Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Nigerian politics

  • Rivers State Council Proposes N1.8 Trillion Budget Amidst Continued Political Tension

    Rivers State Council Proposes N1.8 Trillion Budget Amidst Continued Political Tension

    Reporting by Daily Post indicates that the Rivers State Executive Council has approved a N1.8 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. The budget is intended to facilitate the completion of major infrastructure projects and advance social development across the state’s 23 local government areas.

    The announcement comes at a time of heightened political friction between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. Despite the administrative progress, the political environment remains volatile, with both sides trading accusations regarding the leadership of the state.

    Premium Times reported on the ‘sounds of war’ following recent threats, highlighting that the political divide is affecting governance. Meanwhile, The Cable quoted former Governor Orji Kalu, who stated that ‘Governors, not Tinubu, are responsible for tackling insecurity,’ placing the onus of regional stability back on state leadership.

    Echotitbits take: Rivers State’s massive budget reflects its status as an economic powerhouse, but political instability could deter the very investors the state needs. Watch for whether the House of Assembly, currently split by loyalty, provides a smooth passage for this appropriation bill.

    Source: The Punch — https://punchng.com/rivers-executive-council-approves-n1-8tn-2026-budget/
    The Punch January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: The Punch

  • Court warns INEC chair against ignoring Labour Party-related FCT poll orders

    Court warns INEC chair against ignoring Labour Party-related FCT poll orders

    2026-01-01 07:20:00
    A report carried by The Nation says an FCT High Court warned INEC leadership against disregarding its earlier directives tied to Labour Party candidate processing for the FCT area council elections.

    The warning follows interim orders on portal access and candidate publication timelines, signalling possible contempt consequences if compliance is not met.

    At the core is a procedural dispute over whether INEC must grant the party digital credentials to submit candidates and publish their details as ordered.

    The Nigerian Observer also reported the court warned INEC against disregard of the order on Labour Party candidates.

    Punch earlier reported the underlying directive, stating the court ordered INEC to “grant the Labour Party an access code.”

    Echotitbits take:

    Candidate-list disputes can trigger legitimacy problems long before voting day. Watch for INEC’s documented compliance steps, and whether the matter escalates into contempt proceedings or further interim orders.

    Source: The Nation — January 1, 2026 (https://thenationonlineng.net/court-warns-inec-chair-against-disobeying-order-to-recognise-lps-candidates-for-fct-polls/amp/)

    The Nation 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: Punch

  • Court orders INEC to grant Labour Party access code for FCT area council candidates

    Court orders INEC to grant Labour Party access code for FCT area council candidates

    2026-01-01 07:15:00
    In an update published by Punch, an FCT High Court ordered INEC to provide the Labour Party an access code to upload candidate details for the February 2026 FCT area council elections.

    The interim orders also directed INEC to upload and publish the party’s candidates’ particulars across the six area councils within a short window, pending the hearing of the substantive motion.

    The dispute reflects wider tensions around party factions, candidate recognition and administrative access to INEC’s nomination portal.

    The Nation similarly reported INEC was ordered to “grant access code” for uploading candidates’ particulars.

    TheCable also reported the Abure-led Labour Party faction requested INEC portal access to upload candidates for the council polls.

    Echotitbits take:

    This is a reminder that election credibility can be undermined by back-end administrative fights. Watch for INEC’s compliance response and whether other parties pursue similar court pathways to compel portal access.

    Source: The Punch — December 19, 2025 (https://punchng.com/fct-council-poll-court-orders-inec-to-recognise-lp-candidates/)

    The Punch 2025-12-19

    Photo Credit: The Nation

  • Lagos APC launches January e‑registration drive as digital membership battles begin

    Lagos APC launches January e‑registration drive as digital membership battles begin

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 07:02:00

    In an update published by Punch, the Lagos State chapter of the APC announced it will begin electronic registration and revalidation of members in early January 2026 as part of its organisational tightening ahead of upcoming political cycles.

    Party officials say the exercise will run across all wards to capture both existing members and new entrants, with the aim of creating a cleaner, more credible membership database.

    The Lagos chapter also framed the move as a governance-and-election readiness step—strengthening internal mobilisation, membership auditing, and on-ground structures.

    With Lagos often serving as a national political barometer, the process could influence how other states roll out digital membership systems and internal party reforms.

    Nigerian Tribune separately reported the plan, stating the party would commence e-registration “beginning January 5, 2026,” while an APC Southwest training update said it “launched its Southwest e-registration train the trainers program.”

    Echotitbits take:
    This is less about tech and more about power: whoever controls verified membership often controls primaries and delegate structures. Watch whether the process becomes transparent (audit trails, appeals, independent verification) or turns into factional contest.

    Source: The Punch — December 26, 2025 (https://punchng.com/lagos-apc-begins-e-registration-january-2026/?utm_medium=web&utm_source=auto-read-also)
    The Punch December 26, 2025

  • Seyi Tinubu and family honoured at Eyo Oba ceremony as Lagos cultural politics heats up

    Seyi Tinubu and family honoured at Eyo Oba ceremony as Lagos cultural politics heats up

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-27 06:00:00

    In an update published by The Nation, Seyi Tinubu and his wife were photographed at a Lagos ceremony linked to the Eyo Oba institution, where they were reportedly conferred with titles.

    The report underscores how cultural pageantry and political branding often intersect in Lagos, with traditional institutions remaining influential in public symbolism and elite networking.

    Observers say such honours can amplify visibility, but also attract scrutiny about the boundaries between cultural heritage, political power, and access.

    Echotitbits take:
    Culture is soft power. The bigger question is whether Lagos can convert heritage moments into sustained tourism value—events calendar, safety, transport, and city branding—rather than episodic ceremonies that trend and fade.

    Source: The Punch — December 27, 2025 (https://punchng.com/photos-seyi-tinubu-wife-bag-fresh-chieftaincy-titles-in-lagos/?utm_source=rss.punchng.com&utm_medium=web&amp)
    The Punch December 27, 2025

  • Politics Meets Pop: Davido Linked to Uncle Adeleke’s Party Move

    Politics Meets Pop: Davido Linked to Uncle Adeleke’s Party Move

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 09:45:00

    As detailed by The Punch, Davido is said to have aligned with or been linked to his uncle Governor Ademola Adeleke’s political platform (Accord), a development that quickly sparked online chatter about celebrity influence in Nigerian politics. The story sits at the intersection of family power, party branding, and youth-facing celebrity visibility.

    While celebrity political endorsements are not new, Davido’s reach makes any perceived “move” instantly consequential—fueling speculation about campaign mobilization, messaging, and the optics of pop-culture figures in partisan structures.

    The report also highlights how political narratives now travel: a mix of social posts, informal statements, and media amplification can rapidly become “news,” even before formal party documentation or official statements clarify details.

    Other outlets have tracked the broader Adeleke/Davido political storylines over time, and recent political reporting continues to note the growing role of influencers and entertainers in shaping campaign narratives and voter attention spans—especially among first-time and youth voters.

    Echotitbits take: If this is more than rumor, watch for formal party documentation, event appearances, and whether Davido’s involvement becomes structured (youth mobilization, rallies) or remains symbolic. Nigerian politics increasingly runs on attention—and celebrity attention is premium fuel.

    Source: The Punch  — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/davido-joins-uncle-adelekes-accord-party/)

    The Punch  2025-12-25

  • Davido signals entry into Osun politics with Accord Party card pickup plan

    Davido signals entry into Osun politics with Accord Party card pickup plan

    Photo Credit: Prompt News Online

    2025-12-24 08:00:00
    Reporting by Prompt News Online indicates Afrobeats star Davido has said he will formally join the Accord Party and pick up his membership card in Osun State.

    The report says the singer made the disclosure via a post on X, adding that he would be in the state to complete the process.

    The update has quickly sparked chatter about whether celebrity clout can translate into serious grassroots mobilisation in the build-up to local political contests.

    Punch Newspapers (News site) also echoed the same development, noting: “Davido joins uncle Adeleke’s Accord party.” (https://punchng.com/). The Guardian Nigeria (News site) also echoed the same development, noting: “Davido to join Accord…” (https://guardian.ng/).

    Echotitbits take: Celebrity politics is no longer just “soft power.” Davido’s audience reach can shape narratives fast, but the real test is whether this becomes sustained civic engagement—policy advocacy, voter education, and accountable participation—beyond the initial membership-card moment.

    Source: Prompt News Online — December 24, 2025 — https://promptnewsonline.com/davido-announces-plan-to-join-accord-party/
    Prompt News Online
    2025-12-24

  • Oyo Court Removes INEC From PDP Convention Suit

    An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan struck out INEC from a suit challenging the PDP’s plan to hold its elective convention in the state, agreeing that the federal agency must be sued at the Federal High Court.

    The case continues against remaining defendants, with the ruling likely to influence how parties structure future litigation involving national institutions.

    2025-12-08

    The Nation

    2025-12-08