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Lagos Speaker, INEC Lament Poor PVC Collection, Voter Apathy

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Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has appealed to qualified residents of the State not to only register, but ensure that they vote.

Dr. Obasa gave this advice on Thursday at the 8th Annual Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting held simultaneously by lawmakers across the State.

This was as Mr. Felix Daramola, head of electoral operations at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), lamented what he described as very poor outings by voters in the State during elections.

Addressing stakeholders in his Agege Constituency 1, Speaker Obasa noted that the theme of the stakeholders’ meeting, ‘2023 General Elections: The Imperatives of Permanent Voters’ Cards’, was very apt as the nation matches towards the elections.

Commending the constituents for
being responsive to matters affecting their
communities and the State at all times, the Speaker lamented: “It is, however, quite worrisome that over 20 million Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) still remain uncollected across the nation according to a recent INEC report and out of this huge figure, one million are from Lagos State.

“This situation does not augur well for our progress, our democracy and the development of the State as it may create an opportunity for incompetent persons to be elected as our leaders and representatives and thus overturn our achievements.

“As you know, Lagos State has been so blessed with great and visionary leaders and
representatives right from the Second Republic in 1979 when Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande came on board as the first civilian governor, supported by a vibrant House of Assembly, and most significantly from 1999 in the Fourth Republic with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not just emerging as the governor of Lagos State but revered as the architect of modern day Lagos.

“All these were made possible due to citizens actively voting at elections to choose the right candidates.

“Consequently, the Lagos State House of
Assembly under the able leadership of Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa wish to reiterate the need for everyone to obtain his or her PVC in order to vote in the coming general election.

Your PVC is your power not just to continue building the State but the nation as well; it is your power for continuity, it is your power for the stability and sustainability of our enduring and cherished democracy, it is
your power to secure a bright and promising
future for our children, our State and the nation,” Obasa said.

Emphasising the need for mass participation in the elections, Daramola said Lagos now has 13,325 polling units. Of this figure, he said Agege now has 696 polling units, thus bringing voting centres closer to the electorate.

He also said with the introduction of BIVAS, it had become very difficult to rig elections since it allows for election results to be transferred electronically.

Warning against multiple voting, Daramola noted that in Lagos State, “a total of 640, 774 eligible voters had done online registration before it ended on May 30, 2022. But as at Monday, June 27, only 371, 760 had completed their online registration.”

Analysing online voter registration across states, he lamented: “Osun State has 708,968, Delta State, 641,174 while Lagos has 640,774. This is not acceptable with the population and megacity status of Lagos State.

“For completed registration, Delta leads again with 396, 900. This is followed by Kano with 380,582. Bayelsa with few local governments has 379,538. Rivers has 372,406. Lagos is in the fifth place with 371,760.”

“You can see that we all have a lot of job to do to make sure our people get registered.”

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ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent

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Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.

The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.

Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.

“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.

Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.

“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.

He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”

Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.

He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”

Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”

However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.

She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”

Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.

“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.

“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.

She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.

“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”

Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.

“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.

 

 

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Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term

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Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.

He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.

He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.

According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”

He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.

“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.

He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.

“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.

The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.

He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.

Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.

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Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party

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Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.

 

In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.

 

“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.

 

“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”

 

The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

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