Politics

INEC records over three million in second phase of voter registration

Published

14 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has recorded a total of 3, 441,121 completed registrations in the ongoing second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

According to the week 13 update released by the commission on Wednesday in Abuja, the figure comprises both online pre-registrations and physical walk-ins at various centres nationwide as of April 3.

The data revealed that 2,068,384 citizens completed their pre-registration online, while 1,372,737 voters opted for physical registration.

It also showed Jigawa leading with 201,047 representing 5.84 per cent of the total registrations; followed by Lagos with 181,095, while Kano State ranked third with 177,681.

The update further showed that participation of youths between the ages of 18 and 34 accounted for 2,354,768, representing 68.43 per cent of the new registrants.

In terms of gender distribution, females accounted for 1,922,143, representing 55.86 percent of the total new voter registrants, while males accounted for 1,518,978, representing 44.14 per cent.

The occupational distribution also showed that students represented the largest single block of new voters at 1,235,931 (35.92 percent), followed by those in business at 701,912 (20.40 percent), and farming/fishing at 615,967 (18.28 percent).

The data further showed that 48,330 of the new registrants were Persons with Disabilities.

The commission explained that the 3,441,121 figure was a preliminary figure pending data clean-up during the period for citizens’ claims and objections, followed by the deployment of the Automated Biometric Identification System.

The commission emphasised that registration remained suspended in the Federal Capital Territory in compliance with Section 9 (6) of the Electoral Act 2022, following the Area Council Election held on Feb. 21.

It, however, advised eligible Nigerians who were yet to register to visit the official portals at https://cvr.inec.gov.ng or https://cvr.inecnigeria.org to do so.

NAN

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Politics

#OccupyINEC: Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, others join ADC rally over INEC decisions

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Leaders and members of the African Democratic Congress joined a large demonstration in Abuja on Wednesday, protesting decisions by the Independent National Electoral Commission that they said undermined democracy and the party’s internal leadership.

The protest, tagged #OccupyINEC, drew former presidential candidates and prominent politicians, including Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rauf Aregbesola, Aminu Tambuwal, and Dino Melaye, to Maitama Roundabout. Among others, hundreds of Kwankwasiyya members also participated.

Rotimi Amaechi at the protest. Photo credit: ADC

The demonstration saw participants singing Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots!”, despite the fact that it was replaced on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu with the country’s 1960 independence anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Rotimi Amaechi and Dino Melaye at the protest.

The ADC further confirmed that the act was done “in an act of defiance.”

Several demonstrators also held placards supporting Senator David Mark, including ones that read, “In David Mark’s NWC we trust.”

Addressing the protest, former presidential candidate Peter Obi spoke on behalf of ADC members and other opposition leaders, urging Nigerians to defend the country’s democracy.

He said on X: “We, members and leaders of the ADC, and other well-meaning Nigerians, lovers of democracy, are saying that our democracy must not be killed.

“We say NO to a one-party system, and for that, today we’re calling out Nigerians who believe in unity, peace, and security of our country to join us as we defend democracy in our land.”

The protest follows INEC’s recent decision to no longer accept correspondence from either faction of the ADC led by Senator David Mark or Nafiu Bala, after a Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s leadership dispute. ADC and other opposition groups described the move as a restriction on party autonomy and an interference with internal party affairs.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, had earlier told The PUNCH the demonstration aimed to mobilise Nigerians in defence of democracy.

“This commission is now becoming the arbiter, judge, accuser and defender at the same time. Our major issue is the manner in which INEC has been going about creating disaffection in the opposition.

“The people are really angry and plan to show this anger by coming out. So, we’ll expect them to come out en masse for a peaceful rally. Then we’ll just demonstrate and protest,” he said.

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Politics

New ADC faction emerges, rejects David Mark-led coalition

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

A new faction within the African Democratic Congress has surfaced, rejecting the authority of the Senator David Mark-led coalition and distancing itself from Nafiu Bala’s faction.

According to Africa Independent Television, the faction led by Don Norman Obinna claims to represent the legitimate National Executive Committee of the party.

The group says it is stepping in to manage the party’s affairs ahead of the next national convention.

At a briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the group stated that “The tenure of Ralph Nwosu, who handed the party to the David Mark group, had ended in August 2022, and afterwards, he (Nwosu) had faced a series of litigations due to his failure to step down.”

The faction also clarified the status of Nafiu Bala, noting that he “never held the position of National Vice Chairman,” and affirmed that former ADC presidential candidate “Dumebi Kachikwu is still a member of ADC”

The group further disclosed that new interim leaders have been appointed to oversee party activities, ensuring continuity until the national convention is held.

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Politics

ADC crisis: Tinubu not responsible for Peter Obi’s woes — Presidency

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Presidency has dismissed claims linking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the internal crises surrounding Peter Obi and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing such allegations as “baseless”.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on X on Monday, said Tinubu had no involvement in Obi’s political decisions or the challenges currently facing the party.

“I wonder why all these politicians are turning President Bola Tinubu into their favourite whipping boy. The President has nothing to do with Obi’s abandonment of the Labour Party or the jam he appears to have run into in the ADC,” he said.

Onanuga accused Obi of failing to demonstrate leadership in resolving the crisis within the Labour Party before leaving the platform.

He further argued that Obi relied heavily on the “Obidient movement,” which he described as largely active online, without building it into a structured political platform.

According to him, Obi’s move to the ADC was driven by the need to latch onto an existing political structure, despite the party’s internal challenges.

The presidential aide also linked the ADC crisis to internal issues, referencing the involvement of opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Rauf Aregbesola, while insisting the situation was “self-inflicted.”

“What is the connection of Tinubu with the ADC crisis? Absolutely none. Whatever problem they have is self-inflicted,” he said.

Onanuga urged Obi and other stakeholders to resolve their differences within the party, including disputes involving Nafiu Bala.

He also downplayed Obi’s prospects ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that his performance in the 2023 presidential poll does not guarantee a similar outcome in the future.

“The fact that he came third in 2023 does not mean he will have the same showing in 2027,” he added.

The crisis within the ADC follows a decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition from factions within the party, citing a court order to maintain the status quo pending final determination of the case.

While the ADC has accused INEC of misinterpreting the ruling and alleged attempts to undermine the opposition, the Presidency maintains that the dispute has no connection to President Tinubu.

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