‎The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for mass education of voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga, made the call on Monday at a meeting with members of the Directorate of Politics and Governance (DPG), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Region 57 in Uyo.

‎Effanga said that religious institutions had a crucial role to play in shaping public opinion and mobilising the citizenry.

He said that the involvement of rigorous groups in voter education would enhance democratic participation and promote peaceful elections.

‎”We are working with a very tight election schedule and we need stakeholders to help us to sensitise the public to election procedures.

‎”We urge you to sensitise your members to conduct themselves in a manner that will promote peaceful and credible elections,” he said.

‎The REC said that the commission would soon commence revalidation of the voter register to enable it to identify the actual number of voters in the country.

The Coordinator, DPG RCCG Region 57, Akwa Ibom, Prof. Udeme Udofia, said that the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with INEC.

“The essence of this collaboration is to promote responsible citizenship and credible governance,” he said.

‎Udofia said that the DPG unit of the RCCG was established to provide political education on governance processes, civic responsibility and voter participation within the church.

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

Nigeria’s opposition political space is witnessing renewed tension and realignments as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating defections to weaken rival parties, while former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, said widespread public frustration could trigger major political shifts ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP on Monday dismissed claims by the APC that recent defections signaled the collapse of the opposition, insisting that the ruling party was using inducement and pressure to lure political office holders.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party described remarks attributed to the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, as “delusional propaganda,” maintaining that defections would not translate into public support for the ruling party.

Ememobong alleged that the APC was deliberately encouraging defections to create the impression that opposition parties were weakening, even though many Nigerians remained dissatisfied with the performance of the current administration.

“For Morka, who is struggling to become a modern-day Joseph Goebbels, he should remember that delusional propaganda does not just destroy a nation but ultimately consumes its proponents,” the statement said.

According to the PDP, the ruling party’s celebration of defections was part of a calculated effort to undermine opposition politics and dominate the political landscape ahead of future elections.

The party further argued that despite what it described as “large-scale defections secured by force and inducement,” many Nigerians continued to reject the APC because of worsening economic and social conditions.

The PDP also claimed that the ruling party had struggled to mobilise genuine grassroots support, alleging that membership registration exercises in some states relied on copied databases from state empowerment programmes.

The party warned that those defending the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would eventually face judgment in the court of public opinion when the history of the period is written.

Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, said the growing frustration among Nigerians could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Dickson, who recently resigned from the PDP, spoke in Abuja during the unveiling of the digital membership registration portal of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a new political platform he described as a credible alternative for Nigerians seeking change.

According to him, many citizens are increasingly dissatisfied with the current state of the country and are searching for new political options.

“Nigerians are angry with the status quo. Nigerians are not only angry, they are also hungry, and they are hungry for change. The NDC is available as the tool for effecting the change Nigerians want,” he said.

Dickson described the NDC as a fresh political movement focused on ideology, national development and inclusive participation.

He said the newly launched digital membership registration portal would modernise the party’s operations and encourage participation from Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora.

The senator also likened the emergence of the party to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, urging Nigerians who desire genuine political transformation to join the platform early.

“We are a national party. We are a pan-Nigerian democratic movement. We are not a regional movement,” Dickson said.

Also speaking at the event, the National Chairman of the party, Senator Cleopas Moses, said the digital registration portal would make it easier for Nigerians to join the party and participate in its activities while promoting transparency and accountability.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by several party leaders and stakeholders, including the National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, and state party chairmen.

Dickson’s comments and the launch of the NDC membership portal come barely weeks after he announced his resignation from the PDP, citing deepening internal crisis and poor leadership within the once-dominant opposition party.

The former governor had expressed concern that the PDP, which once generated hope and enthusiasm among Nigerians, had deteriorated significantly due to internal divisions and leadership challenges.

Analysts say the latest developments highlight growing political manoeuvring among opposition figures as parties reposition themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

All is set for the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State to commission its new secretariat on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The commissioning of the new secretariat became imperative following the sack of the Solomon Agwana-led State Working Committee in April 2025 and the abandonment of the old secretariat along Isaac Boro Expressway, Yenagoa.

The acting chairman of the caretaker committee of PDP in Bayelsa State, Hon Alabh George Turnah, will perform the commissioning of the new secretariat.

The opening of the secretariat is expected to be witnessed by party leaders in the state, including newly elected ward and local government executives of the party, women, and youth groups.

A statement by the acting state secretary of the party, Alfreder Ebibofayei Ato, stated that the commissioning would precede the Bayelsa State Elective Congress.

She also disclosed that the inauguration and swearing in of all elected Ward, Local Government, and the State Executive Committee members would take place after the commissioning of the new state secretariat.

Ato enjoined all members of the party and Bayelsans to troop out to join the leadership of the party in celebrating a new dawn of PDP in Bayelsa state.

A source in the caretaker committee hinted that party stalwarts, including the national leader of the party, Nyesom Wike, the national chairman, Abdulrahman Moahammed, National Secretary, Sameul Anyanwu, and National Vice- Chairman, South- South, Chief Dan Orbih, are not expected in the state because of their involvement in preparations to ensure a befitting National Convention billed for Abuja on 29th and 30th of March.

The party had a peaceful and successful local government congress across the eight local government areas on Saturday, March 7, which produced eight local government chairmen of the party.

The party had held successful ward congresses on March 3 across the 105 wards in the state, demonstrating the acceptability of the party in the state by Bayelsans.

Hon Turnah had, during the conduct of the Ogbia Local Government congress in Ogbia town, declared that the successful conduct of wards and local government congresses across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State is verifiable evidence that the PDP is alive in Bayelsa State.

He had dismissed all fears of the collapse of the party in Bayelsa State, stressing that the party would field credible candidates in the 2027 elections and reclaim Bayelsa State.