The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to resign immediately over allegations of partisanship, warning that he no longer commands the credibility required to oversee the 2027 general elections.

The group, which includes prominent figures such as Dr Usman Bugaje, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN), Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, Professor Pat Utomi, Hadjia Dr Bilikisu Magoro and Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, among others, said the integrity of the electoral body must not be compromised.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Media Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema, the MCE urged Professor Amupitan to step aside to allow for an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations against him.

The group also called on the Federal Government to constitute an impartial panel comprising judicial officers, digital forensic experts and civil society representatives to ascertain the truth, while demanding an end to any form of intimidation or harassment of citizens raising concerns.

“The integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process is at stake,” the statement said.

“At this critical juncture in the nation’s democratic evolution, the leadership of INEC must be beyond reproach.”

The MCE said recent developments, including alleged digital footprints linking the INEC Chairman to partisan expressions sympathetic to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had triggered a crisis of confidence.

While noting that Professor Amupitan had denied the allegations, the group insisted that such denials do not resolve the matter in an era of advanced digital forensics, but rather heighten the need for thorough verification.

“In this digital age, denial is not a defence—it is an invitation to forensic scrutiny,” the statement added.

The group further warned that the controversy could escalate into a legal crisis, citing the traceability of digital identities through systems such as the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN), as well as device-level access logs maintained by digital platforms.

A political ally of Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor, has disclosed that former Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has agreed to serve as his running mate in the 2027 presidential election.

The claim was made by Ibrahim Abdulkarim during a television interview on Trust TV, where he said discussions between both camps have advanced beyond mere speculation.

“I can categorically tell you that they have agreed,” Abdulkarim stated.

He said that a mutual understanding has already been reached between the two political figures. He added that supporters of both leaders are not unaware of the development.

“We all know that. Both the Obidient Movement and the Kwankwassiyya Movement are aware of the agreement,” he said.

Sources further indicate that former President Olusegun Obasanjo may have played a key role in brokering the arrangement, encouraging Kwankwaso to accept the vice-presidential slot.

The development followed Kwankwaso’s recent defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that sparked widespread speculation about strategic realignments ahead of 2027.

Although there has been no official confirmation from either Obi or Kwankwaso, insiders say consultations are ongoing, with party stakeholders closely monitoring the situation.

If formalised, the alliance could rank among the most significant political coalitions heading into the 2027 elections, potentially uniting southern and northern support bases under a single ticket.

The Obidient Movement gained significant national traction during the 2023 general election, while the Kwankwassiyya Movement maintains a strong grassroots base, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Political observers believe such a coalition could significantly reshape the 2027 electoral landscape, potentially influencing voting patterns across regions. (BusinessDay)

Eight of the victims rescued from last Wednesday’s Benue Links bus abduction have been identified as candidates of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The victims were among passengers on an 18-seater bus kidnapped on April 15, 2026, while traveling to Otukpo to sit for their examinations.

They regained their freedom early Sunday after spending about three days in captivity.

The rescued individuals, among them three girls, were brought to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, accompanied by their parents and guardians, for official reception by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The victims appeared visibly exhausted following their ordeal.

Meanwhile, documentation processes are ongoing ahead of their formal reception by the governor.