By Joseph Ebi Kanjo 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Edo State to enable unregistered voters to register for the forthcoming election in the state.

The commission further added that the registration exercise would last for 10 days commencing from May 27 to June 5, 2024.

The National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Edo State, Professor Rhoda Gumus, disclosed this on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commissioner’s head office in Benin.

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The National Commissioner whose speech was read by Dr. Anugum Onuoha, Edo State Residential Electoral Commissioner, said the exercise became imperative to “allow persons who turned 18 years… as well those who have not registered before or wish to transfer their registration to their new location to participate in the forthcoming election.”

“This will enable prospective registrants, enough time to register before the governorship election.
Also not that the CVR is only open to new registrants and those who seek to transfer their registration. Persons who are registered as voters should not attempt to register again as multiple registration is Illegal. Lost or damaged voters cards will be replaced during the exercise.”

“In addition to the registration, uncollected Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) will be made available for collection. Also the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in the state office soon and simultaneously uploaded to the commission website.”

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According to him, out of the 2,501,08 persons that registered for the 2023 election in the state, only 2,128,288 collected their PVCs while 373,030 PVCs remained uncollected.

He, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders “to join us in mobilising prospective registrants to come out in mass for the exercise.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Onuoha, Edo REC, said the engagement with, and support from partners and stakeholders was one of the critical factors for success of the electoral process.

According to him, because of time constraints, “online pre-registration option in Edo will not be possible”, adding that each centre will be managed by two officials of the commission and members of the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC).

He added: “In the next few days, the commission will commence the training of officials for the exercise.”

Convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and his co-defendant Joseph Emeka, charged with murder and attempted kidnap have opted for plea bargain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state lead counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, informed the court about the plea bargain option on Thursday when the case was called for re-arraignment.

The case was called for re-arraignment before Justice Adenike Cokers of an Ikeja High Court.

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NAN reports that Evans and his co-defendant were to be re-arraigned on an amended five-count charge bordering on murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to commit felony, wit: kidnapping and attempt to murder.

Sule informed the court that the case was for re-arraignment but he was aware the defendants have applied for plea.

The prosecutor, however, said the plea bargain terms were being considered by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN).

Details shortly…

A torrential rainfall of early Thursday morning, accompanied with a whirlwind has injured students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The rain which started when the students were having a lecture, SER to be precise, in the Amphitheatre of the Oduduwa Hall, affected the ceiling of the Amphitheatre as it fell off and injured a few of the students.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire led other principal officers to the Medical and Health Centre of the University, and ensured that the injured students were given adequate medical attention.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Vice-Chancellor also followed two other students, whose cases demanded more medical attention to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), where the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Professor John Okeniyi, physically supervised the proceedings.

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The Vice-Chancellor has, therefore, appealed for calm and urged students and staff to go about their academic and administrative activities without any form of untoward action.

Meanwhile, the management of the University, has sealed off the amphitheatre, the venue of the unfortunate incident, until further notice.