Civil Society Blasts INEC Over ADC Crisis, Warns of Threat to 2027 Elections

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its handling of the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that the Commission’s stance could undermine democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Convener of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, alongside Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, both Co-Conveners of the group. On Thursday, the civil society coalition expressed “deep concern and unequivocal condemnation” of INEC’s decision to align with a court directive to maintain the status quo ante bellum in the party’s leadership tussle.

While acknowledging the importance of respecting judicial authority, the group faulted what it described as INEC’s “uncritical endorsement” of the court order without adequately considering its broader implications on internal party democracy and electoral clarity.

According to the Situation Room, following the status quo directive could keep the ADC in a state of confusion about its leadership, which would hurt the party’s unity and make things like choosing candidates more difficult.

“The Commission’s posture, rather than resolving uncertainty, appears to legitimise confusion, with potential consequences for party administration and voter confidence,” the statement noted.

The group also raised concerns about what it termed the increasing politicisation of judicial interventions in party affairs. It warned that inconsistent or opaque rulings in intra-party disputes could erode trust in the judiciary and weaken democratic institutions.

It stressed that although courts remain vital arbiters of justice, their involvement in political party matters must reflect constitutional principles, respect party autonomy, and safeguard democratic stability.

The coalition further questioned INEC’s reversal of an earlier decision made in September 2025, when the electoral body reportedly accepted and uploaded the names of ADC principal officers submitted in July of the same year.

“This inconsistency raises serious concerns about regulatory certainty and the precedent it sets for future disputes,” the group said.

The Situation Room warned that allowing such ambiguity to persist could encourage prolonged litigation and deepen factional divisions within political parties, ultimately weakening Nigeria’s democratic framework.

Calling for urgent action, the coalition urged INEC to reverse its position and restore the recognised leadership of the ADC to its official portal. It also demanded greater transparency, consistency, and adherence to constitutional provisions in the commission’s handling of party disputes.

In addition, the group called for judicial restraint in internal party matters and urged stakeholders within the ADC to pursue constructive and democratic means of resolving their differences.

“As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, institutions must rise above procedural compliance and actively uphold transparency, accountability, and democratic consolidation,” the statement added.

The Situation Room, led by its convener, Yunusa Z. Ya’u, alongside co-conveners Mma Odi and Celestine Odo, reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments and advocating for credible electoral processes that reflect the will of Nigerians.

Bauchi Moves to Tackle Water Crisis as Stakeholders Endorse New WASH Policy

By Musa Garba

Stakeholders in Bauchi State have validated the state’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy 2026–2030, setting the stage for a coordinated push to improve access to clean water and sanitation services across the state.

The validation workshop held on Friday in Bauchi reviewed and endorsed the policy, which is expected to serve as a strategic guide for addressing persistent challenges in water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene practices, especially in underserved communities.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Bauchi State Ministry of Water Resources, Samaila Tela, said the document was developed to provide a sustainable pathway for delivering WASH services to residents across the state.

He explained that the validation process was necessary to allow stakeholders to critically review the policy and ensure that it reflects the realities and priorities of communities.

Tela said the framework offers a broad roadmap aimed at expanding access to safe, reliable and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene services, while also strengthening the institutions responsible for delivering them.

According to him, the policy also places an emphasis on improving infrastructure, encouraging positive hygiene behaviour, and building resilience against climate-related threats that affect the sector.

He said effective implementation of the policy would not only improve public health but also protect the environment and open up economic opportunities for local communities.

Also speaking, a representative of WaterAid Nigeria, Mashat Mallo, said the policy gives priority to expanding water supply services in rural communities and small towns, where access remains limited.

He noted that the strategy includes the rehabilitation of broken water systems, the extension of piped water networks, and the deployment of renewable energy solutions, such as solar-powered water schemes, to improve service delivery.

Mallo added that the policy also proposes the construction of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities in schools, health centers, and public spaces, particularly in rural and periurban areas where sanitation gaps remain pronounced.

He said the framework aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.

The validation workshop was organised by the Women’s Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODASS) with support from WaterAid Nigeria, bringing together government officials, development partners, and sector stakeholders to fine-tune the policy before its implementation.

With the endorsement of the document, expectations are now high that Bauchi State will move from policy formulation to action in addressing long-standing water and sanitation deficits.

EU-Backed UNICEF Programme Saves Over 40,000 Malnourished Children in Yobe

By Jamila Muhammad

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that thousands of vulnerable children in Yobe State are benefitting from sustained nutrition interventions supported by the European Union, with more than 40,000 malnourished children receiving life-saving treatment.

UNICEF’s Malnutrition Manager, Joseph Senesie, disclosed these figures during a media field visit and virtual dialogue held in Damaturu on Monday. He noted that the annual lean season, which spans from May to September, often worsens cases of acute malnutrition among children, making timely interventions critical.

Senesie expressed optimism that 2026 may witness a decline in malnutrition rates compared to previous years, attributing the progress to strong humanitarian backing from the European Union, particularly through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

He said that the intervention has made Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) available, which is an important treatment that helps malnourished children recover faster. “With RUTF, children get better quickly and can return to a healthy life in a short time,” he mentioned, pointing out the positive results from the teamwork between UNICEF, government agencies, and development partners.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Babagana Machina, described malnutrition as a serious public health challenge fueled by food shortages, disease outbreaks, and displacement caused by insecurity.

Machina noted that EU assistance has significantly strengthened nutrition services across the state, ensuring consistent supply of therapeutic food and milk. He added that no fewer than 306 health facilities are currently providing Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) treatments to affected children.

He further explained that enhanced community screening and improved data management systems have enabled early detection and faster response to cases of acute malnutrition, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

In her remarks, the State Nutrition Officer, Hajiya Hadiza Adamu, commended UNICEF and the European Union for their continued support, describing their interventions as critical to improving child health outcomes in Yobe.

She revealed that while malnutrition rates dropped to about eight per cent in 2022, the figure rose to 10.9 per cent in 2023, placing the state under IPC Phase Three classification. However, she expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, Yobe aims to move to Phase Two by the end of 2026.

Adamu added that the state currently operates 306 OTP (Outpatient Therapeutic Program) centres, 120 supplementary feeding centres, and several stabilisation facilities, all contributing to improved access to treatment and recovery for malnourished children.

Despite the progress, she warned that persistent challenges such as insecurity, flooding, and food shortages continue to threaten gains made so far, stressing the need for continuous expansion of nutrition interventions to safeguard the future of children in the state.