The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Benue Chapel, has given an award to Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Mr Richard Tombowua, for conducting credible local government elections. The chapel conferred the prestigious award of the ‘Defender of Democracy in Our Generation’ on Tombuwua on Tuesday in Makurdi.

The Chapel Chairman, Mr Paul Mandeun, commended the chairman for conducting a free, fair, and credible election on October 5. Mandeun stated that people should always try to celebrate an outstanding performance by the umpire and not just be quick to condemn when they feel the body has done wrong. The chairman acknowledged the spiritual eyes of Gov. Hyacinth Alia for appointing Tombuwua to head the commission.“We deem it expedient to acknowledge the spiritual eyes of Alia who figured out this achiever among many citizens for the onerous task that has shaped the history of democracy in Benue State,” Mandeun said.“We are here to inform you that we have watched keenly all the electoral processes.“It was under our watch that materials were deployed; we were at the polling units, not just at local government areas, with a critical eye looking out for compliance with the standard of conducting elections in an ideal democratic setting.“We are here today to affirm and pass its verdict after monitoring all the processes before, during, and after the polls. “You were not found wanting and also not short of best practices anywhere in the world.“On these bases, we authoritatively pass a vote of confidence on you for living far above board in conducting an election that is a model for other emerging democracies to emulate,” he said.Tombowua thanked the leadership of NUJ, Radio Benue Chapel, for recognising his worth and work during the election.He said he never knew that certain persons, like the media, which were critical stakeholders in society, were watching the conduct of the election.The chairman disclosed that they insistently followed the timeline amidst calls for postponement, saying that BSIEC remains independent at all times and nobody could interfere in the conduct of the election.He therefore wondered why people who were not home during and after the election were the ones alleging that there was no election in the local government areas.“We followed due diligence in the conduct of the election, ensuring that all results were collated before the declaration of the final result,” the chairman affirmed.He promised that the umpire body would continue to do its best, saying that the award was a source of encouragement and would spur them to do more.(NAN)

The Ondo State Government has requested the raise of its 2024 budget by N92 billion to cushion the effects of economic hardship and implement the new minimum wage for its workers.The State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who wrote to the state House of Assembly, asked for amendment and increase of the 2024 Budget from N395 billion to N487 billion.

The letter accompanying the bill for the amendment of the budget was read by the Clerk of the House of Assembly, Mr Benjamin Jaiyeola. A motion for the amendment of the budget was subsequently moved by the House Majority Leader, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, (Owo 1-APC) and was seconded by Mr Olatunji Oshati, (Ose- APC).Ogunmolasuyi said the bill for amendment if it sails through would address the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and afford the government to implement the N73,000 minimum wage for its workers.Oshati, who seconded the motion, also moved the motion to commit the bill to the Appropriation Committee, saying that the bill would address many things in the state.He added that the bill if passed into law would allow government to implement its programmes and policies in line with current economic realities.Also speaking, Mr Stephen Abitogun, (Akure South 2-APC), urged his colleagues to allow the bill sail through in order to cater for the needs of people of the state.Similarly, Mr Olatunji Fabiyi, (Odigbo- APC), said that without the amendment, there would be no way that civil servants, who are the engine room of government in the state, could enjoy the minimum wage promised by the governor.The Speaker, Chief Olamide Oladiji, said that without the bill being passed, there would be slow pace of implementation of government’s policies and programmes.“This bill is very important for the state because of the current economic indices and without it, implementation of minimum wage will not be realistic.“This is our own little way to support the administration of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.“I, therefore, order the bill to be passed to the Finance and Appropriation Committee for proper and thorough screening and be submitted to the plenary,”he said.The sitting of the House of Assembly was later adjourned to Wednesday. (NAN)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned persons without Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to steer clear of polling centres during the Nov. 16 Governorship Election in Ondo State.Prof. Kunle Ajayi, INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, gave the warning at the presentation of soft copies of the Register of Voters for the election to the political parties on Tuesday in Akure.

Ajayi, who pledge the Commission’s preparedness and determination to conduct a free, fair, credible, and inclusive election in the state, said that 2,053,006 eligible voters were registered. ” it is important to reiterate to you that the Commission shall commence distribution of the newly printed Permanent Voters Cards and the uncollected PVCs from the previous CVR exercise starting from Thursday.“I strongly encourage all political party representatives to mobilise their supporters to come out and collect their PVCs.“Also, the Civil Society Organisations and the media here present are to use their various strong outlets and platforms to encourage the general public, registrants, and eligible voters to come out en mass to collect their PVCs.“Because Without the PVC, nobody would be allowed to vote,” he said.Ajayi said that the collection of PVCs won’t be by proxy as it was against the law.According to him, anyone found in possession of more than one PVC would be made to face the full extent of the law.He, therefore, called on Persons With Disability (PWD), PWD-focused CSOs, and groups to encourage any PWD to come out and collect their PVCs.Ajayi said that the Commission has made adequate provision for assistive devices which will ensure a seamless voting experience for all PWDs in the forthcoming election.Also, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, said that the publication and presentation of the voter register was crucial and a statutory step in safeguarding the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.Babalola said that the presentation was a powerful reminder that the future of Ondo State was in hands of its people.“I call on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed, safeguarding the integrity of the process“I therefore use this medium to encourage voters in Ondo State to come out to cast their votes freely with the assurance that their choices are respected and their votes will count,” Babalola said.Mr Ade Adetimehin, Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, applauded the INEC for its timely presentation of the voters register.According to him, it would enable the political parties to go back to the field and mobilise and educate their supporters to come out en mass to vote on the election day.“It’s now our duty as political parties to go back to the all 3936 polling units to mobilise and canvass for their (electorate) votes,” he said.(NAN)