The spotlight this week fell on electoral reform as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, endorsed the Early Voting Bill—an initiative aimed at allowing military personnel and other essential workers, including INEC officials and journalists, to vote ahead of Election Day. With support from Yiaga Africa and other advocates of electoral inclusivity, the bill signals progress toward expanding participation in Nigeria’s democracy. Meanwhile, INEC released the final list of candidates for the 2025 Anambra governorship election, clearing 16 parties to begin campaigning. Despite the presence of female candidates, the absence of persons with disabilities on the list continues to reflect representational gaps in Nigeria’s political space.
Elsewhere, political tensions simmered after Rotimi Amaechi criticized INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, suggesting the APC would not have succeeded in 2015 under his leadership—a comment that reignited debates about electoral credibility. In Ondo, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election victory was upheld by the tribunal, which dismissed all petitions against him. PDP governors Adeleke and Fubara’s private meeting with President Tinubu in Lagos sparked fresh defection rumours, while Ekiti’s Adeshina Lawal switched allegiance from SDP to APC, citing inclusive governance. In Lagos, the APC launched a 40-member campaign council ahead of the July LG polls, signaling the start of intense grassroots mobilization.
