Politics

INEC Timetable Nullification: ADC Predicts Mass Defections From APC

Published

5 months ago

May 22, 2026

Hate Speech, Threats During Campaigns Attract ₦10m Fine, 12 Months Jail – INEC

INEC Timetable Nullification: ADC Predicts Mass Defections From APC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the nullification of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable will trigger mass defections from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) .

A Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday, May 21, 2026, voided the electoral body’s strict timetable on political party primaries and other pre-election activities.

The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, held that INEC lacked the statutory power to fix or prescribe the timeframe within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.

The ruling came in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, filed by the Youth Party against INEC as the sole defendant.

Justice Umar declared that the timelines earlier issued by INEC were inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which remains the supreme legal framework governing election conduct in Nigeria.

“The decision of the court on these issues, including those that directly contradict the Constitution, is therefore a welcome vindication of our position,” the party said in a statement by its spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The ADC added that the ruling, which removed the impediment placed by the guidelines on politicians who wish to seek alternative platforms to contest elections, was a positive development that promotes freedom of association.

“We believed at the time that that particular restriction was designed to prevent people from leaving the ruling party, APC,” the ADC stated.

“Now that the court has ruled against it, we are sure that, in the coming days, we will witness a mass exodus from the ruling party.”

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The party welcomed the ruling of the court, viewing it as a vindication of its vehement objections to key aspects of the electoral body’s guidelines at the time they were issued.

The ADC also recalled its specific objections to the strict timelines on party membership registration, as well as the conduct of party primaries, which it had argued were designed to stifle competition and entrench the ruling party’s advantage.

The court’s judgment nullified key portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections.

The court ruled that the electoral body exceeded its powers by shortening timelines expressly guaranteed under the Electoral Act, 2026.

Specifically, the court declared that INEC cannot lawfully abridge or limit the statutory 120-day period for political parties to submit candidates’ particulars.

INEC also cannot shorten the 90-day window for withdrawal and substitution of candidates, or the 60-day minimum period before publishing final candidate lists.

The judge consequently set aside the portions of INEC’s Revised Timetable that were found to be inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.

At the heart of the dispute is the interpretation of Sections 29, 31, 32, 33, 82, 84(1) and 98 of the Electoral Act, 2026, which outline timelines for candidate nominations, substitutions, party primaries and campaign activities.

The court held that while INEC retains powers to supervise and observe party primaries, those powers do not include altering statutory timelines enacted by the National Assembly.

Speaking earlier at the launch of the Rise Up Naija Movement (RUN) at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, Abdullahi had declared that the ADC represents the future of politics in Nigeria.

He said the party is built on the philosophy of egalitarianism where conversations are tolerated.

Abdullahi expressed confidence that the only thing holding the APC together today is power.

“When you take political power, government power out of APC, you don’t have a political party,” Abdullahi asserted.

The ADC’s prediction has been echoed by other stakeholders across the political spectrum.

The Movement for Credible Election (MCE) described the judgment as a victory for internal democracy and wider political participation.

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The National Coordinator of MCE, Wale Okunniyi, said the ruling would particularly benefit opposition parties by giving them more time to negotiate alliances, accommodate defectors, resolve internal disputes, and strengthen their structures before the elections.

Okunniyi added that politicians who feel shortchanged in their parties now have enough time to move to other platforms and pursue their ambitions without being unfairly locked out by artificial deadlines.

Similarly, the President of the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, Akin Malaolu, claimed that several aggrieved members of the ruling APC who were dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s recent primaries had already begun exploring alternative political platforms, including the African Democratic Congress.

Malaolu argued that the judgment would reduce post-primary tension and anti-party activities within the APC.

He explained that aggrieved aspirants now have more time to defect legally and participate in other parties’ processes without being shut out by INEC deadlines.

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) also welcomed the judgment, stating that the ruling restores critical responsibilities that political parties believe were previously taken over by INEC.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Bello Ishaq, said the ruling broadens the scope for political parties to make decisions independently.

Ishaq added that it removes what he described as “unhealthy regimentation” of party activities.

The embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also welcomed the judgment.

Its spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, described the verdict as a major affirmation of the rule of law and internal democratic rights of political parties.

Ememobong said the verdict would strengthen democratic practices and allow political parties adequate room to organize their internal processes.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) escalated the matter by calling for the resignation of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

HURIWA alleged that the court ruling had further deepened concerns over the electoral body’s neutrality.

National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said INEC must immediately comply with the judgment and adjust its electoral schedule in line with the court’s pronouncement.

Reacting to the judgment, former presidential candidate and business mogul, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, described it as a victory for the rule of law and constitutional order.

Hashim specifically applauded Justice M.G. Umar for what he termed a courageous and principled decision that checked administrative overreach.

“I have consistently argued that INEC must act within the confines of the Electoral Act,” Hashim stated.

“Unfortunately, those warnings were not heeded. This judgment has now vindicated that position.”

He urged INEC to fully comply with the judgment and ensure that future electoral guidelines strictly conform to the provisions of the law.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also urged INEC to immediately revise its 2027 election timetable in line with the court ruling.

The Acting National Chairman of CUPP, Peter Ameh, said the ruling expands democratic space by restoring party autonomy over internal processes that INEC had sought to regulate through its timetable.

According to CUPP, the exemption of substitution primaries from the strict timelines of the Electoral Act stands out as a major gain of the ruling.

The nullification of the 21-day membership register submission requirement is another key victory.

The affirmation that INEC cannot unilaterally shorten the statutory windows for candidate submission is also a significant win for opposition parties.

As of the time of this report, official court documents and a certified true copy of the judgment were yet to be publicly released.

INEC had not issued an official response to the development as of press time.

The decision is expected to compel INEC to undertake an immediate review of its election schedule to align it with the Electoral Act.

This could potentially reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.

Political campaigns are expected to commence in August 2026.

The ruling provides opposition parties and aggrieved politicians within the APC a renewed window of opportunity to reorganize, form strategic alliances, and prepare for what promises to be a highly competitive election cycle.

INEC Timetable Nullification: ADC Predicts Mass Defections From APC

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Politics

2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

Published

20 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi

2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, have reiterated their plan to reduce the cost of petrol if elected in the 2027 presidential election.

The pair made the remarks during a brief stop at an NNPC filling station in Guzape, Abuja, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, where they were approached by members of the public.

Amaechi was driving the vehicle with Atiku seated beside him when they stopped at the filling station. The encounter attracted a small crowd, with the politicians responding to questions about fuel prices and their proposed policy.

Amaechi said an Atiku-led government would reduce the cost of petrol through what the ADC ticket describes as a production subsidy, rather than simply returning to the previous system of subsidising imported petrol.

Atiku also addressed the crowd briefly in Hausa, saying, “Zan dawo da tallafi insha Allahu,” which translates to, “I will bring back the subsidy, by God’s grace.”

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The encounter came a day after Amaechi challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce petrol to ₦600 per litre.

Amaechi said he would withdraw from Atiku’s presidential ticket and campaign for Tinubu if petrol was brought down to that price. He made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

The former Rivers State governor has continued to criticise the impact of the petrol subsidy removal on households, particularly the effect of higher fuel prices on transportation and the cost of goods.

Atiku has separately outlined a proposed domestic production subsidy under which government support would be directed at locally refined petroleum products.

The proposal is intended to reduce production costs for domestic refineries and, according to Atiku, allow the savings to be reflected in lower petrol prices for consumers.

The former vice president has argued that the intervention would be structured, capped and subject to public disclosure and independent auditing. Imported petrol would not qualify under the proposed arrangement.

The fuel subsidy debate has remained a major issue in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the removal of the petrol subsidy by the Tinubu administration in May 2023.

The Federal Government has defended the removal, arguing that the former subsidy regime imposed a significant burden on public finances. Opposition figures, including Atiku, have instead linked the policy to higher living costs and have proposed alternative measures to reduce the impact on consumers.

The Abuja filling-station encounter therefore provided Atiku and Amaechi another opportunity to restate their position on petrol prices, fuel subsidy and the cost of living as political parties and candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 election.

2027: Atiku, Amaechi Reiterate Plan to Cut Petrol Prices

Politics

2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

Published

20 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

The PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has launched its grassroots mobilisation campaign in Taraba State ahead of the 2027 presidential election, calling for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The campaign was launched in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, with Tompolo represented by High Chief Kestin Pondi.

Tompolo, who is the Grand Patron of the movement, said the Tinubu administration’s reforms required more time to consolidate and deliver further benefits to Nigerians.

He said Taraba State was benefiting from federal government policies and argued that continuity would help sustain the gains recorded so far.

According to him, the challenges associated with economic reforms were expected but should not prevent the government from completing and consolidating its programmes.

The movement urged its supporters to take the 2027 campaign to homes, religious centres, wards, local government areas and polling units across the state.

The event also featured the donation of 25 campaign vehicles, generators and electronic speakers to strengthen the movement’s grassroots mobilisation activities in Taraba.

Speaking at the event, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas said residents were already witnessing the impact of the Tinubu administration through federal projects being implemented in the state.

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Kefas reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and said the state would continue to work with the Federal Government on development projects.

The governor also declared his support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign, saying his administration would mobilise support for the President across the state.

Kefas said Taraba was ready to support Tinubu, while urging residents to assess the projects and programmes being implemented by the Federal Government.

The National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Sunday Asuku, said the group was in Taraba to expand its grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and Kefas.

Asuku urged Nigerians to maintain the current political direction, arguing that abandoning the Tinubu administration’s reforms would be counterproductive.

He also praised the Taraba government for what he described as achievements recorded over the past three years and said the movement would strengthen its structures across wards and polling units ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Taraba mobilisation is part of a wider campaign by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to establish grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The movement has been taking its campaign to different states while calling for support for Tinubu and other candidates it backs in the forthcoming elections.

The latest mobilisation in Taraba comes as political parties and support groups intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with grassroots structures becoming a major focus of campaign activities.

2027: Tompolo Mobilises Taraba for Tinubu, Donates 25 Campaign Vehicles

Politics

Ogun 2027: YPP, BOOT Reject Suit Withdrawal Against Adeola

Published

21 hours ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

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Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola,, popularly known as Yayi

Ogun 2027: YPP, BOOT Reject Suit Withdrawal Against Adeola

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) and BOOT Party in Ogun State have rejected claims that they withdrew their respective legal challenges against the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

The parties said their court actions challenging aspects of Adeola’s eligibility to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election remain valid and that neither party authorised any withdrawal.

The controversy followed the decision by New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate Akinbola Rotham to withdraw a separate suit he filed against Adeola.

Rotham withdrew Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/135/2026, which was filed at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, saying his decision was motivated by the broader interest of Ogun West and the longstanding aspiration of the senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state.

Rotham and Adeola are both from Ogun West Senatorial District, which has never produced a governor of the state since its creation.

The NNPP candidate said the Ogun West agenda should take precedence over individual political interests and that withdrawing his case would contribute to unity within the district.

However, the YPP and BOOT Party said Rotham’s decision should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of their own cases.

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The parties’ state chairmen, Adeyemi Solomon Oluwaseyunmi of YPP and Akerele Abiodun John of BOOT, said they did not authorise or sign any document discontinuing their legal actions.

They also rejected suggestions that they had been consulted over any purported withdrawal.

The parties were reacting to claims attributed to Kayode Odunaro, media adviser to Adeola, that major court cases challenging the APC candidate’s 2027 governorship bid had been discontinued by the litigants.

YPP and BOOT described the claim as misleading and maintained that their positions on the legal proceedings remain unchanged.

The opposition parties said their actions were aimed at allowing the courts to determine questions surrounding Adeola’s eligibility, constitutional requirements and state-of-origin claims.

The legal controversy includes questions about Adeola’s claim of being an indigene of Pahayi in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, emerged as the APC candidate for the 2027 governorship election after winning the party’s nomination process.

The senator has maintained his eligibility and right to contest the election.

Rotham’s withdrawal of his individual suit does not automatically terminate other cases filed by separate political parties or individuals, meaning the legal questions raised by YPP and BOOT remain subject to the decisions of the courts.

The opposition parties have therefore urged political actors to rely on official court records rather than public statements when determining the status of the various cases.

The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election, with the issue of an Ogun West governor becoming a major theme in the emerging campaign.

While Rotham has opted to withdraw his case in support of a broader Ogun West political agenda, YPP and BOOT insist that their own legal challenges should proceed independently.

The conflicting positions mean that the withdrawal of one suit has not brought an end to the wider legal controversy surrounding Adeola’s 2027 governorship candidacy.