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Ajadi Opposes 2026 Elections Proposal as Disruptive

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Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal

Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal, warning that shifting Nigeria’s 2027 polls could disrupt governance and weaken electoral preparations

Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal, warning that the National Assembly’s plan to move Nigeria’s general elections forward by several months could harm democratic processes and disrupt governance.

Also read: Nkiruka Cynthia Ajah Launches Luxury Lifestyle and Eyewear Brands, CNM Essentials and CNM Spectra

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi, a South-West chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), issued the caution on Thursday, responding to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 currently under consideration by lawmakers.

The bill proposes holding presidential and governorship elections in November 2026, rather than the traditional February/March 2027 dates. Its stated aim is to ensure the conclusion of all election petitions before the May 29 handover.

But Ajadi, who was the NNPP’s Ogun State governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, described the proposal as *unnecessary, ill-timed, and counterproductive.

According to him, “Shifting the election to 2026 will weaken political institutions and plunge the nation into prolonged politicking at the expense of governance.”

He noted that credible elections require adequate time for preparation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and candidates. Compressing the timeline, he warned, would place undue pressure on the entire system.

Ajadi insisted the judiciary—not the legislature—should bear the responsibility for ensuring that election petitions are resolved promptly, rather than altering the electoral calendar to accommodate litigation concerns.

“The rationale does not hold water. It is the judiciary’s responsibility to prioritise electoral cases and conclude them within a reasonable time. Shifting elections forward undermines planning, preparation, and stability,” he stated.

Ajadi opposes 2026 elections proposal also on grounds that it could disrupt governance and ongoing reforms, especially with ministers and state governors already under pressure to deliver on campaign promises.

“We cannot be in a perpetual election cycle. Development suffers when politics takes centre stage too early. The National Assembly must be mindful of the grave implications,” he said.

Ajadi’s remarks come amid broader national debate, with other opposition voices also criticising the proposed amendment for its potential to strain institutions and distract from governance.

Also read: NNPP faction slams Kwankwaso, says he’s the “Betrayer”

As discussions on the Electoral Act amendment continue, the NNPP stalwart urged lawmakers to consult widely and prioritise the long-term health of Nigeria’s democracy over procedural convenience.

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Araraume’s victory at the APC senatorial primary election: A resurgence of political structure in Imo North

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Araraume

Senator Ifeanyi Araraume records a landslide Araraume Imo APC primary victory across Imo North wards in a decisive party contest (more…)

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Ondo APC Primaries, Allegations Against Governor Aiyedatiwa,False, Malicious and Criminal- AG

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False Claims Against Aiyedatiwa dismissed by Ondo Attorney General, who says APC primaries complied with due process and the law (more…)

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I Won Delta North APC Primary, Results Manipulated- Ned Nwoko

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The senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Ned Nwoko has said that he won the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta North Senatorial primary. He adding that government manipulated the APC primaries to favour Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

He further claimed that he defeated Ifeanyi Okowa at the Delta North senatorial primary.

Nwoko stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Asaba.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, claiming the process lacked transparency and fairness.

“The process was manipulated from day one. The State Government. It’s something that they conspired to produce results for what they saw, or what they produced,” he alleged.

Senator Nwoko further stated that his camp possesses copies of the ward-by-ward results as well as video evidence from the primaries, adding that the materials had already been submitted.

“We have submitted them. Halfway through the primary, we got a message on our phones that no results should be announced at the ward level—that they should be collected and then announced later at the national in Abuja. We’ll announce the results. And so, we thought we’d be law-abiding. And suddenly, we saw some news. We saw only that one video—of one of the wards in Ika North East, which is a ward where the major assistant known to everybody that worked with the Governor, they are from that particular village, next to the Governor’s village. It was just one video, showing three people in a line, and then the rest that were probably not more than 500. That’s what I saw in the video. Although in the result, they said there were 5,000,” he explained.

Nwoko maintained that the video showing Ifeanyi Okowa being declared winner represented only one ward out of the 98 wards involved in the exercise. He challenged party officials to release results and supporting evidence from the remaining wards to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.

The statement further reads
“I want you to understand something. The video that you saw, where Ifeanyi Okowa was announced as the winner, just one video from one ward out of 98 wards. Maybe they should show us other videos. They must show us the figures,” he insisted.

The senator said he would reject any outcome upheld by the APC national leadership if it contradicts what he described as the genuine mandate of party members at the primaries.

“I wouldn’t accept. Because I have a mandate. I have a mandate by the people,” he said.

The statement threw more light on the allegations of intimidation and violence in areas considered to be Nwoko’s
strongholds,

It reads “the reports of intimidation and violence during the primaries are isolated incidents that did not affect the overall outcome.

“They were just isolated cases, maybe in about 10 wards out of 98. Not enough to make a difference,” he added.

“I left the PDP due to limited freedom to operate as a senator, alleging interference in projects and decision-making by the state leadership.

“I was in PDP. I got elected as a PDP Senator. But I realized that my people there—the Governor, Okowa himself—you know, didn’t allow me to operate freely.”

“I’m stating categorically and unequivocally that high voter turnout and video evidence from across wards demonstrated clear support for my candidacy in all 98 wards.

“They came out in mass to vote for me. It’s also an indication of who they want. I’m referring to all the videos! I hope that you should also have some videos to show you. As simple as that,” he maintained.

“I expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would intervene to review the process, while maintaining that he remained committed to the party and would not act against its interests.

“I’m not going to say I’m going to work against the party; I’m going to work for the party. But I can assure you of this: I’m sure that the President will intervene in this matter.”

“We have submitted the results from the 98 wards, with the videos. I’m not worried. I’m not thinking about working against the party, and I wouldn’t do that because of the interest of the people that make up the party, the masses. And of course, I said because also I am confident that the President will intervene in a matter of this nature,” the statement reads

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