General
Sanwo-Olu’s Nominees Rejected for Poor Performance—Obasa
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has hinted that the state parliament failed to confirm 17 of the persons nominated as Commissioners by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu because they did not perform well in their first term in office between 2019 and 2023.
He said this on Monday while reacting to comments made by critics that the Lagos Assembly rejected the nominees because of an alleged in-fighting between the executive and the legislative arms of government.
However, he noted that the House would not be forced to spill some secrets to the public, warning those “living in glass houses…to be careful.”
He emphasised that the parliament would not be intimidated to carry out its constitutional role, submitting that if the rejected nominees “have not done well, we have right to say no and we have said no.”
“We don’t want instigations and conflicts; the executive and the House are working together; we are brothers and colleagues; we will continue to work together, but we need to caution fourth columnists not to instigate crisis,” Mr Obasa stressed.
As regards the rejection of the former Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Ababyomi, the visibly angry Speaker said considerations went beyond his efforts in the fight against COVID-19, which he described as an isolated issue in the challenged health sector of the state.
“Before Prof Abayomi, there were Leke Pitan, Dr Jide Idris and others. COVID-19 was an isolated case that was considered. Before COVID-19, we had Ebola which was also taken care of under Babatunde Fashola.
“Beyond all these, we are the representatives of the people, their mouthpieces, eyes and ears. The health sector of Lagos is not just about COVID-19. We have general hospitals and other healthcare centres around the State. What can be said about them?
“Before Engineer Aramide Adeyoye, we also had Engineer Ganiyu Johnson and Dr Obafemi Hamzat as Commissioner for Works and under whom the Ikoyi-Victoria Island link bridge was built while Babatunde Fashola was Governor. Under Bola Tinubu as Governor, there was a massive infrastructural development too.
“So, we must stop making allusions concerning some things we do not understand. They mentioned the former Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho and his experience, but how about actions in office?” Mr Obasa asked.
He said the civil society groups, which are threatening to protest the action of the parliament, have the right to do so but maintained that “we are not going to be threatened or intimidated. We have said no, but if there is a convincing or germane reason for us to reverse our decision, we will, but not by threats.”
He stressed that the House is not at loggerheads with the Governor, describing Mr Sanwo-Olu as his “brother and colleague in the Lagos project and service to the people of our state.”
“The Governor and I have been around in the system for a long time. While he was SA to the former Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, I was in this House as the Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development.
“He was SA on Establishment and Pensions, and I was the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts (Local Governments).
“While he was heading LSDPC, I was Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget. Then, I became the Speaker, and when he became the Governor, I remained the Speaker. So, it’s been a long journey together,” he stated.
Recall that after he was sworn in as Governor of Lagos State for a second term of four years in office, Mr Sanwo-Olu forwarded the names of 39 persons to the House for screening and confirmation as Commissioners.
However, last week, the state legislative arm of the government cleared 22 and rejected 17. It did not explain the reason for this action until yesterday after the Lagos Assembly came under criticism from members of the public.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
