The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday revealed that it will deploy more than 4,000 Bimodal Voter Accreditation Systems (BVAS) for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ondo State, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, stated this in Akure, the state capital, at a forum for Reporters and On-Air Personalities as part of the preparation for the poll.

Specifically, the REC said a total of 4,002 BVAS will be deployed, while 812 others will be set aside as backups.

According to her, INEC is preparing to ensure a smooth and efficient electoral process across the state’s polling units, while 17,705 ad hoc staff, who have been adequately trained, will be deployed for the election.

Her words: “As part of our preparations for the election, INEC commenced the issuance of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Ondo State from Thursday, 17th to 21st October 2024 in all the 203 wards across the state.  Tomorrow, 23rd October 2024, the cards will be available for collection in 18 local government area offices in the state until 29th October 2024.

She noted that as the election draws near, the threat of fake news remains a significant concern while misinformation has the potential to incite unnecessary tension and violence, urging journalists to prevent it.

Babalola assured the people that INEC, in collaboration with security agencies, has made adequate arrangements to ensure the safety of all participants in the election, including members of the media.

“Security personnel will be deployed to all polling units, collation centres and other strategic locations across the state. The safety of the media and all electoral stakeholders is our top priority and we are fully committed to delivering a peaceful and secure election,” Babalola said.

She added that the essence of the workshop is to provide journalists with comprehensive information on the guidelines, processes, and procedures that will govern the upcoming election, thereby, ensuring full compliance with the established rules.

Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, has accused the Dr. Pius Odubu-led 24-member transition team of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of not being ready for peaceful transition on November 12.

Nehikhare, yesterday at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) in Benin, claimed that members of Edo APC transition team raised false alarm that the Godwin Obaseki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government did not provide them with the necessary documents, for them to function.

He alleged that members of Edo APC transition team had not shown readiness to ensure a smooth transition, in view of their refusal to attend the meetings of the joint committee.

Nehikhare claimed that Obaseki’s administration had provided the documentation in digital form, but the APC committee members insisted on hard copies of the documents, which, according to him, had also been provided for them.

He said: “Edo State Government transition committee members would continue to come for meetings until October 30, to provide information APC transition committee members required or wanted, as long as it was within the transition committee’s mandate.

“APC’s transition team members boycotting meetings is not a problem, but demanding hard copies of documents, meant for only the Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and Governor Godwin Obaseki, is impossible.

“APC’s transition committee members are trying to play the role of Edo Governor-elect, by making demands for documents that are not within the purview of the transition team’s mandate.”

Nehikhare also claimed that members of APC’s transition committee had from the outset shown disdain to work with Edo State Government’s transition committee members.

In a significant political development, former Senate President David Mark is facing increasing calls to assume the role of national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP.

According to Leadership Newspaper, two prominent figures, both former military generals—one a past president and the other a former Minister of Defense—are advocating for Mark to take on this position to help stabilize the party ahead of its upcoming national convention.

A party insider revealed that there is a strong push for Mark to step in and restore order within the PDP until a new convention can be held. Although Mark has not publicly expressed interest in the role, he comes from the North Central Zone, where there have been growing demands for the acting national chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum, to step aside in favor of a permanent replacement for Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

A source close to Mark noted that while he is aware of the calls for his leadership, he is wary of the legal complexities surrounding the party’s current leadership dispute. The insider added that efforts to persuade Mark are gaining momentum, as he is particularly concerned about the existing divisions within the PDP.

“While he is willing to step in and help stabilize the party, he does not want to preside over a fractured organization,” the source stated. Another party official confirmed that several stakeholders have approached Mark, viewing him as a strong candidate capable of uniting the party amidst its internal conflicts.

The ongoing rift between factions loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has further exacerbated divisions within the party, which were recently highlighted in discussions within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).