POLITICS
Ondo: BVAS not Capturing Elderly, INEC Responds

A Presiding Officer, Miss Angela Oshogwe, at the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State has said that the Bio modal Voter Accreditation System( BVAS) machine could not capture faces of some elderly voters.Oshogwe, manning Poling Unit 19, Ward 11 Olamojuba, Ondo in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state, said that she had lodged the complaints to the concerned authorities.
She added that the response she got was that the complaint was not limited to her polling unit, stating that the elderly had been waiting for long to vote without success. According to her, there is the possibility of the BVAS to function before the close of voting.Reacting to the complaint, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, told newsmen that the commission was aware of the development in “very limited” polling units“We are aware that in very limited cases, a few elderly voters couldn’t be accredited by the BVAS at first attempt. But, in subsequent attempts, the problem was resolved.“A Presiding Officer in one polling unit (PU) out of 3,933 PUs in Ondo State is not in the position to say how widespread a technical problem is.“From the reports at our disposal, so far, the BVAS is performing satisfactorily. It is not unusual for technical issues to occur in a major off-season election like the one we are conducting today.“We anticipated it and made adequate arrangements to respond to any type of challenge,” Oyekanmi saidA septuagenarian, Mrs Agnes Olapade, who was affected by the technical problem, said that she was disappointed that she could not vote due to malfunction of the BVAS.Olapade said she had been at the polling unit, with other affected elderly voters, since 8:00 a.m. without being able to vote.According to her. she voted in the previous elections without any difficulty.Similarly, Mrs Rukayat Olawoye, 87 years old, said that she came out because of the voting but was disappointed at the difficulty occasioned by the BVAS.Another septuagenarian, Mrs Ronke Fayankimi, stated that she and other affected voters would continue to wait, to see if the BVAS would capture their faces.(NAN)POLITICS
2027: Contest Nasarawa Governorship, Lafia Stakeholders urge Former IGP Adamu

Political stakeholders from Lafia Local Government Area have urged the former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to contest the Nasarawa governorship position in 2027.They made their position known at a stakeholders’ engagement on Monday in Lafia.Speaking at the event, Prof.
Mohammed Mainoma, former Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said the decision to urge Adamu to contest for governorship was borne out of his pedigree in public service. Mainoma, chairman of the occasion, described Adamu as an administrator par excellence throughout his career in the police force.He maintained that Nasarawa State needed such a man who had distinguished himself both nationally and internationally to steer its affairs to greatness.“We want him to come and replicate what he did at Interpol for more than 10 years, and as Nigeria’s IGP, to ensure peace and security in Nasarawa State.“We want Nasarawa State to leverage his wealth of experience and international connections to ensure rapid growth and development of the state.“Adamu is bold, accountable, knowledgeable, and resourceful to steer the ship of Nasarawa State to greater heights in 2027.“We therefore, urge him to heed the clarion call of the people he is so passionate about, to contest the governorship in the next general election,” he said.Also, Barr. Musa Hussaini, an associate of the former IG, said that since 1999, there had never been a time when key stakeholders in Lafia would unanimously endorse a particular person until now.“I dare say that we have never experienced an occasion where the entire Lafia LGA will rise in one voice to endorse a particular person.“There is no voice of dissent, no criticism, everybody that is supposed to be somebody in Lafia is here to attest and to support the endorsement of our governor to become in 2027,” he said.He charged the people to do their bit by registering to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their wards, to participate actively in the electoral process that would ensure Adamu’s victory in 2027.Hussaini noted that at the last count, 30 imminently qualified persons had indicated interest in vying for the Nasarawa State governorship position.He, however, pointed out that Adamu stands tall above them given his leadership qualities and experience.In his remarks, Alhaji Abubakar Sarki-Dahiru, member representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said Adamu deserved to be Nasarawa State governor in 2027 describing him as peace-loving and accommodating.He urged the former IG to accept the call to contest and charged the people to rally around him to succeed for the betterment of the state.Responding, Retired IG Adamu said that although he had no intention to contest for the governorship of Nasarawa State, he would not turn down the request of the people since he had led all his life serving the people.He, however, said that he would still be consulting with stakeholders across the state in the interest of Nasarawa. (NAN).POLITICS
A’Ibom: Gov. Eno Finally Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom on Friday finally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).Eno, speaking at the banquet hall, Government House, Uyo, said he had to join the APC to support President Bola Tinubu to continue with the reforms he had started.
The governor said that he did not want to speak from both sides of his mouth and had to come out to join the progressives formally. to avoid anti party activities.Eno said that he had done wide consultations with critical stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom project to explain and inform them on his movement.“Earlier this morning, I submitted a formal letter of resignation from the PDP to the ward Chairman; same copy has been sent to both the state chairman and the national chairman,” he said.The governor thanked the PDP for the support and love and for working with him in the past two years of running the affairs of Akwa Ibom.He said he had taken his decision after due consultation with all critical stakeholders across the length and breadth of the state for the past three months.“I believe no one that has ever moved or changed party has ever consulted the way I have done.“I did that because of the respect I have for all of you, stakeholders in project Akwa Ibom. I did that knowing that each and everyone of you needed to be consulted and informed.“I needed to explain why I am moving, and at this point, that consultation culminated into meeting all the critical stakeholders in PDP last night in this hall, where I took time to explain to you why we must move.“We must be able to interpret the time and flow with the time and not run against the tide.“Having completed the rounds of my consultation, as your servant that you have elected to serve you, I therefore have decided to progressively move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).‘Today, I have made the bold declaration to join that train,” Eno said.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr Udeme Otong, in his goodwill message, said he and the 25 members of the house of assembly would move with the governor.Sen. Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the national assembly, in his goodwill message, also promised to move with the governor.Eno was received into APC by the Akwa Ibom party chairman, Mr Stephen Ntukekpo, who commended the governor for his action.Ntukekpo said that the governor’s action was for the interest of all Akwa Ibom people to transform the state beyond party lines.In his remarks, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, who is also the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, thanked all those who joined to move with the governor voluntarily.He assured the governor and Akwa Ibom people that APC would support the state, stressing that the governor would not regret the decision taken to move.“I want to assure you that you will not regret this decision. The decision to join APC will be supported, and collectively, we will deliver dividends of democracy to not just Akwa Ibom people but all Nigerians,” he said.Report says that among dignitaries present at the event were Govs. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Bassey Otu of Cross River. (NAN)POLITICS
Eid Kabir: Lagos APC Felicitates Muslims, says Tinubu is Changing Nigeria’s story

)The All Progressives Congress (APC) has facilitated Muslims on the occasion of Eid Kabir, reaffirming President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the country’s current challenges and changing the negative narrative.
The party’s state chairman, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, in a statement issued to newsmen on Friday in Lagos, reflected on the values of sacrifice, compassion and unity, that defined the festival.
Ojelabi urged all residents to embody these values, by spreading joy, kindness and love to those around them.
He commended the leadership of the party under Tinubu, for working tirelessly to change the narratives about Nigeria.
Ojelabi said that the president’s visionary leadership and commitment to national development had earned him recognition both locally and internationally.
The party chieftain applauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for his impactful initiatives and programmes, which continue to improve the lives of residents and reflect his strong commitment to the well-being and progress of the people.
As the state approached the forthcoming local government election, Ojelabi called on party members, supporters and well-wishers, to embody the spirit of love, unity and oneness.
He urged them to keep faith with the party, which remained dedicated to improving the lives of residents of Lagos State at all levels.
Ojelabi then wished all Muslims, a joyous and blessed Eid Mubarak, while he prayed God to grant the state peace, prosperity and harmony. (NAN)