The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that all 22 registered political parties in Nigeria have submitted their membership registers in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the submissions were completed on May 8, two days ahead of the extended deadline set by the Commission.

According to INEC, the extension became necessary after political parties raised concerns over the original timeline during a meeting held on March 24.

The Commission had initially fixed April 21 as the deadline for the submission of membership registers in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

However, following consultations with political parties, INEC announced on March 27, 2026, that the deadline would be moved to May 10, 2026.

The adjustment, INEC said, was made to align with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act 2026 and the actual dates chosen by political parties for their primaries.

Under the revised timetable, political parties are permitted to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026. The law also requires each party to submit its membership register to the Commission not later than 21 days before the date of its primary election.

INEC stated that all registered political parties complied with the requirement within the extended timeframe.

“The Commission is pleased to note that all registered parties submitted their registers as of 8th May 2026, two days before the extended deadline,” the statement said.

The electoral body added that the submitted registers would now undergo the necessary verification processes in accordance with the law.

INEC reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in Nigeria.

According to the Commission’s timetable for the 2027 General Election, elections into the offices of President and members of the National Assembly are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the deputy commander of the Islamic State terrorist group, ISIS, has been killed in Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump said al-Minuki was killed in a “complex mission” carried out by Nigerian and American troops.

The US president shared updates on the operation in a social media post late Saturday.

“Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote.

“Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, second in command of ISIS globally, thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.

“He will no longer terrorise the people of Africa, or help plan operations to target Americans.

“With his removal, ISIS’s global operation is greatly diminished.”

Trump also acknowledged and thanked the Nigerian government for its “partnership on this operation”.

A 21-year female police personnel, Peace Banshuam Otu, has been kidnapped in Delta state.

The young woman who hails Baffin Village in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, was recently recruited into the Nigeria Police Force and posted to Delta State.

She was reportedly abducted around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2026, while riding on a motorcycle operated by one Kenneth Chijioke who escaped from the kidnappers and raised the alarm, according to family sources.

The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦20 million for her release. As of Tuesday, May 12, the family reported that Peace was still being held in a forest along the Obuluku road and had managed to speak briefly with them.

Anah Susan Ada-Otu, her sister, confirmed the kidnapping, describing the family’s situation as very devastating, heartbreaking, and frustrating; adding that ust the incident was too much for the family to handle.

She also mentioned that Peace comes from a humble background. Her father has passed away, and her elderly mother is battling a stroke. The family claims they lack the financial resources to meet the ransom demand.

They have called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, security agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to step in quickly and help secure her safe return.