The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Thursday criticised the federal government’s handling of concerns raised by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging the authorities to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Thursday,

Kwankwaso said Obi deserved state protection after expressing fears about his safety, while El-Rufai should be accorded due process and a fair trial in line with the provisions of the Constitution.

Reacting to Obi’s recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Anambra State governor expressed concerns about his safety and alleged that his role as an opposition leader had negatively affected his businesses, Kwankwaso faulted the federal government’s response.

“Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” he said.

He added, “A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi.”

Kwankwaso also expressed concern over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying he was disturbed after watching the former governor’s wives publicly speak about the family’s ordeal.


“Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.

He argued that the delay in granting El-Rufai bail under what he described as “stringent and unreasonable conditions” was troubling, insisting that, as an unconvicted citizen, the former governor deserved “a fair and expeditious trial” while his health and that of his family should be protected.

Kwankwaso urged the federal government to handle both matters with “transparency, accountability and justice,” warning against using state institutions to settle political scores.

“These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores. For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen, young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” he stated.

Obi had, during an interview on With Chude, alleged that the current administration was frustrating his activities and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed that his businesses had suffered because of his role in the opposition.

His remarks drew a sharp response from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which dismissed the claims as “hallucination” and suggested that the former presidential candidate should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Kwankwaso’s statement also comes amid growing concerns over El-Rufai’s detention. On Wednesday, one of the former governor’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, alleged during an interview on ARISE News that the arrest of El-Rufai’s longtime physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, amounted to the “weaponisation” of healthcare, warning that such actions could discourage medical professionals from carrying out their duties without fear.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible to participate in the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election.

Osun State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed the figure on Thursday during the presentation of the Electronic Register of Voters to political parties in Osogbo.

Babalola described the presentation as a significant milestone in the commission’s preparations for the governorship election, saying the register would enhance transparency, inclusiveness and credibility in the electoral process.


She explained that the exercise was carried out in compliance with Sections 19 and 20 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), which mandate INEC to compile, maintain, update and make available the register of voters to political parties within the stipulated period before elections.

According to her, “The electronic register will enable political parties to review the list of eligible voters across the state, plan their campaigns effectively and engage the electorate in a lawful and meaningful manner.”


She urged political parties to use the register responsibly to deepen voter education, encourage citizens’ participation in the electoral process and promote higher voter turnout on election day.

Babalola, however, warned against the misuse of the register for electoral offences, including vote-buying, voter inducement and intimidation.

“The Register of Voters must never be used as an instrument to perpetuate vote buying, voter inducement, intimidation, or any other form of electoral malpractice.


“Rather, it should serve as a legitimate means of reaching out to voters with ideas, programmes, and policies that will enable them to make informed choices. Elections should be contests of ideas and visions for development, not competitions based on inducement or other electoral offences,” she added.

The REC reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent governorship election in Osun State.

She said the commission had continued to put in place the necessary administrative, operational, technological and logistical arrangements required for the successful conduct of the election while maintaining professionalism, impartiality and integrity.


Babalola appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters and residents of the state to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperative throughout the electoral process.

She stressed that credible elections require the collective support of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, election observers and the electorate.

“I therefore urge everyone to reject violence, hate speech, misinformation, vote buying, and every other act capable of undermining the credibility of the election. Let us continue to work together in the interest of democracy and the progress of Osun State,” she said.

The INEC boss thanked political parties and other stakeholders for sustaining a peaceful political atmosphere in Osun State and formally presented the Electronic Register of Voters to the parties.

She expressed confidence that continued cooperation among stakeholders would strengthen the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.

An ex-Speaker, House of Representatives and former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal has called on Nigerians to unite and democratically vote out the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Tambuwal in his call alleged that the Federal Government has failed to tackle insecurity and other challenges facing the country.

Tambuwal made the call on Wednesday in Sokoto while receiving the immediate past Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Salihu Bashir Kalanjeni into the African Democratic Congress after his resignation from the All Progressives Congress and subsequent exit from office.

Describing Kalanjeni’s return as “homecoming,” the former governor commended him for maintaining a respectful relationship with members of the ADC despite previously leaving the party.

“Isa Kalenjeni was one of us before he decided to join the other group. This has always been his home, but what happened has happened and he left,” Tambuwal said.

He added that Kalanjeni distinguished himself by avoiding insults and political attacks while in the APC.

“Nobody can say they ever heard him engaging in name-calling or disrespecting any of us. That is not our tradition. We don’t engage in politics of mudslinging and insults.”

Tambuwal described the former council chairman’s resignation from both the APC and his elective office as a courageous decision.

“What you have done is heroic. It is not everyone that can do what you did,” he said.

The senator alleged that many politicians were reluctant to join the ADC because of the pressure associated with leaving the ruling party.

“Most politicians who leave the ruling APC go round other political parties instead of joining the ADC. It is only those pursuing the interest of the nation, rather than personal interest, that will join the ADC,” he said.

Tambuwal further claimed that attempts to weaken the ADC had failed and alleged that the party’s growing influence had unsettled the ruling establishment.

“President Bola Tinubu, by God’s grace, the outgoing President, has been having sleepless nights over the ADC. Everywhere he turns, he sees Atiku Abubakar. They have continued scheming to ensure the ADC does not see the light of day, but God has frustrated those efforts,” he stressed.

He urged ADC members to remain disciplined and avoid abusive political rhetoric.

“No insults, no name-calling, no disrespect. We should remain peaceful, focused and determined. We should fear nobody except God and continue to work in the best interest of our people.”

Linking insecurity to what he described as poor governance, Tambuwal cited recent attacks in parts of Sokoto State as evidence that the current administration had not effectively addressed the country’s security challenges.

“Everyone knows what is happening in Sokoto. Even nearby in Bodinga, terrorists are attacking communities and killing innocent people,” he maintained.

Thus, he appealed to Nigerians to use constitutional and democratic means to bring about a change of government in 2027.

“I am calling on the people of Sokoto and Nigerians as a whole to come together and do everything democratically possible to ensure that we change this government that does not mean well for Nigerians,” he insisted.