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 Ameh dismissed the rationale as “outdated and indefensible.”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
The African Democratic Congress has claimed it won two out of three seats in the state and National Assembly bye-elections in Kaduna State.
The ADC Coalition mobilisation wing, known as ‘ADC Vanguard,’ disclosed this in a terse statement on its X account Saturday.
DAILY POST reports that Kaduna State conducted elections in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency, and the Basawa State Constituency.
Reacting to the polls in a statement, ADC Vanguard said on X, “ADC Coalition Dominates Kaduna State, Securing 2 out of 3 constituencies insStunning victory.”
However, official results from the state electoral commission are yet to be released.
Earlier, All Progressives Congress chieftain, Ayekooto Akindele took a swipe at the former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying emerging results showed Kaduna people spoke loudly against him.
“Unfortunately for him, Kaduna people said loudly today that UBA SANI IS THEIR LEADER.
Primate Elijah Ayodele, the founder and spiritual leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a stern warning to Nigerian governors regarding their aspirations for a second term in office in 2027.
In a public statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele elaborated on the challenges these governors may face in their quest for re-election, indicating that without sincere efforts and dedication, their ambitions for a second term might be hindered.
The warning serves as a wake-up call for these leaders to recognize the potential obstacles ahead and to engage in the necessary actions to secure their political futures.
“The governors of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Enugu, Cross River, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Ondo must work well to get a second term in office.
“It’s not certain for them except they work hard and pray. This is a hint of what they should be expecting.
“They need to work very well so that they won’t lose their second-term ambition,” he revealed.
Primate Ayodele also warned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to be careful and prayerful so that his second term as Senate President will not be traded.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio must be very careful and prayerful to get a second term as Senate president. I see his position being traded; he must work very hard to avoid it.”
Likewise, Primate Ayodele revealed that prominent senators and members of the House of Representatives will not return for a second term, too, while warning Ned Nwoko of Delta against his governorship ambition, saying it’s not yet his time.
Politics
2027 Election: Presidency Speaks On What Would Happen If Jonathan Decides To Run Against Tinubu [VIDEO]
Special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on policy communication, Daniel Bwala, ruled out the possibility of any political figure, including for- mer President Goodluck Jonathan, defeating Tinubu the 2027 election
Bwala, who was a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, was asked if there is a need to worry over the recent clamour for Jonathan to run for of- fice in 2027
Some political stakeholders have claimed that Jonathan would be one of the leading candidates to confront incumbent President Tinubu in the 2027 general election
dailyvoice.ng reports that rumours swirled in Nigeria over a possible 2027 presidential run by ex-leader Goodluck Jonathan.
Bwala’s video can be watched here
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday night, August 12 nonitored by Legit.ng, Bwala spoke on if a Jonathan comeback bid could rattle President Tinubu
Recently, former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, threw his weight behind Jonathan as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) strongest option or the 2027 presidential election.
This is as he urged the party to “woo” him back into its fold.
Reacting to the CaMS for Jonathan to contest against Tinubu, Bwala said:
“I see that some unscrupulous elements are trying to hoodwink former President Goodluck Jonathan to come into politics so that they can destroy his reputation, which after he left government he has been building by becoming an international figure globally.”
Bwala explained that Tinubu has ‘captured”the, south south geopolitical zone where Jonathan comes from.
He continued: “The elements that are going to him in the north, asking him to run, where they not the ones that chased him away? So, what hope does he have that this time around, they are calling him because they mean well for him?
“Then, look at the political class that are coming to- gether to cajole him to come into politics. I know former President Goodluck Jonathan is smarter than that. But if former President Jonathan decides to run, let me tell you, I have seen the political cli- mate in Nigeria today, andt will speak to facts, not conjectures, there is not a single politician that has the capacity to knock off President Bola Tinubu – in all fronts.”
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