By Our Correspondent

Apparently worried by the presentation of palliatives to the electorate to win their votes during electioneering campaign by politicians, an aspirant to Idemili North/South Federal constituency, Anambra state, kene Igboebisi, Friday, reminded the electorate that such presentation of bags of rice to them means buying their votes not caring for them.

The politician further noted that sponsored candidates should not be voted for because on getting to the office the candidate has to dance to the tune of the sponsor, (god father/patron).

His words, “Spreading bags of rice should not be reason for voting a candidate during election. How long will the rice last for you. All they are doing is just buying your votes and not actually caring for you as a person.

“You should not be in politics if you are being sponsored by a god father or a patron. As an aspirant what has he done to the people for the past 10 years and not when election will come up in two years’ time he starts to share palliatives to buy your votes.

“Representing people is not about you enriching yourself but to serve people who send you there to represent them. My foundation, Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation, that provides scholarships, empower youths among others has been in existence more than 10 years ego. We watch elections come and go. They say charity begins at home. What have you done to your community that deserve your being there.

“I am an accomplished man, in my own private life. Ask the aspirant what has he done to the people for the past 10 years not two years because one who has been for two years sharing palliatives does that because he knows election is near.

“I am going there to serve because I have something to offer. I am not going to owe anybody, I am going on myself not sponsored. People who started to share palliatives in 2024 to 2025 know there is an election coming up in 2026, just two years.

“Again having wealth does not translate to quality representation. Politics should be for those who have accomplished in public life and they are coming to serve the people. We need somebody that is with strenght, capacity to go there and fight for our right. One who can represent us fully,” Igboebisi stated.

By David Owei

Governor Ademola Adeleke has chided the Osun State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for its condemnable threats to unleash federal might on Osun voters on August 15, warning that federal might is for Good governance, not election rigging.

Addressing leaders and ward officials of the enlarged Accord across the 332 wards in Osun state, the governor berated the Osun APC for dragging President Bola Tinubu’s names in mud through its constant vow to deploy federal institutions to rig forthcoming elections, clarifying that Mr President as a democrat is not involved in such brazen anti-democratic boasts.

“The President is using federal power to deliver on good governance like the ongoing reconstruction of Ibadan-Ilesa road, the loan programmes for students, the pledge to institute state police among others, noting that neither the president nor the top leaders around him supports threats by the Osun APC to disrupt upcoming Osun polls.

“I task Osun APC to stop denigrating the names of Mr President and the Federal Government. Instead of supporting Mr President and showing the world that the number one citizen is a democrat in words and actions, Osun APC’s campaign slogans have been all the way anti-people and anti-democracy.

“Osun people are passionate about free and fair elections. Our people are insistent on their votes deciding who wins, who governs them. Our duty as candidates is to market our manifestoes and seek their votes. Only electoral bandits boast of rigging in a democracy”, the governor told the party chiefs and leaders.

“I call on Osun people to sustain and heighten their preparedness for August 15. Your votes will determine the winners. No force can override the people and God. Ignore those threatening you with federal power. They don’t have the support of Mr President”, the governor noted.

The main speaker at the event, Rt Hon Lasun Yusuf charged the leaders to be on electoral war footing through house to house mobilisation and defence of votes and voting processes, declaring that the people own the power and their votes must count.

Chairman of Elders’ Forum, Senator Olu Alabi called on elders across the local governments to launch out on electoral preparations to deliver their areas for Accord and ensure the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Chairman of Imole Movement, Prof. Wale Oladipo and the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Sunday Bisi reaffirmed the endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke by the PDP, directing that PDP structures across the state should work and deliver votes for Governor Adeleke.

House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun who was accompanied by members of the Osun State House of Assembly urged leaders at the meeting to target over two million membership registration for the Accord, vowing that the governor will be overwhelmingly re-elected come August 15th.

By George Mgbeleke

As the nation draws close to 2027 election, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Joash Amupitan has admitted that the commission faces a significant “trust deficit” with the public and on the media to help reshape the national narrative ahead of a busy cycle of polls.

The INEC Boss made this declaration during a courtesy visit from the Executive Committee of the INEC Press Corps in Abuja on Wednesday.

Recall that this was the first formal meeting between the commission’s leadership and the specialist media group since Professor Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was appointed to the role in late 2025.

On rebuilding Public Confidence,Professor Amupitan commended the media for their professional support, noting that the commission remains acutely aware of the skepticism often held by the Nigerian electorate.

He urged the media to partner with INEC in ensuring that the transparency of the electoral process is effectively communicated to the 200 million-strong population.

Earlier,Chairman of the Press Corps, Segun Ojumu, who led the delegation, praised the “transparent manner” in which Professor Amupitan has managed the commission since taking office.

Mr. Ojumu described Nigerian elections as a “huge logistical challenge” that requires the collaboration of all stakeholders to succeed.

The Chairman was accompanied by:
John Onah, Assistant Secretary of the Press Corps and
Chux Ukwuatu, Welfare Director.

The Road to 2027 and Beyond

The meeting comes as INEC ramps up preparations for several high-stakes elections. Nigeria is currently following a revised electoral roadmap following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.

The 2027 General Election

The commission has scheduled the next nationwide polls for early 2027:
January 16, 2027: Presidential and National Assembly elections.

February 6, 2027: Governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
Off-Cycle Governorship Polls
Before the general elections, the commission faces critical “litmus tests” in two southwest states where the electoral cycles are out of sync with the rest of the country.

These “off-cycle” elections are often seen as indicators of the commission’s readiness for the national stage:
Ekiti State: Scheduled for June 20, 2026.
Osun State: Scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Professor Amupitan, who succeeded Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has pledged to deliver “free, fair, and inclusive” polls as the country enters this intensive electoral window.