Bishop Oscar Ossai, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, has officially rejected the results of the June 20 poll, citing significant irregularities. In a statement released on June 22, Ossai declared that the election was neither credible nor transparent and did not represent the true will of the voters.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As momentum builds for the establishment of State Police Services, Nigerian state governors are seeking enhanced constitutional authority over security operations within their states alongside dedicated funding mechanisms. These proposals were outlined in a report following a strategic meeting in Abuja, which gathered state Attorneys-General, legal experts, and senior security officials under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Enhanced Authority for Governors: Participants emphasized the need to formally recognize the role of governors in coordinating state security. While currently designated as chief security officers, governors possess limited operational control over the federally-commanded Nigeria Police Force; the new framework seeks to balance this local coordination with safeguards for professionalism and accountability.

• Dual Policing Framework: The report suggests a model of “cooperative federalism”.

  • Federal Police: Would maintain exclusive jurisdiction over crimes of national significance, including treason, terrorism, narcotics, and interstate offenses.

  • State Police: Would be responsible for preventing and investigating crimes within their constitutional jurisdiction, specifically those defined by state laws.

• Sustainable Funding: Stakeholders identified predictable financing as a priority, calling for constitutional guarantees to ensure that State Police Services are adequately resourced for equipment, training, and operations. Suggested funding includes a mix of transitional federal support and private sector partnerships via State Security Trust Funds.

• Personnel Transition: The framework proposes allowing current federal police officers to voluntarily transfer to State Police Services, provided they retain their ranks, seniority, and pension rights. This transition would be time-bound to facilitate effective workforce development.

Legislative Progress

These recommendations are intended to inform the ongoing constitutional amendment process at the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has already passed a bill for the establishment of state police, and the Senate has referred a similar bill to its Committee on Constitution Review, signaling a potentially historic shift in Nigeria’s security architecture.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is its designated vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. Addressing concerns regarding Amaechi’s lack of public comment on the nomination, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi argued during a Trust TV interview that a personal, public acceptance from the candidate is unnecessary.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Process Over Personal Announcement: Abdullahi emphasized that the party, not the individual candidate, is responsible for formally announcing such selections. He questioned the necessity of a public statement, noting that such personal declarations are not standard political practice.

• Defending Internal Due Process: While declining to detail specific internal discussions, the spokesperson maintained that the party followed all due procedures in selecting Amaechi. He further stated that no contradiction has come from the former governor regarding the party’s decision.

• Future Unveiling: The party plans to formally present both its presidential and vice-presidential candidates to the Nigerian public at a later date, noting that the official campaign season has yet to commence.

• Emphasis on Party Supremacy: Abdullahi positioned the ADC as an institution-led party that prioritizes party supremacy. He highlighted the party’s pride in conducting a nationwide internal election across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, asserting that the ADC is unique in this regard.