Politics

The All Democratic Alliance (ADA) has announced its decision to take legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following the commission’s refusal to register it as a political party, despite, according to the group, meeting all constitutional and administrative requirements. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association expressed deep disappointment over what it described as an unjust and predetermined decision by INEC. ADA said it was among 172 political associations that applied for registration and was later shortlisted as one of eight groups by the electoral body. According to the statement, INEC, through a letter dated Friday, December 5, 2025, informed the association of its intention to conduct a verification exercise on Monday, December 8, 2025. ADA noted that although the notice was short, its national executive committee members across the country made themselves available for the exercise. The group stated that officials of INEC who conducted the verification exercise commended its level of preparedness and even apologised for the short notice. It added that its national secretariat in Abuja and all 36 state chapters were fully operational and equipped for political activities. ADA further claimed that at no point during the registration or verification process did INEC raise concerns about missing documents or unmet requirements, stressing that all requested information was submitted and acknowledged within the stipulated timeframe. Read Also: At 76, Ganduje’s Journey Reflects Service, Leadership and a Life Dedicated to Humanity APC Unveils Schedule for Nationwide Congresses, National Convention One-Party State Allegations Baseless, APC Governors Tell Nigerians Describing INEC’s refusal as “rude, crude, and ominous,” the association warned that such actions pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic development. It called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure that government agencies uphold democratic principles rather than obstruct them. While acknowledging the right of political office holders to seek re-election, ADA argued that such ambitions should be based on performance and not on suppressing opposition or denying new political platforms the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. The association maintained that it would challenge INEC’s decision in a competent court of law, expressing confidence that justice would prevail. It also urged all stakeholders, including electoral authorities and the judiciary, to act patriotically in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy. The statement was signed by Hon. Leye Igbabo, National Publicity Secretary of the All Democratic Alliance.

Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a comprehensive timetable for its 2025/2026 nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in the party’s national convention. The schedule was made public on Saturday by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. According to the timetable signed by Basiru, the activities are being conducted in line with the provisions of Articles 11 and 17 of the APC Constitution and are aimed at electing party officials at all levels across the country. The process will commence with membership e-registration, scheduled to begin on Monday, December 1, 2025, and end on January 30, 2026. This will be followed by the issuance of notices of congresses to state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 2, 2026. Related: Tinubu Presides Over APC National Caucus Meeting in Abuja One-Party State Allegations Baseless, APC Governors Tell Nigerians Ex-Kano LG Chairmen Endorse Tinubu, Align With Ganduje’s Leadership in APC Purchase and submission of forms for ward and local government area (LGA) congresses are slated for February 4 to February 9, 2026, while screening committees for the ward and LGA positions will be inaugurated on February 10. Screening of aspirants will take place between February 11 and February 13. Ward congresses are scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with appeals arising from the congresses to be heard on February 19. LGA congresses, including the election of three delegates one of whom must be female to the national convention, will hold on February 20, while appeals are fixed for February 21. At the state level, the purchase of forms for state executive positions will take place from February 23 to February 27, 2026. Screening and appeals for state executives are slated for late February and early March, while state congresses will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Appeals from the state congresses will be entertained between March 9 and March 11. The timetable further shows that purchase and submission of forms for zonal congresses and the national convention will run from March 12 to March 17, 2026. Zonal congress committees will be inaugurated on March 18, followed by screening of aspirants on March 19 and 20. Zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones are scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, with appeals arising from the exercise to be heard on March 23. The designated zonal offices are Ibadan for the South West, Enugu for the South East, Rivers/Cross River for the South South, Kaduna for the North West, Gombe/Bauchi for the North East, and Nasarawa for the North Central. The timetable indicates that the APC National Convention will take place from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, 2026.

By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday presided over a meeting of the National Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The session commenced at about 7:38 p.m. with the arrival of the President and marked the party’s second National Caucus meeting in 2025, following an earlier meeting held on February 25. The meeting was also the first since Professor Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as the APC National Chairman in July. Opening prayers were offered at the meeting, with the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired General Buba Marwa, leading the Muslim prayer, while Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, said the Christian prayer. Read Also: Ex-Kano LG Chairmen Endorse Tinubu, Align With Ganduje’s Leadership in APC One-Party State Allegations Baseless, APC Governors Tell Nigerians Yilwatda Visits The Progressive Institute, Pledges Support for Think Tank The caucus meeting came days after the party rescheduled its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings from December 15–16 to December 18–19, with the NEC meeting expected to hold on Friday at the Presidential Villa. Governors and top party leaders were sighted at the venue, including serving and former APC governors as well as principal officers of the National Assembly. Also present was former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, who was granted bail earlier on Thursday by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwarimpa over an alleged ₦2.2 billion fraud case being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Notably, six governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who recently defected to the APC, attended the meeting. They include Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas. The APC National Caucus is a gathering of the party’s highest decision-making stakeholders, bringing together the President, Vice President, national chairman, members of the National Working Committee, governors and other key party leaders to deliberate on political and organisational matters ahead of broader discussions at the NEC.

By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is steering Nigeria toward a one-party state, describing such allegations as unfounded and misleading. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, stated this while briefing journalists after a meeting of progressive governors in Abuja. He said the growing strength of the APC is a reflection of public confidence in the party’s performance rather than any attempt to weaken opposition parties. Uzodimma said the increasing number of governors joining the APC demonstrates Nigerians’ approval of the policies and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, the party’s appeal lies in its commitment to delivering prosperity and good governance across the country. He described the APC as a united and vibrant party focused on serving the people, noting that its expansion is driven by the results of governance and reform initiatives rather than political coercion. The PGF chairman urged Nigerians and members of the political class to embrace peace and collaboration, stressing that national progress can only be achieved through collective effort. He noted that the APC now has about 28 governors, including the newly admitted Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, which he said further underscored the party’s growing influence. Read Also: Yilwatda Visits The Progressive Institute, Pledges Support for Think Tank Uzodimma said Nigerians were increasingly showing confidence in the APC and President Tinubu’s administration, citing ongoing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and improving citizens’ welfare. He highlighted initiatives such as the student loan scheme, which he said ensures access to education regardless of financial background, as well as the expansion of the national health insurance programme to improve healthcare access. The governor also pointed to improved government revenue, increased oil and gas production, and gradual economic recovery as indicators that the country was on the right path. Uzodimma expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stating that the reforms being implemented by the current administration are laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth, and urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and supportive of the process.