Leading opposition figures, including a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, are currently gathered at Transcorp in Abuja to present their position on the Electoral Act.

Also present are former Senate President David Mark, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Buba Galadima, a former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and the National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola.

The opposition leaders, who are meeting at the Lagos/Osun Hall of Transcorp Hilton, are expected to address journalists on contentious provisions of the Electoral Act, as well as other key national issues.

Other stakeholders at the venue include the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Senator Dino Melaye; a former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu; and a former Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, among others.

Under the Electoral Act 2022, political parties were permitted to nominate candidates through direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries conducted by delegates, or by consensus arrangements reached by party leaders.

However, the 2026 Electoral Act, recently passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu on February 18, restricts parties to only direct primaries and consensus options.

In addition, the new law shortens campaign periods and timelines for primaries, while funding for the Independent National Electoral Commission will now be released six months before an election, instead of the previous 12 months.

(Punch)

•Peter Akpe. Photo: Bayelsa State Govt

Dr Peter Akpe will likely be sworn-in today as the new deputy governor by Bayelsa State House of Assembly

Before his nomination and approval by the Assembly yesterday , Dr Akpe was the Chief of Staff to Governor Douye Diri.

The development followed the demise of the former deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, after he slumped in the office on December 11, 2025 and was buried on January 30, 2026.

The governor insisted that no action would be taken on appointing a replacement for the deputy governor until after the burial.

Akpe, a former majority leader of the State House of Assembly, was swiftly cleared by the lawmakers, who congratulated him amid cheers.

Akpe, a trusted aide and a maternal cousin to Diri, is a seasoned administrator and politician.

He holds a Ph.D in Administration and Planning from the University of Port Harcourt and has extensive public service experience, including roles as Head of Administration in the Office of the Deputy Governor (2006–2007), Service Commission Member (2008–2011), Leader of the House (2011–2019), Deputy Chief of Staff, and Chief of Staff at Government House (2020–2024).He is also a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a part-time lecturer at the Redeemer’s University, Ede.

Former Edo State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) national leader Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, along with Labour Party stalwart Peter Obi, narrowly escaped an attack by suspected hoodlums at Oyegun’s residence in Benin City.

The incident occurred while key political figures, including Peter Obi, were reportedly engaged in a meeting at the residence. Eyewitnesses described a sudden assault that left visible signs of violence, including broken bottles scattered around the premises, bullet holes on the gate, and damaged vehicles parked nearby.

The attack followed closely on the heels of a separate invasion at the ADC secretariat in Benin, where hoodlums vandalized party property shortly after activities linked to political realignments, including reported defections and alliances involving opposition figures.

No casualties were immediately reported from the residence incident, and both Oyegun and Obi are said to be safe. The timing has raised concerns of targeted intimidation amid growing speculation about opposition coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections, including potential ADC-Obidient (supporters of Peter Obi) collaborations that Oyegun has publicly endorsed as a pathway to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chief John Odigie-Oyegun reacted to the development, describing it as “deeply troubling and unacceptable” in the context of recent threats to the party.

He called for a thorough investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, emphasizing that such acts undermine democratic processes and must be deterred.

Security operatives have yet to provide an official account or confirm arrests related to the attack.

The incidents have heightened tensions within Edo’s political landscape, where the ADC has been positioning itself as an alternative platform attracting defectors and opposition voices.

Party sources described the events as attempts to disrupt emerging alliances and stifle political momentum.

Further details on the meeting’s agenda and any official police investigation are awaited as the situation develops.