Politics
INEC Resumes Voter Registration In Enugu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has begun its second quarter Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) within Enugu State.
The commission called on stakeholders to intensify mobilisation for the success of the registration.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Enugu State, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, announced this yesterday at a news conference in Enugu.
Ononamadu said that the exercise started on Oct. 4.
“This is in keeping with the CVR timetable published by the commission before the commencement of the CVR,” he said.
He also said that the exercise, which would run till December 2021, would have the online pre-registration component to be continued along with the physical registration.
“It is imperative to bring to the knowledge of prospective registrants and stakeholders that INEC has opened its doors to continue with the registration of eligible voters in Enugu State.
“Stakeholders are encouraged to ensure that all eligible persons who have turned 18 years and have not registered before should go and register in each of our offices in the 17 local governments areas of the state and INEC state office in Enugu.
“Apply for replacement of misplaced or lost Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“Transfer from one polling booth to another either within the state, LGA or Ward.
“Correct wrong data in their previous registration and collect their permanent voters’ card which they were unable to collect during the registration,” he said.
He said that it was imperative to note that “to register as a voter is a necessary civic responsibility for all citizens”.
Ononamadu noted that the first quarter of the CVR saw a low participation and a closing population surge.
“We appeal to stakeholders to reverse the trend to have more registrants at the beginning to avoid rush at the end.
“We encourage stakeholders to support the success of the CVR through intensive and collaborative mobilisation of eligible persons.
“We are also calling on stakeholders to continue to support the security of our men and equipment as they have done during the first quarter,” he said.
Reports say that the CVR registration starts from 8 a.m. and ends by 3 p.m. each work day.
It would be recalled that INEC registered a 12,832 new eligible voters in its just-concluded first quarter CVR in Enugu State.
During the first quarter exercise, 1,721 transfers and updates were made, 658 residents applied for replacement of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) while 945 voter transfers were made.
A total of 776 corrections were made and a total of 3,294 photo and fingerprints were uploaded and updated; while the commission completed a successful registration activities display period for electorate concerned to make claims and objections.
The Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.