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Lagos, Ogun, Delta Ahead Of States With Unclaimed PVCs

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Over five million Nigerians out of the 93m who registered to vote have yet to claim their Permanent Voter Cards barely four months to the 2023 elections.
Findings by The Tide source across 19 states indicate that Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Ekiti and Enugu States are leading the states with huge numbers of unclaimed PVCs despite the enlightenment campaigns carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Understandably, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and others are worried the forthcoming elections may be marred by voter apathy.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu had disclosed during a meeting with political parties in Abuja last week that over 2.7million new registrations between June 28, 2021 and July 31, 2022, were invalid.
During the 2019 general elections, the commission noted that out of the about 82.3m Nigerians in the voter register, only 28.6million voted which led to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari who polled 15 million votes to defeat his closest rival, Atiku Abubakar,  who scored 11.2 million votes.
During the Lagos State governorship elections in 2019,  Babajide Sanwo-Olu got 739,445 votes to defeat his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje of the PDP who had 206,141 votes.
Both candidates recorded less than one million votes despite the fact that the state had six million registered voters.
Findings on Monday showed that 963,884 PVCs have yet to be collected in Lagos, Ogun 661,643, Delta 300,000, Ekiti 239,858 and Enugu 160,000.
The commission’s Public Affairs Officer in Lagos, Mrs Adenike Oriowo put the number of uncollected cards at 963,884 as of October 21, 2022.
In a statement on Monday, she further disclosed that 37,832 new PVCs have not been collected out of the 60,370 received from the INEC’s national headquarters.
The statement said, “Overall total PVCs received from the national headquarters is 6,630,661. Overall total PVCs collected as of October 21, 2022, is 5,666,777, and overall PVCs uncollected as of October 21, 2022, is 963,884.”
According to the INEC Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Mrs Rolake Odebunmi, there are 988,923 registered voters in the state and 239,858 among them had collected their PVCs.
Odebunmi stated that further action would commence on November 12 with a nationwide display of voter registers.
In Ogun state, the  Resident Electoral Commissioner, Niyi Ijalaye disclosed that 661,643 PVCs have yet to be collected.
The REC however said the total number of registered voters would be disclosed in the next two weeks after the cleanup of the voter register by INEC.
Also speaking with one of our source, the representative of the Public Affairs office of INEC in Gombe, Mohorret Bigun stated that no fewer than 95,959 cards were still in their custody.
In Ebonyi, it was stated that over 127,000 PVCs were yet to be collected while the number of unclaimed PVCs in Sokoto was put at 124,963. Some of the cards, it was gathered, have not been claimed since 2019.
At a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the Administrative Secretary of Sokoto INEC, Hauwa’u Aliyu said 148,446 voter cards were issued to the local government areas from 2019 to date but only 24,483 were collected.
Other states with a high number of uncollected PVCs include Adamawa 40,000; Kano 389,000; Niger 45,000; Bauchi 38,265 and Yobe 78,000.
But responding to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, argued that more Nigerians had collected their PVCs over the years than those who haven’t.
“For instance, the total number of registered voters as of 2019 was 84,004,084. Out of this, 72,775,502 or 86.63 per cent have collected their PVCs, leaving 11,228,582 uncollected PVCs as of 11th February 2019.
“However, Nigerians have been collecting their PVCs since then, although in trickles. Don’t forget that we conducted Continuous Voter Registration between 28th June 2021 and 31st July 2022. The PVCs of those that registered between June 2021 and January 2022 have been printed and the rate of collection of this set of PVCs has been quite impressive,’’ Oyekanmi submitted.
The press secretary also disclosed that the full report of the uncollected PVCs would be given by the INEC chairman in February just before the Presidential election.
While admonishing Nigerians to collect their cards so they can exercise their franchise, he said, ‘’Creating awareness and urging eligible voters to collect their PVCs is a collective, and not only INEC’s, responsibility. Other stakeholders, especially the media, also have a responsibility to encourage Nigerians to pick up their PVCs.
“Without a PVC, no voter will be allowed to vote. That is why it is very important for voters to collect their cards.  The Commission will continue to raise awareness among registered voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so.’’
The Chief Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, believed that the commission owed Nigerians some explanation for the poor response to PVCs collection.
In his submission, the spokesperson of the Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan stated the INEC chairman had a responsibility to deliver a free, fair and credible election in 2023.
Speaking in the same vein, the Chief Spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko, equally asked the INEC to go the extra mile to ensure many Nigerians are not disenfranchised.

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PDP Still Formidable Ahead 2027 – Nat’l Youth Leader

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed claims of its declining relevance, asserting that it is consolidating internally and positioning itself for a strong comeback in the 2027 general elections.

The party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made this declaration in an exclusive interview with The Tide source in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasising that the PDP remains a formidable force in Nigerian politics.

Mr Osadolor stated that the party’s recent quietness should not be mistaken for inactivity, but rather seen as a sign of internal harmony and strategic planning.

He highlighted the efforts of the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who has been travelling across the country to meet stakeholders and stabilise the party ahead of its 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for July 23–25.

Mr Osadolor said, “If you’re suggesting that the PDP is no longer embroiled in public disputes, I’d say that’s a welcome development.

“Previously, every week brought news of defections, internal squabbles, or controversial statements. If the PDP platform has been quiet, it could indicate a degree of internal organisation. After all, in a peaceful home, you rarely hear noise because everyone is living in harmony. That’s not to say the PDP is resting on its laurels, though. Internally, the party is likely consolidating and building on the successes of the last NEC meeting.”

He added that the party’s leadership, including governors and NEC members, has been working diligently behind the scenes to reconcile factions and build momentum.

He explained, “Such high-level consultations and reconciliation processes aren’t conducted in public spaces like markets or wholesale centres. They take place behind closed doors, in homes and offices.

“To suggest that the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has achieved a significant milestone over the last NEC meeting would be an understatement.

“At one point, the entire country was abuzz with speculation about the PDP; rumours of a split, doubts about their ability to unite, and factions like Wike’s faction, Samdaddy’s faction, and Seyi Makinde’s group. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on the party’s future.”

Mr Osadolor dismissed speculations that the PDP was losing ground to emerging opposition coalitions such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), maintaining that the PDP brand remained strong and far from extinction.

“When you attend the NEC meeting and see the turnout, you’ll be able to judge the validity of these rumours. However, I can assure you that even if other parties form alliances, the PDP brand is far from extinction. If anything, it’s poised to rebound and reclaim its position of prominence,” he said.

He further argued that the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) performance in the last election, where it secured fewer than 9 million votes out of Nigeria’s over 240 million population—demonstrates that the PDP still has a significant role to play.

“These smaller coalitions and mushroom parties would be wise to recognise the reality of the situation.

“Even the APC, with all its resources, secured fewer than 9 million votes in the last election. Nigeria’s population is over 230 million, so why should the PDP struggle against a party with 9 million supporters when there are nearly 100 million registered voters to engage? The focus should be on the Nigerian people. Are their lives improving? No. Is there any indication that this government will bring about positive change? No.”, he said.

While he avoided naming specific potential presidential candidates, Mr Osadolor acknowledged that the question of who will fly the PDP flag in 2027 is central.

He urged Nigerians not to underestimate the party’s capacity to reorganise and present a formidable challenge in the next election.

“The priority is to strategise an exit for this administration to ensure self-relief for Nigerians,” he added.

 

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Lagos LG Polls: Police Restrict Movement, Tightens Security

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Ahead of tomorrow’s local councils elections in Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered a massive deployment of personnel across the state.

Mr Jimoh disclosed this in a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in Lagos last Wednesday.

He said the deployment was to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The commissioner also announced restrictions on vehicular movements between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

He said, “Elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections. The command with other security and safety agencies is working together under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). The restriction of vehicular movements will apply to all roads and waterways within the state jurisdiction.’’

He added that police escorts and armed security aides were strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centres. The measure was to prevent any undue influence or intimidation during the election.

He said, “Police escorts, covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centres are prohibited.”

Mr Jimoh said that only vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies in the ICCES, would be permitted to operate during the restriction period.

He added, “All other vehicles, including those belonging to any quasi-security outfit and state security agencies, are barred from movement, as no state-owned security agency is authorised to participate in the election security operations, in line with the electoral act. The movement restriction will not apply to essential services such as those on medical emergencies and other emergency responders and their workers, the duly accredited officials of the LASIEC and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage accredited by LASIEC.

“These categories of groups and individuals are permitted to carry out their lawful duties during the election period, provided they adhere to all the relevant guidelines and regulations in the electoral act”.

He said that all the security personnel and other stakeholders, including the media and election observers accredited by LASIEC for the election, would have and wear their identification tags certified by LASIEC throughout the period of the election.

“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election. Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act’’, he added.

 

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

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