As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Dr. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam, the former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, has called on the Muslim faithfuls to embrace the spirit of sacrifice, which is the cornerstone of the festival.

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He made the call on Monday when he paid a visit to the Sultan of sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR.

Dr. Nnam while addressing Muslim faithful at Sultan Bello Mosque, emphasized the importance of Eid-el-Kabir, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, and reminded Muslims of the values of selflessness, generosity, and compassion.

He noted that the festival commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command.

“Eid-el-Kabir is a time for reflection and a reminder of the virtues of sacrifice and devotion to the Almighty. I urge you all to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice not only during this period but in their everyday lives. Let us use this occasion to reach out to the less privileged and extend a helping hand to those in need.” he said.

He also called for unity and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, stressing that such values are crucial for the development and harmony of the society.

“We must continue to promote understanding, tolerance, and mutual respect among ourselves, regardless of our religious or ethnic backgrounds. It is through unity and love that we can achieve lasting peace and progress in our communities,” he added.

Dr. Nnam also took the opportunity to commend the efforts of the Muslim community in Enugu State for their contributions towards the state’s development and for fostering peaceful coexistence.

He urged them to continue to be good ambassadors of their faith and to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and equity in all their dealings.

Nnam wished all Muslims a joyous and fulfilling Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Samson Itodo, the executive director of Yiaga Africa, has advocated for the discontinuation of the use of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) in Nigerian elections, citing the introduction of the Bi-Modal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS) as a viable alternative.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics discussing the upcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections later this year, Itodo highlighted the potential of BIVAS to revolutionize the electoral process.

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“BIVAS should render the PVC obsolete in our electoral system,” Itodo remarked, emphasizing the need for electoral laws to be updated to reflect these technological advancements.

Expressing concerns over logistical challenges faced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Itodo noted that many of the 269,000 recently registered voters might not receive their PVCs in time for the Edo and Ondo elections.

He argued that voters should be allowed to use any valid means of identification, such as the National Identity Card, driver’s license, or passport, if their details are already captured in BIVAS.

“In the 2023 elections, numerous registered voters were disenfranchised due to uncollected PVCs, which is a violation of their rights,” Itodo stated.

He emphasized that disenfranchisement should not occur due to logistical challenges on INEC’s part.

“We have consistently advocated for the elimination of PVC dependency in elections. BIVAS provides an efficient means for voter accreditation,” Itodo asserted.

Regarding voter demographics, Itodo highlighted that 67% of the new registrants fall within the 18-34 age bracket. However, he lamented the low voter turnout among Nigerian youths, attributing it to factors such as insecurity and distrust in the electoral process.

Moving forward, Itodo stressed the importance of enhancing youth participation in elections and ensuring a seamless electoral process through technological innovation like BIVAS.

The push towards BIVAS represents a significant step towards modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system, potentially eliminating longstanding issues associated with PVC distribution and voter disenfranchisement.

Tension has gripped several of Rivers State’s 23 local government areas as the tenure of council chairmen is set to expire at midnight on June 17.

The unrest stems from the decision by the local government chairmen, under the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), to remain in office.

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They cite the Local Government Amendment Law No 2 of 2024, passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which extends their tenure by six months.

Allwell Ihunda, Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and State ALGON Chairman, insists that this law permits them to stay in office.

This amendment was enacted by lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to counter Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged failure to conduct local government elections.

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Governor Fubara, during an event in Port Harcourt last month, warned the chairmen not to disrupt the state’s peace, emphasizing that their tenures were nearing an end.

Former Speaker Amaewhule also cautioned the governor against appointing caretaker committee members for the councils, stating that lawmakers would oppose such moves.

The outgoing council chairmen, elected during Wike’s tenure as governor, have been at odds with Governor Fubara.

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The friction between Wike and his successor has led to the chairmen enacting several laws despite the governor’s opposition.

In response to the chairmen’s refusal to leave office, youths in Degema stormed the council secretariat early Monday, locking the entrance and vowing not to let the chairmen stay past their tenure. Singing war songs and chants in their local dialects, they declared the chairman a failure and demanded his departure.

In Asari-Toru Local Government Area, hundreds of youths occupied the council headquarters in Degema, gathering in front of the secretariat and along the road leading to it.

They pledged to remain until Wednesday when work resumes, daring the chairmen to appear.

Meanwhile, in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor LGAs, a heavy security presence was observed to prevent unrest.

Six police patrol vans, manned by stern security personnel, were stationed in front of the council secretariat. However, movement was not restricted.

Obarilomate Ollor, outgoing chairman of Eleme LGA, issued a warning against attempts to oust him from office, threatening to resist any forceful entry.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Aleto Clan Association in Port Harcourt, Ollor said he was aware of plans to invade the council and warned potential invaders of severe consequences.

“Some people are ganging up, they want to use force to enter into the local government. Let me tell you, the local government is not a community town hall or students union secretariat. That is a government facility. So stay away from there except the law permits you to go there,” Ollor asserted.

As the situation unfolds, the standoff between the local government chairmen and Governor Fubara’s administration continues to fuel tension and uncertainty in Rivers State.