Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that amendments to the Electoral Act will be concluded before the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Yakubu also dismissed rumors of his removal from office, affirming his continued role as the Chief Electoral Officer of the country.

The INEC Chairman made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists after attending the inauguration of two newly appointed National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the commission has already reviewed the 2023 general elections and generated 142 recommendations, of which eight require amendments to the Electoral Act or the Constitution.

“We are here today, basically for the swearing-in of two national commissioners,” Yakubu said.

“As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn on the basis of two commissioners per geopolitical zone.”

He explained that the vacancies in the North West and South East zones have now been filled following the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate and their formal inauguration by the President.

“So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are aware also, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), may his soul rest in peace. So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners,” he said.

On the subject of electoral reforms, Professor Yakubu stated that INEC is actively working with the National Assembly.

He disclosed that the commission recently held a retreat with the joint committee on electoral reform of the Senate and House of Representatives in Lagos.

“Thereafter, the National Assembly is going to organize a public hearing, and it’s after the public hearing that now a new bill will, at the end of the day, be submitted to the President for assent,” he said.

“So, we’re working with the National Assembly on electoral reform, but at this point, I’m not going to give you any more details.”

“You will hear from the National Assembly whose responsibility it is, but we reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own.”

“We engaged with the stakeholders. We came up with 142 recommendations. Out of this 142 recommendations, eight require constitutional or Electoral Act amendment, and we discussed this with members of the National Assembly.”

Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration between INEC and lawmakers.

“So far so good, we are happy with our discussions with them, and we are also happy with the speed with which they want to proceed so that we’ll have some necessary amendments done to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

Addressing speculation surrounding his position, he firmly stated: “I don’t think we need to waste time so much about these unnecessary speculations.”

“As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and under the Constitution, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation, and under the Electoral Act, the returning officer for the presidential election.”

Professor Yakubu is expected to step down in October 2025, after completing the maximum two terms permitted by law, 10 years in total.

His exit is already attracting attention due to the critical role his successor will play in shaping the credibility of the 2027 polls, especially as President Tinubu is likely to seek re-election.

The two new INEC commissioners sworn in on Monday are Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (North West) and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja (South East, Ebonyi State).

President Tinubu also inaugurated two new members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB): Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem (Cross River State) and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure (Taraba State).

Former Governor Ugwuanyi,

Former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and several other political heavyweights were on Monday officially inducted into the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during a ceremony held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

The inauguration comes at a time the party is seeking to restore internal order and reposition ahead of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting later this month.

The event, confirmed in a circular signed by the PDP’s Director of Publicity, Chinwe Nnorom, was held at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, and began at 11 a.m.

“With reference to the subject above, please be informed that the PDP Board of Trustees has scheduled the inauguration of its new members,” the circular stated.

“The event is set to take place on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the NEC Hall (Ground Floor), PDP National Headquarters,” it added.

The ceremony follows an earlier report which revealed that 85 of the 127 BoT members had been inactive in party affairs, a concern that prompted efforts to reenergize the board’s role amid mounting internal disputes.

In line with Section 31(5) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), the BoT is regarded as the conscience of the party, tasked with upholding high moral standards, providing policy guidance, resolving conflicts, and safeguarding the party’s image and assets.

Section 32(1) outlines the composition of the board, which includes former Presidents and Vice Presidents, past and present National Chairmen, Senate Presidents, House of Representatives Speakers, founding members, and key leaders drawn from all states and geopolitical zones.

Per Sections 32(10–11), the BoT may hold meetings convened by its Chairman, at the request of half its members, or through a resolution of the NEC.

The current BoT Chairman, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, has led reconciliation initiatives within the party, particularly in light of ongoing disputes surrounding the position of National Secretary.

However, his efforts have faced internal resistance, with some members questioning whether a proper quorum was achieved to authorize such decisions.

According to the PDP constitution, a quorum requires participation from two-thirds of BoT members, representing at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s states.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to strengthen unity and resolve internal crises, several PDP governors and prominent stakeholders held a closed-door strategy session in Abuja on Sunday.

The meeting took place at the Abuja lodge of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Those in attendance included Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Also present were Acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, BoT Secretary and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, and a host of former governors, including Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal, Sule Lamido, Udom Emmanuel, Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Seriake Dickson, Babangida Muazu, and Adamu Muazu.

The meeting was convened to chart a unified course for the party ahead of its NEC meeting scheduled for May 27 and the forthcoming National Elective Convention.

Discussions reportedly centered on the lingering dispute over the office of the National Secretary, recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and broader electoral strategies for the future.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed former Senate President Bukola Saraki to chair a newly constituted reconciliation committee aimed at addressing internal disputes within the party ahead of its upcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

The development followed a strategic meeting held on Sunday night at the Abuja residence of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, though he did not address journalists.

Governors in attendance included Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).

Former governors who participated included Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa).

Also in attendance were the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, former Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi, and members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the gathering was part of preparations for the NEC meeting slated for later this month.

“The invitation of the former governors was done to tap from their experiences, so they could resolve some of the internal challenges and prepare the ground for a rancour-free NEC meeting and a national convention later in the year,” the Bauchi governor stated.

When asked about the recent wave of defections from the party, particularly the departure of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his cabinet to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed said the defections would not weaken the PDP.

Instead, he emphasized, “The development would rather make them stronger.”

He added that the party was already strategizing to reclaim control in key states where it previously held power.

The PDP has been facing persistent internal crises since the 2023 general elections, worsened by unresolved conflicts, most notably the prolonged dispute between former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Sim Fubara.

Despite multiple interventions by the party’s leadership, including the National Working Committee, the Board of Trustees, the NEC, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, these efforts have so far failed to end the rifts.

The situation escalated on April 23 when Governor Oborevwori, former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and other state officials officially joined the APC.

In a similar development, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) also defected to the APC after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has dismissed the possibility of her husband, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, running against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Instead, she pledged her family’s support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, citing the couple’s longstanding friendship with the Tinubus.

Speaking on Saturday at the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award in Abuja, organized by Accolade Dynamics Limited, Mrs Jonathan emphasized loyalty and reciprocity as reasons for their decision.

She recalled how President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, backed her husband’s campaign in 2011.

“I believe in one President. I believe in turn by turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward,” she said.

She also paid tribute to Tinubu’s daughter, Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, who was present at the event. “I was supposed to call her (Tinubu’s daughter) first, but I saved her for last: the daughter of our wonderful President, the President of Nigeria, the one and only we believe in President Bola Tinubu.”

“Iyaloja, thank you for standing with women because these are your women. Carry them along; they are with you.”

Mrs Jonathan stressed that her support for Tinubu is not political opportunism but based on personal history and conscience.

“I didn’t just know her (Senator Oluremi Tinubu) just because she’s the First Lady, no. We worked together. We worked as a group. We are groups. We worked when I was a deputy governor’s wife.”

“We worked when I was a governor’s wife. I know her. I talked with Oluremi. Even when my husband was the vice president, Oluremi stood with her husband and supported us during our first election.”

“They supported us. So, for me, I have a conscience. I cannot abandon my friend, whether you like it or not.”

Despite ongoing calls for Jonathan to contest again, including a recent appeal by Dr Jibril Mustapha of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, Mrs Jonathan remained resolute.

“I stand by my friend. My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go.”

She added humorously that retirement suits her well. “I say it every day. Don’t you like how young I look? People say, ‘Mama, you are young, you are young!’ It is because I have rest of mind, yes.”

“I don’t want to go there, let my friend be there. Let me also ‘wahala’ her the way she used to ‘wahala’ me when I was there! Let me also tease her. And until she comes out, she will be young. But for now she won’t be young.”

Patience Jonathan also used the platform to advocate for increased women’s representation in governance, criticizing the National Assembly for its repeated rejection of gender equality bills.

“During Obasanjo’s time, we worked for it and the executive approved 35 per cent. My husband also maintained it. But when it comes to elective positions, the men dominate and shut us out.”

“May God touch their hearts to understand that we are their mothers, sisters, and friends. We are not trying to take power from them, we are trying to support them.”

Receiving the 2025 Women Icon Leader of the Year award, she described it as a collective honor.

“I am deeply humbled to receive this prestigious Women Icon Leader of the Year 2025 award.”

“I accept this honour not just as a personal recognition, but as a testament to the tireless efforts of countless women and men who have worked alongside me to promote good health and economic development for women in Nigeria and beyond.”

She highlighted the impact of her NGOs, Aurora Richard Foundation and Women for Change and Development Initiative, noting their role in empowering women, supporting youth, and aiding children in need of medical care abroad.

Accolade Dynamics CEO, Ms. Dofan Chizaram, who hosted the event, said the occasion was to honor individuals who have made notable contributions to leadership and community development.

“This night is about celebrating the legends who have uplifted women and the broader community. We want to acknowledge their value while they are still with us,” she said.