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INEC records 41 attacks on facilities in two years – Chairman
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had recorded 41 deliberate attacks on its facilities across the country within the last two years.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at the commission’s emergency meeting with security agencies under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Mr Yakubu said the attacks on the commission’s facilities should now be treated as a national security emergency.
“No doubt, the last few weeks have been very challenging to the commission. The spate of arson and vandalisation targeting the commission’s facilities and property has become a major threat to our scheduled activities and the entire electoral process.
“In the last two years, the commission has recorded a total of 41 incidents involving deliberate attacks on the commission’s facilities. Nine of these incidents happened in 2019 and 21 cases in 2020.
“In the last four weeks, 11 offices of the commission were either set ablaze or vandalised. Two of these incidents were caused by Boko Haram and Bandit attacks, while 10 resulted from thuggery during election and post-election violence.
“However, the majority of the attacks (29 out of 41) were unrelated to election or electoral activities.
“In fact, 18 of them occurred during the #EndSARS protests in October last year while 11 attacks were organised by “unknown gunmen” and “hoodlums.”
Mr Yakubu said although the commission was assessing loss of materials during recent attacks, its preliminary assessment so far indicated that it lost 1,105 ballot boxes, 694 voting cubicles, 429 electric generating sets and 13 utility vehicles (Toyota Hilux).
He said by working together with the security agencies, INEC could stop these attacks and the wanton destruction of critical electoral assets.
“These attacks, which initially appeared as isolated and occasional actions, have now become more frequent and systematic, targeted at demobilising and dismantling critical electoral infrastructure in the country.
“This will not only undermine the commission’s capacity to organise elections and other electoral activities but will also damage the nation’s electoral process and democracy.
“Indeed, these attacks on the commission’s facilities should now be treated as a national security emergency,” Mr Yakubu said.
The INEC chairman stressed the need to ramp up ICCES activities to curtail unjustifiable acts of aggression.
“This will entail not only drawing on our separate and collective resources within ICCES, but also increased collaboration with citizens, communities and all stakeholders.”
Mr Yakubu also stressed the need for the committee to tap into INEC facilities’ host communities’ goodwill in finding solutions to the present situation.
He said as a commission, INEC had been undertaking its own internal review of the situation and seeking answers.
He recalled that INEC met with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) last week and received briefings about the rising threats.
“We are presently compiling the useful suggestions from the meeting and other internal review, which we hope to share with this body in due course.
“I understand that the security agencies are doing their own individual assessments.
“Beyond Election Day security, we look forward to creating a framework for an all-year round, end-to-end protection of electoral facilities under the auspices of ICCES.”
Mr Yakubu expressed hope that the ICCES meeting would constitute a first step to finding a lasting solution to the current challenges, adding that to disrupt the electoral process was to undermine our democracy and destabilise the country.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno, who is also Co-Chair of ICCES, said his office was working with other agencies to collaborate with INEC to sustain Nigeria democracy and the will of the people.
“As Nigerians, obviously we see a lot of activities and had lots of unwanted experiences which have affected the electoral process, activities, actions that have been carried out by non-state actors who are determined to scuttle this process which is supposed to be clean, transparent and allow the people self-determination.
“Of course, we are gathered here to look at means and ways of quickly stopping the rising spate of criminality, violence and destruction as a national effort.
“Of course, the Office of the NSA has always remained steadfast, resolute and unrelenting in supporting all activities of the INEC, as well as all agents of government who are compelled, not only by statutory means, to deal with anything that will disrupt what was started in 1999.
“We are at hand to make sure that the people’s will be sustained, regardless of whatever happened, regardless of any individual inclinations without cause hampered by a lot of non-state actors who are determined to dislodge this effort.
“I am hopeful that the outcome of this meeting will be very productive.
“We should be able to make some strides toward extinguishing whatever pleased our electoral and socio-political landscape,” Mr Monguno said.
The NSA encouraged all leaders of security agencies in the intelligence community to enhance efforts of operational elements that had been supporting their efforts.
The acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, pledged the commitment of the police to lead in policing elections and working with other security agencies.
He also pledged that the police at the state commands would also work with INEC RECs to replicate the collaboration at state levels for peaceful elections.
Mr Baba said whatever preparation INEC had put in place for an election, if there was not adequate security before, during and after the poll, it would not be successful.
News
OYOSUBEB Chairman Adeniran Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race
OYOSUBEB Chairman Adeniran Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race
The Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement issued on Monday, Adeniran said his decision to join the 2027 governorship race followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders, supporters and community leaders across the state, as well as deep reflection and prayers.
According to him, his ambition is driven by a commitment to consolidate the achievements of the administration of Seyi Makinde and ensure the continued development of Oyo State.
Adeniran noted that he had earlier hinted at his governorship ambition during a radio appearance months ago, where he publicly disclosed his interest in leading the state.
“I am offering myself to serve as Governor of Oyo State, not out of ambition but out of conviction; not for power, but for purpose; not to be celebrated, but to empower,” he said.
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The OYOSUBEB chairman highlighted his extensive experience in public administration, noting that he has served as a Local Government Chairman, Commissioner and a member of several state and federal boards. According to him, these roles provided him with administrative exposure and grassroots engagement, helping him understand the diverse challenges facing communities across Oyo State.
Adeniran also praised Governor Makinde, describing him as a visionary leader whose administration has brought significant transformation to the state through its development programme popularly known as the Omituntun agenda. He pledged that if elected governor, he would sustain and strengthen the policies and reforms introduced by the current administration.
“Continuity is the foundation of sustainable progress, and Oyo State deserves nothing less,” he said.
Outlining his vision for the state, Adeniran said his administration would focus on improving access to quality education, promoting youth empowerment and job creation, strengthening security across communities, expanding infrastructure development, and encouraging innovation and inclusive governance.
“My vision is simple: a state where every child has access to quality education, where our youths do not have to leave home to find opportunity, and where security is guaranteed for every citizen,” he said.
Adeniran further emphasized the importance of strengthening the civil service, promising improved welfare, regular training and merit-based opportunities for government workers.
He added that his administration would focus on creating jobs for young people by supporting entrepreneurship, attracting investments and expanding sectors such as education, agriculture, technology and small-scale industries.
The governorship aspirant therefore called on residents of Oyo State to support his ambition, expressing optimism that collective efforts would help build a stronger and more prosperous state.
OYOSUBEB Chairman Adeniran Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race
News
Pastor Says Divine Prayers Helped Nyesom Wike Win Two Terms as Rivers Governor
Pastor Says Divine Prayers Helped Nyesom Wike Win Two Terms as Rivers Governor
Popular Nigerian cleric David Ibiyeomie, founder of Salvation Ministries, has claimed that his prayers and spiritual intervention played a pivotal role in the political rise of Nyesom Wike, currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking during a sermon at the church’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ibiyeomie recounted how Wike approached him during critical moments in his Rivers State governorship campaigns, appearing visibly anxious and “shaking” before both his initial election and re-election.
According to the cleric, Wike had suffered legal setbacks before his first governorship win, losing in the High Court, Appeal Court, and facing an unfavorable Supreme Court ruling. Ibiyeomie said he reassured Wike, stating that God would intervene and even claimed to command a reversal of any adverse judgment.
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“I called him while I was in Israel; he was shaking but I told him not to fear,” the pastor said. “I told him that God will step in, and he said ‘Papa, I believe you.’ After our Five Nights of Glory program, Wike walked up to me, and the judgment was to be announced on Friday. Even though he had no money at that time, the situation turned in his favour, and he later acknowledged, ‘Papa, I knew this is God.’”
Ibiyeomie also described similar circumstances during Wike’s second term campaign, asserting that political forces were attempting to block his re-election. The pastor said he again prayed and made a covenant with God, dedicating millions spiritually on Wike’s behalf, which he credited for Wike’s eventual victory.
The cleric’s revelations have sparked conversations about the influence of religious leaders in Nigerian politics, particularly in swaying outcomes through spiritual support. Wike, a two-term governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has long been a controversial yet influential figure, and his political trajectory continues to attract national attention.
Ibiyeomie’s claims, widely shared in a viral video, underscore the ongoing debate over the intersection of faith and politics in Nigeria, highlighting how some clerics play prominent roles in political campaigns.
Pastor Says Divine Prayers Helped Nyesom Wike Win Two Terms as Rivers Governor
News
Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy
Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy
Iran has expressed its readiness to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, rejecting recent allegations that Tehran sponsors extremist movements in West Africa. The offer was made by Gholamreza Mahdavi Raja, Iran’s ambassador to Nigeria, during an interview on Arise Television in Abuja.
Raja emphasised that Islamic groups in Nigeria maintain only spiritual and cultural links with Iran and do not have political or operational ties. He highlighted that recent rallies and mourning events organised by Shi’ite groups in Nigeria were expressions of grief following the death of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and not evidence of Iranian sponsorship.
The ambassador’s remarks came after Israeli Ambassador Michael Freeman accused Iran of backing Islamic movements in Nigeria and across West Africa to spread terrorism globally. Freeman cited concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, claiming Nigeria has been affected by terrorism allegedly linked to Tehran.
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Responding to these claims, Raja called the accusations unfounded and politically motivated, stressing that Iran itself has been a victim of terrorism and has consistently condemned attacks worldwide. “We are ready to share our counterterrorism experience and assist countries like Nigeria that face extremist threats,” he said, noting Nigeria’s ongoing challenges with groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Raja also underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling terrorism, adding that Iran is willing to work with Nigerian authorities to enhance security measures, protect citizens, and strengthen responses to insurgent violence.
The Iranian envoy’s statement aligns with the position of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), which dismissed claims of Iranian backing as misleading and politically motivated. The controversy follows recent protests by IMN members across several Nigerian states in response to the strikes on Tehran carried out by the United States and Israel.
Iran’s offer of support comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity, including repeated attacks by insurgent groups that have displaced communities and posed significant challenges to national security. Raja stressed that sharing Iran’s experience could help Nigeria address terrorism more effectively while highlighting the importance of moral and spiritual solidarity among Muslim communities.
Iran Ready to Help Nigeria Combat Boko Haram, ISWAP — Envoy
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