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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of allowing key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, to become involved in partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, expressed concern over reports that a faction of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), allegedly linked to MC Oluomo, could be used by INEC for election logistics.

The party also criticised the reported attendance of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, at the launch of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement.

Abdullahi said the developments showed a “dangerous collapse of the boundary between the Nigerian state and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”

He added, “There are no longer any discernible boundaries between the Nigerian state and the ruling APC. Political actors are openly infiltrating state institutions, while heads of security units who should statutorily maintain neutrality are shamelessly turning into political cheerleaders of the ruling party and the President.”

The ADC said that if reports about the NURTW’s involvement in election logistics were true, they could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

The party stated, “INEC’s credibility depends not only on conducting free and fair elections but also on inspiring confidence among all political stakeholders.”

The opposition party also linked its concerns to President Bola Tinubu’s reported comment that “all is fair in war”, saying the remark had heightened public anxiety about the 2027 elections.

On the police, the ADC argued that senior officers must remain politically neutral, saying, “The Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people, not to any political party.”

The party called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to explain any relationship between the commission and the NURTW faction allegedly linked to MC Oluomo. It also asked the Inspector-General of Police to clarify whether the Lagos Commissioner of Police attended the City Boy Movement event with official approval.

The ADC said that if the officer attended without authorisation, disciplinary action should be taken.

However, if the appearance was officially approved, it demanded that senior police officers be allowed to attend opposition political events under the same conditions.

The party also announced plans to invite the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police to its next political event in Abuja, saying, “In the interest of fairness and equity, we fervently expect them to attend.”

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The Nigerian Auctioneers Association, NAA, has alleged impersonation of the organisation amid the ongoing auctioning of some forfeited assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

The organisation, in a statement on Thursday, said one Benjamin Abhulimen Isibor is not representing them in any capacity.

Alhaji Musa Kurra, President of the NAA said Isibor allegedly presenting himself as the organisation’s President was an act of impersonation, adding that no authority to speak on behalf of the association.

According to the NAA, Kurra remains the duly elected President of the association having emerged victorious at the National Delegates Conference held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on October 28, 2023.

The NAA stated that Kurra’s election was subsequently recognised by the court, adding that any individual claiming to hold the office of the association’s president was doing so unlawfully.

It noted that proceedings are currently ongoing at the National Industrial Court in Bauchi against Isibor over the alleged impersonation of the office of the association’s president.

The association also reaffirmed its support for the EFCC’s electronic auction system, commending the anti-graft agency under the leadership of its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for adopting a transparent and digitised process for the disposal of forfeited assets.

According to the NAA, the e-auction platform has helped eliminate sharp practices, broaden public participation, and promote accountability in asset disposal.

The body noted that its members have actively participated in EFCC auctions nationwide and that concerns raised during the early stages of the process were resolved through collaboration between the association and the commission.

It stressed that the views expressed by Isibor do not represent the official position of the Nigerian Auctioneers Association.

The association advised government agencies, financial institutions, prospective bidders, and the general public to disregard any statement issued by the alleged impostor.

It maintained that only auctioneers duly licensed and certified by the NAA are authorised to conduct public auctions in Nigeria.

The NAA also disclosed that it has reported the alleged impersonation to the appropriate security and regulatory authorities for further investigation and urged the media to verify the identities of individuals claiming to speak on behalf of the association through its National Secretariat.

On the EFCC auction process, the association said it has helped “eliminate sharp practices, broaden participation, and ensure value for money in the disposal of forfeited assets.”

The statement added: “NAA acknowledges and commends the EFCC leadership under Barr. Kayode Olukoyede for its consistent efforts in conducting public auctions in a transparent, accountable, and digitised manner through the e-auction platform.

“Where certain operational challenges were observed in the initial phases, NAA, in collaboration with the EFCC, engaged constructively and proffered professional recommendations. We are pleased to note that the necessary remedies have since been implemented by the Commission to strengthen the process.”

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The Senate has initiated a far-reaching investigation into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, summoning the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), key regulatory agencies, and more than 60 multinational and indigenous oil companies to respond to issues arising from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Oil and Gas Industry Audit Reports for 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The investigation, to be conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, will examine revenue leakages, statutory remittances, royalties, taxes, and compliance with financial obligations across the extractive sector.

In a statement, the committee said the public hearing is conducted pursuant to Sections 88, 89, and 85(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the NEITI Act, and Order 95(5)(d) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.

According to the committee, the hearings will assess the level of compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), government-owned enterprises, regulatory bodies, and oil companies with the Constitution, the NEITI Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Financial Regulations, and other applicable laws governing the extractive industry.

The exercise is aimed at strengthening transparency, improving revenue assurance, enhancing institutional accountability, and ensuring full remittance of all revenues due to the Federation.

The hearings are scheduled to commence on August 3 at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, with appearances expected from NEITI, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Also invited are the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The committee has also summoned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) alongside major oil producers, including Seplat Energy, Aradel Energy, Famfa Oil, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, Oando, Chevron Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, CNOOC Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Aiteo Eastern E&P, and several other operators.

The Senate directed all invited organisations to appear through their chief accounting officers, accompanied by relevant technical personnel and all documentation relating to issues raised in the audit reports, warning that requests for postponement will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

The committee also invited memoranda from civil society organisations, host communities, professional bodies, development partners, and industry experts to support the investigation.

Lawmakers stated that the exercise is expected to address longstanding concerns over revenue leakages, under-remittances, and compliance with statutory financial obligations in the oil and gas sector. Its outcome is expected to inform future legislative reforms and strengthen governance within Nigeria’s extractive industry.

With nearly all major regulators, revenue agencies, and leading oil producers scheduled to appear, the Senate’s initiative represents one of the most comprehensive parliamentary reviews of the petroleum sector in recent years, underscoring lawmakers’ resolve to ensure full accountability of revenues due to the Federation.