The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has attributed the rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development in Bayelsa State to the peacebuilding initiatives of Governor Douye Diri.

Amgbare stated this on Friday while speaking with journalists in Abuja, where he commended the governor’s leadership style, describing him as empathetic, passionate about peace and committed to fostering unity across political divides.

Congratulating Diri on his sixth anniversary in office, the NDBDA boss said the administration’s emphasis on peaceful coexistence had created a stable and secure environment necessary for investment, economic growth and sustainable development.

He noted that the state had recorded significant milestones in infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of a 30,000-capacity stadium, a nine-storey secretariat complex and the procurement of a 60-megawatt gas turbine to address power challenges.

According to him, the projects underscore the governor’s resolve to advance the socio-economic fortunes of the oil-rich state.
Amgbare also lauded the reintroduction of technical colleges and free boarding schools across local government areas, adding that 12 model schools equipped with modern facilities were positioning young people for entrepreneurship, innovation and skills development.

He said the administration had made appreciable progress across key sectors such as sports, power, agriculture, education, road infrastructure, healthcare, human capital development, culture and tourism, transportation, blue economy and social services.

“Without peaceful coexistence, there can be no meaningful development,” he said, adding that improved road networks had enhanced connectivity and stimulated economic activities across the state.

He stressed that peace remained a catalyst for attracting local and foreign investors, creating jobs and strengthening social cohesion.

Amgbare further noted that peacebuilding efforts reduce the costs associated with conflicts, such as destruction of infrastructure and loss of lives, thereby freeing resources for development projects.

He added that sustained peace fosters partnerships among government, civil society and the private sector, promotes dialogue and reconciliation, and enhances inclusive governance and access to essential services.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 20, 2027 for the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections, setting in motion preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on March 6, 2027.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the dates on Friday at a news conference in Abuja, citing constitutional and statutory provisions that mandate the commission to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the appointed date.

“This action is taken pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022,” he said.

According to him, the elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President; Governors and Deputy Governors — except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states — as well as members of the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.

Amupitan said the commission had uploaded a detailed timetable and schedule of activities to its official website and circulated same to political parties and critical stakeholders.

“In exercise of the powers conferred on the commission by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2022, and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby sets in motion the electoral process for the 2027 General Elections,” he added.

He noted that the early announcement underscores INEC’s resolve to deliver a transparent and credible process in strict compliance with the law.

On the pending Electoral Amendment Bill before the National Assembly, the INEC chairman said the commission would proceed in line with the extant law while remaining open to reforms that could strengthen the electoral system.

“While we are eager to adopt any amendments that may strengthen our electoral processes, we must act in accordance with the existing provisions of the Electoral Act,” he said, stressing the commission’s commitment to the rule of law.

He acknowledged concerns over possible delays in the passage of the amended Electoral Act, warning that any protracted process could pose logistical challenges.

“We recognise the critical need for timely action to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of our electoral processes. It is imperative that the Commission acts swiftly to address any challenges arising from any delay that may result in logistical failure,” Amupitan said.

By constitutional provision, he explained, the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors — except those in the exempted states — will expire on May 28, 2027, while the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on June 8, 2027.

He cited Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, which stipulate that elections must hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last office holder.

INEC, he added, has scheduled party primaries within the statutory timeframe, while submission of nomination forms by political parties will open and close within the period prescribed by law. Campaigns will commence as stipulated and end 24 hours before Election Day.

Amupitan urged political parties to adhere strictly to timelines for primaries, nomination submissions and campaigns, warning that the commission would enforce compliance.

Describing the 2027 polls as a collective responsibility, he called on government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, candidates and the electorate to ensure peaceful and credible elections.

“As we commence this important national exercise, I assure Nigerians that the commission is fully prepared and determined to deliver elections that reflect the sovereign will of the people,” he said.

The announcement comes amid mounting concern over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. INEC had earlier indicated that it had completed work on the election timetable and submitted it to lawmakers, while cautioning that aspects of the schedule could be affected depending on when the amendment is eventually passed.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a deliberate generational shift in African leadership, urging countries across the continent to promote younger leaders between the ages of 25 and 50, whom he described as better suited physically and mentally for the rigours of modern governance.

Jonathan made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed.

Reflecting on the intense demands of executive office, the former president recounted that during his time in office, he sometimes slept for less than two hours in 24, underscoring the physical and mental stamina required to lead a nation.
“Why do we begin to think that you must be a hundred years old before you can rule your country?” Jonathan asked.

According to him, leadership requires unusual resilience and endurance, qualities he believes are more readily found among younger leaders.

“If they need to stay awake for 24 hours, they can stay awake for 24 hours. When I was in office, some days I did not sleep up to two hours. If you subject an older person to that kind of stress, the person will spend 50 per cent of the time in hospital,” he said.

Throwing his weight behind Nigeria’s “Not Too Young To Run” movement, which seeks to lower age barriers for elective offices, Jonathan argued that Africa must intentionally create pathways for younger citizens to assume positions of authority.

“We have to reinforce the Not Too Young To Run movement. We have to bring some of these age limits down. If we are looking for people who can run nations in Africa, we should look within the 25 to 50 age bracket. That is when you can be very vibrant, physically strong and mentally sound,” he said.

He also criticised the practice of some public office holders spending extended periods outside their jurisdictions, warning that absentee leadership weakens governance and fuels insecurity.

“In a country like the United States, some governors do not leave their states for four years. But here, some of our governors spend 50 per cent of their time outside.

So who runs the state? Why will we not have security problems? Coming of age must transcend many things. First and foremost, we must have the discipline to manage ourselves,” he added.

Drawing lessons from history, Jonathan said the late General Murtala Muhammed demonstrated that age is not a barrier to decisive and visionary leadership. Muhammed assumed office at 38 and, despite ruling for only 200 days, left what Jonathan described as a profound and enduring legacy.

“General Murtala Muhammed assumed office at the very young age of 38. Despite a tenure of only 200 days, his achievements were profound because he was driven by a clear, unyielding vision. His leadership sent a clear message: leadership was to serve the national interest, not personal ambition,” he said.

He also cited General Yakubu Gowon, who became Head of State at 32 and later established the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which remains operational decades later.

“A young man of 32 managed to pull the country through the civil war. So why do we now think leadership must only come at old age?” he queried.

However, Jonathan cautioned that youthfulness alone does not guarantee effective governance. He stressed that discipline, patriotism and strong institutions remain indispensable to democratic leadership.

While acknowledging that military regimes operate by command, he noted that democracy demands persuasion, institutional strength and adherence to the rule of law.

“Democracy requires vision rather than decree. It requires persuasion instead of command. It depends on institutions, not individuals. Above all, it requires respect for the rule of law and the willingness to submit power to the will of the people,” he said.

He urged African leaders to view governance as stewardship rather than entitlement and challenged young people to embrace leadership as service.

“Young people must see leadership as service, not entitlement. Leaders must see governance as stewardship, not a right,” he said.

Jonathan concluded by urging Nigerians and Africans to measure leadership not by longevity in office but by impact.

“As we mark 50 years of General Murtala Muhammed’s legacy, let us remember that leadership is not measured by how long you govern; it is measured by the courage to act decisively when the nation needs direction and by the impact you make on society,” he said.

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has charged the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to intensify efforts to curb vote buying and vote trading ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

Amupitan gave the charge when a delegation of the National Peace Committee visited the Commission, reaffirming INEC’s resolve to confront electoral malpractice and warning that relevant law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies have been placed on alert.

“We specifically charged the Nigeria Police, the EFCC and also the ICPC to be on guard so that we can arrest the menace of vote buying and what some people call ‘vote trading’,” he said.

The INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission would act swiftly on security intelligence and risk assessments presented by the National Peace Committee, describing the information shared as timely and invaluable.

“You have presented to us a very great piece of information. We are not going to take it for granted. We are going to share this with our security department so that we can take the necessary steps that we are supposed to take,” he said.

Amupitan noted that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would receive “special scrutiny and attention,” alongside Bwari and Kuje Area Councils, based on concerns raised in the Committee’s report.

He described the Peace Accord signed by political parties before elections as a social contract binding political actors to peaceful conduct and acceptance of election outcomes, stressing that electoral activities in 2026 are critical to the Commission’s broader preparations for the 2027 general election.

“It regards 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 general election,” he added.

Leader of the delegation, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, apologised for the delay in formally engaging with the new INEC leadership and pledged the Committee’s continued collaboration and strategic support.

“We want to assure the new INEC Chairman that the National Peace Committee is available, open and accessible to working with the Commission—ensuring that the Area Council elections, governorship elections and future state elections ahead of the 2027 general elections are conducted peacefully. We are fully behind the Commission to give it all the necessary support and strategic guidance required,” he said.

Barkindo disclosed that the Committee’s Election Security and Information Hub, launched last year, has established networks and field agents across states to gather data on insecurity, violence and conflict trends, noting that its interventions are evidence-based and guided strictly by verified data rather than partisan considerations.

The Committee identified AMAC, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje Area Councils as potential hotspots requiring heightened vigilance.

According to its findings, AMAC recorded high tendencies for vote buying and threats among political actors, while Gwagwalada was flagged over indigene-settler tensions and a history of political thuggery, particularly in the Jiwa community.

Bwari was described as sensitive due to farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping incidents and limited security presence in some areas, while Kwali was identified as vulnerable owing to security challenges in adjoining states.

The Committee explained that its data collection framework tracks incidents of election-related violence that may occur before Election Day but could affect the electoral process, as well as electoral offences in line with the provisions of the Peace Accord.