Politics
Anambra: Journalists, Party Chairmen Left Stranded At INEC Office
Several party chairmen and journalists were left stranded at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Awka on Thursday, as the state’s Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Dr Queen Agwu, declined to address their inquiries.
The group had gathered to observe the transportation of electoral materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria in Awka, but were unable to gain entry.
At around 8 pm, party chairmen and agents were seen at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office, where they claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had loaded voting materials onto trucks without providing them with the necessary serial numbers for documentation.
The state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ndubisi Nwobu, spoke to journalists and expressed disappointment with the attitude of the INEC officials.
He stated that the party agents were eager to obtain information about the voting materials so that they could communicate the details to their party officials and cross-check them upon arrival.
“We want to believe that the materials will not leave this night. We are hoping that by tomorrow morning, INEC will avail them of the serial number of the materials before leaving CBN,” Nwobu stated.
He, however, said they saw some of the INEC officials though it appeared they were very busy.
“We are hoping that tomorrow morning before the materials leave CBN, INEC officials will avail us with the serial numbers of various local government councils. It is already 8 pm,” he said.
In a separate statement, the state chairman of the Young Progressive Party, Prince Moses Obi, expressed surprise that INEC officials had loaded the voting materials without acknowledging their presence or addressing their concerns.
Obi said, “We were here to inspect the arrival and the leaving of INEC voting materials from the CBN for the Saturday elections. I am not happy with the process they adopted. INEC needs to avail us of the details of the serial numbers of materials to local government councils.”
Journalists who had gone to cover the distribution of voting materials were also unable to access the Resident Electoral Commission (REC). Furthermore, less than 24 hours before the general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra state had not yet accredited journalists for the election.
Despite visiting the INEC office in Awka since Wednesday, journalists reported that the commission kept giving excuses for their failure to distribute the necessary accreditation tags.
A journalist who doesn’t want his name in print said, “It was the same story that was given again when we visited on Wednesday. We were told to check back on Thursday.
“None of the INEC officials offered cogent reasons. The PRO only told us that tags have not come and that they will soon come and until now we have not gotten any.”
Journalists who had gathered at the commission on Thursday to obtain their accreditation tags left the premises disappointed and angry as they were informed that the tags were not yet ready for distribution.
According to sources, journalists in other states have already been accredited and received their tags.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially kicked off its nationwide elections, marking the start of a major leadership renewal ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for April 14, 2026.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Prince Chinedu Idigo, and National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, outlined the timetable for the election process.
According to the statement, polling unit and ward congresses will hold on April 7, followed by local government area congresses on April 9 and state congresses on April 11.
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The exercise is part of ADC’s constitutional mandate to refresh its leadership structures across all levels, culminating in the national convention in April. Party members interested in contesting vacant positions have been urged to obtain and submit nomination or expression of interest forms via the official ADC website.
“This process forms part of the party’s constitutional responsibility to renew its leadership structures across all levels of the organisation, culminating in the national convention,” the statement said.
The party also called on members nationwide to participate actively in the congresses and to conduct themselves in accordance with ADC’s constitution, guidelines, and democratic principles.
The nationwide elections are expected to set the stage for a robust leadership team as ADC positions itself strategically ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A former senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Abubakar Umar Gada, has assured members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the party remains strong and united in Sokoto State despite recent defections by some political figures.
Gada gave the assurance in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto, where he urged party loyalists to remain calm, focused and committed to the ideals of the PDP.
According to him, political defections are not unusual in Nigeria’s democratic landscape and should not be seen as a threat to the stability and strength of the party in the state.
SEE MORE: PDP’s Festering Crisis Chases Tambuwal to ADC
The former lawmaker stressed that the PDP still enjoys a strong grassroots presence in Sokoto, noting that the party’s structure across the state remains intact and capable of delivering electoral victories.
He explained that the strength of the PDP lies in the loyalty and dedication of its members, leaders and supporters who have remained committed to the party through various political challenges.
Gada also pointed out that politics allows individuals the freedom to make personal decisions, but maintained that the PDP as an institution remains resilient and firmly rooted in the aspirations of the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria.
He further disclosed that the party’s national leadership has already initiated measures aimed at strengthening internal unity and consolidating party structures across the country.
According to him, consultations and reconciliation efforts are currently ongoing among key stakeholders to address emerging concerns and reinforce unity within the party.
Gada noted that such engagements are designed to ensure the PDP moves forward with renewed focus, stronger unity and a clear commitment to democratic values.
He recalled that the party has successfully navigated several political challenges in the past and has consistently emerged stronger.
The former senator therefore urged PDP members in Sokoto State to remain steadfast and avoid actions capable of creating divisions within the party.
He also called on supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and strengthen party structures across all levels as the party prepares for future political contests.
The lingering intra-party crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has forced senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal to dump the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, disclosed this in a resignation letter dated March 11, 2026, addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Tambuwal/Shinfiri Ward of Tambuwal Local Government Area.
The letter, which was made available to journalists on Thursday, said the decision followed consultations with his political associates and supporters.
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“After deep reflection and extensive consultations with my political associates and supporters, I have decided to resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect,” Tambuwal stated.
According to the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lingering disputes and leadership disagreements in the PDP made it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
“The persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and growing divisions within the party have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my membership,” he added.
Despite leaving the party, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities it gave him to serve in different capacities.
“I remain grateful to the party for the platform it provided me to serve Nigeria as Speaker of the House of Representatives and later as Governor of Sokoto State,” he said.
Tambuwal confirmed that he had joined the ADC alongside his political associates and supporters, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen democratic values and provide a credible political alternative.
“My decision is guided by the conviction that Nigeria requires a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to national development,” he added.
Tambuwal served as Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 before emerging governor of Sokoto State in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). He later defected to the PDP the same year and was re-elected governor in 2019.
After completing his second term in 2023, he was elected to the Nigerian Senate to represent Sokoto South.
His defection to the ADC is expected to alter the political dynamics in Sokoto State, where he remains one of the state’s most influential political figures.
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