POLITICS
INEC begins distribution of PVCs in Bayelsa

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Bayelsa State, REC, Mr Emmanuel Hart, said the commission would begin the distribution of PVCs to registrants from Dec. 12 to Jan. 22, 2023.
Hart who made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, said the distribution was meant for new registrants, transfers, replacements and for those who wanted to update and make corrections on their voter cards.
Represented by the Administrative Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr Okop Umobong, Hart stated that the distribution would take place at the INEC Electoral Offices in Bayelsa local government areas.
He added that from Jan. 6, 2023, to 15, the distribution would be devolved at the various Wards and later back to the LGAs Offices from Jan.
16, 2023 to 22The REC pointed out that the commission’s staff had been trained on procedures that would lead to a smooth, seamless and hitch-free exercise, adding that Help Desk Officers would be positioned at the local offices to assist individuals with challenges.
He noted that the number of registered voters in Bayelsa was 1,250,102 while the number of collected voters’ cards were more than 960,000.
He said the percentage of collection was poor.
The REC urged political parties to sensitise their members and the electorate to the need to collect their voters cards to avoid being disefrachised in the coming electoins.
He reminded political parties to submit their Party Agents list in accordance with the timelines on or Dec. 30, 2023 for Presidential and National Assembly Electoins and Jan. 6, 2023 for Governorship and State Assembly Electoins.
“Our deliberations here today will bring you up to speed on the modalities for the collection of PVCs.
“As we concluded the display of the Voter Register for claims and objections as required by law, we received at the state level batches of PVCs produced for all registrants which include new registrants, transfers, replacements and updates/corrections.
“The PVCs have been sorted and counted by our Local Government Area staff and will be taken to the various INEC Electoral Offices in readiness for collection by the owners.
He said the Commission had fixed Dec. 12 to Jan. 22, 2023 for the collection of PVCs. The collection will be at the INEC Electoral Offices in the LGAs.
“However, we shall devolve to the Registration Areas (Wards) from Jan. 6, to 15, 2023. We shall revert to the LGA Offices from Jan 16 – 22, 2023.
“The collection will be every day from 9:00 a.m to 3.00 p.m. including Saturdays and Sundays.
“The commission’s staff have been briefed and trained on the procedures for the exercise to ensure it is seamless and hitch-free.
“Help Desk officers will be in each of the eight LGA Offices to assist individuals with challenges.
“We also have contact phone numbers for each Electoral Office for enquiries about the collection and request for assistance,” he stated. (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.