The Senior Political Assistant to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Demola Olarenwaju, on Tuesday, suggested that the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, should be scrapped like former presidents Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan trued to during their tenures.

Olarenwaju said President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has no business with with rural electrification because states should be able to provide power in their domains.

Posting on X, Atiku’s aide wrote: “The Act itself is now compromised and REA should be scrapped as Yar’Adua tried to do in 2009 and then Jonathan came in and asked Oronsaye to do a more holistic review of the entire FG.

“In a truly federated country where power is the business of the states as Tinubu claims, FG has no business anymore with Rural Electrification and any state that prioritises power should source it for its people.

“The Govt should be consistent: you can’t claim states can generate, transmit and distribute power then still hold on to a rural electrification agency that bypasses the State Governments.”

This comes less than 24 hours after Tinubu named a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, as the Chairman of REA.

Fayose’s appointment was part of the 25 Nigerians Tinubu appointed to head some federal ministries.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State have been accused of demanding money from applicants before releasing their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs.

The allegation surfaced in a video circulating on social media, where a resident claimed that some officials at the INEC office requested N2,000 from applicants before processing and issuing their voter cards.

According to him, one of the officials, identified simply identified as Mrs Otito, allegedly requested the money.

The resident said when one of the applicants insisted that voter cards are issued free of charge and attempted to record a video, an argument broke out.

He further alleged that Mrs Otito physically assaulted them during the confrontation and bit a young woman on the breast while she was trying to separate those involved.

In the footage, voices (in Igbo language) could be heard during a heated exchange.

Recall that INEC has maintained that voter registration, PVC collection, transfer of voter information, correction of personal details and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards are services provided free of charge.

The electoral body has consistently advised citizens to report any form of extortion by its officials or temporary staff involved in voter registration activities.

INEC, at the time of filing this report has not issued an official statement specifically addressing the allegations from the Onitsha South office.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, has expressed confidence that the party has overcome its recent internal challenges and is on the path to recovery ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ohuabunwa said the PDP had moved beyond the period of uncertainty caused by prolonged litigation.

“The PDP has moved past the period of uncertainty over persistent litigation. The party is now rebuilding and will come out stronger and better,” he said.

The BoT chairman attributed the renewed confidence to last Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court, which he said should convince those still disputing the party’s leadership to accept the current reality.

According to him, the judgment is consistent with an earlier ruling of the Supreme Court and reinforces the party’s commitment to the rule of law.

“As the conscience and the moral compass of the party, the Board of Trustees fully respects and accepts the Federal High Court judgment and will continue to respect the rule of law,” Ohuabunwa stated.

He also warned that anyone parading himself as the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees contrary to the court’s decision was engaging in criminal impersonation and would face legal action.

Ohuabunwa urged party leaders and members to embrace reconciliation and collective responsibility, stressing that unity was essential for the PDP’s resurgence.

He assured supporters that the party’s leadership would take the necessary steps to strengthen its unity, stability and preparedness for future elections.