By: Fabian Apechihin

A fresh proposal by the National Assembly to bring forward Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026 has sparked outrage among opposition parties and civil society groups.

The proposal, contained in draft amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, seeks to move the polls up by about six months — a move lawmakers say will allow all pre- and post-election litigations to be concluded before the May 29, 2027 handover date.

If passed, the new provision would mark a major shift from Nigeria’s traditional February or March election schedule, with the presidential and gubernatorial elections now expected to hold in November 2026.

According to Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment, “elections into the office of the President and Governor of a state shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.” A similar clause, Section 4(5), applies to National Assembly and state legislative elections.

At a joint public hearing on Monday, the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Adebayo Balogun, defended the proposal, saying it would “ensure that all election litigations are resolved before the swearing-in of winners.”

Balogun explained that the committee also intends to cut down tribunal timelines, proposing that the 180-day period for tribunal judgments be reduced to 90 days, with appellate and Supreme Court rulings expected within 60 and 35 days respectively.

However, the move has drawn strong backlash from opposition parties, who accuse the National Assembly of acting in bad faith.

The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the plan as an attempt to “buy more time” for President Bola Tinubu, saying the proposal was unnecessary and ill-timed.

“If their plan is to give President Tinubu an opportunity to stay a bit longer before he goes, they should own up,” Osadolor said.
“What Nigerians want in the Electoral Amendment is not a change in election dates but stronger legal backing for BVAS and real-time result transmission.”

The NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, also faulted the move, warning that it could disadvantage opposition parties that have planned their political timelines around the traditional February/March elections.

“Those in government will be better prepared, while others will have to start afresh. Holding elections in November 2026 is too early and unnecessary,” he said.

Similarly, Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, urged the National Assembly to seek public input before taking such a consequential decision.

“They should not take unilateral decisions that serve only their interests,” Tanko cautioned.
“Lawmakers must consult Nigerians through public hearings — history has shown that rushed, self-serving amendments often backfire.”

From our Correspondent

The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has taken the former Abia state Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to the cleaners, describing him as politically unsophisticated and political ‘Kindergarten’ no comparable to former labour party,LP, 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The body’s reaction was coming in the wake of Kalu’s recent media outing on Channels TV against Obi.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, National president of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), questioned Orji Uzor Kalu’s decision to appear on Channel TV and discussed Peter Obi.

During the media chat, Senator Kalu had asserted that he is the most prominent, important politician in the Southeast, having achieved more politically than Mr. Peter Obi.

According to the statement, “Ohanaeze Youth Council said in the report that Kalu Stated “Peter is not my leader. I’m the most important politician from the South-East zone. I won two states in 2007 under the Progressive People’s Alliance,PPA.

OYC Quoting Kalu’s statement “I have run for president before. My 4.9 million votes are still there since 2007. I achieved a lot with PPA. We had ministers, ambassadors, and several appointments under President Yar’Adua”

Igboayaka urged the former governor to desist from media engagements that are causing him embarrassment, noting that Orji Uzor Kalu is unable to rival Peter Obi’s level of political influence, acceptability and popularity in the South-east and Nigeria at large.

“Orji Uzor Kalu should humble himself and endeavor to gain and learn political popularity and acceptability from Mr. Peter Obi.

“Peter Obi is a trailblazer as the first politician from Igboland, both living and deceased, to have secured victories in five Southeast states during a presidential election.

He stated that Obi has also made history as the first opposition presidential candidate to have won in Lagos and Abuja against the ruling All Progressives congress,APC.

Ohanaeze Youth Council Furthermore noted that Obi has distinguished himself as the first Nigerian politician to have built a robust nationwide supporters across the 36 states, affectionately referred to as the “Obidient Movement”.

“Peter Obi is the only politician in Nigeria who has motivated electorates to participate in voter registration. Peter Obi has become a political institution, redeeming hope in Nigeria’s electoral system and voting process.

“The Nigerian populace had become disillusioned with voting and electioneering, however, Peter Obi proved to be a political magnet, reattracting Nigerians to the voting system.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria’s political system allows mediocre ones like Orji Uzor Kalu, incompetent political shenanigans, political profiteers and looters to dance a dance of shame in our political cycle.

“In a decent and working state Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu should be moving in shame on the street with his mask.”

Comrade Igboayaka has rejected the notion from Orji Uzor Kalu that the PPA emerged victorious in two states, characterizing it as an erroneous narrative that stemmed from electoral malpractices engineered by Professor Maurice Iwu, who served as most corrupt Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the time.

Similarly, in Imo State, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), due to internal conflicts, adopted the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) as their platform, resulting in Ikedi Ohakim’s emergence as the winner of the 2007 Imo gubernatorial election, Comrade Igboayaka noted.

“Kalu cannot secure victory in any credible and transparent election within his home base of Abia state, the Southeast, and Nigeria as a whole”. He stated

Igboayaka who lambasted Kalu, cautioning him to prepare for his forthcoming political retirement in 2027, in light of the burgeoning ballot revolution driven by the Obidient Movement across Nigeria.

Kalu should be cognizant that Nigerians’ last hope hinges on Mr. Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential project, which will entail a defensive Ballot Revolution across Nigeria’s 36 states.

Orji Uzor Kalu must recognize that Peter Obi’s name will appear on the ballot in 2027, under any available party platform.

Furthermore, any individual or group considering electoral manipulation and rigging in 2027, should be aware that they risk plunging Nigerians into a crisis comparable to Somalia.

By: Fabian Apechihin

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Friday hosted a private dinner in Makurdi for key political figures reportedly planning to align with his administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among the attendees were former Benue governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader, Gabriel Suswam, former NAFDAC Director-General, Paul Orhii, and several lawmakers from opposition parties.

According to APC Publicity Secretary, James Orgunga, the meeting was “a prelude to future defections and collaboration,” adding that it was designed for allies and politicians willing to work with Governor Alia in moving the state forward.

However, Suswam’s media aide dismissed claims of an imminent defection, describing the reports as “mere speculation.” He emphasized that any political decision by Suswam would follow broad consultations and a formal public declaration — not a private dinner.

The gathering comes amid growing internal tension within the APC, fuelled by a lingering rift between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The division has deepened party fault lines and is believed to be pushing Alia to consolidate support beyond the APC’s traditional structure.