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APC, opposition list expectations for next INEC chair ahead of 2027

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As the 2027 general election approaches, the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and African Democratic Congress have outlined key expectations for the incoming chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, emphasising credibility, neutrality, and commitment to democratic principles.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the APC urged the incoming INEC chairman to guarantee a fair and equal opportunity for all political parties, while the PDP emphasised the need for the commission’s head to remain neutral and autonomous.

On its part, the ADC warned that failure to conduct credible elections under the new leadership could pose a threat to the country’s democratic stability.

The current INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, is set to complete his tenure by November.

Appointed in 2015 and reappointed in 2020, Yakubu holds the distinction of being the longest-serving chairman in the history of Nigeria’s electoral commission.

According to Section 154 (1) of the amended 1999 Constitution, “the appointment of the chairman and members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be made by the President and shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

Paragraph 14 of Part I of the Third Schedule also states that the individual appointed must possess “unquestionable integrity” and must be at least 50 years old.

In line with constitutional provisions, President Bola Tinubu has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of candidates to succeed Yakubu.

Speaking on the expectations of the ruling APC, the Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that while the party aims to win all elections, it insists on a level playing field for all participants.

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Ibrahim, in an interview with The PUNCH, stated, “Well, as a party, our interest is winning and winning elections in a free and fair atmosphere.

“Our interest is how to take control of power in a way that will provide or give democratic dividends to the people. Our interest is in how to stand for elections and be allowed to play without being muzzled or ruled out.

“So, we look forward to a leader of the Independent National Electoral Commission that will allow a level playing field, that will allow elections to be conducted freely and fairly.

“So, our interest is a leader who will come and play by the book.”

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stressed that the incoming INEC chairman must be a person of integrity.

In an  interview with our correspondent, Ologunagba also called on the President and relevant stakeholders to thoroughly assess the candidate’s character and ensure only a competent individual was appointed.

He stated, “The next INEC chairman must be someone who has integrity, must be somebody who will not have questionable character, must be impartial, someone who will be independent and run the commission that way, as required by the constitution and the law. So that’s our expectation.

“We want a man who has that integrity, a record of being temperate, and who, of course, must demonstrate again by his actions as a supporter of democracy, and be willing to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.

“And then I will explain that when the President appoints or nominations are going to be made, he should do his job, do the right thing, to ensure that there is critical analysis and thorough review of the individual, to ensure the person’s character is not questionable and qualified to hold such a position in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

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“And that is the minimum that Nigerians are expecting from the President and, of course, from the National Assembly and others.”

The coalition party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdulahi, expressed concern over INEC’s long-standing crisis of credibility.

In an interview with our correspondent, Abdullahi stated that the incoming INEC chairman must work to restore trust by ensuring credible elections in 2027.

He stated, “The most important thing is that I think the INEC over the years has suffered a crisis of credibility in the eyes of the Nigerian voters.

“The new INEC chairman has to ensure that the commission stays at its credibility level. You know, to ensure that the election system inspires the confidence of everyone, and it’s the only way to guarantee stability in the country.

“They must ensure the appointment of someone who inspires confidence and demonstrates neutrality. Failing to do so could create doubt in the minds of citizens about the credibility of the 2027 elections and whether they will be free and fair.

“And the net consequence of that is that, if you recall, they may end up having the Orange Revolution in their hands. You remember the Orange Revolution in Ukraine?

“So, I think 2027 is going to be significant for all. As a party, we are hoping that the appointment will provide the opportunity for someone who understands the historical significance of the job.”

He said the opposition party would react accordingly if the new appointee came to defend the ruling party.

“If it’s someone who thinks he’s coming here to defend the ruling party, then the opposition party will react accordingly.

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“You know, I can’t tell you what we’ll do now, but I can tell you that if they appoint someone that we don’t have confidence in, then that neutrality is not apparent for everyone to see. And then they end up creating doubt,” he said.

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2027: Wike To Lead Campaign Team For Tinubu’s Re-election

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September 26, 2026

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to set up and lead campaign teams for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid in the FCT and Rivers State.

It was reports that Wike made this known on Friday during an inspection of the ongoing Phase Two construction of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualization project in Chikuku, Abuja.

The minister said he would personally head the campaign structure in the nation’s capital and his home state, Rivers, as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

He said political parties were already reorganizing ahead of the election, adding that supporters of Tinubu from different political platforms had also begun preparing their campaign structures.

He said: “The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I believe, is putting itself together for an aggressive campaign. For us who are supporting Mr President from different political platforms, we have put our machinery ready to fully kickstart. Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State, which I will lead. All elements of the APC are ready, Mr President is ready, we are ready and you can see the enthusiasm.

“People are happy, and I don’t know who will contest against Mr President as far as this election is concerned. This is governance, and this is what people expect. It will translate directly into actual votes. It is very obvious. Nobody will be able to claim rigging in the FCT. The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are delivering, making the people happy.

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“This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is. You can imagine the enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we say the essence of governance is to make people happy. When the people are happy, those in authority are happy.”

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Tinubu Makes Demands From Nigerians Over 2027 Election

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5 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu, speaking through House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, urged Nigerians to give his administration more time to complete its programmes and reforms.

Tinubu delivered the appeal on Friday at a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Abbas said Tinubu assured Nigerians not to lose hope, promising peace and development would return as the government corrects past mistakes and missed opportunities.

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to give his administration more time to complete the programmes and reforms it has embarked upon. NigeriaMarket Research

Tinubu made the appeal on Friday through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at a special Juma’at prayer held at the National Mosque in Abuja as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The President, represented by Abbas at the prayer, urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, saying his administration was working to address what he described as the cumulative mistakes and missed opportunities of previous governments.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s 66 years of independence, the President described the country as having reached maturity despite the challenges it had encountered over the years.

Abbas, conveying Tinubu’s message, said, “This anniversary, the 66th, by all accounts signifies Nigeria has come of age. A 66-year-old cannot be called a child anymore. Nigeria has become mature, even though when we reflect on the journey from independence to date, we may say it was a mixed journey.

“Nigeria was bedevilled with a lot of issues in the past and opportunities as well. But we thank Almighty Allah for granting us the life and the peace for us to witness this very historic event today.”

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The President urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, assuring them that peace and development would return as the country continued on its democratic path. NigeriaMarket Research

“My message to the country on behalf of the Mr President, the Senate President and all members of the National Assembly is that the citizens should not lose hope.

“Peace is coming back to this country. Development is coming back to this country. Things will get better as we progress in this democracy,” he said.

Tinubu said his administration was focused on correcting what he described as accumulated mistakes and missed opportunities inherited from previous governments.

The President further said Nigerians should consider the direction of his administration as it implements its programmes and reforms. NigeriaMarket Research

He added, “More importantly, citizens should look at the focus of the government of today, that the mistakes of the past—the cumulative mistakes and the missed opportunities of the past are being corrected in this particular administration.

“And I want to categorically make it clear that Nigeria is on the right path; that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that Nigerians have finished making sacrifices for this country to be great again.

“We should give this government more opportunity for it to come back and finish the good work.”

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PHOTOS: Full List Of Children Of Ex-Presidents, Govs, Lawmaker Seeking NASS Seat

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September 26, 2026

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Children of former presidents, governors and other political bigwigs are among those seeking Senate and House of Representatives seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly polls, as parties intensify preparations for the election.

Named aspirants and incumbents include Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Iyabo Obasanjo, Yusuf Buhari, Bello El-Rufai, Adamu Atiku and Blessing Onuh across multiple states and constituencies.

As political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, the children of several former

Nigerian presidents, governors and other prominent political figures are featuring among those seeking seats in the National Assembly.

According to The Nation, a review of candidates and politicians identified in recent reports shows that some already serve in the Senate or House of Representatives, while others seek to enter the National Assembly in the next election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, according to its published timetable.

Among those linked to the 2027 National Assembly contests are:

1. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – Kogi

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, daughter of the late former House of Representatives member, Jimoh Abdul Akpoti, is the incumbent senator representing Kogi Central.

She is seeking another term in the Senate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

2. Iyabo Obasanjo – Ogun

Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is seeking the Ogun Central senatorial seat on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

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Her proposed return to elective politics places another member of a former president’s family in the 2027 National Assembly contest.

3. Yusuf Buhari – Katsina

Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been linked to the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency contest in Katsina State.

His reported involvement adds another former presidential family to the list of political families featuring in the 2027 legislative elections.

4. Bello El-Rufai – Kaduna

Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, currently represents the Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is among the politicians featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests.

5. Chinedum Orji – Abia

Chinedum Orji, son of former Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, is contesting the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

6. Adamu Atiku – Adamawa Government

Adamu Atiku, son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, is among those linked to the 2027 National Assembly race in Adamawa State.

Reports have also linked him to the Adamawa South senatorial contest.

7. Blessing Onuh – Benue

Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, currently represents the Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

She is seeking another term in the 2027 election.

8. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu – Delta

Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, represents the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

She is also involved in the 2027 electoral contest.

9. Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion – Edo

Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of businessman and politician Gabriel Igbinedion, is associated with the Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West Federal Constituency in Edo State.

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She has emerged as a candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

10. Olumide Osoba – Ogun

Olumide Osoba, son of former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, represents the Abeokuta North/Odeda/Obafemi-Owode Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is among the children of prominent political figures seeking National Assembly seats in 2027.

11. Adegboyega Adefarati – Ondo

Adegboyega Adefarati, son of the late former Ondo State Governor Adebayo Adefarati, represents the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is seeking another term in the 2027 election.

12. Olamiju Alao-Akala – Oyo

Olamiju Alao-Akala, son of the late former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, is linked to the Orire/Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South Federal Constituency contest in Oyo State.

His participation adds another child of a former governor to the list of politicians featuring in the 2027 National Assembly contests.

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