Politics

INEC to Allow Prison Inmates Vote in 2027 General Elections – Yakubu

Published

4 months ago

August 8, 2025

Onyenobi Chinwendu Samuel
August 8, 2025

Abuja Nigeria 🇳🇬 – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to include prison inmates in the 2027 general elections, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic process.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the declaration on Friday, August 8, 2025, during a policy engagement in Abuja. He stated that the right to vote is constitutionally guaranteed and that the Commission is working to ensure no eligible Nigerian, including those in correctional centres, is disenfranchised.

“The right to vote is not a privilege. It is a constitutional right, and INEC is committed to making sure inmates who are eligible are not left out,” Yakubu affirmed.

This move follows a May 2025 Supreme Court ruling, which affirmed INEC’s authority to implement systems that allow inmate voting, including establishing polling units inside correctional facilities or enabling supervised voting outside them.

INEC has already submitted proposals to the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, aiming to legally support voting for inmates, early voters (e.g., security agencies), and Nigerians abroad.

The Commission is partnering with the Nigerian Correctional Service and civil society groups to map eligible inmates, conduct voter registration, and carry out voter education in selected correctional facilities. A pilot phase is expected in 2026 ahead of full rollout in 2027.

Eligibility will be limited to inmates who meet the legal voting age and are not under any judicial disqualification. Convicts of electoral offences will remain barred.

Human rights advocates have welcomed the move as a long-overdue step towards inclusive democracy. However, some stakeholders have called for strict vetting and security measures during implementation.

If successful, Nigeria will join countries like South Africa and Kenya in recognizing inmates’ voting rights ; a bold step toward electoral inclusivity.

“A true democracy leaves no citizen behind,” Prof. Yakubu concluded.

Politics

BREAKING: Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke Joins Accord Party

Published

32 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his defection to a new political party.

Adeleke recently resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crises within the party.

According to a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area, the governor formally withdrew from the party on November 4, 2025.

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

“Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect,” the letter read.

Adeleke, who rose to political prominence through the PDP, expressed gratitude for the role the party played in his political journey.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party,” he stated.

In an announcement on Tuesday evening monitored by SaharaReporters, Adeleke unveiled his new political platform as the Accord Party.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported indications that he would join the Accord Party, citing sources familiar with developments in the state.

Politics

State House of Assembly suspends Local Govt chairman

Published

1 hour ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

State House of Assembly suspends LG chairman

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Mohammad Haliru Arabo, for three months over his role in the unlawful removal of the council’s Speaker.

The decision was taken during plenary in Lafia after a motion was raised by Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, who leads the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Lawmakers agreed that the action was needed to allow a fair investigation and calm the tension that followed the leadership dispute in the council.

The Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, said the suspension will stand until the committee completes its findings.

He said that the current structure of the Lafia Legislative Arm will remain unchanged throughout the investigation.

During this period, the Deputy Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Uba Arikiya, has been directed to take charge of the council.

The Speaker explained that the House acted within the powers given to it by the constitution and questioned why the Chairman ventured into matters that belong to the legislature.

The Clerk of the House has been asked to notify Governor Abdullahi Sule of the resolution.

Lawmakers such as Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa backed the move, saying that the suspension would help prevent a wider crisis in the council and send a clear message to other local governments in the state.