By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the appointment of politically exposed academics as Returning and Collation Officers for the 2027 general elections.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the party expressed concern over a newspaper report revealing that over 600 senior lecturers from public universities across Northern Nigeria have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

The ADC argued that this development raises fundamental questions regarding electoral credibility and conflict of interest, noting that university lecturers and vice chancellors are routinely entrusted with the sensitive responsibility of collating election results and declaring winners.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including academics, to support or endorse any political candidate, the party insisted that no individual who has openly taken a partisan position should be entrusted with determining the outcome of an election involving that candidate.

“The principle is straightforward,” the ADC stated. “You cannot campaign for a candidate and then be entrusted with counting the votes and declaring winners in the same election that your candidate is contesting in.”

The party, therefore, urged INEC to establish and publish clear criteria disqualifying academics and other prospective election officials who have publicly endorsed candidates, participated in partisan political activities, or otherwise demonstrated an obvious political affiliation.

Additionally, the ADC called on INEC to publish the names of proposed Returning and Collation Officers sufficiently ahead of the elections. This, the party said, would allow political parties and the public to identify and raise legitimate conflict-of-interest concerns.

“The integrity of an election does not begin when the first ballot is cast,” the statement read.

“It begins with the neutrality of the people entrusted to administer, collate, and declare its outcome. Nigerians must never be placed in a position where those who have publicly chosen a side are subsequently presented as neutral arbiters of the contest.”

The statement was signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are currently meeting behind closed doors at the Imo State Governors’ Lodge in Abuja, amid rising political tension over the “rainbow coalition” being promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The meeting, which began on Tuesday, is understood to be centred on recent political realignments that party leaders fear could undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interests and weaken APC candidates at all levels.

It was gathered that the governors are expected to issue a statement distancing themselves from any political alliance or arrangement that could work against the President or the ruling party.

The move is widely seen as a direct response to Wike’s coalition, which has reportedly set some APC governors against the FCT minister. The governors are particularly aggrieved over allegations that Wike is sponsoring candidates who lost in the APC under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC governors are said to be determined to draw a clear line between legitimate political engagement and actions that could damage the party’s electoral fortunes.

As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing, and no official communiqué had been issued. A statement is expected shortly.

More details later…

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Oil prices climbed on Monday after talks on the Strait of Hormuz were postponed and Saudi Arabia shut down a major oil pipeline.

Brent crude for November delivery gained nearly three per cent to $107.60 per barrel, approaching the $110 level.

The increase came after prices edged lower on Friday following sharp gains in the preceding days.

Oman announced on Sunday that planned talks between Iran and several Gulf States over the Strait of Hormuz had been postponed.

Omani foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi said the postponement aimed to create conditions for consensus.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has come under pressure following disruptions to major shipping routes and attacks on its oil infrastructure.

The kingdom suspended operations on its East-West pipeline as a precaution after drone attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions.

The pipeline carries oil from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea and provides an alternative export route that avoids the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warned that any further reduction in Saudi oil exports could drive crude prices higher.

Brent crude has gained nearly 80 per cent since the start of the year, although it remains below its late-April peak of more than $126 per barrel.