Politics
EU Tasks Nigerian Politicians On Issue-Based Campaigns
The European Union (EU) on Monday advised Nigerian policians to engage in issue-based campaigns, shun violence and hate speech, ahead of the electioneering campaign which starts on Sept. 28. Ms Samuela Isopi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said this at the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme Closure of Phase 1 and Launch of Phase 11 in Abuja.
“The EU SDGN testifies to the continued partnership with Nigeria that has grown in mutual respect and benefit since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999,” Isopi said.
She said the rule of law; human rights and democracy were the founding principles of the EU.
“ The electoral campaign will start in two weeks; as a friend of Nigeria, we would like to see peaceful and issues-based campaigns and we would like to encourage all stakeholders to take a firm stance against violence and hate speech.
“As the largest democracy in Africa, elections in Nigeria matter, they matter to Nigeria and Nigerians, they also matter for Africa as their outcome will be watched and felt well beyond its borders.
“Nigeria has the responsibility to lead and inspire other democracies on the continent six months ahead of the 2023 General Election, Nigeria is at a pivotal moment in the process.
“Who wins the elections is for the Nigerian people to decide; as a longstanding partner, the EU shares Nigeria’s interest to see a solid process leading to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections,” she said.
Isopi said the EU would also want all Nigerian voters to peacefully and freely cast their votes to choose their leaders and contribute to strengthening the country’s democracy and good governance.
She added that the EU was particularly keen to see greater participation of youth, women and people with disabilities.
She said that the mobilisation being witnessed across the country especially among the youth to register in view of next elections was a strong sign.
“It is a message from the Nigerians, from the youth in particular, that they believe in democracy.
“It is also a sign of trust in the electoral process that has made tremendous progress over the past few years and months.
“Thanks to the reforms and the technical innovations introduced by INEC to make elections more transparent and more credible, and to reassure voters that their votes will count and will be respected,” she said.
Isopi said EU firmly believed that only a functioning democracy could address citizens’ needs and build prosperous, resilient and strong societies.
She said it was with that belief in mind that the support to electoral processes was key element of the EU’s cooperation policy with its partners.
She said that the EU provided technical support to key electoral institutions and stakeholders since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, with over a 150 million euros committed so far.
She said that the Phase I of the EU-SDGN programme contributed to the reform of the electoral process by building capacities, strengthening institutions, strengthening the role and participation of civil society, contributing to the reform of the legal framework.
She added that building on the success of the first phase, the formulation of phase II was done in consultation with the Nigerian Government and key stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and civil society organisations.
She said the overall objective of the programme was to foster a functioning pluralistic, inclusive, participatory and representative democracy in Nigeria.
“Even though today marks the official launch of the programme, implementation started five months ago in April 2022, a month before the end of Phase 1.
“The programme of which the total amount is 39 million euros – will be implemented until 2027, with a focus on six specific components,” she said.
Isopi said the programme was aimed at improving the quality of electoral administration in Nigeria and strengthen capacities for legislative and judicial reform in compliance with democratic principles and standards.
She said it would enhance pluralism, internal democracy and equality of opportunity in the political parties and the political party system and empower the media to promote fair and ethical coverage of the electoral process and combat hate speech.
She said the programme also aimed at tackling disinformation, enhance participation of women, youth and other marginalised groups in the political process and empower CSOs and relevant agencies to demand greater transparency and accountability in the electoral and decision making process, and promote greater citizens’ participation.
Isopi said the European Union would continue to provide targeted support by building on the successes of the past electoral cycles and taking forward the very significant lessons learned within the period.
She called on Nigerians to support and respect the fundamental and independent role INEC as it fulfils its constitutional mandate and should be allowed to operate free from outside pressure, and in turn must demonstrate full neutrality and professionalism.
She said the new electoral act was a major step forward and its full implementation by INEC have the potential to make 2023 general elections a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic history.
She however, said for this to happen, everyone has to do his part.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commended the ambassador for the closure of Phase I and launch of Phase II of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (the EU-SDGN) Programme.
Yakubu said the closure of the Phase I and simultaneous launch of Phase II of the EU-SDGN Programme was a further affirmation of the enduring commitment and support of the European Union towards the strengthening of democratic institutions and the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria.
He said INEC was a key beneficiary of the first phase of the EU-SDGN Programme conceived under the National Indicative Programme 2014 – 2020.
“ The support went a long way to complement the Commission’s efforts at strengthening our organisational and planning capacity, a major achievement is the progressive provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, especially the deployment of technology at polling unit level,” he said.
Yakubu reassured that the commission would work together with the consortium of partners to implement the support to its component of the EU-SDGN II.
He said the choice of the partners signified a vote of confidence in their capacity to undertake actions and implement activities that are critical to promoting the institutionalisation of democratic norms in our country.
He said INEC would work with the implementing partners for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.
He added that the commission would continue to welcome the deployment of international and domestic election observers in line with INEC’s guidelines.
This, he said was because the commission considered the deployment of such election observation missions as a means of enhancing public confidence and trust in Nigeria’s elections. (NAN)
Rt Hon. Abbas secured the party’s ticket through an affirmation exercise conducted across the 13 electoral wards in the constituency.
The wards involved include Kwarbai A, Kwarbai B, Limancin-Kona, Unguwar Fatika, Unguwar Juma, Dutsen Abba, Gyallesu, Kufena, Dambo, Wuchichiri, Tudun Wada, Tukur-Tukur, and Kaura.
The exercise, which began simultaneously in all wards at about 10 a.m., recorded large turnout of APC members who gathered at various party offices across the constituency.
At Kwarbai B Ward, the Speaker’s ward, the process was conducted peacefully under the supervision of the ward APC Returning Officer, Malam Iliyasu Muhammad Balarabe, in the presence of Rt Hon. Abbas.
According to the ward APC secretary, Nafiu Sabo, the ward has over 10,000 registered members, but 220 members were accredited for the exercise.
Before the affirmation, Mallam Balarabe informed members that Rt Hon Abbas was the only aspirant who purchased nomination forms, underwent screening, and was cleared by the APC national leadership to contest the Zaria Federal Constituency seat.
Following a voice vote by accredited members, the Speaker was affirmed as the party’s candidate in the ward, a process replicated across the remaining 12 wards.
At the constituency collation centre, the APC Returning Officer for the House of Representatives primary in Zaria Federal Constituency, Dr. Hamisu Ibrahim Kubau, announced that 1,376 APC members across the 13 wards endorsed Rt Hon. Abbas as the party’s flag bearer.
He explained that although thousands of party members participated in the exercise, only accredited delegates were allowed to vote.
Dr. Kubau declared: “There are 13 wards in Zaria Federal Constituency, and only one aspirant purchased a form, was screened, and cleared. He is Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. After due process, we conducted affirmations across all wards.”
He added that the process was peaceful and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party representatives.
Chairman of the APC House of Representatives Primary Elections in Kaduna State, Senator Yakubu Oseni, described the outcome as a reflection of the Speaker’s popularity and acceptance among constituents.
He expressed confidence that Rt Hon Abbas would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after his declaration, Rt Hon. Abbas expressed appreciation to APC members for reaffirming their confidence in him.
The incumbent Reps including Emily Inyang and Godwin Offionio, in separate interviews
protested the handling of the primaries conducted by the leadership of the party in the state, saying it was skewed against them.
The aspirants further described the primaries as a charade and an embarrassment to the state.
According to them, the House of Representatives primaries fell short of the provisions of both the Electoral Act as amended in 2026 and the party’s constitution.
They accused the leadership of the party in the state, backed by Governor Bassey Otu, of violating the party’s constitution in the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries across the state on Saturday.
Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, particularly expressed disappointment with the primary that allegedly disenfranchised registered members of the party in his constituency.
Hon. Offiono asserted that having failed to arrive at a consensus, the party leadership opted for a direct primary to decide the candidate for the 2027 election.
“But what I witnessed today was not only alarming, but quite disheartening that our electoral system have not shown any improvement, especially now that we have a man of God in the person of the governor as the leader of the party.
“How do you declare a result by 9:00am even when the electoral materials were yet to arrive at Yala.
“As an aspirant, I couldn’t even vote or see the materials for my own primary at my Okuku ward in Yala Local Government Area, where I come from. But no matter what happens I am still in the race and have not stepped down for anybody.
“The governor had all the time in the world to drive the process of consensus but he never did. As a representative, I cannot even see my governor. I called, no response. I sent text no reply. I am treated as an out cast,” he lamented.
In an emotion laden tone during a telephone interview, Hon. Offiono further said: “I could not believe that first term NASS members like me can be treated in this shoddy manner even when I don’t know my offence.
“I have been a loyal party man. I appeal to the governor to do the right thing, follow the Electoral Act and party constitution in electing representatives.”
Similarly, Hon. Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency said he still remained in the race and had not stepped down for anybody.
According to him, “If this shenanigan called primary is allowed to stand, it would affect the party’s fortune in the general elections.
“My appeal to the governor is to allow the people to decide. And if they so voted against me, I will rest and not fight over anything.
“There was no stakeholders meeting held to decide on anything before now, and someone can not be unilaterally imposed on us all in the name of compromised primary,” he stated.
A coalition of support groups within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has protested the disqualification of former presidential aspirant, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, from the Rivers West Senatorial race ahead of the party’s primaries for the 2027 general elections.
The groups, in a statement issued on Saturday morning in Abuja, described the action of the party’s screening committee as unjust and capable of worsening internal divisions within the APC in Rivers State.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Dr. Bilal Galadima, and General Secretary, Hon. James Ogenyi, accused the party leadership in Rivers State of favouring politicians loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, while sidelining long-standing members of the APC.
The coalition alleged that only aspirants aligned with Chief Wike were cleared to contest for elective positions in the state.
“How can our party allow only one man who is not a member of our party to make decisions or dictate the direction of our party?”, the group queried.
The coalition specifically faulted the exclusion of Mr Jack-Rich, describing him as a loyal party member who had supported the APC for more than 13 years and previously contested the party’s presidential ticket.
It also questioned the alleged clearance of Chief Felix Obua, whom it described as a recent entrant into the party and an ally of Chief Wike.
“How can our party disqualify Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant who has been loyal and supported our party for the last 13 years, only for our party to choose Felix Obua, a Wike loyalist who only joined the party three months ago?”, the statement read.
The group warned that failure by the APC leadership and National Working Committee (NWC) to address the matter as it could weaken the party’s structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
It called on party leaders to uphold internal democracy, reward loyalty and ensure a level playing field for all aspirants.
INEC TO BEGIN MEMBERSHIP VERIFICATION AS POLITICAL PARTIES SUBMIT REGISTER
All 22 registered political parties have successfully submitted their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Commission has said.
In a statement issued on Friday, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the submission followed the extension granted by the Commission after political parties raised concerns during a meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, regarding the timeline provided in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline.”
He recalled that following a meeting with political parties, the Commission, in a statement issued on the 27th of March, 2026, adjusted the deadline for the submission of party registers from 21st April 2026 to 10th May 2026 to align with the provisions of Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates fixed by political parties for their primaries.
Mr Haruna noted that political parties were accordingly allowed to conduct their primaries within the approved period from 23rd April 2026 to 30th May 2026, while the register of party members was required to be submitted to the Commission not later than 21 days before the conduct of their respective primaries.
He added, “INEC wishes to state that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe and will subject the submitted registers to the necessary verification processes in line with the law.”
The Commission restated its commitment to the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.