INEC urges eligible Nigerians to complete Continuous Voter Registration as deadline ends Sunday

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a final appeal to eligible Nigerians to complete their Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) before the exercise officially closes on Sunday, July 26, 2026, warning that no further registrations will be accepted after the deadline unless a new exercise is announced.

In a notice published on its official X account, the electoral commission reminded prospective voters that the remaining hours present the last opportunity to register ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging citizens not to wait until the deadline expires.

“Your future won’t wait. Neither should you. The Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise ends Sunday, 26 July 2026,” the commission stated.

INEC explained that eligible Nigerians can complete the registration process through its dedicated online CVR portal or visit any designated registration centre nationwide for physical assistance.

According to the commission, all INEC State Offices, Local Government Area (LGA) offices and approved registration centres will remain open daily, including weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until the exercise closes.

The electoral body encouraged citizens requiring assistance to visit the nearest registration centre to complete their enrolment before the deadline.

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The Continuous Voter Registration exercise is designed to register Nigerians who have recently attained the age of 18, first-time voters who have never enrolled, citizens seeking to transfer their voting location after relocating, and registered voters who need to correct or update their personal information.

The exercise also allows registered voters to replace lost, stolen or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) without undergoing fresh registration, while those who have changed their place of residence can apply for a transfer to a more convenient polling location.

INEC has repeatedly advised Nigerians against multiple registrations, warning that duplicate registrations are prohibited under the Electoral Act and could lead to the cancellation of affected records during the commission’s verification process.

The commission said the nationwide registration exercise forms a crucial part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections, as the updated national register of voters will determine those eligible to participate in presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections.

The electoral umpire has continued to expand access to voter registration through digital technology, enabling eligible Nigerians to initiate or complete the process online before biometric verification where required. The initiative is aimed at reducing congestion at registration centres and improving the efficiency of voter enrolment nationwide.

Election stakeholders have described voter registration as one of the most critical stages of Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that citizens who fail to register before the deadline may be unable to vote in the 2027 elections until another registration window is announced by the commission.

Civil society organisations have also urged young Nigerians, persons with disabilities and other eligible citizens who have yet to register to take advantage of the final hours of the exercise to ensure broader participation in future elections.

INEC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections and encouraged Nigerians to actively participate in the electoral process by ensuring their voter registration details are complete and accurate before the registration portal closes.

With the deadline fast approaching, the commission urged all eligible citizens who are yet to register or update their voter records to act immediately, stressing that every eligible vote begins with successful registration.

INEC urges eligible Nigerians to complete Continuous Voter Registration as deadline ends Sunday

Court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail in alleged N69.15m property fraud case

Social media personality and relationship coach Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has been granted N20 million bail by a Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja in her ongoing trial over an alleged N69.15 million property fraud.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, who presided over the case, admitted the defendant to bail with two sureties in like sum, ruling that although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the application, the court was still required to independently evaluate the nature of the charges, the applicable law and the likelihood of the defendant standing trial before exercising its discretion.

In delivering the ruling, the judge also considered submissions by the defence regarding the whereabouts of Blessing CEO’s international passport after her legal team informed the court that the travel document had been misplaced and presented supporting evidence.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered that each surety must provide evidence of financial capacity, including a three-year bank statement or proof of fixed deposits valued at not less than N20 million. The defendant and her sureties are also required to undergo verification through the Lagos State Judiciary’s Bail Information Management System (BIMS) before the bail can be perfected.

Justice Oshodi further directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to place the defendant on a travel watch list pending the determination of the case, effectively restricting her from leaving Nigeria without the court’s approval.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until October 12, 2026, for the continuation of trial.

The EFCC arraigned Blessing CEO on June 9, 2026, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, offences she allegedly committed in connection with a property transaction in Lagos. She pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her.

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According to the anti-graft agency, Blessing CEO allegedly obtained N69.15 million from Hope Chiropractic Health Clinic Limited in March 2025 after allegedly representing that she could secure a five-year lease of a property located in Lekki, Lagos.

The prosecution alleged that the representation was false and that the money was dishonestly obtained under the guise of facilitating the property transaction.

The EFCC further argued that the alleged offences contravene Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

During the bail proceedings, the prosecution maintained that it was prepared to proceed with trial, while the defence urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms, arguing that the defendant had cooperated with investigators and remained willing to attend all court proceedings.

The court ultimately ruled that the constitutional presumption of innocence entitled the defendant to bail, provided adequate conditions were imposed to ensure her appearance throughout the trial.

The case has attracted widespread public attention because of Blessing CEO’s prominence on social media, where she has built a large following through relationship advice, celebrity commentary and lifestyle content.

The latest proceedings also come as the influencer continues to face another pending criminal matter before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, where she is standing trial in a separate alleged fraud case involving about N36 million. Both cases remain before the courts, and no verdict has been delivered.

Legal analysts note that the outcome of the ongoing trial will depend entirely on the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence, while reiterating that under Nigerian law, every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Court grants Blessing CEO N20m bail in alleged N69.15m property fraud case

Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has criticised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang over his recent apology to the Igbo community regarding the state’s role during the Nigerian Civil War, describing the governor’s remarks as a distortion of history and demanding that they be withdrawn.

Dalung, in a detailed statement released on Friday, faulted Mutfwang’s comments, arguing that they misrepresented the historical realities surrounding the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War and unfairly diminished the sacrifices made by Plateau indigenes who fought during the conflict.

The controversy stems from Governor Mutfwang’s remarks during an interactive session with Igbo leaders drawn from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State at the Government House in Jos. During the meeting, the governor apologised to the Igbo community for the role Plateau people played during the civil war, stating that many were “deceived” into participating in the conflict and expressing hope that the apology would strengthen reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

The governor also acknowledged the longstanding contributions of the Igbo community to the economic, commercial and social development of Plateau State, describing them as important partners in the state’s progress. He urged residents to continue promoting unity and mutual respect despite the painful memories of the civil war.

However, Dalung insisted that the governor’s explanation of Plateau’s involvement in the war lacked historical accuracy.

According to the former minister, portraying Plateau people as individuals who merely followed manipulation or deception into the conflict ignores the complex political and military events that culminated in the civil war.

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He argued that the roots of the conflict can only be understood by examining the January 15, 1966 military coup, the assassination of prominent political and military leaders, the subsequent counter-coup and the political tensions that eventually led to the declaration of the defunct Republic of Biafra and the outbreak of the war.

Dalung said reducing those historical events to a narrative that Plateau people were “cajoled” into fighting amounts to a disservice to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in defence of Nigeria.

“At best, it reflects a poor understanding of history; at worst, it is an ambitious attempt to discredit the sacrifices of great Plateau sons, many of whom laid down their lives in defence of Nigeria’s unity,” he said.

The former minister also questioned Governor Mutfwang’s authority to apologise on behalf of the people of Plateau State without broad consultation.

He argued that such a sensitive issue required engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, elders, elected representatives and other critical stakeholders before any official position could be presented as representing the state.

“On whose authority did he make such an apology? Did he consult the elders of Plateau State? Did he consult traditional rulers? Did he consult elected representatives, members of the National Assembly, the State Assembly or the people themselves? This is executive arrogance,” Dalung stated.

He further noted that Plateau State also suffered significant losses during the political crises preceding the civil war.

Dalung cited the killing of Colonel James Pam, whom he described as one of Plateau’s distinguished military officers, as evidence that the state was itself a victim of the violence that engulfed the country.

He also referenced former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, a Plateau indigene who led Nigeria throughout the civil war, arguing that Gowon’s historical role places him in a more appropriate position to comment on issues relating to the conflict if such interventions become necessary.

Sharing his personal experience, Dalung disclosed that the war claimed the lives of two of his uncles who had been sponsoring his education.

He said the issue was deeply personal and maintained that suggestions that Plateau men fought simply because they were deceived insulted the memories of those who died and questioned their patriotism and convictions.

“I am therefore a victim of that war. I cannot remain silent while someone suggests that my late uncles went to war because they were cajoled. Cajoled by whom?” he asked.

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The former minister subsequently gave Governor Mutfwang 72 hours to withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of Plateau State.

Despite his criticism, Dalung appealed to residents of Plateau State to continue living peacefully with members of all ethnic groups, including the Igbo community.

He stressed that the governor’s remarks should not be interpreted as the collective position of Plateau people and warned against reopening old wounds at a time when the state continues to battle recurring security challenges and communal tensions.

Dalung also urged political leaders across the country to avoid exploiting historical events for political purposes, saying national unity would be better served through dialogue, mutual respect and truthful engagement with history.

Governor Mutfwang’s apology has generated mixed reactions nationwide.

While some political observers and community leaders have described the governor’s remarks as a courageous attempt to promote reconciliation, healing and stronger inter-ethnic relations decades after the civil war, others have argued that such sensitive historical issues require wider consultation and careful interpretation to avoid creating fresh divisions.

The debate has once again highlighted the enduring emotional and political significance of the Nigerian Civil War, more than five decades after the conflict ended, as Nigerians continue to express differing views on how historical events should be remembered and addressed in the interest of national unity.

Dalung gives Mutfwang 72-hour ultimatum to withdraw apology to Igbos over civil war role