By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with clarifying allegations that some of the postings and deployments recently carried out by the electoral body may have been “ethnically motivated” and given preference to officials from President Bola Tinubu’s South-West.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said it is in possession of intelligence and “direct complaints” regarding recent personnel changes and redeployments in some of the Commission’s “strategic departments and stations.”

The opposition party said it has received information that several officers from nothern part of the country who had served in departments like Electoral Operations and ICT are being moved away to other departments.

“We have specific names of officers moved from Electoral Operations and ICT in a number of northern states and replaced with officers from Lagos and other South-West states. INEC may dismiss this as routine. But we have noticed a pattern, especially along ethnic lines, and we are concerned,” the party said.

ADC said that while it is not accusing INEC of any “nefarious” plans yet, it believes that any suspicion or allegation that potentially undermines trust in and the credibility of the electoral umpire must not be dismissed lightly.

“Especially if those allegations border on sectional bias that could actively undermine the neutrality of election officials and the Commission’s own impartiality,” the party said.

“Regardless of the Commission’s motives, questions about regional concentration in sensitive departments cannot be brushed aside as routine administrative matters. And concentrating strategic operational appointments in a manner that suggests ethnic or sectional bias to give an advantage to President Tinubu and the APC must not be ignored.”

The ADC urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to publish the postings, selection criteria and reasons for the changes to reassure all citizens in every part of the country that they would be treated fairly and their electoral choice would not be undermined just because they speak a different language or come from another part of the country.

“Allowing such allegations to go without a serious, evidence-based rebuttal could have serious implications for the integrity of the elections,” the party warned.

By Our Correspondent

Mr Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, has been elected as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term.

Mr Dick was in Abuja last week to consult with the Nigerian parliament and sought their support. The Chairman of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and an Executive Member of the IPU, Godswill Akpabio had assured him of the support of Nigeria and to mobilize the support of the Africa Group of the IPU to support him.

Announcing the results in Arusha on Friday, the outgoing IPU leader, Dr. Tulia Ackson, said Milton Dick secured 56 percent of the total votes. His fellow candidates, Ms Sahiba Gafarova (Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan) and Mr Rojo Edwards Silva (Senator, Chile), received 38 percent and 6 percent of the votes respectively.

Dr Tulia stated that Gafarova got 124 votes while Mr Milton Dick collected 182 votes and Mr Edward Silver received 21 votes.

“So dear colleagues, let me now announce the winner please. Allow me to announce the winner please. The winner of the election of a President for the term 2026 to 2029 is Mr. Milton Dick, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia,” she announced.

Prior to his election, Milton Dick said there was the need for inclusive leadership that takes account of countries and parliaments that may have limited influence in international discussions.

By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the Tinubu administration’s proposed petrol price intervention as a loan to the Nigerian people, calling it a cynical and deceitful arrangement that insults common sense, even as an electoral gimmick.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the proposal operates on the principle of deferred payment, with Nigerians eventually paying the costs suppliers agree to absorb today.

“This is not subsidy. Calling it subsidy would be dignifying it. It is another announcement this government has made without thinking through what it means for the Nigerian people.

“The principle is straightforward: what suppliers forgo today, Nigerians will pay later. The government wants to announce a discount, collect the applause and leave the Nigerian people to settle the bill.

“Even as an electoral gimmick, it insults common sense. Nigerians know the difference between a discount and a debt. A payment postponed is still a payment owed.”

The party added that the separate 30-day waiver of NNPC’s retail profit margin offered no lasting answer to the cost-of-living crisis.

“Food bills and transport fares will not disappear after 30 days. Nigerians need lasting relief.

“President Tinubu wants gratitude now and repayment later. He cannot claim to have lifted a burden while making arrangements to put it back after 30 days.”