News

#OndoDecides2024: KDI Tracks 20 Incidents Of Violence, Applauds INEC For Improved Logistics

Published

9 months ago

November 16, 2024

Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) says no fewer than 20 reports of incidents of electoral violence were tracked by its Election Day Data Room in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

The KDI, however, noted that none of the incidents of violence led to disruption of the polling unit except “in polling unit 3 Ward 5 in ldanre LGA where the party shot sporadically in the air and dispersed voters.”

In a preliminary statement read by Dr. Abiola Afolabi, Chairperson, KDI Board, during a press conference in Akure on Friday, the KDI said aside electoral violence, KDI’s Election Day Data Room also tracked incident of party agents “fighting over who to help elderly people to vote, this was largely common in Akoko Southeast and Akure North.”

The KDI stated: “This resulted in a clash between the two security agents. In ldanre Ward 5 Unit 3, gunshots were reportedly used to scare away non-APC voters from the
polling unit.

“While we were not able to ascertain that it borders on vote buying, KDI field observers noted in Ward 11 Unit 7 of Ondo Southwest that a certain political party suspected to be an APC member was collecting the PVC of voters for keeps after they had voted.”

Vote Buying & Selling

KDI lamented that despite efforts put in place to curb vote buying in the nation’s electoral process, politicians have continued to come up with new strategies for such act.

The civil society organisation noted: “The political class in Nigeria continues to evolve strategies for vote buying a practice that has become increasingly prominent in the country’s elections.

“KDl’s Election Day Data Room received multiple reports of vote buying across all three senatorial districts in the ongoing
Ondo State governorship election, So far, votes are traded for between N1,000 and N10,000.”

KDI continued: “There were reports of party agents clashing in some polling units in Igbara-oke,
Ifedore LGA over sharing of money, and the security agents had to shoot in the air to restore
normalcy.

“In Akoko Southwest, party agents were reported to have gotten into a physical fight, and it took the intervention of the security agent to sort out the issues involved.

” Also received, was the report of a party agent caught buying votes by officials of the NSCDC. He ran into the embrace of the police who shielded him.

Rating BVAS Performance

According to the civil society organisation, the Bimodal Voters Accreditation system reportedly worked perfectly in most of the polling units it was deployed to, there were yet “pockets of incidence were reported, bordering on malfunctioning, though this was quickly resolved, and voting went on peacefully.”

“On the other hand, there were reports of BVAS’ failure to capture aged people in Akoko Southeast Ward 8 Polling Unit 6 and Ward6 Units 1 and 2. Reports were also received of situations where some voters were able to identify their names on the
register of voters and able to accredit and vote, albeit without a Permanent Voters’ card,” KDI added.

The civil society organisation, while commending INEC for improved in its logistics, however called on the election umpire “to be efficient and effective in result management as we move toward vote sorting
and collation.”

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

3 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

4 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.