By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has extended the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration CVR by two weeks, moving the deadline from 10th July to Friday, 24th July, 2026.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee IVEC at the commission, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, disclosed this on Friday night in Abuja.

He said the extension followed a review of the exercise and feedback received from the Commission’s state offices, political parties, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

According to him, the exercise, which commenced on 18th August, 2025, was being extended to give eligible citizens who are yet to register additional opportunity to do so ahead of future electoral activities.

The Commission said the extension underscored its commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable chance to be included in the Register of Voters.

In addition to the extension, INEC announced the introduction of a self-service online registration option for eligible first-time voters.

The new service, according to the statement, will become available from Wednesday, 8th July, 2026, through the Commission’s dedicated CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, where a step-by-step guide will also be provided.

The Commission explained that the self-service option would allow eligible citizens to initiate and complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices without having to physically visit an INEC office.

It added that the system incorporates identity verification, biometric validation, and backend integrity checks designed to preserve the credibility and accuracy of the National Register of Voters.

INEC urged eligible Nigerians who are yet to register to take advantage of the extended window and explore the new registration technology, stressing its commitment to a credible, inclusive, and accessible voter registration process anchored on the use of technology to improve citizens’ experience in the electoral process.

The Federal High Court in Gombe has adjourned the lawsuit challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Gombe South Senatorial District until July 22, 2026, when both sides will present their final written addresses before judgment.

The case is being heard by Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed following a suit filed by Hon. Bilyaminu Babadidi against the APC, Jerry Joseph Damara and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Babadidi is asking the court to nullify Damara’s emergence as the APC’s senatorial candidate for Gombe South.

During the trial, the claimant called four witnesses, including himself, and tendered several documents as evidence.

The witnesses claimed that no APC primary election took place at polling units or local government levels. They also alleged that election officials and voting materials were never deployed for the exercise.

According to the claimant, he also lodged a complaint with the APC Appeal Committee, but “no action” was taken on his petition.

In response, the APC presented one witness, Rabilu Musa, who identified himself as the chairman of the party’s National Primary Election Committee.

He told the court that the APC conducted its senatorial primary across Gombe State, including Gombe South, on May 18, 2026.

However, under cross-examination, Musa admitted that the voters’ register was not tendered as evidence before the court.

After both parties concluded their cases, Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed adjourned the matter until July 22, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses before delivering judgment.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Adamawa for the 2027 election, Maurice Vonobolki, has said the era of political godfathers in the state is over.

Speaking to journalists at Yola International Airport after returning from Abuja with his certificate of return, Vonobolki said the influence of political godfathers ended when Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri came to power in 2019.

He said, “The cancer called ‘godfatherism’ was eradicated since the emergence of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the 2019 election. Fintiri was elected without any godfather behind his emergence, except for the support of the Adamawa voters.”

He added, “We are going to bring an end to the politics of godfatherism. People of Adamawa State, you, yourself, will own your government by yourself. After all, government is for the people, by the people, and for the people.”

Vonobolki said the PDP had given all members a fair chance to contest for elective positions but noted that some unsuccessful aspirants were creating unnecessary tension and confusion.

He said that now the party’s candidates had emerged through the approved PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) processes, any misunderstanding over the primaries would be resolved.

According to him, the certificates of return issued to successful candidates prove there is no division within the Adamawa PDP. He described the party as “one big family” and called on members to unite ahead of the 2027 general election.

Vonobolki stressed that the visit was not part of a campaign but to present the certificates of return to party members and address what he described as false claims and propaganda.

He also said, “PDP remains one political party all over Nigeria under the leadership of Honourable Abraham Mohammed, who is the national chairman of the party.”

The PDP candidate congratulated party members across the country and invited aggrieved members to return, saying, “We extend our hand of fellowship to all other members of PDP who feel aggrieved and want to come back home.”

He expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 elections and said the people of Adamawa would determine the future of their state.