The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a clear warning to political parties: any primary election conducted after the May 30 deadline is invalid unless a higher court decides otherwise. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated that parties must follow the Electoral Act 2026 until the Court of Appeal rules on INEC’s pending appeal. Haruna clarified, “Currently, primaries held after the deadline are null and void unless the court overturns a previous ruling that found fault with our timetable.” This clarification follows a legal back-and-forth, including a Federal High Court decision to nullify parts of INEC’s 2027 timeline and a second court later confirming the commission’s power to issue timetables, but within statutory limits. Separately, in Kaduna State, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has ordered reruns in numerous constituencies after finding significant “irregularities” and “fraudulent practices” in its initial primary polls.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian Senate has officially transitioned from a flat excise duty to a price-based tax for sugar-sweetened beverages. This amendment, arising from the Customs, Excise Tariff (Amendment) Bill, replaces the previous ₦10 per litre charge with a percentage-based levy determined by the Minister of Finance. Legislators noted that the previous flat-rate system had become ineffective due to inflation and rising public health concerns. Furthermore, the Senate has mandated the creation of a dedicated health fund, financed by a portion of these tax revenues, to bolster primary healthcare, disease prevention, and insurance coverage for vulnerable citizens. This initiative aims to address the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases—such as diabetes and hypertension—linked to high sugar consumption.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a move to curb excessive sugar consumption and boost public health funding, the Senate has overhauled Nigeria’s sugar tax policy. The outdated ₦10 per litre flat tax is being replaced by a flexible, price-based levy to better reflect current economic realities. Revenue from this new tax will be directed into a specialized health fund designed to support disease prevention and expand healthcare access. Lawmakers emphasized that this shift is a strategic public health intervention to combat the rising burden of lifestyle-related ailments like obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Senate Overhauls Sugar Tax to Tackle Public Health Crisis The Senate has approved a major shift in how sugary drinks are taxed in Nigeria, moving away from a flat ₦10 per litre fee to a dynamic, price-based system. This new policy, guided by the Customs, Excise Tariff (Amendment) Bill, is designed to be more effective than the previous system, which had lost its impact due to inflation. Crucially, the government will now funnel a portion of the proceeds into a new health fund dedicated to fighting non-communicable diseases and improving primary healthcare services. By tying the tax to retail prices, the Senate aims to discourage unhealthy dietary habits while securing sustainable funding for national health interventions.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially disowned a fraudulent list of senatorial candidates currently making rounds on social media. In a statement, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka clarified that the document, titled “Concluded List of APC Senatorial Candidates So Far,” is completely unauthorized and should be disregarded. The party emphasized that only its National Working Committee (NWC) has the mandate to announce official candidates through recognized channels. Furthermore, the APC warned against the spread of such misinformation, noting that it threatens to mislead the public and compromise the integrity of the party’s democratic procedures.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Don’t Be Fooled: APC Debunks Fake Senatorial Candidate List The APC is setting the record straight: any “Concluded List of APC Senatorial Candidates” circulating online is entirely fake. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka has urged the public and party stakeholders to ignore the document, confirming it did not originate from the party. The APC stresses that official candidate lists are released exclusively by the National Working Committee (NWC). Members are advised to avoid sharing this unverified information, which the party warns is designed to stir confusion and undermine its internal processes.

Option 3: Concise Summary

The APC has officially categorized a circulating list of senatorial candidates as “fake” and “unauthorized.” Party spokesperson Felix Morka stated that the document is not an official release and urged the public to disregard it. He reiterated that only the National Working Committee (NWC) is authorized to publish candidate lists and cautioned against the circulation of misinformation that could damage the party’s democratic reputation.