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INEC chair explains why ADC must not hold convention

Published

5 months ago

April 4, 2026

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been warned not to go ahead with its planned congresses and national convention without the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC chairman Joash Amupitan, issued the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, following the party’s insistence on going ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of the leadership linked to Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

He stressed that INEC’s decision was guided by legal considerations, particularly an existing court order.

“So if they are going ahead with their congress, with their convention, it’s left for them to look at it, whether it is in contravention of the court. INEC didn’t just take a decision. We didn’t just wake up one day and took this decision. There was something that led to it. There was an order of court,” he said.

According to him, the court had directed parties not to take actions that could undermine ongoing proceedings.

“Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” Amupitan stated.

He explained that the issue of conducting congresses and conventions is already part of a pending legal process.

“So, if already they are asking that don’t do any congress, don’t do any convention, it is a relief that is being claimed. And especially they filed a motion for that purpose, that motion has not been determined,” he added.

The INEC chairman warned that disregarding court orders could have serious consequences, citing past electoral precedents.

“Let me tell you what happened in Zamfara. It happened in the past. We don’t want to conduct an election without this early warning, and at the end of the day, after you have won, the court again will come and declare the election invalid. And the implication is that the person with the second highest number of vote will be declared the winner,” he said.

He also referenced a similar situation in Plateau State, where failure to comply with court directives affected electoral outcomes.

“It happened in Plateau State during the last election… failure to obey the court order has consequences,” Amupitan noted.

While maintaining that the ADC is free to act as it chooses, he emphasised that INEC would not risk repeating past mistakes.

“They are at liberty to do whatever they want to do, but INEC do not want to go into this situation again,” he said.

News

NACTAL’s president-elect pledges inclusive leadership, stronger anti-trafficking action

Published

9 hours ago

September 11, 2026

News Diggers

Comrade Osita Osemene, President-elect of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) Nigeria, has pledged to unite members and strengthen the organisation’s capacity to combat human trafficking, child abuse and labour across Nigeria and the West African region.

Osemene made the commitment in his acceptance speech after emerging as president-elect of NACTAL, where he expressed gratitude to delegates for the confidence reposed in him and commended the organisation’s leadership for providing an enabling environment for a credible and transparent election.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing president, describing the leadership and work of the former administration as important to the continued development of the network.

Addressing members, Osemene declared that the election had ended and urged members to put divisions behind them.

“There are no camps or divisions. There is only one NACTAL Nigeria, and I am President for all,” he said.The president-elect also appreciated government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society networks, development organisations and international partners for their support and collaboration with NACTAL.

Among those acknowledged were the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), International Labour Organization (ILO), European Union, GIZ, ActionAid, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Senior Citizens Centre (NSDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, ECOWAS Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.

Osemene said his administration would pursue five major priorities aimed at repositioning NACTAL and expanding its impact. These, according to him, include capacity building and economic empowerment; inclusion and transparency; institutional sustainability; stronger counter-trafficking and policy implementation; and regional leadership within ECOWAS.

He stressed that the mandate given to the new administration would not remain a mere electoral victory but would be translated into an action plan.

“The mandate we have received is now an action plan,” he said, promising to build an administration focused on practical results and stronger institutional structures.

Osemene further disclosed that work had already commenced towards one of the administration’s key priorities, noting that the organisational capacity assessment of survivor-led organisations which he began before the election would form part of the foundation for NACTAL’s planned capacity-building programme.

He called on NACTAL members, veterans, zonal and state coordinators, young professionals and partners to support the incoming administration in delivering on its mandate.

“The election is over. The mandate has been given. The work begins now,” Osemene declared.

He expressed confidence that through collective effort, NACTAL Nigeria could progress from its existing achievements to greater regional influence.

“Together, let us move from proven leadership to West African leadership,” he said.

Osemene concluded by seeking the continued support of members and partners and prayed for the progress of NACTAL Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

News

Osita Osememe gets 95.65% votes, emerges NACTAL president

Published

9 hours ago

September 11, 2026

News Diggers

Osita Samuel Osemene has emerged President of the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) for the 2026–2030 tenure, securing an overwhelming 95.65 per cent of the votes cast in the organisation’s national executive elections.

Osemene, who was nominated by Patriotic Citizen Initiatives, polled 44 of the 46 valid votes cast to defeat his opponent, Nosakhare Agbonavbare Erhunmwunsee of NAME Foundation, who secured two votes, representing 4.35 per cent.

The election was conducted electronically on September 5, 2026, with all 46 accredited voters casting their ballots. The NACTAL Electoral Committee recorded 46 valid votes and no invalid ballot.

In its official declaration, the Electoral Committee said it had conducted the electronic voting and thoroughly verified all cast ballots and verification tokens before declaring the results.

The committee subsequently declared Osemene duly elected as National President of NACTAL for the 2026–2030 tenure.

Osemene’s emergence was part of the election of a new National Executive Council to steer the affairs of NACTAL during the four-year tenure.

Other officers elected include Sarah David Ibi of Women of Valour Initiatives for Development and Empowerment, who emerged National Vice President unopposed with 46 votes.

Enwelum Ogechukwu Uzoamaka of Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative was elected National Secretary with 30 votes, representing 65.22 per cent, while Lorrieth Nwafor of Initiative for Social Change in Africa polled 16 votes.

Kalejaiye Olasunkanmi of Global Promoters for Community Initiatives was elected National Assistant Secretary unopposed with all 46 votes.

Eunice Oghale Odeghe of Female Drivers Association won the National Financial Secretary position with 32 votes, while Eunice Favour Eboatu of Reachout Initiative for Vulnerable Africa Women received 14 votes.

Ahmad Hashim of Millennium Development Center, Gusau, emerged National Internal Auditor unopposed with 46 votes, while Andrew Azubuike Duru of Rarduja Development Organisation was elected National Public Relations Officer, also with 46 votes.

Adedeji John Oludare of Betterliving Foundation & Capacity Development emerged National Treasurer unopposed, while Aremu Samuel Adeniyi of CSO for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria was elected National Legal Adviser, both securing all 46 votes.

At the zonal level, Eucheria Onyemaobi of Zaram Life Foundation was elected South-East Coordinator with eight out of eight votes, while Ejalonibu Ezekiel Agboola of Livingspring Human Development Initiatives won in the South-West with seven out of seven votes.

Kabiru Musa of Kebbi Sickle Cell Association emerged North-West Coordinator with seven out of seven votes, while Vera Roli Igbinadolor was elected North-Central Coordinator with three out of three votes.

The NACTAL Electoral Committee certified the results as a true, full and accurate account of the electronic votes validly cast in the National and Zonal Executive Elections held on September 5, 2026.

News

Peter Obi alleges thugs blocked visit to Yelwata massacre victims in Benue

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has alleged that suspected hired thugs obstructed his visit to Yelwata community in Benue State, where more than 270 people were reportedly killed in a deadly attack.

Obi made the allegation in a statement following his arrival in Benue on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, saying he had travelled to the state on a humanitarian mission to commiserate with families affected by the killings.

According to him, he arrived in Benue at about 9:00 a.m. but his convoy was prevented from proceeding to the affected community by individuals chanting, “Peter Obi, go back.”

Obi described the incident as distressing, stressing that his visit was not politically motivated but intended to mourn with the bereaved, listen to affected families and offer solidarity following the tragedy.

He said the obstruction was particularly troubling at a time when Nigerians should be united in grief and focused on preventing further loss of lives.

The former governor recalled that he had consistently promoted political civility, citing his attendance the previous day at the opening of the national campaign office of opposition presidential candidate and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in Abuja.

He said his presence at the event was meant to demonstrate that political differences should not prevent mutual respect and civility.

Obi also recalled that while serving as governor of Anambra State, he personally welcomed visiting opposition members during election campaigns, provided their activities remained within the law.

He condemned what he described as efforts to deepen political divisions, insisting that Nigerians should be able to live, travel and farm without fear.

“At a time when our nation should be united in grief and resolute in preventing further bloodshed, we must reject any action capable of deepening our divisions,” Obi said.

He maintained that the primary responsibility of government was to protect human life, arguing that political considerations should never take precedence over the safety and security of citizens.

Although he could not reach Yelwata as planned, Obi said his thoughts and prayers remained with the victims, their families and the entire community.

He pledged to continue advocating for the protection of Nigerian lives, concluding with his familiar declaration: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”