POLITICS
INEC Secretary Assures Staff of Team Work, Success of 2023 Elections
B Jude Opara, Abuja
The Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, has pledged team work with members of staff of the Commission as well as a successful conduct of the 2023 general election.
Oriaran-Anthony made the pledge in Abuja while giving her acceptance speech shortly after her swearing-in on her re-appointment as Secretary to the Commission.
She assured that the staff of the Commission would work to ensure that the technologies to be used in the elections are successful, even for other countries to copy.
She said; “I wish to state that the commission is focused to deliver an election that is driven by technology, Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
“I want to state that the staff of this Commission shall be galvanized to work in support of this Commission’s policies.
“To ensure that not only do we succeed in the application of these technology innovations, but to excel in them so that other Election Management Bodies (EMBs) can come and learn from us.”
The Secretary further expressed her appreciation to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and all the National Commissioners on her reappointment for another tenure of four years.
Oriaran-Anthony pledged to emulate past secretaries of INEC who made lasting contributions to the Commission’s vision and mission of delivering a fair, free, credible and inclusive election that meets the aspirations of Nigerians.
She promised to follow Yakubu’s strong training, while working as a team with other INEC staff in order to collectively build a legacy that would long.
“In order to meet the mandate and expectations of Nigerians, we will need to muster the human, institutional and intellectual resources, and organize them properly.
“To this I commit myself with the support of the Commission members and the directors.
“I will do my part in meeting the administrative goals of the commission and the imperatives of a dignified commission with improved working environment that will translate to a cordial working relationship between management and staff.
“We achieved this during my first tenure and we will build on our successes and do more.
“We will maintain our proud heritage and values, while vigorously holding them to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity will be a prime goal of my second tenure.
“The aim of administrative reform is not to penalize but to reward, so that talents and skills, experience and dedication may be fully mobilized and properly utilized.
“Hard work and excellence to boost morale will be rewarded. We will make everyone accountable for his/her own action or inaction, and pushing for greater gender balance, in particular at senior levels:
“These will be my guide, as I rally the administration of the commission with directives from the Hon chairman and commission members for our very best performance in serving the organization.”
Earlier in his remarks, the acting Chairman of INEC and National Commissioner, Mohamed Haruna, congratulated Oriaran-Anthony for her reappointment.
Haruna said the reappointment of the Secretary was in order especially as the Commission prepares for the crucial 2023 general elections.
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.

