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Peter Obi moves to challenge Electoral Act, insisting there’s a grand plot to rig 2027 polls
Peter Obi completed his registration on Saturday in his hometown of Agulu, Anambra State, where he also announced plans to challenge the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026 in court, alleging that some of its provisions could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The former Anambra State governor argued that aspects of the new electoral law were designed to enable electoral manipulation and tilt the political playing field in favour of the ruling party.
He also accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of exceeding its constitutional mandate by attempting to dictate how political parties conduct their internal processes, particularly in the selection of candidates.
According to Obi, the electoral body should concentrate on conducting credible elections rather than interfering in party affairs.
“I am going to challenge the decision in court; INEC has no reason to assume processes in how political parties elect their candidates. Its responsibility is to conduct elections,” he said.
Using a football analogy, Obi added that the commission’s role should be limited to officiating elections rather than determining how political parties prepare or choose their candidates.
“You don’t tell a team how to prepare its players before a match. As a referee, INEC’s role is to officiate, not to determine which players a team should field,” he said.
Obi further alleged that the law was being hurriedly introduced to benefit the ruling party ahead of the next presidential election.
“All the laws being hurriedly created are simply aimed at enabling the ruling party to snatch the 2027 presidential election and run away with it,” he claimed.
He urged supporters and party members to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls, noting that Anambra State alone has about 2.8 million registered voters.
“We have about 2.8 million registered voters in Anambra, and I urge everyone to go to the grassroots and mobilise people to register and be ready to vote,” he said.
The former presidential candidate also stressed the importance of unity among opposition groups, saying leaders from the South-East were already engaging with other regions to build a formidable opposition ahead of the next election cycle.
“In this journey of 2027, we in the South-East are working as a family and discussing with other regions. The goal is to unite the opposition and create a new Nigeria,” he said, adding that the South-East remains an integral part of the country.
Obi also criticised Nigeria’s current socio-economic situation, describing the nation as one of the poorest in the world despite its vast resources.
“We cannot continue in an era where Nigeria has become one of the worst five countries in the world and the poverty capital of the world. We are committed to building a Nigeria where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the ADC National Organising Secretary, Chinedu Idigo, said the party’s membership registration exercise would be conducted both physically and online.
He encouraged prospective members to complete their online registration before visiting designated centres to collect their membership cards.
Idigo disclosed that about 50,000 membership cards had already been sent to Anambra State, with additional cards expected soon.
He also noted that the party would adopt the direct primary system in selecting candidates for future elections.
Also speaking, the ADC candidate in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election, John Nwosu, described Obi’s registration as a major boost for the party.
“This is a day of joy. The journey of Obi to the presidency begins today,” Nwosu said, while urging party members to remain united and avoid internal divisions ahead of future elections.
Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Nwosu noted that issues such as vote buying, voter apathy and a shortage of polling agents had affected the party’s performance, adding that efforts were underway to address those challenges before the next polls.
A financial handover document from former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has resurfaced, showing that the state had a reported net balance of about N86.67 billion at the end of his administration in March 2014.
The document, dated March 17, 2014, was addressed by Obi to his successor, the late Governor Willie Obiano, and contained a summary of Anambra State’s financial position as of the close of business on March 14, 2014, which Obi described as the final working day of his administration.
The report was brought back into public attention on Wednesday by Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, amid renewed debate over the loans, liabilities and other financial obligations inherited by successive administrations in the state.
Breakdown of the Figures
According to the handover document, Obi reported N27 billion in local investments and US$156 million, valued at approximately N26.5 billion, in foreign currency investments.
The report also listed N28.17 billion in certified balances belonging to the state and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In addition, it included a N10 billion Federal Government-approved refund due to the state.
Together, the assets and funds listed in the report amounted to approximately N91.67 billion.
The document, however, also identified estimated liabilities of about N5 billion. These were said to cover March salaries, pensions, gratuities and approved certificates for projects that had already been executed.
After deducting the stated liabilities, the report arrived at a net balance of approximately N86.67 billion.
What Obi Said at Handover
In the covering letter accompanying the financial statement, Obi said the figures represented the financial position of Anambra State at the close of business on March 14, 2014.
He formally presented the document to Obiano as part of the transition process ahead of the change of administration.
The resurfacing of the report comes against the backdrop of a longstanding dispute over the financial position Obi left behind and the debts subsequently inherited by the Obiano administration and later governments.
Successive Anambra administrations have continued to deal with various financial obligations, including loans and commitments dating back to earlier administrations. The precise classification and responsibility for some of those obligations have remained subjects of political and public debate.
Obi has consistently rejected allegations that his administration left behind unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities or unpaid obligations to contractors for projects that had been duly executed and certified.
The former governor has also challenged those disputing his account of the state’s finances at the point of his departure to produce documentary evidence contradicting his position.
Why the Document Matters
The 2014 handover statement has now become a significant document in the continuing argument over Anambra’s finances at the end of Obi’s tenure.
Its figures provide a snapshot of the assets, available funds and estimated liabilities that Obi’s administration said existed as of March 14, 2014.
However, the document by itself does not resolve broader questions about loans, contractual commitments or other obligations that may have been recorded separately or inherited across different administrations.
The renewed attention on the report therefore reflects a larger debate over what Anambra inherited in 2014, what subsequent governments borrowed or committed, and how the state’s financial position evolved under successive administrations.
For now, the handover document remains one of the key records being cited in the continuing dispute over Obi’s financial legacy in Anambra State.
News
Nigeria Targets Bigger Nordic Investments as Ambassador Lola Akande Begins Sweden Mission(Photos)
Nigeria has moved to strengthen its economic, trade, investment and innovation partnerships with Sweden and other Nordic countries following the formal presentation of Letters of Credence by Ambassador Lola Akande to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
The ceremony in Stockholm formally marked the beginning of Akande’s diplomatic tenure in Sweden. She is also concurrently accredited to Denmark, Finland and Norway, giving her a broad mandate to advance Nigeria’s interests across the Nordic region.
Speaking at a Vin d’Honneur held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Stockholm after the credentialing ceremony, Akande expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for entrusting her with the responsibility of representing Nigeria abroad.
She also thanked the Swedish government and people for their warm reception, pledging to pursue a close, constructive and results-driven relationship between Nigeria and Sweden.
“The challenges and opportunities before our nations require purposeful partnership,” Akande said.
“Nigeria stands ready to work closely with the Government of Sweden, our fellow African missions and Nordic partners to advance shared priorities in trade, investment, innovation, sustainable development, peace and security.”
The ambassador stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries, particularly in areas capable of driving economic growth, technology transfer, innovation and sustainable development.
She also acknowledged Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the African diplomatic group, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Embassy of Nigeria officials and the Nigerian community in Sweden for their support.
Akande further emphasised the importance of African unity and collective action, saying sustainable development would be better achieved through collaboration, mutual respect and practical partnerships.
She is expected to present her Letters of Credence in Denmark, Finland and Norway in the coming weeks, opening further avenues for Nigeria to deepen its economic and institutional engagement across the Nordic region.
NNBA Backs Stronger Nigeria-Nordic Economic Engagement
The Nigeria Nordic Business Alliance (NNBA), led by its Director-General, Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, KJW, welcomed the ambassador’s credentialing as an opportunity to expand structured private-sector and institutional cooperation between Nigeria and the Nordic countries.
According to the Alliance, its role is to facilitate two-way access between Nigerian and Nordic investors, businesses and institutions while supporting practical partnerships in key sectors.
These include trade and investment, technology, innovation, skills development, infrastructure, maritime development and media collaboration.
The NNBA said it would work to translate the longstanding goodwill between Nigeria and the Nordic countries into concrete and measurable opportunities for businesses, institutions and communities on both sides.
The development comes as Nigeria seeks to deepen international economic partnerships, attract investment and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses in strategic global markets.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has received with sadness the death of another senior member of the Council, Comrade Mike Odiakose, who passed away earlier today Thursday 17,2026 after an illness.
Odiakose was a respected journalist and senior member of the NUJ FCT Council who dedicated his career to ethical journalism, particularly in reporting political events in the country.
Until his death, Odiakose worked with the Nigerian Observer, Nigerian Pilot and
Daily Asset newspapers, where he made tremendous contributions to the journalism profession.
He hailed from Umunode in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State and is survived by his wife and four children.
His death is a painful loss to the profession, coming at a time when the Council is still mourning the passing of its former Chairman.
His departure has left a void that will be deeply felt by his colleagues, friends and loved ones.
The NUJ FCT Council extends its heartfelt condolences to the Odiakose family, colleagues, friends and associates. We pray that God will grant the family the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
The Council will communicate further details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available.
May the soul of Comrade Mike Odiakose rest in perfect peace.
Comrade Jide Oyekunle
Secretary
NUJ FCT Council
Obi’s 2014 Handover Report Puts Anambra’s Net Balance at N86.67bn
Nigeria Targets Bigger Nordic Investments as Ambassador Lola Akande Begins Sweden Mission(Photos)
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