The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on Nigerians residing in France to remain calm, maintain peace and abide by the country’s laws.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dabiri-Erewa urged Nigerians to conduct themselves responsibly, avoid confrontations and refrain from any activities that could disrupt public order.

According to reports, the appeal was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, 2026, by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, in Abuja.

The NiDCOM chairperson cautioned Nigerians against engaging in violence, physical altercations or other actions that could create tension.

She also encouraged them to cooperate with French authorities and comply with lawful directives to ensure peace and safety.

Dabiri-Erewa further advised Nigerians to rely on credible sources for security updates and avoid circulating unverified information, particularly on social media, warning that rumours could trigger unnecessary fear and confusion.

She stressed the importance of respecting neighbours and other members of the community, irrespective of their nationality, religion or background.

The NiDCOM boss noted that Nigerians living abroad have a responsibility to protect the country’s reputation by conducting themselves appropriately and respecting the laws of their host nations.

She also urged them to maintain cordial relationships with those around them and exercise restraint when confronted with challenging situations.

Dabiri-Erewa advised Nigerians who believe their safety or rights are under threat to seek appropriate legal assistance.

She encouraged those in need of urgent help to contact emergency services or Nigerian consular officials for assistance.

The commission’s chairperson also appealed to Nigerian community leaders, families, students, professionals and associations in France to work together to promote peace, unity and responsible conduct.

She urged community leaders to disseminate accurate information and encourage Nigerians to remain composed and act responsibly.

Dabiri-Erewa reiterated her call for Nigerians in France to coexist peacefully with others and respect the laws of their host country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has suffered a setback following the defection of Sharu Anka, a former chairman of Anka Local Government Area, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Governorship candidates omitted from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s final list for the February 6, 2027, elections are expected to know their fate on Thursday as the commission meets to deliberate on the issue.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Among those affected are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates in Gombe and Ogun states, Professor Isa Pantami and Ladi Adebutu, respectively.

INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Haruna confirmed the development to The PUNCH on Wednesday, stating that the matter would be discussed at the commission’s next meeting.

He said the final list of candidates was on the agenda for Thursday’s meeting.

Other affected candidates include Aminu Gwarzo and Danjuma Laah, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidates in Kano and Kaduna states, respectively.

In Bauchi State, INEC also excluded four governorship candidates: Abdullahi Yakubu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Musa Zubairu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ahmed Shuaibu of the Action Alliance (AA), and Mohammed Aminu of Accord.

Their exclusion from the final list published on October 10 has sparked protests and legal challenges.

INEC explained that the candidates were removed because their political parties failed to submit their membership registers within the stipulated legal timeframe.

The commission cited the Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, which upheld Sections 77(5), 77(6), and 77(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The provisions make the submission of membership registers a requirement for conducting valid party primaries.

According to INEC, the Supreme Court also upheld its timetable requiring political parties to submit their membership registers between April 21 and May 10, 2026.

The electoral body maintained that parties that failed to comply had forfeited their right to nominate candidates. It added that Section 287(1) of the Constitution required it to enforce court decisions.

However, the affected political parties have rejected INEC’s position, insisting that they complied with all the relevant legal requirements.

The PDP has written to INEC over the omission of Pantami and Adebutu. On October 15, the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also filed an affidavit at the Federal High Court Registry in Abuja to challenge the exclusions.

The party’s spokesperson, Mohammed Jungudo, warned that it would pursue legal action if the commission failed to resolve the matter.

In Ogun State, PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella expressed optimism that Adebutu’s name would be restored, describing the omission as an error.

Tella maintained that the party had fulfilled all legal requirements and remained confident that INEC would correct the omission.

An aide to Pantami also disclosed that the former minister was prepared to challenge his exclusion through all available legal means.

Pantami, who won a court-ordered rerun of the PDP governorship primary on September 29, had appeared on INEC’s provisional list published on August 29 but was omitted from the final list.

The NDC has similarly protested the exclusion of Gwarzo and his running mate, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the commission had acknowledged receipt of its letters but had yet to respond.

Under Section 32(2) of the Electoral Act, 2026, political parties had until October 24—14 days after the publication of the final list—to notify INEC of candidates whose names were wrongly omitted.