Politics
Ekiti guber: INEC reveals number of registered voters, provides update on PVCs
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has issued an update regarding the collection of Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, by eligible voters for the upcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.
The update was provided as the Commission announced the completion of the PVC collection process in the State.
A statement from Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, indicated that after the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in the State on Thursday, 15th May 2026, and the subsequent cleaning of the voters’ register, the total number of registered voters in the State has increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.
Furthermore, it was noted that the number of PVCs collected has grown from 958,052 in 2023, which reflects a collection rate of 97.0 percent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, corresponding to 97.1 percent of registered voters.
INEC also reminded that the PVC collection period, initially set to conclude on 11th June 2026, was extended to 14th June 2026 after discussions with stakeholders during a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.
“With regards to Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the Commission to make available to registered voters replacement PVCs in the event of the loss, damage or defacement of their original PVC, 14,406 applications were received within the stipulated time and all 14,406 replacement PVCs were printed most of which have been collected,” the statement added.
“The option of a downloadable copy of the lost, damaged or defaced Voter Cards could not be implemented in this election because the necessary technology infrastructure for this is yet to be completed. The option would be available to voters in subsequent elections, especially the Osun Governorship election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election.
“For the Ekiti State Governorship Election, all the PVCs were printed and made available for all eligible applicants, including those who requested a transfer, or applied for the replacement of lost, damaged or defaced cards. A detailed breakdown of PVC collection by Local Government Area (LGA) has been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms,” it stated.
INEC called on all registered voters who have collected their PVCs to turn out peacefully and exercise their franchise on election day.
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has exempted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the party’s newly introduced anti-defection oath aimed at discouraging elected officials from abandoning the platform after winning elections.
The National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Enekweizu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he defended the policy against criticisms that it violates constitutional provisions.
According to Enekweizu, the requirement for candidates to sign an oath of loyalty is backed by the party’s constitution and is intended to safeguard the NDC from the wave of defections that have weakened several political parties in recent years.
“First and foremost, a political party is like any other association, and every member who subscribes to the membership of the party is bound by the provisions of the constitution of the party and decisions taken by the party’s properly constituted authorities. Within NDC, the decision to make people sign that affidavit is provided for in our constitution,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions that the policy was unconstitutional, arguing that members of voluntary associations are legally bound by the rules governing such organisations.
While affirming that the party’s constitution requires all candidates contesting on its platform to sign the oath, Enekweizu said the NDC had taken an administrative decision to exclude Obi and Kwankwaso from the arrangement.
“The constitution says everybody running under the platform of the party has to sign, but the party has taken the administrative decision that those required to sign in this instance do not include the presidential candidate and his vice,” he stated.
Enekweizu explained that the party’s primary concern is with lawmakers elected into the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly who often defect shortly after securing office.
“Our main focus is not the governor; it’s not the president, it’s the national and state assembly members elected on the platform of our party,” he said.
The NDC recently unveiled the anti-defection measure, saying it was designed to protect the party’s institutional integrity. The party’s leadership cited the defection of elected officials from the platforms on which they won elections as a major factor behind the decision.
Enekweizu said the NDC was determined to build a lasting political institution and would not allow politicians to treat the party merely as a vehicle for winning elections before moving elsewhere.
The post NDC exempts Obi, Kwankwaso from anti-defection oath appeared first on Vanguard News.
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The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, says no one can stop people from defecting if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.
Amadi made this remark on Wednesday during a live appearance in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He was reacting to the anti-defection policy introduced by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, which required candidates seeking elective offices on its platform to sign legal documents committing to vacate their positions if they leave the party after winning elections.
“The NDC cannot solve a political problem through constitutional interpretation. The NDC is trying to solve a political problem through a constitutional question, but that approach is flawed.
“It is not possible to lawfully exclude people from decamping if they believe their actions fall within the provisions of the constitution they signed.
“If individuals choose to change political parties, they are allowed to do so, provided their reasons fall within the exceptions outlined in the constitution. In such cases, the law applies as provided,” he said.
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The lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, at the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, says she did not see any report that led to the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Kingibe made this disclosure on Wednesday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
She said she was at a retreat with Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, when she heard about the report.
“I never saw the report that led to Natasha’s suspension. I was at a retreat. I had earlier stated that I was there with three or four other senators who are members of the committee.
“We attended the Committee on Petitions and Public Complaints, signed the attendance register, and I later left for the tax reform retreat, which I considered more important at the time.
“It affects my constituents much more than disciplining a senator, and I figured that the other people who were not part of that committee would take care of it.
“I even complained to other Senators, specifically to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. I complained to him very bitterly that I had not seen that report. I didn’t see it then. I have not seen it till now,” she said.
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