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INEC insists voters’ revalidation exercise remains suspended
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr Mutiu Agboke, has reiterated that the revalidation exercise remains suspended in the state.
Agboke made this known on Tuesday during the continuation of stakeholders’ engagement meetings held across local government council areas in Osun State, disclosing that the directive for the suspension was issued by the national headquarters of the Commission, stressing that the decision remains binding.
Addressing stakeholders in Ife North, Ife Central, Ife East, Atakunmosa West, Ilesa East and Ilesa West, he emphasised that national development requires collective responsibility from all citizens.
He said the primary objective of the meeting was to foster dialogue, build trust, and gather firsthand information on challenges that could affect the smooth conduct of the election.
Key issues raised included voter apathy, logistical constraints, and the need for adequate security.
“The coming election involves everyone. Candidates of political parties must accept that God decides who wins and loses,” he said.
The REC appealed to transport unions, members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and security agencies to discharge their duties responsibly during the electoral process.
He warned corps members against engaging in electoral malpractice, alleging that some had previously been involved in misconduct.
“We still find corps members mutilating ballot results and conniving with politicians to sabotage the poll. Such corps members will be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.
“Be careful. Give yourself brain. Pay attention during training and make sure you do the right thing. Where we see unnecessary mutilation or cancellations, such persons responsible will be prosecuted,” he said.
He also cautioned transport unions against alleged conspiracy, noting that all transporters would be required to sign undertakings ahead of the election.
“If issues arise from any transporter, INEC will interpret it as sabotage and such transporter will be prosecuted. Don’t give room for any politician to use you to sabotage the electoral process. Transport workers engaged as ad hoc staff would not be eligible to vote on election day,” be stated.
The REC urged security agencies, led by the Nigeria Police, to ensure adequate protection of collation centres.
“I want security agencies led by the police to secure the collation centres with arms so as to forestall disruption and violence,” he added.
He maintained that the outcome of the election would ultimately be determined by the votes of the people of Osun State.
Meanwhile, representatives of political parties highlighted challenges including failure to capture voters in remote areas, inadequate access to the Continuous Voter Registration process, poor security in rural communities and network issues.
Some stakeholders also called on INEC to consider towns such as Asipa and Akinlalu for delineation to enhance effective voter registration.
Electoral officers and Divisional Police Officers across the local governments assured INEC of their readiness to ensure a peaceful process, pledging to address identified flashpoints and strengthen security arrangements ahead of the election.
President Bola Tinubu has declared his intention to seek re-election in 2027, saying critics exploiting the country’s security challenges were doing the bidding of his political opponents.
Tinubu made the remarks while receiving Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other stakeholders from the state, telling them that hostile forces were weaponising insecurity to undermine his administration.
“You are playing to the hand of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me,” he said, adding that he would not be deterred.
“I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term.”
The declaration comes amid sustained pressure on the Federal Government over attacks by armed groups, kidnappings, and killings across several states, with opposition figures and civil society organisations demanding stronger federal action.
NDLEA raids 3 illicit drug warehouses, recovers N16.9bn worth of opioids
Tinubu has consistently defended his administration’s security record, maintaining that agencies are being adequately supported to restore stability.
The President took office in May 2023 and is constitutionally eligible to seek a second four-year term when Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.
…proposal aim to strengthen coordination and innovation across the Armed Forces
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a proposal to set up a Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, envisioned as a high-level strategic hub to improve coordination, efficiency and overall performance within Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
The bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre to Enhance the Coordination and Effectiveness of Military Operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria by Integrating the Capabilities of Its Respective Services; and for Related Matters (HB 2741).”
It progressed to the next stage following debate by lawmakers on Wednesday during plenary.
The planned centre is intended to serve as a focal point for defence research, development of military doctrine, strategic planning and innovation in warfare, with particular attention on fostering closer collaboration among military and paramilitary bodies.
Commencing debate on the general principles of the legislation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Daniel Asama said, “the initiative is designed to bridge critical gaps in Nigeria’s defence framework, particularly the lack of a dedicated institution for developing and coordinating joint military doctrines.”
“The centre would establish a structured system for the formulation, validation and dissemination of joint doctrines, while also promoting interdisciplinary research on multi-domain operations”.
Asama further observed that Nigeria’s increasingly complex security landscape demands a more integrated and strategic military response.
“Nigeria faces complex security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and cyber warfare, which require coordinated doctrinal responses among the Armed Forces.
“The absence of a dedicated institution for joint doctrine development has created operational gaps and limited interoperability among the services”, he said.
According to him, the proposed centre will serve as both a think-tank and a centre of excellence for doctrine formulation and warfare strategy.
“This bill provides the legal and institutional framework for the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre as a think-tank and centre of excellence for doctrine development and warfare strategy.
“It addresses the need for integrated doctrine development, unified command thinking and joint operational planning”, he added.
He described the bill as timely, the lawmaker said it would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to evolving threats while enhancing cooperation among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He explained that the proposed centre would provide a standing platform for defence research, simulation exercises and policy coordination, with the aim of strengthening the long-term sustainability of the country’s security efforts.
The institution is expected to draw together major players in the security architecture, including the Ministers of Defence, service chiefs and specialists from the private sector.
Its responsibilities would cover aligning warfare strategies, monitoring emerging threats, reviewing operational requirements and offering strategic guidance for defence activities.
The centre would also work closely with defence institutions, universities, international allies and research organisations to advance joint doctrine development, simulation tools and contemporary warfare practices.
Among its core aims are improving Nigeria’s capacity to respond to hybrid and asymmetric threats, enhancing cooperation among the armed services, promoting defence research and expanding both regional and global security partnerships.
Asama expressed optimism that the proposal would markedly strengthen the nation’s military preparedness and strategic depth.
“The Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre will serve as the intellectual and operational hub for defence coordination, doctrine formulation and integrated warfare planning,” he said.
Following its passage for second reading, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Defence for further legislative consideration.
When passed into law, the piece of legislation is expected to provide a solid institutional framework for advancing joint military operations and improving Nigeria’s response to current and emerging security challenges.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He has nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to take over as the new Chief Executive. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.
Details shortly….
2027: My opponents are arming terrorists against me — Tinubu
Lawmakers Move To Establish Military Strategy Hub
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