Arewa Times

Dr. Ladan Salihu’s recent remarks on the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Professor Mahmood Yakubu are marked by a tone of sweeping disapproval and generalization that does little justice to the complexities and hard-earned gains of Nigeria’s evolving democratic process. While criticism is an essential feature of democratic discourse, it must be grounded in a balanced appraisal of facts and realities, not driven by pessimism or selective memory.
Dr. Salihu’s claim that “INEC has not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians” and that “nothing has changed” since previous elections fails to acknowledge the significant, data-backed, and courageous reforms that have transformed the electoral landscape under Professor Yakubu’s stewardship. While elections in Nigeria remain a work in progress—as they are in every democracy—the assertion that INEC has “missed out on history” is not only inaccurate but dismissive of the monumental steps taken to safeguard electoral integrity.

A Groundbreaking Technological Shift
One of the most revolutionary achievements under Professor Yakubu has been the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV). These innovations mark a decisive break from Nigeria’s history of ballot stuffing, multiple voting, and result manipulation.

BVAS eliminated the long-standing issue of ghost and multiple voting by introducing biometric accreditation, ensuring that only eligible and present voters could cast their votes.
IReV, for the first time in Nigeria’s electoral history, enabled near real-time public access to polling unit results, introducing a level of transparency previously unimaginable.
While these technologies experienced challenges—particularly during the 2023 presidential election—such hiccups are not evidence of failure but rather indicators of the ambition and scale of these reforms. The logical path forward is to strengthen and refine these systems, not to discard them.

Institutional Independence and Courage
Under Professor Yakubu, INEC has demonstrated an unusual level of operational independence and courage in the face of overwhelming pressures from political actors, entrenched interests, and threats of violence. The Commission has postponed or suspended elections where the process was compromised, and pursued legal action against electoral offenders—often in a judicial system that itself remains slow and cumbersome.

This insistence on upholding due process, often at great personal and institutional cost, should be seen as a positive departure from the opaque and manipulated electoral systems of the past.

Logistical Feats in a Complex Landscape
Nigeria is one of the most complex electoral environments in the world, with over 93 million registered voters and more than 176,000 polling units across difficult terrains, remote areas, and volatile regions. Organizing credible elections on this scale requires a herculean logistical effort.
Under Professor Yakubu’s leadership, INEC has:
Improved early distribution of sensitive materials.
Enhanced the training and deployment of over a million ad-hoc staff, including NYSC members.
Reduced delays and disorder in many parts of the country during election days.
To overlook these significant operational successes while highlighting isolated incidents of failure is a distortion that does injustice to the thousands of Nigerians who worked tirelessly to deliver credible elections.

Addressing the Trust Deficit
The oft-cited “trust deficit” is not unique to INEC under Professor Yakubu—it is a historical issue stemming from decades of electoral malpractice. However, trust is not rebuilt overnight; it requires time, transparency, consistency, and institutional reform. The introduction of BVAS and IReV are not just cosmetic changes—they are foundational tools in the long road toward restoring public confidence in elections.

Conclusion: Progress, Not Perfection
Democracy is not a destination but a journey. No electoral process anywhere in the world is perfect, but progress must be recognized and built upon. Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure has not been flawless, but to claim “nothing has changed” is to ignore the transformative steps taken under his watch.

Instead of hasty condemnation, what Nigeria’s electoral process needs now is critical support, constructive engagement, and continued innovation. Professor Yakubu has laid a foundation upon which a more transparent, credible, and inclusive democracy can be built. The responsibility now lies with all stakeholders—government, civil society, the judiciary, political actors, and the electorate—to protect, improve, and institutionalize these gains.
Dismissing his efforts wholesale only serves to discourage reformers and embolden those who prefer the shadows of the past. Let us not squander the progress we have made, but rather, consolidate and expand it for the sake of future generations.

Abubakar Billy Tafawa Balewa
Bauchi, Nigeria.

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By Aisha Bello, Abuja

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has strongly criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its recent comments questioning the credibility of voter registration figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). NAN described the ADC’s statements as unfounded, misleading, and indicative of a party grappling with political irrelevance.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, NAN expressed concern over what it called the ADC’s “public disputes” regarding registration statistics in Osun State and the South West region. According to NAN, the figures reported by INEC are consistent with ongoing nationwide efforts to expand voter participation and reflect the electoral engagement of the citizens, not any form of manipulation.

“It is both irresponsible and dishonest for any political party to interpret voter registration numbers through the lens of their own electoral ambitions,” the statement read. NAN cited the 2022 Osun Governorship election, in which the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC), as proof that high registration figures do not necessarily favor any one party. NAN said it was perplexing that the PDP, now aligned with the ADC in their criticism, would dispute data from a state they had recently won.

The group further accused the ADC of selective outrage, pointing out the party’s silence on figures from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). NAN argued that such cherry-picking calls into question the sincerity of the ADC’s concerns and suggests that their allegations may be politically motivated rather than rooted in a genuine interest in electoral transparency.

“Why the focus on Osun and the South West while ignoring voter numbers from other parts of the country, including the FCT? The ADC’s silence on other data suggests they are more interested in discrediting the process than in strengthening democracy,” NAN stated. The group said the ADC’s posture amounted to an intentional undermining of INEC and its critical mandate.

Rather than stirring controversy, NAN urged the ADC to take up the responsibility of educating and mobilizing Nigerians to register and participate in elections. It emphasized that all political parties share in the burden of building a robust democratic process, and that distracting the public with unsubstantiated claims was counterproductive and dangerous.

According to NAN, parties should work with INEC and other democratic institutions to encourage voter participation. “Political energy should be directed towards positive engagement, not divisive rhetoric. The focus should be on inclusion and participation, not paranoia,” the group said, adding that constant political quarrels only serve to discourage potential voters.

The organization went further to accuse the ADC of trying to set the stage for rejecting future election results. NAN stated that baseless allegations are often the hallmark of struggling political outfits preparing excuses for poor electoral performance. “This is a textbook case of a party preparing to blame everyone but itself for a defeat it already anticipates,” NAN noted.

Salihu Sulaiman called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and not be swayed by what he described as the antics of political actors who invent conspiracies to mask their own failings. He emphasized that sustaining democracy requires political maturity and a commitment to facts, not propaganda and manufactured outrage.

In conclusion, NAN reiterated its support for INEC and all efforts aimed at expanding voter registration across the country. The group urged Nigerians to register, participate, and reject divisive politics. “We must all protect the sanctity of our democracy from those who would tear it down just to make a headline,” the statement concluded.

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Malaolu Segun

The Yoruba Youth Council, YYC, an umbrella organisation of Yoruba youths nationwide, has cautioned against anything likely to disrupt the incoming governorship election in Osun State, or discredit the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In a statement at the weekend by its spokesman Saheed Adeola, quoting its YYC National President, Comrade Eric, YYC particularly faulted what it described as unnecessary alarm raised by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC over the number of registered voters credited to Osun State in the latest nationwide pre-registration exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

According to INEC’s figures, Osun State recorded 393,269 pre-registrations, the highest in the country.

But some of the stakeholders including the PDP and ADC criticised the figures as unrealistic alleging fraud.

Responding, INEC had in a statement on Thursday by its chairman’s spokesman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, debunked the allegations, explaining that the current figures are consistent with data from INEC’s 2021 online registration exercise, contrary to allegations.

Describing the alarm raised by the PDP and ADC as needless, the YYC said, “The figures for Osun State are not unusual.

“In any case, in the 2022 Governorship election in Osun State, PDP defeated the APC. It is therefore surprising that the PDP will now query the statistics.

“In fact, contrary to their claims, the number of registrants recorded in Osun State in the latest exercise aligned with the pattern recorded in 2021.

“For instance, Osun recorded 232,880 registrants in a similar exercise conducted by the same INEC in 2021. There is no significant difference in the data recorded for Osun State in 2021 and the figures of 393,289 2025 for the 2025 online pre-registration.

“Even at that, the Commission will still clean up the data, and publish the register for claims and objections by citizens before the exercise is finalised.”

YYC said, “Interestingly, they are querying the figures for Osun and the South West in the latest exercise but not those of the FCT.

“Rather than busy themselves in raisin an unnecessary alarm that amounts to storm in a tea cup, the PDP and ADC should participate in mobilising our people to register in the Continuous Voter Registration, instead of querying figures,vand heating up the polity unnecessarily”

Enatuma Aduku

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has condemned Senator Lawal Usman Adamu’s petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over a recent by-election in Kaduna State, describing the move as “misguided” and a distortion of the ICC’s core mandate.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, and made available to journalists on Thursday, the group said invoking the ICC in the context of a local electoral dispute trivialises the global institution’s mission and undermines serious international justice mechanisms.

“The ICC was established to prosecute the gravest crimes — war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. To liken a by-election dispute in Kaduna to the genocides in Rwanda or the atrocities in Darfur is both irresponsible and offensive to victims of such heinous crimes,” the statement read.

NAN described the senator’s petition as a “theatrical display” aimed at garnering attention rather than addressing the developmental challenges faced by constituents of Kaduna Central Senatorial District.

“The people expect their senator to address issues such as poverty, insecurity, education, and basic infrastructure. Instead, what

By Andrew Ajijah

The Kaduna Central Women Forum (KACEWOF) has come down hard on former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, accusing him of deceiving Nigerians with what it described as “empty rhetoric” and years of political irrelevance.

The women’s group was reacting to a petition reportedly filed by Senator Lawal Adamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The petition accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of unlawfully arresting and detaining the PDP candidate in the August 16 by-election, allegedly on the instructions of Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.

In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Hajiya Binta Garba, and issued in Kaduna on Tuesday, the forum faulted Senator Lawan for questioning the credibility of the by-election process, which it described as “free, fair, and transparent.”

The group accused Lawan of failing in his legislative responsibilities throughout his tenure, despite occupying top positions in the National Assembly. According to KACEWOF, his years in the Senate produced little or no impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“Senator Ahmad Lawan has consistently deceived the people with empty rhetoric. He failed in his duties, lied to his constituents, and reduced himself to a mere bench warmer in the Senate. The time has come for Nigerians to demand accountability from leaders who have overstayed their relevance in our democracy,” the statement read.

The forum further accused Lawan of prioritizing personal political survival over national interest, neglecting to sponsor bills that would improve governance or promote the welfare of Nigerians.

KACEWOF urged Nigerians to hold leaders accountable, insisting that democratic growth can only be sustained when performance, rather than longevity in office, defines political relevance.

“Our democracy will only thrive when those who hold office are judged by their contributions to the people, not by the number of years they sit in power,” the group concluded.

Kaduna, Nigeria – The recent bye-elections in Kaduna State have been hailed as free, fair, and transparent by a coalition of rights groups and election observers, who described the exercise as a milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Under the platform of the Coalition of Rights Groups and Election Monitors, the observers deployed teams across different local government areas, reporting high levels of transparency, voter participation, and peaceful conduct throughout the process.

In a joint statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday, the groups gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) high marks for early deployment of election materials, strict adherence to guidelines, and smooth electronic transmission of results.

“The Kaduna elections set a positive example in the North-West,” said Dr. Amina Mohammed, spokesperson of the Civil Rights and Democracy Watch (CRDW). “Our observers reported minimal cases of irregularities, and those were not significant enough to affect the overall outcome. The people of Kaduna spoke clearly, and their votes counted.”

The Network of Election Observers (NEO) also commended security agencies for their professionalism during the polls.

“We observed professionalism from security operatives across polling units. Their presence reassured voters and discouraged malpractice,” stated Mr. Peter Okafor, NEO’s National Coordinator.

The groups congratulated Governor Uba Sani on his victory, urging him to carry all stakeholders along in governance while prioritizing delivery of democratic dividends. They also appealed to opposition parties to accept the outcome of the elections in good faith and work with the government to advance peace and development in Kaduna State.

With both local and international monitors endorsing the exercise, analysts say Governor Uba Sani’s mandate now enjoys added legitimacy, bolstering public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state, Prince Paul Ikonne, has challenged Governor Alex Otti to stop “distracting the people with contradictions” and come clean on the ₦54 billion school renovation controversy.

The Governor at the weekend during his monthly media chat had dismissed claims that N54bn is missing from the state treasury, describing the allegations as baseless and a reflection of ignorance about government budgeting and spending processes.

Reacting to the Governor’s claim through a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ujo Justice, PhD, Ikonne wondered why a governor who boasts of having “seasoned accountants” in his administration would be contradicting himself “all in a bid to downplay a now national issue and the question on the lips of every Abian: where are the schools, and where is the ₦54 billion?”

Ikonne reminded the governor that similar sums had been written off in the past without evidence on the ground, noting that about ₦18 billion was previously announced for school renovation with “nothing to show for it.”

Quoting an online media report – Sahara Reporters’ recent findings, Ikonne said the governor’s dismissal of the ₦54 billion expenditure claim as a “mistake” is contradicted by official state budget performance documents.

According to the reports, budget performance data shows that in the last quarter of 2024 alone, Abia State recorded ₦54.066 billion as spent on rehabilitation and repairs of public schools. The total amount spent throughout the 2024 fiscal year stood at ₦58.323 billion.

Ikonne argued that if Governor Otti insists that only ₦2.1 billion was spent on schools, then he must explain why his own administration’s budget records state otherwise.

He further pointed to the online report’s review of the approved 2024 budget, which showed that ₦64.7 billion was allocated for renovation/modelling of 51 schools — averaging ₦1.26 billion per school.

“This data,” Ikonne stressed, “makes it clear that the governor is either deliberately misleading Abians or is unaware of what his government is signing off.”

He welcomed the Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), which is demanding a breakdown of the ₦54 billion, including the list of schools supposedly renovated, their names, locations, and the nature of works done.

“Governor Otti should stop hiding behind semantics. Budgets are estimates, but expenditures are facts. The documents clearly show ₦54 billion was reported as spent between October and December 2024. If he disputes this, let him publish the schools. Abians are not asking for excuses — we are asking for evidence,” Ikonne said.

The APC chieftain concluded by urging the governor to prioritize truth over propaganda.

“He added that Dr. Otti should realize that leadership is about accountability, not storytelling.

“He cannot claim to be the face of transparency while avoiding the simplest of questions: show us the schools.”

By Raimi Musa

Lokoja

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un.

Your Excellency,
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo,
Executive Governor of Kogi State.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

On behalf of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) and the United Progressive Political Parties (UPPP), I, Hon. Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu, wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency and your esteemed family on the passing of your beloved father, Alhaji Ahmed Momoh Sani Ododo.

Indeed, “every soul shall taste death.” We are comforted by the knowledge that he lived a fulfilled life of faith and service. At this trying moment, we pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives him his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus.

We also pray that Allah (SWT) grants you, your family, and the entire Ododo household the patience and strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Please accept our deepest sympathy and solidarity.

Wassalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Yours sincerely,
Hon. Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu
Gubernatorial Candidate, National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Chairman, United Progressive Political Parties (UPPP)

By Ojo Sola, Abuja

The Platform for Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM) has announced plans for the Cultural Hangout Festival (CHF) 2025, a three-city celebration highlighting the contributions and rights of migrants.

The festival will be held in Abuja from December 12–14, with subsequent editions in London and Manchester, United Kingdom.

Themed “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting Their Rights,” the Abuja event would bring together migrants, policy leaders, cultural icons, and development partners.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cultural Hangout Festival, Aihawu Victor, said in a statement that the event would feature music, dance, art, storytelling, trade exhibitions, and policy dialogue, all aimed at promoting inclusion, cultural exchange, and economic opportunities.

According to him, the CHF aligns with the United Nations Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), supporting objectives to empower migrants, eliminate discrimination, and create conditions for their full contribution to sustainable development.

One of the highlights would be the Migrant Excellence Awards Night, a red-carpet ceremony recognising outstanding migrants who have significantly contributed to Nigerian society and beyond, he said.

Aihawu clarified that Abuja was chosen in recognition of Nigeria’s leadership role in migration governance, especially as the country currently chairs the Rabat Process, an Africa-Europe dialogue platform on migration and development.

“Cultural Hangout Festival is more than an event, it’s a declaration that migration enriches societies.

“We are here to challenge negative narratives, foster inclusion, and celebrate the people who carry cultures across borders,” said Aihawu.

The Abuja edition builds on the success of the inaugural CHF London held in May 2025 in commemoration of Africa Day, which was endorsed by the African Union and attended by Africans in the Diaspora and lovers of African culture.

Already, some federal ministries are showing interest in the cultural hangout considering its diplomatic advantage, cultural integration and economic importance to the participating countries especially Nigeria.