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The Honorable Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and the Commission’s members continued today with its quarterly consultative meeting with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee On Election Security (ICCES) in preparation for the #EdoDecides2024 and #OndoDecides2024 Governorship Elections at the Commission’s Conference Hall in Abuja.

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The National Security Adviser and Co-Chair of ICCESS

The Inspector General of Police
National Commissioners of INEC
Representatives of various Security, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Agencies
Other Members of ICCESS
Secretary to the Commission
Other Senior Officials of the Commission
Members of the INEC Press Corps

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am pleased to welcome you all to our second regular quarterly consultative meeting for the year following the first meeting held on Friday 22nd March 2024.

2. However, this is our third meeting this year with the security agencies in the last four months. You may recall that on 23rd January 2024, we met to review the security arrangement for the bye-elections and Court-ordered re-run elections in 26 States of the Federation. I am glad to report that except for two State constituencies in Enugu and Kano States, the elections in 45 constituencies have been concluded without major incidents and winners declared. I wish to place on record my appreciation and that of the co-chair of ICCES (the National Security Adviser) for the proactive measures taken by the security agencies in ensuring the peaceful conclusion of the elections involving 4,904,627 registered voters spread across 80 Local Government Areas, 575 electoral Wards and 8,934 Polling Units.

3. Following consultations with stakeholders, 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. Similarly, I would like to inform you of vacancies in four States of the Federation that will necessitate bye-elections in three State Assembly constituencies and one Federal Constituency, as a result of death or resignation of Honourable Members. As soon as necessary 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. Again, we look forward to working with the security agencies to secure the environment for peaceful elections.

4. In addition to these bye-elections, the Commission is preparing for two major off-cycle Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. 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.

5. There are two activities relating to the forthcoming Governorship elections that we need to draw your attention to. First is the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States that will enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so. Similarly, those who are registered voters will 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. Complaints about lost or damaged voters’ cards will be considered during the registration period. 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. During the period, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) from previous registrations in the two States will also be available for collection by registered voters.

6. The CVR will take place at Ward level and our State headquarters. 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 registration centres in the two States. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). We need security protection for the registrants, registration personnel, equipment, observers and journalists that will cover the exercise. The detailed locations of the registration centres have been compiled in a detailed 28-page document included in your folders for this meeting to guide your operational plans to secure the process.

7. 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.

8. I urge you to keep your eyes on the electioneering process with a view to preventing violent attacks or negative mobilisation by political parties, candidates and their supporters during their campaigns. Similarly, the use of the power of incumbency to deny opposition parties and candidates access to public facilities such as Radio and Television stations, public buildings for campaigns and rallies or even outdoor advertising through the imposition of excessive fees and levies often result in the breach of the peace. These actions, including the mutual destruction of campaign materials and facilities, violate the provisions of Sections 91 to 97 of the Electoral Act 2022. The security agencies have a duty to ensure the enforcement of the law.

9. Once again, I welcome you all to this meeting. I thank you and God bless.

Politics

APGA announces re-commencement of membership registration, revalidation

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The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has announce the re-commencement of its membership registration and revalidation exercise.

A press release by National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Ejimofor Opara said the exercise which was flagged off on June 1, 2024 is aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structure and updating its membership records.

The release reads, “Old and new members are encouraged to participate in this exercise by visiting their respective wards to collect membership forms from their ward Chairman.

“Alternatively, they can register online. Note, however, that those who had registered earlier via the online platform do not need to register again.

“The membership registration and revalidation exercise will last for a period of 30 days, commencing from the date of this announcement.”

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OSUN LG SAGA: POLICE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE, VOWS TO DEAL WITH PERPETRATORS. As IGP Orders Deployment of Additional Tactical Squads to Restore Normalcy in Osun

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PRESS RELEASE

OSUN LG SAGA: POLICE CONDEMNS VIOLENCE, VOWS TO DEAL WITH PERPETRATORS.

As IGP Orders Deployment of Additional Tactical Squads to Restore Normalcy in Osun

In response to the ongoing violence in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned, in strong terms, the incidents that have disrupted peace and safety in the state, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. These violent actions had disrupted the peace, leading to the destruction of property, and the unfortunate loss of innocent lives.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has taken decisive action by ordering the deployment of additional tactical squads to Osun State to bolster security and restore law and order.

The Police recognizes that violence undermines the democratic process and threatens the wellbeing of the citizens, and hereby affirms its commitment to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators of these acts and caused them to face the full weight of the law.

The IGP issues a stern warning to those who threaten the peace and stability in Osun State, as the Force will not tolerate any act of lawlessness, hooliganism and anarchy in the state. The perpetrators of these criminal acts will be fished out and be caused to face the consequences of their unwarranted ill-fated acts. Citizens must remain calm as normalcy is being restored. Osun indigenes, leaders, and stakeholders are hereby urged to shun violence and go about their legitimate businesses. The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter of all electoral disputes and political actors must respect and abide by its rulings, upholding the rule of law and democratic principles. Citizens are advised to go about their lawful business.

The Force reiterates its commitment to clamping down on any violent actors who bent on creating brouhaha and breakdown of law and order in any part of the country. The situation in Osun will be closely monitored, and measures will be enforced to ensure a safe environment for all residents.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCA,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.

17TH FEBRUARY 2025

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‘Stop bloodshed’ – Gov Adeleke issues directive over Osun LG violence

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has ordered an end to the bloodshed in the state.

Adeleke’s directive followed the breakout of deadly violence that erupted in local government secretariats across the state.

The governor confirmed that five members of the Peoples Democratic Party were killed during the crisis, while several others were injured.

On Monday, violence broke out when loyalists of the All Progressives Congress attempted to reinstate their local government chairmen, who were removed by a court ruling in 2022.

The opposition by PDP supporters led to chaos and a violent outbreak.

In the course of the violence, the reinstated chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Mr. Remi Abass, was killed.

Reacting via a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke accused the APC of trying to take over the local governments illegally.

He said: “PDP lost five members, with several others wounded.

“Two were killed in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government. Another two died in Ola Oluwa Local Government, and one was killed in Ikire. This bloodshed must stop.”

Adeleke directed residents and politicians to stay away from the local government secretariats as a way to prevent violence.

He added: “Governor Adeleke has directed all Osun residents to avoid the LG secretariats to prevent more violence and protect public property.

“Since the local government workers are on strike, security agencies will take full control of the secretariats.”

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