By Abigail David

The Nigeria Police Force has completed security deployments across all 2,545 polling units in Ekiti State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Security, CP Shogule Abayomi, said a multi-layered security strategy had been put in place to ensure a peaceful, credible and hitch-free electoral process.

According to him, security personnel and operational assets have been strategically deployed to polling units and other designated locations to protect voters, electoral officials, election observers and sensitive election materials throughout the exercise.

Abayomi added that the security arrangement also covers critical infrastructure, major entry and exit routes, border communities and other strategic locations across the state.

He said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, had directed that all officers deployed for election duties conduct themselves professionally, impartially and in strict compliance with the law.

The police warned that electoral offences and any acts capable of undermining the integrity of the election would attract appropriate sanctions under the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

Abayomi urged eligible voters to participate peacefully in the election and exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation. He also cautioned against the spread of false or unverified information that could create panic or disrupt public order.

To enhance public safety and rapid response during the election, the police announced a dedicated emergency line, 080062335577, for reporting security concerns throughout the voting period.

The Ekiti governorship election is expected to feature candidates from 13 political parties competing for the state’s highest office.

By Abigail David

The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has selected Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

The development was confirmed on Monday by Gwarzo’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Shuaibu, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.

According to Shuaibu, the choice of Mustapha Kwankwaso is aimed at strengthening the party’s electoral prospects and expanding its support base across Kano State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The governorship candidate of our great party, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has selected Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election in Kano State,” he said.

He added that the selection reflects the party’s commitment to unity, inclusiveness and effective representation.

Mustapha Kwankwaso is the son of the National Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. His nomination is expected to bolster the influence of the political movement within the NDC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

Gwarzo, a former Deputy Governor of Kano State, emerged as the NDC governorship candidate following consultations among party stakeholders.

Political observers believe the ticket could shape alliances and influence the political landscape in Kano State ahead of the governorship poll.

By Abigail David

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord, for allegedly failing to meet constitutional requirements for continued registration.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the affected parties after finding that they failed to secure the required electoral threshold in the last general elections.

The parties affected by the ruling are the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The court also restrained INEC from allowing the parties to participate in future elections, including the 2027 general elections, on the grounds that they did not satisfy the constitutional criteria for political party recognition.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026, was filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators, with INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation joined as defendants.

The plaintiff argued that the affected parties failed to meet constitutional requirements on electoral performance and spread, maintaining that they did not secure the minimum level of votes required to retain their status. The court held that the parties failed to effectively challenge the claims.