The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised concerns over the lack of clear and functional ideology among most political parties in Nigeria.

According to the Commission, this ideological vacuum undermines internal democracy, worsens electoral conflicts, and continues to erode public confidence in Nigeria’s political and governance systems.

INEC’s National Commissioner, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, voiced these concerns on Wednesday in Abuja during the public unveiling of the Political Party Performance Index (PPPI), developed by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), and the newly adopted Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Constitution.

Ajayi noted that while many political parties submit ideological frameworks as part of their registration documents, they often fail to uphold or implement those ideologies after being approved.

“There are so many requirements organisations have to meet before we can register them as political parties. Number one, you have to submit an application.”

“And within the application, you have to tell us where is your office, who are the protem chairman and secretary. Then you have to tell us your symbol. You have to tell us your acronym, and so on. All those things must be there before we can approve,” he explained.

“But as you have rightly said, many of the political parties are lacking in ideology. Not that they won’t include it as part of their supportive requirements in the application, but following through and implementing their ideology is a problem. But anybody can submit an ideology, but do they follow it up after registration? That is what we are going to follow up.”

Ajayi also revealed that INEC is working on developing new mechanisms to ensure political parties comply with their constitutions especially ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Professor Paul Nnamchi Tech-Hub and Youth Innovation (PPNTAYI) annual computer training programme for youths in Enugu East and Isi Uzo Federal Constituency is set to commence on August 1, 2025.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that this year’s edition will take place simultaneously at two venues; Community Primary School, Mbu (Isi Uzo LGA) and St. Joseph Hall, Emene (Enugu East LGA).

The training will run daily from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm until August 31, 2025.

Originally initiated during Professor Paul Nnamchi’s time at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the programme began as a way to expose secondary school students to basic information and communication technology.

Following his election to the House of Representatives in 2023, the programme was expanded to include youths from across Isi Uzo and Enugu East, with over 500 participants benefiting since its expansion.

The programme coordinator, Daniel Nwachukwu told DAILY GAZETTET that the training would cover essential ICT topics, including:

• Basic Computer Knowledge
• Microsoft Office Packages
• Internet and Web Browsing
• Email and Communication Skills
• Desktop Set-up
• Basic Graphic Design
• Computer Configuration and System Maintenance
• Introduction to ICT

According to Mr. Nwachukwu, interest in the programme has grown significantly, with an overwhelming number of applications already received, making the sorting and selection process quite challenging.

Professor Nnamchi has consistently emphasized that the programme is designed to equip young people with relevant digital skills to prepare them for both academic pursuits and the evolving job market.

The training will conclude on August 31, 2025, with a certificate award ceremony for all successful participants.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday met behind closed doors with Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, a key ally of NNPP leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The high-level meeting comes amid growing rumours of a potential defection of Kwankwaso and his political allies from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This development also follows recent criticism of President Tinubu’s administration by Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

Jibrin, who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and maintains long-standing relationships with both Tinubu and Kwankwaso, spoke briefly with journalists after the meeting.

He described the discussion as one centered on national interest.

While he declined to confirm whether a defection is on the horizon, he left the door open to future political realignments.

“I do not think it is time for that conversation. But everything is open, and everything is a possibility. The most important thing is stability of the country, is unity of the country, and I believe that when we get to the bridge, we’ll cross it,” Jibrin stated when asked if he planned to return to the APC.

His presence at the Villa has only intensified ongoing speculation about shifts within Nigeria’s political terrain, especially considering Kwankwaso’s recent public disapproval of Tinubu’s policies, particularly regarding the North’s development and inclusion in governance.

When asked whether his visit was intended to ease tensions between Tinubu and Kwankwaso, Jibrin played down that narrative, instead emphasizing the shared national focus of both leaders.

“The President is a first-class politician. Of course, the national leader of the NNPP is also a thoroughbred politician, and I believe that both of them are committed to the peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.”

“So irrespective of the comments that were made, I do not think that it should be a source of concern that I’m seen in the Villa during this period,” he explained.

Responding to a question about whether Tinubu has lived up to expectations in northern Nigeria especially in light of Kwankwaso’s recent criticism , Jibrin offered a nuanced response.

“Well, every leader does his best, and it depends on how you want to rate him. You can decide to see the cup half full, or you look at the cup half empty. But I also believe that everyone is entitled to his opinion, and it can always just contribute to deepening the discourse, sometimes it might turn out to be a blessing in disguise,” he said.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has dissolved the State Executive Council, ending the tenure of all commissioners in his administration.

The announcement was made Wednesday night during the 12th Executive Council meeting of 2025, according to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Tersoo Kula.

As part of the shake-up, the governor appointed Barrister Moses Atagher, a former two-term Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, as his new Chief of Staff.

Atagher, who once served as the acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank, is expected to assume duties immediately.

Governor Alia expressed gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their service over the past two years, urging those not reappointed to remain active in the party and supportive of the administration.

“They are only paving way for other citizens who may be chosen to replace them to also contribute their quota,” he said.

He clarified that apart from the new Chief of Staff, the dissolution affects only commissioners, leaving other appointees in place for now.

Speaking on behalf of the dissolved commissioners, Barrister Bemsen Mnyim thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the experience gained during their tenure.

“At every stage in life, everywhere you are called to serve is a school. We have learnt a lot while working with you,” Mnyim said.

The outgoing commissioners have been directed to formally hand over to the Permanent Secretaries of their respective ministries as soon as possible.

The spokesman of the opposition coalition, Bolajia Abdullahi, says Labour Party (LP)’s Peter Obi has been part of the group from its inception.

Abdullahi said this on Wednesday when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“Peter Obi has been part of the coalition from day one. Peter Obi has attended almost every meeting of the coalition,” the spokesman of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), the platform for the opposition coalition, said on the current affairs show.

“The reason Peter Obi has not come into the ADC as a card-carrying member was because he asked for leave to allow him to complete the election that his people were involved in the Labour Party – the same thing applied to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai – and they were allowed by the leadership to complete the election processese that they started in their respective parties before they come into the ADC,” he said.

PDP On Monday, a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, hinted that Obi, who was the LP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, would return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vie for its ticket for the next poll.

Sheriff said Obi, who had indicated[interest in running for the presidency in two years, may return to the PDP under whose platform he (Obi) ran as vice president in the 2019 election.

He hinged his argument on the fact that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a part of the coalition – would run for the presidential seat in 2027.

“Atiku has been the vice president of Nigeria. So for him, (it is) president or nothing. Peter Obi ran under the Labour Party. His ambition is to become President,” the former governor said.

“Information available to me is that any moment from now, Obi would go back to the PDP and run as a presidential candidate under the PDP,” he added.

The coalition has several top politicians as members.

However, the ADC spokesman has dismissed claims that the platform was set up to power Atiku’s presidential ambition.

Abdullahi said, “What I know for a fact is that Peter Obi is in the coalition. I also know for a fact that this is not an Atiku coalition. Like I have said repeatedly, the ADC is not built on anybody’s ambition.”

“What is at stake is much bigger than every individual. I am 56, who says I don’t want to be president?”

On July 1, political bigwigs, including Atiku, a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, a former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Osun governor, Rauf Aregbesola, among others, adopted the ADC as the platform for the coalition.

They vowed to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next election.