Politics
Bayelsa Poll: CDD, NDI Train Stakeholders On Countering Disinformation
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) and the National Democratic Institute(NDI) on Wednesday commenced a three-day capacity building training for the media and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process on countering disinformation in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
In her welcome address, Director of the CDD West Africa, Idayat Hassan, represented by the centre’sProgramme Officer, Mr David Emefiele, noted that the training became imperative in readiness for the November 11, 2023 off-cycle governorship election in the state.
She averred that there was need for media practitioners and the general public to be abreast with and enlightened on how to identify, manage, as well as avoid the consumption and disemination of fake news so that they would not in turn be misinformed, dis-informed as well as mal-informed in the build up to, during and after the November poll.
Hassan also restated that the training was taking place simultaneously in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States, respectively between the 18th through 20th October, 2023.
“Disinformation and the weaponisation of fake news in Nigeria, and across the West African sub-region have had serious implications for the credibility of the electoral process.
“Information disorder is similarly threatening the social fabric of multi-ethnic societies across the African continent. The threats posed by fake news, misinformation, and disinformation have also affected historically marginalised groups, especially in terms of their participation in the political process”, she said.
The Director also frowned at the barriers which seemingly were militating against women political participation, saying the barriers have been further accentuated by the dangers posed by fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.
“The gendered dimensions of fake news were on display during the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections, especially in the light of identity-driven violence, which undermined the participation of several groups. Disinformation has been identified as a key driver in some of the reported cases of violence against women participating in the political process, either as voters or candidates.
“While the problem is not new, the ongoing manifestations are particularly challenging, given the scope of the manipulation, the ease with which information can be shared, the diversity of techniques adopted to do so, and the proliferation of actors — individuals, partisan actors, and influencers at the level of the communities.
“Added to this challenging mix is the fact that global tech platforms have a limited regulatory presence in West Africa, with priority placed on politically influential countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire”, Hassan noted.
Meanwhile, a research analyst with the Centre for Democracy and Development, Mr Dengiyefa Angalapu has tasked stakeholders on the need to contribute towards peaceful and credible polls as the state’s gubernatorial election draws closer.
Angalapu maintained that research findings from previous polls in the state were replete with violence in parts of the state, noting also that the centre was afraid that there was the propensity of worsening electoral crisis in the parts of the state with the partitioning in the award of oil pipeline surveillance contracts few weeks ahead of the polls to ex-agitators allegedly loyal to some politicians and political parties.
“If information weren’t professionally and correctly managed, elections in Bayelsa State and elsewhere in the nation could become very violent. This is because recently as the elections draw nearer, the federal government has again awarded oil pipeline surveillance contract to some ex-militant leaders and others allegedly loyal to some politicians and political parties.
“People must watch for fake news before, during and even after the elections. Fake news leads to misinformation and disinformation. It can ignite violence and lead to the loss of lives and properties, it can mar the entire electoral process”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo- Howells, Yenagoa
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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