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2023: No going back on e-transmission of results, BVAS, INEC declares

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has maintained its decision not to jettison the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results for the 2023 general elections.

INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance on Monday in Lagos at a two-day capacity-building workshop for INEC press corp members on critical issues in the electoral Act, 2022 and the commission’s processes, innovations, and preparations for the 2023 general election.

Yakubu’s assurance came after the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had earlier this month alleged that there secret plans by some politicians to stop the use of BVAS and electronic transmission of results for the 2023 elections

CUPP also alleged that a lawsuit has been instituted before the federal high court in Owerri, Imo state to that effect.

But the INEC chairman, represented by the National Commissioner and Chairman of, the Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, noted that the goal of the commission was electoral justice where every Nigerian would experience electoral fulfilment.

According to him, the commission would continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria.

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“The Commission is conscious that a credible voter register is a basic requirement for the conduct of a credible election. We have therefore devoted time and energy to cleaning up of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS). This process is almost finalized and the Commission will engage with stakeholders relating to its findings before displaying the register for claims and objections as required by law.

“Furthermore, the Commission is working out a protocol for seamless collection of Permanent Voters Cards by valid registrants. I want to assure Nigerians that the Commission will deploy and continue to deploy appropriate technology for the conduct of elections.

“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IreV) will be deployed for the conduct of the 2023 general election. We will continue to use technology to improve and enhance the credibility of elections in Nigeria. Our goal is electoral justice where every Nigerian will experience electoral fulfilment”, he stated.

Speaking on the campaign slated to start on September 28, 2022, the INEC Chairman urged all the 18 registered political parties to critically study and pay attention to the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, the Police Act and the Public Order Act for the proper and peaceful conduct of political campaigns, rallies and processions.

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According to him, a political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.

He warned that abusive, intemperate, slanderous or base language or innuendoes designed or likely to provoke violent reactions or emotions shall not be employed or used in political campaigns.

Yakubu added: “Let me also remind the media of their constitutional and legal obligations. State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election. In other words, equal coverage and visibility shall be allotted to all political parties by all public print and electronic media organisations.

“The same applies in equal measure to privately owned media organisations subject to payment of appropriate fees.

“As I have pointed out, the Commission has entered the critical phase in the electoral process. As of today, the Commission has undertaken 8 out of the 14 items on the Calendar and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election.

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“On September 20, 2022, the Commission released the Final List of Candidates standing nominated for National Elections (Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates, Senatorial and House of Representative Candidates).

“On October 4, 2022, the Commission will release the Final List of candidates standing nominated in relation to State Elections (Governorship, Deputy Governorship and State Assemblies). On September 28, 2022, Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will start while that of Governorship and State Assembly candidates will start on October 12, 2022.

“The Commission will continue to adhere to set timelines in carrying out its activities.”

Yakubu described the workshop as timely as preparations for the conduct of the 2023 general election, which he said is just 152 days away, has reached an advanced and critical stage.

“It is therefore important for the media especially the INEC Press Corp to have a good knowledge and understanding of the workings and operations of the Commission. This is necessary for an informed and balanced coverage of the Commission’s activities and the dissemination of information to the general public”, he added.

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Police bust high-tech indoor Cannabis farm in Lagos, arrest two suspects

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The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered a suspected high-tech indoor cannabis farm at a residential property in the  Apapa,l area of the state.

The suspects are a 49-year-old Polish national and a 36-year-old Nigerian.

According to the police, the suspects are Thomas Razvickas and James Chisome, both of whom reportedly reside at the property where the facility was discovered.

The operation was carried out on November 2 at about 8:15 a.m., following credible intelligence received by police operatives, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi.

A search of the premises led to the discovery of a sophisticated indoor farming facility reportedly equipped for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of substances suspected to be cannabis.

The police said the two suspects had been taken into custody, adding that they had made confessional statements and were providing useful information to assist ongoing investigations.

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The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, visited the scene to inspect the facility, assess the scale of the operation and receive a briefing on the investigation.

Fatai commended the operatives for their vigilance and intelligence-led policing, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling drug-related offences and dismantling criminal networks in the state.

He also appreciated members of the public for providing credible information and urged residents to sustain their cooperation with the police.

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Troops kill ISWAP commanders, two Arab fighters in Borno

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The gallant troops of the Nigerian Army have killed Abu Hajara, a high-profile member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Shura Council, and Abul Walid, a prominent commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, the group’s overall Wali (leader).

In astatement issued on Sunday, the acting media information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Mohammed Goni, said that two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement in Kukawa LGA of Borno state on October 31.

Goni said the attack came three days after troops killed 55 terrorists, including three key commanders.

“Combined troops of Joint Task Force deployed in Kukawa defeated massive ISWAP terrorists attack on their locations and troops utilised both ground and air assets from the air component,” the statement reads.

“Following the engagement, troops recovered scores of arms, ammunition and communication devices.

“The successful engagement further demonstrates the combat readiness, vigilance and superior firepower of Operation HADIN KAI troops in sustaining pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre.

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“The attack on troops location at Kukawa comes barely 3 days after Buni Yadi attack where as at date 55 terrorists were neutralised including key commanders such as Ali Mandara Abba Gajiri (Munzir), Habu Ikkima Nakif Yana Faruk and Commander Gogore.”

Goni described the killing of the ISWAP fighters as a “significant blow to the leadership and operational capability” of the group.

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Jailed Osun monarch drags Adeleke to court over plan to replace him

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Dethroned Oba Joseph Oloyede, Apetumodu of Ipetumodu in Osun State, who is presently serving jail time in the United States of America for offences bordering on fraud, has dragged the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, before the court, asking it to stop him from filling the stool.

Oloyede, who is the second claimant in suit no. HIF/50/2026, in his motion on notice filed before an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife, alleged that Adeleke did not formally inform him of any infraction he committed before embarking on the process to replace him.

He is seeking an order of the court stopping the governor or any of his officials from filling the stool of Apetumodu until the substantive suit was determined.

Other claimants in the matter include Prince Oyewusi Adewusi, Prince Isaac Adewuni, and Prince Abiodun Oyetoro, for themselves and on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House of Ipetumodu.

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Aside from Adeleke, other defendants in the matter are the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and the head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu, and the Ife North Local Government.

The motion on notice filed by Oloyede, dated September 16, 2026, partly read, “An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants/respondents either by themselves or through their servants, agents or privies from taking any step to fill the stool of the Apetu (Apetumodu) of Ipetumodu or appoint any person in place of the 2nd claimant who is the occupant of the Apetu’s stool, pending the hearing and final determination of this suit.

“That in The Guardian Newspaper of May 11, 2026 (online edition), it was alleged that the 2nd claimant/applicant has, by order/instrument purportedly signed by the 1st defendant on May 7, 2026, been deposed from office as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu without any lawful basis.

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“That there was no time the 2nd claimant/applicant was informed by the 1st-3rd defendants of any wrongdoing before the issuance of the publication contained in the said Guardian Newspaper and the purported instrument or order of deposition.”

The hearing in the matter was, however, stalled on Monday, following non-service of hearing notices on the parties in the case.

During the day’s proceedings, only the claimants’ counsel, O. Ogbewe, and counsel for the 5th defendant, Soji Oyetayo, entered appearances.

Addressing the court, Ogbewe said he had served the defendants with the processes regarding the case.

But Oyetayo, counsel for the 5th respondent, Adesoye Babalola, said hearing notice had not been served on him by the claimants.

Oyetayo subsequently urged the court to adjourn the matter for the claimants to serve all the defendants’ hearing notices.

In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case to January 21, 2027, and ordered that fresh hearing notices be issued and served on the defendants.

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It would be recalled that Adeleke approved the deposition of Oba Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, following his conviction in the US on tax fraud and money laundering charges.

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