By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

National Ex-officio members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South West have commended the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and other organs of the party for approving Ibadan, Oyo State, as host city for the November national convention.

In a statement signed by Hon.

Clement Faboyede,
on behalf of the National Ex-Officios of the South West, they said the decision to allow Ibadan to host the convention is both strategic and symbolic.

“This momentous decision is both strategic and symbolic. It reaffirms the South West’s pivotal role in the political architecture of our great party and reflects the unwavering confidence our national leadership has in the region’s capacity to deliver with distinction.

“Ibadan—rich in political heritage and democratic values—stands as a befitting venue for such a critical gathering.

“We extend special appreciation to our leader and Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde (GSM), whose visionary and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of the PDP at all levels remains exemplary.

“His dedication to peace, unity, and internal stability within the party has earned him nationwide respect. Under his leadership, Oyo State has experienced transformational development, emerging as a benchmark among its peers.

“Your Excellency, you are a true torchbearer of purposeful governance, and your leadership continues to inspire confidence across the country.

“As National Ex-Officios from the South West, we unequivocally assure the national leadership and stakeholders of our readiness and total dedication to delivering a seamless, peaceful, and impactful National Convention—one that will further reinforce the PDP’s image as Nigeria’s most organized and people-oriented political platform.

“We also reaffirm our unwavering loyalty to the core values of the PDP and pledge our continued commitment to the unity, progress, and electoral success of the party at all levels.

“United by a common vision, we stand fully prepared to welcome leaders and delegates from across Nigeria to Ibadan—a city renowned for its hospitality, orderliness, and political depth.

“Indeed, the South West remains a cornerstone of the PDP’s strength. We remain steadfast in our efforts to deepen internal democracy, foster party cohesion, and mobilize effectively toward future electoral triumphs.

“Once again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, Amb. Iliya Damagum, the Acting National Chairman; the entire NWC; our esteemed BoT members; PDP Governors; and the NEC for this rare privilege and resounding vote of confidence in the South West.”

Ahead of Aug.18 commencement date for Continuous Voters registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has warned against multiple registrations and underage registration in Kebbi.

The INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kebbi, Alhaji Abubakar Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo, gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

“The INEC will not condone multiple registrations, registration by proxy, under-aged registration and all other illegal forms of getting registered as the commission begins CVR on Aug.

18.

“INEC in her efforts to serve Nigerians better will commence the continuous registration of eligible voters for online pre- registration on the said date.

“In-person registration will commence on Aug.25. Nigerians who have turned 18 are now eligible to obtain their cards either via the online registration or present themselves to our Local Government Area offices of their residence for the exercise,” he said.

Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo added that eligible voters, who had lost their voter cards, misplaced their cards or whose cards were mutilated or changed addresses or residences could also present themselves for the physical registration.

“Those whose voter cards are defaced and those who wish to correct their names or date of birth can also present themselves at any of our Local Government offices of their residence for the registration.

“The registration will be conducted at all INEC Area offices of Kebbi State from 9 a.m to 3p.m daily except on weekends and public holidays,” he said.

Sarkin-Pawa-Dambo also revealed that the INEC registered 2,032, 41 eligible voters before the 2023 general elections.

“Out of the registered number, 1,096,449 are male representing 54 per cent and female registration stands at 935,592 and represents 46 per cent.

“The total number of Registration Areas (RA) stands at 225 and the total number of Polling Units stands at 3,743.

“The state has three senatorial zones and nine federal constituencies as at 2023.

“1,847,752 have collected their Permanent Voter Cards representing 97 per cent.

“Though, a negligible number of these voter cards are lying down in our offices, we encourage the owners to present themselves for the collection of their cards at a date to be announced later,” the commissioner said.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Constitutional and human rights lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has kicked against the agitation for the creation of additional states.The legal luminary maintained that most of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria, today are not viable and as such saw no reason why more states should be created in the country.

Ozekhome, in an interview, blamed the conditions of the states on the “skewed federal template” being operated in form of a unitary system of government and called for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution. According to him, the present Constitution is not only cumbersome with the center vested with too much powers and responsibilities but was a product of the military class which has ruled Nigeria for quite some times.He spoke at a “Walk for Wellness” campaign embarked upon by the Mike Ozekhome Chambers (MOC) in Abuja.”Some of us are now saying rather than create more states we should collapse the present structure into about six geopolitical zones, which should serve as regional government.”A parliamentary system of government operating on regional bases will be more beneficial to the people because it will catalyze development and competitiveness among the regions. Right now, no state is competing, all of them just go to Abuja at the end of the month to take from the federation account to share”, he said.The senior lawyer lamented that Nigeria has become a sharing country which is not baking anything because they don’t care or even know how to bake anything.According to him, while Nasarawa has the highest mineral deposits of over 36 items, followed by Plateau with 28 items with Sokoto and Kaduna States in that order, the entire country still rely on crude oil “which is fast losing its value across the world.”I will suggest that if we are to retain the state structure, we should retain the states as a federating units, thus having two tiers of government” he said, leaving local government to the states.Adding: “the only state I will have said should be created right now should be in the South East, to bring them to equity with other geopolitical zones in the country.”