The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is reportedly facing mounting pressure not to register Team New Nigeria (TNN) as a political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Despite fixing February 21, 2026, for elections into the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory, the commission has yet to announce a date for the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

TNN, in a statement issued in Kaduna yesterday by its spokesperson, Dr. Mohammed Shaibu, claimed that high-level political interests are trying to block its registration due to the party’s rising popularity across Nigeria.

He noted that the association had applied for registration since 2024.

According to Shaibu, “The application for registration has been submitted to INEC and was acknowledged since May 27, 2024.”

However, he expressed disappointment that INEC has not made further progress.

“INEC only wrote an acknowledgment letter promising to notify us when the registration portal would be opened for submission of application and documentation,” he said.

He added: “All efforts made to remind the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, of the intendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, has proven abortive.”

“Despite the passage of the 90 days threshold, the period within which the Commission’s Guidelines mandatorily required him to respond to such letter of intent.”

Shaibu further questioned the delay: “For how long should we wait to get registered? Our presence is all over the country and we have limited time to deliver our manifestos to the electorate.”

He also stated that the INEC Chairman is allegedly resisting pressure from “high quarters” not to approve TNN’s registration.

“There is no doubt that INEC is under tremendous pressure, from both the card-carrying All Progressives Congress (APC) members in its employ and their collaborators who are mortally afraid of the TNN, and who will want the electoral body to commence, right now, the process of rigging the 2027 election in their favour.”

He appealed to INEC to uphold its neutrality and respect the law.

“But we urge INEC not to compromise its neutrality and integrity by acting contrary to the law.”

“We remind the commission that Nigerians are keenly watching how it will handle this TNN issue, and whatever it does will determine whether or not Nigerians can count on it to organise a credible election in 2027,” the statement concluded.

In the meantime, TNN has called on its supporters nationwide to remain calm and patient as the matter unfolds.

Meanwhile, in response to a viral social media message claiming that the CVR, including the transfer and replacement of lost Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), would resume on May 27, 2025, INEC dismissed the claim as false.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, clarified yesterday: “In line with its tradition, the commission will publicly announce the date for the resumption of the CVR at the appropriate time, the full details of which will also be shared via our official social media platforms.”

Former Minister of Education and respected advocate for transparency, Oby Ezekwesili, has categorically denied claims that she received financial inducement to support Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The allegations were made by Sandra Duru, a UK-based activist also known as Professor Mgbeke, who accused Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan of fabricating the claims and alleged that Ezekwesili had been bribed to endorse them.

Reacting via a detailed post on her verified X handle, Ezekwesili dismissed the accusations as absurd.

Describing the claims as “laughable falsehoods,” she wrote: “No sensible and decent person who knows my incorruptible track record is deceived by the ridiculous fabrications being peddled by your traducers.”

She insisted her stance was rooted in principle and values, not influenced by monetary gain or political interest.

“They know, without a doubt, that no amount of money, not even all the wealth in every Central Bank in the world, can buy my convictions, voice, and stance on any matter I choose to support.”

Reaffirming her backing for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Ezekwesili made it clear her support is anchored in the shared fight against injustice.

“We simply despise injustice and the abuse of power. Period,” she asserted.

She declared her continued solidarity with Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has requested an official investigation into her allegations against Akpabio.

“You will continue to have my unwavering, sacrificial support in your resolute fight against a brigade of irresponsible politicians, led by the Senate President,” Ezekwesili stated.

She called on citizens to insist on a credible and impartial probe, warning that any attempts to intimidate or discredit Akpoti-Uduaghan would ultimately be futile.

Condemning the wider political class, she lamented a lack of moral leadership. “They cannot fathom the concept of service because money and their belly are their gods,” she said.

“In contrast, I , like many of you, will continue, eternally, to live a purpose-driven life of sacrifice in the unrelenting fight for a decent and just Nigeria.”

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has reiterated his unwavering loyalty to political leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, declaring his intent to follow him wherever he goes politically.

Addressing 484 councillors from all 44 local government areas at the Kano Government House on Sunday, Mr Yusuf stated, “Wherever he goes politically, his supporters will follow.”

The governor hailed Mr Kwankwaso as “one of the purest and most selfless individuals in Kano,” firmly denying recent claims that the former governor receives N2 billion monthly from the state government.

Mr Yusuf described the accusation as “the height of political desperation and dishonesty.”

Reacting strongly to the allegations raised by former Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Bichi, Mr Yusuf branded him “a shameless liar” and dismissed his claims as entirely false and baseless.

The governor questioned why Mr Bichi, who served in his administration for over a year, failed to speak out earlier if he had genuine grievances.

“He should have spoken out while still in office if he had genuine concerns. You were in this government for more than a year, If you had any integrity, you would have spoken out while still in office,” Mr Yusuf said.

“But you chose silence until you were sent packing: that exposes your real motive.”

According to Mr Yusuf, Mr Kwankwaso has never interfered in the administration’s financial matters nor made any monetary demands.

He reiterated that the allegations were fabricated by disgruntled individuals aiming to discredit his government.

Affirming his commitment to clean governance, the governor urged residents of Kano to ignore what he termed “the noise of bitter politicians who have lost relevance.”

Senator Osita Ngwu, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, has congratulated the former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Professor Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam, on his recent elevation to the prestigious rank of Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS).

In a goodwill message made available to journalists on Monday, Senator Ngwu described Prof. Nnam as one of Enugu’s finest professionals, whose career has been defined by excellence, integrity, and dedication to national development.

“I am pleased to heartily felicitate with you on your elevation to the prestigious rank of Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors,” the Senator stated.

He noted that the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors continues to uphold a strong legacy of professionalism in service delivery and remains a beacon for practitioners aspiring to the pinnacle of achievement in the field.

“The Nigerian Institution of Surveyors has proven professionalism in service delivery, providing a platform for its members to get to the pinnacle of professional achievement in the field,” he added.

Senator Ngwu further encouraged Prof. Nnam to remain committed to advancing professional competence within the surveying sector and to lend his voice on key national issues through advisory contributions.

“I encourage you to continue on your path of improving professional competence among your members as well as providing salient advice on topical national issues,” he said.

The Senator expressed confidence in Prof. Nnam’s ability to maintain a strong tradition of active engagement and wished him a successful investiture ceremony.

“I implore you to maintain this path of active engagements, as I wish you a successful investiture ceremony,” he concluded.

Prof. Nnam, a professor of Surveying and Geoinformatics, is widely respected for his expertise in land administration and geospatial technology.

The Forum of State Chairmen of the now-defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) has reiterated its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, firmly distancing itself from rumors of an emerging political coalition aimed at challenging the president in 2027.

In a statement issued Sunday by the forum’s National Secretary, Sulaiman Oyaremi, the group emphasized that its members view supporting President Tinubu as a responsibility.

It also acknowledged the right of individuals to remain in or exit the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), noting such decisions are part of democratic expression.

“We believe that we owe ourselves a duty to support the current leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and contribute to the transformation of APC into an inclusive institution where all stakeholders would have a sense of belonging and ownership,” the forum stated.

Amid speculations that some elements within the CPC bloc might join a possible alliance with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the forum reiterated its loyalty to the APC.

On April 16, a faction led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, rejected such claims and expressed full support for President Tinubu.

However, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), voiced disapproval the following day, contending that Al-Makura’s group lacks the authority to represent the entire CPC bloc.

Addressing this controversy, the forum expressed disappointment over the division within the legacy party.

Oyaremi stated, “Unfortunately, with several camps speaking for the defunct CPC, the situation has exposed a lack of coherent leadership within the bloc.”

“We are further concerned that this development signposts a lack of inclusiveness in the leadership of APC and the government it birthed.”

He continued, “It is a self-evident reality that members of the defunct CPC, especially former State Chairmen of the legacy party, have not been treated fairly either through government appointments or party apparatus both at the national and state levels, their contributions to the electoral successes of the party notwithstanding.”

Despite these grievances, the forum underscored its continued support for the party.

“Against the conflicting statements concerning the position of the CPC bloc within the APC, we believe that those who chose to either leave or remain in APC have merely exercised their democratic rights.”

“On our part, as members of the Forum for State Chairmen of the defunct CPC, while we do not begrudge those who have decided to quit APC, we wish to state without any ambiguity that, except for a few of us, we are unanimous in our decision to remain in the party with our principal, former President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The forum concluded by urging President Tinubu and other APC leaders to focus on pressing national issues.

“We also want to use this medium to call the attention of the President to the multifarious challenges that Nigerians face. The high level of insecurity and economic hardship are becoming existential threats to many citizens,” the statement noted.

“It is, therefore, important that the President, APC governments at all levels and the leadership of the party give these challenges the desired attention.”

“These issues of governance, rather than the 2027 elections, should constitute our priority as we move closer to the second anniversary of the current government.”