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Filling INEC APC Loyalists: SERAP, BudgIT, 34 Citizens Sue Tinubu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT and 34 concerned Nigerians have dragged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to court over “the appointment of at least four members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and allies of high-ranking politicians as new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
Deputy Director, SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare disclosed this in a statement made available to Biztellers on Sunday in Lagos.
Recall that the Senate has confirmed the appointment of seven out of 10 newly appointed RECs for INEC.
Oluwadare pointed out that “The alleged APC members appointed as RECs include those from Akwa Ibom, Edo, Lagos and Rivers States.”
Biztellers gathered that in the suit number FHC/L/CS/2353/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the Plaintiffs prayed for, “an order setting aside the nomination, confirmation and appointment of the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC, for being unconstitutional, unlawful, null, void and of no effect.”
The statement highlighted that the Plaintiffs also asked the FHC for, “an order of mandamus to compel President Tinubu and Senate President Mr Godswill Akpabio to remove the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC, in line with Section 157 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].”
In addition, they prayed the court to enter “an order of mandamus to direct and compel President Tinubu to appoint qualified Nigerians who are persons of unquestionable integrity and a non-member of a political party or loyalist to the positions of RECs for INEC, in line with Paragraph 14(3)(b)(c), Third Schedule and Section 156 of the Nigerian Constitution.”
The Plaintiffs argued in the suit that, “The status, powers, independence of INEC, and the impartiality with which it acts and is seen to be allowed to act, are fundamental to the integrity of Nigeria’s elections and effectiveness of citizens’ democratic rights.”
They are also arguing that, “INEC ought to be the primary guarantor of the integrity and purity of the electoral process. President Tinubu and the Senate have the constitutional responsibilities to ensure both the appearance and the actual independence and impartiality in the nomination and confirmation of INEC top officials.”
According to the Plaintiffs, “The credibility and legitimacy of elections depend mostly on the independence and impartiality of those appointed to manage the process. Without an independent and impartial INEC, the democratic rights of Nigerians would remain illusory.”
The Plaintiffs further argued that, “Anyone to be appointed as RECs for INEC must clearly be non-partisan, independent, impartial and neutral. INEC officials ought to be able to discharge their legal duties and implement the Electoral Act without fear or favour.
“Nigeria’s electoral body must enjoy the independence from direction or control, whether from the government or any other quarter. It must be accountable to the electorate, and act accordingly.”
The suit filed on behalf of the Plaintiffs by their lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part, “As public officers, President Tinubu and Mr Godswill Akpabio are required to act in conformity with their oath of office and the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended].
“Treating INEC as a line department accountable to bureaucratic higher-ups and high-ranking politicians rather than as an independent and impartial body is antithetical to constitutional and international standards and the notion of the rule of law.
“The use of the word ‘non-partisan’ means that those to be appointed to conduct credible elections must not be people who openly identify as belonging to a political party, whose occupation is politics or who are perceived by ordinary Nigerians as having political biases.
“Section 153(1) (f) of the Nigerian Constitution provides that ‘There shall be established for the Federation the following bodies, namely – (f) Independent National Electoral Commission.’
“Section 156(1) of the Nigerian Constitution provides among others that, ‘in the case of the Independent National Electoral Commission, he[she] [the person to be appointed as a REC] shall not be a member of a political party.’
“Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution provides among others that ‘2. A member [of INEC] shall –a. be non-partisan and a person of unquestionable integrity… 3. a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall –b. be a person of unquestionable integrity and shall not be a member of any political party.’
“Under Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, ‘The appointment of a Resident Electoral Commissioner shall be in compliance with section 14 (3) of the Nigerian Constitution.’
“The nomination, confirmation and appointment of the alleged APC members as RECs for INEC is a breach of Section 6(4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 156(1)(a) and Paragraph 14 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.
“The United Nations Human Rights Committee has stated that states including Nigeria should establish independent electoral authorities to supervise the electoral process and to ensure that elections are conducted fairly, impartially and in accordance with established laws and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The African Union’s African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance to which Nigeria is a state party also calls upon state parties to establish and strengthen independent and impartial national electoral bodies responsible for the management of elections.
“Those recently appointed as RECs and confirmed by the Senate include an individual who was formerly a member of the PDP before allegedly ‘decamping’ to the APC and who served as the Chief of Staff to Mr Godswill Akpabio when he was Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“The alleged APC members or loyalists also include individuals who reportedly campaigned on social media for the election of President Tinubu and who was appointed as chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board in 2001 when Mr Tinubu governed the state.”
Other parties named in the suit as Defendants include, the INEC; Mr Godswill Akpabio, for himself and on behalf of the Senate; and Messrs Etekamba Umoren; Isah Shaka Ehimeakne; Anugbum Onuoha; and Bunmi Omoseyindemi.
The court is yet to fix any hearing date for the suit.
The Salvation for All Souls Global Outreach, SAFAS, a leading evangelical ministry with a focus on delivering free humanitarian and robust healthcare for the less privileged in the society has concluded its one-day free medical outreach in Ifewara, Osun State, where hundreds of residents benefitted from various healthcare services.
The outreach, which was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Akinyemi Memorial Grammar School, offered free medical consultations, health screenings, surgeries, dental care, medications, eye care services including free glasses, as well as health education.
The ministry also provided financial support to widows and widowers in the community.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Osun State chapter, forms part of SAFAS’ established model of combining medical intervention with a follow-up crusade, a structure the organisation has previously implemented in Lagos, Abeokuta and Ibadan before extending to Ifewara.
Speaking on the development, the President of SAFAS, Apostle BOT Adeyemi, said the outreach reflects the organisation’s commitment to meeting the holistic needs of communities, noting that the model has consistently delivered impact across different locations as it addresses both physical and spiritual concerns.
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Also, the Media Director of SAFAS, Ayomikun Bamgboye, explained that the approach goes beyond immediate relief, adding that the integration of medical outreach with a crusade ensures sustained engagement and deeper transformation within host communities, as seen in previous outreaches across the country.
One of the participating medical practitioners, who spoke on the exercise, described the outreach as timely and impactful, noting that many beneficiaries accessed quality healthcare services they would otherwise not have been able to afford.
Following the medical outreach, the organisation is set to commence a crusade in Ifewara from April 27 to May 1, 2026, aimed at providing spiritual support and reinforcing the gains recorded during the medical intervention.
SAFAS has continued to expand its outreach footprint across Nigeria through integrated programmes that combine healthcare delivery with social and spiritual support for underserved communities.
Photo Caption
Health officials offering free medicals at the event
Tragedy struck in Kogi State as armed men invaded an orphanage facility and abducted 24 persons, including 23 pupils and the wife of the school proprietor, in a violent night attack that has thrown the community into panic.
The Kogi State Government confirmed the incident on Monday, revealing that security operatives have so far rescued 15 of the victims, while efforts are ongoing to free the remaining abductees.
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According to the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, the attack occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, when gunmen stormed the premises of the Dahallukitab Group of Schools, a facility located in a remote and bushy area of the state.
Fanwo explained that the orphanage was not registered with the state government, describing its operation as illegal and noting that it had no formal approval or security clearance from relevant authorities.
He said the attackers whisked away 23 pupils alongside the wife of the proprietor before security agencies swiftly responded to the distress call.
“The swift intervention of security agencies led to the rescue of 15 of the abductees, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims,” the commissioner stated.
Security operatives, led by the Nigeria Police Force in Kogi State and supported by other agencies, have intensified search-and-rescue operations in surrounding forests and suspected escape routes.
Fanwo commended the professionalism of the security forces, noting that their rapid response helped prevent a worse outcome.
He also raised concerns over the operation of unregistered schools and orphanages in isolated locations, warning that such establishments expose children and staff to serious security risks.
According to him, the government has reiterated its warning to operators of educational and care facilities to ensure proper registration and compliance with safety regulations.
He added that investigations are ongoing, while assuring residents that the government remains committed to rescuing the remaining victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Security has since been reinforced in the affected area as search operations continue.
Residents of Gako Village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State were thrown into mourning following a deadly midnight attack that claimed the lives of a pastor and his entire family.
The victims, identified as Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife Chundung Ayuba, and their two children, Cyril and Endurance Ayuba, were reportedly killed when suspected gunmen stormed the community at about 11 p.m. on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, forcing residents to flee for safety.
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A community member, Martha Dalyop, described the attack as terrifying, noting that the gunmen invaded the village under the cover of darkness and shot sporadically.
She lamented that repeated attacks in the area have left villagers living in constant fear, with many unable to sleep in their homes or access their farms.
Confirming the incident, the publicity secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder Association, Rwang Tengwong, said the latest assault reflects a troubling pattern in the operations of the attackers.
According to him, the gunmen often split into groups during attacks, with some targeting residents, others destroying farmlands, and another group blocking roads to prevent escape or intervention.
Tengwong further revealed that within the past 48 hours, large portions of farmland in Kassa, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, were destroyed by gunmen.
Crops such as cabbage, hot pepper, and maize were affected, compounding the hardship faced by farmers in the region.
The latest killings have heightened tension across Riyom and neighbouring Barkin Ladi communities, with residents calling on security agencies and government authorities to urgently step up efforts to curb the persistent violence and protect lives and livelihoods.
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