Nigeria News Digest: August 25, 2025

CSOs called for an amendment removing the president’s appointment power over the INEC chair before the 2027 elections, and urged mass voter turnout at local levels while proposing a commission of professional bodies to vet chair candidates.

Gombe Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya signed the Local Council Development Areas Bill 2025, creating 13 new LCDAs in addition to 11 existing LGAs, and set up a transition committee to oversee implementation, aligning with the national constitutional review for new LGAs.

As INEC launched its Continuous Voter Registration nationwide, the Lagos APC instructed ward and local government leaders to mobilize communities, targeting new, young and relocated voters to secure permanent voter cards, underscoring the importance of maintaining Lagos's political continuity.

INEC reported that 3,000,000 Nigerians had completed online voter pre‑registration within a week of the Continuous Voter Registration launch, a figure that significantly exceeds earlier expectations and reflects heightened voter engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Alia congratulated newly elected Speaker Alfred Emberga and the Benue State House of Assembly, pledging continued support and collaboration for the state’s progress following Emberga’s swift election as speaker of the 10th assembly.

The civil society group FREECON sued President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General, the Rivers State Sole Administrator and RSIEC chairman in federal court over the conduct of the August 30 local government elections, challenging the legality of the President’s appointment of a sole administrator.

Mixed reactions emerged as the Continuous Voter Registration began nationwide after the online pre‑registration started on August 18; while some youths welcomed the chance to secure permanent voter cards, others cited network issues, prompting state officials to intensify outreach.

The All Progressives Congress suspended its 2023 Edo South senatorial candidate Valentine Asuen for allegedly inciting division within the party, a move that underscores the APC’s commitment to internal discipline and upholding democratic values amid its internal processes.

Nigerian lawyers debated SERAP’s call for a probe into alleged cash‑for‑bill payments in the National Assembly, while also highlighting issues over local government statutory allocations and the federal‑state financial relationship.

Thousands of Osun residents gathered at INEC offices on Monday to register for permanent voter cards during the Continuous Voter Registration, while monitors observed the process to ensure transparency and compliance with guidelines.

Governor Sanwo‑Olu swore in Olufemi Okeowo as chairman of the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area, urging officials to support him, and praised his prior performance, expecting him to strengthen local governance in Lagos.