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The national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun, on Monday denied claims he instigated the tenure extension for selfish reasons. He said the near-unanimous decision was made to stave off the possibility of rancour within the ranks as the 2019 election draws near. He said the claims were “quite unfortunate because nothing could be further from the truth.” He said during the national executive council (NEC) meeting that held today in Abuja.

Read his full speech below:
“Mr President, Your Excellencies, it is my pleasure to welcome you and all members of the National Executive Committee of our party to this important meeting.

Members will recall that at the meeting of February 27, we requested the NEC to approve a timetable for congresses and the convention ahead of the expiration of tenure of the current executive. However, rather than approve the timetable, members expressed concern that if we embarked on the congresses as planned, the process could precipitate a series of rancour, which might be difficult for the party to manage ahead of the coming general elections. It was therefore resolved with a near unanimous votes of 104 to 4 that the current executives of the party at all levels be allowed to continue in acting capacity for a period not exceeding twelve months starting from June 2018.

However, at the subsequent meeting held on March 27, Mr. President informed NEC that he had had the opportunity to review the decision of February 27 and had become convinced that the decision taken by NEC, to the effect that party executives at all levels be allowed to continue in acting capacity at the expiration of their tenure was neither supported by the constitution of our party nor that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Even as he canvassed this position, Mr. President graciously announced that he was open to alternative viewpoints and refused to foreclose further debate on the matter. Given this opportunity, NEC unanimously agreed that a committee be inaugurated to further examine the issue and advise the party on the way forward so as to ensure that whatever decision that we take will not only be in the best interest of the party, but will also be seen to comply with extant provisions of our laws. The committee was duly constituted under the leadership of His Excellency, Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State. I am happy to inform NEC that the committee has concluded its assignment and we are now in a position to report back to NEC.

Your Excellencies, distinguished members of NEC, let me seize this opportunity to thank Mr. President for his rare act of graciousness and humility. By allowing further consideration of the subject matter even after announcing his preference, Mr. President has proven to be a true democrat and a genuine party man indeed. Where he could have imposed his will, Mr. President has exhibited true leadership by allowing himself to be open to alternative opinion, regardless of his personal interest, so far as they are consistent with the rule of law. Mr. President, we thank you.

In the past days, I have read news reports and all manner of comments and opinions that have tried to frame the majority decision of NEC as an attempt to primarily secure “tenure elongation” for Oyegun and the NWC. This is quite unfortunate because nothing could be further from the truth.

We are looking for ways to minimize rancor in the party ahead of the next general elections, and we are looking for ways to save the party from potential legal booby traps. These are both valid considerations. The challenge that we have faced has been how to reconcile the two in the best interest of the party.

On a personal note, I have had to endure virulent media attacks, malicious insinuations and outright character assassination. However, the responsibility imposed on me by my position as the National Chairman of the party, demand that I rise above my personal pains and refuse to yield to the temptation to react in a manner that potentially complicates the situation for our party. However, I will like to urge everyone else to remember that regardless of our ambitions and personal interests, the party is greater than all of us.

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, distinguished members of NEC. The experience of the last few days has made clear to us the enormous task in our hands as we go into the elections next year. If the progressive ideology that we stand for must be an enduring political order in Nigeria, we who occupy this space now, as founding fathers, must be willing to make real sacrifices to lay a solid foundation for generations to come.

These sacrifices require of us to discipline our personal ambitions and selfish interests. If we do this, it would be easier for us to forge consensus and reach compromise, even on issues that appear to divide us.

I must say that disagreements, debates and contentions are the hallmarks of progressive politics. Therefore, let no one tell you that our party was about to collapse only because we disagree. Our strength however will continue to rest on our ability to forge consensus even from apparently irreconcilable issues. If anything, what our experience in the last few days has confirmed is that we can disagree without being disagreeable; and that our party may be young, but we remain the bastion of progressive politics in Nigeria.

Therefore, as we settle down for the business of today, we should bear in mind these principles and be ready to accept alternative viewpoints, just as Mr. President has done, even when these viewpoints do not immediately reflect our preferences.”

BIG STORY

Electoral Law Constrains INEC From Punishing Politicians For Early Campaigns — Mahmood Yakubu

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it cannot penalise politicians who have already begun campaigning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, made the remark on Wednesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ roundtable on premature campaigns.

Yakubu explained that while section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 prohibits campaigns earlier than 150 days before polling, the law prescribes no punishment for violators.

“Quite correctly, Nigerians expect INEC, as registrar and regulator of political parties, to act in the face of the brazen breach of the law. However, the major challenge for the commission is the law itself,” he said.

He noted that section 94(2) only sets a fine of up to ₦500,000 for campaigns held within 24 hours of election day, leaving a legal gap that politicians have exploited.

Yakubu said aspirants and their supporters have been holding rallies, unveiling billboards, and running media adverts across the country in breach of the law — acts that also undermine INEC’s monitoring of campaign finance.

The commission, he added, has invited lawmakers, party leaders, civil society groups and regulators to the forum to explore remedies.

“As the national assembly is currently reviewing our electoral laws, the leadership of the senate and house committees on electoral matters have been invited. I am confident they will give due consideration to actionable recommendations,” he said.

Abdullahi Zuru, INEC national commissioner and chairman of the Electoral Institute, described early campaigning as one of the most worrying trends in Nigeria’s democracy.

He said aspirants often use cultural festivals, religious gatherings, billboards, branded vehicles and even influencers on social media as cover for premature campaigns.

“When aspirants or parties compete to dominate visibility long before the official campaign period, it distorts fairness and inflates the cost of political competition,” Zuru said.

He warned that the practice distracts elected officials from governance, undermines public trust in elections, and weakens respect for the rule of law.

“We must refine the regulatory framework so that what constitutes premature campaigning is more clearly defined in today’s digital age,” he added.

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BIG STORY

Disregard National Assembly Directive, Prepare To Resume — PDP To Natasha Akpoti

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, to disregard the national assembly’s order barring her from returning to her legislative duties.

In August, Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote to the clerk of the national assembly, notifying him of her intention to resume on September 4, which she said marked the end of her six-month suspension.

The senator cited a July ruling of the federal high court which declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall. She also demanded immediate access to her office to prepare for plenary sessions, review pending business, and attend to constituency matters.

However, on September 4, Yahaya Danzaria, acting clerk of the national assembly, rejected her request. He argued that her suspension, which began on March 6, remains under litigation at the court of appeal, and until the judicial process is concluded, she cannot resume.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, described the clerk’s letter as “provocative” and “a clear and present danger to democracy.” He accused the APC-led Senate and federal government of suffocating the opposition and pushing Nigeria toward “creeping totalitarianism.”

Ologunagba also alleged that the directive against Akpoti-Uduaghan reflects a broader attempt to silence women in politics, citing past allegations of harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“The extreme persecution of a six-month suspension unjustly imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is more than enough,” Ologunagba said. He urged the clerk to withdraw his letter, warning against turning the national assembly into a political tool.

The PDP further called on the international community and rights groups to condemn what it described as a renewed attack on Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The party insisted that the senator should resume immediately, stressing that her suspension has expired and that continued resistance undermines both democracy and the rule of law.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 after a confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements. Previous attempts by her to return have been resisted by the national assembly leadership.

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BIG STORY

National Assembly Bars Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan From Resuming, Cites Ongoing Litigation

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The National Assembly has stopped Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, from resuming her legislative duties, insisting that her suspension remains a subject of litigation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, in a letter dated August 28, 2025, had informed the Clerk to the National Assembly of her intention to return on September 4, marking what she described as the end of her six-month suspension. She argued that a Federal High Court ruling in July had declared her suspension “excessive and unconstitutional” and ordered her recall.

“I write to formally notify you of my decision to resume legislative duties upon the expiration of the suspension period,” she said, stressing that the ruling entitled her to resume full responsibilities without prejudice to the ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.

She also demanded immediate access to her office to enable her review pending legislative business, catch up on committee assignments, attend to constituency matters, and prepare for plenary sessions.

However, in a reply dated September 4, Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, rejected her request. Danzaria stated that the senator’s suspension, which took effect on March 6, was still under judicial consideration at the appellate court.

“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded and the Senate formally reviews the suspension in the light of the court’s pronouncement, no administrative action can be taken by this office to facilitate your resumption,” Danzaria wrote.

He added that Akpoti-Uduaghan would be duly informed once the Senate reaches a decision.

The senator was suspended on March 6 for alleged gross misconduct following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements.

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