Electoral commission says outcome in South-West state will guide reforms and public trust ahead of next general elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has stated that the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election will serve as a benchmark for measuring the credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. Prof. Yakubu made this known on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing electoral stakeholders on preparations for the off-cycle polls.

According to Prof. Yakubu, INEC is determined to use the Ekiti poll as a yardstick for testing new measures aimed at boosting transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasised that lessons learned from Ekiti would directly inform operational improvements before the 2027 nationwide vote. “The conduct of the Ekiti governorship election is very important as it will be used to assess our readiness and credibility for the next general elections,” he said.

The South-West state’s poll is attracting attention amid ongoing concerns about voter apathy, logistics challenges, and allegations of malpractice during recent elections across Nigeria. Political observers note that INEC faces pressure from civil society groups and opposition parties to demonstrate impartiality and ensure votes count in Ekiti, especially as aggrieved politicians have raised issues with results transmission and collation methods in previous contests.

Prof. Yakubu assured all parties that INEC would deploy both technological and administrative safeguards to ensure a credible exercise. He added that the commission remains open to constructive feedback from political actors and citizens alike. “We are committed to learning from every election. The success or failure of Ekiti will influence how Nigerians view our preparedness for 2027,” he noted.

INEC is expected to release more details on its plans for Ekiti in coming weeks, including engagement with security agencies and training for ad-hoc staff. Political parties are also intensifying campaigns across all local government areas, making the state a critical test case for Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/886961-ekiti-governorship-poll-to-be-used-as-benchmark-for-2027-election-credibility-inec-chair.html

Muslim groups and activists challenge Oyo officials over claims about bandits’ demands, urge focus on safe release of pupils and teachers

The Oyo State Government is facing mounting criticism after abducted school victims in Oriire Local Government Area disputed official reports that their captors demanded ₦1 billion ransom and the implementation of Sharia law. The controversy intensified on Tuesday when a video surfaced showing Mrs. Rachael Alamu, a school principal held by the kidnappers, denying any such demands from her captors.

The incident began when government officials publicly claimed that bandits responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers had requested a ₦1bn ransom, weapons, and the introduction of Sharia law as conditions for release. These statements were widely circulated in media reports, fuelling anxiety across Oyo State and beyond. However, Mrs. Alamu, speaking from captivity in the video message, called on politicians and members of the public not to politicise their ordeal and warned that spreading misinformation could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.

The conflicting accounts have sparked reactions from several quarters. Muslim groups in the state questioned the credibility of the government’s claims, noting that no independently verified evidence supported reports about a Sharia law demand. The groups urged those who made such statements to clarify their sources and cautioned that unverified claims risked inflaming tensions within the state. Human rights activist Francis Nwapa also criticised the government’s approach in a written statement, accusing officials of using the abduction to promote divisive narratives instead of prioritising the safe return of those still held captive.

As families of abducted pupils and teachers continue to await news of their loved ones’ release, calls are growing for authorities to intensify rescue operations and ensure accurate communication with the public. The situation has heightened concerns about security in South-West Nigeria and raised fresh questions about official transparency in crisis management. For now, attention remains focused on securing the victims’ freedom while stakeholders urge restraint from politicising unverified information.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/oyo-school-kidnapping-government-faces-backlash-for-fabricating-bandits-demands-2026061119062257044

Lawmakers approve extension amid concerns over incomplete projects; opposition warns of fiscal discipline risks

The Senate in Abuja has once again approved an extension for the implementation of the 2025 federal budget, taking the decision during plenary on Thursday, 11 June. The move comes as several capital projects funded under the budget remain unfinished, prompting lawmakers to prolong spending authority for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The extension was endorsed following deliberations led by Senate leadership, who cited widespread delays in project execution as at June. Senators noted that many MDAs had been unable to complete key initiatives due to procurement bottlenecks and disruptions in cash releases, making it necessary to grant additional time for utilisation of appropriated funds.

This latest extension has significant implications for Nigeria’s public finance management. Budget rollovers have become more frequent in recent years, raising questions over the effectiveness of the annual appropriation cycle. With inflation and naira volatility still affecting government contracts, stakeholders say timely project delivery is crucial to restore public confidence and support economic growth.

While the Senate majority supported the move, some opposition senators expressed concern that repeated extensions could undermine fiscal discipline. They called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address systemic delays and strengthen oversight of MDAs’ spending. “We cannot continue this pattern every year without consequences,” one opposition lawmaker cautioned during debate.

With this approval, federal ministries now have a longer window to complete ongoing projects funded under the 2025 budget. The Senate urged all MDAs to expedite implementation and ensure value for money, warning that further delays would attract closer scrutiny from National Assembly committees.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/886958-again-senate-extends-the-2025-federal-budget.html