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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Mohammed Haruna, has revealed that the commission has received over N500 billion, which accounts for more than 50 percent of the budget allocated for the 2027 general elections.

During an interview with Arise News on Friday regarding election readiness and funding, Haruna said that the disbursement of these funds is a positive development.

However, he also highlighted INEC’s concerns regarding outstanding debts from previous elections and the timely release of the remaining funds necessary to fully implement their plans.

He said, “Currently, we have received more than half of the allocated funds, approximately N500 billion or slightly more. This represents over 50% of the total amount.

“Naturally, there are still some issues to address. We have debts from the last general election due to insufficient funding at that time.

“We owe contractors around six billion, and from the statutory allocation of over 140 billion for that year, we still have an outstanding amount of over 20 billion. I believe it was just this month that the first 500 billion was released, about a week or two ago.”

In response to concerns regarding delayed funding, Haruna stated that INEC has already commenced preparations for the 2027 elections, which includes plans to acquire additional BVAS devices and other essential election materials.

“Certainly, we are concerned. Everyone shares this concern. Ultimately, the funds must be available. Therefore, it is encouraging news that more than half has been released.

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Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has dismissed reports that he has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, insisting that he remains a committed member of the APC.

Ganduje described as false and politically motivated the posters circulating on social media alleging that he had left the ruling party.

He said, “The claims were part of a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public, creating confusion among APC supporters, and generating unnecessary political speculation.”

In a statement issued by his former Commissioner for Information and Chief of Staff, Muhammad Garba, the former Kano State governor stressed that $he has never considered leaving the APC, a party he once led as National Chairman”.

He maintained that reports linking him to the NDC lack both political and logical basis.

Ganduje further stated that the APC remains the country’s largest political party and continues to gain support under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

He reaffirmed his commitment to working with the party’s leadership to advance the President Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The former APC chairman also revealed that those responsible for producing and circulating the alleged defection posters had been identified. He warned that legal action would be taken if the materials were not withdrawn and the spread of the claims did not stop immediately.

He urged party members, supporters and the general public to disregard the posters, insisting that they do not reflect his political position or intentions.

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A new legal battle is unfolding within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after governorship aspirant Mukhtar Muhammad and four other aggrieved members asked the Federal High Court to nullify the party’s primary elections in Kano State.

In an Originating Summons filed with the court, the plaintiffs — Shuaib Abubakar Fagge, Mustapha Salisu Musa (Fanandas), Musa Hudu Yusuf, Mukhtar Muhammad, and Mahfuz Yahuza — are challenging the legality of the NDC primaries held on May 28, 2026.

They are also seeking an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any candidate who emerged from the exercise.

The suit alleges widespread violations of the Electoral Act 2026, the NDC constitution, and the party’s guidelines for the 2027 general election.

It questions both the conduct of the primaries and the process for distributing Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to aspirants.

According to court filings, the plaintiffs contend that the party unlawfully delegated the sale and distribution of nomination forms in Kano State to a single individual.

They argue that the arrangement allowed one party member to decide who received forms and participated in the primaries, in breach of the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and its election guidelines.

The responsibility for issuing nomination forms, they insist, cannot legally be transferred to an individual or faction within the party.

The plaintiffs further allege that no valid primary election recognised by law was conducted. They claim there was no proper accreditation of delegates or members, no voting, counting, or collation of votes as required under the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.

They also alleged they were unlawfully denied nomination forms despite being eligible party members. They say the denial effectively excluded them from the primaries for the governorship, House of Representatives, and Kano State House of Assembly in the Fagge, Tarauni, and Gwale constituencies.

The plaintiffs ask the court to declare that the NDC breached its constitutional and statutory obligations by denying them an equal opportunity to contest and by failing to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

Among the reliefs sought are orders nullifying the entire primary elections conducted by the NDC in Kano State on 28 May 2026, covering the governorship, House of Representatives, and State Assembly primaries.

They also seek to have the Certificate of Return issued to Aminu Suleiman Goro as the party’s candidate for the Fagge Federal Constituency set aside, and to restrain him from parading himself as the party’s flag bearer pending fresh primaries.

In addition, the plaintiffs seek perpetual injunctions restraining INEC from accepting, recognising, publishing, or acting on the names of candidates produced from the disputed primaries.

They further asked the court to compel the NDC to hold fresh primary elections for the affected constituencies in strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and its election guidelines.

The lead plaintiff also seeks a refund of the ₦2 million allegedly paid for his Expression of Interest and Nomination Form, together with ₦200 million in general and exemplary damages for breach of contract and denial of the opportunity to participate in the primaries.

The suit, filed by counsel Moses Ademola Falana of Nayara Legal Consult, is expected to test the legality of the NDC’s primary election process in Kano. If the court grants the reliefs sought, it could significantly affect the party’s preparations for the 2027 general election.