The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in vote buying, describing the practice as a serious criminal offence that threatens Nigeria’s democratic process.

Amupitan made the call in a video message where he urged security and anti-corruption agencies to intensify efforts against electoral fraud ahead of future elections. He stressed that institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that perpetrators of vote trading are apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the Electoral Act.

According to him, vote buying remains one of the major threats to credible elections and must not be tolerated in any democratic society.

“Vote buyers must be arrested and prosecuted; it is a criminal offence under the Electoral Act. It is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies, most especially the EFCC, ICPC, and the police, to ensure those involved are arrested and prosecuted,” Amupitan stated.

The INEC chairman further warned political parties and their supporters against engaging in vote trading, noting that the practice compromises the integrity of elections, weakens public confidence in governance, and undermines the nation’s democratic institutions.

He urged stakeholders in the electoral process to work collectively toward promoting free, fair, and transparent elections, insisting that accountability for electoral offences is necessary to strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

Amupitan’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the increasing cases of inducement of voters during elections across the country, with civil society organisations and election observers repeatedly calling for stricter enforcement of electoral laws against offenders.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election in Ogun State following the party’s direct primary election conducted across the state.

Abiodun, in a statement shared via his official X handle on Wednesday, disclosed that Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was overwhelmingly affirmed by party members during what he described as a peaceful, transparent, and orderly primary exercise held simultaneously across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State.

According to the governor, the conduct of the exercise demonstrated the unity, internal democracy, and growing strength of the APC in Ogun State, noting that party stakeholders, electoral officials, security agencies, and loyal party members contributed immensely to the success of the process.

“Today, we participated in the APC governorship direct primary election across Ogun State where Senator Adeola Yayi was overwhelmingly affirmed as the governorship candidate of our great party for the 2027 general election,” Abiodun stated.

He further emphasized that the peaceful outcome of the primary reflected the maturity and cohesion within the Ogun APC, stressing that the party remains united and fully committed to retaining power in the state beyond 2027.

The governor congratulated Senator Adeola on his emergence and expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the party into the next general election, while reaffirming the APC’s commitment to sustaining development, stability, and continuity in Ogun State.

“We warmly congratulate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi on his emergence and reaffirm our collective commitment to the continued progress, stability, and development of Ogun State under the banner of our great party,” the governor added.

Senator Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, is regarded as one of the leading political figures in the state and now officially becomes the APC flagbearer ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its senatorial primary elections in Ekiti State, producing the trio of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi and Senator Yemi Adaramodu as the party’s standard-bearers for Ekiti Central, Ekiti North and Ekiti South Senatorial Districts respectively ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise, conducted across the three senatorial districts, drew significant participation from party delegates and stakeholders, with APC officials describing the primaries as peaceful, transparent and in line with the party’s electoral guidelines.

Announcing the results in Ado Ekiti, the chairman of the primary election committee and chief returning officer, Wasiu Adedoyin, declared Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele winner of the Ekiti Central senatorial primary. Bamidele, who contested unopposed, polled 29,586 votes, reaffirming his strong political influence within the district and consolidating his position ahead of the 2027 polls.

In the keenly contested Ekiti North primary, incumbent Senator Cyril Fasuyi emerged victorious after securing 14,179 votes. Fasuyi defeated former senator Ayo Arise, who garnered 4,868 votes, while Engr. Bamisaye Oladipupo polled 3,694 votes. Political observers described the contest as one of the most competitive races of the APC primaries in the state, reflecting the growing political interests within Ekiti North.

Similarly, in Ekiti South Senatorial District, Senator Yemi Adaramodu clinched the APC ticket after polling 12,200 votes to defeat former senator Biodun Olujimi, who secured 7,420 votes, and Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, who recorded 5,502 votes. The outcome further strengthens Adaramodu’s political standing within the district as he prepares to lead the APC into the next electoral cycle.

Speaking after the exercise, Wasiu Adedoyin commended APC members and delegates for their orderly conduct throughout the primaries, stressing that the process reflected the party’s commitment to internal democracy and credible candidate selection.

The conclusion of the senatorial primaries is expected to reshape political calculations across Ekiti State as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 general elections, with party leaders expressing confidence that the emergence of the three candidates would further strengthen the party’s chances at the polls.