Politics
2023 polls: Anxiety in INEC over shortage of commissioners
• South-South without representation
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is troubled by the depletion of its national commissioners as the 2023 elections approach.
There are six vacancies waiting to be filled, The Nation gathered yesterday.
The commission is supposed to have a 13-man management team, but only seven including Chairman Mahmood Yakubu are currently in place.
The six national commissioners helping Yakubu to run the electoral body for now are Mr. Festus Okoye (South-East); Dr. Bala Bila (North-East); Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru (North-West); Prof. Sani Adam (North-Central); Prof. Muhammad Kalla (North-West) and Prof. Kunle Ajayi (South-West).
The Souh-South has no representation on the management board.
Sources also told The Nation that some of the immediate past national commissioners are lobbying to return to INEC.
The electoral commission is waiting for President Muhammadu Buhari to fill the vacancies in the 13-man team.
Although the seven-man team can hold a meeting, the non-representation of the South-South may raise legal issues on vital decisions.
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It was gathered that there were concerns in INEC that the Presidency was “slow in appointing new national commissioners.”
A top source said: “INEC has already entered into the calendar of its next election year with the announcement of February 18, 2023 as poll commencement date by its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on April 28, 2021.
“With seven commissioners, the commission will form a quorum and operate, but it should not be dragged into legal issues on some of its decisions.
“For instance, the management is not properly constituted without a representative from the South-South.
“A little slip in the Electoral Management Board will draw it back. For instance, if any of the present seven national commissioners is unavailable, no meeting can hold.
“The activities of INEC are also partially crippled because the organisation has about 16 standing committees which cannot function to optimal level.
“We are entering into 2022, which is critical to the next general election, without key committees in operation. This is really challenging for the INEC chairman and his team.”
The source said the Presidency can avert any major crisis by filling the vacant positions, which it had known about in the last few months.
“This is necessary because with the exception of Yakubu and Okoye, most of the national commissioners now are greenhorns in electoral management.
“The earlier all the appointments are made the better, so that INEC can put these new members through the challenges ahead.”
Another source in INEC said: “The commission has notified the Presidency of the vacancies. We believe the authorities are aware. We believe they are doing something about it.”
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A source in government said: “Action is being taken because some of the national commissioners just completed their tenure on December 6
“This is a sensitive agency. The government must do its homework to ensure that Nigerians with integrity are appointed into INEC.
“I think there is no cause for alarm in the light of Section 159 of the 1999 Constitution on INEC and 12 other agencies.
The section says: “The quorum for a meeting of any of the bodies established by Section 153 of this Constitution shall be not less than one-third of the total number of members of that body at the date of the meeting.”
Those who just completed their tenure are Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Mrs May Agbamuche Mbu and Air Vice-Marshal Ahmed Tijani Muazu (rtd).
It was learnt that some of the former national commissioners were lobbying to return.
“Some of them are constitutionally entitled to second term in office. So, no one can rule out the ongoing lobbying.”
The INEC chairman had on April 28, 2021 said: “By the principle established by the Commission, the 2023 General Election will hold on Saturday 18th February 2023 which is exactly one year, nine months, two weeks and six days or 660 days from today.
“We hope to release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election immediately after the Anambra governorship election scheduled to hold on 6th November, 2021.”
The Nation
Politics
BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis
BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex‑Governor of Sokoto State, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and deepening divisions as reasons for his departure.
Tambuwal made the announcement on social media platform X on Thursday, confirming that he had communicated his resignation in writing to his ward chairman before officially enlisting in the ADC along with close associates and supporters. “Today, after deep reflection and consultations, I have formally resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, and I have communicated my resignation to my ward chairman in writing,” he stated.
While acknowledging the PDP’s historical role in shaping his political career — which includes two terms as Governor of Sokoto State and a tenure as Speaker of the House of Representatives — Tambuwal said the party’s internal deterioration made continued membership untenable. “The persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and growing divisions within the PDP have made it increasingly difficult to continue my membership of the party. These developments have unfortunately weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party and have necessitated this decision,” he added.
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Explaining his choice of the ADC, Tambuwal expressed confidence in the party as a platform for democratic progress, integrity, accountability, and inclusive governance in Nigeria. “I am convinced that this decision is guided by my belief that Nigeria needs a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and a clear commitment to national development,” he said, reaffirming his dedication to democracy, justice, and national unity.
Tambuwal’s defection comes amid a series of high-profile defections from the PDP, including lawmakers and political leaders who have left the party over leadership disputes and factional disagreements. Analysts note that his move strengthens the ADC’s position as a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in northern Nigeria where Tambuwal wields significant influence.
The shift also underscores the deepening crisis within the PDP, which has faced repeated defections and legal battles over party leadership. Political observers say Tambuwal’s exit could influence other politicians and voters dissatisfied with the PDP’s internal divisions, reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape in the run-up to the next elections.
BREAKING: Tambuwal Quits PDP, Defects to ADC Amid Internal Party Crisis
Politics
Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC
Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC
Four members of the House of Representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a development that further strengthens the governing party’s presence in the National Assembly.
The lawmakers who announced their defection during plenary are Inuwa Garuba, representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State; Abdullahi El-Rasheed, who represents Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, also in Gombe State; and Mohammed Audu, representing Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency of Taraba State. The three lawmakers were elected on the platform of the PDP but have now aligned with the APC.
A fourth lawmaker elected on the platform of the Labour Party also joined the APC, citing political realignment and the need to better serve constituents, although details of the defection were still emerging at the time of filing this report.
The defections were formally communicated to the House leadership during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who read the letters submitted by the affected lawmakers.
In their letters, the lawmakers cited internal crises within their former parties and the need to align politically with developments in their states as key reasons for their decision to move to the APC. They also said joining the ruling party would enable them to attract more federal projects and development initiatives to their constituencies. Political observers note that similar reasons have often been cited by lawmakers who change political parties.
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The defections sparked mixed reactions within the chamber. While APC lawmakers welcomed the new members, some opposition legislators expressed concern over the growing trend of defections in the National Assembly. According to them, frequent cross-carpeting weakens party ideology and undermines the mandate given to political parties by voters during elections. However, supporters of the defecting lawmakers argued that the Nigerian constitution allows lawmakers to change parties, particularly when there are divisions or crises within their original platforms.
The latest defections add to a series of political realignments that have taken place within the National Assembly since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in 2023. The APC, which controls the executive arm of government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to attract lawmakers from opposition parties. In recent weeks, some senators elected on the PDP platform also defected to the APC, reflecting shifting political alliances ahead of future elections.
Political analysts say the development could further strengthen the APC’s numerical advantage in the National Assembly, making it easier for the ruling party to pass government-backed legislation. However, critics warn that the weakening of opposition parties may reduce the level of debate and oversight expected in a vibrant democratic system. With political activities gradually intensifying ahead of the next electoral cycle, observers believe more defections could occur as politicians reposition themselves within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Four Reps Members Defect from PDP, LP to APC
Politics
BREAKING: Three PDP Senators Defect to APC
BREAKING: Three PDP Senators Defect to APC
Three senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers—Amos Yohanna, Aminu Abbas, and Ikra Bilbis—formally declared their exit from the opposition party during plenary at the Nigerian Senate.
Yohanna represents Adamawa North Senatorial District, Abbas represents Adamawa Central Senatorial District, while Bilbis represents Zamfara North Senatorial District.
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Their defection letters were read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate leadership, informing lawmakers of their decision to join the APC.
Although detailed reasons for the defections were not immediately made public, such political movements in Nigeria are often attributed to internal disputes within parties, political realignments, or strategic positioning ahead of future electoral contests.
The development is expected to further consolidate the numerical strength of the APC in the Senate, where the ruling party already holds a majority.
Observers say the move could also have implications for the political landscape in Adamawa and Zamfara states, where party loyalties and alignments continue to evolve ahead of the next election cycle.
BREAKING: Three PDP Senators Defect to APC
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