The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has expressed deep concern over recent developments in Nigeria’s political and security landscape, particularly the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the handling of the leadership situation within the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and the persistent killings in Plateau State.
IPAC said it acknowledged that periodic updates of the voter register are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, but added that the timing raises serious concerns.
It said that at a period when critical stakeholders, especially political parties are already burdened with numerous obligations arising from the new Electoral Act, including ongoing nationwide membership registration with mandatory NIN verification within a limited timeframe, introducing an additional nationwide exercise without broad consultation, particularly with political parties and adequate preparation risks disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.
“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to prevent an overly congested electoral environment that may ultimately exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process,” a statement signed by Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, National Publicity Secretary, said.
IPAC also called on the electoral umpire to exercise caution in handling the leadership dispute within the ADC insisting that in cases of internal party disagreements, it must be clearly understood that leadership structures, even when contested, do not amount to a vacuum.
“The reported removal of the names of Distinguished Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal appears premature and capable of creating avoidable instability within the polity,” the statement added.
“If not carefully managed, such actions may set a troubling precedent and undermine confidence in the neutrality of the electoral umpire.”
IPAC urged INEC to act with restraint, fairness and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party issues.
On the killings in the Plateau, IPAC said it strongly condemns the massacre in Jos
“These senseless acts of violence are unacceptable and pose a serious threat to national unity and security,” it said.
The Council called on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take urgent, decisive and sustained action to halt the violence, safeguard lives and property and restore peace to affected communities.
“It is imperative that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, along with their sponsors, are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive in an environment where electoral processes are transparent, political institutions are stable and citizens feel safe and protected,” it said.
Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, John Umar Shehu, for allegedly impersonating a Nigerian Army personnel, attacking his prospective employer and stealing his vehicle.
The suspect, a native of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested over alleged criminal impersonation, criminal breach of trust, assault and theft.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026.
According to the statement, the command received a written petition on October 22 from a resident of Gida Dubu area of Bauchi, who alleged that the suspect had contacted him seeking employment as a driver at his pure water factory.
The petitioner said the suspect contacted him on October 18 and was invited for an interview and driving assessment.
However, during the assessment on October 22, the suspect allegedly attacked the factory owner and the son of one of his neighbours before fleeing with the employer's vehicle.
The stolen vehicle was identified as a white H-Jet motor vehicle with registration number AE-278-ALK. A green Infinix Smart 5X mobile phone was also reportedly stolen.
The police said detectives subsequently launched an investigation and arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing.
A search conducted on him led to the recovery of several Nigerian Army uniforms and military items, including desert camouflage, green camouflage, a jungle hat, an Army raincoat, a camouflage vest and an Army sweater.
The stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The statement said the suspect allegedly presented himself as Private Umar Shehu, with service number NA/22/82/1064, claiming to be attached to the 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks, 134 Special Forces Battalion, Borno State.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged impersonation, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of security agencies' identities to perpetrate crimes.
He said: "The Command will not tolerate criminal impersonation of security agencies to perpetrate crime."
The police commissioner further assured that the suspect would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He added: "The suspect will be diligently investigated and charged to court."
The police said the arrest followed intelligence-led policing, while the recovered vehicle and military items would serve as exhibits in the investigation.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashir Obasa, has declared that the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Dr Obafemi Hamzat has what it takes to succeed the current Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa made this declaration while addressing journalists at Hamzat's formal manifesto presentation.
The event was held at Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Our correspondent reports that the event took place on Friday.
DAILY POST gathered that Hamzat is the current deputy governor of the state.
He eyed the position in 2019 before he was persuaded to deputise the current governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Obasa while speaking at the event on Friday, expressed confidence in Hamzat's ability to deliver on his campaign promises.
He explained that Hamzat’s educational background and wealth of experience in private and public offices are enough for him to deliver.
Obasa while speaking said, "He has the competence, character, and most importantly, the determination to rewrite the Lagos State socio-economic narrative".