The Independent National Electoral Commission has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to January and the governorship and state assembly elections to February. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission approved a Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities following changes in the electoral law. INEC had earlier fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections under the Electoral Act, 2022. However, the commission said the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026 necessitated a review of the schedule. “Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read. According to INEC, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027. The commission also outlined key milestones in the revised timetable. It stated that the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026. “Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on 19th August 2026, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on 9th September 2026,” INEC stated. The commission reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance. “As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” the statement stated. INEC said the revised timetable has been published on its official website and other communication platforms. The commission also announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State governorship poll. “In addition, the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier fixed for Saturday, 8th August 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, 15th August 2026,” the statement added. INEC noted that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, the remaining processes would align strictly with the Electoral Act, 2026. It emphasised that the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026. “The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the commission stated. It called on stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.

National President, Millet Farmers Association, Umar Abdullahi, has said that President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, will have problems if Vice President Kashim Shettima is replaced in 2027. Abdullahi made this statement on Thursday when he featured in an interview on Trust TV monitored by THENEWSCREDIT. His remark is coming against the backdrop of speculation that Shettima could be replaced in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. He said, “With Shettima in government, we have a lot of expectations and hopes. We are asleep if Shettima is there. We know a lot of things have started. We want that strategy to be maintained. The status quo must be maintained. “There is no basis for changing Shettima. He’s still loyal. He’s still capable. And he’s discharging the responsibilities and the duties of the Office of the Vice President successfully. So there is no reason he should be replaced. “APC will have problems if he’s removed. We are not politicians. We don’t need to tell lies. This is my first time coming before a camera in my life. APC and President Tinubu will have problems because a lot of farmers will not vote for the APC. “We voted because of the Muslim/Muslim ticket. If you want to replace somebody, you have to tell people what wrong he’s done that requires his replacement. But to the best of our knowledge, Shettima has been representing Nigeria very well even in foreign fora.”

OGBOMOSO — In a powerful call for religious tolerance and national rebirth, Hon. Wale Adeleke, a veteran politician and former Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, has described the rare 2026 convergence of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Christian season of Lent as a divine testament that "God is one." Addressing the community as both sacred seasons commenced simultaneously on February 18, 2026, Adeleke emphasized that the length and spiritual weight of this year’s fasting periods are symbolic of the unity, love, and harmony required to move the nation forward. Adeleke noted that the 2026 calendar, which sees the 30-day Islamic fast and the 40-day Lenten period overlapping, is not a mere coincidence but a "sign of unity" orchestrated by the Almighty. "This year, the length of our fasts and the alignment of our prayers show that we are serving the same Creator," Adeleke stated. "It is a clear message of love and harmony, proving that despite our different paths, God is one. We must use this period to bury our differences and embrace our shared humanity." Call for Spiritual Reflection The former Ogbomoso South chairman urged residents to reflect on the core values of both traditions. Adeleke encouraged the affluent to support the less privileged, highlighting that "true worship is found in how we treat our neighbors". He called on all faithful to pray for peace in Ogbomoso,Oyo state and across Nigeria, especially as the nation prepares for future democratic exercises. This simultaneous start of Ramadan and Lent is a rare occurrence that happens roughly every 33 years due to the Islamic lunar calendar`s shift. The rare calendar convergence, which saw both the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Christian season of Lent begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, has been described by Adeleke and other leaders as a "divine signal" for national unity and religious harmony in Nigeria. Adeleke characterized the overlap as an intentional act of the "Maker of all mankind" to remind adherents that despite different traditions, they share a common spiritual heritage and moral journey. He urged the people of Ogbomoso,Oyo State and Nigeria at large to use this "strategic" coincidence to rise above ethnic and religious differences, fostering peace and collective progress. The leader emphasized the common virtues of both seasons—sacrifice, self-discipline, compassion, and intense prayer—as the foundation for building a stronger community. Hon. Wale Adeleke, a leading member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ogbomoso zone, currently seeking a seat in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has earned a reputation for fostering community unity and acting as a `dependable pillar of support` for regional advancement. Adeleke concluded by reminding the people of Ogbomoso South Local Government that the ultimate goal of the season is to "emerge as better citizens, bound by love and a renewed commitment to our collective progress."

Hon. Segun Odebunmi, popularly known as Bunvic, has officially launched the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) in Surulere Local Government Area, signaling a major grassroots offensive for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid. Odebunmi, the current Chairman of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), unveiled the initiative on Tuesday during an expansive meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists in Iresapa, Oyo State. Addressing the crowd, the former federal lawmaker described President Tinubu’s economic policies as "bold and necessary." He specifically credited the administration for: Fuel subsidy removal and forex stabilization efforts. The successful implementation of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme. Strategic interventions leading to a reduction in food prices and enhanced national security. "The President deserves a second term to consolidate these reforms," Odebunmi stated. He charged supporters to move beyond rhetoric and initiate "aggressive mobilization" across every polling unit and ward to ensure an overwhelming APC victory. The momentum of the launch was bolstered by the defection of hundreds of members from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. Led by Hon. Olukunle Oloyede (widely known as Oluk Oil and Gas), the defectors cited Odebunmi’s leadership track record and the tangible impacts of the Renewed Hope Agenda as the primary drivers for their switch. Oloyede pledged to bring even more members into the APC fold ahead of the upcoming party congresses. As the former Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Bunvic urged party faithful to remain disciplined ambassadors of the APC. He emphasized that the path to victory requires unwavering unity and commitment to the party’s leadership structures at the local level.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Joe Igbokwe, has declared that President Bola Tinubu has no rival ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Igbokwe said there is no magic anybody can perform to defeat Tinubu. Posting on Facebook, he wrote: “Without sounding immodest I can tell you that PBAT has no rival. There is no magic that will make people to stand with you if you do not have anything to bring to the table. There is always a payday for every good work. Victory beckons for PBAT.” According to him, unseating Tinubu can only happen in the imagination of the opposition. Igbokwe recalled that it took Tinubu 20 years to prepare to become President. “He marked his times for more than 20 years waiting for the right time to throw his hat into the ring. It came in 2023. “He is now PBAT and he is reworking Nigeria. Now, in your wildest imaginations you think you will unseat him.Where is the muscle,” he wrote.

The 2023 elections presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi has assured his supporters of his readiness to contest in the 2027 elections. He noted that he had in good authority that the federal government does not want him to contest, insisting that he will come out even if the elections are being held figuratively in their “bedroom.” Speaking in Uyo at the OBIDIENT Conference and Official Declaration for ADC with the theme, Activating the PO Effect in ADC” on Saturday, Obi urged the people to join hands with him to rescue Nigeria for the future generations, who according to him will suffer the consequences of bad governance going on in the country for decades. The former Anambra governor stated that the current administration have collected more loans than every other administration, adding that most of the loans will be repaid from 2045 and 2050 when most of the people who plunged the country into indebtedness must have gone. On why he left the Labour Party, Obi said, ” Democracy must work, I left Labour party when I got informed that as long as I remain in the party, INEC will not recognize its leadership, that the federal government don’t want me on ballot paper, but I want to assure you that I will contest the coming election even if it holds in their bedroom and if they don’t want to transmit the results, we will transmit it for them. According to him, Nigeria must get it right in 2027, election results must be transmitted online in real time and whoever fails to transmit results will be transmitted” Obi, who assured that his administration will invest heavily in education and health if elected, averred that most of the great countries across the world achieved greatness through intentional investment in education, adding that he will do everything possible to pull people out of poverty to reduce criminality. The presidential aspirant said he will tour the entire country and also all higher institutions to see the real challenges on ground, stressing that he wants to help fix Nigeria now that he has the strength to undertake any difficult task adding that those joining him to realize his ambition must understand that the priority is the future and wellbeing of the people. He promised to rid Nigeria of corruption saying that the menace will be reduced by 60 percent once a leader and his family has nothing to do with corruption. He added, ” When I became governor of Anambra State, I advised my wife to forget about the office of first lady because we were not elected together, I approved over 100 C of Os of government lands but have none for myself or family. If you find any, petition me to appropriate authority. Also addressing the people, Dr Tanko Yunusa, the coordinator of OBIDIENT movement world-wide urged Nigerians to mobilize from every nook and cranny of the country for the 2027 general election. He urged them to channel their collective energy into the African Democratic Congress as the vehicle for transformation and victory in 2027. On his own, the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of the OBIDIENT movement, Dr Ben Smith urged members to be united in pursuit of their goal as divisions or faction will derail the dream of a new Nigeria.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike on Saturday rained curses on politicians he perceived as backing those betraying him. The minister spoke while commissioning the Rivers State chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ office in Port Harcourt. He said senators and members of the House of Representatives supporting the betrayal will also be betrayed in due course. According to him, when such politicians will receive their own portion of the betrayal, they “will collapse and go”. Wike said, “Whether you are a senator, House of Reps member, minister or governor, and you support betrayals, people will continue to betray you in life. Betrayal is your portion. “The day you will be betrayed, you will not have mouth to say anything. There you will collapse and go and they will announce that so so person has died. “That is the seed you have planted and whatever you plant, you will reap. Since you are planting betrayal, betrayal will follow you everywhere. “Every governor who is doing the second tenure, governor who has ambition to put a successor and is supporting betrayal, you will never survive it.”

The Oyo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Governor Seyi Makinde of squandering the sum of N2.9 billion for the 50 years anniversary of the state. The APC made the allegation in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wasiu Olawale Sadare. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the government led by Makinde recently celebrated the 50 anniversary of state. But the APC is saying the governor squandered N2.9 billion on the celebration. The party noted that N90 million was deducted from the federal allocation of each of the 33 local government councils to fund the anniversary celebration. Parts of the APC statement read, “We have it on good authority that a sum of N90 million was deducted from the federal allocation of each of the 33 local government councils by Gov. Makinde ostensibly to fund the anniversary project while another undisclosed amount was taken from the coffers of the state government for the same purpose at the same time and the question now is – what did they do with over N3 billion? “Was it the huge amount the cost of the misplaced air show, lopsided award conferment, colour-riot Ankara uniform for PDP members and one-man show novelty soccer match that justified the amount?”

The Senate has dismissed reports claiming that it rejected the electronic transmission of election results during consideration of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill. The clarification came from Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, shortly after the upper chamber passed the bill following a marathon session that lasted about four and a half hours. Consideration of the contentious amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the bill began at about 2pm and stretched until 6.26pm, fuelling speculation online that lawmakers had voted against mandatory electronic transmission of results. However, news made the rounds that the Senate shot down a proposal that would have compelled presiding officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to transmit results electronically from each polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal in real time, after signing and stamping the prescribed result forms. According to the reports, the Senate was said to have instead retained the existing provision of the Electoral Act, which states that “the presiding officer shall transfer the results, including the total number of accredited voters and the results of the ballot, in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.” However, Akpabio insisted that the interpretation was misleading, stressing that the Senate did not remove electronic transmission from the law. He said, “Distinguished colleagues, the social media is already awash with reports that the Senate has literally rejected electronic transmission of results. That is not true. What we did was to retain the electronic transmission which has been in the act and was used in 2022. “So please, do not allow people to confuse you. If you are in doubt, we will make our final votes and proceedings available to you if you apply. “This Senate under my watch has not rejected the electronic transmission of results. It is in my interest as a participant in the next election for such to be done. So please don’t go with the crowd. “We have retained what was in the previous provision by way of amendment. That was all we did. The previous previous has made allowance for electronic transmission. So it is still there as part of our law. We cannot afford to be going backwards.” The issue of electronic transmission of results has remained a sensitive and highly debated aspect of Nigeria’s electoral reforms since the 2023 general elections, with civil society groups and opposition parties consistently pushing for clearer and more explicit legal backing to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. Akpabio’s intervention was aimed at calming public concerns and correcting what he described as deliberate or careless misrepresentation of the Senate’s action on the bill, as the National Assembly continues work on amendments ahead of future elections.

Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has fired back at the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over a recent comment against his principal. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Makinde on Tuesday threw jabs at Wike, for saying he (Wike) is interested in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo State. Speaking at a PDP National Executive Council meeting, the minister said above any other thing, he is interested in the PDP structure in the state being led by Makinde. The comment, however, didn’t go well with the Oyo State governor, who is an arch rival of Wike. Speaking at the opening of a new PDP secretariat on Tuesday, Makinde described Wike and other members of the PDP faction as vagabonds, insisting that the Oyo chapter of the party remained stable, focused and united. “In Yoruba land, we always say that if you see a house or compound that is peaceful, the vagabond in that house has not grown up. “The vagabond in PDP, they grew up in 2015, they had their time and then 10 years, they practiced their vagabond in the PDP but they have been expelled in November 2025, so no more vagabond in PDP,” Makinde said. Reacting, Lere Olayinka in a post on his official Facebook page, called the governor a “political vagabond”. Olayinka wrote, “There is this political vagabond in Ibadan. He is only loyal to his personal political interests and he his always ready to sacrifice anything, including friendship. “In 2007 when he sought PDP ticket to contest for Senate and he couldn’t get it, he went to ANPP. “In 2015 when he sought PDP ticket to contest for Governor and he couldn’t get it, he went to SDP. “Now that this vagabond has been expelled from the PDP, and his Ibadan Amala Kanifa is nullified by the court, where will he go next?”