By George Mgbeleke

lhedioha, the former Governor of Imo State, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Ihedioha completed his registration on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Mbutu Ward, Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, where he was issued his official ADC membership card, Number 001.

The report from the ADC secretariat states that his registration was conducted by the Ward Secretary, Prince Obinna Opara, while the Ward Chairman, Chief Alex Ahamuefula, presented the membership card.

The event was witnessed by party leaders, stakeholders, and community leaders, including Evangelist Dr. Obi Nwaigwe, Mayor of Mbutu, and Hon. Jonathan Egbule, Chairman of Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area, among others.

Speaking after the registration, Ihedioha said his decision to join the ADC was deliberate and based on his belief in the party’s principles of accountability, clear values, and service to the people.

He said Nigeria and Imo State require leadership focused on public interest and responsive governance.

“Our people want leadership that listens, serves, and puts the common good above personal interest. I am convinced that the ADC provides a credible platform to pursue these goals,” he said.

Ihedioha added that his decision to register at the ward level reflected his commitment to grassroots politics.

National party officials present included the ADC National Vice Chairman (South East), Sir Bon Unachukwu; Deputy Diaspora Coordinator, Maigari Bello Kasimu; and Uko Nkole, Coordinator of the Nigerian Former Legislators Forum.

Sir Bon Unachukwu described Ihedioha’s entry into the party as a boost to the ADC’s profile in the South East and nationally, noting that the party was pleased to welcome a former governor and experienced public servant.

The Imo State Chairman of ADC, Prof. James Okoroma, led members of the State Executive Committee to receive the former governor and witness the registration.

Welcoming him on behalf of the party, Prof. Okoroma said Ihedioha’s decision strengthened the ADC in Imo State and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to internal democracy and grassroots mobilisation.

By George Mgbeleke

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public confidence in the electoral process as it begins early strategic preparations for the 2026 off-cycle polls and the 2027 general election.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this on Tuesday at a Leadership Workshop organised by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for INEC leadership, holding from January 13 to 15, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Prof. Amupitan described the workshop as timely, noting that the Commission is navigating a critical period of leadership transition marked by changes at the top and the retirement of several directors and senior management staff after years of distinguished service to the nation.

He said institutional continuity must be anchored on INEC Starts the 2027 Clock: Commission Moves Early to Rebuild Trust, Reset Strategy Amid Leadership Transition
rather than the mere preservation of structures.

According to him, continuity does not imply sameness but the ability to faithfully carry forward INEC’s constitutional mandate while adapting to emerging realities with insight and resolve.

Looking ahead to the 2026 off-cycle elections and the 2027 General Election, the INEC Chairman said Nigerians expect an electoral management body that is independent in thought and action, transparent in its processes, professional in conduct and credible in its outcomes.

He explained that these expectations informed the Commission’s ongoing induction and strategic retreat aimed at setting a clear direction for 2027 and beyond.

Prof. Amupitan acknowledged that despite significant reforms recorded between 2015 and 2023, public confidence in the electoral process remains fragile.

He warned that democracy cannot thrive without trust, noting that misinformation and disinformation have increasingly undermined confidence in elections.

“In an era where fake news travels faster than the truth, INEC is often compelled to defend its integrity against orchestrated falsehoods even before the first vote is cast,” he said.

He reaffirmed that under his leadership, the Commission remains firmly committed to delivering free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections in strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.

He added that rebuilding public confidence is a daily operational responsibility that guides every decision of the Commission.

Prof. Amupitan further noted that the leadership workshop, which brought together the Chairman and all National Commissioners, reflects INEC’s belief in collective leadership and shared responsibility in addressing electoral risks and seizing emerging opportunities.

Also speaking at the event, the IFES Regional Director for Africa and Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Seray Jah, said the workshop marks the early strategic phase of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 General Election, stressing that the credibility of elections is largely shaped by decisions taken early in the electoral cycle.

He said IFES has partnered with INEC since 1998 in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system through support for strategic planning, election operations, technology deployment, institutional reform and inclusion.

According to him, the workshop provides INEC’s leadership with an opportunity to reflect on emerging challenges, including increasingly complex logistics, the responsible use of technology, misinformation and AI-driven risks, internal coordination, and public confidence in a highly polarised environment.

Mr. Jah reaffirmed IFES’ commitment to supporting INEC throughout the 2027 electoral cycle and beyond, while also acknowledging the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in promoting electoral integrity and democratic governance in Nigeria.

The three-day workshop brought together INEC National Commissioners, senior management staff and international partners to deliberate on strategic opportunities and challenges in electoral administration, with a focus on leadership, institutional resilience and public trust.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Two prominent youth-based organizations in Zone A’ Senatorial Districts in Niger State have passionately called on a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alhaji Mohammed Ndarani, SAN to indicate his interest to contest the ( Zone A’) Senatorial Districts seat in the 2027 general elections.

They cited his record of philanthropy, grassroots engagement and leadership credentials as some reasons behind their call.

The members of the groups who came in there large numbers made the presentation at a brief ceremony in Abuja on Monday

The Niger South Coalition of Youth Groups, in a letter endorsed by its Coordinator, Hon. Abdullahi Muhammad Gangwa, said the decision to propose Ndarani’s candidacy followed extensive consultations across the eight local government areas of the zone.

The coalition described Ndarani as the preferred choice of youths, noting that his public popularity, community presence and consistent service to humanity have positioned him as a beacon of hope for improved political leadership and effective representation.

According to the coalition, Ndarani’s experience, expertise and international exposure would add value to deliberations in the upper legislative chamber.

The group pledged to publicly present and support his candidacy and further undertook to purchase the required nomination forms, describing the move as a people-driven initiative aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Similarly, the Ndarani Advocacy Movement (NAM) also urged the legal luminary to vie for the Senate, declaring him the most qualified candidate to represent Niger South.

In a separate letter signed by its Chairman, Hon. Theophilus A. Mamman, the group said its support was anchored on Ndarani’s distinguished academic background, professional accomplishments as a SAN and his personal attributes of humility, empathy, philanthropy and effective communication.

The group noted that Ndarani’s qualities have made him a unifying figure capable of driving meaningful development and elevating the status of Niger South at the national level.

It stressed that the zone requires his vision, passion and expertise in the Senate to advance the interests of the people.

Responding, Alhaji Mohammed Ndarani,SAN, the Hukunchi Nupe and Hukunchi Kasan Hausa, appreciated them for the visit and for calling on him to contest for Senatorial seat in 2027.

He assured them that he would answer their calls at an appropriate time after due consultation.

“I am so delighted and overwhelmed that you people have come down to pay me a courtesy visit and to ask me to contest for the seat of Senate, Niger South Senatorial district, Zone A come 2027.

“This your Clarion Call is a call for service to humanity.

“I am very optimistic that by the special grace of God, I will do a robust consultation and I will come with a very informed position that is going to help us all, Nupe extraction, Nupe Kingdom and Niger State,” he said.

He said, “I will consult widely with my family members, friends, associates and other critical stakeholders before communicating my decision to the groups

He urged them to continue to advocate for good people to vie for leadership positions in the interest of peace and development of Niger State and Nigeria at large.

The learned silk commended the initiative and the confidence reposed in him.

In a goodwill message, Engr. Mohammed Dagachi Etsugaie, the National President of Community Association for Grassroots Transformation (CAGRAT) who said he was at the historic occasion as a civil society runner and friend of Ndarani
described him as a man of integrity whose past records of achievements speak volumes.

He said it was a positive development in politics when people voluntarily consider and invite an individual to contest for public office in a representative democracy.

Engr Dagachi noted that such a call reflects trust and the belief that the person would offer quality representation.

According to him, the youths’ decision underscores their conviction that Ndarani’s presence in the Senate would translate into effective advocacy and tangible benefits for Niger South.

Speakers, after the speaker in their goodwill messages, extolled the virtues of the legal icon in their approval for his Senatorial Candidacy.