Politics
INEC confirms petitioners’ contact details, notifies Natasha of recall process
The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the statement, a letter containing the telephone numbers, email addresses, and other contact information of the petitioners’ representatives was submitted, on Wednesday, to the commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
The update followed an earlier statement issued by INEC on Tuesday, noting that the petitioners failed to provide the necessary contact information, such as their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses, as required under the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
The letter was delivered to her official address and has been shared with the presiding officer of the Senate.
Furthermore, it has been published on the INEC website for public access, Olumekun stated.
“Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the chairman of the commission dated today, Wednesday 26th March 2025.
“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.
The statement added that the next phase of the process will involve a thorough examination of the list of signatories provided by the petitioners.
INEC will verify that the petition has been endorsed by more than 50 percent of registered voters in the Kogi Central Constituency.
The outcome of this verification will be made public in the coming days and will determine the subsequent steps in the recall procedure.
INEC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency throughout the process.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than half (over 50 percent) of the registered voters in the Constituency. This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the commission.
“We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent,” the statement concluded.
The recall petition followed several controversial events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The petition, titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” called for her removal due to accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and a pattern of deceit.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators chanting slogans while calling for a review of the party’s decision, although the authenticity and context of the footage could not immediately be independently verified.
Political observers said the protest exposed growing tensions between rival blocs within the state chapter of the APC, with disagreements centring on the selection of candidates and the influence of senior party figures.State & Local Government
While some party members alleged that Dr. Osamaye sympathised with the protesters, others insisted there was no evidence that she organised or officially endorsed the demonstration. The commissioner did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A source in the governor’s camp reiterated Gov. Aiyedatiwa’s administration’s commitment to party discipline, saying all public office holders were expected to support decisions reached through established party structures.
“We remain committed to unity, discipline and due process. Anyone with concerns should utilise the internal mechanisms provided by the party rather than actions capable of creating public misunderstanding,” the source said.City & Local Guides
The APC’s state chapter also appealed for calm, urging members to avoid inflammatory rhetoric while internal consultations continued. Party officials maintained that disagreements over candidate selection should be resolved through dialogue and existing dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Political analysts noted that disputes over endorsements are common during election cycles, particularly where multiple aspirants command significant grassroots support. They warned that unresolved disagreements could undermine party cohesion and distract from preparations for the general election.Government
Although the immediate political consequences remain uncertain, observers said the episode illustrates the delicate balance party leaders must strike between enforcing discipline and accommodating internal dissent. Whether the disagreement develops into a broader political crisis is likely to depend on the outcome of ongoing consultations among key stakeholders in the party.State & Local Government.
Politics
Umahi Vs Nwifuru: Gov’s candidate dropped as APC Forwards Approved National Assembly Candidates List to INEC (See List)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally submitted its approved list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman and marked for the attention of the Director of Election and Party Monitoring (EPM), the ruling party said the submission followed the conclusion of appeals arising from its primary elections.
According to the letter, the reports of the Appeal Committees were reviewed and subsequently approved by the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), making them the party’s final position on the affected constituencies.
The APC stated that the submission was made in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines.
The party forwarded the names of candidates for seven Senatorial Districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies, requesting the electoral commission to take the necessary action.
The letter was jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
One of the striking names dropped by the party is the name of Member representing Afikpo North/Edda Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Barr. Iduma Igariwey an ally of the Governor.
His replacement with Dave Umahi’s candidate Ekumankama Joseph has once again brought to the fore the silent war between Governor Nwifuru and the Minster for Works, and former governor Dave Umahi.
Observers see this as a major victory for Umahi who had earlier questioned the governor’s consensus decisions which his camp alleged did not follow extensive consultations with major stakeholders.
It also sets the stage for a volatile political atmosphere in Ebonyi ahead the 2027 elections.
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