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INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and members of the Commission, meet with Media Organizations at the ongoing quarterly consultative meeting in Abuja, ahead of the 2024 Edo and Ondo States Governorship Elections on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024.

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The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists
President and Council Members of the NIPR
Senior Officials of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC)
Media Executives and Heads of Various Media Organisations
Editors and Senior Journalists
National Commissioners of INEC
The Secretary and Other Senior Officials of the Commission
Members of the INEC Press Corps
Ladies and Gentlemen

1. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to our second regular quarterly consultative meeting for this year. You may recall that our first meeting for the year was held about two months ago on Thursday 21st March 2024 at which we briefed you about the 9 bye-elections and 38 re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation held on 3rd February 2024. We would like to further inform you that with the exception of two State Assembly constituencies in Enugu and Kano States disrupted by violence and thuggery, winners have emerged in 45 out of 47 constituencies. Following extensive consultation with stakeholders in the two States, the Commission is remobilising to conclude the outstanding re-run elections in Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State and Ghari (formerly known as Kunchi Local Government Area) for the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency of Kano State. We similarly briefed you on the forthcoming off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

2. Early this week, the Commission announced the plan to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) as part of our preparations for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections. As you are aware, the Edo State Governorship election is holding in the next four months on Saturday 21st September 2024 while the Ondo Governorship election holds in the next six months on Saturday 16th November 2024.

3. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, registered voters also have the opportunity to transfer their registration from other States of the Federation to Edo and Ondo States or from one location to another within the States. Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise. The CVR will take place simultaneously in the two States from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend. Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as double or multiple registration is illegal.

4. Taking into consideration the limited time to the Governorship elections, the Commission has decided to conduct the registration at Ward level and our State headquarters instead of our Local Government offices and a few designated centers as was the case in the past. This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States. There will be no online pre-registration option in the two States because of time constraint. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In the next few days, the Commission will commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise. The locations of the registration centres as well as other relevant information have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting. The same information has already been uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.

5. The Commission therefore appeals to the media to join us in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the deadline approaches when the registration centres will be inundated by eleventh hour registrants.

6. In addition to the registration of voters, the Commission will also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR. In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to our website. We believe that doing so will make it easier for voters to know the availability of the cards and identify the locations to collect them. However, no PVCs will be collected by proxy. Registered voters should come in person to collect their cards. Again, we seek for the support of the media in encouraging voters to locate and pick up thier PVCs as was done in the past.

7. Still on our preparations for the two Governorship elections, the Commission has published the final list of candidates for Edo following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election. Campaign in public by political parties commenced on Wednesday 24th April 2024 and will end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 i.e. 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. We look forward reading your monitoring reports of the campaigns as some of you have done in the past.

8. As we move closer to Election Day in Edo State, it is also imperative to request media organisations to submit applications for accreditation to report on the election in earnest along with the required documentation for individual journalists and support staff. Doing so will enable the Commission to produce and deliver the identity cards for journalists covering the election in good time. The Commission will not entertain requests outside the deadline for the receipt of applications from interested media organisations or process requests that do not meet the criteria for accreditation.

9. Turning to outstanding bye-elections, the Commission would like to inform you about the existence of vacancies in four States of the Federation involving three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency as a result of death or resignation of Honourable Members. As soon as preparations are concluded, the Commission will announce the dates for bye-elections in Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers State, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State.

10. On this note, I once again welcome you all to this meeting. I thank you and God bless.

Politics

Democracy Day: ‘Nigeria is not where it should be’ – Niger Gov, Bago

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Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has expressed concern that despite over two decades of uninterrupted democratic rule, Nigeria still falls short of its potential.

The governor spoke in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.

Bago stressed that more needs to be done to translate democratic rule into tangible development.

“It is worrisome that despite the uninterrupted democratic rule that Nigeria has been having from 1999, the Nation is still not where it should be. More needs to be done,” Bago said.

He called for electoral reforms and enhanced civic participation for inclusive governance and strong democratic institutions that protect the vulnerable, ensure justice and provide equal opportunities for all, thereby, advancing democracy in Nigeria.

Bago also called on Nigerians to reflect deeply on progress made, renew their commitments in the democratic process and uphold the principles of democracy.

According to him, “Democracy symbolises the victory of the collective will of the people, over dictatorship. It also reminds every patriotic Nigerian of the struggles, sacrifices, aspirations, and resilience of our past heroes and heroines.”

He also stated that semocracy has brought about transparency and accountability in governance, vibrant political competition, expression of diverse viewpoints and increased civic engagement, among others.

Bago reassured the people of Niger State that through responsible leadership and inclusive governance for a sustainable development, more dividends of democracy will be provided.

He also called for continuous prayers, support and understanding, while reiterating his firm resolve in the task of building a more secure, transformed and prosperous state under his New Niger Agenda.

“I urge you all to continue to pray for leaders at all levels for a purposeful leadership. I reaffirm my commitment to the New Niger project, which is a possibility,” the governor stated.

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PDP condemns marking of Reps, LG chairman’s houses for demolition over alleged cultism

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has condemned the marking for demolition of the residence of Marcus Onobun, a member of the House of Representatives, for alleged connection to, cultism by the state government.

Ekwutosblog reports that Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee made the condemnation in a statement made available to newsmen Wednesday in Benin City.

In the statement, Aziegbemi disclosed that houses belonging to Marcus Onobun, representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and the illegally impeached elected chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun have been marked for demolition by the state government.

 

The statement dated June 11, 2025, is titled, “unwarranted demolition threat against Marcus Onobun and Hon Collins Aigbogun, a clear case of political victimization”.

He said the two chieftains of the party’s property in their various hometowns were jointly marked for arbitrary demolition.

He alleged that the perpetual resort to political harassment and witch-hunt is a desperate attempt to intimidate, silence and cripple the opposition in the state.

The PDP caretaker committee chairman, also alleged that the brazen move by the State government represents a disturbing abuse of power and a misuse of legislation to target political opponents.

He, however, demanded an immediate halt to the planned demolitions, just as he also called on the State Government to retrace its steps and respect the legal rights and fundamental freedoms of Onobun, Aigbogun, and all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation.

“The Anti-Cultism Law, as passed, clearly stipulates that property can only be subject to forfeiture or demolition “after a valid conviction by a competent court of law.

“At present, there is no such conviction against Hon Onobun and Hon Aigbogun but only baseless allegations. This is not law enforcement; it is a “political witch-hunt.

“We wish to remind the Edo State Government that Nigeria is governed by law, not by executive fiat. The weaponisation of laws to stifle opposition voices and intimidate perceived political rivals is not only a threat to democracy in Edo State but a dangerous precedent for the rest of the country”, he said.

He, however, described the marking as vindictive action and called on all well-meaning citizens, civil society organisations, and the international community to speak out against the injustice.

Aziegbemi, however, put the policemen, bulldozer drivers, as well as owners of the bulldozers, on notice that they will be held liable if, for any reason, they participate in the supervision, destruction, or demolition of any building or property without a valid court order.

He opined that the policemen, bulldozer drivers, as well as owners of the bulldozers, do not enjoy the immunity that the governor enjoys, and the law frowns at the execution of unlawful orders!

“At this juncture, we call on Senator Okpebholo and the Edo State Government to cease this intolerance for dissenting voices and vindictive demolition in various guises and redirect their efforts towards delivering transparent, inclusive, and effective governance that truly serves the interests of the Edo people. This political victimisation must stop”, he added.

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Politics

Nigerians Will Hold Atiku and Obi responsible If Tinubu Wins Again in 2027– League of Northern Democrats

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‎According to a report from Leadership Newspaper on Wednesday, June 11, The League of Northern Democrats (LND) has issued a stern warning to key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, stating that Nigerians will blame them if their failure to unite leads to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

‎Dr. Ladan Salihu who is the National Publicity Secretary, accused opposition leaders of prioritizing personal ambitions over the collective mission to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In an interview, he stated:

‎”If Tinubu wins again in 2027, Nigerians will hold the opposition coalition fully responsible. The 2023 election results showed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) collectively secured 63% of the votes. If they fail to unite now, it will be a betrayal of the people’s trust.”

‎Salihu stated that Nigerians are watching closely and will either celebrate the coalition’s success or condemn its failure.

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