Politics
CUPP Blasts INEC-FCDA Deal, Cites Independence Risk
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has strongly criticized the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to handle the construction of its new national headquarters in Abuja.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the National Secretary of CUPP and former National President of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Mr. Peter Ameh, described the arrangement as “deeply troubling” and a direct threat to INEC’s constitutionally guaranteed independence.
“The recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission to allow the Federal Capital Development Authority to construct its new national headquarters in Abuja is deeply troubling and constitutes a direct assault on the commission’s constitutional independence,” said Ameh.
He condemned the move as “an unacceptable return to practices that undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress,” stressing that Section 158(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees INEC’s autonomy and insulates it from external control.
“Furthermore, Section 81(3) provides for a direct line charge to INEC’s budget, ensuring financial independence through funds drawn directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund,” he said. “This mechanism, reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022, was designed to eliminate INEC’s reliance on politically controlled entities, thereby curing the historical problem of undue influence over the election management body.”
Ameh also took issue with INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s justification that the FCDA’s involvement is acceptable because it constructed INEC’s previous headquarters when the commission moved from Lagos to Abuja. Ameh dismissed the rationale as “outdated and indefensible.”
“Nigeria’s electoral laws have evolved significantly, and such arrangements are no longer acceptable for an institution tasked with conducting free, fair, and credible elections,” he argued.
He warned that FCDA’s role in the project raises serious questions about political interference, especially given its control under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, which is overseen by Minister Nyesom Wike.
“The mere fact that FCDA was allowed to initiate and carry out the construction of the new headquarters speaks volumes. For an agency under the Federal Capital Territory Administration and subject to political oversight by Nyesom Wike, to fund and construct its headquarters, INEC risks compromising its impartiality and eroding public trust in the electoral process.”
Ameh emphasized that INEC’s constitutional financial autonomy was designed to eliminate such dependence and called the current arrangement a contradiction of that purpose.
“This decision contradicts the purpose of the direct line charge, which empowers INEC to independently budget for its operational and infrastructural needs through appropriations by the National Assembly. Public sentiment, as expressed by so many citizens, echoes this concern, with Nigerians questioning the integrity of an electoral body that permits political actors to influence its operations,” he said.
He further criticized INEC for prioritizing a new building project while staff welfare continues to suffer.
“Equally concerning is INEC’s misplaced priority in focusing on a new headquarters while neglecting the welfare of its staff—the bureaucratic backbone of the commission. The employees who manage voter registration, election logistics, and result collation deserve competitive salaries, adequate training, and improved working conditions to enhance their efficiency and resist electoral malpractices,” he stated.
“Diverting attention to a grandiose project at the expense of staff welfare undermines INEC’s mission to deliver credible elections for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.”
Ameh urged INEC to terminate the deal with FCDA immediately and instead utilize its constitutionally backed financial autonomy to independently manage the construction of its new headquarters.
“The National Assembly must exercise its oversight powers to ensure that INEC’s budget reflects its infrastructural and operational needs without reliance on external agencies. Additionally, INEC must prioritise staff welfare to strengthen the integrity of the electoral system.”
He concluded with a stern warning: “The Nigerian people deserve an electoral body that upholds its constitutional mandate of independence and prioritises the mechanisms that drive credible elections. Any attempt to undermine INEC’s autonomy threatens the foundation of our democracy. We must act swiftly to protect the integrity of our electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Ripplesnigeria.com
Minister Nyesom Wike defends his position amidst calls for removal from office Wike emphasizes that only President Tinubu can decide his fate Former governor boasts of his contributions to Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls for his removal from office. Wike said that such decisions rest solely with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Rivers State governor stressed that the power to sack him lies solely with the President. From breaking news to viral moments. Follow Legit.ng on Instagram. As reported by The Punch, Wike stated this on Sunday, January 11, 2026, during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor.
Wike addressed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths in the area. “Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT.”
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, described Wike as a major asset to the council, the state, and the nation. “When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty.”
Recall that President Tinubu reportedly intervened in the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Wike amidst rising tensions. Tinubu and Wike are set to meet abroad to discuss the ongoing Rivers state crisis and potential impeachment.
Wike’s ally denied involvement in the impeachment plot, claiming Rivers’ lawmakers are driving the actions against Governor Fubara.
Dailyvoice.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu was urged to immediately remove Wike as the minister of the FCT to ensure stability returns to Rivers state. NADECO, a pro-democracy group, made the call, citing the impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara.
Ahead of the 2027 election, Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele has predicted that eight APC governors will oppose President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Primate Ayodele prophesied that a prominent political figure will defect to the ADC coalition, ‘creating a shocking political shift’
Lagos-based Ayodele is widely known for issuing prophecies on a variety of subjects, including Nigerian and global politics, the economy, security, and sports Oke Afa, Lagos State – Ahead of the 2027 elections, Primate Elijah Ayodele has said that about eight All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will work against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling party.
In a statement to Daily voice on Friday, January 9, signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church said the governors may either remain in the APC or defect to an opposition party, but would still work against the president and the ruling party ahead of the election.
Primate Ayodele said:
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election. There are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare. Ayodele Furthermore, Primate Ayodele disclosed that a prominent figure in Nigerian politics will soon defect to the coalition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
His words: “I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
Meanwhile, the ADC has maintained that the 2027 elections would be between the citizens and the APC.
The party urged the opposition governors to rise boldly, deliver fresh ideas and lead citizens out of ‘national despair’, stressing that this was what Nigerians expected from them.
Earlier, Daily voice reported that Primate Ayodele denied allegations levelled against him by Bayo Adelabu, minister of power, regarding an alleged blackmail attempt.
A media outlet had reported that Adelabu, a chieftain of the ruling APC and supporter of President Tinubu, accused Primate Ayodele of attempting to extort N150 million from him for “spiritual intercession” to make him governor of Oyo State. However, in a statement sent to Legit.ng, and signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele denied ever attempting to extort the minister, explaining that he had only asked Adelabu to purchase the trumpets.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that about eight APC governors will work against President Tinubu and the ruling party ahead of 2027.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the prophet stated that the governors may remain in APC or decamp to an opposition party, but regardless, they will work against the president and the ruling party towards the election.
“I see about eight governors working against APC ahead of 2027. It’s either they stay in the party to work against the party or move to an opposition party.”
“President Tinubu will not find it easy in the election; there are so many things around him that look real, but they are not. They will soon start getting uncovered, so he has to prepare.”
Furthermore, Primate Ayodele made it known that a big name in Nigerian politics will decamp to the coalition party, ADC, very soon.
“ I am seeing a big name decamping to the ADC very soon. It will be a shocker to people and the political scene of the country. It will happen very, very soon.”
It would be recalled that the prophet earlier warned that President Donald Trump is working towards unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the president of the country. He noted that US actions in helping Nigeria aren’t what it seems to be, but have a hidden agenda.
He had also said that Abubakar Atiku, one of the contenders for the presidential ticket, will be pressured to step down for former president Goodluck Jonathan
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