The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain allegations that recent staff postings and redeployments within the electoral body favoured officials from President Bola Tinubu’s South-West region.

The opposition party said it had received complaints and intelligence suggesting that personnel changes in some strategic departments and stations might reflect ethnic considerations.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it was concerned about the reported redeployment of officers from northern states who had served in Electoral Operations and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) departments.

The party alleged that some of the affected officers were replaced by personnel from Lagos and other South-West states.

“We have specific names of officers moved from Electoral Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South-West states. INEC may dismiss this as routine. But we have noticed a pattern, especially along ethnic lines, and we are concerned,” the party said.

Although the ADC said it was not accusing INEC of any improper motive at this stage, it warned that allegations capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral umpire should not be treated lightly.

It stressed that any perception of sectional bias in the deployment of election officials could raise questions about the commission’s neutrality and impartiality ahead of future elections.

The party urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to publish details of the recent postings, the criteria used in selecting officers for deployment and the reasons behind the changes.

According to the ADC, such disclosure would help reassure Nigerians that electoral officials would perform their duties fairly, regardless of their ethnic background, language or state of origin.

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a suit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged failures to account for $6.23 million in election-related funds and more than N1.63 trillion in other public funds.

The suit followed allegations contained in Volume II of the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 Annual Report, published on August 7, 2026, covering various financial transactions between January and December 2023.

According to SERAP, the audit findings identified several areas of concern, including $6.23 million in payments linked to an allegedly fraudulent election-funding request purportedly made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Other funds highlighted in the report include more than N1.25 trillion in unrecovered CBN intervention loans to state governments, N116.18 billion in loans to distressed and liquidated banks, and N262.86 billion disbursed under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2450/2026 and filed over the weekend, the organisation is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the apex bank to account for the funds and provide details of their disbursement and management.

SERAP is asking the court to direct the CBN to disclose the purposes for which the money was released, the beneficiaries, repayment status, recovery efforts and findings of any internal investigation into the alleged election-funding fraud.

It also wants the bank to identify the officials and other individuals who authorised and disbursed the affected funds, as well as disclose any disciplinary or administrative measures taken in response.

Beyond the financial transactions, the organisation is seeking information concerning seven boxes of currency notes awaiting examination, abandoned and unserviced vehicles at the CBN’s Lagos branch, and bullion vans at its Abeokuta branch.

SERAP argued that the allegations raised by the Auditor-General point to possible breaches of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the CBN Act, relevant anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The organisation said the scale and nature of the reported findings raised serious questions about the custody, expenditure, accounting, protection and recovery of public funds.

It further maintained that the CBN’s institutional independence should not shield it from constitutional audits, statutory accounting obligations, public financial scrutiny or investigations into credible allegations of fraud and financial misconduct.

In the suit filed on behalf of the organisation by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Kelechi Anwu, SERAP argued that the allegations required a credible investigation to establish the facts, determine responsibility and recover any public funds found to have been unlawfully lost.

The court’s determination of the reliefs sought by SERAP is pending.

President Bola Tinubu’s quest for re-election in 2027 is reportedly facing growing uncertainty over the level of support from some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid widening disagreements within the party.

The development comes as the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has reportedly directed some of its candidates to submit the names of their proposed polling agents directly to the party’s national secretariat, bypassing state chapters in a move aimed at preventing possible electoral sabotage.

The Guardian reported that tensions between the Presidency and some APC governors had deepened, with concerns that several northern governors were not actively mobilising support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

The concerns reportedly intensified after the President returned from an overseas vacation and expressed displeasure over what he perceived as the failure of state governors to adequately publicise his administration’s achievements.

Vice President Kashim Shettima had also previously suggested that fewer than five northern governors were demonstrating tacit support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

His media office, however, clarified that the remark referred to the political situation ahead of the APC presidential primary in 2022.

A governor from the North-West, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, reportedly said Shettima’s observation reflected the current mood within the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of APC governors.

The governor, who is seeking a second term, said unresolved disagreements among party leaders were affecting the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections.

He alleged that many northern APC governors were reluctant to openly campaign for Tinubu, noting that while some campaign billboards in major towns featured the President and Vice President, similar displays were absent in several hinterland communities.

The source also pointed to disagreements involving Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who chairs the PGF and serves as secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

According to the governor, divisions within the PGF have also affected the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), despite the President’s reported promise to intervene and resolve the disputes.

He disclosed that some governors wanted Uzodimma to relinquish his position as PGF chairman to concentrate on his responsibilities within the presidential campaign structure and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

Uzodimma, however, reportedly maintained that the established practice was for the position to be handed over to a second-term governor after a general election.

The governor identified three major factors contributing to the apparent divisions among some northern APC leaders.

Among them, he said, was the treatment of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who had campaigned for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but has since faced political challenges.

He also alleged that Tinubu’s directive to the Ministry of Finance to publish disbursement details was interpreted by some governors as an attempt to scrutinise state spending, particularly funds allocated to local government councils.

The President’s open support for Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his Rainbow Coalition was cited as another factor that had further strained relations between the Presidency and some members of the PGF.

Amid the reported political tensions, the APC NWC has reportedly adopted a new approach to the selection and registration of party agents ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Under the arrangement, candidates in certain states have been instructed to submit the names of their proposed agents directly to the national secretariat in Abuja, rather than routing them through state party structures.

Sources within the party hierarchy said the measure was designed to safeguard the APC’s electoral interests amid allegations that some governors were backing opposition candidates while retaining influence over the ruling party’s state structures.

The directive is reportedly being implemented mainly in states where the NWC suspects governors of supporting candidates contesting against APC flagbearers.

The development follows allegations by the Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West group, that some governors had encouraged aspirants who lost the party’s National Assembly primaries to seek tickets from opposition parties.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, the group alleged that some governors had reached agreements with opposition parties and were seeking to influence the selection of polling agents.

It further claimed that loyalists who remained APC members could be nominated as agents for opposition candidates, with their names subsequently submitted to the APC national secretariat as the ruling party’s official representatives.

A member of the National Assembly from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, reportedly confirmed that the national leadership had directed candidates in the state to submit their agents’ names directly to Abuja.

The lawmaker, who requested anonymity, said the candidates had already received the relevant forms following instructions to the state party chairman.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has, however, denied allegations that he directed any aspirant to contest against APC candidates under another political party.

Describing his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers, and slanderers,” Aiyedatiwa insisted that he had never engaged in anti-party activities.

“I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party activities in my life,” the governor said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly directed some of its candidates for the 2027 general elections to submit the names of their proposed polling agents directly to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, amid concerns over alleged anti-party activities by some governors.

The reported arrangement departs from the party’s conventional practice, under which state chapters compile and forward the names of polling agents to the national secretariat.

Sources told DAILY GAZETTE that the move was intended to prevent possible sabotage by governors allegedly backing candidates of opposition parties against APC flagbearers in the forthcoming elections.

However, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said he was unaware of the development when contacted for comment.

The reported directive comes amid allegations by the Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West group, that some APC governors whose preferred aspirants lost the party’s National Assembly primaries had encouraged them to seek tickets from opposition parties and challenge APC candidates in 2027.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, the group alleged that some of the governors had reached agreements with opposition parties and were supporting arrangements to influence the selection of polling agents.

According to the group, the alleged plan involved opposition candidates nominating loyalists who remained APC members as agents for the ruling party, with their names subsequently forwarded to the national secretariat as officially recognised representatives.

A member of the National Assembly from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, reportedly confirmed that the national leadership had adopted the arrangement in his state but requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The lawmaker said the NWC had bypassed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and instructed the state party chairman to hand over agents’ forms directly to candidates.

“The National body instructed the State Chairman to give us our forms directly and the chairman himself alluded that he was under instruction not to hand over the agents’ forms to anyone except the candidates. He confirmed that Ondo State was specifically told to follow that route,” the source said.

He further alleged that the party’s national leadership was closely monitoring APC governors nationwide and might extend the arrangement to the disbursement of election funds.

According to the lawmaker, the NWC could consider channeling campaign funds directly to APC candidates in states where governors were suspected of supporting opposition candidates, rather than routing the funds through the governors.

The source accused Aiyedatiwa of encouraging some aspirants who lost the APC primaries to contest against the party’s candidates under opposition platforms.

He cited the reported presence of some of the governor’s political appointees and party executive members at the declaration of Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo South Senatorial District.

The lawmaker also alleged that Aiyedatiwa was financing Prince Idowu Mafimisebi, who is contesting the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency seat on the PDP platform.

Additionally, he pointed to the reported attendance of some senior special assistants and special assistants appointed by the governor at a rally organised by Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, popularly known as Small Alhaji, who is now the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency.

Questioning the governor’s commitment to the APC’s electoral fortunes, the source asked how the party could rely on a governor allegedly supporting candidates running on opposition platforms.

Aiyedatiwa has, however, denied the allegations, insisting that he has never engaged in anti-party activities or directed any aspirant to contest against APC candidates under another party.

Describing his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers,” the governor declared: “I have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. I have never engaged in anti-party activities in my life.”

The APC has yet to publicly confirm the reported directive to candidates or clarify whether the arrangement will be extended to other states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has denied reports that a court ordered his arrest, alongside Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and others, over alleged criminal conspiracy and forgery.

Okorocha’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo.

The statement described the reports as false, challenging those behind the claims to produce the alleged court order authorising the arrests.

According to Onwuemeodo, the report gained traction after Hon. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, a media aide to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, circulated a video on the matter, which was subsequently picked up by other media organisations, including ARISE TV.

He said the reports claimed that a Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja had issued a bench warrant dated September 9, 2026, for the arrest of Okorocha, Araraume and others.

The reports also linked the alleged warrant to a petition reportedly written by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Barrister Chukwuemeka Ibejiako, to the police and the Department of State Services on October 8, 2026.

However, Okorocha, through his media aide, insisted that no such order had been issued by any court.

“We want to strongly state, and we stand to be contradicted, that no court, whether that of a Senior Magistrate or High Court, ordered or issued any bench warrant for the arrest of Okorocha,” the statement said.

The former governor further gave the media organisations that published the report 48 hours to produce or publish the purported court order.

He warned that failure to provide the document should compel the affected outlets to retract their reports and tender an apology to those concerned.

Onwuemeodo also questioned the chronology of events surrounding the allegation, pointing out that the purported bench warrant was reportedly dated September 9, while the petition attributed to the Imo REC was dated October 8, 2026.

He argued that the discrepancy raised questions about the credibility of the reports, given that the alleged court order predated the petition said to have prompted it.

Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has sworn in 68 legal practitioners elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) for the 2026/2027 legal year.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday during the event marking the commencement of the new legal year.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) had approved the elevation of the 68 recipients at its 174th plenary session held in Abuja in July.

The new SANs comprise 67 legal practitioners and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri.

The elevation recognises their contributions to legal practice, professional excellence and scholarship.

The 67 advocates, listed according to their seniority at the Bar, are:

Ibrahim Gamdeh Adamu
Jude Chukwuemeka Okafor
Godwill Achibong Umoh
Sunday Samuel Obende
Adebayo Olugbenga Adaralegbe
Jimson Ejovi Okodaso
Olalekan Lawrence Bade-John
Olaotan Thomas Olusegun
Philemeon Audu Daffi
Adenrele David Adegborioye
James Eromosele Agbonhese
Alexander Nduka Muoka
Onome Okodiya
Emmanuel Akunke Akomaye
Ikhide Ehighelua
Mas’ud Mobolaji Alabelewe
Ogunmuyiwa Olayinka Balogun
Anthony Auditz Iroagalachi
Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed
Odion Peter Odia
Gbemiga Adaramola
Moses Okoh Onyilokwu
Charles Azubuike Obodozie
Hakeem Obafemi Agaba
Bimbo Felix Atilola
Okechukwu Steve Emelieze
Joshua Demilade Olaniyan
Igonikon Abiola Adekunle
Christian Nnadozie Nwokorie
Sadiku Momoh Ilegieuno
Sarafa Kolawole Idowu
Olujoke Enitan Aliu
Oliver Onyenucheya Amuzie
Adebisi Emmanuel Adeniyi
Faruk Abdullah
Sagir Gezawa Suleiman
Ifeanyi Godwin Ezeuko
Adebayo Folorunsho Ologe
Sabiu Gumba Adamu
Eric Keme-Egolukumor Omare
Soibi Ideriah Ovia
Somina Peter Johnbull
Chinedum Ikenna Umeche
Emmanuel Eghiegba Ekhasemomhe
Mohammed El-Hassan Sheriff
Junaidu Bello Marshall
Olawale Sunday Fapohunda
Adebiyi Alaba Adetoboye
Senior Sulyman Ibrahim
Agba Eimunjeze
Ayobamidele Oyekunle Akande
Adetunji Taiwo Adedoyin Adeniyi
Olamide Moigbotoluwa Adekunle
Umaru Yunusa
Akorede Habeeb Lawal
Darlington Nnabuike Ozurumba
Nnaemeka Francis Patrick Egonu
Kayode Orire Omosehin
Mitchel Akinrinsola Aribisala
Bolu Agbaje Akadri
Oluwaseun Asimiyu Alao
Olugbenga Olusanya Ajala
Mustapha Olayinka Ajenifuja
Afees Hassan Adebayo
Mohammed Abiodun Adelodun
Jonathan Akintola Makinde
Olajide Salami

Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri was the sole academic among the 68 recipients.

The conferment of the SAN rank is one of the highest professional distinctions in Nigeria’s legal profession, recognising outstanding contributions and achievements in advocacy or legal scholarship.

The Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Segun Ogunwuyi, has resigned his appointment, effective Monday, October 12, 2026.

Ogunwuyi announced his resignation in a letter dated October 12, in which he expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve in the state government.

His departure comes amid a wave of resignations by political appointees in the Makinde administration over the past two months.

A former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives, Ogunwuyi said his time in government had been fulfilling, noting that he was proud to have contributed to the administration’s achievements.

“Serving the Government and the good people of Oyo State has been a great honour. It has been deeply fulfilling to be part of the exceptional team that has worked relentlessly to deliver the remarkable achievements of this administration,” he stated.

He added that he remained proud of the collective efforts to promote the growth, development and prosperity of the state.

Ogunwuyi also expressed confidence in Oyo State’s continued progress, while reaffirming his loyalty to the state and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and unwavering loyalty to Oyo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he wrote in the resignation letter.

The Enugu State Police Command has launched an investigation into an alleged shooting in front of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) secretariat in Enugu, which reportedly left a man injured and damaged five parked vehicles.

The command also disclosed that joint police and military operatives dispersed some NDC members who allegedly engaged in a fight at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while attempting to receive the party’s governorship candidate.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged shooting, which occurred at about 2:30 p.m on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the incident involved unidentified armed hoodlums who allegedly opened fire in front of the party secretariat.

The statement said a man repairing a vehicle parked along the road sustained a suspected gunshot injury, while the windscreens of five parked vehicles were damaged.

It added that police operatives responded to a distress report, restored normalcy at the scene and rushed the injured man to a hospital, where he was receiving treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.

Giwa subsequently directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to identify and apprehend those responsible for the incident.

In a separate development, the command said joint police and military operatives intervened at the entrance to Akanu Ibiam International Airport at about 11:30 a.m. on the same day to disperse suspected NDC members who had gathered in a disorderly manner.

According to the police, preliminary findings indicated that airport authorities had restricted the party members from entering the airport in large numbers to receive their governorship candidate.

The restriction reportedly triggered a misunderstanding among the party members, which escalated into a fight and necessitated the intervention of security operatives.

The police did not disclose whether any arrests had been made in connection with either incident.

The Commissioner of Police urged political parties and their supporters to shun violence and conduct their activities in accordance with the law and existing peace accords.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and called on them to notify the police of their planned activities to enable adequate security arrangements.

The command reiterated its resolve to maintain law and order across Enugu State as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.