News

‘Early party primaries will reduce election litigation’ – INEC

Published

1 month ago

July 28, 2026

Preport

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for an amendment to the Electoral Act to require political parties to conclude their primary elections at least one year before general elections.

Amupitan said the proposal would give political parties sufficient time to resolve disputes arising from candidate nominations, thereby reducing election-related litigation.

According to a statement posted on INEC’s X handle on Tuesday, Amupitan made the call while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023) in Abuja.

He explained that resolving party primary disputes well before elections would allow the electoral commission to focus on its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible polls rather than addressing conflicts originating from political parties.

According to Amupitan, most election-related litigation stems from disagreements over party primaries rather than issues arising during elections themselves.

“Most election-related legal disputes begin long before Nigerians cast their votes. If political parties conclude their primaries early and conduct them in a transparent, credible and inclusive manner, it will go a long way in reducing unnecessary litigation,” Amupitan said.

He said political parties could only strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by respecting their constitutions, adhering to their rules and providing members with a genuine opportunity to choose candidates.

Amupitan warned that the imposition of candidates, lack of transparency during party primaries and disregard for party guidelines had continued to fuel avoidable pre-election court cases, weaken public confidence and undermine the country’s electoral process.

“Strengthening internal democracy within political parties is as important as strengthening the nation’s electoral institutions,” he said.

He added that credible elections begin with credible candidate selection.

Amupitan also called for constitutional and electoral reforms to grant INEC greater financial autonomy to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

He noted that although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge, the commission still operates under the annual budget system, which limits its operational efficiency.

To address the challenge, he proposed that INEC’s funding should come directly from the Federation Account, enabling the commission to conduct voter registration, regulate political parties and organise elections without unnecessary administrative delays.

Health

Ebola outbreak spreads to 61 health zones in DRC — WHO

Published

4 minutes ago

September 11, 2026

Preport

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued to spread geographically, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) reporting cases across 61 health zones in six provinces.

The WHO disclosed this in its latest outbreak situation update issued on Thursday, saying the outbreak had expanded to Kayna Health Zone in North Kivu.

The affected provinces are Bas-Uélé, Haut-Uélé, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tshopo.

Transmission remains a concern

According to the latest WHO update, transmission patterns remain variable, with evidence of continued geographical expansion and sustained increases in cases across some affected health zones despite ongoing response efforts.

The agency said delayed detection remained a major concern, increasing the risk of further transmission within households, communities and healthcare facilities.

It said limited access to early treatment and difficulties in interrupting transmission were also contributing to the challenges faced by the response.

In addition, the WHO said these challenges required strengthened surveillance, rapid response measures and early treatment to help interrupt transmission.

As of 7 September, the DRC had recorded 6,757 confirmed Ebola cases caused by the Bundibugyo virus, including 3,267 deaths.

The figures represent a crude case fatality ratio of 48.3 per cent, according to the WHO.

Outbreak challenges

The latest development comes less than a month after the WHO described the outbreak as the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

At the time, 4,449 confirmed cases had been recorded across 53 health zones in five provinces.

The WHO had also warned that the outbreak was spreading faster than previous Ebola outbreaks at the same stage and was on course to potentially surpass the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which remains the largest recorded Ebola outbreak.

The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus.

READ ALSO: UK increases Ebola response funding to £78.7m

Unlike the Zaire species, which has caused several previous Ebola outbreaks and for which the Ervebo vaccine is used, there is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for Bundibugyo virus disease.

In August, the WHO said a high proportion of cases were being detected in communities rather than treatment centres and outside known contact lists, suggesting that some chains of transmission remained unidentified.

The agency had said response measures included contact tracing, treatment centres, safe burial teams, laboratories and community engagement activities.

The WHO said the continued geographical expansion of the outbreak highlights the need to strengthen surveillance and ensure early detection and treatment, particularly in affected communities and healthcare facilities.

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News

9 Goals in 9 Games: Nigerian Striker Okiki Akinwande Gets Slovakian Top-Flight Chance

Published

9 minutes ago

September 11, 2026

Preport

Nigerian striker Okiki Akinwande has earned a major opportunity to test himself in European top-flight football after completing a loan move to KFC Komárno in Slovakia from Czech side MFK Karviná.

The 19-year-old centre-forward has joined Komárno until the end of the 2026/27 season, with the Slovakian club confirming the arrival of the promising Nigerian attacker as part of their squad reinforcement.

Akinwande arrives in Slovakia after making a strong impression in the Czech youth system. The 1.92m striker scored nine goals in nine matches for Karviná’s youth side, underlining his finishing ability and providing the platform for his move into senior football.

He also made his senior debut for MFK Karviná B in the Czech third-tier MSFL, featuring in the 2025/26 campaign before making another appearance at the beginning of the current season. Official league records list him with four MSFL appearances and 154 minutes overall.

Now, Akinwande faces a significantly bigger challenge in the Niké Liga, Slovakia’s top division, where he will have the opportunity to compete against established professional teams.

His move to KFC Komárno is viewed as an important development step, allowing the Nigerian forward to gain valuable senior experience and adapt to the physical and tactical demands of first-team football.

Komárno, based in southern Slovakia, have strengthened their squad with young African talent ahead of the ongoing campaign, with Akinwande joining Ghanaian winger Emmanuel Oppong as the club’s latest additions.

For Akinwande, the loan represents a chance to turn his impressive youth-level scoring record into senior-level performances.

The Nigerian will now look to establish himself in Slovakia, compete for regular playing time and show that his goalscoring form in the Czech youth league can translate to the professional stage.

At 19, the striker has already taken an important step from academy football into senior European competition.

Nine goals in nine youth games earned him the opportunity — now Okiki Akinwande has Slovakia waiting.