POLITICS
2023: Many Nigerians may be Disenfranchised – IPAC
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, says many Nigerians may not have been captured in the INEC Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) that ends nationwide on Sunday.
IPAC also said that many Nigerians that would be of voting age some months to the election would also be disenfranchised.
Newsmen report that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which started on June 28, 2021, was initially billed to end on June 30, before it was extended to July 31.
Reporters also recall that in Lagos state as at July 18 those who registered online were 640, 560 but many of them had not completed their registration, while those who completed the registration exercise were 451, 156.
INEC Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Lagos state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje said on July 24, that current statistics of July 18, showed that Lagos state had about seven million registered voters.
The REC disclosed that the number was derived from the new registrants so far in the ongoing CVR, added to those in the old register of voters in the state.
IPAC Chairman in Lagos state, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, however, said that INEC should reconsider ending the registration.
Mobolaji who made the appeal when he spoke with NAN on Sunday, was reacting to the scheduled July 31 deadline of the CVR.
He said that for elections to be free, fair and credible, every eligible citizen must be allowed to participate in choosing the leadership they wanted.
“Everything about credible elections is voter register and voter cards, and if that is actually what INEC really stands for as unbiased umpire, for the purpose of democracy, INEC should be fair in all areas, especially in allowing those who have not registered to do so.
“I think INEC should have a way of allowing every eligible voter get their voter cards to choose the leadership they want,” he said.
He stressed that irrespective of the time the registration started, the commission should.not discontinue the exercise.
“Irrespective of the fact that INEC had started the voter enrollment exercise in 2021, if the time is not enough for everyone that want to participate in the election to get registered and obtain a voter card, INEC should not stop registration,” he said.
He said that continuation of voter enrollment would not affect every other electoral activity and processes put in place by the commission to conduct good elections.
According to him, INEC should continue until it becomes glaring that it will be impossible to print voter cards again, we will all know that they have done their best.
“I think voter registration can go simultaneously with every other plan INEC has.
“There should be a way round this, such that everyone that is of voting age is given the opportunity to be able to vote. We still have months to the election.”
Mobolaji said that INEC could get more gadgets and personnel to register every eligible citizen who presented themselves for the registration.
“INEC may have done its best but I can say that its best is not enough for the present dispensation as well as the requirements and demand of present democracy.
“Nigerians want to be part of the decision making process. They want to elect good leaders. All eligible citizens want to be part of it,” he stated.
According to him, the only way to reposition the country is through ballot and every qualified citizen should be allowed to vote in 2023.
He said that the crowd at enrollment centres across the country showed that the time for registration was not enough. (NAN)
POLITICS
Presidency Transmits N43.5trn 2026 Appropriation Bill to Reps
President Bola Tinubu yesterday, transmitted the appropriation (Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2024/2025 bill to the House of Representatives for consideration and expected approval in accordance with constitutional and appropriation process.
Reading the letter during plenary, the Deputy Speaker, Rep.
Benjamin Kalu said that the appropriation bill is aimed at ending the practice of running multiple budgets concurrently.“Rt Honourable Speaker, the Bill seeks to authorize the issue from the consolidated Revenue fund of the federation of the total sum of N43,561,041,744,507.
“Comprising N1,742,786,788,150 for statutory transfers, N8,270,960,606,831 for debt service, N11,268,513,380,853 for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure and N22,278,780,968,673 for capital expenditure for the year ending 31 December 2025,” the President said.
According to the President, the bill provides a transparent and constitutionally grounded appropriation mechanism.
President Tinubu in the letter said that the appropriation is not only critical but time-sensitive expenditures necessary in advancing the well-being of Nigerians.
He further explained that the bill seeks to strengthen implementation discipline and accountability by requiring that appropriated funds are applied strictly for purposes specified in the schedules.
The House however adjourned to Thursday being 18, Dec for further consideration of the Bill.
POLITICS
2027 Election: Igbo’s Community Promises Votes for Eno
From Christopher Tom, Uyo
Non-indigence in Akwa Ibom State especially the Igbo’s community has promised to give the highest number of votes across the state to Governor Umo Eno come 2027 governorship elections in the state.
The Igbo community said they will not fail to vote massively for the Governor.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Hon.
Keyceey Chidiadi made this known while speaking with media practitioners shortly after the Uyo chapter of Igbo community unity day celebration 2025 in Uyo.He said Igbo’s scattered across the 31 local government Area of the state without any doubt seriously doing their businesses without any crisis, showcasing their love, unity among the indigence of the state while also contributing their quotas to boost the state economy.
According to him, the Igbo’s are about five thousand while some have not been recorded because they have not identified with the community and advise others to join the train before it’s too late for them.
He said their vote come 2027 is massively for Pastor Umo Eno without compromise because of his leadership style and developmental strive, showcasing true democracy carrying every individual along not minding the state or religion the people came from but stand on peace, unity among the people to benefit the dividend of democracy.
He called on Igbo’s resident in the state to make sure they vote here without going to their various states to maintain their voting strength as the highest numbers of people across the non-indigence communities in Akwa Ibom State.
He said they are law abiding citizens and not ready to accommodate or entertain any crisis, violence, because of their peaceful nature created by God, especially respect for the government of the day while corporate to preach peace in the state. He commended the community for embracing peace after 27 years of crisis without a leader among them, but now peace has restored to them across the communities in the state.
POLITICS
INEC Begins Display of Preliminary Voter Register in Delta
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Delta State Office, has announced the commencement of the display of the Preliminary Voter Register for claims and objections across the state.
According to a press release by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Udo Umoren, the exercise will begin on Monday, 15th December 2025 and end on Sunday, 21st December 2025.
The display will take place at all the 25 Local Government Area offices of INEC in Delta State between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily.
INEC explained that the exercise is in line with the Electoral Guidelines and is aimed at correcting any anomalies that may have occurred during the recent voter registration exercise.
The Commission noted that the process is essential to producing a credible and reliable voter register, which remains a key instrument for conducting free, fair and credible elections.
The Commission urged eligible voters in the state to seize the opportunity to visit INEC offices in their respective local government areas to confirm that their names and personal details are correctly captured in the register. Voters were also encouraged to report cases of omission, errors in spelling, or any other discrepancies.
In addition, members of the public were advised to raise objections to the inclusion of names of deceased persons, underaged individuals, or any other doubtful entries found in the register.
INEC reiterated its commitment to electoral integrity and called on all Deltans to actively participate in the exercise as part of their civic responsibility.
The Commission concluded the notice with a call to action, encouraging eligible citizens to register and participate in the electoral process.

