Controversy over INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 elections has intensified, as several political parties demand explanations over the omission of some aspirants’ names.
(FILES) A ballot box in the Senate on June 13, 2023. Photo: Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun
1. INEC candidate-list controversy spreads as political parties demand corrections.
The controversy surrounding INEC’s final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections has widened, with several political parties seeking explanations for missing names.
The PDP says it is engaging INEC over the omission of its governorship candidates, Isa Pantami in Gombe and Ladi Adebutu in Ogun.
Similar complaints have emerged from the Nigeria Democratic Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Alliance and other parties across several states.
In Kano, the NDC attributes the omission of its governorship candidate, Aminu Gwarzo, to a possible administrative error. In Jigawa, the ADC is challenging the exclusion of several candidates.
Some disputes involve party primaries and membership requirements, while others concern alleged submission errors. INEC has not publicly confirmed that technical problems explain the omissions.
Why it matters: The controversy could trigger further pre-election litigation and affect the choices available to voters in several states.
Watch: INEC’s formal explanations, possible corrections to the lists and court challenges by affected parties.
2. World Bank reveals Nigeria’s debt-interest payments exceeded federal revenue
New details from the World Bank’s October 2026 Nigeria Development Update show that the Federal Government spent ₦7.7 trillion on interest payments during the first half of 2026, compared with revenue of ₦6.2 trillion.
Interest payments alone represented approximately 124 per cent of federal revenue.
Although revenue increased significantly from the corresponding period in 2025, borrowing costs remained high, while reported federal capital expenditure fell to approximately ₦700 billion.
The report comes as Fitch Ratings has revised Nigeria’s sovereign-credit outlook from stable to positive, while retaining its ‘B’ rating. Fitch cited improving foreign-exchange reserves and economic reforms but warned about fiscal pressures and debt-servicing costs.
Why it matters: Nigeria’s improving economic indicators coexist with substantial fiscal pressures. High interest payments reduce the resources available for infrastructure and essential public services.
Watch: Federal borrowing costs, debt-management measures and whether capital expenditure improves during the remainder of 2026.
3. National Assembly to question debt and electricity agencies over major audit queries
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee is scheduled to begin hearings today into financial irregularities identified in the Auditor-General’s 2024 report.
The Debt Management Office faces questions over an alleged ₦54.57 trillion discrepancy between borrowing undertaken and amounts provided for debt financing in federal budgets between 2020 and 2024.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria is also expected to explain outstanding debts of approximately ₦446.7 billion reportedly owed by public institutions.
Both agencies have been summoned to provide documentation and explanations.
The figures represent audit queries and allegations requiring reconciliation, not established findings of financial misconduct.
Why it matters: The hearings concern the management of public borrowing and recovery of government revenue, both central to fiscal accountability.
Watch: The agencies’ explanations, documents presented to lawmakers and any recommendations for further investigation or corrective action.
4. Ondo military aircraft crash: Engineers demand wider safety review as new allegation emerges
The Institute of Nigerian Aeronautical Engineers has called for a comprehensive review of Nigerian Air Force aircraft maintenance, airworthiness standards and operational procedures following the October 5 crash in Ondo State that killed 25 people.
The institute welcomed the government’s investigation but said the inquiry should also examine whether existing military aviation safety arrangements require improvement.
Meanwhile, a man identifying himself as the brother of one of the victims has alleged that the aircraft developed a mechanical problem before the fatal flight and stopped in Benin City for checks.
That allegation has not been independently verified, and no official investigation finding has established the cause of the crash.
Why it matters: The new allegation raises a question investigators may need to examine, while aviation professionals are pressing for safety recommendations that extend beyond the circumstances of this particular accident.
Watch: Verification of the alleged earlier technical problem, preliminary investigation findings and whether the Air Force commits to publishing the conclusions.
5. NCC warns mobile-phone users of possible disconnection over device certification
The Nigerian Communications Commission has begun issuing warnings to users whose mobile phones have not been verified as meeting Nigeria’s device-approval requirements.
The notices indicate that affected devices could be disconnected after 30 cumulative days of use.
The warnings have reached users of several smartphone brands, including devices purchased abroad and some reportedly obtained from Nigerian retailers.
The NCC says the measure is intended to identify unapproved devices and protect network integrity and consumer safety.
A regulatory official has clarified that the notices are warnings, not immediate disconnections. The commission is developing a process through which owners of legitimate imported devices can regularise their phones.
Why it matters: The proposed enforcement could affect consumers, smartphone retailers and businesses that depend on mobile connectivity. The lack of a fully explained compliance process is already creating uncertainty.
Watch: NCC’s clarification of the rules, the registration procedure for affected devices and whether the proposed disconnections proceed.
