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 Ameh dismissed the rationale as “outdated and indefensible.”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
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his new Chief of Staff, following the resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi.
Makinde also appointed Mrs Aderonke Adedayo, his Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies, as Director-General of the Due Process Office.
The appointments were announced in letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Monday.
Akinwole, a grassroots politician, previously served as Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.
Adedayo will combine her new responsibilities as Director-General of the Due Process Office with her existing role as Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies.
Both appointments take immediate effect.
The governor congratulated the appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with loyalty, commitment and dedication to the service of Oyo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release the final list of candidates contesting the February 6, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, with eight states excluded from the governorship poll.
According to The Nation, the commission is scheduled to publish the final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
There are 8 affected states where governorship elections will not hold as part of the February 2027 electoral exercise because they operate on separate election schedules.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a world press conference and stakeholders’ meeting that 21 of Nigeria’s 22 registered political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 28 states scheduled to elect governors in 2027.
The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.
Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to publish the names and addresses of nominated candidates at least 60 days before an election.
The law also provides a procedure for political parties to notify the commission if a candidate’s name is missing from the published list.
Under Section 32(2), such notification must be submitted in writing, signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary, and supported by an affidavit within 14 days of publication.
Although governorship elections will not take place in the eight excluded states during the February 2027 exercise, State House of Assembly elections are scheduled across all 36 states.
The commission’s final list is expected to provide further details of the candidates and political parties participating in the elections.
INEC had earlier set September 19, 2026, as the deadline for substituting candidates and September 26, 2026, as the final date for submitting nomination forms.
The publication of the final list will be an important step in preparations for the 2027 elections, as political parties and candidates move towards the next phase of campaigning.
new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointments of new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor also approved the appointment of Alhaji Moshood Kewuyemi as the Chief Imam of the Government House Mosque.
The new SSAs include:
Ms. Folashade Ogunoye, SSA Gender
Alhaji Aminu Saidi Tunde, SSA Islamic Religion Affairs
Rev. Tunde Ogunsuyi, SSA Christian Religion Affairs
Kemisola Obamoyegun, SSA Housing
Dr. Oluwatobi Aruwajoye, SSA Primary Health
Alhaja Mohammed Sikirat Idera, SSA Muslim Women Affairs
Mrs Ehuwa Victoria Olufunke, SSA Christian Women Affairs
Alhaja Fauzart Gidado, SSA Women Mobilisation (Central).
And, others.
The appointments take immediate effect.
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