Politics

INEC Debunks Viral Video On Voter Identification Number

Published

3 years ago

December 7, 2022

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday debunked a viral video on Voter Identification Numbers.

This was as the Commission also warned against fake news and disinformation.

The Commission said the picture painted by the video circulating was not the true picture.

The viral video showed some INEC staff at the FESTAC Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area Office, Lagos, extracting the VIN from permanent voter cards and entering the same into their cellphones.

While praising the alertness of Nigerians, the Commission however said the conclusion in the video that the VIN were been harvested for the purpose of undermining the 2023 general election was far from the truth.

The National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC, Festus Okoye, in a statement explained that what was seen done in the video was only part of an inventory of uncollected cards.

Besides, he said it was in line with the new guidelines for the management and collection of the PVCs, approved by the Commission for implementation nationwide.

He added, “In its determination to enhance the rate of collection of the PVCs, the Commission decided to establish a PVC collection process that includes an online component. The procedure entails that registered voters with access to the Internet could go to a dedicated portal to ascertain whether their PVCs are ready and to find their locations for subsequent collection.

“All they are required to do is to provide their details such as name, date of birth, state of registration or the last six digits of the VINs that they provided/received during registration, to locate their cards. This would improve the PVC collection process, but without prejudice to those who wish to go directly to the collection centres.

“For the newer PVCs, that is, those from the Continuous Voter Registration that took place between January and July 2022, the VINs were harvested automatically and made available online. However, for the older uncollected PVCs that predate the new guidelines, their VINs must be harvested manually and painstakingly for upload to the PVC collection portal. The portal will also improve the records of the Commission regarding collected and uncollected PVCs.

“While the Commission appreciates the vigilance of Nigerians and their determination to see the conduct of free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in 2023, it is exceedingly important that information such as contained in the said video is verified before sharing it with the public.”

Politics

NEC Meeting: Police Manhandle, Arrest Worker At PDP Secretariat

Published

10 minutes ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

Amid the escalating crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party over the position of National Secretary and the forthcoming 100th National Executive Committee meeting, security agents have reportedly manhandled and arrested Thomas Ibu, a staff member in the party’s Publicity Department.

A PUNCH correspondent at the PDP National Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5 witnessed several policemen surround and apprehend Ibu.

The incident prompted other PDP staff members to attempt to intervene, resisting the police’s actions.

However, the security operatives overpowered them and swiftly took Ibu away.

As of the time of filing this report, the reason for the arrest remains unclear.

Watch the video below:

Politics

JUST IN: Police Besiege PDP Headquarters Ahead Of NEC Meeting

Published

18 minutes ago

June 30, 2025

Editor

There is a heightened security presence at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja, as armed policemen were deployed ahead of the party’s crucial National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for today.

A party official, who spoke to Channels Television on condition of anonymity, claimed that the police were sent to prevent the proposed Expanded Caucus Meeting from taking place.

However, some staff members of the party were allowed to go into the premises of the secretariat without any resistance from the police.

The policemen were seen cordoning off Dalaba Street, which is the road leading to Wadata Plaza.

More to follow…

Politics

Obidient Movement Most Toxic Political Group — Buhari’s Ex-aide

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2025

Editor

Muhammadu Buhari’s ex-aide, Bashir Ahmad on Peter Obi’s support base, Obidient movement
Bashir Ahmad, a former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has described the Obidient movement—a youth-led support base of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections—as the most toxic political group.

Ahmad said this in a comment posted on his personal X account (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, saying the group has no other stock in trade than to insult, drag, and ridicule every politician without restraint.

According to Ahmad, people in the Obidients movement resort to personal attacks anytime Peter Obi’s name comes up in a serious conversation that requires intelligent engagement.

“I honestly can’t wrap my head around the attitude and despicable behaviour of those so-called Obidients. Arguably, they are the most toxic political groups we have ever had in this part of the world. From morning till night, they insult, drag and ridicule every politician and leader without restraint because to them no one is ever good enough.

“But the moment you bring up their ‘demigod’ Peter Obi’s name, even in the context of a serious, national conversation, they suddenly lose the ability to engage intelligently and instantly abandon logic and reason only to resort to personal attacks. They don’t offer facts, explanations or thoughtful dialogue, it is always a barrage of insults from them,” he said.

Continuing, Buhari’s former aide on digital media said the Obidient is not what a healthy political movement looks like, adding that there’s no way Peter Obi can win over people with the attitude of the movement.

“Honestly, Obidient isn’t a healthy movement, by far, it is not what a healthy political movement looks like. With their attitude and this kind of behavior, there is no way Peter can win over people from the other side or even the undecided voters. The truth is, no political movement can succeed particularly in a diverse country like Nigeria through aggression, emotional blackmail and echo chambers,” he further said.

According to Ahmad, elections are won by persuading people and not by intimidation or abuse.

He added, “To win elections, you must be able to persuade, not intimidate and to engage, not abuse.

“For us, the ruling party, it is a good thing that they will continue living in denial, even Peter himself has refused to see the damage this toxic movement has been doing to his cause.”
(TRIBUNE)