The Independent Action Group for the Voiceless has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, accusing her of incompetence and abuse of public office over the enforcement of a ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic beverages.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the group’s National Coordinator, Ndubuisi Nwogu, alleged that NAFDAC’s decision to enforce the restriction was unlawful and contrary to existing government directives.

According to Nwogu, the enforcement action violates the National Alcohol Policy approved by the Federal Ministry of Health and disregards a presidential directive suspending further disruption of affected businesses pending the outcome of a joint committee’s deliberations.

The group further argued that the move runs contrary to resolutions of the House of Representatives, which, following stakeholder consultations and a public hearing in March 2024, reportedly advised against the implementation of the ban and described it as anti-people.

Nwogu claimed that the policy could have far-reaching economic consequences, including job losses, reduced business activities, and disruptions across the alcoholic beverage value chain. He warned that the decision could negatively affect local manufacturers and undermine efforts to stimulate economic growth under the administration’s economic reform agenda.

The group maintained that sachet and small-bottle alcoholic products were introduced to cater to low-income adult consumers and should not be prohibited without compelling evidence. It also disputed claims that such products encourage alcohol abuse among minors, arguing that available industry-backed campaigns promoting responsible alcohol consumption have yielded positive results.

According to the group, industry operators have invested substantial resources in awareness campaigns aimed at discouraging underage drinking and promoting responsible consumption practices.

While expressing support for regulatory measures designed to eliminate unsafe products from the market, the group insisted that policy decisions should be guided by empirical evidence rather than what it described as emotional or unsubstantiated claims.

The organization also warned that a complete ban could create opportunities for the proliferation of illicit and unregulated alcoholic products, encourage smuggling, and reduce government revenue from legitimate manufacturers.

Consequently, the group urged President Tinubu to remove Adeyeye from office, arguing that her continued leadership of the agency was no longer in the public interest.

NAFDAC has consistently maintained that restrictions on sachet alcohol and small-volume alcoholic beverages are intended to protect public health and reduce access to alcohol by underage persons and other vulnerable groups.

The agency had yet to respond to the latest allegations at the time of filing this report.

The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, Bishop Oscar Ossai, has rejected the outcome of the poll, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral malpractices. Ossai, a cleric-turned-politician, insists the election failed to reflect the genuine will of the people.

Allegations of Electoral Malpractices

In a statement issued on Monday, Ossai described the June 20 by-election as lacking credibility and transparency. He alleged that several polling units did not deploy or properly use the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), while results were not electronically transmitted in some locations.

According to him, discrepancies emerged between figures announced at polling units and those collated at higher levels. He further accused party agents of engaging in vote buying and voter inducement, while citing incidents of intimidation, violence, and manipulation of electoral materials.

Questions on INEC Neutrality

Ossai also raised concerns about the neutrality of electoral officials. He claimed that some ad hoc staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a situation he said undermined the credibility of the process.

He argued that such irregularities cast doubt on the integrity of the election and questioned whether the declared results truly represented the choice of the electorate.

Legal Redress in View

The NDC candidate disclosed that his party had begun compiling evidence to challenge the outcome. He said the legal team was gathering witness testimonies, polling unit records, video footage, and other materials to present before appropriate authorities.

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“Our legal team and the party have commenced the collation of documentary evidence, witness accounts, polling unit records, video materials and other relevant information for presentation before appropriate legal and constitutional authorities,” Ossai stated.

Call for Investigations

Ossai expressed concern over reports of harassment and violence allegedly experienced by voters, party agents, and supporters during the election. He urged security agencies to investigate all incidents and prosecute those found culpable.

He also called on INEC, civil society organisations, and election observers to conduct a thorough review of the electoral process. According to him, such steps are necessary to strengthen public confidence in future elections.

Appeal for Calm

Despite rejecting the outcome, Ossai appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding. He emphasised that the NDC would pursue justice through peaceful and lawful means.

“We shall continue to pursue justice, fairness and the advancement of our people through peaceful and lawful means,” he said, while thanking voters for their support during the campaign and election period.

The Enugu North by-election was conducted to fill a vacant seat in the National Assembly. While INEC declared a winner, Ossai’s rejection of the result underscores ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system. Allegations of vote buying, technical lapses, and intimidation continue to raise questions about the credibility of elections.

Observers note that the dispute highlights the need for stronger enforcement of electoral laws, improved deployment of technology, and greater inclusivity in the process. As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the concerns raised in Enugu North may serve as a reminder of the reforms still required to ensure transparency and fairness.

The United Kingdom has congratulated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on his re-election while raising concerns about irregularities observed during the governorship poll. The British High Commission in Abuja commended the peaceful conduct of the election but highlighted issues of vote trading, technical glitches with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and limited accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Commendation for Peaceful Poll

In a statement issued on Monday, the British High Commission praised voters in Ekiti State for their participation and commitment to democratic rights. It also congratulated Governor Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his victory, describing the exercise as largely peaceful and orderly.

Observers from the mission noted effective collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, which contributed to the calm atmosphere at polling units. The High Commission acknowledged that the conduct of officials reflected improvements in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Concerns Over Vote Buying

Despite the commendations, the UK expressed worry over the prevalence of vote trading. Its observers reported instances where party agents interfered with the voting process and engaged in inducements. The statement stressed that vote buying undermines public confidence in elections and erodes the credibility of democratic institutions.

The mission urged Nigerian stakeholders to intensify efforts to curb the practice, warning that unchecked vote trading could weaken trust in future polls.

BVAS Glitches Raise Questions

The British High Commission also flagged technical delays with the BVAS machines at some polling units. According to its observers, the glitches slowed down accreditation and voting, creating frustration among voters.

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The statement cautioned that persistent technical issues risk discouraging turnout and damaging confidence in electoral systems. It called on INEC to strengthen its technical capacity ahead of the Osun governorship election and the 2027 general elections.

Accessibility Challenges for Persons with Disabilities

Another concern raised was the accessibility of polling units for persons with disabilities. While some centres prioritised vulnerable voters, many locations remained physically inaccessible.

The mission encouraged stakeholders to adopt inclusive practices across all polling units, stressing that equal access is essential for credible elections. It urged INEC and partners to build on areas of progress to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate fully in the democratic process.

Looking ahead, the UK advised Nigeria to apply lessons from the Ekiti poll in preparing for upcoming elections. It emphasised that credibility in future contests will be vital for public confidence, Nigeria’s democratic progress, and its leadership role in Africa.

The statement reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting transparent, inclusive, and accountable electoral processes.

Governor Oyebanji’s re-election, with 319,224 votes across 16 local government areas, reflects the APC’s continued dominance in Ekiti politics. His closest rival, Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party, polled 40,533 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress secured 12,872 votes.

While the outcome consolidates Oyebanji’s political standing, the concerns raised by the UK highlight persistent challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system. Addressing vote buying, improving technology, and ensuring inclusivity remain critical for the credibility of future polls.