The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered two new political parties.

The registration brings the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21. The Commission warned that persistent internal leadership crises within parties pose a serious threat to democratic consolidation as preparations for the 2027 General Election intensify.

The INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, disclosed this on Thursday 5th February, 2026 in Abuja at the Commission’s first regular consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in 2026, describing the year as a critical phase of heightened electoral activities that would test the preparedness and commitment of all stakeholders.

Speaking on political party registration, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission received 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. He explained that the applications were assessed strictly in line with Sections 222 and 223 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

According to him, only 14 associations scaled the initial prequalification stage, while eight successfully uploaded their documents on the Commission’s dedicated portal. Following final assessment and verification of compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, the Chairman said only the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) met all conditions and was consequently registered as a political party with effect from 5th February 2026.

He further disclosed that INEC would comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, which ordered the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as a political party. With the registration of the two parties, Prof. Amupitan noted that Nigeria now has 21 registered political parties, adding that certificates of registration would be presented to the new parties in due course.

The INEC Chairman expressed deep concern over the increasing incidence of leadership disputes within political parties, describing the trend as unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy and a distraction to the Commission’s core mandate. He noted that frequent litigations arising from internal party crises often result in INEC being joined as a party, thereby diverting time and resources from election management.

According to him, such disputes create uncertainty among party members and supporters, erode public confidence in the political system and undermine democratic stability. While reaffirming INEC’s neutrality, Prof. Amupitan urged party leaders to prioritise internal democracy, transparent leadership and constructive dialogue, stressing that cohesive party structures are indispensable to credible elections.

On ongoing and forthcoming electoral activities, the Chairman recalled that shortly after assuming office, the Commission successfully conducted the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election in November 2025, which he said was widely acknowledged as credible, peaceful and transparent.

He said INEC is currently focused on the conduct of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, 21st February 2026, noting that over 1.68 million registered voters are expected to vote across 2,822 polling units in the six Area Councils. He added that non-sensitive materials had been delivered, training of Electoral Officers, Assistants and election security personnel concluded, while BVAS devices were being configured ahead of the polls.

Prof. Amupitan also disclosed that bye-elections would hold the same day in Rivers State for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies, as well as in Kano State for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies, following vacancies occasioned by resignation and the death of lawmakers.

Looking ahead, the INEC Chairman confirmed that the Ekiti State governorship election would hold on 20th June 2026, while the Osun State governorship election is scheduled for 8th August 2026, noting that activities in the respective timetables were progressing as scheduled.

On the 2027 General Election, Prof. Amupitan said the Commission had finalised the Timetable and Schedule of Activities in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022, but was awaiting the conclusion of ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act by the National Assembly. He urged stakeholders to encourage the legislature to expedite the process to ensure a stable legal framework well ahead of the elections.

The Chairman also announced that INEC would soon embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of 2027, explaining that despite regular updates since 2011, the current voters’ register still contains anomalies such as duplicate registrations, inclusion of deceased persons and inaccurate records, which undermine public confidence.

He described a credible voters’ register as the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections and said sanitising the register was essential to strengthening the integrity of the electoral process.

Prof. Amupitan further lamented the steady decline in voter turnout over successive elections, citing presidential election figures that dropped from 53.7 per cent in 2011 to 26.7 per cent in 2023. While noting that technologies such as BVAS have eliminated ballot stuffing and ghost voting, he stressed that voter apathy cannot be addressed by technology alone.

He called on political parties to intensify voter education and mobilisation efforts, noting that rebuilding public trust and inspiring citizens to participate in the electoral process is a shared responsibility.

On the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, the INEC Chairman disclosed that 2,782,587 eligible voters were registered during the first phase conducted between August and December 2025, while the second phase, which commenced in January 2026, will run until April 2026. He warned that multiple registration is a violation of the law and assured that INEC’s technology would detect and remove offenders from the voters’ register.

Responding, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, congratulated Prof. Amupitan on his appointment and described the consultative meeting as timely, given the scale of electoral activities leading to the 2027 General Election.

Dr. Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s expectation that INEC would continue to act independently, neutrally and decisively, while providing a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

He acknowledged the prevalence of leadership disputes within some political parties and urged INEC to be guided strictly by the constitutions of the respective parties when recognising and publishing party leadership on its website, noting that such recognition confers legitimacy and determines the official leadership with which the Commission engages.

According to him, strict adherence to party constitutions would reduce litigations, dispel perceptions of bias or interference and strengthen internal party democracy. He also urged political parties to utilise IPAC’s internal alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than resorting prematurely to the courts.

The IPAC Chairman further called on the National Assembly to expedite the harmonisation of the electoral legal framework, stressing that time was of the essence as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State has accused former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of neglecting his home community while in office.

The allegation was made at an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Tambuwal, where the party’s local government chairman, Isa Sadiq Achida, said the former governor failed to deliver meaningful development to the area during his tenure.

Achida also criticised Tambuwal’s reported involvement in a political coalition, describing it as a regrouping of familiar political figures rather than a new movement. He urged residents, particularly youths, to support continuity rather than align with what he described as recycled political interests.

During the meeting, the APC formally received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including three former councillors.

Representing the Tambuwal Local Government Chairman, the Council Leader, Nasiru Jabo, said the local government leadership remained committed to improving the party’s performance in future elections.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Ala, disclosed that the state government had approved the establishment of three secondary schools in Tambuwal Local Government Area.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Aminu Dikko, said several indigenes of Tambuwal had been appointed into political offices under the current administration.

He dismissed speculation about any personal political ambition, saying he would abide by party decisions.

Efforts to reach former Governor Tambuwal for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

However, the PDP, through its spokesperson, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, said the party would respond at an appropriate time.

Borno State Government has sworn in six newly appointed High Court judges as part of efforts to strengthen justice delivery in the state.

The judges were sworn in on Thursday by the Acting Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, at the Government House in Maiduguri.

Kadafur said the appointments were aimed at improving efficiency and public confidence in the judiciary.

He noted that the state had been implementing reforms to modernise judicial processes, including the adoption of electronic filing, digital case management systems and access to online legal resources to reduce delays.

He urged the judges to uphold integrity, impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, adding that the state government would continue to provide support for ongoing judicial reforms.

In his remarks, the Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, congratulated the judges and described their appointments as a call to greater responsibility.

He stressed that the judiciary must remain impartial and dispense justice without fear or favour.

Justice Zannah also encouraged the judges to embrace digital reforms, noting that technology had become essential to improving efficiency and access to justice.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by senior government officials, judicial officers and members of the legal profession.

Justice J. K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, On Thursday, February 5, 2026, ordered the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Department of State Services, DSS to investigate his Court Registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu as well as the 2nd defendant in an alleged N10billion fraud, Daudu Sulaiman for alleged tampering with Exhibits N and O.

The directive followed a discovery and disclosure by the judge that Zubairu confessed to him that Sulaiman approached him to use a code to wipe off some significant messages contained in Whaptsapp chats of the second defendant in a telephone set deposited with the court.

Justice Omotosho played Zubairu’s confessions in the open court and further directed him to tell the court what transpired between him and the second defendant.

Addressing the court, the judge said: “I have to disclose it because that is what the Chief Judge told us, to ensure we disclose such a thing as early as possible. We have a policy of discovery and disclosure at the Federal High Court. We have zero tolerance for this kind of attitude. The person involved is here, I will call him so that you will hear from the horse’s mouth.”

Zubairu went ahead to tell the court how he was approached by Sulaiman. According to him, the second defendant asked him what he wanted and he told him that he had accommodation challenges. “I was asked to delete some certain information, some Whatsapp messages in the exhibits” on the promise that I will be given a house.

Justice Omotosho also allowed the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution, Mr, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to direct the Investigation Officer, Muhammed Audu Abubakar, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to present before the court if indeed the chats were deleted from the phone.

Abubakar told the court that information contained in Exhibits N and O, including chats on several dates from 2020 to 2022 had been deleted. Earlier, Justice Omotosho asked the Registrar the specific chat he deleted but told the court that he could not remember but he knew he opened only two chats. “I can’t remember but I opened only two chat”, he said.

To confirm that many of the chats had been deleted, Oyedepo told the witness to go through exhibit N, particularly the conversation involving the Director General, Government House.

The witness informed the court that chats between December 3, 2020 and December 28, 2020 had been deleted. “There was no chat on 23 December, it stopped on December 22 and continued on 29 December, 2020.

He was also asked to check page 196 of the exhibit, that is on 13 January, 2021, he informed that court that the chat there is “Abdurasheed will bring it to Abuja now”

“On 22 January, 2021, the chats “Hudu will bring it now” was deleted. There is nothing here on the phone it has been deleted. What we have on 27th January is “Hudu is bringing it” has been deleted.” The witness added. The witness further informed the court that he came across the chat in the course of investigation. “I came across this chat at the time of investigation.”

“On 26 Jan, 2021, Hudu is bringing N100m, has also been deleted,”

The witness informed the court that there is no chat on 26 January, 2021.

On 30 Jan 2021… “N60m is on transit from Friday… they are on their way coming”, has been deleted.

“ Hudu is on his way to Abuja… he is also coming with N30m”, has been deleted.

30 August 2021, “Mr Ododo has collected N50m and will be coming tomorrow to Abuja “, has been deleted.

While on page 296, the chat “Hudu is on his way, coming with N93m, N7m for TJ and for 2 Jan 2022”, has been deleted.

Oyedepo said that, “on page 297, there was a reference to Rabiu, that is on 28 February 2022” the witness said, “it is not here my Lord. It has also been deleted”

Abubakar went through other chat records and confirmed that vital information contained in the exhibit( the phone) had indeed been deleted.

Reacting to the deleted chats, Oyedepo demanded that “ this issue be investigated and the report brought to your lordship, there is a very urgent irresistible suspicion that exhibit N which contains crucial evidence have been tempered with. We apply that the lordship grant an order revoking the bail of the defendant and order forensic investigation of exhibit N.”

The defence counsel expressed shock at the development but urged the court to await the outcome of the forensic investigation of the matter. “I will urge my lord to await the outcome of the investigation. “

In response, Justice Omotosho directed that the matter should be investigated by the Police and DSS and adjourned the matter to February 9, 2026 for continuation of the trial.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has directed its personnel to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and dedication while carrying out their duties including the protection of Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The directive was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Afolabi Babawale, from the NSCDC National Headquarters.

The statement explained that the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, made the call during his keynote address at a three-day Leadership and Management Workshop on VIP protection held in Abuja.

Participants at the intensive training included State Commandants, VIP unit commanders, and armourers drawn from different parts of the country.

Prof. Audi described the responsibility of VIP protection assigned to the Corps by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a critical national duty that must be handled with utmost seriousness. He warned that the leadership of the Corps would not condone any form of indiscipline or misconduct.

According to him, any officer found undermining the implementation of the VIP protection mandate would face appropriate sanctions.

He stressed that the assignment must be executed in a manner that earns public trust and reflects positively on the government and the Corps.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused the APC-led Senate of being afraid of free and fair elections after rejecting key electoral reforms meant to strengthen transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s voting process.

This was contained in a statement signed and released by the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdulahi on Wednesday.

The party criticized the Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of election results, saying it signals yet another effort by the APC to manipulate future elections.

Other rejected reforms included the electronic download of voter cards from the INEC website, a reduction in election notice periods, and a shortened timeline for the publication of candidates from 150 days to 60 days.

“The proposed provisions were intended to provide safeguards against electoral abuse and restore voter confidence.

“But the Senate’s action amounts to tampering with the law, creating opportunities for rigging and imposing logistical challenges on INEC that could weaken future elections,” the statement read.

The ADC accused the APC of exploiting its majority in the National Assembly to entrench malpractice, warning that the party’s fear of free and fair elections is driving legislative manipulations.

“By rejecting reforms meant to improve election conduct, the APC has shown its desire to cling to power by all means,” the statement added.

The opposition party urged Nigerians to hold the APC accountable and called on the Conference Committee on the Electoral Act to reject the Senate’s submissions.

It also appealed for amendments that reflect democratic principles and the will of the Nigerian people.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed its readiness to conduct the FCT elections, confirming delivery of non-sensitive materials and are At the moment being batched at each Area Council.

The Commission has also concluded the training of Electoral Officers and their Assistants and the INEC/ICCES collaborative training of Election Security Personnel.

The INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the update at the first regular media consultative meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

“Recruitment of Adhoc Election officials has been concluded and the Training of Trainers took place on Monday 2nd February, 2026 in preparation for the training of Adhoc Personnel commencing on the 6th of February, 2026 in the FCT, Kano and Rivers States.

“Furthermore, BVAS devices are being configured for accreditation and upload of results to the IReV portal, and sensitive materials will be delivered a day before the election.” Amupitan said.

He also announced that there will be a mock accreditation on Saturday, 7th February 2026, in 289 selected Polling Units (PUs) across the six Area Councils.

The selected PUs will be made available on the Commission’s website. While 83 domestic and five (5) foreign observers have been accredited for the FCT council elections, the online accreditation for journalists intending to cover the polls remains ongoing until 8th February 2026. All interested media organisations are hereby enjoined to register before the portal closes.

Also on 21st February, 2026, the Commission will conduct bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.

The vacancies in Ahoada East II and Khana II arose from the resignation and death of the elected members, respectively. In Ahoada East II, voting by 41,085 registered voters will take place in 87 (eighty-seven) polling units (PUs) across six wards, while in Khana II, 71,865 registered voters are expected to vote in 155 polling units across eight wards.

Similarly, the INEC will be conducting bye-elections on the same day for the Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies of Kano State as a result of the death of the two serving members.

In the Kano Municipal constituency, 330,228 registered voters will vote in 630 polling units (PUs) across 13 wards, while in Ungogo constituency, 205,418 registered voters will vote in 384 polling units (PUs) across 11 wards. Ten political parties are participating in both bye-elections.

Furthermore, in compliance with Section 28(1) and (2) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Commission, on 25th June, 2025, announced that the Ekiti State Governorship Election will be held on 20th June, 2026, across 2,445 polling units in the 16 LGAs of the state.

Of the 13 activities outlined in the election timetable, eight (8) have already been completed. In addition, the Osun State Governorship Election is scheduled for Saturday, 8th August, 2026.

For that election, the third activity in the approved timetable is presently underway.

On upcoming general elections, he said Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 empowers the Commission to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date of the poll.

While the National Assembly is currently working on amendments to the Electoral Act, the Commission has made its submission as required.

“We are mindful of the growing public interest and anticipation surrounding the release of the timetable and wish to assure the media, political parties and the Nigerian public that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election has been finalised by the commission in full compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2022. Having said that, we seek your support in urging the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act.” he said.

Amupitan, also noted that. credible register of voters remains the bedrock of free, fair and transparent elections, saying, “No electoral process can command public confidence without trust in the integrity of its voters’ register.”

Nigeria’s national register, first compiled ahead of the 2011 General Election, has since been continuously updated and deployed in the General Elections of 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, as well as in several off-cycle governorship and bye-elections. As of the 2023 General Election, the register stood at 93,469,008 voters. However, persistent challenges —including duplicate registrations, registration by non-citizens, deceased voters and incomplete or inaccurate records— continue to generate legitimate concerns.

“Such anomalies undermine public confidence in the electoral process. In response, the Commission will embark on a thorough clean-up with a view to further sanitising and strengthening the integrity of the register. Accordingly, the Commission will soon embark on a nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.” Amupitan assured.

Speaking further, he said, “In the first phase of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise conducted from 18th August to 10th December 2025, the Commission registered a total of 2,782,587 eligible voters. The second phase commenced on 5th January 2026 and will run until 17th April 2026.

“The entire CVR exercise is scheduled to span one year and will be concluded on 30th August 2026. We are encouraged by the strong public response to the exercise, which affirms the continuing belief of Nigerians in the democratic process and in the efforts of the Commission to ensure that every eligible citizen is afforded the opportunity to register and vote.

“However, those who engage in double registration will be identified, removed from the voters’ register and barred from participating in future elections. Double registration is against the law, and INEC will no longer condone it. Nobody should register twice because our system will detect it. We will not just detect it; those involved in double registration will be removed from the register.”

On party registration, he said “You will recall that the Commission received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties. The associations were assessed in line with Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79(1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Clause 2 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022. Several of the Associations were unable to fulfil the constitutional requirements and the requirements of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties. The successful association(s) will soon be announced by the Commission. “