By Rukevwe odeh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has completed the distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to all 16 local government areas in Ekiti State in preparation for the governorship election scheduled for tomorrow.

The exercise involved the movement of ballot papers, result sheets, and other essential voting materials from designated storage facilities to local government offices across the state. Representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the media monitored the process to ensure transparency and accountability.

According to INEC officials, the timely deployment of election materials demonstrates the commission’s readiness to conduct a smooth, credible, and transparent electoral process. Security personnel have also been strategically deployed to safeguard the materials and maintain order before, during, and after the election.

More than one million registered voters are expected to participate in the poll, which is considered a significant political contest in the state. Stakeholders have continued to urge voters to conduct themselves peacefully and reject any form of electoral malpractice, including vote-buying.

The commission expressed confidence in its preparations and reassured residents that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a successful election across the state’s 16 local government areas.

By Rukevwe odeh

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially updated its records to recognise Prof. Sadid Umar Abubakar Gombe as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in compliance with a recent Supreme Court judgment that resolved the party’s prolonged leadership dispute.

The electoral commission’s action marks a significant development in the internal affairs of the SDP, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over the party’s leadership structure. As part of the update, INEC removed the names of former chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and other affected officials from its official records and uploaded Prof. Gombe as the recognised leader of the party.

The leadership crisis had generated legal battles and competing claims to the party’s national structure. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling clarified the situation and reinforced the constitutional principle that political parties have the right to manage their internal affairs without undue interference from external institutions.

Reacting to the development, SDP officials described INEC’s decision as a victory for democracy, internal party governance, and the rule of law. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, commended the electoral body for implementing the court’s decision and respecting judicial authority. According to him, the move has restored stability within the party and positioned it for stronger participation in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Party leaders also argued that the resolution of the dispute would allow the SDP to concentrate on strengthening its structures nationwide, expanding its membership base, and promoting its policy agenda. They expressed confidence that a united party would be better equipped to provide alternative political leadership and address national concerns such as insecurity, unemployment, economic hardship, and governance challenges.

Observers believe the development could enhance the SDP’s preparations for future elections, particularly as political parties across the country begin positioning themselves for the 2027 electoral cycle. The resolution of the leadership issue is expected to improve cohesion within the party and reduce internal distractions that could affect its political ambitions.

The latest action by INEC has also reignited discussions about the autonomy of political parties in Nigeria. Legal experts maintain that the Supreme Court’s position reinforces established judicial precedents that internal party matters should primarily be determined by party constitutions and recognised organs, except where electoral laws are violated.

With the leadership question now largely settled, the SDP says it is focused on rebuilding momentum, strengthening grassroots mobilisation, and presenting itself as a viable platform ahead of the next round of national elections. Party stakeholders have urged members across the country to close ranks and work collectively toward achieving the party’s long-term objectives.

By Rukevwe odeh

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has halted the immediate enforcement of a Federal High Court ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and four other political parties.
The earlier judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, ordered INEC to remove the affected parties from its official register over alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements for continued existence as political parties in Nigeria. The court held that the parties did not satisfy conditions under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, which requires parties to secure a minimum level of electoral performance, such as winning seats or obtaining a specified percentage of votes in elections.
However, the Appeal Court has now issued a stay of execution, temporarily stopping the enforcement of that decision. This means the Independent National Electoral Commission is not currently required to proceed with deregistering the parties until the appeal process is concluded.
The affected political parties include the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). They had challenged the Federal High Court ruling, arguing that the decision was premature and could undermine ongoing legal and electoral processes.
Legal representatives for the parties maintain that the judgment raises serious constitutional and procedural issues, insisting that the matter should be fully determined at the appellate level before any administrative action is taken.
The original suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators, which argued that INEC has a constitutional duty to deregister political parties that fail to meet the required electoral thresholds. They contended that allowing such parties to remain on the register contributes to unnecessary proliferation and weakens the electoral system.
With the latest ruling from the Court of Appeal, the political fate of the affected parties remains uncertain, as the substantive appeal will now determine whether the deregistration order stands or is overturned.
For now, INEC is expected to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the case by the appellate court.