Nigerians have expressed worry on social media over Lere Olayinka, Spokesman to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said to have access to an administrative portal associated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This was gathered to be coming after Olayinka shared screenshots questioning Nollywood actor cum politician, Emeka Ike’s transfer of voter registration.

Olayinka posted screenshots on 𝕏 showing what seemed to be an INEC administrative dashboard with details about a voter transfer application and timestamps connected to the registration process.

The social media posting drew online criticism, with many Nigerians questioning how a political aide gained access to a restricted electoral database.

Critics also said if the screenshots were from an official INEC system, the incident could raise issues of data privacy, security of voter information and the possibility of unauthorized access to electoral records.

Some social media users claimed that INEC has been compromised while others plead with the electoral body to explain the authorization to access such information.“THE INEC BACKEND SERVER IS HACKED BY WIKE’S MEN,” RealQueenBee__ tweeted. How did Lere get into the INEC Backend Admin Centre? Who gave out this information, as it is not open to the public? Could there be an insider who is compromising the INEC system and sharing it with Wike’s Men? Are the Opposition political parties asking these questions and looking for answers? I hope so. So many questions than answers, we’ll dig into this.Big_EL10 wrote: “@inecnigeria how Lere get access to INEC web admin? So INEC is already sold out to APC and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”Same_God247 said: “Mumu man, now Abuja has become your ancestral home? How did you get access to the APC INEC back end data base? Your criminal behavior has not just finished since your arrest and release, you have continued till date as a thief that you are. “But for this one☝️There will be Consequences.”A tiredNigerian9 said, “@inecnigeria, you guys have serious questions to answer here. How did a voter’s personal information submitted through your portal end up in public space? The web address indicates this is an admin page so your staff is involved in this. “So our info is not safe with you guys anymore?”“If the ruling party can sit in their house, log into INEC’s backend and know exactly who is transferring their PVC, when they applied and where they are moving to…,” CollinzTWEET said. Then no strategy of the opposition is safe. Party is no longer about 2027. It’s now GOOD vs EVIL!”alfred_fresh wrote: He needs to be arrested now and an investigation needs to begin. I know the damage they did to Jonathan and Nigerians when he was in power. Now all those so called tribalist pastor that went to protest are telling their servant to pray. “tinubu scared why” @vhiktri wrote “ This is a criminal offence how do APC member have access to the Inec portal… More reasons for AMUPITAN to RESIGNIn a tweet, Eversequential said, “@inecnigeria you must tell Nigerians how this guy accessed your Admin portal & breached personal data privacy law. So we trust you with our sensitive information, neither can we believe you can give us free and fair 2027 elections. “@KwankwasoRM @PeterObi Don’t joke with it.

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A section of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has revealed businessman, Professor Chris Uba, as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

It was stated that the faction, commanded by Bala Gombe, declared Uba emerged after the end of its nationwide primary polls.

The development comes days after former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar emerged as presidential candidate of another faction of the party after defeating former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, in a primary held across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking during the formal presentation of candidates in Abuja on Sunday, the factional National Chairman of the ADC, Bala Gombe, declared the presidential ticket was assigned to Southern Nigeria.

He said the judgment was in line with the ideals of equity, fairness, inclusion and federal character. According to him, three contenders initially purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

“They were Dr Bashir Sani, Prince Williams Charles and Prof. Chris Uba,” Gombe stated.

Gombe stated the faction accepted the consensus option approved by the Electoral Act.

He said two other presidential hopefuls withdrew from the campaign and endorsed Uba as the sole candidate.

Gombe further stated, “In adherence to the principle of federal character and in accordance with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, as amended, which recognises consensus as a lawful mode for the selection or nomination of candidates by political parties, the African Democratic Congress adopted consensus as the method for its presidential, governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly primary election.

“Pursuant to this provision and in the interest of party unity, two of the party’s presidential aspirants voluntarily withdrew from the contest and endorsed Prof. Chief Chris Uba as the party’s sole presidential candidate.

“Consequently, Prof. Uba has been duly returned as the consensus candidate and duly elected to represent ADC as its presidential flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.”

29 Governorship Candidates Presented
The faction also gave flags to 29 governorship hopefuls across the six geographic zones.

Gombe claimed the party was revealing candidates that emerged from its internal democratic processes.

He stated, “Furthermore, in the spirit of humility, transparency, and profound respect for our members, stakeholders, and the general public, the leadership of ADC is pleased to formally present and unveil the comprehensive list of candidates duly nominated and elected under our platform.

“This list comprises the ADC presidential candidate, as well as the governorship candidates across 29 states of the federation, all of whom emerged through the party’s constitutionally approved internal democratic processes.”

Among those offered as governorship candidates were Muhammad Usman Shuwa for Adamawa, Idris Adamu Yanoko for Kano, Shamsudin Muhammad for Kaduna, Ibrahim Al-Ameen Gumi for Zamfara, Babagana Mala for Borno and Musliu Babadele for Lagos.

Others are Ganiyu Alabi for Ogun, Rukayya Salami for Osun, Gbenga Gbenga for Oyo, Gada Suswan for Benue, Dijatu Abdul Salam for Nasarawa and Christopher Benjo for Delta.

Gombe said the faction had successfully concluded primaries for governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly positions nationwide.

“In furtherance of our commitment to ensure full participation of the African Democratic Congress in the 2027 general elections by fielding credible, qualified, and constitutionally compliant candidates across all elective positions, we are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of all our party primaries,” he said.

“The entire process was conducted peacefully, transparently, and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026 as amended, and the ADC Constitution and Electoral Guidelines, fostering unity and cordiality among all stakeholders. May Allah grant us knowledge, direction, and overwhelming success in all the elections. Ameen,” he added.

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A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has lambasted former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, following his recent political defeats.

It was stated that Odinkalu said Omo-Agege could not have envisioned his current condition when he was tied to the contentious removal of the Senate mace in 2018.

He made the remarks in a post on 𝕏 on Sunday.

Odinkalu said Omo-Agege had suffered multiple political losses within one week, including his exit from the All Progressives Congress and defeats in senatorial primaries in two different parties.

He added, “Leadership is a voluntary thing, and there is no joy when those who do or seek it for the right reasons get denied repeatedly. But that is when they pursue it for the right reasons.

“When @OvieOmoAgege burgled the mace of @SenateNGR to prove his readiness to do anything for @OfficialAPCNg, he hardly reckoned with a week like this past one.”

The human rights lawyer stated the former deputy Senate president had been politically displaced within a short period.

“In one week, he has been constructively booted out of the #APC & lost 2 Senate primaries in 2 different parties – one to a man; another to a woman,” he said.

‘Power Is Transient’ – Odinkalu
Odinkalu, however, admitted that Omo-Agege played a vital role in strengthening the APC in Delta State.

“The irony of it all is that Omo-Agege is arguably the person who gave the APC a credible change in Delta State,” he wrote.

He stated that the development illustrated the ephemeral nature of political authority.

“For many who have grown fat on the humbug of #Nigerian power, the #TinubuSystem is handing out rewards indiscriminately. It is a painful reminder of the transience of power,” Odinkalu added.

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to reject the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, factional presidential ticket.

Keyamo said the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, does not recognize the PDP faction that gave Jonathan the presidential ticket.

Recall that the PDP under Tanimu Turaki had adopted Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

But Keyamo advised Jonathan to turn down the gesture on his global image.

Keyamo wrote on X: “This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country.

“A whole Presidential ticket handed over to an ex-President and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people that are not even registered on the INEC’s website.

And they don’t care two hoots, dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Sad very.

President Goodluck Jonathan should immediately issue a strong ‘no, thank you’ statement in the interest of his global image, lest Nigerians start remembering the ‘clueless’ campaign that got him out of power – the first sitting President to be so ousted.

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The member representing Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has been confirmed as the Labour Party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.

Agbese has been endorsed by members of Labour Party from the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency at a stakeholders meeting attended by thousands of party faithful on Saturday.

The affirmation is coming months after Agbese defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to the Labour Party in face of the lingering internal crisis rocking the Benue State chapter of the ruling party.

Party officials and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, monitored the exercise.

The Returning Officer said the affirmation process was participated by members across the constituency and results showed that Agbese scored 17,789 votes in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, 17,767 votes in Okpokwu Local Government Area and 17,750 votes in Ado Local Government Area.

More than 53,306 votes were cast by party members and supporters across the three councils in the exercise.

Party leaders said the emergence of both candidates demonstrated unity and resolve to boost the Labour Party’s presence in Benue South.

Speaking shortly after his affirmation, Agbese thanked the party members for the confidence reposed in him and promised to continue to provide effective representation to the people of Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Federal Constituency.

He assured party supporters of his readiness to deliver the democratic dividends and the interest of the constituency at the National Assembly.

“I am very humbled by the overwhelming show of confidence by members of the Labour Party across Ado, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu.

This affirmation is not just for Philip Agbese; it is a mandate to continue serving our people with dedication, integrity and results.”

The journey to 2027 has started and together we shall build a stronger, more united and more prosperous Enone Federal Constituency .

“Politics is supposed to be about service, not personal ambition. I remain committed to attracting more development projects, creating opportunities for our youths and ensuring that the voice of our people remains strong in the National Assembly.”

Some party stakeholders who spoke at the event expressed confidence in Agbese’s leadership and performance, saying his legislative interventions and constituency projects have endeared him to the people.

They said his confirmation was a demonstration of the massive support he enjoys across the federal constituency and expressed optimism that the Labour Party would win big in the 2027 elections.

Meanwhile, a former Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Prince Onuh, had emerged as the consensus candidate of the Labour Party for Benue South Senatorial District for the 2027 general elections.

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The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has changed the venue of its planned special convention to ratify the former President Goodluck Jonathan as its 2027 presidential candidate.

The Turaki-led PDP reportedly changed its venue after the police sealed off the A-Class Event Centre, Abuja, the earlier proposed venue of a special convention.

The PDP faction promptly ratified Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after the shift in venue.

The whole event didn’t take more than 20 minutes and an ally of Jonathan, Fred Agbedi, who received the certificate on behalf of the former president.

Jonathan himself did not appear to have attended the event.

The motion for ratification was moved by the chairman of the faction’s Forum of State Chairmen, Tony Aziegbemi and seconded by a former Aviation Minister, Senator Sanusi Daggash.

Other dignitaries at the event include Prof Jerry Gana, Adolphus Wabara and others loyal to the Turaki faction of the PDP.

As earlier reported, the police on Saturday barricaded the venue chosen for a planned special convention organized by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A number of patrol cars were parked by the police along the roads leading to the event centre, effectively blocking access to the facility. The blockade affected routes from both the Wuse and Maitama axis of Abuja leading to the venue.

The security operatives’ operation was sequel to an earlier attack on Friday by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who warned hotels, event centres and owners of public facilities against allowing their premises to be used by what he described as illegal organisations.

The Minister stressed that party factions not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must not be allowed to use venues in the FCT for their activities. This was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

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Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has reacted to comments attributed to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying that Kwankwaso was once his political protégé.

Ganduje, in a statement issued from Saudi Arabia by his chief of staff, Comrade Muhammad Garba, where the former governor is performing the Hajj, said the allegation was false.

Ganduje said politics is based on relationships, support and mentorship adding that every successful politician receives assistance from others at some point in their career, according to the statement.

He said he played a prominent role in Kwankwaso’s early political emergence, especially his election into the House of Representatives and his rise to become Deputy Speaker.

The statement quoted him as saying: “I also have the right to say that Kwankwaso was once my political boy because I supported him and helped him rise to important positions.

Kwankwaso would often visit his offices to discuss politics when he was working in Abuja and Kano before that time, Ganduje said.

The former governor also urged politicians to refrain from using labels like “godfather” and “political son”, stressing that the focus should be on the quality of leadership and development of the people.

He also recalled the political developments in Kano in 1998 when he won the governorship primary but stepped down in the interest of unity and agreed to be Kwankwaso’s deputy.

“The statement said that even though they later had political disagreements, Ganduje and Kwankwaso worked together for the development of Kano State between 1999 and 2003, and again between 2011 and 2015.

Ganduje said that though Yusuf once served under him, he is now the elected governor of Kano and deserves respect by virtue of the office he occupies.

Ganduje urged politicians and their supporters in Kano to shun making statements that would further polarise the state and called for peace and unity.

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The governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has warned that his political camp will resist any attempt to rig the 2027 general elections, saying the contest must be conducted in an atmosphere of transparency, justice and fairness.

Mohammed was said to have spoken at the Bauchi State Government House during the affirmation of candidates of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) for key elective positions in the state.

The event witnessed the governor reaffirm as the APM senatorial candidate for Bauchi South Senatorial District while the state Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.

The Commission also confirmed the candidature of the Commissioner for Water Resources, Nuhu Zaki as candidate for Bauchi Central Senatorial District, and Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau as candidate for Bauchi North Senatorial District.

Addressing party supporters after the exercise Mohammed said the 2027 elections should be based on issues, performance and the will of the people and not intimidation or electoral manipulation.

The governor said his camp would not underrate any opposition candidate, adding that the campaign would be on the focus of going back to the people with the achievements of his administration.

He urged the Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to be neutral and create a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.

“We will not ask anybody to rig for us, but we will not allow anybody to rig against us,” Mohammed said. If we win we will accept it and if we lose in a free and fair contest we will also accept it. That is democracy.

The governor explained that the decision to adopt the APM platform was borne out of the prevailing political realities and the unresolved differences within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

He said the APM was a party of the grass root with strong acceptance among the people, especially the rural dwellers.

His decision to run for Senate, he said, was strategic and aimed at pursuing the developmental agenda of his administration beyond his tenure as governor.

Mohammed also commended the security agencies for their efforts at ensuring peace in Bauchi State and other parts of the country.

He commended the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Army for what he described as their contributions to enhanced security.

APM governorship flag bearer, Yakubu Adamu, spoke after his affirmation and thanked party leaders and supporters for what he called a transparent consensus process.

Adamu said that if elected as the governor in 2027, he would build on the achievement of the Mohammed administration.

His government would focus on economic growth, education, health care, rural development, youth empowerment and infrastructure, he said.

The governorship aspirant also commended Mohammed for giving, what he called, purposeful leadership to the state over the years, saying the foundation already laid by the administration would be consolidated for the benefit of the people.

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Sam Amadi, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has described the exit of former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege from the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a big loss to the party.

The comment was made by Amadi while live on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ interview on Thursday.

He was responding to the resignation of an Omo-Agege from the ruling party.

Recall that the ex-Deputy Senate President on Wednesday dumped the ruling party few days after losing the Delta Central APC Senate primary.

“If Omo-Agege joins any of the parties, I think he will surely clinch the ticket because he is a very strong politician. Amadi, who spoke his mind, said:

“This is a major loss for the APC. The ruling party in Delta State has been defeated.

“He had built a formidable political network as Deputy Senate President before 2023 and he is likely to emerge as a formidable opposition force against the APC.

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Ovie Omo-Agege, the former Deputy Senate President, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is expected to announce his membership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

A source close to the former Delta Central senator confirmed the development to The Whistler on Wednesday, saying that Omo-Agege submitted his resignation on May 22 before announcing his departure.

“His APC is gone. He will be announcing NDC soon,” the source said.

“You can call it an earthquake because Omo-Agege was one of the biggest political men in APC in Delta.

The source said supporters and loyalists of the former senator are expected to follow him to the NDC.

In his resignation letter to the APC chairman in Orogun Ward 2, Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Omo-Agege said his political goals were no longer in line with the party.

“My political goals and those of my constituents are better served outside the APC,” he wrote.

“I cannot continue to be a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria,” he added.

It was also reported that the resignation of Omo-Agege came 10 days after he lost the APC Delta Central senatorial primary to Senator Ede Dafinone.

Omo-Agege polled 3,643 votes in the primary held on May 17 while Dafinone scored 116,252 votes to secure the party’s ticket for a second term.

His move to the NDC comes after recent defections by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Both politicians joined the NDC early last month, saying that Nigeria needed to be rescued from worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

But since then, the party has continued to draw interest from federal lawmakers and opposition figures around the country.

James Onosakponome, an NDC chieftain in Delta State, had recently urged Omo-Agege to join the party and contest the 2027 governorship election rather than return to the Senate.

Onosakponome argued that a return to the Senate would amount to a political demotion for a former deputy senate president.

From Toronto to the World: Prince Leon Metchie Revolutionises Global Hair Braiding Industry with Braidé App

The development also comes amidst reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified parts of INEC’s 2027 election timetable, providing a window for aggrieved aspirants who lost primaries to switch parties.

INEC has since appealed the decision.

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