Politics

Edo Guber: 8 Parties Yet To Nominate Candidates, With 3 Days To Go — INEC

Published

1 year ago

March 23, 2024

….Tasks media on fake news; promises greater openness, transparency

Seventy-two hours to the March 24 deadline for the submission of candidates for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, eight of the 18 political parties seeking participation in the exercise are yet to file their nominations on the special portal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, at the first quarterly consultative meeting with media organisations, warning that the deadline would not be extended.

He said: “For Edo State, 18 political parties conducted their primaries monitored by the Commission. Going by the provision of the Timetable for the election, political parties have 20 days from 4th March 2024 to upload the list and personal particulars of their candidates to our dedicated web portal.

“A week later on 31st March 2024, the Commission will publish the personal particulars of the candidates (Form EC9) as required by law. I urge the media and the general public, particularly registered voters in Edo State, to scrutinise the bio-data and credentials of the candidates which is the essence of the publication as provided by law.”

With regards to Ondo State, Yakubu said political parties will commence their primaries for the Governorship election in the next two weeks.

He said at the moment, 17 out of 18 parties have indicated interest in participating in the election, and urged media organizations to engage with political parties as well as their aspirants and report on the primaries with the same diligence and depth they report on the main election conducted by INEC.

“Doing so will go a long way to strengthen our democracy since only the products of the party primaries are ultimately placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for in the main election. Party primaries are as important as the main election conducted by INEC.
“A very important reality in today’s age of information technology is the spread of fake news and misinformation instantly and on a global scale.

“We appreciate our partnership with the media and I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to work closely with you.

“More specifically, some of the innovations introduced by the Commission to improve service delivery to the electorate, ensure the safety and security of journalists and grant them unimpeded access to various locations during elections and electoral activities drawn from your reports as well as the suggestions and recommendations made during our quarterly meetings. I urge you to continue to be a bulwark against fake news and misleading narratives about the Commission and its activities”, he added.

Politics

BREAKING: Confusion As APC Chair, Ganduje Resigns

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has resigned from his position, Saturday Vanguard has learned.

Although the exact circumstances surrounding his resignation remain unclear as of press time, a senior party official confirmed the development, stating simply, “Yes, it is true. He has resigned.”

Sources revealed that Ganduje’s personal belongings were earlier moved from his office at the APC national secretariat, further fueling speculation.

The development has thrown the party’s headquarters into confusion, with staff and visitors visibly shocked by the unexpected news.

Politics

‘Peace Has Returned To Rivers’ — Wike, Fubara Speak After Meeting Tinubu

Published

8 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Editor

After months of political tension and division in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, have publicly declared an end to their rift, assuring residents that peace has finally returned.

The truce followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Thursday night, where both leaders, along with other stakeholders, reached a resolution to work together for the state’s progress.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, expressed gratitude to God for the breakthrough.

Wike said, “I want to give God the glory that today is the 26th of June 2025, that peace has finally returned to the state. We all agreed to work together with the governor, and the governor also agreed to work together with all of us. We are members of the same political family.”

He acknowledged that disagreements are part of politics but emphasised that the resolution marked a fresh start for the state.

He said, “Just like humans, you have disagreements, and then you also have a time to also settle your disagreements, and that has been finally concluded today, and we have come to report to Mr President that is what we have agreed.

“So for me, everything is over, and I enjoin everybody to work together with everybody. There is no more acrimony; there is nothing to say. We have disagreed; we have all agreed on everything, so thank God. For me, it’s a day we have to thank almighty God.”

Governor Fubara, who also spoke to journalists, said the return of peace is crucial to the state’s development.

He said, “For me, it’s very important that this day has come to be. What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God this night, with the help of Mr President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State.”

Fubara pledged to do everything within his power to sustain the peace, describing it as a step toward lasting stability and governance in the oil-rich state.

Politics

INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide

Published

23 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will resume in Anambra on July 17 and nationwide on Aug. 18.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu said that in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, the CVR exercise would be held at two levels.

He said the exercise would commence in the 326 wards across the state on July 8 and end on July 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, including the weekend.

“During the registration period, new voters as well as those who wish to transfer their registration to Anambra from other states of the federation or from one location to another within the state will have the opportunity to do so.

“Similarly, registered voters whose Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were lost or damaged will have the opportunity to apply for replacement.

“Uncollected PVCs from previous registrations will also be available for collection at the registration centres.

“Interested eligible Nigerian citizens are encouraged to appear in person to register,” he said.

The INEC chairman, however, explained that the online pre-registration option is currently unavailable.

Yakubu added that voter registration and compilation of the voters’ register must be completed not later than 90 days before the date fixed for the election as provided by law.

“For the nationwide CVR, the commission has approved resumption of the online and in-person registration of voters in all states of the federation.

“The online pre-registration will start on Aug. 18, while the in-person registration will follow on Aug. 25.

“The exercise will be held simultaneously in all states and the FCT as well as the 774 Local Government Area offices nationwide,” he said.

Yakubu said the detailed schedule of activities would be released soon.
(NAN)