News
2027: INEC Boss, Yakubu, Raises Alarm
The European Union Election Observation Mission, EU EOM, has called for judicial and constitutional reforms in Nigeria, ahead of the 2027 general election.
Mr Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament, who also headed the EU Mission to the 2023 general elections, led the EU EOM delegation and spoke during a visit to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.
This came as chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, also called on the National Assembly to expedite action on review and passage of electoral reforms, warning that uncertainty over the legal framework could disrupt preparations for the 2027 polls.
The EU EOM delegation visit marks a follow-up assessment on the implementation of recommendations made after Nigeria’s 2023 general election.
In his remarks, Andrews said the mission’s task is to assess the progress made in electoral reforms since the last general elections.
He commended INEC for its cooperation and dedication to strengthening democracy in Nigeria but said some challenges still remain.
“We have noted significant improvements in several areas, though some challenges remain, particularly those requiring judicial, and constitutional reforms which take more time,” he said.
“However, our recommendations are made in line with international standards, which Nigeria and many other countries have committed to. Election observation is part of a global effort to strengthen and support democracy, not only in Africa but also worldwide, including in Europe,” he said.
Receiving the Eu team, INEC Chairman,Yakubu said many of the EU’s recommendations require legislative amendments, making early action by the National Assembly crucial.
“An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections. Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as election draws nearer,” Yakubu said.
He noted that of the 23 recommendations made by the EU Election Observation Mission in 2023, only eight directly concern INEC, with one classified as priority.
The remaining 15, including five priority recommendations, fall under the responsibilities of the executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, civil society groups, media, and professional bodies.
Yakubu said INEC has already taken administrative steps to implement its share of the recommendations and was working with relevant stakeholders on cross-cutting issues while awaiting legislative action.
He also disclosed that INEC’s post-election review of the 2023 polls produced 142 recommendations for electoral reform, complementing observer reports.
The INEC boss reassured the EU of Nigeria’s continued commitment to international election observation, announcing that invitations would soon be extended to the EU, Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS for the 2027 polls.
“We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections and electoral activities,” he said.
Yakubu also commended the EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, EU-SDGN, programme, pledging continued partnership to consolidate electoral integrity.
It will be recalled that many Nigerians have been calling for sweeping constitutional amendments and electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the centre of the demand is INEC, which many say must be more independent, accountable, and equipped to manage elections transparently.
“We need to strengthen INEC’s autonomy,” said a coalition of civil society stakeholders in a recent Citizens’ Memorandum. They proposed changes to both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to reduce political interference and legal ambiguities.
Among the reforms under discussion are electronic transmission of election results from polling units directly to a central repository, to reduce fraud associated with manual collation; empowering INEC with financial autonomy, giving it prosecutorial powers, and creating an Electoral Offences Tribunal or Commission to handle electoral malpractice; amending the appointment process for INEC leadership to include civil society participation and reduce executive influence.
They also include streamlining judicial adjudication of election disputes to ensure cases are resolved before new office holders are sworn in and making election materials and processes more inclusive, particularly for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
At a recent Electoral Reform Summit held online, prominent figures such as Dr. Oby Ezekwesili and Peter Obi called for direct funding of INEC and for codified use of technology in the new Electoral Act.
Dr. Ezekwesili said: “We need technology. We must now require a code for the use of technology in the new Electoral Act.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Busayo Oke, on his part urged INEC to de-register dormant political parties, averring that many exist only in name and later exploit the system through legal petitions.
The House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, has also expressed concern about loopholes in the 2023 elections, despite reforms introduced in the Electoral Act 2022—like BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System), the IREV portal (INEC Result Viewing), and early funding provisions.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.
Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.
“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.
According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.
Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.
He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.
He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.
The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.
The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.
They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
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