POLITICS
INEC Urges Anambra Governorship Candidates to Honor Peace Accord
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has called on all political parties and their candidates in the Saturday Anambra Governorship election to honor the spirit and letter of the Peace Accord they signed.
The chairman of the commission, Prof.
Joash Amupitan made the call after the signing of the peace accord by governorship candidates participating in the election ahead of the Saturday Nov. 8 off-cycle governorship election in the state.The signing of the peace accord was convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC) led by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Amupitan urged the candidates to ensure that the message of non-violence and mutual respect cascades to their supporters at all levels.
He noted that similar engagements had successfully been conducted in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi and Edo states, noting that encouragingly, parties and candidates largely honoured their commitments under the accord, contributing to peaceful outcomes in spite of pre-election anxieties.
Amupitan reassured all political parties and candidates that INEC remains fully committed to discharging its duties in line with the law, global best practices and the very principles enshrined in the peace accord.
“Let me emphasise that it is not the signatures on this document that guarantee peace; it is the genuine commitment to honouring its provisions.
“Without peace, logistics will be disrupted, our personnel and materials put at risk and ultimately, the credibility of the process undermined.
“Therefore, as you append your signatures today, please ensure the message cascades to your supporters at all levels. This is the surest way to honour the sacrifice and labour of the NPC in advancing peaceful elections,” Amupitan said.
He said that by signing the peace accord, the stakeholders were not only affirming their dedication to non-violence and mutual respect among all stakeholders, but also sending a strong message to our citizens that democracy thrives when peace prevails.
He noted that each of the stakeholders has a part to play in the electoral process and urged them to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals.
“Let us demonstrate to the world that Anambra is a beacon of hope, resilience and democratic values.
“On our part, the commission has taken deliberate steps to address operational challenges and ensure a smooth, credible election across the state.
“We have extensively engaged our officials, transport providers and security agencies to fine-tune deployment arrangements for 24,000 personnel and election materials across 5,718 Polling Units, 326 Ward Collation Centres, 21 Local Government Collation Centres, and ultimately, the State Collation Centre in Awka,” he said.
Amupitan said that voters should expect a significant improvement on Election Day logistics, adding that enhanced result management processes will also be evident.
He disclosed that INEC had approved a final register of 2,802,790 eligible voters for the election and the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) extended to Sunday Nov. 2.
He stated that any individuals or groups planning to subvert the will of the people would be firmly confronted within the strong hands of the law.
“The Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has instituted robust security measures for this election.
“The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 45,000 personnel, While the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps is deploying 10,250 officers, alongside other Agencies,” he said.
Amupitan said that with the peace accord, the proactive efforts of security agencies and the valuable contributions of traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, civil society, the media and other stakeholders, INEC was confident of a peaceful and successful election in Anambra.
From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday charged newly inaugurated members of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere to deploy their experience and political networks for effective grassroots mobilization, wider public engagement, and strong support for Aare Asejere.
Governor Adeleke gave this charge while speaking at the official Inauguration of the Osun Central Senatorial District Accord Campaign Committee for Aare Ganiyu Olaoluwa Asejere, at Adebimpe event hall, adjacent Osogbo City Stadium, along Ikirun Road,Osogbo.
The Governor who was represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi said, the campaign council committees should intensify grassroots mobilization from now till Election Day.
Governor Adeleke admonished entire people of Osun Central Senatorial district to see themselves as one and remain under the umbrella of the Accord while they should continue to demonstrate their unalloyed love and support for Aare Asejere for him to emerge as the next Senator for the area in January 2027.
“I am appealing to you all my dear people to extend the same love you gave me in the just concluded Governorship election in Osun State to Alhaji Asejere in the forthcoming election as he must be in the Red Chamber by January 2027 by the power of the Almighty God” Governor Adeleke stressed.=
Yeye Dupe Adeleke Sanni, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun and a current Commissioner in Osun, Hon Bunmi Jenyo, while inaugurating the committee, charged them to be up and doing and work towards the victory of Aare Asejere in the coming election.
“The committee should make sure our Accord candidate for Osun Central Senatorial district wins the Senatorial election to the Senate as Aare Asejere’s Senatorial ambition is a round peg in a round hole towards the development and betterment of the people”.
The Chairman of the Campaign Committee and Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye as well as the Director-General of the Asejere Campaign Committee and the incumbent Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, while speaking congratulated Aare Asejere in advance saying, nothing will stop his emergence as Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial district in the coming election by God’s Grace and people’s support.
Also the Osun Accord Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande enjoyed the newly inaugurated committee for the emergence of Aare Asejere to see the assignment as a task which they should not take with levity.
“Our man, Aare Asejere has been tested, he has never been found wanting, he’s a man of his word and he is a complete grassroots politician who loves to develop people, let us join hands together and support his ambition”, Pastor Akande said.
Responding, Aare Asejere who was highly elated for seeing large numbers of people from far and near promised not to let the people of Osun Central Senatorial district down, adding that he will ensure he involves the whole people in his performance while his representation will be meaningful.
Aare Asejere once again called on the people of Osun Central to vote him in as the Senator representing the district assured that he will not fail them.
He appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke in absentia, his deputy, the SSG, Bobagunwa Igbalaiye, Oluomo Alimi, Yeye Dupe-Sanni, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon Egbedun, Hon Abesin, Hon
Funso Ishola, party leaders, members of the Accord, community leaders, Iyaloja-General and her team, Oluomo Rasaki, Hon Adigun Olaide, among others.
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously called for urgent and coordinated actions to protect Nigerian girls from child marriage and other harmful practices.
The call followed a motion of urgent national importance moved by the member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Rep.
Kafilat Ogbara, in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked every October 11th.Ogbara, while moving the motion, decried the prevalence of child marriage and other harmful practices against the girl child.
She called on government at all levels to strengthen national programmes aimed at preventing child marriage and protecting girls at risk.
The Speaker, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, in adopting the motion, also urged governments at all levels to ensure that every girl child has access to education, and quality healthcare.
The theme for the 2026 commemoration siught to reaffirm commitment to ending child marriage and upholding the fundamental rights of every girl child.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has restated its commitment to an inclusive electoral process.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Oyo State, Prof. Adeniran Tella, stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan at a training programme for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tella noted that persons with one form of disability or another constitute an important segment of the society.
He said such individuals are citizens with equal rights, responsibilities, aspirations and contributions to make towards the development of the country.
He said: “The commission recognises that electoral inclusion goes beyond permitting PWDs to register and vote.
“It also involves ensuring that they have access to reliable electoral information, understand electoral procedures, can access polling units and are able to participate in other aspects of the electoral process.”
Tella said the commission would provide relevant assistive devices such as magnifying glasses, Braille guides and posters for voters with hearing impairments at polling units to give Persons with Disabilities a more pleasant voting experience on election days.
He added that INEC guidelines and regulations provide that priority should be accorded to PWDs at polling units without them having to wait in long queues during voting.
He further said that eligible PWDs would be engaged and trained as ad-hoc staff during the elections.
The REC explained that the objective of the commission was to ensure that eligible PWDs in the state were not discouraged, excluded or prevented by avoidable barriers from exercising their franchise during the elections.
He further asserted that “democracy is stronger when every eligible citizen has a fair opportunity to participate in shaping its future.”
He urged PWDs across the state to cooperate with the commission to remove avoidable barriers, promote electoral awareness and encourage peaceful participation.
The state Chairman of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Oluwaranti Abiodun, commended INEC for giving special consideration to PWDs ahead of the forthcoming general election.
Abiodun urged the electoral body to give priority to the plights of Persons with Disabilities when planning its activities towards the conduct of the elections.
He demanded that more consideration should be given to eligible PWDs who are interested in working as ad-hoc staff.
He also called on members of the association to support INEC and be ready to perform their civic responsibilities during the 2027 elections. (NAN)
Senator Abba Moro: It is Time to Go Home
ShareBy Cleopas Agada For seven years in the National Assembly, what has Benue South actually felt? For a man who...
NCDs Fastest-growing Disease Burden in Nigeria — Pate
ShareThe Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, said Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become one of the...
2027: Adeleke Inaugurates Aare Asejere’s Campaign Council
ShareFrom Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, yesterday charged newly inaugurated members of the Osun...
INEC Seeks Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Credible, Peaceful Elections
ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), security...
Reps Reject Child Marriage, Demand Protection of Girl Child
ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, Abuja The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously called for urgent and coordinated actions to protect Nigerian...
Court Awards N125, 000 Cost against Odumodublvck
ShareAn Abuja High Court on Wednesday awarded N125, 000 against a rapper, Tochukwu Ojogwu, popularly known as “Odumodublvck”, for asking...
Hunger Changed My Mind, Timini Egbuson on Embracing YouTube movies
ShareNollywood actor Timini Egbuson has reflected on his changing perception of YouTube movies, joking that he might have struggled financially...
Peller Announces Livestream with Peter Obi
SharePopular Nigerian TikTok streamer, Hamzat Adelaja, popularly known as Peller, has announced an upcoming livestream with the presidential candidate of...
Nigeria’s inflation drops from 15.39 Per Cent to 14.63 Per Cent in September
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria’s inflation has eased from 15.39...
Senate Oders Investigation into Corps Member’s Death in Enugu
ShareBy Tambaya Julius, AbujaThe Senate has ordered an investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member,...