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Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Calls for Tough Action Against Vote Buying

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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.

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Yari Predicts Tinubu’s 2027 Victory, APC to Retain Power Beyond 2031

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Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure re-election in the 2027 presidential election.

Yari, a former Zamfara State governor and serving senator, made the declaration on Sunday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following the unveiling of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to him, Tinubu will emerge victorious in 2027, while the APC will retain control of the presidency beyond 2031.

“Today, we have seen him as president today, and by God’s grace, he shall be the president come 2027,” Yari said.

The APC campaign council is chaired by President Tinubu, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, among its principal officials.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary, while Yari was appointed Director-General.

The composition of the council has, however, generated criticism, particularly over the inclusion of serving public officials and individuals facing unresolved allegations.

Among those attracting scrutiny are former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, and former NSITF board chair, Ngozi Olejeme, over unresolved financial misconduct allegations.

Despite the criticism, Yari said the campaign council remained focused on securing Tinubu’s re-election and delivering on the administration’s commitments to Nigerians.

He assured Nigerians that the APC would fulfil the promises made during the 2023 election campaign.

“Our party is synonymous with keeping to our words,” he said.

Yari also called for divine guidance for President Tinubu, saying the campaign council would work towards ensuring the administration fulfils its commitments to Nigerians.

“We pray that Almighty Allah will give him the wisdom to lead this country. We assure Nigerians that we shall fulfil all our campaign promises,” he added.

The APC campaign council DG further expressed optimism that the party would remain in power beyond Tinubu’s second term.

“We pray that our party will continue to be the party to lead the country after President Tinubu’s second term,” Yari said.

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Oyebamiji Alleges Fresh Attacks on APC Members in Osun

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Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, has alleged fresh attacks on some members of the party.

Oyebamiji made the allegation on Friday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja.

He said Tinubu advised him and other stakeholders to prioritise peace, noting that governance is ultimately about the people.

Oyebamiji appealed to residents of Osun State to remain calm as the APC continues to review the election results.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Oyebamiji said the APC was still examining the election results and would announce its position after completing the review.

He also called on Adeleke to caution his supporters against violence.

According to him, the appeal followed alleged attacks on APC members after the election.

Oyebamiji alleged that four or five people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies.

He urged APC members and other residents to remain calm, stressing that violence would not benefit the people of the state.

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2027 Presidency: Tinubu Unveils APC Campaign Council, Names Yari DG, Uzodimma Secretary

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President, Kashim Shettima
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, placing former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at the helm of the campaign as Director-General.

The campaign council, unveiled on Saturday, August 22, 2026, brings together senior party leaders, serving and former governors, legislators, ministers, political strategists and media professionals as the governing party begins preparations for the presidential contest.

President Tinubu will serve as Chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will occupy the position of Vice Chairman. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, is also designated Vice Chairman.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has been appointed Secretary of the campaign council, while APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.

Yari Takes Charge of Campaign Structure

The appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General places the former Zamfara governor at the centre of the APC’s operational strategy for the 2027 presidential election.

Yari will be expected to coordinate the various directorates and political structures of the campaign council as the party seeks to consolidate its hold on the presidency and mobilise support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

President Tinubu will be supported by a team of senior political advisers comprising former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; Senator Rochas Okorocha; former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Akpabio, Abbas, Bamidele Get Zonal Responsibilities

The campaign structure also assigns major responsibilities to the leadership of the National Assembly and key state governors.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni have been appointed Deputy Directors-General responsible for campaign activities in the South and North.

They will work alongside Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau in coordinating political activities across the respective zones.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has been appointed Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

Faleke Returns to Election Planning

James Abiodun Faleke, a prominent figure in the APC’s previous presidential campaign, has been brought back into the campaign structure as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

Faleke will supervise a team of zonal directors responsible for coordinating election-related activities across the country.

They include Senator Olushola Adeyeye for the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme for the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife for the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe for the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso for the North-Central and Senator Sani Danladi for the North-East.

Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori have also been appointed secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.

Legal Team Takes Shape

The legal arm of the campaign will be headed by Muiz Adeyemi Banire as Director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala serving as Deputy Directors.

Other members of the legal directorate include Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema; Worgu Boms; and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

The directorate is expected to provide legal and strategic support to the campaign throughout the electoral process.

Mohammed Idris Leads Media and Strategic Communications

The campaign’s media and strategic communications machinery will be coordinated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi.

He will work with former presidential spokespersons and senior media strategists, including Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu.

Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka have been designated Coordinating Deputy Directors within the media directorate.

Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor will serve as Coordinating Secretaries.

Segun Dada has also returned as Director of New Media, a role he occupied during the 2022/2023 presidential campaign, while Solomon Arowolo has been appointed Secretary of the New Media Directorate.

Five Spokespersons Named

The APC campaign council has further appointed five spokespersons to drive its public communication strategy.

Dele Alake will lead the team, with Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda serving alongside him.

The spokespersons are expected to articulate the campaign’s message, defend the administration’s record and communicate its agenda to voters as the election season gathers momentum.

Tinubu Tasks Council With Securing Victory

In his message to members of the campaign council, President Tinubu charged them to work relentlessly towards securing victory for the APC in the January 2027 elections.

The President also directed leaders of the various directorates to extend their reach beyond those formally listed in the council, encouraging them to bring other capable party members into the campaign effort.

Tinubu said the administration had fulfilled its campaign promises and positioned Nigeria for economic recovery, urging members of the campaign team to make the government’s achievements central to its electoral message.

He said the country had moved beyond the period of economic difficulty and was approaching the benefits of a more prosperous economy.

The President further urged the campaign team to confidently present the administration’s record to Nigerians and inspire hope across the country, while defeating political forces seeking to reverse the direction of the nation.

With the unveiling of the campaign council, the APC has effectively moved into a more organised phase of its preparations for the 2027 presidential election, assembling a broad political and communication structure designed to coordinate mobilisation, election planning, legal strategy and messaging across the federation.

The council’s composition also signals the central role that the presidency, the National Assembly leadership, governors and experienced political operators will play in the APC’s bid to retain power at the federal level in 2027.

 

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