The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force over a disputed document allegedly circulating as the result of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo West, which names former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha as the winner.

In separate letters dated October 5 and October 8, 2026, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako, described the disputed document as fictitious and called on the security agencies to investigate its origin, circulation and authenticity.

The commission said the document contradicted the report of the APC primary election submitted to its office, insisting that the version in its possession identified Hope Uzodimma as the winner of the party’s primary for the Imo West Senatorial District, also known as the Orlu zone.

According to the petitions, the authentic report was dated May 18, 2026, and was submitted by the APC to its national headquarters before being forwarded to INEC.

The commission reportedly attached copies of both documents to its petitions, identifying the report it considered authentic as Annexure A and the disputed version as Annexure B.

INEC expressed concern that the circulation of the disputed document could mislead the public about the outcome of the party primary and create confusion over the APC’s candidate for the senatorial district ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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It therefore urged the DSS and police to establish how the document was produced and circulated and to take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

The controversy has drawn attention to the APC’s nomination process in Imo West, where Okorocha, a former governor and senator, has been linked to the contest for the party’s senatorial ticket. Uzodimma, the incumbent Imo State governor, is the person INEC says was named in the primary report submitted to it.

However, the commission’s petition concerning the disputed document should not be treated as a final judicial determination of any alleged forgery or as proof of who created or circulated it. The outcome of the requested security investigation was not established in the reports available as of October 10.

In a related but separate development, a Senior Magistrate Court in Abuja reportedly issued bench warrants on September 9, 2026, for the arrest of Okorocha, former senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Timothy Ama Chuks and Amen Okorocha over allegations including criminal conspiracy, forgery and the use of false documents.

The reported proceedings involved case numbers CR/M/JW/084/2026 and CR/M/JW/085/2026. The allegations remain subject to legal proceedings, and the reported warrants do not establish the guilt of the individuals named.

The court matter is distinct from INEC’s petitions to the security agencies over the disputed APC primary result. Any connection between the two matters must be established through verified evidence rather than assumed from the allegations alone.

INEC’s intervention comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general elections, when the authenticity of nomination documents and the transparent handling of primary results will remain important issues.

The commission’s request places responsibility on the relevant security agencies to investigate the disputed document, determine its origin and establish the facts surrounding its circulation.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of poorly copying his proposed petrol production subsidy plan, arguing that the Federal Government’s 30-day fuel discount offers only temporary relief from rising petrol prices.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the administration had borrowed his idea but failed to adopt the broader measures he believes could sustainably reduce fuel costs and ease the burden on Nigerians.

Lambasting the President, Atiku likened him to a student who copied another person’s examination answer without understanding it.

“Bola, you have borrowed the idea but missed the lesson. You had a production subsidy and reduced it to a 30-day gesture,” he said.

He added: “You copied my production subsidy proposal. There is nothing wrong with that. You stripped away the part that makes it work and handed Nigerians a 30-day discount. Where is the rest of the answer, Bola?”

Atiku maintained that his production subsidy proposal was designed to support locally refined petroleum products and reduce costs for households, transport operators and businesses. He questioned what would happen when the temporary discount expires, warning that Nigerians could remain exposed to high transportation costs, rising food prices and increased business expenses.

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The dispute follows the Federal Government’s introduction of a temporary petrol discount through Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) retail outlets. The measure was announced to cushion consumers against rising fuel prices amid elevated international crude oil costs.

NNPC said the discount would run until October 31, 2026, although the initiative was not presented as a uniform pump-price reduction across the country.

The Tinubu administration has rejected claims that the measure represents a return to the former petrol subsidy regime, which ended in May 2023. Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, described the initiative as a temporary intervention rather than a restoration of the previous system of government-funded subsidies.

The Presidency has explained that the arrangement involves a retail discount, with a seller reducing or foregoing part of its margin for a specified period. This differs from the former subsidy system, under which public funds covered part of the cost of petrol.

The government has maintained that it remains committed to market-based petroleum pricing. It had also challenged Atiku to explain the legal, fiscal and practical framework for his proposed production subsidy, citing provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and Nigeria’s petroleum-pricing regulations.

Atiku’s criticism has renewed debate over whether a targeted production subsidy could provide more lasting relief than a temporary retail discount, and how such a policy would be funded without recreating the fiscal pressures associated with the former subsidy regime.

The dispute comes as political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with Atiku using the issue to challenge the administration’s economic policies while the government defends its approach to fuel pricing.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has launched a verbal attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of bitterness over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s emergence as Nigeria’s leader and suggesting that the opposition politician needs mental health support.

Keyamo made the remarks on Friday, October 9, 2026, in response to Atiku’s criticism of the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol price discount, which the former vice-president described as an inadequate response to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The minister alleged that Atiku’s repeated criticism of Tinubu reflected personal disappointment over his failure to become president after several attempts.

In a post on his verified X account, Keyamo described Atiku as a “pained and very bitter fellow” and argued that the former vice-president had struggled to accept Tinubu’s political success.

Keyamo also used the expression “agitated depression” to characterise Atiku’s alleged emotional state and urged people close to the former vice-president to offer him support.

However, the minister did not provide medical evidence to support his comments about Atiku’s mental health. His remarks were political allegations and should not be interpreted as a medical diagnosis.

Keyamo Compares Atiku’s Presidential Ambition With Tinubu’s Victory

In his response, Keyamo compared the political journeys of Tinubu and Atiku, recalling their respective positions during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

At the time, Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, while Atiku served as vice-president.

Keyamo argued that although Atiku had pursued the presidency through several election cycles, Tinubu eventually won the office in the 2023 presidential election.

The minister attributed Tinubu’s emergence to political strategy, circumstances and what he described as divine intervention.

He also cited Ecclesiastes 9:11 from the Bible to argue that success does not always depend on strength or ability, but can also be influenced by timing and circumstances.

Keyamo urged Atiku’s associates not to encourage what he described as unproductive attacks on the President.

“We should all pity Atiku Abubakar rather than goad him on,” he wrote.

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He further suggested that the former vice-president’s approach to political criticism could affect his support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku Faults Tinubu’s 30-Day Petrol Discount

The exchange followed Atiku’s criticism of the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol price discount, which he argued would offer only temporary relief without resolving the deeper problems affecting households and businesses.

The former vice-president questioned the sustainability of the initiative, particularly what would happen when the 30-day period expired.

He argued that Nigerians needed durable measures to address high transportation costs, rising food prices and the broader cost-of-living crisis rather than a short-term intervention.

Atiku also called for attention to the underlying factors responsible for high petrol prices and the economic pressure experienced by citizens.

His criticism reflects the wider debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and its consequences for household purchasing power.

Supporters of the administration have defended its policies, while opposition figures have continued to question whether the measures have delivered sufficient relief to Nigerians.

Political Exchange Intensifies Ahead of 2027 Elections

The confrontation between Keyamo and Atiku comes as political parties and aspirants prepare for the next general elections.

Atiku, who is seeking the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has continued to criticise the administration’s economic policies.

Keyamo, a prominent supporter of Tinubu, has defended the President and challenged opposition figures over their assessments of the government’s performance.

The latest exchange illustrates how disagreements over economic policy are increasingly accompanied by personal attacks among political figures.

While politicians are entitled to criticise government policies and challenge their opponents, claims about an individual’s mental health should not be presented as established facts without credible medical evidence.

With petrol prices, inflation, transportation costs and the cost of living remaining important public concerns, the effectiveness of the Federal Government’s economic interventions is likely to remain a major issue in political debate ahead of the 2027 elections.