The Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area, Hon. Eugene Ekpelle, is being accused of assault by his former media aide, Minnie Ogadinma.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As preparations ramp up for the 2027 general elections, opposition parties are reportedly concerned about the mandatory electronic membership registration introduced under the Electoral Act 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that the new requirement could narrow the democratic space, citing Section 77(4) and related provisions. These clauses require all registered political parties to submit digital membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by April 2, 2026, as a prerequisite for participating in the elections.

Under the law, political parties must maintain a digital register of members and submit it within the prescribed timeframe. Only individuals listed in these registers can vote or contest in party primaries, congresses, or conventions.

Opposition leaders argue that the deadline is tight and the rules too stringent, potentially disadvantaging parties lacking the financial or technical capacity of the ruling party. The ADC has flagged the timeline as restrictive, warning that smaller or less tech-savvy parties could be excluded from the 2027 race. Other opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), have also raised concerns about operational challenges posed by the new law.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), an umbrella body of political parties, has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday to discuss these issues amid growing anxiety.

Opposition ‘asleep’ — Sambo

Sumner Sambo, Editor for Politics at Arise News, criticized opposition parties for failing to pay attention to key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the electronic membership registration. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, he said opposition parties were “seemingly docile” while the legislation was debated and passed in the National Assembly, which held public hearings nationwide.

Sambo questioned why opposition parties are now accusing the All Progressives Congress (APC) of early compliance when the law was publicly available. He noted that public debates had focused on electronic transmission of election results, leaving provisions like Section 77 on digital membership registers largely overlooked.

He added that the APC strategically positioned itself by pushing the legislation and starting early compliance. According to him, the law now closes the door on last-minute defections—a common feature in Nigerian politics.

“Opposition parties have been seemingly docile regarding what’s required for the next elections. The law has been in the public domain, with hearings and consultations. Now they complain about APC’s early registration, but the truth is, they failed to prepare,” Sambo said.

He emphasized that INEC cannot alter the law and that anyone not listed in a party’s submitted register cannot vote, be voted for, or switch parties to contest elsewhere. “Those hoping to move from one party to another after May 30 are in dreamland. APC scored highly by pushing this legislation, while the opposition missed the opportunity,” he added.

‘Democracy in danger’ — Okonkwo

ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo accused the APC of using the Electoral Act 2026 to weaken opposition parties ahead of 2027. He described the Section 77 requirement to submit digitalized membership registers within a tight timeline as a threat to democracy.

Okonkwo argued that less than two months to comply is restrictive and claimed the law was designed to limit political mobility. He alleged the provisions prevent aspirants who lose primaries, especially within the APC, from defecting to other parties, calling the rules “booby traps” intended to protect the ruling party and suppress opposition.

He said, “Opposition parties are aggrieved because democracy is under threat. Section 77 mandates that parties maintain a digital register including members’ names, addresses, local government areas, polling units, and NINs. If a party fails to submit this register, it cannot field candidates. These provisions are crafted for self-preservation and to strangle the opposition, but they will fail.”

APC outsmarted opposition — Analyst

Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo told DAILY POST that the controversy exposes weaknesses in the opposition ahead of 2027. He noted that the APC showed strategic foresight by starting e-registration early, while opposition parties like ADC, PDP, and LP are now scrambling to catch up.

Odo warned that continued “blame-game politics” could smooth the way for President Bola Tinubu and the APC. He said, “Elections are won long before election day through organization, legal compliance, grassroots mobilization, and strategic timing. APC has outsmarted the opposition on this issue.”

He added that the opposition still has a chance but must urgently comply with the law, rebuild its structures, and stop relying on public outrage and media narratives. “If they fail to act seriously, the 2027 election may already be decided by their lack of preparation,” Odo concluded.

The Pentagon has confirmed that four United States Army Reserve soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone strike on a U.S. military facility in Kuwait, marking the first confirmed American fatalities in the rising tensions with Iran.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The soldiers, all members of the 103rd Sustainment Command from Des Moines, Iowa, were:

1. Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, Winter Haven, Florida

2. Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, Bellevue, Nebraska

3. Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

4. Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, West Des Moines, Iowa

The attack occurred on Sunday, March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, when an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle struck a tactical operations centre—a fortified yet vulnerable structure, reportedly a triple-wide trailer adapted for office and command functions.

The strike came shortly after the launch of joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, named Operation Epic Fury, which began over the weekend.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the drone evaded air defences and directly hit the facility, with one projectile breaching the structure. Reports indicate there was no prior warning, leaving personnel little time to take cover. The facility’s incomplete overhead protection has raised concerns about the safety of forward-deployed logistics hubs amid rising regional threats.