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.

PDP Governors’ Forum
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by Governor Bala A. Mohammed of Bauchi State, convened an enlarged meeting at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge in Asokoro on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

During the consultative meeting, key resolutions were made concerning the party’s strategy and unity ahead of the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections scheduled for November 16, 2024.

Notably, the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, originally set for October 24, has been rescheduled to November 28 to better prepare the party for a robust challenge against the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo.

The forum emphasized the importance of unity within the party, urging members to avoid divisive rhetoric that could weaken their collective efforts. This call for solidarity aims to position the PDP as a formidable opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

The meeting saw participation from various party organs, including the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, National Assembly Leadership, and the Forum of Former Governors.

Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed signed off on the resolutions, reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to presenting a unified front in the upcoming electoral battle.

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