Social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, or VDM, VeryDarkMan, has warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, that Nigerians could rise against him if he attempts to influence the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

VeryDarkMan, in a recent video shared on Instagram, was reacting to Wike’s declaration that President Bola Tinubu would emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election regardless of the outcome of the votes.

Reacting, VDM said, “In summary of what Wike is saying, the election will be rigged in favour of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regardless of how the votes come out. Tinubu is just definitely going to emerge as the winner.

“You see such impunity only started during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enabled intoxicated, power-intoxicated fools like Wike to talk anyhow to the Nigerian people.

“Let’s use the case of Sim Fubara and Wike. A sitting governor in Nigeria was suspended not because he was caught embezzling funds or maybe his people complained that our governor is not doing anything, but he was suspended because he had issues with his predecessor.

“Wike, you feel you are God over the people? Wike, you need to calm down because this is just a reminder that the people are bigger than you.

“Even this 2027, there is a way you will make this move, the people go para, dem go stand say e no go work, and by that time you are going to be exhausted.

“You have to be careful, Nyesom Wike. You have to be careful. This is a message to you.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos has introduced QR codes to help eligible voters locate designated Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection centres ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The QR codes will be available for scanning across the Commission’s social media handles and website.

Speaking at a press conference at the Commission’s headquarters in Lagos on Tuesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Ayobami Salami, urged voters to collect their cards, verify their registration details and rely on official information as INEC intensifies preparations for the polls.

Beyond voter services, the Commission said preparations for the 2027 general elections are in top gear in Lagos State, with ongoing efforts to procure and test voter accreditation devices, improve election-result transmission systems, strengthen logistics, and recruit and train election personnel.

In preparation for the poll, INEC had approved and issued a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the general election.

The Commission had earlier fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections pursuant to the Electoral Act, 2022.

However, following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has now reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.

Accordingly, the Commission noted that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now be held on Saturday, 16th January 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will be held on Saturday, 6th February 2027.

By Augustine Akhilomen

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released a high-profile, revised Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general elections, integrating key political figures across party lines, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

Under the restructured lineup made available on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu will head the campaign council as Chairman, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice-chairmen.

The leadership hierarchy also features Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as deputy vice-chairmen.

Senator Abdulaziz Yari retains the vital operational role of Director-General, spearheading a multi-layered directorate system designed to optimize national mobilization. He is supported by high-profile deputies, including Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who oversees the Directorate of Mobilisation.

Other critical administrative leads include Femi Gbajabiamila overseeing administration, former Speaker Aminu Masari leading parliament mobilization, David Umahi heading infrastructure mobilization and sensitisation, and James Faleke managing election planning, coordination, and monitoring. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma serves as the secretary of the council, assisted by Senator Ajibola Basiru and Hadiza Bala Usman.

In a strategic bid to tighten grassroots grip across the six geopolitical zones, the council appointed seasoned coordinators, notably naming governors and prominent stakeholders to head state-level campaigns—including Wike for Rivers State and the FCT, Adeleke for Osun, Soludo for Anambra, and Babagana Zulum for Borno.

The expansive campaign apparatus also incorporates a robust array of former governors, party chieftains, and technical committees functioning as core advisers—including Adebisi Akande, Abdullahi Adamu, Ibikunle Amosun, George Akume, and Wale Edun—as the party aggressively consolidates machinery ahead of the 2027 polls.