Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the growing presence of serving governors, senior political officeholders and party leaders in states holding off-cycle elections, warning that the practice could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.   Jonathan raised the concern on Tuesday, August 18, days after the governorship election in Osun State. He described the mobilisation of political heavyweights, aides and security personnel from outside the affected states as an “unwholesome” emerging trend. According to the former president, the conduct witnessed during recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was unusual and should not become normal in a democratic society. Jonathan recalled that similar developments occurred during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections when he was president. He said that, after receiving briefings on the situation at the time, he ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states. He said political parties have the right to campaign, mobilise supporters and deploy legitimate party structures, but warned that the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors on election day could create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation and undue pressure. Jonathan also questioned whether the growing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior officeholders during off-cycle elections was consistent with free, fair and peaceful democratic competition. He warned that if the trend continues, governors from opposing parties could begin matching one another’s political and governmental influence whenever elections are held. “Such a development would not strengthen our democracy,” Jonathan said, warning that it could deepen political tensions and make elections resemble battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the people’s mandate. The former president’s comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Peter Obi, Omoyele Sowore, and other political candidates have signed the National Peace Accord ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.   The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, a day before campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin. The ceremony, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC), brought together presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates, political party leaders, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Joash Amupitan, and other political stakeholders. Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), called for a credible election in which Nigerians’ votes would count. “I don’t have any fear [going into next year’s election] except to say that, please, for the sake of the children of Nigeria, can we have an election where people’s votes will count?” he said. The former Anambra State governor also urged Nigerians not to vote for candidates who violate the terms of the peace accord. He said contestants should conduct themselves properly, stressing that political officeholders must demonstrate the qualities expected of people entrusted with public responsibility. Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), alongside other candidates, also signed the accord. President Bola Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, commended the National Peace Committee for sustaining the initiative since it was first introduced ahead of the 2015 elections. Tinubu reaffirmed the commitment of the ruling All Progressives Congress to the agreement and rejected electoral violence, hate speech, misinformation and incitement on social media. He also cited technological improvements, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, as contributing to greater transparency in recent off-cycle elections in Anambra, Osun and Ekiti. Meanwhile, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said the commission had no preferred candidate or political party. “INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election. The commission does not have a candidate, nor does it favour any political platform,” he said. Amupitan urged politicians to make the 2027 campaign a contest of ideas, saying Nigerians wanted solutions rather than insults. He disclosed that preparations for the elections were progressing, with INEC planning logistics for about 1.4 million ad hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, a member of the National Peace Committee, also urged politicians to ensure that ordinary Nigerians experience measurable improvements in their lives. The peace accord, first signed ahead of the 2015 elections, commits political parties and their candidates to peaceful conduct and issue-based campaigns before, during and after elections.

A Circuit Court in Ghana has remanded Okechukwu Augustine, a Nigerian, over his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra.   Augustine was remanded on Monday and is expected to return to court on Wednesday as investigations continue. According to the Ghana Police Service, intelligence was received at about 10:45am on August 13 that a gang was preparing to attack branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in Labone. Police said officers were deployed to the area and allegedly spotted suspected members of the group in two vehicles parked near the banks. One vehicle reportedly sped away after its occupants noticed the police. Officers pursued the vehicle and arrested Augustine Okechuku Maazi, while another occupant escaped. Police said occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee, leading to a gun battle in which two suspects were killed. The police said two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17, as well as a blow pistol, were recovered. The bodies of the two deceased suspects were deposited at a morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy, according to the police. However, GCB Bank subsequently disputed part of the police account, stating that no robbery or attempted robbery occurred at its Labone branch or on its premises. The bank said its branch was not breached and that no customer, staff member, funds or property was affected. The development leaves the alleged robbery plot under investigation as Augustine remains in custody pending further proceedings.

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have re-arrested eight of 11 suspects who allegedly escaped from lawful custody at a police facility in the Ughelli area of Delta State.   The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s reported 24-hour operational successes across the country. According to Iniedu, the eight suspects were re-arrested through intelligence-led operations. The case is being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba. “Following the escape of 11 suspects from lawful custody at a police facility in Ughelli, concerted police efforts led to the re-arrest of eight suspects,” the statement said. The police did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide details on the circumstances surrounding their escape. In a separate operation in Delta, police arrested a suspect on Sunday, August 16, in connection with the alleged illegal disposal of oil-contaminated sludge along the Ughelli-Iyede Expressway. One truck allegedly used in the operation was also recovered. In Anambra State, police arrested a 49-year-old man at Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, on Monday, August 17, following credible intelligence. Officers reportedly recovered one pump-action gun and 50 live cartridges from him. Meanwhile, police operatives in Kogi State secured the release of 12 abducted victims at Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area. The victims were debriefed at the Divisional Police Headquarters before being reunited with their families. The police said further operational successes were recorded in the Federal Capital Territory, Oyo, Benue, Niger, Bayelsa and Ogun states.