Politics
PVC Collection: Badagry Residents Commend INEC
Some residents of Badagry in Lagos State on Sunday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the smooth collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) at different wards.
A correspondent who monitored the exercise in different collection centres, reports that the exercise went smoothly as cards were collected without stress.
A resident of Mowo who collected his card at Ward 03 in Ibereko, Mr Joseph Bamigbose, said the process of distributing PVCs was simple and hitch-free.
“This is the first time in the history of the country that I believe we are ready to conduct election.
“I came to this ward in Ibereko without any slip, approached officials of INEC that I wanted to collect my PVC.
“All they did was to ask for my name and where I registered, which I told them. And within five minutes, they brought out my PVC and asked me to sign,” Bamigbose said.
Mr Joseph Avoseh, a resident of Ajara Agamathen said residents were at Ajara Grammar School, Ward 10 and that they all collected their cards in less than one hour.
An official of INEC ,who pleaded anonymity, said the council chairmen and lawmakers in Badagry Area organised a sensitisation programme about the exercise and mobilised people to get their cards
“They have brought people here in different vehicles to collect their PVCs.
“Apart from that, some people went round the town with public address system ,calling people to go and collect their PVCs.
“Many residents have collected their cards from different wards and I am happy to tell you that we don’t have many here at the ward,” she said”.
At ward 01 in Badagry Grammar School, another INEC official,who also pleaded anonymity, said
residents turned out en masse within the last few days to collect their cards.
He expressed the optimism that more residents would come as INEC had extended the deadline by one week.
Mr David Aladeotan, Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Badagry-West Local Council Development Area,said the council organiséd a zoom meeting with Mr Kareem Akinloye, the Electoral Officer on the collection of cards.
He said Akinloye provided answers to some of the issues raised by residents.
“From the information gathered at the meeting, we observed there was need for continuous orientation of those in rural areas with no access to Internet and social media.
“We, therefore, embarked on a ward awareness campaign in order to inform them and to tell them things they need to know and do, to collect their cards.
“This has resulted in massive turn out of residents in Ward 05 in Apa and Ward 06 in Kankon,” he said.
Mr Sesi Whingah, the House of Representatives candidate of All Progressives Congress, in Badagry said he had intensified his sensitisation programme efforts across all wards through his team.
According to him, this has resulted to increase in the number of people that have collected their PVCs in Badagry.
“Personally, I have visited almost all the designated centres in the wards to ensure the INEC officials are up and doing, not depriving our people.
“Aside these, efforts are being made to ensure our supporters get theirs and I will continue to do more,” he said.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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