Voting activities in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State were disrupted on Saturday due to the late arrival of electoral officials for the ongoing local government chairmanship and councillorship elections.

Residents, eager to cast their votes, had arrived at various polling units as early as 8:00 AM, only to face unexpected delays in accreditation and ballot casting.

Despite the logistical setback, many voters remained at the polling centers, waiting patiently for the arrival of officials from the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).

One of the affected polling stations is the unit where All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship candidate, Usman Hamzat, is expected to vote.

Concerned residents at the location expressed frustration, calling for better coordination in future elections.

The delay comes amid otherwise strong voter enthusiasm across parts of Lagos, with security heightened and movements restricted to ensure a peaceful election day.

Exactly one year after the Supreme Court upheld local government autonomy in Nigeria, 7,060,195 registered voters in Lagos State are heading to the polls today, July 12, to select chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs.

Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub and Tinubu’s home state, accounts for over ₦1.3 trillion in internally generated revenue and boasts about 20 million residents.

This high-stakes local poll will be supervised by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), as opposed to INEC, which handles federal and state-level elections.

Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, LASIEC’s chair, affirmed that “no political party was restrained from participating in the elections.”

Fifteen out of nineteen registered parties are contesting today across 13,325 polling units in 376 wards.

Okikiolu-Ighile further clarified that LASIEC will not use BVAS machines, stating “there are some electronics that we are going to use in between. We can go manual.”

Despite historically low turnout in council polls, she expressed hope that this year will be different:

“We are ready. We have worked hard. Now, we urge Lagosians to come out and vote peacefully.”

The Labour Party (LP) has officially announced that its presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections is open to all aspirants, with a firm declaration that no candidate will receive preferential treatment.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, emphasized the importance of a transparent process in selecting the party’s next flagbearer.

“There shall be primary elections in the Labour Party, and no aspirant will be favoured this time around,” Arabambi stated.

He reflected on the 2023 presidential election, during which Peter Obi emerged as the party’s candidate. Arabambi described that choice as a significant misstep.

He said the selection of Peter Obi “was a blunder with lasting consequences and a betrayal of Nigerians,” and added that the Labour Party is “set to correct its mistake ahead of the 2027 elections.”

Obi, who finished third in the last general election winning in 12 states including the Federal Capital Territory recently announced his decision to join a coalition movement under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he also declared his intent to run for president again in 2027.

Arabambi questioned Obi’s loyalty to the party, citing his move to the ADC as evidence of political inconsistency.

He went further to criticize members of the coalition Obi joined, labeling them as “Yahoo Yahoo politicians” who previously failed the nation.

“Instead of a leader with debt and discipline and demonstrable progress for national renewal, Nigeria got a populist, whose greatest skill is telling people what they want to hear,” he said.

“The 2027 election must not repeat this error, even as Peter Obi has defected from the Labour Party to ADC.”

Arabambi warned Nigerians against falling for political alliances he believes are harmful, referencing the previous administration’s failures between 2015 and 2023.

“Nigerians are wishing him well in that ungodly coalition because these are the same coalition that brought catastrophe on Nigerians between 2015 and 2023. Such a coalition must be rejected.”

Despite the sharp criticism, Arabambi reiterated that the Labour Party’s doors remain open to all Nigerians interested in contesting the 2027 presidential election under its platform.

“We wish Obi well in his Yahoo Yahoo coalition, but to let him know that the Labour Party presidential ticket is now open to all Nigerians,” he said.

“There shall be a primary election this time around, and no aspirant would be favoured.”

As the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, debate continues over which region should fill the national chairman role. With the resignation of former Kano State governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, party leaders are split between the North Central and North West.

According to insiders, the party is waiting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to weigh in, but momentum is building for both zones.

Sources say that supporters from the North West want to “retain the position … to give the impression of continuity” following Ganduje’s exit. They argue this will help “avoid hurting APC members from the North West” and minimize internal conflict.

Meanwhile, voices from North Central emphasize their entitlement under the party’s zoning agreement, noting they are “waiting for the green light from Mr President.”

Multiple APC heavyweights from North Central such as former governors Tanko Al-Makura, Yahaya Bello, Joshua Dariye, and Senators Sani Musa, Solomon Ewuga, and Salihu Mustapha are reportedly positioning themselves for consideration.

The only active contender from the North West is Senator Abu Ibrahim of Katsina State. Still, Ibrahim dispelled speculation, saying:

“I’ve not discussed it with the president. Nobody has reached out to me or sought my view.… Personally, I believe I’ve done my part in politics. I would prefer to retire and allow younger leaders to emerge.”

Party insiders reveal President Tinubu’s preference will heavily influence the process, with some suggesting that Senator Ibrahim’s close ties to the president prompted SGF George Akume, a North Central native, to withdraw from contention, stating he is “not in a hurry to abdicate my responsibility…”

A legal threat is also emerging: Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, chairman of the North Central APC Forum, warned:

“It is our turn; it is the turn of the North Central. So, if they decide not to give us, we will have no other alternative than to proceed to court.”

APC constitution-review member Barrister Bashir Maidugu emphasized that:

“It can go to the North West, North Central or any other zone. The party’s leadership will decide based on strategy and electoral balance.”

There are emerging concerns that religious considerations might figure in the decision. A confidential source said:

“For fairness and justice… whoever Mr President is anointing should be a Christian this time.”

With NEC scheduled for July 24, a key question remains: will the party allow acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori (North West) to continue temporarily, or will a substantive replacement emerge? Bala Ibrahim, the party’s spokesman, insisted:

“The party has no anointed or preferred candidate for now,” adding that “all aspirants would be given a level‑playing field when the time comes.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has firmly denied speculation of a rift between him and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following online reports that suggested he subtly criticized the President’s handling of the political situation in Rivers State.

In a statement issued by his office on Friday, Shettima decried what he called “deliberate misrepresentation” and “intellectual dishonesty” aimed at sowing division within the Presidency.

The Vice President’s remarks originally made during the public unveiling of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block, a book authored by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, were, according to the statement, taken out of context.

“Certain individuals and platforms have stripped the Vice President’s remarks of their context to push a false narrative,” the rebuttal read.

“This is not only misleading but also a calculated attempt to fabricate a non-existent conflict within the administration.”

During his address at the event, Shettima recounted experiences from his time as Governor of Borno State during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency.

In his account, he recalled how the Jonathan administration allegedly contemplated removing him from office.

He explained that his remarks were intended to highlight Adoke’s role during that turbulent era, emphasizing integrity and democratic responsibility.

However, sections of the media interpreted his reflections as veiled criticism of President Tinubu’s response to the recent unrest in Rivers State particularly the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Shettima’s office rejected this connection outright, stating:

“The Vice President was not referring to Governor Fubara’s suspension or any current political matter. Any attempt to link his remarks to Rivers State is grossly inaccurate and mischief-laden.”

Clarifying the administration’s stance on the Rivers crisis, the statement noted that the President’s actions were guided by constitutional provisions.

“The President’s intervention in Rivers followed constitutional processes outlined in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution, designed to address threats to peace, law, and order in a state,” it added.

The Vice President’s office stressed that the suspension of a state official is not equivalent to outright removal, and comparing the situation to Shettima’s past ordeal under Jonathan was “a distortion driven by mischief or ignorance.”

Reiterating his allegiance, Shettima affirmed that his comments were never intended as a critique.

“He spoke extemporaneously, and always within the bounds of loyalty and respect for the President and the government he serves,” the statement said.

Calling for responsible journalism and political maturity, Shettima urged stakeholders to avoid exploiting harmless public remarks to create imaginary tensions within the government.

“This administration will not be distracted by deliberate mischief. The focus remains on delivering good governance and upholding democratic principles,” he added.

This isn’t the first time the Presidency has responded to rumours of discord between Tinubu and Shettima.

Back in September 2024, similar claims made rounds online, prompting Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, to issue a strong rebuttal.

“In the history of Nigeria’s Presidency, no vice president has enjoyed the total confidence and full support of his principal like Shettima,” Nkwocha stated during the Vice President’s 58th birthday celebration.

“In return, his loyalty to his boss, President Tinubu, is absolute and unalloyed.”

Nkwocha had further praised Shettima as a standout political figure whose relationship with the President represents:

“A refreshing shift towards harmonious collaboration in a political environment often marred by rivalry and undercurrents.”

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has formally informed the Nigerian Senate of her intention to resume legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, citing a recent Federal High Court ruling that nullified her suspension.

In a letter addressed to the Senate and submitted through her legal representatives, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, the senator demanded full compliance with the court’s decision, which declared her six-month suspension “excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent” with constitutional provisions.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had previously ruled that the suspension violated Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, and infringed on the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to have parliamentary representation.

The letter, dated July 11, 2025, and titled:
“RE: SUIT NO: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan v. The Clerk of the National Assembly & Ors.: Forwarding of court order and demand for compliance”,
was signed by lead counsel Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN.

It stated in part: “After a thorough consideration of the facts and applicable law, the Honourable Court made several findings and orders, including, notably, a definitive pronouncement in Order 10 that the six-month suspension imposed on the Plaintiff was excessive, overreaching, and inconsistent with her ability to comply with the provisions of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.”

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team urged the Senate to act without delay in restoring her seat, writing:

“We respectfully demand that you give immediate effect to the clear and binding Order of the Federal High Court by taking all necessary steps to facilitate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption of her legislative duties forthwith, in full compliance with the Court’s judgment.”

In the letter, the senator also made her return date clear:

“Please, also take notice that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan intends to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, the 15th day of July, 2025.”

This development follows a decision by Justice Binta Nyako, who ruled that the Senate’s action lacked constitutional authority and ordered the senator’s immediate reinstatement.