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Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that it has no objection to the candidacy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, saying his absence from the updated list of candidates is due to a subsisting court order.

A senior official of the commission disclosed that Gwarzo had been cleared by INEC, but his name could not be published pending the final determination of an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court in Kano on October 27.

The official explained that the court had directed the commission not to publish the names of candidates presented by the NDC until the matter was determined.

‘I thought I told you he had been cleared, subject only to the final outcome of an ex parte order by a Federal High Court in Kano on October 27 that we should not download the name of any candidate for NDC,’ the official said.

The clarification followed concerns over the continued omission of Gwarzo and his running mate, Rabiu Mustapha, from INEC’s updated list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 2027 elections.

In the updated list, the commission indicated ‘Court Order’ against the NDC’s governorship and deputy governorship positions in Kano State.

Gwarzo’s omission had raised questions about the status of his candidacy,

particularly after INEC announced that it had reviewed petitions arising from the omission of some candidates from its initial list published on October 10.

On Thursday, the commission upheld 66 petitions and rejected 64 others relating to governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates across the country.

Among those whose candidacies were cleared was former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, whose name was subsequently included in the list as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Gombe State.

However, INEC’s latest clarification indicates that Gwarzo’s absence from the updated list should not be interpreted as a rejection of his candidacy, but rather as compliance with the subsisting court order.

The publication of the NDC’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates in Kano will therefore depend on the final determination of the court proceedings.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has formally adopted President Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the National Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The adoption followed the presentation of a memo at a joint meeting of the expanded State Caucus and the party’s 100th State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting, held at the PDP secretariat in Yenagoa.

The meeting also ratified a memo passing a vote of confidence in the national leader of the Rainbow Coalition and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in recognition of his leadership in rescuing and preserving the PDP as an opposition party.

The PDP Chairman in Bayelsa State and leader of the Rainbow Coalition, Chief George Alabh Turnah, commended party members for remaining resolute in their support for the party.

He also praised Wike for his role in preserving the PDP, saying God had used him to save the party from those who wanted to destroy it.

” As a political party, we thank God that he has preserved the party at the state and national level. Especially when some who grew through this party chose to bury the party, God took some of us, through the help of our national leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, to rescue and restore the party. We shall be eternally grateful to him” he said.

Turnah, who said the party under his leadership would not allow itself to be gagged, also criticised the Bayelsa State Government over what he described as poor economic performance.

He lamented the alleged shortage of drugs and medical personnel at primary healthcare centres, accusing the state government of failing to fulfil its promise of prosperity for residents.

On agriculture, Turnah expressed concern over the condition of farmers in the state, which he attributed to a lack of government support.

” The agricultural sector in Bayelsa has collapsed. Our farmers have no support, and they are suffering. All the fish ponds established by the former administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson have been abandoned.”

He also renewed his criticism of the Bayelsa Stadium project, saying the administration of Governor Douye Diri should prioritise unemployment, poverty and the provision of social services.

Ahead of the 2027 elections, Turnah urged residents to vote for candidates of the Rainbow Coalition, saying the group had presented credible and competent candidates who would restore prosperity to the state.

Ekiti Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the reappointment of the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Olaniran Olatona, for another four-year term.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode, in a statement on Sunday, said the reappointment took effect from November 1, 2026.

He added that, ‘A formal request for the confirmation of Olatona’s appointment will be transmitted to the Ekiti State House of Assembly by the Governor this week.’

The statement reads, ‘ Olatona, an accomplished professional and public servant, is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). He hails from Okemesi-Ekiti.

He was first appointed Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service in November 2022. Under his leadership, the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has recorded remarkable growth of over 60 per cent, thereby strengthening the Government’s capacity to finance public services and deliver on its development agenda.’

In a related development, Governor Oyebanji has announced the appointment of a financial management expert and former Commissioner for Finance in the State, Ishola Akingbade, as Chairman of the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund.

The governor’s spokesman explained that Akingbade, a seasoned administrator and tax expert, is a Chartered Accountant and Fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Financial Management and hails from Ilukuno-Ekiti, in Ijero Local Government Area of the State.

‘His appointment takes immediate effect,’ the statement reads.

All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC) has faulted claim that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed to guarantee stable power supply since his assumption of office.

A statement signed by Dele Alake, spokesperson, APC presidential campaign council declared that appreciable progress has been achieved in the last three years.

Alake’s statement is on the heels of trending remarks attributed to President Tinubu in the course of his campaigns before the last general elections that Nigerians should expect stable electricity under his watch.

He had said: ‘Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.’

Responding to claims by certain leading opposition figures that Tinubu has failed to keep his promise, the APC-PCC listed efforts taken by the Tinubu administration to change the unpleasant narrative in the power sector.

Alake listed the Electricity Act, 2023, signed into law last June, which has effectively liberalised and deregulated the power sector, moving it away from the Exclusive List; and offsetting verifiable debts owed to 21 power generating companies (Gencos) and gas companies (Gascos).

Others include a Presidential Metering Initiative to close the over 7 million Metering gap; approval of the contract for the 2nd batch of projects to build eight new substations and upgrade 4 existing ones in targeted load centres, among other sustained efforts.

The statement maintained that fixing the electricity market and power sector is an ongoing work and concluded that ‘President Tinubu has not deviated an inch from his commitment.’

It read: ‘At a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos ahead of the 2023 general elections, then All Progressives Congress candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu spoke eloquently about how he would tackle the systemic and institutional problems that have bedevilled Nigeria’s power sector for more than five decades.

He specifically identified estimated billing as a major burden on households and businesses. He promised to solve the problem, along with other associated challenges in the power sector, so that Nigerians can have a stable and reliable electricity supply.

His exact words at the event: ‘Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.’

‘Some recent public commentary has reproduced the campaign pledge without its concluding qualification: that should he fall short, he would owe Nigerians an adequate explanation before seeking their support for a second term. A fair assessment of the pledge should consider the full statement alongside the administration’s record since 2023. This record should be assessed against measurable improvements in electricity supply, metering, infrastructure and market stability.

‘While fixing the power sector crisis remains unfinished, the President is working consistently to deliver on his promise to Nigerians, and his commitment to face the challenges head-on has never diminished.

‘Within two weeks in office, President Tinubu signed the Electricity Act, 2023 on June 9. With the new Electricity Act, President Tinubu effectively liberalised and deregulated the power sector, moving it away from the Exclusive List so that the states, as subnationals, can participate in power generation, distribution, and transmission. Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna and Niger have started taking advantage of the law to maximise the benefits by setting up their own electricity regulatory agencies and driving private capital into their states.

‘President Tinubu took on the over N6 trillion legacy debt that had accumulated from 2015 to 2025. He started a Presidential Metering Initiative to close the over 7 million Metering gap. His administration significantly aligned the tariffs to cost to restore liquidity to the electricity market. He also put in place a system to protect low-income households while investment in substations and grid expansion continues.

‘In the last three years, over 1.5 million customers have been metered under the Presidential Metering Initiative. The Rural Electrification Agency has connected universities, hospitals, and rural communities to solar power. The government has unveiled plans to modernise the Osogbo Grid Control Centre, built over 60 years ago, and build an East-West super grid.

‘The administration created a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy debts to 21 power generating companies (Gencos) and gas companies (Gascos).

‘The first and second tranches of the bond programme have raised over N1.2 trillion to settle part of the N4 trillion verified legacy debt. President Tinubu has repositioned the power sector and reduced market risk for future investment. The impact of this intervention is becoming evident in Gencos’ ability to make new investments to upgrade power plants. Just a few days ago, Geregu Power Plc announced investments in new Power Transformers to enhance operations at the Geregu 1 Power Plant. Other firms are making similar investments.

‘President Tinubu inherited many power-sector initiatives, including the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which his predecessor, late President Muhammadu Buhari, started. Upon assuming office, President Tinubu reviewed the existing agreement and signed an Acceleration Agreement in December 2023 to enable FGN’s PPI and the German partners to move quickly to execute projects in the transmission network grid. By December 2024, FEC approved the contract for the first batch of 5 TCN substations in key load centres to be upgraded to enhance electricity supply to industrial and private consumers in the areas. These projects are now being completed and will be commissioned before the end of the administration’s first term.

‘In addition, in June 2026, the Federal Executive Council approved the contract for the 2nd batch of projects to build eight new substations and upgrade 4 existing ones in targeted load centres. Power project implementation requires equipment that is a long-lead item and thus cannot be achieved overnight.

‘President Tinubu quickly identified that unlocking the power sector requires resolving commercial challenges: Operators need to charge cost-reflective tariffs, while electricity must remain affordable for most of the population. Marrying these two contrasting objectives requires careful planning and policy formulation. A first step was creating Service Bands with different tariffs to improve the financial viability of the Distribution companies and improve cash flow in the sector. This has also reduced the government’s financial burden related to tariff subsidies. The administration will continue to explore ways to improve the commercial situation of the power sector while protecting access to electricity for the less privileged in society.

‘Fixing the electricity market and power sector is ongoing work.

‘President Tinubu has not deviated an inch from his commitment. As he seeks Nigerians’ mandate for a second term in office, he will proudly present his scorecard in the power sector and clearly tell Nigerians what remains to be done.’

The constitutional limits of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the disqualification of candidates submitted by political parties were clarified on Sunday by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Dr Aiodun Layonu and Mr Francis Amobi Nzelu.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune on the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify candidates under scrutiny and the legal framework governing candidacy in Nigeria, Dr Layonu revealed that the process of becoming a candidate is strictly governed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC guidelines.

Dr Layonu insisted that INEC’s role is administrative and supervisory, adding that, ‘Once political parties conduct primaries and submit their list of candidates, the Commission is constitutionally bound to comply with valid orders from competent courts.

‘If affected aspirants challenge their nomination in court, INEC is bound to obey valid court judgments.’

Dr Layonu posited that where a court decision is appealed up to the Federal High Court or higher, INEC typically pauses final action on the contested candidacy until the judicial process is concluded.

The senior lawyer suggested that because Nigeria operates a party-based ballot system where party logos appear on ballot papers, INEC can implement court-ordered substitutions until the legal deadline before an election.

On his part, Nzelu contended that the electoral body does not have the constitutional power to delist or disqualify candidates nominated by political parties.

In his words: ‘Nigerians go to bed and wake up to a new set of laws. This issue is very straightforward.

‘If a political party has conducted primaries and nominated a candidate and forwards that name, the only conditions of removal are if the person dies or voluntarily withdraws in writing.’

The senior advocate described INEC as an umpire, not a player, questioning under which law the Commission claims powers to disqualify candidates.

For Nzelu, ‘INEC is an umpire. They cannot be game players. Under which law are they operating? I have not seen the law yet.’

The SAN, who made reference to a recent case in Abuja where INEC monitored the ANPP primaries in Anambra State, countersigned results that included candidates for Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly, only for the party leadership to attempt substitution in Abuja, and maintained that INEC rightly resisted the change.

Nzelu expressed the sadness that political parties are committing blunders by attempting to arbitrarily substitute candidates who validly won primaries.

In his words: ‘Anybody who has gone through primaries as a major winner, his party returns his name, INEC countersigns, and they want to remove them, they should go to court and seek redress.

‘They should not take knives to fight the battle.’

African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has condemned what it described as sustained assault on democracy, freedom of association, and the constitutional right to political participation under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council said incidents across the country went beyond ordinary political rivalry and represented a pattern of intimidation of opposition voices.

‘These are calculated actions skewed to scare Nigerians ahead of general elections,’ the council said.

ADC-PCC listed a series of incidents to support its claim, including attacks on its leaders and members in Kaduna, a reported assault on its Sokoto State governorship candidate, Alhaji Munir Dan Iya, along Airport Road, Sokoto, and alleged attacks on other opposition figures.

It also cited reported demolition of its governorship campaign office in Kebbi State and alleged denial of a campaign venue in Enugu State to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

The council further referenced reported attacks on the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, and other opposition voices, describing incidents as an emerging pattern of political intolerance.

According to ADC-PCC, alleged attacks, denial of campaign venues, arrests, harassment and intimidation of opposition figures raise concerns about the state of democratic freedoms and political pluralism.

The council maintained that popular will cannot be suppressed, recalling that public resistance contributed to the collapse of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term agenda.

It argued that President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress enjoyed the benefits of political participation and opposition politics when they were outside government, insisting that the same democratic freedoms must be guaranteed to all political parties.

ADC-PCC also expressed concern over the continued detention of its Vice Chairman and former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, saying he was being held and denied the right to bail.

It said circumstances surrounding his detention would not weaken the party and that the international community was watching developments.

‘The world is watching, and burden of this illegality rests squarely on those responsible,’ the council stated.

The campaign council further alleged that financial inducements were being deployed to weaken opposition ranks, but insisted that Nigerians would not surrender constitutional rights.

ADC-PCC called on Nigerians to remain committed to defending democratic values, freedom of association and the right to political choice.

Reaffirming its commitment, the council said ADC was determined to provide an alternative political platform.

‘The ADC has come to rescue this country. This too shall pass. Nigeria will endure and democracy will prevail,’ the statement concluded.

The Federal government has expressed commitment to the continuous support of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the communication sector of the country.

Speaking at the Weekend in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Tope Fasua, reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration has continued its economic rescue by empowering SMEs, especially those in the communication sector.

‘The last time I was travelling out of the country, I bought a very expensive eSIM at Abuja Airport, and I was going to Bangkok. The eSIM worked in London, but it didn’t work in Bangkok. I didn’t get much value for it, but I’m hoping that Esdiac is better. I think it’s much cheaper than what I got’.

He commended the indigenous firm for building a system that reduces the cost of making calls around the globe, assuring Esdiac of government support.

Also speaking, the Founder of Esdiac, Mr. Austin Ugbebor, and the Lead Infrastructure and Security Engineer, Daramola Olugbenga, said the Esdiac Media Parley and Stakeholders Engagement is proof that world-class telecom products can be built and sustained in Nigeria.

Olugbenga explained that Esdiac was designed from the ground up as a statement of local capability, leveraging existing global technologies but building a proprietary, highly scalable backbone.

‘From Esdiac, we have done it and we are still doing it with Nigerians. This is a big statement that we can do it,’.

He stated that the system was initially dimensioned for one million concurrent calls, with architecture that prevents mid-call drops despite network fluctuations.

‘We built in a very scalable manner. So even if there is a network fluctuation, the call will not drop mid-conversation. Once a call starts, it will run to the end’.

At the heart of the local-content pitch is data sovereignty. Both speakers stressed that Esdiac complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and NCC regulations, storing and processing all Nigerian user data in Nigeria.

On his part, Ugbebor said, ‘We authenticate your access into the platform using the SIM and we ride on our own backbone, which is mainly here in Nigeria and also in the US. We are very careful that data here are not transmitted outside the country.’

He noted that as a paid product licensed by both the NCC in Nigeria and the FCC in the United States, Esdiac cannot share user information with third parties without user approval or a court order, and users have the right to request data held about them.

The Niger State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has instituted a suit against the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mohammed Mamman Nami and Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, SAN, before the Minna Division of the Federal High Court.

The suit followed the defection of the two politicians, alongside their supporters, from the ruling APC to their present political parties.

The case was instituted by a team of 11 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), led by Jacob Johnson Usman of OJOCHOGWU Chambers, Abuja.

Also joined in the suit are the PDP, SDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and several individuals.

Those individuals named in the originating summons include Peter Jiya, Sadiq Mohammed Rabiu, Musa Mamman, Alhassan Adamu Sonfada, Umar Isah, Abubakar Ndanusa and Zango Danlami Idris.

Prior to their defection, Nami and Ndarani were prominent stakeholders in the APC but abandoned the party following disagreements arising from the state primary election.

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Saturday, received former Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Damji, into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Damji, who is a former Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue and former Managing Director of the Gombe State Investment and Property Development Company, defected from the Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

He visited the governor at his office in Government House, Gombe, accompanied by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Usman Bayero Nafada.

Welcoming Damji into the APC, Governor Yahaya, who is the party’s leader in the state, assured him of an inclusive platform to deploy his experience, networks and political goodwill towards strengthening the party and advancing the development of Gombe State.

The governor expressed confidence that Damji’s entry would further strengthen the APC, while reiterating his commitment to unity, progressive leadership and the collective pursuit of the state’s development agenda.

In his remarks, Damji assured Governor Yahaya that he would mobilise his political networks and grassroots support for the APC and its candidates in the 2027 general elections.

He specifically pledged support for the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, and other candidates across all levels.

Damji also commended Yahaya’s leadership and developmental efforts, describing his administration’s performance as a reflection of purposeful leadership and commitment to the progress of Gombe State.

He expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in the forthcoming elections and pledged his full support towards ensuring the party’s success.

Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move parts of the body normally. It can happen suddenly or develop gradually, depending on what is affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves or muscles. The condition can affect one side of the body, both legs, all four limbs or a specific part of the body. In some cases, movement is completely lost, while in others, a person may still have limited movement or weakness.

Stroke, spinal cord injuries, infections, nerve disorders and other medical conditions can cause paralysis. Recognising the different patterns can help people understand what the condition means and why prompt medical assessment is important.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights seven types of paralysis you should know.

Monoplegia

Monoplegia affects one limb, meaning one arm or one leg. The affected limb may become completely paralysed or significantly weaker than the other limbs. Depending on the underlying cause, the condition may develop suddenly or gradually.

Damage to a particular area of the brain or spinal cord, nerve injury and some neurological conditions can result in monoplegia. A person who suddenly develops weakness or inability to move one arm or leg should receive urgent medical attention, particularly if there are other symptoms such as difficulty speaking or facial weakness.

Hemiplegia

Hemiplegia affects one side of the body, usually involving the arm and leg on the same side.

Stroke is one of the most common causes, although brain injuries, tumours, infections and other neurological conditions can also cause it.

The weakness may affect the face as well as the arm and leg. Depending on the severity and cause, movement may be partly or completely lost. Sudden weakness or paralysis affecting one side of the body is a medical emergency because it may be a sign of stroke.

Paraplegia

Paraplegia mainly affects both legs and sometimes parts of the lower body. It commonly results from damage to the spinal cord, particularly injuries affecting the lower part of the spinal cord. Other possible causes include certain diseases and conditions that damage the spinal cord or nervous system.

People with paraplegia may also experience changes in sensation and problems controlling the bladder or bowel. The extent of paralysis depends on where and how severely the spinal cord has been affected.

Diplegia

Diplegia refers to paralysis or significant weakness affecting the same parts of the body on both sides, with the legs commonly more affected than the arms. It is often associated with cerebral palsy, particularly forms in which muscle control and movement are predominantly affected in the lower limbs.

A person with diplegia may have difficulty walking, maintaining balance or controlling movements of the legs. The severity varies considerably from one person to another.

Early rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and other supportive care, can help many people improve movement and independence.

Quadriplegia or tetraplegia

Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, affects all four limbs, usually as a result of significant damage to the cervical spinal cord. The extent of paralysis can vary. Some people may retain limited movement in their arms or legs, while others may lose movement and sensation almost completely.

Depending on the level of spinal cord injury, breathing and other essential body functions may also be affected. Spinal cord injuries causing quadriplegia require specialised medical care and long-term rehabilitation.

6. Facial paralysis

Facial paralysis affects the muscles used for facial movement. A person may have difficulty smiling, closing one eye, raising an eyebrow or moving one side of the face normally.

Bell’s palsy is a common cause of sudden facial paralysis and often affects one side of the face.

However, facial weakness can also occur with stroke and other neurological conditions.

This distinction is important. If facial weakness develops suddenly alongside arm weakness, speech difficulty, confusion, severe headache or problems with balance, emergency medical care is required because stroke may be responsible.

7. Generalised paralysis

Generalised paralysis affects large portions of the body and can involve multiple limbs.

It may occur in serious neurological or neuromuscular conditions that interfere with communication between the nerves and muscles.

Guillain-Barré syndrome, for example, can cause rapidly progressive weakness that may eventually affect the muscles needed for breathing. Generalised paralysis can therefore be a medical emergency, particularly when weakness progresses quickly or breathing and swallowing become difficult.