Ahead of its 2026 National Convention, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has removed Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as chairman of its Convention Planning Committee and replaced him with former Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

Uzodimma has been reassigned to serve as treasurer following the reconstitution of the party’s National Convention Central Coordination Committee.

The APC also expanded the committee’s membership from 73 to 90 members to accommodate more stakeholders and party leaders.

Among the newly included members are Senator Barry Mpigi and other prominent APC figures. Party officials said the restructuring reflects zoning arrangements and strategic political considerations as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Although no official reason was provided for the changes, political observers believe the move is part of ongoing internal realignments within the party.

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has summoned the chairmen of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory over alleged financial infractions exceeding ₦100 billion uncovered in audit reports submitted by the Auditor-General.

The affected councils include Abaji, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. Findings from the audit for the year ending December 31, 2021 revealed widespread cases of unremitted tax and VAT deductions, poor asset documentation and expenditures that were not properly accounted for.

According to the report, the councils recorded outstanding liabilities totalling ₦7.65 billion, covering unremitted pension deductions, Pay-As-You-Earn, unpaid project obligations, VAT and withholding taxes owed to relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Revenue Service, FCT Inland Revenue Service, pension fund administrators and contractors.

A breakdown showed that AMAC had liabilities of ₦2.19 billion, Bwari ₦1.49 billion, Kwali ₦1.46 billion, Gwagwalada ₦1.01 billion, Kuje ₦892.2 million and Abaji ₦593.8 million.

The audit also faulted the councils for failing to maintain updated Fixed Asset Registers, noting that non-current assets worth ₦336 million in Gwagwalada alone were poorly documented.

The report further raised concerns about ₦24.87 billion spent in 2021 on personnel, overheads and capital projects.

Despite an 89 per cent increase in expenditure compared to 2020, the councils reportedly failed to properly account for 37 per cent of funds allocated to capital projects.

Additional audit findings for 2022 and part of 2023 highlighted breaches including understatement of internally generated revenue, unauthorised disposal of assets, non-disclosure of statutory income and failure to remit withholding taxes.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, confirmed that the council chairmen and their finance directors had been invited to appear before the panel on February 11, 2026, to respond to the audit queries.

He warned that failure to honour the summons could lead to the invocation of the House’s constitutional powers, including ordering their arrest.

Salam also disclosed that the councils failed to audit and submit financial statements for 2023, 2024 and 2025, stressing that public funds must be managed with transparency and accountability, and that any official found culpable would face appropriate sanctions under the law.

A former Rivers State chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Apostle Eugene Ogu, has petitioned the United States, the United Nations, and the international community over the National Assembly’s refusal to approve direct electronic transmission of election results in real time.

Ogu described the stance of the federal legislature as a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, urging global institutions to intervene and support efforts to safeguard transparent electoral processes.

In a petition made public in Port Harcourt on Friday, the cleric also called on the European Union and pro-democracy organisations worldwide to take a stand against what he termed anti-people tendencies within Nigeria’s political system.

He warned that actions capable of undermining credible elections could destabilise the country and insisted that only a transparent process anchored on compulsory electronic transmission of results would reflect the will of the people.

According to him, Nigerians have endured poor governance outcomes linked to corruption, weak institutions, and lack of accountability, stressing that the National Assembly must not compromise the country’s democratic future.

Ogu alleged that the Senate’s refusal to pass legislation supporting real-time electronic transmission could open the door to electoral manipulation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He appealed to international partners, labour unions, student bodies, professional associations, and religious organisations to mount pressure on Nigerian authorities to pass the bill into law.

The cleric also urged foreign governments to reconsider granting travel privileges to Nigerian politicians until electoral reforms that guarantee credible elections are implemented.

Ogu further cautioned Senate President Godswill Akpabio and lawmakers against trivialising the matter, warning that failure to ensure transparent elections could expose the electoral umpire and security agencies to heightened tension during future polls.

He maintained that Nigeria’s greatest democratic legacy would be the establishment of a free, fair, and credible electoral system that reflects the genuine choice of citizens.

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced that the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja will be reopened on Monday.

Acting National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, made the disclosure after the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) quarterly meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja.

The PDP secretariat had been sealed by the Nigeria Police on November 19, 2025, following a leadership crisis that triggered clashes between supporters of the Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee and those loyal to factional acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed.

Anyanwu said the party had formally written to the police over the matter, adding that a court case instituted by a rival group seeking to reopen the secretariat was dismissed.

“The police sealed the office, and the other group went to court, but the case was dismissed for lack of locus. By Monday, we will take possession of the secretariat,” he said.

He maintained that the PDP remained united under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, insisting that there was no faction within the party.

According to him, a recent Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan declared the convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, invalid and affirmed that no other group should parade itself as the party’s National Working Committee.

Anyanwu expressed optimism that stability had returned to the PDP and assured members that the party would field candidates in all upcoming elections.

He also said the interim caretaker committee would intensify preparations for the forthcoming FCT area council elections, noting that campaigns would continue until the February 18 deadline.

On the registration of two new political parties by INEC, Anyanwu described the development as positive for Nigeria’s democracy, saying it expands political participation and competition.

Nigerians have expressed strong disapproval following the 10th Senate’s handling of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026, with civil society groups, election monitors, political activists, and opposition parties warning that the move could undermine transparency and credibility in the 2027 general elections.

The controversy centers on the Senate’s decision to reject mandatory real-time electronic transmission of polling unit results, a provision widely seen as crucial for ensuring transparent and trustworthy elections.

Critics argue that the rejection erodes public confidence and leaves the electoral process vulnerable to manipulation.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) condemned the Senate, describing the decision as a deliberate attempt to weaken electoral safeguards.

“Foremost among these is the rejection of electronic transmission of election results, a move that clearly signals yet another attempt by the APC to undermine the will of the Nigerian people and manipulate future elections,” the party stated.

The debate intensified after reports circulated that the Senate had rejected Section 60(3) of the Electoral Bill 2026, which mandates the presiding officer to electronically transmit polling unit results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IREV portal in real time.

Some senators later clarified that the provision had not been rejected, but public confidence was already shaken.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) insisted: “We came out to correct the wrong impression. The Senate did not, I repeat, did not reject electronic transmission of results.”

He added that the provision would be monitored closely through to presidential assent.

Concerns over the Senate’s amendments have also been raised by civil society organisations.

Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) highlighted that the removal of mandatory e-transmission, shortening of election notice periods, and weakening of sanctions for vote buying could all weaken Nigeria’s electoral integrity ahead of 2027.

Yiaga Africa labelled the Senate’s decision “a betrayal of public trust,” warning that compressed election timelines would heighten logistical risks and undermine election credibility.

Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, said: “The Senate’s position sharply contrasts with the progressive stance taken by the House of Reps. We hope the conference committee will reject the Senate’s position and restore the progressive provisions that will make votes count in 2027.”

Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Bode George, urged President Tinubu to withhold assent to the bill until electronic transmission is reinstated, calling the Senate’s action “an aberration that Nigerians must collectively reject.”

Other prominent voices, including Afenifere chieftain Femi Okurounmu, PDP South-West Vice Chairman Ajisafe Toyese, and the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum President Akin Malaolu, condemned the Senate for undermining transparency and warned that the stance could compromise the 2027 elections and threaten democratic stability.

Connected Development (CODE) also criticised the amendments, highlighting that leaving electronic transmission discretionary and compressing timelines without safeguards could perpetuate manipulation and post-election disputes.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused the Senate of plotting to rig future elections, calling for Nigerians to reject the move and urging the Conference Committee to restore reforms aligned with democratic principles.

Similarly, Advocacy for Knowledge and Civic Engagement Foundation (AdvoKC) described the bill as a major setback to Nigeria’s democracy and a betrayal of public trust.

As the bill moves to the Conference Committee for harmonisation between the Senate and House versions, civil society groups are calling for transparency, proper safeguards, and measures that will strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.