The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has denied breaching an order made by the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, Osun State, 11 days ago.

There are reports that the court, on September 29, 2025, ordered that the immediate past INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should be arrested for purportedly disobeying its judgement in a case involving the Action Alliance, AA.

However, reacting to the development, INEC described the media reports as misleading.

“In line with its long-established tradition of always obeying court judgements and orders, the Commission on Monday 6th October 2025, which was still within the deadline, filed processes at the Federal High Court, Oshogbo, to show that we had complied with its judgement and order of recognising the Action Alliance’s AA, executive elected on 7th October 2023 at Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“The dashboard of the Commission’s web site showing compliance was tendered as evidence.

“However, when the judgement creditors filed a counter affidavit to complain that the Commission partially complied by listing the names of only four national executives without the National Chairman, Rufai Omoaje, the Commission responded by attaching the Notice of Appeal filed by the same Omoaje at the Supreme Court, challenging the judgement of the Court of Appeal sacking him as the National Chairman of the party.

“The judgement of the Court of Appeal is superior to that of the federal high court, hence, the Commission cannot list Omoaje’s name as the Chairman of the Action Alliance party when the judgement of the Appeal Court is still subsisting.

“We appeal to media organisations to fact-check their reports before publication to avoid misleading the public,” a statement signed by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), has revealed how it is preparing ground to run the country’s aspiration that will help actualize the 2.5 million barrels a day oil (bopd) production by 2027.

Speaking at the 2025 National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC) conference in Lagos on Thursday, on the topic, “Nigeria’s Energy Future and the

Role of NUPRC in Driving Upstream Oil and Gas Industry’s Rebound.” the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) Gbenga Komolafe, said that in efforts to achieve the expectations, the Commission has prioritized production optimization and recovery enhancement.

In addition, Komolafe, said that by reviewing field development

plans, supporting brownfield optimization and enabling the re-entry of shut-in wells, the NUPRC has facilitated renewed activity across mature assets.

Represented by head of the Commission’s office in Lagos, Paul Osu, the CCE, noted that these interventions are projected to deliver incremental volumes exceeding one million barrels of oil per day, a key milestone toward achieving the national production target of 2.5 million bopd by 2027.

He stated that a sustainable rebound also demands secure

infrastructure and credible measurement systems and the Commission has collaborated with security Agencies, private contractors and community stakeholders in implementing the Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advance Cargo Declaration Regulation.

He disclosed that the result is a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in crude oil theft from over 102,000 barrels per day in 2021 to 9,600 barrels per day as of September 2025.

Equally transformative is the Agency’s work in host community development, through which by implementing the PIA’s Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) provisions, the Commission has successfully inaugurated over 90 Trusts across the Niger Delta, ensuring that development funds flow directly tocommunities.

This model not only secures local ownership, but also guarantees peace, stability and continuity in production, key pillars for sustained energy security.

He said, “The rebound we are witnessing in Nigeria’s upstream sector is not

by chance; it is the outcome of deliberate regulatory

design, anchored on transparency, efficiency and inclusiveness.

The Commission’s strategic vision aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic goals and global sustainability commitments.

“At the same time, we are advancing Nigeria’s gas agenda as part of the “Decade of Gas” and the nation’s energy transition pathway. Natural gas remains our most reliable transition fuel, a catalyst for

industrialization, power generation and clean energy substitution.” Komolafe noted.

He further said that by promoting gas monetization, flare

elimination and gas-based investments, the Commission is reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to a just and balanced energy transition.

He said the IEA projects that upstream investment will surpass $580 billion in 2025, marking a steady recovery from pandemic lows, adding that

while renewables will continue to grow, hydrocarbons will remain central to industrialization, particularly in emerging economies like Nigeria.

“Our task therefore, is to ensure that this production is done efficiently, transparently and sustainably, consistent with international best practice.” he assured.

Komolafe, said that as the country looks to the future, the Commission will continue to prioritize measures to sustain Nigeria’s upstream rebound, achieve 2.5 million BOPD by 2027, strengthen gas monetization, protect our energy infrastructure anduphold the principles of transparency, accountability and efficiency that define our regulatory mandate.

The Senate on Thursday dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the claims made by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and television host Bill Maher as false, divisive, and capable of undermining the country’s unity.

Lawmakers, while debating a motion titled “Urgent Need to Correct Misconceptions Regarding the Purported ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative in Nigeria and International Communities,” resolved to work closely with the Federal Government on more effective counter-terrorism strategies to address insecurity.

The motion, sponsored by Senator  Ali Ndume (Borno South) and co-sponsored by Senators Sani Musa (Niger East), Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North), Ibrahim Bomai (Yobe South), Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West), and others, was aimed at countering what senators described as dangerous misinformation in the international space.

Seconding the motion, Senator Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North) denounced the genocide narrative as “outright misinformation aimed to destroy our nation.”

“This misinformation cannot continue like this. We must take decisive steps to address this issue,” he said.

Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South) warned that such unfounded allegations could strain Nigeria’s international relations and fuel sectarian tension.

“It is very common knowledge to us that nobody is supporting any act of terrorism in Nigeria. The government is doing their best to make sure we are living in a conducive atmosphere. Some of the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria in my own state are members of the security council and traditional institutions.

“If they pass the bill in the US, it will be dangerous to us, both Christians and Muslims, in Nigeria. I am seriously worried that the US Congress or a ranking US senator will come up with a very uninformed position. As a parliament, we must join hands with our government to inform the US government and US parliament that the position they are taking is not in tandem with what is going on,” he said.

In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) called for a deeper national rethink on terrorism and security, urging the Senate to help redefine the country’s counter-terrorism framework.

“We must come to terms to understand the strategies, tactics and practices of the terrorists. We must now engage the government on counter-terrorism measures. We must engage knowledge. We must go into executive session to define and redefine our counter-terrorism measures,” Ibrahim stated.

The controversy was triggered after U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, in a podcast with television host Bill Maher, claimed that Christians were being “systematically targeted and killed” in Nigeria — a situation he described as genocide.

Maher and political commentator Van Jones echoed similar claims, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities.

The Federal Government swiftly rejected the assertions, insisting that the nation’s security crisis stemmed from terrorism, banditry, and criminality, not religious persecution.

The Senate’s Thursday resolution signals a coordinated effort to engage the executive arm in designing stronger counter-terrorism strategies and diplomatic responses to correct what lawmakers described as a distorted foreign narrative about Nigeria.