POLITICS
Bayelsa Election: INEC Trains SPOs on Result Counting Procedures

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organised two days training for its Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) on polling and counting procedures for Bayelsa Governorship Election.
A statement issued by INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Mary Nkem, on Tuesday in Abuja said that the training which commenced on Monday was part of the commission’s preparations for the state forthcoming election.
Nkem said that at the end of the training organised by the Electoral Institute, the participants should be able to demonstrate the ability to organise and conduct training on polling and counting.
She said that the training was also to help them effectively perform the electoral functions of SPOs in line with the Regulation and Guidelines for the conduct of Elections 2022.
She said that in line with change management principles, INEC employed the strategy to deploy mostly its staff to function as Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) for the Bayelsa election.
“Consequently, participants were drawn and trained at six Commission state offices namely; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Crossrivers, Delta, Edo and Rivers State.
“This strategy guarantees professionalism and a seamless Electoral service delivery for Electorates in Bayelsa State,” she said.
She quoted the Director-General of TEI, Dr Sa’ad Idris, in his goodwill message as advising the participants to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.
Idris said the event was to ensure quality step-down of the training for Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APOs).
He urged the participants to acquaint themselves with the technology-driven initiatives introduced into the processes and procedures of election day activities.
Idris said that the deployment of INEC staff members to function as SPOs in an election is an indication that the commission would not entertain any excuse for inefficiency.
The DG added that the quality and effective training of election personnel are prerequisites to the conduct of free, fair, credible and Inclusive elections.
The Director of Training, Dr Binta Mohammed, in her remarks reiterated the importance of a quality step-down of the training of Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding officers by the SPOs.
Kasim expressed her confidence in the capacity of both the trainers and the participants to achieve the goal.
Kasim highlighted areas of the training to include technology-driven initiatives introduced by INEC into the electoral process to ensure transparency and credibility of election.
This according to him include the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System device (BVAS) for accreditation of voters and the use of INEC Result viewing portal (IReV) in the upload of Polling Unit results, scanned form EC8A for public view.
The SPOs were exposed to INEC e- School, INEC Training BOT and INEC Security Alert and Notification System (INEC-SANS) application designed to provide real time notification on threats and violence against INEC staff on Election duty or INEC Offices and facilities.(NAN)
POLITICS
Former DG of PDP Governors Forum Defects to ADC

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Former Director General of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Hon C.I.D Maduabum has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement made available to Daily Asset in Abuja on Sunday, Hon Maduabum said he is dumping the PDP because the party has been “hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
”Part of his statement read: “After deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful evaluation of the current political realities within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I have taken the difficult but necessary decision to resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
“As a committed democrat, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, and former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, I have dedicated significant portions of my political life to building the PDP as a platform for democratic consolidation and national development.
“However, the soul of the party I once served with pride has been hijacked by self-serving, unscrupulous elements who are more interested in personal power grabs than in party discipline, internal democracy, or national interest.
“The PDP today is a shadow of its former self. It has descended into chaos, internal betrayal, and systematic destruction by diverse forces who have no regard for the principles upon which the party was founded. Sadly, voices of reason are no longer welcome, and genuine reformers are vilified or silenced.
“I can no longer in good conscience remain in a house that has been stripped of its moral compass and overrun by opportunists.
“In light of this, I am proud to announce that I am joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — a party that now stands as the only credible democratic alternative for Nigeria.
“The ADC is emerging as a beacon of hope for good governance, integrity, accountability, and inclusive politics. It offers the opportunity for principled politics, genuine people-oriented leadership, and a platform for rebuilding our nation from the grassroots up.
“The ADC Coalition includes progressive minded people like Mr. Peter Obi and others.
“I join the ADC not merely as a defector but as a reformer committed to helping build a new political culture — one based on merit, ideology, discipline, youth inclusion, and national unity.
“The time has come for all well-meaning Nigerians to take a stand against the decay in our political system. I call on all patriots, especially those disillusioned by the dysfunction in the traditional parties, to rally around this movement for a new Nigeria through the ADC.
“I remain committed to the democratic ideals of justice, equity, and service to the people. The struggle to rescue Nigeria and restore its promise continues — and it begins now on a new, firmer footing.”
POLITICS
Anambra: INEC Registers 96,085 New Voters, Extends CVR by Three Days

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it has registered 96,085 new voters in nine days and extended the exercise by three days in Anambra.
The commission disclosed this in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, on Thursday in Abuja, after its weekly meeting.
He said that on the preliminary stage of the CVR, 56,017 representing 58 per cent of new registrants were female while 50,429 52 representing 48 per cent were young people between the ages of 18 and 34.
“The commission is pleased with the turnout of registrants in Anambra and the peaceful conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in all the 326 registration centres in the state.
“As of yesterday, Wednesday, 96,085 new voters have successfully registered in nine days. On average, the Commission registered over 10,600 voters per day.
“In addition, 12,595 voters applied for transfer of their registration both within and outside the state while 7,061 persons applied for the update of their records or the replacement of their damaged or lost Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
“The CVR in Anambra ends today. However, in response to appeal from citizens, the Commission hereby extends the exercise for three more days. It will now end on Sunday, July 20,” he said.
Olumekun said that the commission would thereafter display the register for claims and objections by citizens as provided by law.
This, according to him, will be followed by a further clean-up of the data using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
“Subsequently, the detailed breakdown of the new registrants by age, gender, occupation and disability will be published for public information,” he said.
Olumekun also disclosed that INEC had received five more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.
According to him, the new application brings the number received so far by the commission to 134.
Olumekun stated that the details of the new associations, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships were already published on INEC website and other platforms for public information.
He said that INEC would continue to keep the citizens up to date on all its activities.
POLITICS
PDP Stakeholders Olorunda Pass Vote of Confidence on Gov Adeleke

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
The Olorunda Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Stakeholders has passed vote of confidence on Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, re-affirm loyalty, and pledge to support his future political alignment.
Following a critical meeting of the Olorunda Local Government Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), held at the residence of the Apex Leader, Senator Dr.
Oluwole Alabi, stakeholders across the political spectrum unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.The meeting, chaired by Senator Dr. Oluwole Alabi and moderated by Aare Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa Asejere, brought together key political functionaries, state appointees, and party executives at state, local, and ward levels from Olorunda Local Government area of the state.
In the communiqué made available to our Correspondent in Osogbo the Osun State capital shortly after the meeting, the stakeholders collectively expressed their unwavering loyalty and unflinching support to Governor Adeleke and committed themselves to following his political direction in the interest of continued progress and good governance in Osun State.
The communiqué reads in part
“We, the undersigned leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in Olorunda Local Government area, having extensively deliberated on the current political climate, hereby pass a unanimous vote of confidence in the sterling leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke
“We commend his people-oriented governance style, visionary leadership, and impactful delivery of the Imole developmental agenda, which stands as the most transformative in the history of Osun State.
“As loyal party stakeholders, we reaffirm our total and unshaken loyalty to Governor Adeleke, who has continuously demonstrated commitment to inclusive development, good governance, and service to humanity.
“We further resolve to follow His Excellency’s political direction and align with his future political choices irrespective of platform, believing in his judgment as the authentic custodian of the Imole mandate and the symbol of progress in our dear state.
“We stand united behind Governor Adeleke’s leadership and remain resolute in our commitment to actualizing his vision for Osun State, now and beyond 2030.”
“This communiqué reflects the collective will of the leadership and stakeholders of Olorunda PDP and symbolises their unwavering readiness to continue working under the guidance of Governor Adeleke for the continued upliftment of Osun State”.
The meeting has in attendance, Senator Dr. Oluwole Alabi, Aare Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa Asejere, Rep. Maruff Adewale Gangaria, Dr. Muyiwa Oladimeji, Elder Funsho Isola, Hon. Olaide Ajibola, High Chief Apesin Olanrewaju Akolade, Hon. Obafemi Akolade, Hon. Ademola Nurudeen Hamzat, Hon. Nathaniel Ojetola, and Hon. Kunle Olaniyan while the communique was duly signed by all of them.