Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Says It Has Not Received Funds for 2027 General Elections Amid Budget Concerns
Electoral commission officials in Abuja reveal delayed release of allocated funds, raising fears over timely preparations
Electoral commission officials in Abuja reveal delayed release of allocated funds, raising fears over timely preparations
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is yet to receive the budgeted funds for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns about the timely preparation and execution of Nigeria’s next nationwide polls. The revelation was made by commission officials in Abuja on Friday, 26 June 2026.
According to INEC, despite allocations made in the national budget for electoral activities leading up to 2027, no disbursement has reached the commission as at the end of June. This situation has sparked anxiety among stakeholders about potential delays in procurement, training, and deployment necessary for credible elections across Nigeria’s thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The delayed release of funds comes at a time when Nigerians are increasingly vocal about electoral transparency and logistics. Previous election cycles have been marked by late arrivals of materials and inadequate training for ad hoc staff — issues INEC officials say are often tied to funding bottlenecks. The commission’s inability to access its full budget on time could further complicate plans to upgrade election technology and improve voter verification processes.
While INEC did not provide detailed figures or timelines for when it expects the funds, senior officials stressed that early financial support is critical if the commission is to avoid repeating past logistical challenges. They called on relevant authorities to expedite all necessary approvals and transfers so that preparations can commence without further delay.
As Nigerians look ahead to the next election cycle, observers warn that protracted funding delays may undermine confidence in the electoral process. Civil society groups have urged government to prioritise INEC’s requests, noting that transparent and timely elections are vital for democratic stability.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Developer Metro & Castle Launches 300-Unit Estate to Boost Community Development
Firm targets Nigerians in diaspora with affordable luxury homes, adds retail hub and sports centre in Ibeju-Lekki
Firm targets Nigerians in diaspora with affordable luxury homes, adds retail hub and sports centre in Ibeju-Lekki
Metro & Castle, a property development firm based in Lagos, has launched a new housing estate in the Ibeju-Lekki area with a target of delivering 300 two-to-four-bedroom terrace apartments and three retail outlets over five years. The unveiling, which took place recently, aims to address the needs of middle-class Nigerians—particularly those in the diaspora—seeking secure and well-furnished homes upon their return.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Metro & Castle, Abdul Adekunle, said the project was conceived after observing challenges faced by Nigerians abroad who often encounter fraudulent developers or lack access to ready-made homes. “We listened closely to the needs of the people and found out that many actually need smaller units – two-to-four-bedroom terraces,” Adekunle explained. He added that the company’s first phase includes Metropolis Square, a retail hub designed to provide supermarkets and other essential services within the estate.
According to Adekunle, community development goes beyond providing residential buildings. “If you’re doing community development, supermarkets, sport centres and other basic facilities have to be in place,” he said. The estate is planned with modern infrastructure and amenities aimed at fostering a conducive environment for residents.
The initiative comes at a time when Nigeria’s housing deficit remains a critical issue for both residents and returning diaspora. Many potential investors have expressed concerns over transparency and quality in the real estate sector. Metro & Castle’s offering is positioned as an effort to bridge this gap while giving middle-income families access to affordable luxury living.
Industry stakeholders say such developments could encourage more diaspora Nigerians to invest in real estate at home. The company plans to expand its projects across Lagos once its initial targets are met.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NAFDAC Warns Lagos Importers Against Banned Vodka Energy Drink After Ghana Seizes 140 Boxes
Agency urges Nigerians to report Café de Paris Vodka Energy Drink, citing health risks from alcohol and stimulants mix
Agency urges Nigerians to report Café de Paris Vodka Energy Drink, citing health risks from alcohol and stimulants mix
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert in Lagos and across Nigeria on Wednesday, warning importers, distributors, retailers and consumers against the banned Café de Paris Vodka Energy Drink. This follows the seizure of about 140 boxes of the product by Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) during an enforcement operation in the Upper East Region in May.
According to NAFDAC, Ghana’s FDA intercepted the alcoholic beverage—which combines vodka with stimulants such as caffeine, inositol, glucuronolactone, ginseng and guarana—after it was banned nationwide earlier this year. The ban was based on scientific findings that mixing alcohol with stimulants can mask the true level of intoxication, encouraging excessive drinking and increasing the risk of alcohol poisoning, accidents and other serious health complications.
NAFDAC warned that products prohibited in neighbouring countries often find their way into Nigerian markets through informal cross-border routes. The agency therefore called on stakeholders in the food and beverage sector to be vigilant, adding that anyone found importing or distributing Café de Paris Vodka Energy Drink would face regulatory action. “The public is advised to exercise caution and avoid the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the banned alcoholic energy drink,” NAFDAC stated in Public Alert No. 032/2026.
The agency explained that Ghana’s FDA had directed all manufacturers, importers and distributors to withdraw such alcoholic energy drinks from circulation by March 31, 2026. Following this deadline, enforcement activities led to the confiscation of hundreds of boxes across Ghana. NAFDAC said healthcare professionals should also report any suspected adverse reactions linked to the product through its pharmacovigilance channels.
This latest alert forms part of ongoing collaboration among West African regulatory bodies aimed at curbing unsafe food and beverage imports. NAFDAC urged members of the public who come across Café de Paris Vodka Energy Drink anywhere in Nigeria to immediately report it at the nearest agency office for prompt regulatory action.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Abuja Court Overturns Recognition of NDC as Political Party
Judgment nullifies earlier decision on National Democratic Congress status; INEC yet to issue response
Judgment nullifies earlier decision on National Democratic Congress status; INEC yet to issue response
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has set aside an earlier judgment that recognised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a registered political party in Nigeria. The ruling, delivered on Friday, brings uncertainty to the NDC’s legal standing ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
The court’s decision follows a challenge to the previous ruling which had granted the NDC official status among Nigeria’s registered parties. The latest judgment means that, for now, the NDC cannot operate as a political party under the law. Details of the grounds for overturning the judgment were not immediately disclosed at press time.
The status of newly formed or smaller political parties has been a point of contention in Nigeria’s evolving multi-party landscape. Many stakeholders argue that clear guidelines and consistent court rulings are essential for credible elections and inclusive participation.
As at Friday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not issued an official statement on how the court’s decision will affect future elections or ballot access for candidates under the NDC platform. No comment was available from NDC chieftains or their legal representatives regarding their next steps.
Legal experts expect further clarification from INEC and possibly an appeal from affected parties in coming weeks. The matter highlights ongoing tensions between party registration processes and judicial review, which have shaped Nigeria’s political environment since the return to democracy.
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