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2027: APC kicks as opposition backs single day polls

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A major political storm is brewing over a fresh proposal to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow all elections in Nigeria to be conducted on the same day in 2027.

While leading opposition parties — the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, and New Nigeria People’s Party — have thrown their weight behind the move, the ruling All Progressives Congress has rejected it, warning of dire consequences.

The proposal, spearheaded by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, is being considered as part of broader constitutional amendments following zonal consultations across the six geo-political zones.

If passed, the amendment would mandate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly polls in a single day — a move touted to drastically cut costs and reduce post-election bandwagon effects.

Opposition back plan

Backing the initiative, the National Publicity Secretary of the NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, argued that same-day polls would be both cost-effective and efficient.

He said, “The costs of elections are too high, just like those of governance. And any reasonable thing to reduce the costs should be looked at. Even for the political parties, it is cheaper and more efficient for them to do their elections in one day.”

On concerns over rigging, Johnson dismissed fears, saying, “If these people are going to rig, they will rig. But if you have all your elections in one day, all your candidates are able to pool together resources so that the polling unit is properly manned.”

The Labour Party also gave its full backing. National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said the proposal would eliminate staggered elections and reduce bandwagon effects.

He noted, “The Labour Party aligns itself with the position that all elections should hold the same day… It’s also going to help reduce the cost of funding elections, logistics, and bandwagon effect where some voters, after knowing who wins the presidential poll, will start moving towards that direction in subsequent elections.”

For the PDP, Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, welcomed the idea but warned against manipulation.

“It is a welcome development if it is done with sincerity, clear intent and purpose. The truth is that the bogus amount that the government spends on elections is mind-boggling. There’s no rational reason why we spend over $350 billion conducting elections in this country, where at the end of the day, you don’t get value for the outcome of such votes,” he said.

The ADC, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also declared support but with a caveat.

“Our support for doing the election on the same day is contingent on INEC logistics being top notch. At the moment, we don’t see any evidence that INEC is committed to improving its logistics,” he said.

APGA, lawmakers caution

But not all stakeholders are convinced. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) warned that the logistics could be chaotic.

APGA spokesman, Ejimofor Okpara, told The PUNCH, “As laudable as it sounds, we believe it will be chaotic. Our elections, as they are, already appear too cumbersome, logistics-wise, for INEC. One can only imagine the outlook if these major elections are held in one day.”

Lawmakers are also split. North-West caucus leader, Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), backed the bill, describing it as “an idea whose time has come.”

But Osun lawmaker, Oluwole Oke, disagreed, insisting, “It’s INEC’s prerogative to decide which date to conduct elections.”

Lagos lawmaker, Babajimi Benson, added, “I strongly believe that this decision should be included only in the INEC Act so as to make amendments easy… This (proposed) amendment in the constitution may make it very difficult in the future.”

APC rejects move

The APC formally opposed the proposal, describing staggered elections as the better option.

Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, warned, “To hold all elections on the same day puts a lot of pressure on the institution that is governing elections in Nigeria.

“You’re going to be holding elections at the State Assembly, House of Reps, Senate, governors, and the President. After those four years, INEC now sits back and literally does nothing.”

He added that staggered polls would keep INEC “active year-round” and reduce the risk of system collapse.

Lawyers weigh in

A former Director of Voter Education at INEC, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, condemned the plan, recalling that a similar attempt in 2003 was rejected by the courts.

“This is not a new idea. They tried this before when we were in INEC, and we actually went to court before the 2002 and 2003 elections. We won the case then,” he said, warning that Nigeria lacked the logistics and literacy levels required for such an exercise.

However, prominent lawyers see merit in the idea.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lekan Ojo, argued: “From the economic perspective, it is a cost-saving measure… But it may be very clumsy. The electoral officers may be overwhelmed and that may lead to a floodgate of litigations.”

Another SAN, Wale Balogun, was more sceptical: “If our experience is anything to go by, then I’m afraid for Nigeria. I don’t think we have the capacity to do so.”

For Adedayo Adedeji (SAN), the move would “drastically reduce the cost of conducting elections,” though he warned of doubts over INEC’s capacity.

Civil society

Civil society leaders, including Auwal Musa Rafsanjani of the Transition Monitoring Group and Debo Adeniran of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, endorsed the proposal, insisting it would cut costs and make elections more transparent.

Adeniran said, “There is nothing stopping us from conducting all the elections in one day, except for those who are thinking of how to manipulate elections.”

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Politics

Otti denies defecting to APC, affirms loyalty to LP

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Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has refuted claims circulating on social media that he has left the Labour Party for the All Progressives Congress.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, on Monday.

Kanu dismissed the report as false, adding that it is the handiwork of political opponents unsettled by Otti’s growing popularity and record of performance.

He stressed that the governor remains a steadfast member of the Labour Party, describing the report as a “desperate attempt to distract Abians and create unnecessary confusion.”

He stated, “Governor Alex Otti remains a committed and proud member of the Labour Party, the platform under which the good people of Abia overwhelmingly elected him to serve. His focus remains unshaken, to rebuild Abia, restore accountability, and deliver the dividends of democracy to every citizen of the state.”

The commissioner recalled that during the October edition of ‘Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians’, the governor had reiterated his disinterest in political realignments or defections, stressing that his priority was governance, not politics.

“It is important to remind the public that only last week, during the October edition of ‘Governor Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,’ the Governor made it unequivocally clear that his interest is not in political permutations or defections, but in service to humanity and the transformation of Abia State. He reaffirmed that leadership, to him, is about impact, not political convenience,” he added.

Kanu highlighted that the Otti administration has maintained a clear policy direction built on transparency, fiscal responsibility, infrastructural development, economic expansion, youth empowerment, and renewed trust in government.

“These are values synonymous with the Labour Party’s ideals, values that the Governor will never compromise for any political expediency,” the statement added.

The commissioner urged residents to disregard the fake report, describing it as another round of cheap propaganda aimed at diverting attention from the progress being made across the state.

“We wish to assure Abians that Governor Alex Otti remains resolute in his mission to continue to build a new Abia where truth, justice, and equity prevail under the banner of the Labour Party,” he stated.

Recall that Otti had in May emphasised that he does not need to join the APC to be close to President Bola Tinubu.

He noted that not everyone needs to join the ruling party.

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Kaduna ADC expels deputy chairman, eight others over misconduct

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The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress has plunged into crisis following the expulsion of its Deputy Chairman, Ahmed Mustapha, and eight other top officials over alleged gross misconduct, insubordination, and attempts to usurp leadership positions within the party.

The sweeping decision, described by insiders as “a necessary purge to restore discipline,” was part of the resolutions reached by the State Executive Committee during an emergency meeting held in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Those affected by the expulsion include the State Publicity Secretary, Idris Musa; State Vice Chairman (Zone 1), Sulaiman Abdullahi; State Treasurer, Gambo Sani; State Financial Secretary, Magaji Maiwada; and State Legal Adviser, Danlami Dabai Musa. Others are the State Coordinator of Persons with Disabilities, Saura Muhammed; State Deputy Youth Leader, Ibrahim Muhammed; and one Mansur Gaga.

The embattled officials were accused of engaging in what the party described as “activities capable of undermining the unity, image, and lawful operation” of the ADC in Kaduna and the North-West zone.

According to the SEC’s resolution, the members allegedly held secret meetings to plot leadership changes, forged official documents, and extorted money from party members in violation of the ADC’s constitution.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, the Kaduna State ADC Chairman, Elder Patrick Ambut, said the party could no longer tolerate actions that threaten its internal cohesion.

He declared that the leadership in Kaduna remained “committed to discipline, transparency, and the rule of law,” adding that the expulsions followed due process as provided in the ADC constitution.

“As law-abiding members of the ADC, we are committed to upholding the party’s constitution and safeguarding its integrity. No individual, no matter his position, is above the law of the party,” Ambut said.

The chairman accused the Deputy Chairman, Mustapha, of abuse of office, impersonation, and acts capable of causing disharmony not only in Kaduna State but also across the North-West zone.

“These actions constitute a gross violation of the ADC constitution and are contrary to established party procedures,” Ambut said.

“The Deputy Chairman acted without due process, as he lacks the constitutional authority to convene any meeting or issue such directives on behalf of the party.”

Meanwhile, the party announced the appointment of the Deputy State Publicity Secretary, Alex Tagwai, as Acting Publicity Secretary pending further adjustments within the state executive.

Ambut said the decision was endorsed unanimously by the SEC, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders during the meeting.

“Mr. Tagwai will immediately assume responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of the publicity unit and prevent any communication gaps,” Ambut said.

He also urged members to remain calm and loyal to the constituted leadership, warning that further acts of indiscipline would not be tolerated.

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Politics

My re-election bid, a divine project -Soludo

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The Anambra State Governor,  Chukwuma Soludo, has described his second-term reelection bid as “a divine project and a mass movement” which ignites a sense of collective purpose and commitment to continued development in the state.

Soludo stated this in his address during a campaign rally in Onitsha South Local Government Area of the state, where he and his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, were received by a large crowd of supporters on Tuesday.

The governor said the gathering, filled with residents eager to show their backing, portrayed the growing momentum of his campaign.

He said, “My candidacy is a divine project and a mass movement which resonated deeply with the people and ignited a sense of collective purpose and commitment to continued development in the state.

“I express my heartfelt thanks to the community for their unwavering support. This is a campaign like no other in our history. I am humbled and deeply thankful, and I appreciate you.”

The governor outlined the progress his administration has made in all sectors of the state economy, especially in Onitsha South LGA, highlighting the establishment of a specialist general hospital in Fegge, the exceptional improvements made to public schools, among others.

He promised that many more advancements would follow if given the opportunity for a second term.

Several people also took the stage to voice their support, highlighting the achievements made under the Soludo-led administration.

Among them was the President General of Fegge, Onitsha, Okwudili Nwankwo, who praised the governor’s impact, adding, “Under Governor Soludo, we have seen remarkable changes, particularly with initiatives like the ‘One Youth, Two Skills’ programme. This has empowered many of our youth and provided them with valuable skills for a brighter future.”

Another resident, Chibuike Ugo, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Free education, free antenatal care and delivery services have made a significant difference in our community. These programs are not just policies; they are lifelines for our families.”

Another one, Franklin Onyeke added, “As we pray for Governor Soludo’s victory on November 8, 2025, we remain steadfast in our belief that he will continue to lead Anambra towards greatness.”

A cheque donation of N20 million was also made to support the governor’s campaign.

Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, is contesting the governorship election alongside 16 other candidates from other political parties on November 8, 2025.

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