As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room has called on the National Assembly to urgently complete and pass all pending electoral reform bills to strengthen public trust in the democratic process.

The appeal was made during a press conference in Abuja on Monday by Celestine Odo, Head of Programmes at ActionAid Nigeria, speaking on behalf of the coalition.

Odo warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical crossroads, under threat from a growing governance deficit and widespread public disillusionment.

“The Situation Room calls on the National Assembly to finalise and pass into law pending reforms that will restore confidence in our elections and, ultimately, our democracy,” Odo stated.

In addition to legislative reforms, the group also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, particularly in upcoming off-cycle gubernatorial polls in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.

The Situation Room expressed concern over systemic corruption and urged the federal government to confront the issue head-on.

“While the endurance of civil rule is commendable, systemic corruption, cultural fragmentation, and governance failures continue to undermine democratic consolidation,” Odo added.

He noted that the success of the current administration’s legacy would depend on its ability to reduce economic inequality, restore electoral integrity, and promote inclusive governance.

The group also criticized the Senate’s suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a threat to the rule of law.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a first-time senator from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended on March 6, 2025, and barred from all parliamentary activities for six months.

Although the matter was taken to court, the Federal High Court in Abuja did not overturn the Senate’s decision, citing the absence of a binding order to reverse it.

Despite informing the Senate Clerk’s office of her intention to resume duties on September 4, the senator has yet to be allowed back.

The Situation Room condemned the Senate’s continued denial of her return, warning it undermines constitutional democracy and sets a dangerous precedent.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed the hearing of a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, due to improper service of court documents on some of the defendants.

At the resumed session on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the plaintiff had not fulfilled the legal requirements for proper service and directed that all defendants be personally served.

The case was adjourned to September 30 for hearing.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CD/1819/2025, was filed by Nafiu Gombe, a former Deputy National Chairman of the ADC.

He is challenging the legitimacy of Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the party.

The defendants listed in the suit include African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Chief Ralph Nwosu.

In an ex parte motion filed on September 2, Gombe sought the temporary injunctions restraining INEC from recognising Mark and Aregbesola as national officers of the ADC pending the hearing of the main suit, preventing Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and Secretary, as well as prohibiting INEC from interacting or dealing with them in their claimed capacities until the case is resolved.

Despite the ongoing legal challenge, INEC has already recognised Mark and Aregbesola as the legitimate leaders of the party.

At Monday’s proceedings, legal representation was present for INEC and ADC, but Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were absent and unrepresented, despite previous court orders summoning them to show cause.

Shaibu Aruwa (SAN), representing ADC, filed a preliminary objection arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction, as the dispute concerns the internal affairs of a political party.

He also described the suit as an abuse of court process, filed in bad faith.

Aruwa challenged the method of service used on the absent defendants, stating that unless the court had ordered joint service, individual service was required.

Justice Nwite agreed, ruling that court permission must be sought before serving multiple parties through a single channel.

He ordered the plaintiff’s lawyer, Michael Agber, to properly serve all outstanding defendants personally.

Agber had earlier told the court that all parties had been served, with Mark, Aregbesola, and Nwosu receiving documents via the ADC headquarters.

However, Aruwa argued this was not legally sufficient.

Meanwhile, INEC’s lawyer, Kingsley Magbuin, confirmed that the commission had received the originating processes but was yet to be served with the motion on notice.

Agber proceeded to serve him in open court as directed by the judge.

On September 4, the court had refused to grant an interim injunction against the Mark-led leadership, instead ordering that all defendants be put on notice to respond.

Both ADC and INEC have now filed their responses and affidavits to show cause.

The matter will now proceed on September 30, when the court is expected to determine whether the suit can move forward.

The Nigerian Presidency has dismissed claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the country is being overwhelmed by hunger, insisting that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making steady progress.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticized Atiku’s remarks as out of touch with current realities.

He accused the former VP of exaggerating the nation’s challenges and ignoring recent economic improvements.

Atiku had earlier described the hunger situation as “unacceptable” and claimed that Tinubu had shown no signs of addressing poverty or food insecurity more than two years into his administration.

Responding, Onanuga said Atiku’s rhetoric, comparing Nigeria’s situation to France before the 1789 Revolution and Russia before 1917, was “misleading and inflammatory.”

“Talk is cheap,” Onanuga said, adding that Atiku’s comments fail to reflect what he called “the authentic Nigerian reality.”

He cited recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicating that headline inflation had declined for five consecutive months, and that the country had recorded a record trade surplus, with non-oil exports nearly matching oil exports.

Onanuga also highlighted a rise in foreign exchange reserves, now nearing $42 billion, up from $32 billion when Tinubu assumed office.

He said over $7 billion in arrears had been cleared, including $800 million owed to international airlines.

He concluded that Nigeria is experiencing “unprecedented revenues,” enabling state governments to pay salaries and gratuities promptly, and still fund capital and social development projects.

“Nigeria is on the right path,” Onanuga stated.

“President Tinubu’s administration is correcting the errors of the past, especially those created under the PDP government during Atiku’s time as Vice President.”

Former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has clarified that his recent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) does not mean he has abandoned the Labour Party.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television, Rhodes-Vivour explained that his move is in line with a broader opposition coalition strategy aimed at building a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

“I wouldn’t say I dumped LP. The party is currently split into two factions, one of which supports the coalition we’re building. ADC is simply the platform chosen for that effort,” he said.

Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the 2023 Lagos governorship election but lost to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, declared his intention to run again in 2027, emphasizing that the coalition brings together members from LP, PDP, and even APC.

“We’ve built networks, learned from the last election, and are growing stronger. The coalition helps us reach more people and gain wider grassroots support,” he added.

He also raised alarm over what he described as police obstruction of opposition activities, citing an incident in Alimosho, where his group had paid and received approval to hold a reception for himself and Peter Obi under the ADC banner.

Despite fulfilling all legal requirements, Rhodes-Vivour said security forces occupied the venue ahead of the event, and on the same day allowed the APC to host a rally there under police protection.

“We had approvals, receipts, everything in place. But on Thursday, they occupied the venue, and on Saturday, the APC held their own event at the same location with full security support. The Commissioner of Police must explain why,” he demanded.

He added that over 80 policemen and an armoured carrier were deployed to stop the ADC event, with senior officers citing “orders from above.”

Despite the challenges, Rhodes-Vivour said the opposition is staying the course, aiming to approach the 2027 election more strategically, united, and prepared.

“We are building a stronger, more structured campaign. This coalition is not just about politics, it’s about real representation for the people,” he said.

A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has issued a stern warning over reports suggesting the federal government plans to appoint a recently retired Court of Appeal judge as the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Monday, Galadima expressed deep concerns over the alleged nomination, describing the retired judge as “notorious.”

“Come November, there are rumours all over the place that this government is nominating a just-retired Court of Appeal judge who is known for notoriety to be the chairman of INEC,” he said.

“I wish it is not true. Because if that man becomes the chairman of INEC, be rest assured that this government is inviting a civil war in this country.”

Galadima did not mince words in his criticism of the current INEC leadership, claiming the commission has already been compromised to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He alleged that a former APC secretary, who had previously represented the party in court, was rewarded with the role of INEC chairman.

“The INEC chairman has already rigged the election for APC.
They brought somebody who was the secretary of the party that went to court for APC as acting national chairman, and he was rewarded with the chairmanship of INEC,” he said.

The NNPP stalwart warned that allowing individuals with questionable track records to head critical national institutions like INEC could spell disaster for Nigeria’s democracy and national stability.

“If this man is appointed INEC chairman, then forget about elections in Nigeria. Because there would be no elections in this country, and it will create chaos,” Galadima warned.

He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any move to install controversial figures in sensitive electoral positions.

“We must not allow people with known reputations for injustice or partisanship to be in charge of our elections. The credibility of our democracy depends on it,” he concluded.