The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja at a World Press Conference and National Stakeholders’ Meeting, held 100 days before the first ballot.

Amupitan said the timely release of the remaining funds was necessary to ensure that the commission could execute its outstanding activities without disruption.

“We expect the prompt release of the remaining budget to ensure seamless execution of the remaining activities,” he said.

The INEC chairman, however, acknowledged the Federal Government’s support through the timely release of statutory budgetary allocations to the commission.

He said the funds released so far had enabled INEC to meet international vendor obligations, finance the production of election technology, upgrade infrastructure and sustain its operations across the country.

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, also urged stakeholders to support INEC, particularly by ensuring that the commission had adequate funding.

“This is a Herculean task,” Mignot said, adding that the EU would continue to support Nigeria’s electoral process without backing any political party or candidate.

He said the EU would deploy an electoral mission to observe preparations for the election, the conduct of the polls and the post-election period before making recommendations.

INEC sets up AI division

Amupitan also disclosed that INEC had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence Division within its Information and Communication Technology Department.

He said AI auditing tools were being integrated into the commission’s results verification process under a five-pillar AI Governance Framework, with human oversight remaining mandatory.

The commission is also deploying AI-based anomaly detection tools to monitor database traffic and protect its public portals against cyberattacks and unauthorised alterations.

Amupitan warned that the increasing use of generative AI, voice cloning and deepfake technology could be exploited to spread false election information.

He urged the media to verify election-related information with INEC before publication, stressing that accuracy should take precedence over speed during elections.

INEC to engage 1.4m ad hoc staff

On manpower, the INEC chairman said the commission would require 707,384 ad hoc personnel for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the same number for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6.

This brings the total number of engagements to 1,414,768 across 176,846 polling units.

Amupitan said the number was higher than the approximately 1.2 million ad hoc personnel engaged during the 2023 elections.

He said the National Youth Service Corps would again provide a significant portion of the workforce, noting that more than 70 per cent of ad hoc staff in 2023 were corps members and student volunteers.

The INEC Portal for Recruitment of Election Staff opened on September 18 and is scheduled to close at midnight on November 18.

Voter register hits 103m

Amupitan said the National Register of Voters now contains more than 103 million registered voters following the registration of 10,772,421 new voters during the three phases of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise.

He said the register would be displayed for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15, while distribution of the first phase of Permanent Voter Cards to local government centres would also begin on October 9.

The chairman disclosed that 18 of the 22 registered political parties had submitted candidates for the presidential election.

He also said the commission had received the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment in the case involving INEC and the Zenith Labour Party and was reviewing the judgment.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Adebayo Balogun, urged INEC to enforce the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and comply with the Supreme Court judgment.

Similarly, the Senate Committee Chairman on Electoral Matters, Simon Lalong, said the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on the collective responsibility of political parties, candidates, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and voters.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Francis Idu, said security clearance operations were ongoing in Kogi, Niger, Benue and Taraba states to address areas of concern ahead of the election.

The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, commended INEC’s conduct of the Osun State governorship election but urged its officials to remain impartial.

He also called on the commission to engage political parties more extensively before the 2027 polls, stressing that the interest of Nigeria should remain above political differences.

Vanguard

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting and press conference on the updated national voters’ register.

Amupitan said the register now contains 103,428,715 registered voters following the completion of the three-phase Continuous Voter Registration exercise and biometric verification and clean-up.

Lagos has the highest number of registered voters with 7,488,633, followed by Kano with 6,570,276 and Kaduna with 4,662,640.

Katsina ranks fourth with 3,876,051 registered voters, while Rivers occupies the fifth position with 3,736,434.

Oyo has 3,588,111 registered voters, followed by Delta with 3,525,988, Benue with 3,057,225, Ogun with 3,037,981 and Bauchi with 3,012,547.

At the bottom of the register is Ekiti State with 1,055,708 voters, followed by Bayelsa with 1,200,691.

The Federal Capital Territory has 1,732,043 registered voters, while Ondo and Gombe have 1,733,641 and 1,768,560 respectively.

The three-phase CVR exercise recorded 10,772,421 new registrations before the final biometric verification and clean-up of the register.

Giving a demographic breakdown, Amupitan said male voters account for 53,528,218, representing 51.75 per cent, while female voters number 49,900,497, representing 48.25 per cent.

He said voters aged between 35 and 49 years form the largest age group, with 43,265,946 registered voters, representing 41.83 per cent of the register.

Those aged between 18 and 34 years account for 29,777,576 voters, representing 28.79 per cent, while voters aged between 50 and 69 years number 22,982,900, representing 22.22 per cent.

Voters aged 70 and above constitute the smallest age group, with 7,402,291 registered voters, representing 7.16 per cent.

The commission also recorded 232,658 persons with disabilities across 10 categories, representing about 0.23 per cent of the total register.

Amupitan said the largest category was classified as “others,” with 101,183 registered voters, followed by persons with albinism with 44,023 and those with physical impairment with 27,141.

The INEC chairman also announced that nationwide collection of newly issued Permanent Voter Cards would begin on October 9, 2026.

He said the voters’ register would also be displayed for public scrutiny from October 9 to 15, in line with Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.

According to him, the exercise would allow Nigerians to examine the register and raise claims or objections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The two-day workshop, themed “Elections, Community Mobilisation, The Law and The Media,” is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 23, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the workshop’s Executive Consultant, Dr Bolu Folayan, and made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday, the training will focus on inter-agency cooperation and coordination, community engagement before, during and after elections, as well as professional conduct and accountability among stakeholders.

Governor Dapo Abiodun is expected to declare the workshop open and deliver the keynote address, while lawyer and public relations expert, Prof Fassy Yusuf, will present the lead paper.

Folayan said the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act assigned various responsibilities to stakeholders during elections, noting that inadequate knowledge of these roles could create problems capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.

He said improved understanding of electoral laws, inter-agency cooperation, media relations and community engagement would contribute to successful elections.

Folayan said, “The Constitution sets the red lines. Security must protect these rights. Media must exercise them responsibly. No security operation should infringe on these without due process. That’s the way to have credible elections, and that’s the goal of this training.”

He added that one of the major outcomes of the workshop would be the signing of a “Responsive and Responsible Professionalism Charter” by participating stakeholders.

About 520 participants are expected at the workshop, including representatives of major political parties, Divisional Police Officers, zonal and area commanders, Police Community Relations Committees, the State Independent Electoral Commission and the Department of State Services, among others.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening cooperation among security agencies, political actors, the media and communities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, dismissed the reports as rumours, saying any changes to the list would be formally communicated by the party.

Morka spoke with TheCable on Tuesday while reacting to reports that the list had been withdrawn following concerns over the inclusion and omission of some individuals.

He said, “Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news.”

Morka added that the party would officially announce any changes if necessary.

The APC had unveiled the campaign council on Saturday, with President Bola Tinubu as chairman, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, as vice-chairmen.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary.

The composition of the council has generated controversy, particularly over the inclusion of some serving government officials and individuals who have faced corruption allegations.

Among those listed are former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; former Chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board, Ngozi Olejeme; Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji; and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu.

Reports had emerged that the party was considering a review of the list following complaints over some of the names and the omission of prominent members.

However, Morka said he could not speak on complaints from party members concerning those omitted from the council.

The development has also attracted criticism from opposition figures, with former New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, questioning the inclusion of senior government officials in the campaign structure.

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, also threatened legal action over Adedeji’s inclusion in the council.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Christopher Musa and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who were named members of the council, described their appointments as a call to greater service.

They assured that their responsibilities in security operations and ongoing reforms would continue despite their roles in the campaign council.

Israel, who is also a member of the APC National Working Committee, made the assessment in a post on his official X handle titled, “Osun has spoken: The bitter truth APC must hear before 2027.”

He said the party underestimated the electoral appeal of Governor Ademola Adeleke, whose dancing and accessibility were often mocked by political opponents.

According to Israel, Adeleke’s public displays and close relationship with local communities helped him establish an emotional connection with voters.

“Governor Adeleke’s dancing was never a weakness. It was a political language. It humanised him, made him accessible, and created emotional proximity with ordinary voters,” he said.

He argued that political success was not determined by policies and elite approval alone, but also by emotion, identity, presence and a sense of belonging.

Israel said the APC must stop equating sophistication with electoral strength, stressing that elections are ultimately won through effective engagement with voters at the grassroots.

“Elections are not won by approval ratings in Abuja. They are won by understanding people as they are,” he said.

The APC youth leader also questioned the composition of the party’s expanded national campaign council, led by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma.

He noted that the council was largely made up of governors, senators and former political office holders and questioned how effectively such a structure could connect with young voters.

“These leaders are important, but we must ask a hard question: how many young Nigerians do they genuinely inspire, mobilise or emotionally connect with?” he asked.

Israel further criticised the APC National Working Committee for failing to formally review the campaign’s progress after the inauguration of the campaign council.

He described the absence of structured monitoring and strategy reviews as a weakness that affected the party’s ability to respond to developments during the election campaign.

On the party’s internal crisis, Israel said the APC failed to sufficiently reconcile aggrieved aspirants and other members with its candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, who emerged through a consensus arrangement.

He identified internal division as one of the major factors affecting the party’s performance.

“No amount of campaign technology can compensate for a fractured political family,” Israel said, calling for greater humility, accommodation and reconciliation within the party.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the APC national youth leader urged the party to rebuild its internal structures, resolve divisions and strengthen its grassroots mobilisation.

He said the party must also develop better ways of connecting with young Nigerians and avoid confusing elite visibility with genuine grassroots support.

“President Tinubu gave us a democratic contest. Governor Adeleke understood his people. Davido understood his generation. The question is whether the APC understands its own lesson,” he said.

“This is not a call for blame. It is a call for renewal. Silence will not win 2027. Osun has spoken. The APC must now listen.”

Hayab said President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were not elected by Muslims alone in the 2023 presidential election, noting that the ticket also received significant support from Christian-majority states and communities.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, Hayab was reacting to a viral video in which Jingir urged Muslims to support Muslim candidates and use their numerical strength to pursue their political interests.

The cleric had also described Christians as “infidels” while calling on Muslims to unite behind a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027.

Reacting, Hayab said the comments were unacceptable and could further deepen religious divisions in the country.

He said, “Will you tell me that the current Muslim-Muslim ticket that you claim to have put was only elected by Muslims? No, sir. I can count states that are mostly Christian. The man won in those states.”

The NCA chairman said Christians had previously expressed concerns about the Muslim-Muslim ticket, not because they opposed Muslims participating in politics, but because they wanted fairness and inclusiveness in governance.

“We only wanted understanding and togetherness, as enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.

Hayab also condemned Jingir’s description of Christians as “infidels”, saying no Nigerian should demean another citizen because of religious differences.

“If you respect me, you do not come out publicly and make such a derogatory statement against me, against my faith, just for politics. It is no longer politics. It is the reality that has been going on on the ground,” he said.

He said Jingir’s remarks had exposed what many Christians in Northern Nigeria had experienced over the years, including allegations of persecution, marginalisation and religious dominance.

Hayab expressed concern that the comments were made in the presence of political leaders who, according to him, did not immediately condemn the remarks.

He said Nigerians were now waiting to hear the positions of the governors present at the event, the Federal Government and politicians being promoted by the cleric.

“We are waiting to see the reaction of those governors. Whatever stopped them from reacting that day is another different thing. We are going to see what they are going to say,” he said.

Hayab maintained that the controversy was not solely about Muslims supporting Muslim candidates but about the use of inflammatory language against people of other faiths.

He argued that Nigeria had previously had political candidates from the same religious background without generating the level of tension currently surrounding the issue.

According to him, the focus should be on the competence, character and policies of political candidates rather than religious identity.

Despite the controversy, Hayab said Christian leaders would continue to engage Muslims and other religious groups in dialogue.

“We will not stop the dialogue. We will talk with honest people and clerics. We will talk with people who understand things rightly,” he said.

He, however, called on the government to act against individuals whose statements could worsen religious tensions in the country.

“Nigeria needs unity. Nigeria needs togetherness,” he added.

The NCA chairman also renewed his call for religion to be captured in Nigeria’s national census, arguing that reliable demographic data could help address competing claims about religious population and dominance.

He further urged political and religious leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

Hayab warned that Nigerians were already facing economic hardship and insecurity and should not be further divided by religious politics.

“Nigerians are suffering from hunger. There is insecurity in Nigeria. Our people are not reminding themselves to do what is right to secure Nigeria and to contribute to nation building,” he said.

Jingir had, in a video circulating on social media, urged Muslims to support the continuation of Muslim-Muslim presidential tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The cleric made the remarks at an event attended by some All Progressives Congress governors, including Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, and Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi.

Jingir commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 election and declared his support for the arrangement.

Reacting to the remarks in a post on X on Sunday, Fani-Kayode said he respected Jingir but disagreed with what he described as “extremist rhetoric”.

“I have immense respect for Sheik Jingir but I am constrained to point out that the extremist rhetoric he has indulged in here is most unhelpful and neither is it true,” Fani-Kayode wrote.

He warned that the comments could further inflame religious tensions in the country.

“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative. Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided,” he added.

Fani-Kayode maintained that Nigeria is neither a Muslim nor Christian country but a secular and multi-religious nation comprising people of different faiths.

“Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country. She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” he said.

The ambassador-designate also explained that his support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2027 was based on the competence and character of the candidates rather than their religious backgrounds.

He said political decisions should be based on the “calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength” of candidates and their capacity to deliver good governance.

Fani-Kayode added that Nigeria could have a Christian-Christian presidential ticket in the future, stressing that political discourse should focus on policies, competence and national development rather than religious identity.

He urged Nigerians not to allow religious differences to divide the country ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We are NIGERIANS before being Christian or Muslim and we must not only stand as ONE but also go to the polls as ONE,” he said.

The appellate court gave the order on Tuesday in a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed.

In its ruling, the court strongly criticised Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court for proceeding with the case despite an earlier directive from the Court of Appeal ordering a halt to proceedings.

The panel described the action as a violation of the judicial hierarchy and the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the court held.

The appellate court further described the development as a serious act of judicial misconduct, citing previous Supreme Court decisions on similar matters.

According to the panel, lower courts are bound by the orders of superior courts and must comply with such directives.

The court subsequently granted the application seeking a stay of execution and ordered that enforcement of the judgment be suspended pending the determination of the appeal.

During the proceedings, counsel to INEC, Haliru Mohammed, informed the court that the commission was surprised by the delivery of the judgment, stating that it became aware of the ruling through media reports.

He explained that INEC had been aware of the Court of Appeal’s earlier order restraining the lower court from delivering its judgment and therefore did not oppose the application for a stay of execution.

Counsel to the ADC, Shuaibu Aruwa (SAN), told the court that notification of the judgment was allegedly communicated to the party through WhatsApp, a development he described as unusual.

He urged the appellate court to take steps to protect the integrity of the judiciary and prevent actions capable of undermining public confidence in the judicial system.

Other affected political parties also warned that allowing the judgment to stand could create legal and electoral complications, especially with by-elections scheduled to take place in several states.

The Federal High Court had earlier directed INEC to deregister the ADC, the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), ruling that the parties failed to meet constitutional requirements for continued participation in Nigeria’s electoral process.

However, following the Court of Appeal’s intervention, the five political parties will remain registered and eligible to operate pending the final determination of their appeals.

In a pastoral statement issued on May 29, 2026, the bishops reaffirmed that church buildings are first and foremost houses of prayer and should not be turned into arenas for political contestation.

According to the church leaders, while politicians and public office holders are welcome to attend worship services as guests, they will not be permitted to make political speeches or campaign addresses during church gatherings.

The bishops also prohibited the use of consecrated church property for political meetings, campaigns, or partisan mobilisation, stressing that the Church must remain focused on its spiritual mandate.

The Bishops further reminded members of the clergy to remain non-partisan in the discharge of their responsibilities, noting that although individual Christians have the right to participate in politics, such involvement should never be carried out under the banner of the Church.

The statement urged political leaders to respect the sanctity of worship spaces and refrain from actions that could undermine the peaceful atmosphere of church gatherings.

The bishops also appealed to political actors to avoid encouraging violence or engaging in activities capable of threatening national peace and unity as the country approaches the elections.

In addition, they called on the Zambia Police Service to carry out its duties fairly and impartially before, during and after the electoral process.

Emphasising the need for peace, unity and righteous leadership, the bishops encouraged citizens to conduct themselves responsibly throughout the election period.

Quoting 1 Corinthians 16:14, they said, “Let all that you do be done in love.”

The church leaders maintained that the mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not to serve the interests of any political party or candidate.

The pastoral letter was signed by the House of Bishops of the Zambia Anglican Council, including the
Most Rev. Dr. Albert Chama of the Diocese of Lusaka,
the Rt. Rev. John Kafwanka of the Diocese of Northern Zambia,
the Rt. Rev. Dennis Milanzi of the Diocese of Eastern Zambia,
the Rt. Rev. Japhet Ponda of the Diocese of Luapula, and
the Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya of the Diocese of Central Zambia.

In a statement issued on Thursday to mark Democracy Day, the former Vice President called on Nigerians to resist what he described as growing democratic backsliding and the politics of intimidation.

Atiku said citizens must summon the courage of those who fought for democracy, insisting that June 12 should remain a reminder that freedom was earned through sacrifice and must be protected.

He alleged that over the past three years, there had been deliberate efforts to weaken and destabilise opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections through internal party crises, defections, and intimidation.

According to him, key democratic institutions that should serve Nigerians impartially have been turned into tools of political control, used to harass and pressure opposition voices.

“Atiku said institutions that ought to serve the Nigerian people impartially had increasingly been transformed into instruments of partisan warfare,” the statement noted.

He also criticised the Electoral Act 2026, claiming it contains provisions that favour the ruling party while shrinking civic space and limiting freedoms of speech, association, and the press.

The former Vice President, who reflected on his role in the June 12 struggle, said he resisted military rule, faced personal losses, survived an assassination attempt, and went into exile for the sake of democracy.

He recalled that he stepped aside in the 1993 presidential election to allow the late MKO Abiola to emerge as the SDP candidate, describing June 12 as the foundation of Nigeria’s current democratic order.

Atiku warned that Nigeria now faces what he described as a new form of authoritarianism, not through military rule, but through weakened institutions and captured democratic structures.

“The warning signs are everywhere: a shrinking civic space, a compromised electoral environment, intimidation of opposition figures, and the weaponisation of poverty,” he said.

He cautioned that democracy is not permanently secured but must be continually defended, stressing that Nigerians cannot celebrate June 12 while ignoring threats to democratic governance.

Atiku called for collective resistance to what he described as authoritarian tendencies and urged citizens, civil society groups, labour unions, and political actors to defend the country’s democratic institutions.

He further warned that Nigeria risks undermining the gains of democracy if current trends continue unchecked ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The struggle continues. And just as we marched before, we must be prepared to march again,” he said.