A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Ibrahim Lukman with Olumuyiwa Owadara as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency I in the 2027 general election.

The court, presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko, nullified INEC’s publication of Lukman as the party’s candidate, ruling that he did not participate in the primary election monitored by the commission on May 29, 2026.

In the judgment delivered on October 20, the court held that Owadara emerged winner of the primary after scoring the highest number of lawful votes cast.

Justice Aluko consequently directed INEC to immediately publish Owadara’s name and particulars as the party’s candidate, setting aside the commission’s August 1 publication of Lukman.

The court also awarded N1m in costs against INEC and Lukman.

The suit followed INEC’s decision to list Lukman as the NDC candidate despite the party’s position that he neither participated in the recognised primary nor emerged through any subsequent primary election.

Owadara had approached the court, arguing that he won the party’s primary and completed the necessary nomination requirements but was excluded from INEC’s published list of candidates.

In its defence, INEC maintained that it published the names submitted through its platform by political parties, including the NDC.

However, Justice Aluko rejected the commission’s explanation, holding that it was not supported by credible evidence.

The judge noted that the NDC denied submitting Lukman’s name and accused INEC of imposing him on the party, stressing that the commission lacked the legal authority to determine a party’s candidate outside the provisions of the law.

Justice Aluko held that the publication of Lukman’s name violated Sections 29(1), 32(1) and 84(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which regulate the submission of candidates and the conduct and monitoring of party primaries.

The court further found no credible evidence that the NDC had invoked the statutory procedure for changing its candidate under Section 33 of the Act or conducted another primary election.

“There is no credible evidence before the court to suggest that the 2nd Defendant as a political party took steps to change its candidate in line with the provision of section 33 of the Electoral Act or that another primary election was held by the 2nd Defendant,” the judge held.

Relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Igboke v. Chukwu (2023), Justice Aluko reaffirmed that a candidate who did not emerge from the relevant party primary could not lawfully be recognised by INEC.

The court also dismissed Lukman’s objection to its jurisdiction.

Lukman had argued that he was not properly served with the court processes, claiming that he was in London when service was purportedly effected and disputing the ownership of the WhatsApp number and email address used.

The judge, however, found that the WhatsApp number used for service matched the number Lukman supplied to INEC in his Form EC9, an affidavit of personal particulars sworn to on June 27.

The court also considered WhatsApp exchanges between the lawyers representing both sides, which indicated that the court processes had been exchanged on August 27, 28 and 31.

Justice Aluko further noted that Lukman did not file a counter-affidavit or defence to challenge Owadara’s claims.

Owadara’s legal team was led by Festus Ogun, Managing Partner of FOLEGAL, alongside Tofunmi Adetunji and Omobola Olayanju.

Reacting to the judgment, Ogun described the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, expressing satisfaction that the court had upheld the rights of the recognised primary winner.

He faulted the last-minute emergence of a candidate who did not participate in the recognised primary, describing such a development as an injustice to the legitimate winner and a threat to the credibility of the electoral process.

Meanwhile, the NDC, through its counsel, Ikechukwu Onodi, had argued that INEC lacked the authority to substitute a duly nominated candidate, maintaining that candidate substitution was an internal party matter governed by statutory requirements.

INEC’s counsel, Segun Bello, also argued that determining whom a political party sponsors was not the commission’s responsibility and that the electoral umpire was required to remain neutral.

Following the judgment, FOLEGAL, in a letter dated October 23, forwarded a certified true copy of the decision to the INEC National Chairman and requested immediate compliance with the court’s orders

As political parties and their candidates intensifying engagements with stakeholders across the country, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, is scheduled to visit Enugu State on Thursday for a town hall meeting.

The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the former Anambra State governor to engage with participants and discuss issues of public interest.

Obi’s visit comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has raised the alarm over an alleged move to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into postponing the January 16, 2027 presidential election, warning President Bola Tinubu against using the Ebola outbreak as a justification for delaying the poll.

The council alleged that the Presidency was considering shifting the election, which is about 80 days away, and urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to resist any attempt to alter the announced timetable.

The allegations were contained in a statement titled “Tinubu Must Face Nigerians At The Ballot Box, Not Hide Behind Ebola,” signed by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

The campaign council claimed it had received information suggesting that the INEC chairman could be summoned to the Presidential Villa and directed to postpone the election.

It called on Tinubu to abandon any such move, while urging Amupitan to make public any attempt to influence the commission’s electoral schedule.

“If President Tinubu believes Nigerians want another four years of his government, he should face them at the ballot box, not seek more time through the back door,” the statement said.

The ADC-PCC argued that Nigerians had endured three and a half years of rising prices, declining incomes and worsening economic hardship, insisting that voters should be allowed to decide the government’s fate at the polls as scheduled.

“A government that has made life this difficult for Nigerians must not be allowed to postpone its day of judgment,” the council added.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the Ebola outbreak, the opposition campaign council said public health authorities must be allowed to contain the disease, while INEC should implement appropriate measures to protect voters and election officials.

However, it cautioned against turning the public health situation into a political justification for postponing the election.

The council also cited the reported position of the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that there was no current justification for delaying the poll, warning that the agency’s position should not be misrepresented to serve political interests.

It called on INEC, domestic election observers and international monitoring organisations to scrutinise any proposal to alter the electoral timetable.

According to the council, any decision to change the date must be publicly explained, backed by documented health evidence and subjected to public scrutiny.

“The Presidency must not use a health emergency to escape an electoral verdict,” the statement said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged publication of his voter registration details on social media.

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in his judgment on Wednesday, upheld preliminary objections filed by the respondents, ruling that the suit was incompetent and improperly constituted.

The judge also dismissed the substantive suit for lack of proof.

Ike had instituted the action following an alleged social media post by Olayinka in May, which reportedly contained details of the actor’s voter registration transfer from Imo State to Abuja.

The actor alleged that the publication of his personal information on X, formerly Twitter, without his consent violated his fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data.

Ike, who contested for the House of Representatives seat representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in Abuja under the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, had lost the party’s primary election.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, the actor sought a declaration that Olayinka’s publication of his voter registration details constituted a violation of his rights under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Sections 24 and 39 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

He also asked the court to declare that INEC breached its statutory duty to protect the personal information of registered voters.

Among other reliefs, Ike sought ₦10 billion in general and aggravated damages against the respondents, jointly and severally.

He further requested an order compelling Olayinka to remove the alleged offending post from his X account and issue a written apology.

The actor also argued that INEC’s June 2 press statement responding to the circulation of his voter information amounted to an admission of liability.

However, both respondents urged the court to dismiss the case.

In its counter-affidavit, INEC maintained that the information in question was neither classified nor confidential, arguing that the publication and display of voter information were authorised under the Electoral Act, 2026.

The commission said its statutory responsibilities included compiling, maintaining, displaying and publishing the register of voters in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and applicable data protection laws.

INEC further denied breaching its duty to safeguard voters’ information, maintaining that it had not suffered an external security breach or unauthorised access to its information technology infrastructure.

Olayinka, on his part, argued that the information he shared consisted only of Ike’s name and passport photograph, which he claimed were already in the public domain.

He denied obtaining the information unlawfully and maintained that he did not owe the actor a duty of confidentiality regarding details that were publicly accessible.

The presidential aide also argued that Ike had made his name and photograph public by presenting himself for election, insisting that the publication did not warrant the damages being sought.

Olayinka further contended that the information was shared to draw attention to the actor’s voter registration transfer and the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

He denied responsibility for any alleged injury suffered by Ike, arguing that he was not a data controller under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and therefore had no obligation to safeguard the actor’s voter registration records.

The respondents consequently urged the court to dismiss the suit in the interest of justice.

In its ruling, the court upheld their preliminary objections and dismissed the substantive case for lack of proof, bringing the ₦10 billion legal action to an end at the trial court.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced an investigation into reports of suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs found in the Preliminary Register of Voters recently uploaded to its website.

The Commission disclosed that the online register, published on October 26, 2026, is the same preliminary register displayed physically at Registration Areas across the country between October 9 and 15, 2026.

In a statement, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said some questionable registration records were identified and flagged for further scrutiny during the physical display exercise.

According to him, the Commission subsequently initiated a review of the flagged records and commenced appropriate corrective measures in accordance with established procedures.

INEC clarified that the version currently available online represents the original preliminary register and does not incorporate all the data-cleaning exercises still being undertaken by the Commission.

The electoral body further disclosed that it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the appearance of the suspicious photographs, including the possibility of technical or procedural lapses in the registration process.

It assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation and verified findings.

The Commission also commended citizens and other stakeholders who brought the suspected irregularities to its attention, noting that public vigilance and cooperation remain essential to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the voter registration process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Sanusi Dankaka at the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he threatened to publish nude photographs and videos of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Facebook.

Justice Salim Ibrahim made the order on Monday after the defendant was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on two counts of alleged cybercrime.
Dankaka, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the case, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/699/2026, was filed on October 22 by the DSS through its counsel, Yusuf Afegbua.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences took place in October 2026 in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In the first count, Dankaka and other individuals said to be at large were accused of using a Facebook account bearing the name Sanusi Dankaka Yahaya to threaten the circulation of allegedly malicious content.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant claimed to possess nude videos and photographs of Governor Yusuf and threatened to release them publicly.

It further alleged that the purported publication was false and intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience, insult and injury to the governor.

The DSS maintained that the alleged acts violated Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended, and attracted punishment under Section 24(1) of the legislation.

At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel Afegbua informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the arraignment. Defence counsel, Kauna Penzin, also confirmed her readiness.

Following the reading of the charges, Dankaka entered a plea of not guilty.

Afegbua subsequently asked the court to fix a date for trial and order the defendant’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

Justice Ibrahim granted the application and adjourned the case until December 7 for trial.

The defendant was consequently ordered to remain in custody until the next hearing.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has ruled out the possibility of a Rainbow Coalition in the state, declaring that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the only political party worthy of public trust.

The governor also expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure substantial support in Imo State in the 2027 general election, insisting that the anticipated votes would reflect the electorate’s satisfaction with the president’s performance.

Uzodimma made the remarks on Tuesday in Owerri, the state capital, during the distribution of campaign vehicles by the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a political group mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He called on residents to vote for APC candidates in all elective positions, including the state House of Assembly, governorship, House of Representatives, Senate and presidency.

According to the governor, the APC remains the party of choice in the state, urging supporters to consolidate their efforts towards securing victory at the polls.

“The All Progressives Congress is the only party we can trust. Vote APC for the House of Assembly. Vote APC for the governor. Vote APC for House of Reps.

“Vote APC for Senate. Crown it with APC in the presidency. We have no other party,” he said.

Uzodimma maintained that Tinubu’s expected votes in Imo would be voluntary, attributing the anticipated support to what he described as the president’s performance in office.

“We will win our elections in Imo State. The votes that will come from Imo State are organic votes. These are votes that the owners decided to vote because they have seen the performance of the president,” he added.

The governor also commended the coordinators of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, whose team participated in the distribution of the campaign vehicles.

However, he cautioned APC members against deploying the vehicles for personal political ambitions, stressing that they were intended specifically for mobilising support for Tinubu.

“You are members of APC. If I see you voting, I will collect the vehicle from you. You are here, you are empowered to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tompolo and All Progressives Congress,” Uzodimma warned.

Reiterating his opposition to any political alliance operating under the banner of a Rainbow Coalition in Imo, the governor asked his audience to take note of his position.

“There is no rainbow coalition in Imo State. Are you listening?” he declared.

Uzodimma further expressed appreciation to Tompolo and his team for their political support, assuring them of continued partnership with the APC-led government in the state.

“We are grateful to Tompolo, High Chief Tompolo and his team. We continue to be grateful to you.

“Count us as your partners. Whenever you need us, let us know. On APC we stand,” he said.