The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to allow eligible inmates in Nigeria’s correctional facilities to participate in future elections, in line with a court ruling affirming their right to vote.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Yakubu referenced a 2019 judgement by the Court of Appeal in Benin, which upheld the constitutional rights of inmates to register and vote.

The case had been brought forward by five inmates on behalf of thousands of others, challenging their exclusion from the electoral process.

“The right of inmates to vote has been affirmed by a competent court of law. As a responsible institution, INEC is committed to ensuring that this decision is respected, provided it is done in accordance with the law,” Yakubu said.

He added that the Commission has been engaging with the Nigeria Correctional Service to develop practical frameworks that would allow for inmate participation in elections.

These include access to registration facilities, determining eligible categories of inmates, and addressing the concerns of political parties.

The INEC chairman also emphasized the need for legislative backing from the National Assembly to solidify the legal and operational groundwork for inmate voting.

Responding, Comptroller General Nwakuche urged the Commission to uphold the rights of inmates, especially those awaiting trial, to participate in the country’s democratic process.

According to him, there are currently over 81,000 inmates across Nigeria, with roughly 66% of them yet to be convicted.

“Most of our inmates are awaiting trial and should not be denied their civic rights, especially the right to vote. The recent court ruling has provided a strong basis for this,” Nwakuche said.

While the 2019 ruling stopped short of directing INEC to set up registration centres within correctional facilities, it opened the door for collaboration between the electoral body and prison authorities to explore lawful means for inmate enfranchisement.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will take place in 811 centres spread across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was disclosed in a statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, following the commission’s regular meeting held in Abuja.

To ease access and assist citizens in locating their nearest registration centres, INEC will launch a CVR Live Locator tool, which will go live on August 17, 2025, a day before the exercise begins.

According to Olumekun, the CVR process will begin in two phases.

Online pre-registration is scheduled to commence on August 18, while in-person registration will follow a week later on August 25.

“Thereafter, the two processes will continue simultaneously for a year until August 30,” he said.

Olumekun further explained that the registration exercise will be held from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, excluding national public holidays, in the 811 designated centres which include INEC offices in all 774 Local Government Areas, 36 States and the FCT.

“The locator will go live a day before the commencement of the CVR on Aug.17, 2025 and can be accessed at the following address https://cvr.inecnigeria.org/locator,” he noted.

To help the public, Olumekun revealed that the commission had uploaded a 38-page document listing the physical addresses of all 811 in-person registration centres.

Additionally, dedicated telephone numbers have been assigned for each state to function as help desks for any citizen requiring clarification.

“Similarly, dedicated telephone numbers have been given for each state of the federation to serve as a help desk for citizens who require further clarification,” he added.

Regarding the registration process, Olumekun confirmed that the procedures remain consistent with those used during the last CVR exercise in 2022.

“The procedure for both the online and in-person registrations remains the same as was the case in 2022. Detailed information on the process, including video clips, will once again be released by the commission next week,” he said.

In addition to voter registration, Olumekun gave an update on requests for new political party registrations.

He noted that since the July 23 update, INEC had received eight additional letters of intent from associations wishing to become registered political parties, raising the total number of requests so far to 151.

“Having created the portal for party registration, the commission has commenced the shortlisting of the associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage.”

“Details will be released immediately after the 16 bye-elections in 12 states scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16,” he stated.

He also mentioned that information on these new requests such as proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships, had already been made available on INEC’s official platforms.

Olumekun concluded by assuring Nigerians of the commission’s continued commitment to transparency and timely public engagement.

“The commission would continue to keep citizens informed on all its activities,” he said.

Former national chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Peter Ameh, has criticised the Federal Government for what he described as reckless and extravagant spending, while highlighting Peter Obi as a rare example of a disciplined, people-focused leader.

Speaking during a recent interview on Channels Television, Ameh condemned the current administration’s approach to fiscal policy, particularly its allocation of public funds to luxuries amid widespread poverty.

“We cannot be buying a private jet for ₦150 billion while 80 percent of our population lives in poverty,” Ameh declared.

“You can’t be purchasing candlelight for ministers or spending billions on kitchen utensils while citizens are hungry. This is not governance, it is self-indulgence.”

Ameh praised Obi, the former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, for consistently advocating prudent spending and prioritising investment in people.

“In Peter, we have someone who understands the value of money, who cuts down on excesses and believes in investing in people,” he said.

“That’s the kind of leadership Nigerians are yearning for.”

He pointed to the performance of the 2024 budget as a reflection of poor governance priorities, noting that recurrent expenditure exceeded 100 percent, while capital investment lagged behind at under 30 percent.

“Our money is being used to service power, not to empower the people,” Ameh added.

“Governance should not be about buying more for yourself, but building more for the people.”

According to him, Obi’s approach marks a clear departure from the entitlement-driven politics that has defined past and present leadership in Nigeria.

“Peter doesn’t promise frivolous things. He speaks about investment in local manufacturing, supporting farmers, and building a self-sustaining economy. That’s the conversation we need.”

He also expressed concern over federal policies that, in his view, undermine domestic industries to please foreign interests.

“Rice prices have dropped, but they’re killing local farmers by allowing imports to flood the market. How does that build an economy? Peter won’t allow that,” he said.

Ameh stressed that meaningful change will only occur when governance is centred on national development, particularly in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.

“We have the best arable land in the world, yet we import everything,” he said.

“We must invest in our own capacity, agriculture, small businesses and local industries.”

He also addressed Peter Obi’s popularity among Nigerians, asserting that it comes from substance, not spin.

“The people trust him because he walks his talk. He’s not riding on propaganda. He has lived what he preaches,” he stated.

Economic analysts, including Maryam Audu, have echoed similar sentiments, noting that Nigeria’s fiscal structure overwhelmingly supports elite privileges at the expense of broader social welfare.

“The country spends massively on government luxury while neglecting healthcare, education and infrastructure,” Audu said.

“Unless there is a fundamental shift, we will keep going in circles.”

Ameh called for legal reforms to curb excessive government spending and introduce stronger mechanisms for accountability in public procurement.

“You can’t have a system where someone can buy candles with taxpayers’ money and get away with it. That’s abuse,” he said.

He concluded with a reminder that leadership must be rooted in service, not self-interest.

“What we want is a leader who sees governance as a duty, not a feast. Don’t just clap because someone speaks well. Ask: will they save money or spend it on themselves?” he said.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its alleged attempts to lure Peter Obi back into its fold, arguing that the development highlights the PDP’s diminishing political relevance.

Speaking on behalf of the ADC, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said it was ironic and telling that the PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political force, now finds itself “begging” prominent politicians to join its ranks.

“If the PDP is truly wooing Peter Obi, that tells you how low the party has degenerated,” Abdullahi remarked.

“This is the same party that many Nigerians were once desperate to get its ticket. Now they are begging for candidates. Why would we be threatened by that?”

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential flagbearer of the Labour Party and a current key figure in the ADC-led opposition coalition, has recently become a focus of attention as some PDP leaders push for his return to the party.

Among the PDP leaders reportedly courting Obi are former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Mohammed recently described Obi as the “de facto leader of the opposition.”

However, Abdullahi dismissed the PDP’s overtures, emphasizing that Obi remains committed to the coalition and fully understands the risks of rejoining a party plagued by internal issues.

“All I know is that Peter Obi is still part of the coalition. He has not told us that he has left or is leaving,” Abdullahi said.

“But Peter Obi knows better. I have said it repeatedly: he understands the PDP as well as everyone else. Can anybody take the risk with PDP now? Knowing the internal dynamics within the PDP that have led us down this path of destruction?”

He added that the ADC is not worried by the political maneuvers and remains focused on building an enduring alternative.

“So we are not bothered,” Abdullahi said.
“We are focused on what we are doing. Like I told you, Peter has not told us he’s leaving the coalition.”

In a related development, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has indicated growing support for former President Goodluck Jonathan as a potential 2027 presidential candidate, while dismissing Peter Obi’s recent one-term pledge as political posturing.

Speaking on Arise TV, ACF spokesperson Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba called Obi’s promise a strategic move aimed at gaining political traction.

“The one-term issue is simply political talk, a clear act of desperation,” Muhammad-Baba said.

“On the surface, Goodluck Jonathan appears attractive. Over time, and especially since 2015, Jonathan has accumulated a lot of positives. He gave up when he thought he had lost the election and has been living a quiet life. He has also gained several international recognitions.”

Muhammad-Baba added that, despite Jonathan’s appeal, any candidate regardless of their background, will face significant hurdles convincing the electorate in the current climate.

“It will take a lot more for a politician, whether they are from the South, the North or from the moon, to convince themselves, to convince the electorate, that they are different, or that they offer a new alternative,” he said.

There is still no confirmation as to whether Jonathan will run again, but speculation continues, with many assuming he would likely return under the PDP banner to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Meanwhile, former PDP presidential aspirant Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has thrown his support behind an inclusive and competitive presidential primary, welcoming the potential return of Jonathan, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi to the race.

In a statement issued in Kaduna by his media aide, Hassan Mahmoud, Olawepo-Hashim said that allowing all credible aspirants to compete would help the PDP reclaim its democratic credentials.

“The more, the merrier,” he stated, arguing that a crowded and vibrant primary could “restore the PDP’s reputation as the true party of democracy in Nigeria.”

He reflected on the PDP’s founding in 1998, recounting his role as secretary of the publicity subcommittee chaired by the late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

He recalled how the party adopted the umbrella symbol and united diverse political figures in a spirit of democratic competition.

“We had giants of Nigeria’s political class under one roof… men who could have been good presidents. Yet, some dropped their ambition as things developed, and others submitted themselves to a fair contest in Jos in 1999, which attracted aspirants from North and South; a process which Obasanjo eventually won,” he said.

He stressed that the PDP’s strength has always come from inclusivity and internal democracy, not from “gatekeeping politics” or backroom deals.

“If Jonathan, Atiku, Obi and others wish to contest, they should be welcomed. Let the best ideas and visions emerge through fair competition. That is how to build a party of the future,” Olawepo-Hashim concluded.

Ben Nwoye,

Dr. Ben Nwoye, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, has firmly declared that Ugochukwu Agballa is no longer recognized as the party’s state chairman, citing a valid court ruling and constitutional party processes.

Speaking to journalists in Enugu, Nwoye condemned what he described as growing lawlessness within the party.

He expressed concern over the continued recognition of Agballa by some APC members despite a court judgment restraining him from parading himself as chairman.

“Ugochukwu Agballa was removed in accordance with the APC constitution, and that removal was affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction which also restrained him from parading himself in any form as chairman,” Nwoye said.

He explained that following Agballa’s removal by the Enugu State APC executive committee, Dr. Alphonsus Okafor was duly elected as acting chairman, a move he said complied fully with the party’s internal procedures.

Nwoye criticized the former National Working Committee (NWC), led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for ignoring the court’s decision and continuing to allow Agballa to function in official party roles.

“The court order has not been stayed. It remains valid and binding, yet the Ganduje-led NWC chose to disregard it. That kind of impunity has no place in a party that claims to stand for the rule of law,” he asserted.

He warned that Agballa’s participation in party activities, particularly NEC meetings where important decisions were made, could render those actions legally questionable.

“Every decision Agballa participated in while under court suspension is legally questionable. His votes in NEC meetings, including the one that elected the new national chairman, can be struck down in court.”

Nwoye also criticized some Southeast APC leaders and a current federal minister for allegedly collaborating with Agballa in defiance of the court order.

“Why is a Minister of the Federal Republic sitting in a meeting chaired by someone who has been legally removed? Why are the Deputy National Chairman (South) and the Vice National Chairman (Southeast) endorsing this illegality?” he asked.

He expressed optimism over the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new APC National Chairman, describing him as a leader committed to due process and legality.

“We’ve presented everything to the new national chairman, and by God’s grace, he has given us assurance that the matter will be addressed based on the rule of law.”

Nwoye emphasized that there is no ambiguity regarding the leadership situation in Enugu APC and urged the national leadership to take swift action to restore order and compliance with the party’s constitution.

“This is no longer just about internal politics; it’s about whether APC is ready to respect its own constitution and the judiciary. Ugochukwu Agballa is no longer the chairman period. It is time the party put an end to this charade.”

Professor Paul Nnamchi, Member representing Enugu East/Isiuzo federal Constituency, is championing a strategic partnership with Taiwan to ignite youth-led technological advancement across Nigeria.

During a high-level meeting with Mr. Andy Yih-Ping Liu, Head of the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, Prof. Nnamchi laid out a visionary proposal centered on digital literacy, agro-technology, tech incubation and the establishment of a Taiwan-supported innovation hub designed to harness and elevate the potential of Nigeria’s youth particularly in rural communities.

He portrayed Taiwan as more than just a nation, calling it “a living metaphor of what is possible when knowledge meets will.”

Referencing President Bola Tinubu’s call to make the Southeast “the Taiwan of Nigeria,” Nnamchi emphasized the urgent need to move from aspiration to action.

“This is not just diplomacy, it is destiny,” the lawmaker said.

“We must translate the story of Taiwan into a spark for our youth, and create platforms where innovation and rural development can rise together.”

Responding to the proposal, Mr. Liu commended Prof. Nnamchi’s forward-thinking initiative, expressing Taiwan’s readiness to strengthen bilateral ties that promote innovation, empower youth and foster sustainable development.

He highlighted Taiwan’s own history of technological transformation and its eagerness to collaborate on similar pathways with Nigerian partners.

As part of efforts to formalize and publicly unveil this groundbreaking collaboration, Prof. Nnamchi invited Mr. Liu to serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the grand finale of his Annual Holiday Computer Training and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for August 30th and 31st, 2025, in Enugu.

The event, which has trained hundreds of young people in digital skills over the years, offers a fitting stage to launch this new chapter of international cooperation.

A wave of apprehension has gripped government appointees in Ebonyi State following Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s directive mandating all officials to present their official vehicles for inspection.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezuruike.

It requires all commissioners, special assistants, senior special assistants, permanent secretaries and members of state boards and commissions to submit their government-assigned vehicles for physical verification.

“His Excellency, our dear Governor, Right Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has directed that all government officials who have been allocated one or more vehicles, be it an official or utility vehicle or both, should physically present the vehicle/s to the office of the SSG,” the statement read.

The inspection is scheduled to be conducted in phases. According to Umezuruike, “Principal officers and commissioners are expected to present their official vehicles tomorrow, Friday, 8/8/25, between 10 am and 12 noon at the premises of the SSG. SSAs and permanent secretaries are to make their presentation on Saturday, 9/8/25, at the same time and venue, while SAs, boards, commissions, and others will take their turn on Monday, 11/8/25, at the same time and venue.”

Officials who fail to present their vehicles will have their names forwarded to the governor, as directed.

“His Excellency also directed that names of those who fail to present their cars be compiled and sent to him,” the statement added.

This move follows recent allegations made by public affairs analyst, Nwoba Nwoba via Facebook, where he accused a serving commissioner of selling off an official vehicle.

He called on Governor Nwifuru to launch an investigation into the matter.

Public reactions have been mixed. A local resident, speaking anonymously, shared his perspective on the issue.

“My brother, what do you expect? How do you expect a senior special assistant who has never in his life driven any car to be driving a car worth over N100 million and still be a tenant in someone’s house?” he said.

The resident continued, “It is expected that some of them might have sold the car and used the money to buy a cheaper car and also start a building project in Abakaliki. It will be disgraceful that you will serve as a commissioner and finish your tenure and still be a tenant.”

He further added, “If the official sold the car and bought another, cheaper car befitting of his status, I don’t see anything wrong with that. But if they sold the car and used the money on frivolities, then whatever decision the governor takes, is justifiable.”