POLITICS
Soludo: A Post-Election Anambra
By Dakuku Peterside
At face value, the Anambra election 2021 is over, but the lessons have far broader implications that will endure. Beyond these lessons, of what is considered the most consequential election in 2021 is the management of the people’s expectations and the governor-elect’s ability to fix the jigsaw puzzle of the many contradictions that Anambra represents.
Let’s begin with the election, context and lessons learnt.
Anambra 2021 is an off-season election, and historically off-season elections are indicators of what to expect in preceding general elections. As Chidi Amuta had presented in his column elsewhere, Anambra is unique for many reasons and whatever happens in that state applies to other states in Nigeria, perhaps in different dimensions.First, the contest of the election was defined by the peculiarities of insecurity in the state where non-state actors are contesting for power and are enjoying semi legitimacy because of the apparent support they are getting from locals. IPOB’s persistent sit-at-home regime preceding the election caused a low turnout of voters, and contestants campaigned under a canopy of mortal fear of real danger. The fear of unknown gunmen pervaded the entire space.
Second, the government demonstrated its powers to provide security to citizens of Anambra to participate in democracy’s most important ritual of casting votes against the affront of IPOB and unknown gunmen who threatened to unleash mayhem in the state against candidates and citizens who planned to participate in the election. Whether the relative peace enjoyed by citizens is a function of the deployment of massive security or the effect of the suspension of the sit-at-home order by IPOB will be an exciting study.
Third, the historical peculiarities of Anambra state gubernatorial elections that have seen a series of pitched battles among unruly factions of desperate political hustlers, a high-level religious incursion into civil politics, a tale of high drama, crude machinations, and the deployment of violence, even “dark juju”, and cultic mindlessness. The governor’s power is the ultimate power in a state like Anambra, with more than the usual number of billionaires hustling to capture or possibly buy state power, not necessarily for the people’s good.
The November 6 and 9 elections came and passed with little sinister drama, as some pundits predicted. Anambra citizens defied all odds to heed the call to vote. Comparatively, INEC conducted a credible election by Nigerian standards and declared Chukwuma Soludo the governor-elect. INEC may indeed have fallen short of its benchmark, but yet Anambra 2021 represents hope. In the circumstance of logistics challenges and the pervading threat of local militia, the Nigerian security agencies deployed to Anambra in their thousands also did a fantastic job of providing security to the life and property of people and defying non-state actors who threatened to derail the electoral process. IPOB, in the last few days before the elections, called off the general sit-at-home in Anambra and other south-east states, thereby reducing the tension in the polity.
There are so many lessons to draw from this election by Nigeria and Nigerians. The first is that when the Nigerian state decides to protect its interest and citizens against non-state actors, it goes out of its way to do that. The sheer massive deployment of security agents and the bravery with which they protected lives and property during the election is worthy of note. Such attitude and courage are needed to combat banditry and kidnapping in various parts of the country. Although the ‘militarization’ of the election process is against democratic precepts, in this case, it was a welcome development.
The second lesson is the efficacy of technology deployment in election management. INEC showed great confidence in these technologies. Anambra elections allowed INEC the opportunity to test-run some of the recently added technology for conducting free and fair elections. Although a few glitches were recorded during the polls with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC has reassured Nigerians of the importance of using this technology and hope to use it effectively and efficiently in subsequent elections.
The third lesson is that all politics is local. The people know what they want, given the right environment, they can express their preference for the kind of leadership they believe can help them fix their challenges and achieve their aspirations. The people of Anambra have consistently shown a preference for accomplished professionals, technocrats or intellectuals, and this latest election follows that trend. We expect a new renaissance in politics where young intellectuals and people from the private sector would take up politics and have a realistic expectation to win if there is a level playing field for all. Soludo signifies this ideal. Other technocrats and citizens are watching to see how all of these play out and shape the future of politics in south-east Nigeria.
After November 9, Governor-elect Soludo will notice that a governor by appointment and another by-election are two different scenarios with no meeting point. The meaning of words and concepts are different and new realities will replace old ones. Pre-election truth will substantially differ from post-election truth. Intellectualizing governance and leadership are more straightforward than practicing it. A state with a relatively thriving economy based on industrialization and enterprise and massive potential for growth – a state of the likes of Azikiwe’s, Ekwueme’s, Ojukwu’s, and more recently, Peter Obi’s.
The people’s expectations of the governor-elect, Soludo, is very high. It is very high not only because he ran an eloquent campaign on ‘Solutions’ to Anambra problems and made several promises on how to tackle most of the problems bedevilling the growth of the state, but his pedigree as an intellectual, technocrat and one of the best minds Anambra produced in recent times imbued in people high hopes that he will perform well as a governor. The enormity of expectation is seen in the reactions of Nigerians, both home and abroad, to his election. Some are seeing him as the pivot of Nigeria’s turnaround to the path of progress on all fronts because they believe a man with a “good head” will run Anambra state, and in extension, other states will emulate Anambra in voting incredible candidates given how good Soludo will be as a governor.
During his campaign, he highlighted that he would improve education, increase local and foreign direct investment, increase internally generated revenue, provide about 130,000 jobs, and create 1,000 millionaires annually. It is one thing to inspire people to dream big, share a vision, and aspire to great heights, and another to design the “How” to bring the vision to life. The common assumption is that the people of Anambra voted for Soludo because he is a man of ideas, a proven technocrat and intellectual per excellence. I hope that these exceptional qualities that stand him out will manifest in his delivery of good governance.
There is no doubt that many are rooting for him to succeed, and he will enjoy the support of many in his bid to grow Anambra state. In his acceptance speech, he posits, “My role will be that of your chief servant, and I will work every minute of the day with you to make you profoundly proud. I will need the guidance, advice and contribution of everyone to succeed”. He will need to rally every citizen of Anambra to work with him to achieve these expectations.
I implore him to start — on time — to manage peoples’ expectations and be realistic about his potentials and limitations in providing solutions to the myriads of problems of Anambra people. He should always carry people along to understand his vision, agenda, strategy, and policies. This action is essential because rising expectations sometimes lead to increasing frustrations. Even when working hard and putting his best in leading Anambra, if people expect Eldorado and expect it pronto, whatever effort and accomplishments he may have made will be seen from a narrow prism.
Like him or loath him, Soludo is the governor-elect of Anambra state. And come March 2022, he will become the next executive governor of the state, barring any legal manoeuvrings. He is riding on great populism based on his antecedents and pedigree. This has brought huge expectations from most Nigerians, especially given that he symbolized the incursion into politics by technocrats and intellectuals who usually would rather stay aloof before now. He is a game-changer.
Whilst managing these huge expectations, he must develop a great strategy to accomplish great things in Anambra and make Igbos proud. He is the only governor from APGA, and he must think deeply about the future of the party and whether to expand and go national or remain local. He will be compared with his predecessors, and he must not pale in comparison. He must not fail. My advice to the governor-elect is “focus on the people! Power belongs to God and the people”.
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government generated N33tn in revenue between January and October 2026, while about 90 per cent of Nigeria’s data is hosted abroad, highlighting the country’s growing revenue capacity and dependence on foreign digital infrastructure.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed the figures while delivering the convocation lecture at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Communications and Press Secretary, Maryann Duke, Oyedele attributed the record revenue performance partly to improvements in digital tax administration and the introduction of electronic invoicing.
He said the increased use of digital systems had strengthened revenue collection, improved tax compliance and enhanced efficiency across government institutions.
Oyedele, however, raised concerns over Nigeria’s dependence on foreign digital infrastructure, citing estimates from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission that as much as 90 per cent of the country’s data is hosted outside its borders.
He also disclosed, citing Nigerian Communications Commission figures, that Nigeria had recorded more than 157 million active internet subscriptions as of May 2026.
According to him, these connections generate enormous volumes of data through financial transactions, healthcare, education and taxation, creating significant economic opportunities for the country.
He warned that hosting most of this data abroad has implications for foreign exchange expenditure, job creation, technological skills development and Nigeria’s control over information generated by its citizens.
The minister compared the situation to Nigeria’s historical dependence on imported refined petroleum products, cautioning against allowing the country’s data to be processed abroad while digital services are subsequently sold back to Nigerians.
He called for increased investment in local data infrastructure, cybersecurity, technical expertise and predictable regulations to enable Nigerian businesses to capture greater value from the digital economy.
Oyedele stressed that digital sovereignty should not mean technological isolation but should position Nigeria to compete more effectively in international markets.
Addressing graduating students, he urged young Nigerians to move beyond consuming foreign technological products and become developers of solutions that address local and global challenges.
He described artificial intelligence as both a disruptive force and an opportunity for innovation, advising graduates to combine digital skills with critical thinking, creativity, sound judgement and integrity.
The minister also warned that irresponsible online conduct could affect employment opportunities, business relationships and professional credibility, as digital footprints increasingly shape public perception.
He urged universities to strengthen partnerships with government and industry to develop practical solutions in agriculture, energy, healthcare, environmental sustainability and digital services.
According to him, the performance of higher institutions should be measured not only by graduation figures and academic publications but also by businesses established, innovations developed and economic problems solved.
Oyedele outlined five priorities for graduates: continuous learning, value creation, integrity, responsible digital citizenship and active participation in national development.
“Your degree is evidence of what you have learned. Your competence will demonstrate what you can do. Your character will reveal who you truly are,” he told the graduating students.
He urged the graduates to combine innovation with ethical conduct and contribute to building an economy driven by local expertise, productive enterprises and technological advancement.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President, David Mark, invalidating all decisions taken by the party under its leadership, including the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also invalidated the emergence of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as the party’s National Secretary, the appointments of other national officers and the nominations of candidates for elective positions across the country.
The court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting held on July 27, 2025.
The judgment followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, instituted by former ADC Deputy National Chairman (North-East), Nafiu Bala Gombe, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over its leadership. He consequently asked the court to invalidate the actions of the Mark-led leadership and restrain Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
Upholding the plaintiff’s case, Justice Lifu held that the emergence of the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution, relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking after the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Lukman Fagbemi (SAN), said the court had nullified all actions taken by the Mark-led leadership since July 2025.
He explained that INEC had been directed not to recognise or act on decisions taken at the party’s 99th NEC meeting, adding that the court found that the leadership did not emerge through lawful constitutional processes.
Another counsel to the plaintiff, Luka Musa Haruna (SAN), said the judgment effectively left the ADC without candidates for the 2027 elections, including the presidential, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives contests, as well as state legislative positions.
He recalled that the interlocutory aspect of the dispute had gone to the Supreme Court, which directed that the matter be returned to the Federal High Court for determination of the substantive issues.
The latest ruling, however, has triggered a fresh legal and political confrontation, with Atiku declaring that he would challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, titled ‘The Panic Is Real — Atiku’, the former Vice-President described the judgment as an attempt to weaken the opposition party and frustrate his presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku questioned why another suit was instituted against the Mark-led leadership despite an earlier judgment by the same Federal High Court, which he said had affirmed the leadership’s legitimacy.
He cited a judgment delivered on July 2, 2026, by Justice Musa Liman in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025, which he said dismissed a challenge to the Mark-led leadership on grounds relating to jurisdiction, standing and failure to exhaust internal party remedies.
According to him, the latest case amounted to an attempt to circumvent an existing judicial decision.
“Why, after that judgment, was another case filed to reopen the same dispute? This is a calculated attempt to circumvent a subsisting judgment. We will challenge this judicial manoeuvre at the Court of Appeal,” he said.
Atiku also questioned the timing of Thursday’s ruling, which came barely 24 hours after a large crowd attended the ADC campaign rally in Sokoto State.
He alleged that the judgment was intended to undermine the momentum generated by the rally and weaken his political support in Northern Nigeria.
“The timing of this judgment is no coincidence. It is part of a strategy to weaken my support in the North and frustrate a campaign whose message is resonating across the country,” he said.
The former Vice-President maintained that his political ambition was not restricted to Northern Nigeria, arguing that the economic hardship confronting Nigerians had created a national demand for political change.
He said the turnout at the Sokoto rally demonstrated growing support for the ADC’s promise to address the rising cost of living, adding that the campaign would proceed to Kebbi State and other parts of the country.
“My roots are in Northern Nigeria, but my candidacy belongs to all Nigerians. There is a difference between being from the North and being a candidate only for the North. Hunger and hardship do not respect regional boundaries,” he said.
Atiku urged his supporters not to be discouraged by the judgment, insisting that the party’s campaign activities would continue while the legal battle progressed.
He called on party members to remain peaceful, intensify house-to-house mobilisation and sustain the campaign for what he described as an affordable life for Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the ADC has rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to appeal, urging members to remain calm and law-abiding while the party explores available judicial options.
The ruling represents a major setback for the Mark-led faction of the ADC, coming at a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 general elections. Its implications for the party’s leadership, presidential candidacy and other electoral nominations will now be subject to further legal proceedings.
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)
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