BREAKING: Court Orders INEC To Adjust 2027 Poll Timetable; My Plan For Abia – PDP Gov Candidate

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Court Orders INEC To Adjust 2027 Poll Timetable 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue and alter election timetables for the conduct of elections.

It, however, held that although the commission is empowered to perform these functions, such powers must be exercised strictly in line with the timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act, 2026.

The court, therefore, ordered INEC to amend the election timetable for the 2027 elections and schedule of activities in compliance with Sections 29(1) and 31 of the Electoral Act, 2026.

The judgment comes as the electoral body appeals an earlier judgment nullifying parts of its revised guidelines for the 2027 general elections.

Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment on Tuesday in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/720/2026, held that INEC is constitutionally empowered to issue election timetables and schedules of activities for elections.

The SDP had, in an originating summons filed on April 9, raised five questions for determination, including “whether having regard to Sections 82 and 84(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the defendant’s powers to receive notices, attend, observe and monitor party primaries extend to fixing or prescribing the timetable within which political parties must conduct their primaries.”

The party sought seven reliefs, among them an order restraining INEC from enforcing timelines allegedly inconsistent with the Electoral Act, 2026.

My Plan For Abia – PDP Gov Candidate 

Kelechi Anosike, who on Sunday emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, has unveiled his plans for the state.

Anosike polled a total of 16,543 votes to defeat his closest rivalry, John Okiyi Kalu, who polled 3,145 votes and Kelechi Mba, who polled 971 votes.

Highlighting his plans for the state, Anosike said, “There is no doubt that our government, when we return, will be a caring government. We care for the people, and the policies we pursue will be people-first policies. So we are telling them that no more will any Abian go to bed with hungry, empty stomach, never again.

“So we are sponsoring an operation, Feed the Abian, OFA. It is a back-to-farm state policy. So we need to generate enough food that will sustain our people. This government will pay above the prescribed minimum wage.”

According to him, Abia State is not poor, but poorly managed, adding that his government will be responsive.

“This victory is for the youths who are craving for opportunities in the state. So the time has come to give them a sense of belonging in the state, and for women who seek inclusion, and for businessmen who seek micro credit facilities.

“So what is going happen is that our doors are open, our gates are open to welcome as many parties who want to collaborate with us, and many individuals who wish to come back to the party”.

Ex-Senate President commends Otti’s transformation of Aba market 

Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara has expressed his excitement over the ongoing transformation of Ariaria International Market, Aba, describing the remodelled commercial hub as comparable to markets in London and other developed parts of the world.

In a statement he signed on Monday, Wabara commended the state governor, Alex Otti over the market transformation, stating “the intervention reflects deliberate efforts to revive Aba’s economic glory”.

Wabara added, “Having personally visited the remodelled Ariaria International Market in Aba, I must sincerely commend Governor Alex Otti for the remarkable transformation taking place in one of the most strategic commercial hubs in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

“What I saw at Ariaria was beyond ordinary renovation, the market now wears the appearance of modern business districts obtainable in advanced economies.”

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP urged Otti not to relent until the entire Ariaria International Market remodelling project is fully completed.

While declaring that good governance and performance should always be acknowledged irrespective of political differences, Wabara said, “As an elder statesman, I believe that when leaders perform creditably, they deserve commendation irrespective of political affiliations. Governance should always be about the people and the collective progress of society, not partisan considerations.”

PDP warns against alleged plot to revoke secretariat’s C-of-O 

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of plotting to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of its state secretariat in Abakaliki as part of alleged efforts to weaken opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The opposition party made the allegation on Monday in a statement jointly signed by the state Chairman, Chukwuma Igwe; State Secretary, Henry Ngonu; and State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Onwe.

The party further alleged that security agencies were used by the state government last week to chase its members out of the secretariat when they attempted to clean up the premises ahead of the party primaries.

According to the statement, the PDP was drawing the attention of security agencies, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the diplomatic community and the general public to what it described as “machinations to stifle democracy in Ebonyi State and, by extension, Nigeria.”

The party alleged that the state government had, in recent years, deployed public resources to suppress dissenting voices, particularly opposition political parties and the PDP.