The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its full support and willingness to cooperate with the newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joas Ojo Amupitan.

Reacting to Amupitan’s appointment, Hon. Duro Meseko, the APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, described him as a “perfect choice” made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and expressed confidence in the President’s decision.

“Anyone appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to head INEC, in accordance with the powers vested in him by the Constitution, is fully welcomed by the APC. We have no reason to oppose this decision,” Meseko stated.

He further assured that the ruling party would work with Prof. Amupitan in a manner that respects the rule of law and democratic principles.

“We welcome the new INEC chairman and assure him of our cooperation within the ambit of the law. We wish him success in his new role,” he added.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, is already under significant pressure from various political actors and civil society groups to rebuild the commission’s battered credibility following the controversial 2023 general elections.

Opposition parties and stakeholders have called on Prof. Amupitan to place national interest and electoral integrity above political loyalty as he assumes leadership of Nigeria’s top electoral body.

In a statement, Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), urged Amupitan to prove his commitment to Nigerians rather than those who appointed him.

“His allegiance must be to the people, not the government. He has the opportunity to build a legacy or tarnish his name. His tenure will likely exceed one electoral cycle, so his decisions must reflect long-term national interest,” Abdullahi said.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for urgent reforms to restore public trust.

CUPP’s National Secretary, Peter Ameh, acknowledged Amupitan’s qualifications but stressed that his performance would be judged by action, not academic accolades.

“Prof. Amupitan brings legal expertise in governance and evidence law, but Nigerians expect him to demonstrate courage and independence,” Ameh said.

He highlighted the failure of the 2023 elections, which were promoted as technologically advanced but ended in widespread disappointment.

CUPP cited the breakdown of the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) and low real-time result uploads to the IReV (INEC Result Viewing Portal) as key issues that fueled suspicion of electoral malpractice.

“Less than 25% of results were uploaded in real time. Observers recorded vote-buying, over-voting, and result manipulation, all worsened by poor communication and planning,” CUPP lamented.

The coalition recommended an immediate audit of INEC’s technological tools and a renewed commitment to transparency, efficiency, and open engagement with stakeholders.

CUPP also urged Amupitan to revisit the 2008 Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report, which identified major systemic weaknesses including political interference and weak institutional capacity.

“He must embody the omoluabi values, character, courage, and conscience, if INEC is to regain its independence,” Ameh concluded.

Also weighing in, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, demanded that INEC and other regulatory bodies begin verifying all academic and professional certificates submitted by political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on social media titled “Certificate Integrity and the Future of Nigerian Leadership,” Obi warned that fraudulent qualifications erode democratic credibility.

“These issues are not minor; they constitute serious criminal offences,” he said, referencing the recent resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, over discrepancies in his records, and the earlier resignation of Kemi Adeosun under President Buhari.

Obi emphasized that Nigeria must follow examples like Ghana, where candidates’ credentials undergo thorough scrutiny.

He urged INEC to immediately demand certificate submissions from all political aspirants, from presidential hopefuls down to local councillors, for verification and public transparency.

“Leadership must be built on truth and integrity, not deceit,” Obi said.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed full support for Amupitan’s appointment.

Duro Meseko, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, stated that the ruling party would cooperate with the new INEC chairman in line with constitutional provisions.

“We trust the president’s decision and welcome Prof. Amupitan. The APC will work with him in accordance with the law,” Meseko said.

Senator Steve Karimi of Kogi West also praised President Bola Tinubu for nominating what he described as “one of Nigeria’s finest scholars and administrators” to lead INEC.

In a statement from his media aide, Karimi said the appointment was “a personal gratification” as Amupitan hails from his constituency, although the professor has spent most of his life in Plateau State.

“He is a true Nigerian, with roots in Kogi, an academic career in Plateau, and national service in Bauchi,” Karimi said.

The Kogi State Government also hailed the appointment. In a statement signed by Commissioner for Information Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state described it as a “testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to excellence and inclusion.”

“Prof. Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal scholar, has all the qualities required to lead INEC with impartiality and integrity,” the statement said.

Chief Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), has firmly denied reports claiming that a Federal High Court in Osogbo ordered the arrest and imprisonment of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Udeze dismissed the reports as entirely false and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.

“Some individuals are spreading untrue claims that a court ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. No such judgment exists. I advise Nigerians and our party members to treat these rumours with the contempt they deserve,” Udeze said.

Earlier reports had suggested that Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi had issued an arrest order for Professor Yakubu over alleged non-compliance with a ruling that required INEC to restore certain Action Alliance officials to its official website.

These claims stemmed from a legal action initiated by former party member Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and his group, who sought formal recognition from INEC as the legitimate leaders of the party.

However, Udeze categorically stated that these claims were being propagated by individuals who had already been expelled from the party.

He emphasised that the issue of AA’s authentic leadership had been conclusively resolved in his favour by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

“The courts have ruled in our favour regarding the leadership of Action Alliance. Omoaje and his associates, after repeatedly losing in court, are now resorting to desperate and illegal tactics, including securing what we believe is a fraudulent ruling from Osogbo,” Udeze explained.

He went on to describe the supposed judgment as “fraudulently obtained,” noting that the party’s legal team had been instructed to take appropriate action to nullify it.

“We’ve directed our lawyers to pursue all legal avenues to overturn this bogus judgment. I urge all AA members and supporters to remain calm and focused. We will not be distracted by these destabilisation attempts,” he added.

Udeze reaffirmed his position as the officially recognised National Chairman of Action Alliance and encouraged party members to stay united and law-abiding as the legal process continues.

Chief Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of the Action Alliance (AA), has firmly denied reports claiming that a Federal High Court in Osogbo ordered the arrest and imprisonment of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Udeze dismissed the reports as entirely false and urged the public to disregard the misinformation.

“Some individuals are spreading untrue claims that a court ordered the arrest of former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. No such judgment exists. I advise Nigerians and our party members to treat these rumours with the contempt they deserve,” Udeze said.

Earlier reports had suggested that Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi had issued an arrest order for Professor Yakubu over alleged non-compliance with a ruling that required INEC to restore certain Action Alliance officials to its official website.

These claims stemmed from a legal action initiated by former party member Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and his group, who sought formal recognition from INEC as the legitimate leaders of the party.

However, Udeze categorically stated that these claims were being propagated by individuals who had already been expelled from the party.

He emphasised that the issue of AA’s authentic leadership had been conclusively resolved in his favour by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

“The courts have ruled in our favour regarding the leadership of Action Alliance. Omoaje and his associates, after repeatedly losing in court, are now resorting to desperate and illegal tactics, including securing what we believe is a fraudulent ruling from Osogbo,” Udeze explained.

He went on to describe the supposed judgment as “fraudulently obtained,” noting that the party’s legal team had been instructed to take appropriate action to nullify it.

“We’ve directed our lawyers to pursue all legal avenues to overturn this bogus judgment. I urge all AA members and supporters to remain calm and focused. We will not be distracted by these destabilisation attempts,” he added.

Udeze reaffirmed his position as the officially recognised National Chairman of Action Alliance and encouraged party members to stay united and law-abiding as the legal process continues.

A bill seeking to create a new state in Nigeria’s South-West region, Ibadan State, has passed second reading in the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Rep. Abass Adigun, who represents the Ibadan Northeast/Ibadan Southeast Federal Constituency, the bill proposes an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to carve Ibadan State out of the present-day Oyo State.

Leading the debate on the floor of the House on Thursday, Adigun argued that Ibadan, a former capital of the defunct Western Region, deserves statehood just as Kaduna and Enugu, former regional capitals, have since achieved.

“This bill represents a monumental step toward equitable development through federalism and fulfils the long-standing aspiration of the people of Ibadan,” Adigun said.

He emphasized that Ibadan possesses both the population and landmass to merit full state status.

In a comparison, he claimed that one local government area in Ibadan is larger than three combined LGAs in Bayelsa State, a remark that sparked objections.

Hon. Obuku Ofurji, representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa, described the comparison as inaccurate and disrespectful, calling it irrelevant to the merits of the bill.

In response, Adigun issued an apology but stood by the factual basis of his claim.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the bill to the House Committee on Constitutional Review, which he chairs.

The National Assembly is currently in the process of amending the 1999 Constitution, with the review expected to be concluded by December 2025, according to Kalu.

Creating a new state in Nigeria is constitutionally complex and rarely achieved. Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution lays out stringent conditions:

1. A request must be supported by two-thirds of elected representatives (Senate and House of Reps) and two-thirds of members of the State House of Assembly and local government councils in the affected area.
2. A referendum must be held, approved by two-thirds of the population in the proposed area.
3. The results must also be approved by a simple majority of all Nigerian states through their Houses of Assembly.
4. Finally, a resolution must be passed by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly.

No new state has been successfully created since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, despite numerous attempts and agitations.

The Ibadan State bill adds to the increasing number of proposals for new states across Nigeria, including movements for Ijebu, Anioma, Etiti, Oil River, Adada among others.