Politics
Who Is Afraid Of 2015 Polls?
The recent postponement
of the 2015 general elections to March 28 and April 11 from the initial February 14 and 28 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no doubt attracted mixed reactions across the country.
In fact, since the penultimate week’s postponement, reactions have not ceased: till date, more reactions have continued to emerge from various individuals, groups political parties, etc.
In the face of these reactions, however, two phenomena are easily identifiable: the one party blaming a perceived opposition for the postponement; and emphasis on the need for all and sundry, particularly those who believe on the same goal, to remain calm in the face of what they term deliberate intent to cause problem in the polity.
There had been accusations and counter-accusations, name-calling and pointing of fingers to various directions to the point that the question of who is afraid of holding the 2015 polls has become inevitable. All of these have mostly circled around the key actors the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC).
In spite of assurances given be INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, on holding the elections, as stipulated by the body’s programme over a year ago, on February 14 and 28, and amidst speculations of a possible shift, the first noticeable hint of a shift came from the PDP, as alleged by the opposition.
According to the opposition, the PDP-led Federal Government started the process by first putting Jega under intense pressure. The physical manifestation of this pressure, they alleged, came through Chief Edwin Clark, a First Republic politician regarded as President Jonathan’s Godfather.
Clark, they recalled, had called for Jega’s resignation some weeks earlier over allegations of the INEC boss having been acting the script of the APC. He was send to be backed by such key figures as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, and the Director of Media and Publicity for the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign team, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Metuh was quoted in a statement to have alleged that “The party (PDP) had received overwhelming evidence from citizens in APC states following its earlier alarm that non-indigenes who form the bulk of PDP supporters in Lagos were being denied their PVCs”.
The PDP further alleged that in addition to Lagos, the same thing also applied to other APC-controlled states, including Kano.
While debunking these allegations, APC’s National Public Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said in a statement, “it is shameful that those who should be working hard to promote peaceful elections as secheduled are the same ones doing everything possible to trigger violence.
“Those who should ordinarily be seen as elder statesmen have degenerated to dangerous partisans and shameless promoters of a narrow, parochial interest at the expense of the national interest,” he said.
When the election was finally postponed on reasons of insecurity and logistics the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, was quoted as saying that the postponement was not due to the reasons given by INEC.
According to Tinubu, “what happended on Saturday was actually not a postponement due to security or logistics reasons. What happened was the by-product of over political interference undermining the independence of the election management body. INEC.
“The elections were postponed not because they could not safely be held. They were postponed because one man, President Goodluck Jonathan, feared that an election held in February would for him become an election lost,” hence “while the month was (that of) Jega, the words were (that of) Jonathan,” he said.
In his reaction, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, said the May 29 hand-over date of the PDP-led Federal Government to the APC cannot be postponed.
Speaking while receiving some defectors from the PDP in Benin City, Oshiomhole said, “you heard what happened. They said they have postponed the elections. Few days back, they called us for a meeting at the council of state and we said they should go ahead and do the election.
“In any event, we are not the only country with security challenges. Even election is held in Afghanistan and Iraq so, whether they postpone the election or not, we won’t fight. They can’t postpone Christmas.
“They can postpone the election, but they cannot postpone May 29 handover date. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Don’t fight, make peace, we will use the remaining six weeks to mobilise more, pull out more people from the PDP so that Edo State will be 100% for APC”, he said.
The International Community also had things to say about the postponement: while the government of the United Kingdom (UK) declared the postponement as being wrong, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on all political actors to respect the decision by INEC and accept it in good faith.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, in a statement, noted that the decision by the INEC to postpone the election was a cause for concern.
“The Nigerian people have the right to credible, peaceful and transparent elections. There should be no further delay in delivering democracy and I urge all to remain calm during this period of frustration,” he said.
Hammond continued that while the UK supports Nigeria “in its struggle against terrorism, the security situation should not be used as a reason for denying the Nigerian people from exercising their democratic rights.
“It is vital that the elections are kept on track and held as soon as possible in accordance with international norms,” he said.
While noting the concerns and disappointments of Nigerians and all other stakeholders occasioned by the postponement, the ECOWAS urged all political actors to respect INEC’s decision.
The regional body used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian security services to be dedicated towards restoring normalcy in the North-Eastern part of the country.
It also encouraged the electoral body to take advantage of the postponement to complete all pre-election arraignments, particularly the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), in order to ensure free and credible elections, while also encouraging political stakeholders to refrain from utterances that may incite their supporters or opponents to violence.
The opposition also expressed fear of what they hinted could culminate into a constitutional crisis. National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun clearly captured this stance in a media briefing in Abuja.
According to him, “it is important to note that the Service Chiefs letter to INEC demand postponement for ‘at least’ six weeks. This, we must note, is a body trap. Embed in that phrase ‘ ‘at least’ is a window to push for another postponement.
“It is clear, however, that any further postponement can only lead to a constitutional crisis. The constitution demands at least 30 days before the handover date of May 29, we have strong suspicions, but hope this postponement is not part of an agenda to create, a constitutional crisis in the country. We are just recently recovering from the crisis precipitated by the political crisis of 1993. We can’t afford aother,” he said.
In spite of the seeming convention of the opposition that the postponement of the elections from the earlier scheduled February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, is a ploy for the PDP to want ample time to catch up with the popularity of the APC, the PDP also allege that the postponement is to prevent an imminent crisis APC was planning as a back-up plan to excuse its non-acceptance by the populace.
The Ekiti State chapter of the PDP stated unequivocally that “the postponement of the general elections has saved the nation from monumental electoral crisis that would have trailed the outcome if the election were to be conducted as earlier scheduled.”
A statement by the secretary of the state PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko, stated that “the outcome of the election would have been sarcastically embroiled in an unprecedented crisis by the time the APC looses out.
“The opposition APC would have incited almajiri’s and their likes in other parts of the country that president Jonathan had deliberately disenfranchised voters in the North Eastern States, where they claimed is their stronghold, to facilitate their failure in the election.
“The APC had chosen this as their back-up strategy to destabilise the country after the election, which they knew many not be won by their candidate, General Mohamadu Buhari”, he said.
Dr Aluko stated further that “although the leadership of the APC is armed with the field report that even in Borno State, PDP can spring surprises because of the popularity of PDP leaders there, they still wanted the election to proceed in order to actualise their plans of causing national disaster.”
Advising the country’s security agencies ahead of the new dates for the elections, a body of prominent Nigerian’s under the aegis of “The Patriots” urged security agencies to be politically neutral in the discharged of their duties during and after the 2015 elections.
While addressing the media after a meeting attended by the members at of the FRA Williams Chambers in Lagos, the chairman and foremost Nigerian Constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, said the body supports the decision to shift the election date for security reasons.
“We’ve studied the reason cited by the INEC. When you give security reasons, it is not easy for you if you are not knowledgeable about security to say no.
“When they said they needed time to strengthen the security, it is only a foolish chairman that would say they’re saying rubbish. There is also the issue of preparedness of INEC to provide all that is needed. So, it makes sense to postpone election,” he said.
In all of the claims and counter claims, allegations and counter allegations and the sort on the postponement of the elections, all parties involved seem to be more bothered about countering whatever stance the opposition takes than considering the key issues raised.
These positions taken do not seem to be far from the fact that all political players one way or the other understands themselves, and know the capabilities or otherwise of the other, backed by what they seem to inadvertently, picture as an unreliable political system incapacitated by a constitution that can be taken for granted by anyone privileged to do so.
The implication is that all concerned acknowledge that the constitution as it is currently can be exploited at will and little can be done about, hence it can be not be trusted, even as it is widely quoted.
Thus if all the parties concerned really care for Nigeria as true patriots, perhaps, one major exposition of events related to the 2015 general elections is the fact that Nigeria is in dare need of a system that could really be trusted.
Soibi Max-Alalibo
Prof Jega
The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, saying the proposed creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs rather than political considerations.
The Red Chamber passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency as well as a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”
The senate leader said the proposal to establish state police was a matter of urgent public importance that could not be delayed because of political interests, given the country’s security challenges.
He explained that the proposal did not originate recently but emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the proposal underwent extensive consultations and rigorous scrutiny because of its sensitive nature.
Bamidele said the National Assembly consulted widely with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders before passing the bill.
He added that during the public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025, participants overwhelmingly supported the creation of state police.
“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of stark realities we are facing today,” he said.
The Senate leader noted that recommendations from the Nigeria Police contributed to the bill, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse of state police by political actors.
According to him, the police’s support for the proposal underscores its national significance in tackling insecurity at the state and local levels.
Bamidele also said the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly.
“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties — PDP, ADC, NDC and Labour Party — that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on parochial basis.
“In the Senate, for instance, 84 out of 109 members voted clause by clause in support of the Bill. This accounted for 77.06 per cent approval at the Senate alone,” he said.
He argued that national security should transcend political affiliations, saying political actors in other countries often set aside partisan interests to support initiatives that strengthen security.
Bamidele called on opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would promote peace and stability, adding that they have a responsibility to offer alternatives that would strengthen the country.
“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to refer allegations of the diversion or non-accounting of over ?6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
The group also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all diverted or unaccounted public funds are recovered and paid into the treasury.
In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed and released by Oluwadare, yesterday.
SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identities of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.
It gave the National Assembly seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would institute legal proceedings should the legislature fail to respond.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
It said, “The allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
“The Auditor-General identified numerous cases of payments into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not rendered, undocumented expenditures, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failures to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“According to the 2022 audited report, contained in pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the private account of some members of staff of the Council from the Constituency Projects Fund Account.
“There ‘was no evidence of the utilization of the funds and no explanations on the purpose for the payment of such amount into the individual accounts.”
SERAP added, “The Council (EHORECON) also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts of over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of Modern Abattoirs in Kebbi State and the supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa, and Headquarters Abuja.
“The money was to ‘produce bills of quantity, architectural design, structural design, mechanical design, and electrical designs for the contracts and supervision.’ But ‘the ‘items could not be found.’”
Altogether, SERAP said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report alleged EHORECON paid more than ?1.8 billion in constituency project funds through questionable transactions.
For the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, SERAP said the institution “in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youths in selected vocational areas in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youths in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youths and women in agro production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
“But the money was paid to the contractors without any document.’”
Other irregularities involving the college include another ?279.7 million in mobilisation fees allegedly paid without documentation, and more than ?629.4 million paid to unqualified contractors for various constituency projects without evidence of due process, contract advertisements or details of the contractors.
SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General’s report identified multiple financial irregularities involving the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over ?407 million allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without supporting documents, more than ?399 million paid to unqualified contractors, contracts allegedly inflated by over ?192 million, over ?279 million paid for projects not fully executed, ?50 million allegedly paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and more than ?83 million disbursed without the required documentation or approvals.
It also alleged that NAPTIP reportedly irregularly awarded contracts worth over ?21.8 million, paid more than ?176.8 million for logistics and consultancy services without supporting documents, and disbursed over ?89.6 million and ?4.4 million for projects that were allegedly not executed.
The report also alleged that NILDS failed to submit audited financial statements for 2012 to 2022, did not remit over ?15 million in stamp duties, and spent ?1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
SERAP said the report recommended the recovery of the affected funds and their remittance to the treasury.
It argued that corruption in constituency projects disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable Nigerians by diverting resources meant for public services and development.
It added that the National Assembly, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, should demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency project funds.
The organisation further argued that the allegations, if established, would amount to breaches of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday brushed aside the order of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which ordered him to stay proceedings in a suit that sought deregistration of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Accord Party and three others.
The Court of Appeal in a unanimous decision of a panel of three Justices had on May 22, 2026 directed the Federal High Court Judge not to proceed with the suit until an appeal pending before them and filed by Accord Party is resolved.
In a Certified True Copy Enrol Order of the Superior Court, Justices Mohammed Danjuma, Adebukola Banjoko and Oyejoju Oyewumi asked the lower Court Judge to stay proceedings until all issues on the appeal filed by the Accord Party were resolved
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State had, through the Accord Party, applied to justice Lifu to join him as a defendant in the deregistration legal battle instituted by a group of former legislators.
The contention of the Osun State governor was that he had a stake in the Accord Party, being the platform he was seeking re-election in the August 15 gubernatorial poll in the state.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu on April 27 ruled against the Osun State governor, rejecting his request to be joined in the suit to defend his own position and interest.
Not satisfied with the Federal High Court decision, the Osun State governor, through his lawyer, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), moved to the Court of Appeal in Abuja where he challenged the Justice Lifu decision to refuse to allow him join the suit.
After listening to the argument canvassed, especially that he has interest to protect as Accord Party gubernatorial candidate for Osun State governorship election, the three Justices of the Court of Appeal, unanimously directed Justice Lifu to allow them look into the grievances of the governor.
In specific terms, the Court of Appeal Justices directed Justice Lifu not to proceed further with the matter and fixed October 27 to determine the interlocutory appeal of the appellant.
However, when the certified enroll order and notice of appeal were served on Justice Peter Lifu by Mr Adetunbi (SAN), the judge rejected it on the ground that it was a ploy to arrest his judgment in the matter.
Although the judge had adjourned his judgment delivery in the matter indefinitely, he finally made a dramatic turn around on Monday and proceeded to deliver the judgment that has now proscribed the five political parties.
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