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Ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards to registered voters in the state

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, who disclosed this in a statement, urged eligible voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to take advantage of the exercise.

Omoseyindemi who said that the PVC collection exercise which commenced on June 2 will be conducted across the various Registration Areas and wards in the state until June 8.

The INEC boss added that the exercise would subsequently continue at the 16 Local Government Area offices of the commission from June 9 to June 11.

Omoseyindemi urged all registered voters who had yet to obtain their voter cards to visit the designated collection centres within the stipulated period.

“The commission wishes to strongly encourage all registered voters across the state to take advantage of the ongoing Permanent Voter Card collection exercise.

“The collection of PVCs will take place at the various Registration Areas and wards from June 2 to June 8, after which the exercise will continue at the respective local government offices from June 9 to June 11,” he said.

The REC described the PVC as a critical instrument of democratic participation, stressing that only eligible voters in possession of their cards would be able to exercise their franchise during elections.

He said, “The Permanent Voter Card is not merely an identification document; it is an instrument of democratic participation and a vital tool through which citizens exercise their constitutional right to vote and shape the future of their communities and the nation at large.”

Omoseyindemi reminded residents that voter registration alone was not sufficient, noting that the collection of PVCs remained an essential requirement for participation in the electoral process.

He urged community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to assist the commission in sensitising the public on the importance of collecting their voter cards.

The REC reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in the state.

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concern over what it described as the growing trend of excessive and unrealistic bail conditions imposed by courts and law enforcement agencies, warning that such practices undermine the constitutional right to personal liberty and the presumption of innocence.

In a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association said the increasing insistence on sureties who are senior civil servants on specific grade levels, as well as demands for landed properties of extraordinary value, has effectively turned bail into a form of pre-trial detention for many accused persons.

According to the NBA, although bail is granted in many cases, those affected often remain in custody because the conditions attached to their release are difficult to meet.

The association stressed that bail is a constitutional safeguard intended to secure the attendance of an accused person in court while preserving his or her liberty pending the determination of guilt or innocence.

“It is neither a punishment nor a mechanism for imposing pre-trial incarceration by indirect means,” the NBA stated, adding that bail conditions must be reasonable, practical and capable of being fulfilled by the accused person.

The body cited the Supreme Court decision in Suleman & Anor v. Commissioner of Police, Plateau State, which held that the objective of bail pending trial is to grant pre-trial freedom to an accused person whose appearance in court can be secured through appropriate conditions.

The NBA noted that many courts continue to impose conditions that are disconnected from prevailing economic realities, including requirements for sureties who are serving civil servants on Grade Levels 16 or 17 and ownership of high-value landed properties.

It further referenced the Court of Appeal judgment in Dasuki v. Director-General, State Security Service & Ors, where the court criticised the practice of mandating serving public officers as sureties. The appellate court reportedly described such requirements as inconsistent with civilised legal systems and contrary to public service regulations.

According to the NBA, the Court of Appeal also questioned the practicality of expecting public servants on senior grade levels to own properties worth hundreds of millions of naira, noting that such expectations could conflict with public service rules and anti-corruption principles.

The association pointed to Section 165(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which provides that while courts have discretion in granting bail and setting conditions, such conditions must not be excessive.

The NBA argued that judicial discretion must be exercised reasonably and in line with constitutional guarantees, warning that unattainable bail conditions amount to a refusal of bail in substance and contribute to overcrowding in correctional facilities.

The association also criticised the restriction of acceptable sureties to a particular class of citizens, especially senior civil servants, describing the practice as lacking legal, empirical and rational justification.

“There is no evidence that civil servants are inherently more reliable as sureties than other law-abiding citizens,” the statement said.

The NBA therefore urged courts across the country to ensure that bail conditions remain fair, proportionate and attainable, while safeguarding the constitutional rights of accused persons.

It further called on judicial officers to uphold the presumption of innocence and ensure that bail remains a meaningful legal mechanism rather than a privilege available only to those with substantial means or influential connections.

Osigwe maintained that the administration of justice would be better served when courts balance the protection of individual rights with the need to secure the attendance of accused persons at trial through reasonable and lawful conditions.

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The United Nations (UN) has expressed deep concern over the recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, calling for the immediate and safe release of all those held captive.

The global body also urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen efforts aimed at securing schools across the country.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, condemned the attacks, which also led to the killing of two educators. He described the incidents as a serious violation of children’s rights to education and safety.

Fall said the continued captivity of the pupils and their teachers remains deeply disturbing.

According to him, schools and other educational institutions should remain safe environments for learning and must not become targets of violence and intimidation.

“The recent incidents underscore the urgent need to strengthen the protection of children, educators and learning environments,” he said.

The UN official acknowledged the efforts already being made by the Nigerian government and security agencies to tackle the situation. However, he stressed that additional measures are required to ensure the prompt return of all abductees and the prosecution of those responsible for the attacks.

He emphasized that children should never be victims of armed conflict or criminal activities, noting that attacks on schools endanger lives and undermine the future of communities and national development.

Fall reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safe, inclusive and violence-free learning environments across Nigeria.

He also stressed the importance of safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring access to education in conditions that guarantee safety and dignity.

The UN further called for the full implementation of Nigeria’s Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, stronger emergency response mechanisms, and greater use of data-driven approaches to identify and address threats facing schools and vulnerable children.

The remarks followed a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday between the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and a delegation from the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre led by Commandant Samuel Umanah.

The meeting focused on the worsening security challenges affecting schools and provided an opportunity for the United Nations to express solidarity with affected families, school authorities and communities dealing with the trauma caused by the abductions.