The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for the partnership of the United Nations in combating disinformation in the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the call on during a courtesy visit by a United Nations delegation, led by Dr.

Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

Amupitan also called for the UN’s partnership in enhancing early warning security monitoring and civic inclusion for women, youth and vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

He identified foreign information manipulation, fake news and targetted electoral disinformation as major emerging threats to democratic processes in West Africa.

“As we deepen our preparations for the 2027 general elections, the commission welcomes continued strategic support and collaborations with the United Nations in several key areas.

“These areas include electoral information integrity and countering disinformation, partnering on rapid response mechanisms and public awareness initiatives to combat foreign information manipulation and interference, the highlighted system manipulations and electoral disinformation.

“One of the greatest challenges to this relation is the issue of disinformation and misinformation, most especially when it has foreign components,” he said.

Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and transparent elections in 2027, assuring Nigerians that the commission was actively refining its operations to uphold the integrity of the ballot.

He highlighted key institutional reforms, technological updates and voter register cleanup exercises currently underway ahead of the upcoming elections.

The INEC chairman noted that Nigeria’s national voter register currently stands at 103 million, with young voters between the ages of 18 and 34 accounting for nearly 29 per cent of the electorate.

“Using technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), we have successfully identified and removed over 1.5 million ineligible registrations prior to reaching this 103 million mark.

“The cleanup process is ongoing, with display of the register for claims and objections in accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act. The final cleaned register will be published on Dec. 15,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman added that the commission was actively distributing permanent voter cards (PVCs) across the nation for new registrants, those who updated their details and voters requesting replacement cards.

To enhance operational efficiency and speed up voter accreditation on Election Day, Amupitan said that the commission had lowered the voter threshold per BVAS device from 1,250 to 800 voters.

He also noted that to build public trust and test technical readiness, INEC planned to conduct nationwide mock accreditation and election exercises prior to the general elections.

“Our objective is to ensure efficient logistics, transparent result management via the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) and timely declaration of results.

“Election should be a source of peace, stability and nation-building,” the chairman said.

In his remarks, the head of the delegation said that the mission was aimed at offering moral and strategic support to Nigeria, as it prepares for the critical polls.

Simão said that given Nigeria’s strategic importance in West Africa, peaceful and successful elections in the country would serve as an inspiration to the entire sub-region.

He emphasised the need for Nigeria to conduct peaceful elections in spite of the diverse views and sentiments involved in any election.

“Elections are always challenging in any country because there are so many views, sentiments and emotions involved.

“Therefore, it is important to manage all of these varieties without putting in danger the peace and stability of the country. Particularly in our case here, the country Nigeria is being affected by terrorism and other sources of violence,” he said.

He said that the Nigeria election should not be another source of violence or burden for the country, another burden for the country, urging INEC to make sure that the elections were peaceful.

“Elections are always challenging because of the varied political sentiments and emotions involved.

“Given that Nigeria is already dealing with security challenges, the election should not be another source of violence or burden for the country,” he said.

Simão added that while the UN delegation would not act as official election observers due to mandate constraints, its presence in the country would continue through the election period to encourage positive behaviours and support peaceful political dialogue among political actors.

“Our objective is to give our contribution for successful elections. We need peaceful elections not only for the benefit of the people of Nigeria, but also of the region.

“Successful elections in Nigeria will be a sort of inspiration to other countries also to follow through. Therefore, the regional integration also happens at this level,” he said.(NAN)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa has sensitised Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) on the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Muhammad Nura, said this at the inauguration of the exercise on Monday in Yola.

He said that persons with disabilities constituted an important part of the electorate, adding that the commission was geared toward ensuring an inclusive electoral process.

Nura said that the commission recognised the need to identify and address barriers to ensure that no eligible voter was left out.

“Our commitment to electoral inclusion requires continuous sensitisation, effective collaboration with disability organisations, and improved voter education. And the identification of reasonable measures to facilitate participation by voters with various forms of disability,” he said.

According to Nura, the commission is paying attention to the accessibility of polling units; availability of voter education materials in appropriate formats, and effective communication with voters with different forms of disabilities.

He said that the commission would deploy appropriate assistive devices in accordance with its procedures, to enhance support for different disability clusters.

Aliyu Shaba, Head of Department, Voter Education, said that the exercise was designed to strengthen implementation of inclusive guidelines, voter education and mobilisation.

He said, “the workshop is about moving from awareness to practical action.

“As we prepare for the 2027 general election, let us strengthen our collective responsibility to ensure interventions reach those for whom they are intended,” he said.

Shaba highlighted that the exercise would strengthen capacity, improve implementation and ensure that no eligible PWDs exercise their franchise.

Also, Sani Sabo, Chairman, Joined Association of Person with Disabilities, lauded the gesture.

Sabo, represented by his deputy, Dalhatu Muhammad, assured their members to mobilise participation in the election. (NAN)

From Yagana Ali, Yola

The Director-General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has called on the people of Adamawa State to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, while reaffirming his commitment to the welfare of his former constituents.

Buba Yakub made the call during an empowerment programme organised by the Rt.

Hon. Yusuf Capt. Buba Support Group in Faci, within the Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, where more than 1,000 people benefited from cash grants and other forms of assistance.

The programme brought together APC leaders, political stakeholders, community representatives and beneficiaries, providing a platform for grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections and renewed engagement with communities in the constituency.

The NTAC Director-General urged residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing what he described as the administration’s achievements and reforms in revenue generation, tertiary education, national unity, security, local government autonomy, foreign exchange stability and broader national development.

He also called for support for APC candidates contesting presidential, senatorial, House of Representatives, state assembly and other elective positions in Adamawa State.

According to him, the empowerment initiative was conceived by his support group and endorsed by him as part of his commitment to giving back to the people who elected him to the House of Representatives on two occasions.

He explained that his continued engagement with the constituency was motivated by a desire to sustain the relationship he built with the people during his years in elective office.

Buba Yakub further pledged to deploy his political experience, networks and available resources towards mobilising support for the APC across Adamawa State, stressing the importance of grassroots participation in the forthcoming elections.

He maintained that political mobilisation should be accompanied by sustained engagement with the people and efforts to address their needs.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Professor Ibrahim Umar, commended Buba Yakub for maintaining close ties with his former constituency despite his current national assignment.

Professor Umar observed that the NTAC Director-General was not seeking elective office at the moment but had continued to provide assistance to his former constituents through financial support and other empowerment initiatives.

He described the programme as an indication of continued engagement with the people beyond the period of elective service.

The Vice-Chancellor noted that the beneficiaries and supporters who attended the event reflected the enduring relationship between Buba Yakub and the constituency he previously represented.

He said the initiative demonstrated the importance of maintaining contact with constituents and responding to their needs even after leaving the National Assembly.

Professor Umar also expressed support for Buba Yakub’s appeal for the re-election of President Tinubu and the election of other APC candidates in 2027.

He urged party supporters to remain committed to the political direction being advocated by their leaders.

Also speaking, the representative of the Adamawa State Governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bathiya Wesley, called on APC leaders and supporters to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wesley urged party stakeholders to emulate Buba Yakub’s approach to engaging supporters and translating political influence into practical activities at the community level.

He challenged party leaders to work towards securing support for the APC in their respective polling units, wards and local government areas.

According to him, effective grassroots organisation and sustained engagement with voters would be important to the party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.

The event attracted several prominent APC figures in Adamawa State, including the party’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Galadima; its candidate for Adamawa Central Senatorial District, Comrade Salihu Mustapha, PhD; the APC National Vice-Chairman for the North-East, Barrister Idriss Shuaibu; and the Adamawa State APC Chairman, Alhaji Hamza Bello Madagali.

Also in attendance were members of the National and State Assemblies representing constituencies across Adamawa Central, including Rt. Hon. James Barka of Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency, Hon. Wakili Aliyu Boya of Fufore/Song Federal Constituency, Rufa’i Umar of Gombi State Constituency and Hon. John Alaba of Uba Gaya State Constituency.

Their participation highlighted the political significance of the gathering as APC stakeholders intensified preparations for the 2027 elections.

The presence of party leaders and elected representatives also provided an opportunity to reinforce calls for cooperation among stakeholders and stronger engagement with supporters across the state.

A major highlight of the programme was the distribution of cash grants ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 to 565 APC supporters drawn from the 22 wards of the Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency.

According to the organisers, more than 500 additional party supporters received various forms of assistance, bringing the total number of participants and beneficiaries covered by the initiative to over 1,000.

The intervention was designed to provide financial assistance to beneficiaries while reinforcing Buba Yakub’s continued engagement with the constituency.

For recipients, the cash grants and other forms of support represented immediate assistance that could help address some of their financial needs.

The organisers said the programme formed part of the support group’s broader efforts to reach constituents through empowerment activities and community-based interventions.

Beyond the empowerment programme, special interventions were also extended a day earlier to individuals and communities affected by insurgent attacks, as well as people contributing to efforts to address insecurity in the area.

The assistance targeted former constituents affected by recent attacks in communities around Garaha-Dutse, Lhar, Bunya and other locations.

The intervention underscored the continuing humanitarian challenges facing communities affected by insecurity and the need for support for people whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted.

For affected households, assistance of this nature can help meet immediate needs while communities continue to grapple with the consequences of attacks and displacement.

The organisers said the initiative was part of the group’s engagement with vulnerable residents and communities facing difficult circumstances.

The programme combined financial assistance, community engagement and political mobilisation as APC stakeholders looked towards the 2027 general elections.

For Buba Yakub, the initiative provided an opportunity to reconnect with a constituency he represented in the House of Representatives while calling for support for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

His appeal centred on the argument that support for the party should extend across the various elective positions, from the presidency to legislative seats at the federal and state levels.

However, the administration’s cited achievements and the expected electoral benefits remain positions advanced by the organisers and speakers at the event.

As political activities gradually build towards 2027, the gathering in Faci reflected the growing importance of grassroots engagement, empowerment initiatives and political alliances in Adamawa State.

The programme concluded with a renewed call for APC supporters to remain active in their communities, strengthen party structures and participate in preparations for the forthcoming general elections.