The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take immediate action against politicians and political parties engaging in early election campaigns, which are prohibited by law.

In a letter dated September 13, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu to identify and prosecute violators and their sponsors.

“INEC is not helpless when political parties, candidates, and other politicians contravene the legally prescribed period for election campaigns. Early election campaigns are unconstitutional and illegal,” the organization said.

Last week, INEC raised concerns about the increasing trend of premature campaigns, lamenting that the practice undermines its ability to monitor campaign finance.

The electoral body also claimed that there are currently no specific sanctions for early campaigning.

But SERAP disagreed, insisting that INEC has both the legal authority and responsibility to take enforcement actions.

“INEC’s constitutional and statutory mandates extend to sanctioning or penalising electoral offences, including early election campaigns,” the group argued.

“INEC should not be seen to be encouraging or giving legitimacy to political parties, candidates, and other politicians carrying out early election campaigns outside the legally prescribed campaign period.”

“Early election campaigns have adverse effects on economic development due to prolonged electioneering frenzy.”

SERAP also criticized the apparent misuse of public resources by some state governors, claiming that revenue generated from the removal of fuel subsidies is being diverted toward premature electioneering instead of public services.

“Several state governors seem to be using fuel subsidy windfall for early election campaigns,” the letter continued.

“Several state governors are grossly failing to invest in social and economic development and provide essential services to their residents despite a significant increase in revenue since the removal of fuel subsidies.”

SERAP pointed out that INEC has not yet released the official timetable and schedule for the elections, making current political campaigns a direct violation of the law.

“As INEC is yet to publish the timetable and schedule of activities for elections, early election campaigns are inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

The organization emphasized that enforcing the ban on early campaigns is essential to upholding democratic values.

“Enforcing the prohibition against early election campaigns would be reasonable, justifiable, and proportionate, as it would serve to achieve human dignity, equality, and freedom.”

“INEC has broad constitutional and legal obligations to promote, protect, uphold the rule of law and defend the public interest.”

SERAP warned that failure by INEC to act decisively would foster a dangerous culture of impunity.

“Any failure by INEC to fairly enforce constitutional and statutory prohibitions of early election campaigns and the country’s international human rights obligations would create a culture of impunity of perpetrators and their sponsors.”

“By failing to act against or sanction political parties, candidates, and other politicians for engaging in early election campaigns, INEC is implicitly condoning the violations of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

The rights group concluded by giving INEC a seven-day ultimatum to act on its demands.

“We would therefore 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 INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

A fresh political clash has erupted in Anambra State as Governor Charles Soludo and Young Progressive Party (YPP) governorship candidate, Sir Paul Chukwuma, exchange accusations over an incident involving the Commissioner for Youth, Mr. Patrick Ayamba.

According to circulating reports and a trending video on social media, the altercation allegedly took place at Onitsha Medical Center.

It was claimed that Chukwuma and his supporters confronted the commissioner when they visited the hospital to transfer victims of an earlier taskforce-related attack to another facility.

The video reportedly shows that a vehicle belonging to Commissioner Ayamba was parked at the hospital entrance, allegedly obstructing Chukwuma’s team.

This resulted in a brief scuffle before the situation was calmed by onlookers.

However, Chukwuma, through his media team, has strongly refuted the allegations, calling them an orchestrated attempt by the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to suppress opposition voices.

“We have seen the video of Sir Paul Chukwuma’s intervention at the Onitsha Medical Centre, now in circulation by the failed APGA government in Anambra State.”

“This is part of the ongoing efforts of Soludo’s government to keep grappling with straws, in a bid to avoid serious engagement regarding his performance so far. We, however, sympathize with them because we reckon that such behavior is expected from an outgoing government, with nothing left to offer.”

Chukwuma’s media team explained that the YPP candidate had suspended his campaign plans in response to violence allegedly carried out by state operatives against traders in the Onitsha main market, which reportedly led to fatalities.

“A few days ago, the Governorship candidate of the YPP, Sir Paul Chukwuma, had to suspend his initial campaign plans to respond to an emergency arising from the violence meted out to innocent traders by operatives of the Anambra State Government, leading to some deaths, right in the heart of the main market in Onitsha.”

“This shocking incident immediately triggered the traders to their wits’ end, leading to the destruction of vehicles belonging to the leaders of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra State – OCHA Brigade, accused of leading the onslaught on the traders.”

“The agency’s office was also vandalized. This was the situation in the market when Sir Paul Chukwuma arrived in the main market, Onitsha, and pleaded with the traders to remain calm and law-abiding. This can be seen in the video of Paul Chukwuma’s outing in the market.”

Chukwuma was reportedly responding to complaints that injured victims were not being properly treated at the hospital.

“Responding to the complaints that some of the injured traders during the attack by the government operatives have not been admitted or are not receiving adequate treatment at the hospital where they were taken, Sir Paul Chukwuma then assured that he was going to the hospital to ensure that they are treated and adequately taken care of.”

Upon reaching the hospital, the YPP candidate reportedly arranged for an ambulance to transfer the victims.

“Upon arrival at the hospital, Paul Chukwuma was asked to get an ambulance if he wanted to have the injured traders transferred to another hospital, and he complied. While the injured were taken into the waiting ambulance arranged by Paul Chukwuma, a branded sienna vehicle approached the gate and blocked the entrance gate.”

“A government official then disembarked from the vehicle and immediately proceeded to the hospital, ordering them to shut their doors. Realizing that the occupant of the sienna is a serving official of the same government whose operatives killed their relatives and injured others, some of the relatives launched an attack on the government official.”

“In fact, the government official first earned the wrath of the people when he ordered the hospital to close its doors. This infuriated the relatives of the injured and deceased who were present. At this point, the official of the government was immediately asked to leave the place and to remove his vehicle, which he had used to block the gate.”

The YPP campaign concluded with a scathing critique of Governor Soludo’s administration and a warning about the upcoming election.

“The APGA government in Anambra State must take note that they are at cross purposes with the people of Anambra State, and no amount of attempts to derail credible and healthy competition from the YPP, Sir Paul Chukwuma, and his Deputy, Uzu Okagbue, can stand. What we are asking is simple: the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, must tell us what he has done with the billions of public funds he has overseen for and on behalf of the people and government of Anambra State in over three years.”

“The Governor may wish to grandstand and put up all manner of theatrical distractions to evade accountability, but he will surely not escape the rejection of Ndi Anambra on the ballot come November 8, 2025.”

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has declared the recent impeachment of the Garki Local Government Speaker as illegal and without merit.

This was made known by Hon. Ibrahim Hashim Kanya, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, who spoke on behalf of the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, during a press briefing.

According to Kanya, the councilors who initiated the impeachment failed to follow due legal procedures and acted without informing the State Assembly, a step now required before any local council leadership changes can be made.

“The removal of the Garki Speaker was carried out in violation of established laws,” Kanya stated.

“Hence, the impeachment is nullified, and the speaker retains his position. Local government lawmakers must seek the consent of the state assembly before attempting such actions.”

The State Assembly’s stance follows a move by seven out of ten councillors in the Garki Local Government Council, who held a sitting on Friday to remove the then Speaker and appoint a new leadership.

Abdussamad Adam from Garki Ward was chosen as the new Speaker, with Magajin Dahiru (Siyore Ward) as Deputy Speaker, Danjuma Abdullahi (Gunku Ward) as Majority Leader, and Muhammad Sale (Largo Ward) as Chief Whip.

In response, some councillors criticized the intervention by the State Assembly, accusing its Speaker of overstepping his bounds and violating constitutional provisions that guarantee local government autonomy.

They argued that their actions were lawful and in line with the Nigerian Constitution, which grants autonomy to all three tiers of government.

The councillors also raised concerns about a lack of transparency and oversight in the operations of the Garki council under the previous speaker.

“We acted within our constitutional powers,” one councillor stated.

“We were not consulted or involved in decisions regarding financial spending, contract approvals, committee formations, or project oversight—issues clearly within our legislative mandate.”

Despite the local lawmakers’ objections, the State Assembly insists that the impeachment remains invalid unless its guidelines are followed.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State has reacted to Senator Uche Ekwunife’s refusal to accept a public challenge issued by Dr. Nonye Soludo, wife of Governor Charles Soludo, for a paternity test involving their respective children.

According to the party, Ekwunife’s decision to decline the test did not come as a surprise, citing her alleged fears over the possible implications of the test results.

Ekwunife reportedly turned down the challenge, stating that Dr. Nonye Soludo owed no one but her husband, Governor Soludo, an explanation.

She maintained that “only a woman knows the paternity of her children.”

In response, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, the Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors, claimed Ekwunife’s refusal validated the innocence of Dr. Nonye Soludo regarding the allegations made against her by the former senator.

“I expected Senator Uche Ekwunife to chicken out of the paternity test challenge given to her by our own living Saint in the person of Her Excellency Nonye Soludo because of her despicable antecedents,” Obigwe said.

“Senator Uche Ekwunife could not take the challenge because of its grave implications at the end of the day.”

Obigwe went on to describe Dr. Soludo as a “lamb without blemish,” asserting that her character and integrity should not be questioned.

“Her Excellency Nonye Soludo, that is an undisputed living Saint, cannot be associated with Ekwunife and that is why she boldly challenged the public toilet her to a paternity test of their respective children.”

“My position is that when the name of a living Saint like Her Excellency Nonye Soludo is mentioned, the likes of Ekwunife should not be mentioned anywhere around her.”

“It is now on record that Senator Uche Ekwunife ran away from the paternity test challenge given to her by Her Excellency Nonye Soludo.”

Obigwe concluded by suggesting that Ekwunife’s refusal to participate in the test pointed to hidden truths she was afraid to reveal.

“The reason why Senator Uche Ekwunife chickened out of the paternity test challenge is because she has skeletons in her cupboard and cannot withstand the revelation the paternity test results will bring to her,” he said.

“In all honesty, Her Excellency Nonye Soludo is a role model to women that value their dignity more than gold, and for me, she is a living Saint on earth.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly denied reports suggesting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a validated list of the party’s state chairmen across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In a statement posted on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter), ADC National Spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, refuted the circulating report as “fake news,” insisting that INEC has neither officially nor unofficially confirmed such a list.

The statement was issued in response to a report, published by certain media outlets (not including DAILY GAZETTE) that falsely claimed INEC had confirmed ADC’s state chairmen nationwide.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission, to the best of our knowledge and verification, has issued no such confirmation,” Abdullahi stated.

He clarified that INEC only recognizes official party submissions made through the proper channels and only after internal procedures are followed in line with the ADC constitution.

“As of today, no such comprehensive list has been submitted or confirmed by INEC,” he added.

Abdullahi stressed that ratification of state leadership remains an internal affair, handled in accordance with ADC’s rules and processes.

The party also used the opportunity to caution its members and the public to beware of deliberate disinformation aimed at destabilizing the party.

This clarification comes amid ongoing internal disputes within ADC, including a recent leadership tussle involving the recognition of former Senate President David Mark as the party’s national chairman by INEC.

The development has led to a legal challenge, with a court recently summoning both David Mark and ADC’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, over the leadership crisis.

However, the party dismissed reports of any court injunction preventing INEC from acknowledging the Mark-led faction, calling such claims baseless fabrications driven by “desperate political jobbers.”

Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and discipline, the ADC leadership encouraged stakeholders to rely only on verified communication from official party channels.

“We urge our members to remain focused and united as we resolve internal challenges and protect the party’s integrity,” Abdullahi said.

With the Anambra governorship election slated for November 8, the Soludo-Ibezim Campaign Organisation (SICO) has restated its commitment to running an issue-based and development-focused campaign, distancing itself from political distractions and personal attacks.

This reassurance was conveyed in a statement issued on Friday in Awka by the Director-General of SICO, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, who reaffirmed the campaign’s confidence in the leadership credentials and widespread support enjoyed by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim.

“We will not be distracted,” Chukwulobelu said.

“Our focus is firmly on the future of Anambra and the real issues that concern our people. The Soludo-Ibezim ticket represents continuity, competence, and a clear vision for the state’s long-term development.”

He noted that the Soludo administration’s track record over the past three years has set it apart, citing achievements in key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, and economic reform, all delivered without external loans.

“Governor Soludo has driven transformative projects and reforms across the state. These achievements speak for themselves and form the foundation of our campaign. We are asking the people of Anambra to judge us based on performance, not propaganda,” he stated.

Chukwulobelu emphasized that the Soludo-Ibezim team values the intelligence and expectations of Ndi Anambra and will continue to earn their trust through responsible governance.

“We do not take the support of the people for granted. Every vote will be earned through the value we have delivered and will continue to deliver. Anambra is a sophisticated state. It cannot afford to be governed by individuals lacking the capacity or integrity required for the job.”

He added that SICO remains focused on presenting a policy-driven agenda that reflects the aspirations of the people and positions Anambra as a model state in Nigeria.