Politics
INEC To Resume Continuous Voter Registration In Edo, Ondo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to conduct the continuous voter registration (CVR) in Edo and Ondo states from Monday, May 27 to Wednesday, June 5.
INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, said this at the commission’s second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held on Monday in Abuja.
Prof. Yakubu said that INEC would also distribute uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the two states during the period, advising those who were yet to register or collect their PVCs to use the opportunity to do so.
“Let me reiterate that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration.
“Persons who are already registered voters should not attempt to register again as that will amount to double or multiple registrations and it is illegal.
“Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does not require fresh registration,” he said.
Prof Yakubu said that taking into consideration the limited time to the election, the CVR would take place at ward and state headquarters of INEC instead of the local government offices, and a few designated centres.
“This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo and 203 centres in Ondo, in addition to our state offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two states.
“There will be no online pre-registration option in the two states because of time constraints. Each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from our regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),’’ he said.
He added that in the next few days, INEC would commence the training of at least 794 officials for the exercise, saying that the locations for the registration centres and other relevant information had been made available to political party leaders.
Prof Yakubu appealed to political parties and other stakeholders to join INEC in mobilising prospective registrants for the exercise, particularly on the need to register early and not wait until the eleventh hour.
He said that INEC plans to publish the list of uncollected PVCs in its offices in the two states and simultaneously upload to the commission’s website.
He also urged them to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the INEC dedicated portal.
He said doing so would enable INEC to produce and deliver identity cards in good time for the expected 76,823 polling unit agents and 3,587 ward, local government and state collation agents for the election.
“Turning to Ondo, political parties have just concluded their primaries. Eighteen political parties conducted primaries monitored by the Commission.
“I wish to remind you that parties have one week until the deadline for the nomination of candidates, which is 6.00 p.m. on Monday May 20, 2024 when the portal automatically shuts down.
“I urge you to adhere strictly to the deadline. Political parties have been given 23 days from the end of primaries to prepare and submit the list of only two candidates (governorship candidate and running mate) to the Commission,’’ Prof Yakubu said.
He said that the commission was remobilising to conduct the two state assembly constituencies in Enugu and Kano states.
Prof Yakubu also said that INEC would soon announce the date for the conduct of by-election into existence of vacancies in National and State Assemblies caused by either death or resignation of members in three states constituencies and one federal constituency.
“The constituencies are; Khana 2 State Constituency of Rivers, the Bagwai/Shanono State constituency of Kano State, the Zaria Kewaye State Constituency of Kaduna State and the Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the national chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle, pledged to work with INEC to mobilise voters for the Edo and Ondo governorship election.
“Ahead of the forthcoming Edo and Ondo States governorship election, it is important that voters are massively mobilised to register and participate in the poll.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will spearhead this crucial exercise in collaboration with INEC.
“In previous elections, Council would move to various states, sensitise and mobilise the people on upcoming polls, call for non-violence and urge them to shun vote buying and selling, etc with the limited funds at its disposal,’’ Mr Dantalle said.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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