The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that urgent measures are being taken to address network issues observed during the recent mock accreditation exercise in Anambra State, ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

The mock exercise, conducted over the weekend in selected areas, was part of INEC’s preparations for the upcoming polls.

Speaking at the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Amupitan said the commission is “fully prepared” and committed to ensuring a smooth, credible election.

“We recently conducted a Mock Accreditation Exercise in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas in Anambra State using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.”

“Although there were some network challenges, efforts are underway to guarantee a seamless election on November 8, 2025,” he said.

Prof. Amupitan revealed that INEC plans to deploy 24,000 personnel across 5,718 polling units, with results to be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and the State Collation Centre in Awka.

Voting will not take place in two polling units due to the absence of registered voters.

In response to reports that only 63.9% of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), INEC has extended the collection period in the state from Wednesday, 29th October, to Sunday, 2nd November 2025, ensuring all eligible voters have the opportunity to participate.

The INEC chairman commended security agencies for creating a safe election environment, noting that coordinated patrols and deployments would ensure peaceful conduct before, during, and after the polls.

“Synergy among all security agencies is non-negotiable, especially when the credibility of our elections is paramount,” he emphasised.

Amupitan also disclosed that INEC has finalized arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, to provide smooth transportation for electoral staff and sensitive materials. A total of 200 buses and 83 boats will be deployed.

The commission warned against voter inducement, stressing its partnership with law enforcement and anti-graft agencies to curb vote buying.

“Any attempt to induce voters before or during the Anambra election must be resisted. Together, we must uphold democratic values and work tirelessly for credible elections,” Amupitan said.

The ICCES meeting, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, brought together senior officials from security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to finalise election security strategies.

Prof. Amupitan expressed optimism that, with collective effort, the Anambra Governorship Election would set a new benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria.

“The path ahead may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve,” he said.

INEC noted that about 2.8 million registered voters are expected to participate in the election.

So far, 11 of the 13 scheduled pre-election activities have been completed, including the upcoming conclusion of political campaigns on November 6.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised alarm over what he described as a growing wave of repression, intimidation, and erosion of free speech under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an opinion piece titled “A Nation Gripped in the Throes of Fear,” Atiku accused the government of turning Nigeria into a police state where dissenting voices, including journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens, are harassed and silenced for expressing opposing views.

He decried the use of the Cyberstalking Act to target critics, calling it “a modern tool of tyranny reminiscent of colonial sedition laws,” and stressed that “no government, no matter how powerful, is greater than the people.”

According to Atiku, the Tinubu administration has “weaponized state institutions” to suppress opposition and frequently disobeys court orders, actions he said undermine democracy and the rule of law.

He lamented the growing silence of oversight bodies and the National Assembly, which he accused of being more interested in praising power than holding it accountable.

Describing the forthcoming 2027 general election as “a defining moment between the Tinubu hegemony and the will of the people,”

Atiku urged Nigerians and civil society groups to resist what he called a “creeping culture of fear” and reclaim their democratic rights.

“There is a disturbing pattern by which the Tinubu administration continues to muzzle free speech and, in doing so, erode the integrity of our democracy,” he wrote.

“If this creeping culture of repression goes unchecked, it will turn the Federal Government into a bully and make subjects of free citizens.”

The former vice president condemned the alleged misuse of the Cyberstalking Act, describing it as “a chilling reminder of the sedition laws long discarded by civilized nations.”

He said any legislation that curtails citizens’ right to criticize leaders, whether online, in print, or in speech, is undemocratic and violates fundamental human rights.

Atiku further accused the government of resorting to “brute force and intimidation” in response to public frustration over economic hardship.

He noted that peaceful protesters are often treated as criminals, while journalists and activists are detained for speaking truth to power.

“The Tinubu government’s disregard for the rule of law and its repeated disobedience of court orders have become its most infamous credentials,” Atiku said.

“This regime may have surpassed all its predecessors in the reckless use of state power to crush public opinion.”

He cited reports by Amnesty International, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and Media Rights Agenda, which have repeatedly condemned the administration’s human rights record and the harassment of journalists.

Atiku accused the government of attempting to subdue opposition parties and neutralize institutions meant to serve as checks on executive power.

“Even institutions that should act as restraints, the legislature, oversight agencies, and the judiciary, have become mere rubber stamps, with their leaders tripping over themselves to sing the praises of a president few dare to question,” he said.

Concluding his piece, Atiku declared that the 2027 elections would be a defining battle between authoritarian control and the collective will of Nigerians.

“History bears eternal witness to one truth,” he wrote.

“No despot, no matter how powerful, has ever triumphed over the collective voice of a determined people.”

By Odo Chukwuemeka Andrew

In a bold step toward achieving the strategic vision of increasing Enugu State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to $40 billion, the Enugu State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosted a one-day workshop on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

The event, held at the Enugu International Conference Centre on 28th October 2025, reflected the administration’s commitment to repositioning the state as a major economic player within the subregion and beyond.

The workshop was hosted by Her Excellency, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Honourable Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the chief host is His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State.

The high-profile event attracted policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, traditional rulers and trade experts from across the South-East geopolitical zone and other parts of Nigeria.

The central purpose of the workshop was to educate participants on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS); a key regional initiative designed to promote economic integration among member states by removing tariff and non-tariff barriers.

The scheme aims to increase intra-regional trade, enhance competitiveness, and facilitate the free movement of goods and services across West African borders.

By helping businesses expand into the broader ECOWAS market, ETLS offers small and medium enterprises (SMEs) an opportunity to scale their operations, access new markets, and contribute to industrial and economic growth.

Representing the Governor at the event, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and advancing regional cooperation.

In his address, he emphasized the critical role of finance in business development and called for the establishment of an ECOWAS Bank dedicated to supporting SMEs.

He highlighted the persistent challenges faced by small business owners in securing loans, particularly the stringent collateral requirements and bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder access to credit.

He urged relevant authorities to decentralize loan approvals and adopt more flexible lending conditions that reflect the realities of small-scale enterprises in the region.

In his remarks, the Royal Father of the Day commended the initiative and offered blessings to all participants.

He underscored the importance of globalization and regional trade integration as tools for economic empowerment and national development.

According to him, the Enugu State government’s proactive engagement in ECOWAS programs demonstrates a visionary approach to governance; one that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and economic sustainability.

Participants of the workshop gained valuable insights into how the ETLS framework can help local businesses overcome trade barriers, expand across borders, and compete effectively in the subregional market.

They were also enlightened on the processes for product certification, export documentation, and how to take advantage of preferential trade policies available under the ECOWAS arrangement.

Themed “Increasing Intra-Regional Trade Through ETLS,” the workshop created a platform for dialogue among government officials, business leaders, and development partners on how to deepen economic cooperation within the ECOWAS region.

It further explored strategies for greater private sector participation, value chain development, and the promotion of locally manufactured goods across West Africa.

This initiative is not just an economic event but a strategic milestone in Enugu State’s repositioning agenda under the leadership of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

It reflects the government’s commitment to transforming Enugu into a major economic hub of the South-East, capable of attracting investment, fostering innovation, and driving industrialization.

Through initiatives such as this, Enugu is steadily asserting its place within the broader ECOWAS trade network and the emerging African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ultimately, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme workshop reinforced the vision of an economically vibrant Enugu; one where SMEs serve as the backbone of growth, job creation, and regional trade integration.

By equipping local entrepreneurs with knowledge and access to opportunities within the ECOWAS framework, the state is laying the foundation for a more inclusive, prosperous, and globally competitive economy.

In a remarkable demonstration of unity, thousands of residents from Ishielu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State staged a 1 Million-Man March on Monday, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.

The crowd, which included community leaders, youths, and women’s groups, marched from Eziulo Junction to the Ishielu Local Government Headquarters, describing the rally as a show of gratitude for the developmental strides of both leaders at the federal and state levels.

While receiving the demonstrators, Council Chairman Mrs. Peace Agwu was presented with the community’s collective appeal urging President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru to make themselves available for re-election, citing their achievements and people-oriented governance.

Speaking during the rally, Mr. Uchenna Agwu, Coordinator of the Peace Team Agwu Support Group, said the people of Ishielu were satisfied with the progress made under the current administration and desired continuity.

“We, the people of Ishielu, are pleading with the governor to return for a second term. We are at peace with his leadership. He has performed exceptionally in his first term and deserves to continue,” Agwu said.

“We also urge President Bola Tinubu to seek re-election and continue the good work he has started. And you, our amiable Chairman, must also stay to complete your projects.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Ishielu Local Government, Mr. Okechukwu Abbah, described the march as both an endorsement and a reflection of the APC government’s positive impact.

“This movement reaffirms our total support for President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru. The APC government has delivered for Nigerians, and the people of Ishielu stand firmly with them,” Abbah said.

Addressing journalists, Mrs. Agwu expressed delight at the spontaneous turnout and highlighted numerous developmental projects executed under Governor Nwifuru’s administration.

“Today, I witnessed overwhelming support from my people. This march was not organized by the council, yet thousands came out to endorse President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for a second term due to their outstanding performance,” she said.

She listed completed and ongoing projects by Governor Nwifuru, including the 23-kilometer Ezza–Eziulo–Iyonu–Ezzaegu Road, which has brought lasting peace to the area.

“In every ward, the governor has constructed at least a 2-kilometer road. Traditional rulers now have modern duplexes, and he has also built 144 bungalows in Ishielu, Amaeze, and Izzo communities,” Mrs. Agwu noted.

At the federal level, she commended President Tinubu for the dual carriageway construction that has revitalized the Ishielu Council Headquarters and boosted local economic activity.

“The President has not left us behind. The new double-lane road has given our town a facelift. The people are already feeling the positive impact of his administration,” she added.