, Chief Eddie Ono Sorhue, thanked the forum’s leadership for the privilege to host the meeting and commended membere for the unity that exists within the party.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Secretary of the forum, Rt. Hon. Festus Agas, a former Secretary to the Delta State Government, lauded the U3 leadership and members for their commitment and unity of purpose.

Also speaking, Chairman of Udu Local Government Area, Chief Vincent Oyibode, commended the U3 leadership for its ongoing media sensitization on the voter registration exercise and charged members to sensitize their communities to register and obtain their voter cards.

Chatting with newsmen, Chief Fred Majemite praised the unity among members, describing the endorsement of both leaders as a step in the right direction. He urged party faithful to return to their wards to mobilize for the APC.

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Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chris Oghenechovwen emphasized that the forum must remain united to achieve success.

The meeting was attended by political leaders, stakeholders, and party faithful from Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu local government areas.