INEC

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The legal team of Isa Pantami, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) until Wednesday, October 14, to include his name in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.

The lawyers made the demand in a letter dated October 12 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan. The letter was signed by Ahmed Raji, A.T. Kehinde, Abdul Mohammed, Wale Balogun and Tunde Falola.

They challenged the omission of Pantami’s name and that of his running mate from the final list published by the electoral commission on Saturday, October 10.

The lawyers argued that “the removal of a nominated candidate’s name is exclusively a judicial act”, adding that INEC’s role in primaries is to attend, observe, monitor and report, “not to disqualify, and not to cherry-pick”.

INEC published the names of 16 governorship candidates for Gombe State but did not include Pantami, who emerged as the PDP candidate following a fresh primary election. The commission also omitted Ladi Adebutu, the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, without stating its reasons.

Pantami, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, was declared the winner of the PDP’s fresh governorship primary conducted across the 11 local government areas of Gombe State on September 29.

Lawyers Cite Court Order, Electoral Act

In their letter, the lawyers maintained that Pantami was a duly registered PDP member whose name appeared in the party’s membership register submitted to INEC.

They said the party submitted his personal particulars through Form EC9 on August 8, 2026, after he won the initial primary held on May 26. INEC subsequently published his name on August 29.

“The PDP submitted his personal particulars (Form EC9) to the Commission on the 8th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Commission published his name on the 29th day of August, 2026 pursuant to Section 29(3) of the Act,” the letter reads.

“Up to this point, no step was taken by the Commission to question any aspect of his emergence.”

According to the legal team, the initial primary was challenged in two cases, marked FHC/GM/CS/10/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, before the Federal High Court in Gombe.

The court, in a judgment delivered on September 24, nullified the primary and ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary.

The lawyers said the party complied with the order and notified INEC before conducting the new exercise on September 29.

“In compliance with the Court Order, the PDP gave the Commission due notice of the court-ordered primary, and conducted the fresh gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, the 29th day of September, 2026,” the lawyers said.

“At the conclusion of that exercise, Isa Ali Ibrahim emerged the winner, and his name was again submitted to the Commission as the nominated candidate of the PDP.”

Citing legal precedents, the lawyers argued that INEC could not remove a nominated candidate from the list without a judicial order.

They therefore demanded that the commission publish Pantami’s name by Wednesday, October 14, alongside the other candidates already listed for the election.

“In the circumstances, we have our Client’s firm and unequivocal instructions to demand, and we hereby demand that the Commission, on or before Wednesday the 14th day of October, 2026, publish and circulate the name of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the office of Governor of Gombe State in the 2027 general elections, in the same manner and with the same prominence as the names of all other candidates published on the 10th day of October, 2026,” the lawyers stated.

The legal team expressed confidence that INEC would take what it described as “immediate corrective action” and provide written confirmation of the steps taken to resolve the matter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is engaging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resolve the exclusion of some of its candidates from the final lists for the 2027 elections.

Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson for the PDP faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

The development followed INEC’s publication of its final governorship candidate lists on Saturday, which reportedly excluded some PDP candidates, including Isa Pantami of Gombe State and Ladi Adebutu of Ogun State.

Mohammed said the party was concerned about the omissions and had opened discussions with the electoral commission to address the issues in line with the law and established electoral guidelines.

“The PDP therefore assures all concerned that it is treating this development with the utmost seriousness it deserves and will communicate further developments as appropriate. The Party is committed to ensuring that all legitimate concerns are properly addressed with the Commission,” the statement reads.

He urged affected candidates, party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid statements or actions that could jeopardise the ongoing discussions with INEC.

The dispute comes amid the legal implications of a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24 concerning provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the nomination of candidates for the 2027 elections.

INEC had earlier said it would determine how the judgment would affect the nomination process.

A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld an appeal filed by INEC, restoring Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court held that the provisions, which the Court of Appeal had voided in July, were not inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

Section 77(5) requires political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention. Only members whose names appear on the submitted register may participate in the exercise.

Section 77(6) prohibits parties from using a membership register other than the one submitted to INEC for their primaries, congresses and conventions.

Section 77(7) further provides that a political party that fails to submit its membership register within the stipulated period cannot field a candidate in the election.

The PDP said it would communicate further developments as its engagement with INEC continues.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise covers eligible voters who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, as well as those who applied for polling unit transfers or replacements for lost or damaged PVCs.

Registered voters have been advised to contact their respective INEC offices to confirm whether their cards are ready for collection and to obtain information about the collection process.

Those who applied for polling unit transfers should also confirm their updated registration details to ensure they know their designated polling units ahead of the elections.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the distribution of non-sensitive election materials to some states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a national stakeholders’ meeting held to mark 100 days to the 2027 general election.

Amupitan also revealed that contracts for offshore production and fleets had been awarded, while production of 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices was at an advanced stage.

He said the commission had also begun receiving new operational vehicles, while construction and renovation projects were progressing across its offices nationwide.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that work was ongoing on dedicated BVAS storage facilities and local government area offices as part of preparations for the election.

“Some states have started receiving some non-sensitive materials ahead of the election, procurement for the printing of ballot papers and results sheets is nearly completed, and advancement towards the final contract awards.

“The contract for solar power installation across all the commission offices has been awarded to ICT infrastructure upgrades to critical ICT applications and core infrastructures have been implemented.

“The procurement department continues to monitor suppliers, contractors, and interdepartmental delivery schedules closely, so that all the procurement aligns with our statutory timelines,” he said.

The commission is also carrying out ICT infrastructure upgrades and implementing measures to strengthen critical applications and core infrastructure ahead of the elections.

According to Amupitan, the procurement process is being closely monitored to ensure that suppliers and contractors meet the commission’s schedules and statutory deadlines.

The latest developments form part of INEC’s wider preparations for the 2027 general elections, which are now 100 days away.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced plans to deploy Artificial Intelligence tools as part of its result verification process for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commission’s world press conference and national stakeholders’ forum on preparations for the 2027 elections.

Amupitan said the commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence division within its Information and Communication Technology department to oversee the integration of AI into its electoral processes.

“Artificial intelligence governance, the commission has established a dedicated artificial intelligence division with the ICT department.

“Automated AI auditing tools are being integrated into our results verification process under a five-pillar AI governance framework operating under the masonry human governance oversight and AI framework policy is being finalised by the commission,” he said.

The planned AI deployment is expected to support the commission’s efforts to verify election results as part of its broader preparations for the 2027 polls.

The INEC chairman said the commission was developing a governance framework to guide the application of artificial intelligence within the electoral system.

According to him, human oversight would remain part of the framework as the commission works towards integrating automated auditing tools into its result verification procedures.

The announcement comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the commission undertaking several technological and administrative measures aimed at strengthening the electoral process.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that Nigeria’s national register of voters has exceeded 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday at a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors in collaboration with the electoral commission in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the latest figure followed the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and the final biometric verification of newly registered voters.

He said the CVR exercise generated 10,772,421 new registrations, which were subjected to verification through the Automated Biometric Identification System.

“Following the conclusion of our three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which captured over 10.6 million new applicants, and the completion of the public display of the preliminary register for claims and objections, our Voter Register Department has completed the final Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) cleanup.

Nigeria’s National Register of Voters is now over 103 million,” he declared.

The latest figure represents a rise from the more than 93 million voters previously recorded by the commission.

In August, INEC had projected that the register would cross the 100 million mark after the completion of the CVR exercise.

The commission had also said in September that the register was “approaching the 100 million mark” following the addition of 10,772,421 new registrations subject to biometric verification.

PVC Collection Begins October 9

Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards will begin on Friday, October 9, 2026.

He said the commission had completed the processing and distribution of the first batch of PVCs to local government centres ahead of the exercise.

The INEC chairman called on the media to provide citizens with accurate information about collection centres and encourage eligible voters to collect their cards.

INEC Acquires 57,000 New BVAS Devices

The commission is also strengthening its technological infrastructure ahead of the 2027 elections.

Amupitan disclosed that INEC had acquired 57,000 new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System devices.

He said the devices had undergone software hardening, battery optimisation and biometric calibration to strengthen accreditation and prevent manipulation.

“We have instituted hardware, software, and cybersecurity enhancements across our technological architecture. We have acquired 57,000 new BVAS for optimal performance.

“The devices have undergone extensive software hardening, battery optimisation, and biometric calibration to prevent accreditation bypass and eliminate manual manipulation,” the INEC chairman stated.

The upgrades are part of preparations for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections fixed for February 6.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned Nigerians against a fraudulent website falsely claiming that nationwide online voter registration is currently ongoing.

INEC identified the website as pvc-inecnigeria-org.blogspot.com, which reportedly advertises a supposed registration window from September 28 to October 27, 2026.

In an advisory issued on Saturday, the commission urged Nigerians not to visit the platform, click its links or submit personal information through it.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to click on the link or submit any personal information on the website, as doing so may expose them to the risk of having their sensitive personal data harvested or misused,” the advisory read.

INEC clarified that the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration exercise had ended, and that claims of a new online registration exercise through the fraudulent website were false. The commission’s official voter registration portal also currently states that the CVR exercise has ended.

“The commission further wishes to clarify that the voter registration exercise closed on July 26, 2026. Any information suggesting that a new nationwide online voter registration exercise is currently ongoing through the above-mentioned website is false,” it stated.

The fake platform reportedly advertises what it describes as the “Final Phase of Nationwide Online Voter Card Registration” and offers services including updating voter details, transferring polling units and replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards.

It also falsely claims that voter registration and PVC delivery are free.

INEC urged Nigerians to verify electoral information through its official communication channels and avoid submitting personal details to unauthorised websites.

The commission’s official website provides access to voter services and other election-related information.

By Haladu Muhammad 

As a young Nigerian from the North-East, one issue that has deeply concerned me for over a decade is the widespread apathy among our youth toward the electoral process. When you engage young people from my region or across the country, many express scepticism, asking, “Why should I vote when votes aren’t counted? Why bother standing under the sun?”

They seem to forget the fundamental definition of democracy. As Abraham Lincoln famously stated, democracy is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is anchored in the rule of law and guarantees us the freedom and civic right to cast our ballots, oversee the counting process, and await the legitimate results.

It saddens me that many young citizens overlook the power of their vote. They abandon their civic duty, claiming that enduring the elements to vote is pointless. My key message to everyone is simple: believe in the power of your participation.

Consider recent gubernatorial elections, such as the one in Osun State. When citizens turned out in large numbers, stood patiently in line despite the rain or heat, and ensured their votes were counted transparently, it proved that the system can work. Similarly, when voters in Zamfara State stood firm behind their preferred candidate in the 2023 election, their votes were reflected in the final outcome. 

If all Nigerians emulate this level of dedication, we can drive meaningful change across the nation.

This is why I continuously advocate for young Nigerians, especially those in the North, to register for and secure their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). As we approach the 2027 general elections, we must prepare to participate fully. You cannot sit comfortably at home, voice your preference for leadership, and yet refuse to engage in the democratic process required to elect them. Expecting change without participation is a major contradiction.

Consider this a wake-up call. To those who already hold a PVC, treat it as a vital instrument for your future. Your PVC acts like a master key or a bank card—it grants you the authority to elect leaders who align with your vision and vote out those who fail to deliver. It is a powerful tool for self-determination for every Nigerian.

I urge our youth to mobilise, ensure their voter registration is up to date, and prepare to vote in massive numbers in 2027. Let us use our collective voice to shape the future of our nation.

Haladu Muhammad is a Concerned Citizen of Nigeria. He wrote from Maiduguri.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to deploy about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel for the 2027 general elections.

The commission disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja when it hosted a delegation from the International Republican Institute (IRI), led by its president, Dan Twining.

The IRI team is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21 as part of a pre-election assessment aimed at reviewing INEC’s preparations and identifying areas where international technical assistance could support the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, said the planned personnel would be deployed across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide.

He said the commission was also improving its logistics arrangements, expanding early deployment of personnel and materials, and strengthening cooperation with transport unions to facilitate the movement of election officials and election materials.

Amupitan described the IRI visit as timely, particularly after the recent Osun governorship election and ahead of the 2027 campaign season.

He said recent off-cycle governorship elections and legislative by-elections had provided opportunities for INEC to test its technology, logistics and security arrangements.

According to him, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal have continued to perform reliably, with more than 98 per cent of results uploaded in recent elections.

The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission was introducing measures to improve voter registration. The measures include online registration, continuous updating of the voters’ register and efforts to ensure that voter information remains accurate.

He said additional measures would be introduced to make the electoral process more accessible to persons with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and elderly voters.

Amupitan identified misinformation, disinformation and the misuse of artificial intelligence as some of the emerging challenges that could threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections.

He said INEC had established a unit focused on artificial intelligence to develop guidelines for responsible technology use and tackle false information capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process.

The chairman reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality, stating that INEC would not favour any political party or candidate.

He said the commission’s primary duty was to conduct elections that represent the wishes of Nigerians, with the recent Osun governorship election cited as part of efforts to promote credible and peaceful elections.

Amupitan also acknowledged the need for the commission to take further steps to increase voter participation in future elections.

Speaking on the purpose of the IRI mission, Twining said the organisation wanted to support a competitive, peaceful and credible electoral process in Nigeria.

He said the delegation would examine INEC’s preparations, identify possible challenges and consider ways the international community could assist Nigeria’s democratic development.

“We know how committed Nigerians are to exercising their democratic rights,” Twining said.

“Our interest is a competitive, peaceful and credible election in Nigeria, and we look forward to learning how we can support that objective.”

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party has emerged victorious in Saturday’s governorship election, winning 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State, while his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 11 LGs.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to officially declare the results following the completion of collation and announcement of results on Sunday.

Adeleke’s victory was anchored on strong performances in key LGAs including Ede South (26,188 votes), Ede North (35,427 votes), and Osogbo (36,480 votes), where he secured significant margins over his APC opponent.

The APC, however, recorded notable victories in Irewole LGA (29,972 votes), Boripe LGA (19,963 votes), and Obokun LGA (16,120 votes), among others.

The election, which was largely peaceful, recorded significant voter turnout across the state, with over 1.2 million accredited voters participating in the exercise.

Political analysts view Adeleke’s victory as a reaffirmation of his administration’s performance over the past four years, despite the APC’s vigorous campaign to unseat him.

In his acceptance speech, Adeleke thanked the people of Osun State for their continued trust in his leadership, promising to deliver more democratic dividends in his second term.

The APC has yet to officially respond to the election outcome, though party supporters have expressed mixed reactions to the results.

The governorship election was keenly contested, with both parties deploying their top political heavyweights to campaign across the state in the weeks leading up to the poll.