Politics
High Voter Turnout In Kano Despite Delays In Some Areas
In Kano State, the general elections kicked off early in various polling units located in Madobi, Gwale, and Ungogo Local Government Areas with a significant number of voters turning up to participate in the exercise, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The polling activities began at 8:23 a.m. and were generally smooth, with the BVAS machine being operational. Salid Kabir, the Presiding Officer (PO) at Malami, confirmed to NAN that voters were being accredited and casting their ballots promptly.
As of 9:15 a.m., about 15 people had successfully cast their votes at the Malami unit of Tandu area, and the exercise was progressing smoothly. Mamood Sani, the Presiding Officer at Malami, noted that the BVAS system was swift in accrediting voters before allowing them to vote.
On the other hand, the presidential and National Assembly elections at some polling units in Ungogo local government areas of Kano started slowly due to the late arrival of election materials and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials. This caused delays and resulted in a slow start to the voting process in those areas.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), as of 8:55 a.m., only domestic observers and voters were present at the Rimin Gata Primary School polling units as INEC officials and security agents had not yet arrived.
In Rijiyar Zaki Ward 7, specifically at Polling Units 014, 015, and 043, male voters and party agents were observed waiting for the arrival of INEC officials.
Usman Umar, a voter, confirmed to NAN that he had been present at the polling unit since 7:00 a.m., eagerly awaiting the commencement of the electoral exercise.
“We have been here for almost two hours and there are no signs of security agents, INEC officials and voting materials,’ he said.
Zubaida Jibrin, an observer for YIAGA Africa, told NAN she was surprised that the INEC officials and security agents were yet to arrive at the polling units.
Arabi Sani, the party agent for the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP), expressed surprise that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials had not yet arrived at the polling unit at the time of reporting, according to a news report.
In Dorayi Karma polling unit located in Gwale LGA, the accreditation process had not begun as of 8:25 a.m. due to the non-payment of officials’ allowances.
“We will not allow INEC officials to transport materials to other units unless they paid us N4,000 allowances,” one of the officials told journalists in Dorayi Karama.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed the view that his administration is an agent of development that has positively touched all sectors of the Osun society within just two years in office.
He made the pronouncement while presenting Budget 2025 tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation” to the State House of Assembly, with members of the State Executive Council present at an annual event hosted by the House Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun.
Gov Adeleke noted that “the total size of the Budget 2025 is Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00).
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“The expenditure comprises Capital Expenditure of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N144,231,183,800.00), Recurrent Expenditure of Two Hundred and Forty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Ninety-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Naira Only (N245,797,093,940.00).
“Recurrent Expenditure is divided into Personnel cost, which is made up of salaries and allowances, as well as Pensions and Gratuities and stands at One Hundred and Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Ten Naira Only (₦102,895,821,010.00).
The balance of One Hundred and Forty Two Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦142,901,272,930.00) is set aside.
“Our Revenue consists of Recurrent Revenue, where Government share of FAAC is One Hundred and Ninety-Six billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira Only (₦196,778,975,180.00 and Independent Revenue is One Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦109,870,932,830.00).
Other receipts from development partners are Fifty-Three Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Naira Only (₦53,377,244,610.00).”
He affirmed that his administration has recorded unprecedented progress across the sectors which will be unveiled in details during the midterm anniversary holding for a week later this month, submitting a synopsis to the Assembly.
According to the Governor, “our administration has reduced rural Health Access gap by 40% through rehabilitation of over two hundred Primary healthcare centers; We have increased health care access to all pensioners from less than 10% to 90% within two years;
“We closed road infrastructure gap and deficit by 50% from 80%; we took agric mechanization from 0% to 35%; We built digital economy policy structures from 0% to 55%; We built public service integrity from 25% to almost 70%;
“We expanded local content from 0% to 75%; We built climate agenda from 0% to over 70%; We raised state financial support for cooperative societies from 0% to 66%; We expanded financial support to ward cooperative societies from 0% to over 60%;
“We built Ilesa University from 15% to over 90%; We redeveloped Odeomu Cooperative College to HND institution; We increased Osun Google coverage from 20% to 65%; We launched phased bursary award from 0% to 40%; We liquidated 40% of inherited salary debt;
“We paid up over 35% of inherited pension debt; We improved School infrastructure by over 40 percent; We enhanced rural Infrastructure by over 40 percent with over 300 completed rural projects”, the Governor affirmed, adding that “Osun State has not taken any loan (External or Domestic).
“We rely solely on the prudent management of available resources to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of Osun State. This is our goal and with God on our side we will not derail”, the Governor told the lawmakers.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced a sweeping dissolution of executives across all state boards of government agencies and parastatals.
In a statement released by Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor confirmed that the affected officials are to vacate their positions immediately.
The decision, which was made public on Wednesday, also impacts Permanent Secretaries who were appointed from outside the Edo State Public/Civil Service, as well as political appointees across various government departments.
Governor Okpebholo directed that all outgoing officials hand over government property in their possession to the highest-ranking public officer within their respective agencies or departments.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies, and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa were formally sworn in on Tuesday as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State, respectively.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Chief Justice Daniel Okungbowa administered the oath of office to the new leaders.
During the ceremony, both officials pledged to uphold the constitution and dedicate themselves to the welfare of Edo State’s citizens. Supporters gathered at the stadium cheered as the oath-taking ceremony proceeded, marking the beginning of a new administration in the state.
Further details are expected as the new government outlines its agenda for the state.
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