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With BVAS, PVCs Should No Longer Be Sole Requirement For Voting – INEC
Ahead of upcoming elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the use of computer-generated voting slips for individuals without Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
During a quarterly consultative meeting with Residents Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Thursday, INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu emphasized that PVCs should no longer be the only requirement for voting, particularly with the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Yakubu noted that the commission, having released its comprehensive 524-page report on the 2023 general election, has engaged in extensive consultations with its officials and key stakeholders.
With the conclusion of five major off-cycle governorship elections and nine out of 21 bye-elections since the 2023 General Election, Yakubu stated that this is the ideal time for INEC to begin implementing the recommendations arising from its review of the General Election.
He revealed that through both internal and external consultations, the Commission identified 142 recommendations spanning areas such as preparedness, voter management, voter education, political party and candidate management, electoral operations, and logistics. Other key areas include election personnel, partnerships, election technology, result management, security, electoral offenses, and the legal framework.
Out of these 142 recommendations, 86 require administrative action from the Commission.
“This is followed by 48 recommendations that require action by a variety of stakeholders, including security agencies, mobile network operators, statutory bodies, political parties, transport unions, civil society organisations, and the media.
“On the legal review, there are eight recommendations that require legislative actions by the National Assembly. Very soon, the Commission will make a presentation to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters as they continue to deliberate on electoral reform.
“Among the major highlights of the Commission’s recommendations is the imperative of legal clarity in result management with regard to manual transfer versus the electronic transmission of results.
“The Commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.
“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation. This will not only save costs; it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.
Early voting for journalists and other essential workers.
“The review report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections, such as INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers, and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.
“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the Commission with the establishment of an electoral offences tribunal, and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties. Similarly, the Commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units,” he added.
The INEC Chairman also revealed that, as a priority, the Commission plans to establish protocols for cleaning up the voters’ register in partnership with agencies like the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the National Population Commission (NPC).
He added that other areas of reform include advocating for affirmative action to ensure greater participation of underrepresented groups, as well as enhancing voter education and public communication efforts to counter fake news and misinformation.
“Furthermore, the Commission intends to review the mechanisms for a more effective implementation of agreements on logistics with the transport unions and other service providers by consolidating on the recent experience with early deployment and commencement of elections in the recent Ondo State Governorship election,” Yakubu added.
A United States lawmaker has accused Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of attempting to bribe a U.S. official in a bid to suppress a report alleging genocide against Christians in Nigeria.
Kimberly Daniels, a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, made the allegation in a video posted on her official Facebook account on Monday. The video has since gained traction online, sparking debate across political and diplomatic circles.
In the video, Daniels claimed that the alleged bribe was intended to influence the narrative surrounding a report by the United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD), which accused Nigerian authorities of failing to address what it described as targeted killings of Christians in parts of the country.
“A U.S. elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” Daniels said.
The lawmaker, who also serves as chairperson of the UN-WCD, maintained that she would not be intimidated or silenced, insisting that the issue of violence against Christians in Nigeria must be addressed transparently.
Daniels had earlier called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Matawalle from office, alleging his complicity in violent incidents reported in states such as Plateau, Benue, and Kaduna.
As of the time of filing this report, Matawalle has not publicly responded to the allegations. The Nigerian government has also not issued an official statement addressing the claims.
The development adds a new dimension to ongoing international scrutiny over security challenges in Nigeria, particularly concerning communal and sectarian violence in parts of the country.
. Court order a death knell for the financial nerves of drug cartels, says Marwa
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured another significant win in its ongoing offensive against drug cartels as the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, granted an interim forfeiture order for 17 containers laden with illicit opioids worth over N33.6 billion in street value.
The containers, which were intercepted at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex in Onne, Rivers State, on 4th September; 14th August; 13th August; 29th July; 13th June; 30th May; 29th May; 28th May; 20th May; 19th May; 14th May and 29th April, all in 2025, contain a staggering haul of Nineteen Million Six Hundred Thousand (19,600,000) pills of Tramadol, Tafrodol, Tapentadol and Carisoprodol, as well as Two Million Four Hundred and Ninety Six Thousand Four Hundred (2,496,400) bottles of Codeine Syrup. The combined street value of the seizures is estimated at Thirty-Three Billion, Six Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N33,691,200,000).
The forfeiture order was issued by Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, following a motion exparte filed by the NDLEA on 10th February 2026 in suit number FHC/PH/MISC/25/2026.
Ruling on the application, Justice Adamu said “An order is hereby made forfeiting in the interim to the Federal Government of Nigeria seventeen (17) shipping containers containing a total, of three hundred and sixty-five thousand, six hundred and seventy-five (365,657kg) of various types of psychotropic substances, as well as other items as stated in the schedule to this application, illegally imported into Nigeria through the Onne Sea Port, Onne, Eleme, Rivers State by unknown persons.”
He further ruled that “An order is hereby made vesting custody and possession of the said containers and their respective contents to the Applicant/Complainant untiI the final determination of this Suit.”
Reacting to the court’s order, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) described the forfeiture as a death knell for the financial nerves of the criminal syndicates involved.
According to him, this is not just a seizure, it is a total dispossession of the resources the drug cartels intended to use in destroying the lives of our youths and funding further criminality.
By stripping the criminal syndicates of assets worth over N33.6 billion, we have struck at the heart of their operations. This sends a clear message: the Nigerian state will not allow the proceeds of death to circulate to fund terrorism and other forms of criminality in our country.”
While commending the Nigerian Judiciary for its steadfast support and timely intervention in granting the interim forfeiture, Marwa noted that the partnership between the temple of justice and the agency is critical to winning the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
He further lauded the officers, men and women of NDLEA, particularly those attached to the Onne Port Command, for their vigilance, professional integrity, and eagle-eyed scrutiny that led to the discovery of the concealed drugs. The NDLEA Chairman also acknowledged the vital role played by sister security agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other port stakeholders whose cooperation ensured a seamless interdiction process.
He also commended international partners for their continued intelligence sharing and technical support which remains a cornerstone of the agency’s success, adding that the Agency remains resolute in its mission to dismantle drug networks across the country.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has sought partnership with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on security, economy, green city development and other areas of mutual benefits.
The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef bin Mohammed Al-Balawi, sought the partnership when he visited the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Al-Balawi commended Wike and President Bola Tinubu administration for building what he described as “beautiful green city”.
The ambassador said he looks forward to strengthening relationships with the FCT Administration and exchange experience on developing a green city.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the relationship between the FCT and Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia and other big cities in the country.
Responding, Wike noted the robust relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, adding that the FCT would leverage on the relationship for the benefit of the territory.
“We will be happy and willing to visit Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia to find areas of common interest and collaborate for mutual benefits.
“Saudi Arabia is a very important state in the Gulf Region with a very rich history and robust relationship with Nigeria.
“We will want to capitalise on the good relationship with Nigeria to see how Riyadh and FCT will cooperate and learn from each other.
The Minister commended Al-Balawi for the accolade on the ongoing transformation in the FCT, attributing the development to Tinubu’s political will.
He explained the Tinubu administration has transformed the FCT to a modern city that could compete with any city in the world.
“We have not gotten to where we want to be yet, but the Tinubu administration is committed and has what it takes to take the capital city to the global stage,” Wike said.
US Lawmaker Accuses Tinubu’s Minister Of Bribery To Cover Up Genocide Report
NDLEA secures forfeiture of N33.6 billion worth of opioids intercepted at Onne Port(Photos)
Saudi Arabia seeks partnership with FCT on green city, security, economy
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