NEWS
Rigging no longer in vogue with BIVAS, electoral Act – INEC
***Encourages elite to collect PVC, vote
By John Danjum
The use of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and the new electoral act has helped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to completely overcome the menace of rigging in the Nigerian electoral process INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said.
Prof Yakubu who spoke at a Seminar on “2023 and Beyond: Leadership, Politics and Citizens Engagement” organised by the Christen Men Fellowship at St. James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, proudly indicated that BVAS app was developed by INEC engineers.
Prof. Yakubu who was represented at the occasion by Chukeuemeka Ugboaja, Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity (INEC) indicated that another thing that has emboldened INEC to conduct free, fair and credible elections is the new Electoral Act (2022).
Read also>>> 2023: We don’t want ‘Thief’ as Leader – Frank Edwards
According to Mr. Ugboaja, Section 9 (6) of the Act, which deals with registration of voters empower INEC to end the exercise 90 days to the election, after which the commission “cleans the register”.
He said INEC cannot deregister anyone, but removed those who engaged in double registration, an exercise he referred to as the basis for a credible election”.
Another good thing in the new Act is “electronic transmission of election results from the polling unit”.
Ugboaja said ection 51, which deals with over voting, has now made it a function of the total number of accredited voters and not the total number of registered voters as it used to be. “If 20 voters are accredited to vote at a polling unit and you have 21 ballots in the ballot box the result of that unit is void”.
On declaring reult under duress, he said “the law now empowers INEC to reject such result. He gave the example of Imo senatorial election where this happened in 2019, but the Court ordered INEC to issue certificate to the person. This can no longer happen.
Part of the problem of election, according to INEC has to do with elite in the urban centres who hardly vote in elections.
“I’m happy this seminar is coming from elite (Asokoro) who don’t pick their permanent voters cards (PVC) or vote on election days” adding that “they prefer to read newspaper than to vote”.
He said the commission is ready for the task ahead as it has already successfully carried out 8out of its 14 activities, but quickly added that “the people will elect the leader they want and not INEC”.
Dr. Sam Amadi former Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) who was the keynote speaker told the Christian leaders that it 8s their duty to elect leaders before God will affirm it.
“No matter how much we pry, it is our job as a spiritual exercise to take part in the election as a religious duty”, adding that “when you elect leader, they must be people who look like you, who understand you problem. There is danger in electing people from another class”
In his brief remarks, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, former Federal Permanent Secretary who was Chairman of the occasion greatly congratulate the organisers of the event led by President of the Christian Men Fellowship (CMF) of the Church and by extension the Vicar and leadership of the entire Church for the “foresight and unique sense of responsibility in putting together such a great gathering”.
“Seen from the pedestal of knowledge incubation and dissemination, this seminar, coming at this opportune time in Nigerian history particularly of great worth and significance because the basic building framework for nations and civilization have only been made possible by popular saying that “ideas rule the world”, I must add, as much as God Almighty in whose house we gather today rules over the ideas”.
Mrs. Cesna Nuhu-Aken’Ova, former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said women and people with disability surfer most marginalisation.
“We lose a lot when we exclude women. Our communication must include women and people with disability. To relegate women is unscriptural”, as women played crucial roles in the Bible, she said.
NEWS
FCT Police Warn Motorists Against One-Way Driving, Reject Calls From VIPs
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has warned motorists against driving against traffic, popularly known as one-way, cautioning that influential connections or calls from senior police officers and government officials will not shield offenders from prosecution.
The Command said the practice, particularly around road construction sites, diversion points and restricted routes, poses serious risks to lives and property.
SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Win Public Safety Award as Ojajuni Emerges NUJ Golden Jubilee Ambassador
In a press statement issued on Monday, November 9, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said the Command was concerned about the increasing disregard for traffic regulations by motorists who deliberately drive against traffic, ignore road signs and bypass designated diversions to avoid congestion.
Adeh stressed that no individual, regardless of status, position or connections, would be exempted from the consequences of violating traffic regulations.
She disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, had directed the Command’s Motor Traffic Department (MOTOPOL) and all Divisional Traffic Officers (DTOs) to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to intensify enforcement operations.
According to the statement, the directive includes the arrest and immediate prosecution of motorists caught driving against traffic or disobeying lawful traffic instructions.
The Commissioner also warned police officers involved in the enforcement exercise against exploiting the operation to extort motorists, stressing that any officer found engaging in such misconduct would face disciplinary action in line with existing police rules and regulations.
The Command urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and follow instructions from authorised traffic officers, noting that saving a few minutes through reckless driving was not worth the risk of losing lives or damaging property.
It also called on residents to remain security-conscious and report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.
The Command provided the following emergency contact numbers for security-related reports: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
NEWS
FCT Police Chief Inspects Worship Centres, Commends Residents for Peaceful Conduct
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, CP Ahmed Muhammad Sanusi, has inspected security deployments at churches across the territory, urging officers to maintain professionalism and vigilance during religious activities.
The inspection was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
Sanusi conducted the inspection on November 8, 2026, to assess the operational readiness of personnel deployed to worship centres and evaluate security arrangements for residents and worshippers.
SEE ALSO: October 1 Protests: FCT Police Call For Increased Vigilance Among Residents
The exercise followed a similar inspection of mosques across the FCT on Friday, November 6, as the Command sustained efforts to strengthen security around religious centres.
During the visits, the police commissioner charged officers to remain professional and responsive in the discharge of their duties.
He also commended residents for their peaceful and orderly conduct following mosque and church services, noting that public cooperation remained essential to maintaining security and public order across the territory.
The commissioner urged residents to continue cooperating with the police and other law enforcement agencies, remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest police station.
He further encouraged residents to utilise the Command’s emergency lines, 08032003913 and 08061581938, to report security concerns.
Adeh said the Command’s Public Relations Office remained open and accessible to members of the public for enquiries, complaints, information and other security-related matters.
The FCT Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting residents and worshippers and maintaining security across the Federal Capital Territory.
NEWS
2027: Shettima Arrives in Uyo for APC Presidential Campaign Rally
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”





