The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed that Nigerians will not be allowed to vote without presenting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the upcoming 2027 general elections, in line with existing electoral laws.

This comes amidst ongoing conversations following INEC’s post-2023 general election review meetings, where stakeholders had suggested that advancements in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) could allow voters to use alternative means of identification during elections.

However, INEC’s position remains unchanged.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE on Saturday, Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, clarified that while discussions had taken place, the Electoral Act mandates the use of PVCs and this cannot be bypassed without legal amendments.

“INEC is not mulling the idea of voting without the Permanent voter cards,” Oyekanmi stated.

“The idea emanated as a recommendation from our post-2023 review meetings with stakeholders, where it was suggested that with the advent of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which contains details of registered voters per polling unit, Nigerians should be able to vote with any ID including the PVC on Election Day.”

While BVAS has revolutionized the voting process by verifying voter identity through both facial and fingerprint recognition, Oyekanmi emphasized that its deployment doesn’t override the requirements set by law.

“The commission is not opposed to this idea but some aspects of the law, like Section 47 of the Electoral Act 2022, which makes it mandatory for a voter to present a voter card at the polling unit, would need an amendment.”

Despite technological improvements, a major concern for INEC remains the large number of uncollected PVCs.

As of August 24, 2025, a total of 5,965,451 voter cards were yet to be picked up by their owners.

According to data from INEC, Lagos State leads with a staggering 845,225 unclaimed PVCs, followed by Oyo (515,254), Ogun (410,281), Osun (360,794), and Ondo (295,856).

Other significant figures include:

• Rivers – 251,418
• Delta – 232,183
• Kano – 327,177
• Kaduna – 170,735
• Benue – 170,586
• Abia – 171,626
• Akwa Ibom – 158,795
• Kwara – 158,653

Smaller numbers were recorded in states like Ekiti (29,595), Anambra (31,690), Bauchi (37,169), and Gombe (40,840).

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had 93,868 uncollected PVCs, while Taraba and Zamfara reported 197,049 and 76,815, respectively.

In a bid to tackle voter apathy and reduce the backlog of uncollected PVCs, INEC resumed the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise last month.

The online phase commenced on August 18 while physical registration began on August 25.

As the six-month emergency rule in Rivers State nears its end, some prominent elders in the state say the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara has effectively weakened his political standing and handed control of the state to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Fubara’s predecessor.

President Bola Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in the oil-rich state on March 16, 2025, citing escalating political tension and attacks on vital oil infrastructure by suspected militants.

As part of the emergency measures, Tinubu suspended Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Rivers State House of Assembly. He then appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff, as interim administrator for six months.

With the emergency rule set to expire in a few days, reports suggest that Fubara has remained largely incommunicado, though an aide disclosed that he is likely to return to the state over the weekend.

“As I speak with you the governor is not back. All those pictures you see on social media are old. But he may come in today (Saturday) or tomorrow (Sunday),” said the aide, who requested anonymity.

In preparation for the handover, the state government announced plans to hold an inter-denominational thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre on Abonnima Wharf Road, Port Harcourt, as part of the transition back to democratic governance.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Ibibia Worika.

Speaking, members of the Rivers State Elders Council expressed concern over what they described as the political subjugation of Fubara and a return to Wike-dominated politics.

“The state is captured. That is my position. We will only get back to where we were before the liberation; and now it is back to Egypt. Rivers State has been successfully captured. The future of the state would be determined by the people of the state going forward,” said High Chief Sunny Chukumele, convener of the Coalition of Rivers State Leaders of Thought.

He further claimed that the so-called political peace in the state is superficial:

“The governor has been cowed for the so-called peace to reign. But that peace is in the graveyard and it is unfortunate. Rivers people look helpless, desolate and abandoned to their fate.”

Chukumele also accused President Tinubu of using the state as a pawn in his political strategy ahead of 2027.

“The new political class has taken over. The President has sacrificed Rivers people for his interest in 2027. So it is for Rivers people to determine who to follow.”

Another elder, Asukewe Iko-Awaji, a member of the Rivers Elders Forum, argued that the prolonged suspension has eroded whatever political capital Fubara had before leaving office.

“The truth is that damage has been made. That spirit of brotherhood is no longer there. The bad seed has been sown.”

He also pointed out that the long absence may have lasting effects on political relationships and economic development.

“If Fubara returns, the cordial relationship amongst them won’t be there again. They will be suspicious of each other because the bad egg has been laid. This is what the Rivers people will face. It will take them months to blend again.”

Economically, he said, the impact has been significant.

“The man has been away from office for six months. Some of the companies working in the state have pulled out and it will take another six months to put himself together to bring back these companies.”

“Before the declaration of this emergency, a lot of projects were going on. When Ibas came, he abandoned those projects and some companies pulled out. Now he is going to appoint people.”

In contrast to the criticism, former Rivers Senator Olaka Wogu, a known ally of Nyesom Wike, said Fubara’s return might not change much politically and insisted that Wike had simply been forthright in his actions.

“Sometimes people over-speculate on Wike. The man puts things in plain sight, but people don’t listen. Wike will tell you, ‘I wasn’t for a state of emergency, I was going to impeach him. We have resolved, we are moving on, and I will be honest and I will be frank. I will say it as I want.’ That’s how Wike does things, it is pure honesty.”

Wogu also emphasized that the crisis was never about money, but about power and political structure.

“The fact is that the man fought for his structure and kept it. The governor is part of the structure.”

He argued that despite Tinubu’s intervention, Rivers people would ultimately decide the political direction of the state.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Adamu Aliyu, a sitting member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, wanted over allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦73.6 million in a fake Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract deal, according to PREMIUM TIMES.

The declaration followed a request from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) after the lawmaker reportedly failed to respond to multiple invitations concerning the allegations.

The controversy began when businessman Mohammed Jidda petitioned the ICPC, accusing Mr. Aliyu of promising to secure an ₦850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos.

Based on this promise, Aliyu and Jidda reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which Jidda agreed to pay ₦73.6 million in advance once the contract award letter was issued.

The MoU also specified an additional payment of ₦52 million to Imanal Concept Ltd, a company owned by one Saad Abubakar, identified by Aliyu as the “facilitator of the deal.”

Jidda claimed that Aliyu later presented him with a contract award letter supposedly from the University of Jos for the construction of an indoor sports hall, valued at ₦500 million.

Believing it to be authentic, Jidda transferred funds into two accounts provided by Aliyu: his GTBank personal account and Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account, totaling ₦73.6 million.

However, when Jidda approached the university to commence the project documentation, officials informed him that no such contract existed.

The University of Jos later confirmed in writing to the ICPC that the contract letter was indeed forged.

Investigations revealed that ₦47.8 million was deposited into Aliyu’s GTBank account, ₦22.4 million went to Imanal Concept Ltd, and an additional ₦3.2 million was paid directly to the lawmaker.

The ICPC, citing intelligence that Mr. Aliyu was planning to abandon his duties and flee the country, applied to the court for authorization to declare him wanted.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request on Friday, issuing a warrant for Aliyu’s arrest and authorizing the publication of a “wanted person” notice in national newspapers and on social media.

The ruling also empowers law enforcement agencies and even private citizens to arrest Mr. Aliyu and hand him over to the ICPC.

Reacting to the development in a conversation with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday evening, Aliyu denied any wrongdoing.

He stated that he was unaware of the ICPC’s summons until he was informed by the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly while he was in Saudi Arabia.

“I was unaware of the ICPC’s invitation,” he said, adding that he had already refunded ₦45 million that was paid into his account through Jidda’s company, Mohiba Investment Ltd.

He provided evidence of refunds made in four separate tranches: ₦5 million, ₦10 million, ₦10 million, and ₦20 million — all paid into Mohiba’s Zenith Bank account.

Aliyu also distanced himself from the alleged forgery.

“My role was limited to only delivering the letter to Mr. Jidda,” he stated, insisting that Saad Abubakar was responsible for producing the forged contract document.

Edward Onoja, former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, has opened up about a political betrayal he experienced during the 2023 governorship race, revealing that ex-Governor Yahaya Bello had assured him for years that he would succeed him, only to shift support to Usman Ododo at the eleventh hour.

Onoja, who now serves as a board member of the South-East Development Commission, made the revelation during an interview on the MIC ON Podcast, released on Saturday.

According to him, Bello had privately endorsed him as his successor for four years, encouraging him to prepare for leadership and build capacity.

“For four years before 2023, he (Yahaya Bello) called me and said, ‘You will succeed me, get prepared.’ And of course, I planned and worked towards it,” Onoja recounted.

He further explained that when the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries approached, Bello asked about seven cabinet members, including himself, to pick up nomination forms, suggesting an open contest.

However, it later became clear that the former governor had already made up his mind.

“At the end of the day, his heart and his choice were with the current governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,” he said.

Onoja added that he only learned of Bello’s final decision one day before the primaries, and though disappointed, he accepted the outcome with grace.

“When he broke the news to me a day before the primaries, I told him, ‘You are the boss. What you see is what I see. Let’s go get the job done. But I hope you are not making a mistake.’”

Despite the last-minute switch and personal setback, Onoja maintained that there were no hard feelings and that he remained loyal to the APC.

“There were no issues. We went to the field and did our best for our candidate,” he said, adding that he fully supported Ododo’s eventual victory in the November 2023 governorship election.

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the death of Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, a former governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, following emerging suspicions that his passing may not have been natural.

A team of detectives reportedly visited Akingboye’s residence at Victoria Garden City (VGC) in Lagos after a disturbing photo of his corpse, showing visible bruises on his head, surfaced on social media.

The image sparked widespread concern and renewed scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding his death, initially reported as having occurred peacefully at home on the morning of Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

Adding fuel to the controversy, an overseas-based investigator, Olujimi Lijoka, claimed in a viral video that N210 million was withdrawn from the deceased’s bank account just hours after his passing.

According to him, N205 million was traced to three different accounts, raising red flags about potential foul play.

“I am not a court, but this is deeply suspicious. We cannot fold our arms. I call on all sons and daughters of Ikale to rise and demand justice for Otunba,” Lijoka said in the video.

Family sources disclosed that Akingboye, fondly known as OBA, may have sustained the head injuries during a heated argument at home, which allegedly turned violent.

Unconfirmed reports suggest he was pushed during the altercation, hit his head on a tiled floor, and was later rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

While some arrests have reportedly been made, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on its findings at the time of filing this report.

Until his death, Akingboye was a prominent figure in Ondo State politics, a successful businessman, and a known philanthropist from Okitipupa.

He contested the November 2024 gubernatorial election but lost to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He and the SDP had rejected the election outcome, citing widespread irregularities.

The Executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area, Hon. John Ogbodo, has called on residents, particularly the youth, to take full advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise in Enugu State.

Ogbodo made the appeal on Saturday during the monthly meeting of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held at Agbani, the council headquarters.

He stressed that active participation in the voter registration process is a civic responsibility and a critical step toward ensuring that the people of the LGA can choose leaders who truly represent their interests in future elections.

“Voter registration is not just a formality, it is the gateway to participating meaningfully in our democracy. I urge all eligible residents, especially our vibrant youth, to register and encourage others to do so,” he said.

The chairman also reaffirmed his unwavering support for the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, describing the governor’s leadership as visionary and people-focused.

“Governor Mbah has demonstrated exceptional commitment to good governance and grassroots development. We at the local government level are solidly behind him,” Ogbodo stated.

In addition, Hon. Ogbodo urged young people in the area to seize the opportunity presented by the ongoing recruitment of 5,000 Forest Guards across the state, noting that the initiative is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen security and create employment.

“This recruitment drive is another opportunity for our youths to gain meaningful employment while contributing to the security architecture of the state,” he said.

The meeting was attended by party stakeholders, ward leaders and other members who commended the chairman for his proactive leadership and grassroots engagement.

Describes Her As One Of Anambra’s Bright Sparks

Valentine Obienyem, Media Adviser to former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has publicly disowned a circulating article falsely attributed to him, which disparages former Senator Uche Ekwunife.

Describing the article as a “mischievous and poorly-written concoction,” Obienyem said this is the third time he is distancing himself from the forged publication, which he believes is the handiwork of political elements bent on targeting Ekwunife’s towering political career .

“Let me state without ambiguity: I did not write that article. It is a concoction, conceived by idle hands and circulated by those who thrive in mischief to malign her character,” he said in a strongly worded statement.

Obienyem went on to praise Senator Ekwunife’s career in both the private and public sectors, calling her “a shining example of what women can achieve in public life when given the opportunity.”

He noted that before entering politics, the former Anambra Central Senator had already achieved success in the banking industry, where she rose to the position of Area Manager, attributing her rise to talent, hard work, and determination.

“It was therefore no surprise that upon entering the political arena, Senator Uche Ekwunife quickly distinguished herself,” he stated, highlighting her tenure as a Member of the House of Representatives, Senator of the Federal Republic, and Director-General of the South-East Governors’ Forum.

Obienyem described Ekwunife as a resilient and competent leader who carved her path in Nigeria’s male-dominated political landscape through merit, not favours.

“Her political journey is one of courage, consistency, and outstanding capacity,” he added.

“Her record speaks for itself, and any attempt to tarnish it by associating my name with a baseless write-up is both malicious and cowardly.”

In a pointed jab at those allegedly behind the forgery, Obienyem accused certain individuals, “masquerading as media aides to the present administration in Anambra State,” of lacking the integrity and decency required for public discourse

“Rather than engage constructively, they resort to forging bylines and circulating insults. Such conduct demeans them, not their target,” he said.

Reaffirming his respect for Ekwunife, despite political differences, Obienyem concluded:

“She remains one of the brightest politicians to emerge from Anambra State, whose achievements continue to shine far above the empty noise of her detractors.”

The former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said Nigeria has long suffered due to the quality of its leadership, which he described as “lousy.”

Speaking at the second Kano International Poetry Festival (KAPFEST) held in Kano on Saturday, Sanusi noted that Nigeria has consistently been led by individuals lacking the capacity to move the country forward.

“You rise and fall with the quality of your leadership, and Nigeria has had lousy leadership for a long time,” Sanusi said.

“In most parts of this country, you look at the people leading and ask yourself, ‘Oh God, is this really the person? How did we end up here?’”

He criticized the nature of public discourse in Nigeria, lamenting that while other countries are focused on critical issues like climate change and artificial intelligence, Nigeria remains stuck in ethnic and religious debates.

“We are still talking about Yoruba or Igbo or Hausa, North or South, Christian or Muslim — the same conversations we were having in the 1960s,” he said.

Sanusi also praised the federal government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies, stating that the policy was unsustainable and would have bankrupted the country if left in place.

“If you look at the billions spent on subsidy, that money could’ve been used to fix refineries. My issue was never with subsidies themselves but with subsidies on consumption,” he explained.

“We were essentially funding jobs for refiners in Europe, while neglecting our own infrastructure.”

He further warned about the dangerous trend of excessive borrowing by all levels of government in Nigeria, cautioning that it could have long-term economic consequences.

Sanusi urged Nigerian youths to rise up and take responsibility for the country’s future.

“With will and determination, young people can retire the current political class and take over,” he said.

Festival Background

The poetry festival was organized by the Poetic Wednesdays Initiative (PWI) under the theme: “Poetry in a Time of Crisis.”

According to PWI Creative Director, Nasiba Babale, the event aims to empower poets and artists to advocate for peace and justice, especially in light of the ongoing crises in Northern Nigeria.

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