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.

Former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Lauretta Onochie, has accused ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai of looting the state treasury during his tenure.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Onochie made the claims while reacting to El-Rufai’s ongoing challenges with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

On her account, she listed three alleged “sins” of the former governor. She claimed El-Rufai bribed security officers to prevent his arrest at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, highlighted the phone-tapping equipment found in his residence, and accused him of the “original sin” of misappropriating Kaduna State funds.

She wrote:

“MALLAM @El-rufai’s latest sin: Officers have been arrested for bribery. They say El-Rufai bribed officers to stop his arrest at the airport on his way from Egypt. There’s the phone-tapping equipment ‘found’ at his home. Then, the original sin of looting the Kaduna State Government treasury. The list keeps growing, Nigerians keep laughing. God bless Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that some security operatives involved in the failed arrest of El-Rufai on February 12 were detained. The incident occurred when El-Rufai returned from Egypt, and security agents were unable to apprehend him, although his passport was eventually seized.

El-Rufai’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, confirmed the passport seizure on :

“Security agents today attempted to arrest Malam Nasir @elrufai as he arrived on a flight from Cairo. Malam El-Rufai declined to follow them without a formal invitation. They, however, snatched his international passport from an aide.”

El-Rufai later complied with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitation, was questioned for three days, and granted bail, before being arrested by the ICPC.

The DSS stated that the inability to arrest him at the airport was linked to alleged bribes paid to some security operatives. Not all detained officers accepted bribes; some consented to the act and will face sanctions.

A joint investigation by the DSS, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Federal Ministry of Aviation led to the detention of five officers:

1. Ayuba Yakubu (ASP – Police)

2. Murtala Inuwa (DSS)

3. Najeeb Murtala (ASI – NIS)

4. Musa Adamu (Aviation Security – AVSEC)

5. Salihu Victor (AVSEC)

The DSS stated:

“They have all confessed to receiving bribes to facilitate unauthorised entry into restricted areas, obstruct lawful security operations, and have been handed over to ICPC for prosecution. Others from NIS and NCS who did not take bribes but misused their uniforms to allow unauthorised access will face administrative action.”