...Osun, Lagos, Borno Tops Chart

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revealed that more than 4,445,505 Nigerians have pre‑registered online in the nationwide voter registration exercise as of Sunday, September 14, 2025.

DAILY GAZETTE recall that the exercise began on August 18, 2025.

Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, said that over the four weeks since launch, the online registrations have slightly more females (51.83%) than males (48.17%).

Most of those who registered (65.79%) are aged between 18 and 34, and students make up 25.02% of the total.

At the state level, Osun led with 552,045 pre‑registrations, followed by Lagos with 488,523, and Borno with 439,426.

Other states with significant numbers include Ogun (396,799), Kebbi (287,059), Kaduna (240,357), and Kogi (218,397).

The Federal Capital Territory also posted 213,732 pre‑registrations.

On the lower end were states like Ebonyi, Abia, and Enugu, recording under 5,000 registrations each.

In addition to the 4.4 million online figures, INEC also disclosed completed registrations (both online and physical) at 509,929 as of September 12, 2025.

Of this number, 54.94% are female and 45.06% male.

Among completed registrants, youths aged 18‑34 dominate (74.15%), with students representing 38.54%.

INEC also reminded that online pre‑registration is just the first step, registrants must visit physical centres to have their biometric data captured.

As of September 15, the commission noted, online registration in the Federal Capital Territory ends, shifting full focus to in‑person registration centres, which will be gradually extended across all wards from September 29 to October 8, 2025.

Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has announced that he has made himself the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

He also declared Niger State, with its capital Minna, as the campaign headquarters.

Speaking on TVC’s “Politics on Sunday”, Bago criticized calls for a northern presidency this early into Tinubu’s tenure, calling them “premature and politically hasty.”

He reminded critics that Tinubu is only in his second year in office.

The governor insisted that there is an implicit understanding in Nigeria that power alternates between the North and the South, noting that this arrangement has helped maintain stability.

He recalled that after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years as president, Tinubu who is from the South, assumed the presidency.

Bago pledged to mobilize support from northern youths and voters for Tinubu.

He also called on presidential hopefuls from the North to wait until after Tinubu’s full two terms before contesting, saying there should be respect for the rotation.

He emphasized unity in the ruling party, urging supporters to focus on loyalty and avoid disunity.

Niger State’s role, he said, will be central to the campaign, with the state acting as its administrative base.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has stated that the Southeast region of Nigeria has no reason to feel sidelined under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, citing unprecedented federal attention to infrastructure in the zone.

Speaking to reporters during an inspection of the Nassarawa-Makurdi-Nine Mile dual carriageway project on Sunday, Umahi praised the scale and quality of the work being carried out.

He stressed that the Southeast is now seeing tangible development, particularly in road infrastructure.

“President Tinubu has remembered the Southeast very well, and we have no reason to complain,” Umahi said.

“It’s time to act with wisdom and focus on facts, not sentiments.”

He emphasized that President Tinubu’s commitment is evident in the $1 billion (₦15 trillion) road project spanning 264km (528km total when both lanes are considered), currently under construction by China Habo, a major Chinese engineering firm.

“I was expecting to find faults when I came here, but I saw excellent work instead. I commend China Habo for their efficiency and commitment,” Umahi remarked.

The project is being executed in five sections, with three sections in Benue State and the remaining two in Enugu State.

Umahi argued that previous administrations had failed to deliver on such major infrastructure in the region.

He insisted that the current government has provided the Southeast with real reasons to align politically with Tinubu.

“This project alone covers close to 200km on one side. Multiply that by two, and you understand the scale. We have been remembered, not with words, but with action,” he said.

Calling for unity and support, Umahi urged the Southeast to fully embrace the administration, adding that the region is now part of the national agenda.

“Those who were there before didn’t do these roads. But today, a leader has come who is making a difference. We must be wise and stop listening to noise-makers,” he said.

He concluded by expressing confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to complete the projects and deliver on his promises.

“He who started this good work is destined to finish it. We’re no longer at the margins — we’re at the center now.”