INEC recognizes Mark-led ADC faction, 471 candidates for 2027 elections
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has confirmed it will only recognize candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress ADC for the 2027 general election. This decision follows a Supreme Court judgment affirming Mark's leadership. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, stated that the Mark-led faction has already nominated 471 candidates, including two presidential, 109 senatorial, and 360 House of Representatives candidates. Haruna clarified that the rival faction, led by Nafiu Gombe, has no legal basis to submit candidates, as their appeal for recognition was lost. The ADC has called for the investigation and prosecution of Nafiu Gombe, accusing him of attempting to mislead Nigerians by falsely claiming to have uploaded the party's candidates through INEC's nomination portal. The party stated that INEC confirmed Gombe's claims were false and that only the Mark-led National Executive Committee was granted access codes to the restricted portal. The ADC views Gombe's actions as a serious attempt to deceive the public and urged security agencies to investigate. Despite a recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming an earlier Federal High Court decision that restrained INEC from recognizing state congresses conducted by the Mark-led leadership, INEC maintains that its recognition of the Mark-led leadership and the submitted nominations are based on the Supreme Court judgment. The ADC clarified that the appellate c
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Dr. Muhammed Aminu Muhammed, Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board NABTEB, stated that technical education is Nigeria's most effective route to employment, entrepreneurship, and national economic growth. He made these remarks during an inspection of the 2026 May/June NABTEB examinations at the Federal Technical College, Awka, Anambra State. Muhammed emphasized that Nigeria's future relies on equipping young people with practical skills to create jobs, rather than waiting for white-collar employment. His visit to Awka was part of a nationwide monitoring exercise. Over 167,000 candidates are taking the examinations nationwide this year, with 226 at the Awka center. Muhammed expressed satisfaction with the organization at the Awka center, noting improvements in this year's examinations compared to 2025, attributing this to better supervision, coordination, and security support. He reiterated that the practical component of NABTEB examinations is crucial for producing graduates with employable skills, and expanding technical education is vital for reducing unemployment and fostering a productive economy in Nigeria.
Afia Media, a regional broadcasting firm, has introduced the "Afia Annual Lecture and Awards," an intellectual and recognition platform aimed at steering the narrative and economic development of Nigeria's South-East region. The initiative seeks to gather stakeholders from government, business, academia, culture, and civil society to discuss the region's future and honor achievements. The inaugural event is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 in Enugu. Emeka Mba, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Afia Media, stated that the platform underscores the organization's dedication to amplifying the region's voices, aspirations, and developmental priorities. He described the South-East as a highly entrepreneurial and culturally vibrant region, and the event will offer a credible platform for dialogue, recognition, and collective action. The event will include a high-level lecture with policymakers and public-private sector leaders, and an awards gala celebrating institutions and individuals. Mrs. Ijeoma Ezeasor, a Director at Afia Media, emphasized the importance of the South-East controlling its own narrative, warning that failure to document its progress could lead to misrepresentation in a digital and AI-driven world. She stressed that if the region does not actively define its achievements and contribute its perspective, others will define it.
Amnesty International has collaborated with female lawyers in Imo State to enhance prevention and response efforts against gender-based violence. During a capacity-building event in Owerri, Helen Addah, Human Rights Education Officer of Amnesty International, stated that the training aims to equip lawyers with skills in media engagement, information gathering, and survivor protection. She emphasized the importance of implementing policies and laws on gender-based violence, particularly utilizing the Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide necessary services for survivors. Addah highlighted that a human rights-based approach could significantly reduce gender-based violence in the state. Rosemary Hamza, a resource person, stressed the need for effective referral pathways for survivors, noting that these pathways are crucial for connecting survivors with coordinated services addressing their physical, emotional, legal, and social needs. She urged lawyers to track and report violence cases to deter offenders, explaining that effective referral systems prevent delays, fragmented services, repeated questioning, and breaches of confidentiality for survivors. Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma, former Chairperson of FIDA, described the training as vital for female lawyers in handling and advocating for gender-based violence cases. She added that trained lawyers would educate society on how to respond to gender-based violence issues, including understanding referral pathways, and emphasized the