Category: Daily Trust

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has congratulated Mrs. Sarah Abiara, Nigeria’s first female locomotive driver, on her recognition with the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Role Model Award.

Abiara received the honour at the 14th WiLAT Nigeria Day 2026 Conference and Awards held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, in recognition of her pioneering role and contributions to railway operations in Nigeria.

Opeifa described the award as a significant recognition of Abiara’s professionalism, courage and determination in breaking into a field traditionally dominated by men.

He said her achievement represents a source of pride not only to the Nigerian Railway Corporation but also to women seeking careers in technical and operational areas of the transport industry.

‘Mrs. Abiara’s journey demonstrates what is possible when competence, determination and opportunity come together. Her recognition is well deserved and serves as an encouragement to other women and young people who aspire to build careers in railway operations,’ Opeifa said.

Abiara joined the NRC in 2013 and completed her locomotive driver training the following year, becoming the first woman in Nigeria to qualify and operate as a locomotive driver.

Since then, she has remained one of the notable examples of women making significant contributions to the country’s railway system.

Opeifa also commended WiLAT Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria for recognising professionals who have distinguished themselves in the transport and logistics industry.

He reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to creating opportunities for qualified personnel irrespective of gender, while strengthening training, professionalism and capacity development across its operations.

The WiLAT conference, themed ‘Driving Results: Time Mastery in Logistics and Transport,’ attracted transport professionals, government representatives and industry stakeholders who discussed productivity, discipline, innovation and improved service delivery in the sector.

Chairperson of WiLAT Nigeria, Pharm. Khadijat Sheidu-Shabi, said the organisation would continue to promote mentorship, professional development and increased participation of women in leadership and technical positions within the logistics and transport industry.

The NRC management said Abiara’s latest recognition reinforces the growing role of women in Nigeria’s railway sector and highlights the importance of providing opportunities for more women to take up operational and technical careers.

By 2027, Nigerians will once again be asked to make one of democracy’s most important decisions: who should represent them and who should govern them. But between one election and another, an equally important question deserves attention: how much opportunity do Nigerians actually have to speak directly to those elected in their name? Democracy should not be a conversation that takes place only once every four years.

This is particularly important for members of the National Assembly. Senators and members of the House of Representatives are sent to Abuja to represent their people, make laws and provide oversight. Yet, in many constituencies, meaningful engagement between lawmakers and citizens becomes irregular once elections are over. Nigeria should therefore consider making monthly constituency town halls a normal part of legislative representation.

There is no need to pretend that Nigerian politics operates entirely according to political science textbooks. Governors wield enormous influence over party structures in their states and frequently have considerable say in who gets nominated, supported or positioned for seats in the National Assembly. Some lawmakers are consequently regarded as political protégés, what Nigerians commonly call the ‘godsons and goddaughters’ of governors and other powerful politicians. Others could perhaps be described, with some humour but also uncomfortable truth, as ‘cash-sons and cash-daughters’: products not so much of political mentorship as of the financial muscle and transactional character of our politics.

If governors possess this much influence over who goes to Abuja, why not put some of that influence to good democratic use? A governor who helped a senator or House member emerge should also encourage that lawmaker to return home every month, sit with constituents, listen to them and take their concerns back to Abuja. Political influence should carry public responsibility.

These town halls should not become another political jamboree where praise singers occupy the front row, politicians deliver long speeches and everybody goes home without meaningful engagement. The representative should actually listen. Farmers should explain the challenges affecting agriculture; teachers should discuss education; traders and entrepreneurs should talk about taxation and the cost of doing business; young people should speak about unemployment and opportunities. Traditional and religious leaders, women, professionals, civil society organisations and persons with disabilities should also have their voices heard.

A legislator should be able to return to Abuja and say during a debate that a particular position reflects what constituents expressed at their town hall. That is representation. We have become accustomed to judging legislators mainly by constituency projects: who built classrooms, installed solar streetlights, provided boreholes or distributed empowerment materials. These interventions may be useful, but legislators are not primarily elected as contractors or development agencies. Their responsibilities include legislation, appropriation, oversight and representing their constituents in national decision-making.

Regular town halls could therefore improve both accountability and the quality of legislation. When an important tax bill is before the National Assembly, why shouldn’t legislators hear first from businesses and workers in their constituencies? When constitutional amendments are being considered, citizens should have an organised opportunity to express their views. The National Assembly is supposed to be the People’s House, and the people’s voices should regularly find their way into that House.

Governors should encourage this culture regardless of party. This is not an argument for governors to control legislators; the independence of the legislature must be protected. It is an argument for converting political influence into public accountability. Meetings could rotate among local government areas, dates could be publicly announced and lawmakers could report what they have done in Abuja. Each meeting could produce a simple constituency priority document, with the representative reporting at the next meeting on what progress has been made.

But accountability should not stop with legislators. As preparations gather momentum towards the 2027 general elections, presidential candidates should recognise that Nigerians deserve something better than vague promises and post-election policy surprises. Candidates should tell the electorate, as clearly as possible, what they intend to do with the country before asking for its mandate.

Nigeria faces fundamental questions that cannot continue to be avoided during campaigns only to emerge after a government has been inaugurated. Does a presidential candidate believe Nigeria should retain its present federal arrangement? Does he or she support greater devolution of powers and resources to the states? Should Nigeria consider stronger regional structures or a return to parliamentary government? What is the candidate’s position on proposals for a looser or confederal arrangement? These are not merely academic questions; they concern the basic architecture and future of the Nigerian state.

The economy deserves the same clarity. What is a candidate’s position on the naira and the exchange-rate regime? If further depreciation or devaluation forms part of the economic programme, Nigerians should know before voting. If subsidies are to be removed or restructured, explain the proposal during the campaign. If major new taxes are contemplated, tell the electorate. Candidates should similarly explain their approaches to inflation, public debt, electricity, unemployment, industrialisation and the cost of living.

No president can foresee every crisis. International conflicts, economic shocks and emergencies sometimes compel governments to alter course. But there is a difference between responding to unforeseen circumstances and introducing fundamental policy changes that were never properly presented to the electorate. Major reforms should, as far as reasonably possible, derive from an informed democratic mandate.

The 2027 presidential election should therefore become a competition of ideas as much as a contest of personalities. One candidate may favour greater market liberalisation while another prefers stronger state intervention. One may support restructuring while another defends the existing federal arrangement. One may favour parliamentary government while another rejects it. Let the alternatives be clearly presented and allow Nigerians to decide.

Our television stations, newspapers, universities, professional bodies, organised labour, business associations and civil society should make such policy clarity unavoidable during the campaign. Presidential debates should interrogate candidates specifically about the naira, restructuring, taxation, subsidies, debt, security and the constitutional structure of the country. Where a proposed policy will impose immediate hardship in expectation of future benefits, candidates should have the courage to explain that trade-off before the election.

The larger issue is the relationship between citizens and political power. Democracy cannot function properly when politicians intensely seek the people’s attention during campaigns and become difficult to reach afterwards. Every month, legislators should return home to hear what their people are saying, while those seeking the presidency should clearly explain what they intend to do before Nigerians vote.

Nigeria faces too many serious choices for another election dominated mainly by personalities, ethnicity, religion, slogans and political arithmetic. Those seeking the people’s mandate should tell the people what they intend to do, while those who already hold that mandate should regularly return to hear what the people want. That is how the People’s House can genuinely become the people’s house, and as 2027 approaches, Nigerians should insist on one simple democratic principle: tell us before the election, not after it. Enough of post-election policy surprises.

Speaking during the grand campaign mega rally of the APC ahead of Saturday’s election at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State, on Thursday, Senator Barau said two key things were hindering the development of the state.

Senator Barau, who is the Secretary of the national campaign council of the APC for the Osun Governorship Election, said the first challenge hindering the development of the state was a lack of good leadership to lead the path for its development.

Amid a mammoth crowd that thronged the venue of the campaign rally, he said the candidate of the APC possesses the capacity to turn around the fortunes of the state for the benefit of its people.

‘Osun State is a state that has enormous potential and enormous resources, both natural and human.’

‘But the problem is that it doesn’t have a governor to harness these resources. What is needed at this moment is to elect APC’s AMBO, who has the requisite pedigree and the requisite background to harness these resources,’ he said.

He added that, ‘Apart from that, there’s one thing that is also lacking. Osun State is not within the mainstream of Nigerian politics. What is needed at this stage is to bring Osun State into the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

‘ As we speak, we have 31 states being governed by the APC. But Osun is isolated. So, you (voters) need to go out on Saturday to bring Osun into the equation of our national politics by voting for APC.

‘When you do that, Osun State will gain and develop. Please, on Saturday, go out there and vote for APC’s candidate. By doing so, you have voted for development and for infrastructure.’

He urged the people of the state to shun any issue capable of causing crisis before, during and after the election.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), has stated that Nigerians will vote the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of power in 2027, provided the election process is free and fair.

Baba-Ahmed argued that the APC’s primary concern should not be opposition political parties, but the Nigerian electorate, who possess the ultimate power to determine the outcome of elections.

He made these remarks while discussing political realignment and opposition strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections during an interview on DITV/Alheri Radio in Kaduna.

According to him, political parties do not determine election outcomes; the electorate decides which candidates and parties emerge victorious.

‘They know that if they allow a free and fair election to take place, Nigerians will not vote for them. That is what they are afraid of,’ he said. The PRP chairman added, ‘It is not opposition from other political parties that they should fear, but opposition from the Nigerian electorate, because political parties don’t vote-Nigerians do.’

He maintained that the APC is aware that allowing citizens to freely choose their leaders would likely work against the party in 2027.

Baba-Ahmed also cautioned opposition politicians against forming alliances solely to remove President Bola Ahmed Tinubu without having a clear, substantive plan for governing the country.

‘We know there are people who are only looking for the removal of Tinubu so that they can do whatever they want, or replicate the same policies Tinubu is currently implementing. Later, they may claim a mistake was made,’ he warned.

He emphasized that the PRP would not support any politician merely based on their ambition to become president.

‘In the PRP, we will not agree to simply support someone because they have the ambition to become president. We will not enter into such an arrangement. We must first see what they intend to do before we agree,’ he stated.

He added that any political coalition supported by the PRP must have a clear agenda for addressing Nigeria’s major challenges, such as insecurity, poverty, hunger, and the general suffering of citizens.

Baba-Ahmed noted that the party would carefully examine emerging political alliances ahead of 2027 to determine whether they are driven by genuine intentions or personal political ambitions.

‘We can recognise deception, and we can also recognise good intentions,’ he said.

The chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), in a phone conversation with our correspondent, declined to comment on the progress of the investigation, saying doing so could undermine the process.

Concerns continue to grow over the next step of the investigation, particularly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concluded its own probe into the controversy and cleared the Presidency of involvement in the alleged establishment of the council.

At its last public sitting, the committee examined documents and testimonies relating to the purported council, including evidence from government institutions on how the PFIPC allegedly obtained official recognition and accessed government processes despite questions surrounding its legal existence.

The committee had earlier said it uncovered what it described as extensive document fraud, including the use of purported government documents and the creation of an alleged Directorate of Administration and Support Services under the State House, which officials said did not exist.

The State House also denied issuing any appointment letter to the purported Director-General of the PFIPC, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, while the Federal Road Safety Corps explained how vehicles associated with the council obtained official government number plates.

Earlier, the committee chairman had said the discrepancies uncovered would form part of the panel’s final assessment of the matter.

However, seven days after the committee indicated that it would brief Nigerians on its findings, there has been no public statement from the panel on the outcome of its investigation or the date for the release of its report.

The committee had earlier promised to conclude the investigation and make its findings public.

Lawmakers had also said they would interact with Adeyemi, who is in custody, at an undisclosed date and location, rather than conduct the session publicly, citing the need not to interfere with ongoing investigations and court proceedings.

Nevertheless, his lawyer and family members rejected the decision and demanded a public hearing for the ‘self-acclaimed’ DG.

The committee’s final report is expected to provide clarity on how the purported council operated, the role of government institutions that interacted with it, and whether officials or private individuals facilitated its activities.

Nigeria has been a proponent of regional integration for decades, and businesses have been dealing with several checkpoints, irregular checks and high delays for decades. These obstacles have encouraged a culture of rent-seeking, where the rules are not transparent and where there are opportunities for unofficial payments. The cost is borne by manufacturers, exporters and consumers who pay more because goods spend longer than necessary at ports and border posts. Customs modernisation is not just a matter of using new technology, it’s a matter of breaking the institutionalisation of inefficiency.

Custom modernization is being driven by digital customs systems, automated risk assessment, cargo tracking, scanners and other modern systems which substitute for the human element, providing a transparent and objective method to verify a cargo’s contents. The use of electronic documentation, automated risk assessment, cargo tracking and modern scanners eliminates the human discretion by replacing manual verifications with a transparent and objective approach to verifying or validating a cargo’s contents. This makes it harder to control procedures, and easier for those that comply to move goods faster. Consistent customs procedures also help make investment more attractive as companies will be more likely to expand if they can have a clear idea of costs and delivery times. From this perspective, scanners are not just security gadgets, but instruments of economic reform.

Yet technology alone will not solve the problem. Any reform that reduces opportunities to make illegal profits is likely to be opposed by those who profit from the current situation. The fight isn’t just between scanners and smugglers, it’s between institutional change and corruption. Even the most advanced equipment can be an empty hope if there is no accountability, transparency and political commitment.

AfCFTA can boost exports in Africa by 81 per cent by 2035, and help pull approximately 30 million people out of extreme poverty, if accompanied by appropriate trade facilitation reforms. Efficient customs systems, however, are essential for ensuring that goods move rapidly and reliably across borders, to achieve those benefits. Effective institutions are the ones that will preserve markets opened by trade agreements.

This is particularly important due to Nigeria’s geographical location. The country is one of the largest economies in Africa and the most populous country in Africa, so its customs performance impacts on trade throughout West Africa. Bottlenecks in Nigeria’s borders affect regional trade and drive up logistics costs for companies trading on the African continent. This will consequently enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and bolster her leadership in Africa’s emerging single market if its customs would be made efficient.

Smuggling is one of the greatest obstacles to this goal. The illegal trade undermines the confidence in government at the borders, weakens legitimate businesses and deprives the government of revenue. Modern scanners can help turn the tide by improving risk management by enabling customs officials concentrate their focus on suspicious cargo and by allowing legitimate cargo to pass through customs more quickly. The goal is not just to catch criminals and intercept contraband, but to ensure compliance becomes easier and more rewarding than evasion.

This is where the NCS-Afreximbank partnership comes into play. In addition to financing and technical cooperation, the collaboration backs regional transit systems, one-stop border posts and harmonised customs processes that can help cut transaction costs across Africa. The reforms reflect a broader understanding that economic integration requires institutions capable of supporting trade rather than obstructing it.

It is fair to say that critics are correct in pointing out that digitisation is not the solution to corruption. If we have poor monitoring then we may just be replacing the same issues with a new electronic system. But if Nigeria does not reform, and chooses not to do so because the process is so painful, the country will be rejecting an inefficient system that has stunted Nigeria’s economic development for decades. Modernisation of customs needs to be complemented by transparent governance, ongoing staff training, more inter-agency cooperation and political will.

The key measure of Nigeria’s free trade aspirations will be how efficient its borders are, rather than the agreements it negotiates. Each of these missed deliveries, and each of the missed checkpoints, and each of these unofficial payments is a hit on the competitiveness of the country, and a blow to AfCFTA’s promise. The scanners that are coming to Nigeria’s borders are not just signs of technological advancement, but of transparency versus opacity and productivity versus inefficiency. The successful implementation of customs modernisation in Nigeria will boost trade within the region and create new economic opportunities. If it fails, smugglers will continue to exploit institutional weaknesses, leaving Africa’s boldest trade project to falter where it matters most – at the border.

Eyewitnesses said that several miners were also injured in the incident.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening while the victims were carrying out mining activities at the site.

A resident of the community, Albert Danlami, said the incident occurred at about 7pm, when the pit suddenly collapsed on the miners, describing the incident as devastating.

Danlami said the victims were trapped underground following the collapse, prompting residents and other miners to commence efforts to recover their corpses.

According to him, the incident caused panic in the community as residents rushed to the mining site following the collapse.

The Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, also confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Tengwong said seven miners lost their lives in the incident, adding that the victims were at the mining site when the pit collapsed.

He said efforts were made to rescue the miners after the incident, but they were found dead.

Our correspondent reports that collapse of mining pits has claimed many lives of minerals in various mining communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom and other LGAs.

Muslim and Christian leaders in West Africa have pledged to promote the authentic values of their religions and reject their exploitation to fuel conflicts, violence and extremism.

The leaders made the commitment in the Abuja Accord signed on Wednesday at the end of a two-day International Conference on Diversity and Social Peace, organised by the Saudi-based Muslim World League in collaboration with the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah in Nigeria (JIBWIS).

The communique, read by Garbadeen Muhammed, a member of the organising committee, said religious leaders had a responsibility to ensure that religious teachings were not distorted or used to promote violence and extremism.

‘Religion, in its essence, is a message of mercy and peace. Religious leaders bear the responsibility of highlighting the authentic values of religions and rejecting their exploitation to fuel conflicts or justify violence and extremism,’ the leaders said.

They affirmed that religious, cultural and ethnic diversity should be seen as a source of civilisational enrichment rather than a cause of conflict and division.

The leaders also stressed the role of religion in promoting peace, strengthening citizenship, encouraging dialogue and cooperation, and using shared values to build a more secure and prosperous future for Nigeria and West Africa.

They said social peace was a fundamental pillar of national security and could only be achieved through the joint efforts of state institutions, religious and educational institutions, the media and civil society organisations.

The leaders identified inclusive national dialogue as an effective means of addressing the causes of tension, while urging stakeholders to strengthen trust among people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.

They also called for greater efforts to promote intellectual security and protect communities from calls to extremism, fanaticism and hatred.

According to them, religious discourse should be based on wisdom, moderation and the middle path.

The communique highlighted the need to empower young people and women and involve them in national initiatives that promote peace, social responsibility and the values of citizenship.

The leaders also emphasised the role of educational and religious institutions in raising generations that respect diversity, embrace tolerance and coexistence, and protect national identity while respecting religious identity.

They noted that sustainable development was inseparable from social peace, while security and stability provided the environment needed for societies to prosper.

The religious leaders, representing different faiths and denominations, pledged to sustain regular institutional dialogue and strengthen cooperation on issues that promote national unity and safeguard the security and stability of society.

They proposed the establishment of a coordinating body for Muslim and Christian leaders and institutions in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Muslim World League, to coordinate joint initiatives and strengthen consultation and cooperation on matters of common interest.

The leaders also urged the media and cultural institutions to promote responsible public discourse, counter rumours and inflammatory rhetoric, and highlight successful examples of peaceful coexistence and harmony.

Rabi’ul Awwal: Sultanate council asks Muslims to look out for new moon today

From Salim Ashir Mahuta, Sokoto

The Sultanate Council, Sokoto, has called on Muslim faithful to look out for the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448AH today, August 13, 2026.

The council made the call in a statement on Wednesday signed by Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

According to the statement, Thursday, August 13, which corresponds to 29th Safar 1448AH, has been designated as the day for Muslims to look for the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1448AH.

The council urged Muslims who sight the moon to report it to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

Rabi’ul Awwal is a significant month in the Islamic calendar, particularly because 12th Rabi’ul Awwal is traditionally observed by many Muslims as the date of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The date is observed by many followers of various Sufi orders and other Muslims through Maulud gatherings, lectures, recitation of the Holy Qur’an and other religious activities to commemorate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Sultanate Council prayed for Allah’s assistance to Muslims in the discharge of the religious duty of moon sighting.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has eased restrictions on access to its Standing Lending Facility (SLF), lifted the suspension of tenored repurchase (repo) operations and broadened participation in Open Market Operations (OMO).

The changes, contained in a circular dated August 12, 2026, are aimed at improving liquidity management, strengthening money market functioning and enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy.

The circular was signed by Okey Umeano, Acting Director of the Financial Markets Department.

Under the revised framework, banks and other eligible institutions that participate in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) will no longer face restrictions on accessing the CBN’s Discount Window.

The apex bank also removed restrictions arising from participation in primary auctions of government securities. However, the existing restriction on participation in OMO auctions by institutions accessing the Discount Window on the same day remains in place.

The CBN has also lifted the suspension of tenored repo operations, allowing the bank to conduct repo transactions with approved tenors ranging from four to 90 days.

The move is expected to provide the banking system with an additional mechanism for managing liquidity and improve the functioning of the money market.

According to the CBN, the repo operations will also support more effective implementation of monetary policy.

In another major change, the apex bank has opened OMO participation in both the primary and secondary markets to a wider range of investors.

According to the circular, eligible investors now include individuals, corporates and non-bank financial institutions, although they will participate through deposit money banks.

The banks will continue to submit bids and settle transactions on behalf of their customers.

The CBN said the volume, tenor and frequency of OMO issuances would continue to be determined by prevailing liquidity conditions and monetary policy objectives.

OMO auctions will also continue to operate under the existing single-bid auction structure.

The latest measures represent a significant adjustment to the CBN’s operating framework for the money and fixed-income markets, potentially giving investors greater access to government-backed instruments while providing banks with more flexibility in managing liquidity.

The apex bank said the provisions of the circular took immediate effect, while directing all deposit money banks, authorised dealers and other market participants to ensure strict compliance.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said 15 political parties are participating in the election, with the incumbent, Ademola Adeleke, contesting on the platform of the Accord Party; while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fielding Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Other candidates include Olanrewaju Farinloye of the Action Alliance (AA), Salaam Folasayo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Esan Olajide of the African Action Congress (AAC), among others.

One of our correspondents who went round Osogbo, the state capital and some local government areas yesterday observed a heavy presence of security personnel ahead of the poll.

Although residents continued with their normal activities, the atmosphere remained charged in some parts of the state, with supporters of various candidates gathering at strategic locations.

Also observed was the movement of youths suspected to be security personnel, some of whom were seen brandishing weapons as they drove around parts of Osogbo.

The development comes against the backdrop of reports of thuggery, clashes, attacks and threats since the commencement of campaigns, with several suspects, including individuals allegedly linked to political actors, arrested.

There have also been arrests and detention of government officials and other individuals in connection with alleged electoral offences, some of whom were later released.

APC, Accord trade fresh accusations

The state’s APC Governorship Campaign Council yesterday accused the state government of harbouring and deploying thugs and individuals allegedly masquerading as members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army ahead of Saturday’s election.

In a statement, the council’s Head of Media and Publicity Committee, Oluremi Omowaiye, described the allegation as a serious threat to the credibility and peaceful conduct of the election.

The council called on the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army and other security and intelligence agencies to investigate the allegation and establish the identities, affiliations and intentions of individuals suspected of impersonating security personnel.

It also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or movements to the appropriate authorities.

In the same vein, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Governor Adeleke, raised the alarm over an alleged plot to disrupt internet connectivity across parts of Osun on election day.

The chairman of its media committee, Bamidele Salam, said information available to the council suggested that some political actors were allegedly exploring ways of colluding with telecommunications and internet service providers to deliberately slow down or disrupt internet services during the election.

According to him, such a development could affect the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and other election-related communication and digital processes.

Salam urged telecommunications operators to remain neutral and resist any attempt to use their infrastructure to interfere with the election.

CISLAC raises alarm over violence, vote buying

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) also raised concerns over alleged electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying ahead of the poll.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organisation said its monitoring of the electoral environment, alongside media reports and other assessments, indicated a worrying pattern of violence and intimidation.

CISLAC cited reported incidents including killings, shootings, clashes, attacks on political gatherings and destruction of property.

It expressed particular concern over the reported killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, who was allegedly struck by a stray bullet during a clash.

The organisation also referred to other reported incidents, including the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke.

CISLAC stressed that the circumstances surrounding some of the incidents and the identities of those responsible remained subject to investigation.

It also expressed concern over alleged recruitment, financing and deployment of political thugs to intimidate voters, attack opponents and disrupt political activities.

The organisation warned that vote buying and other forms of voter inducement could undermine the integrity of the election by exploiting economic hardship and limiting voters’ ability to make independent choices.

CISLAC urged law enforcement agencies to investigate all allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable, irrespective of political affiliation.

It also called for clarification over reports of the deployment of armed military personnel to the Osun State office of INEC, urging the authorities to explain the purpose and legal basis of the deployment.

Police quiz senator over alleged incitement

The state police command yesterday quizzed the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, for allegedly inciting violence in the state.

A viral video had on Tuesday showed Fadahunsi making comments interpreted as a call for violence against supporters of the Accord Party. He later denied making such a call, saying he was quoted out of context.

The senator, accompanied by his aides, arrived at the police headquarters in Osogbo yesterday. He was initially directed to the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) where he was questioned by senior police officers.

Journalists were barred from the investigation room where Fadahunsi spent about one hour and 57 minutes before being taken to the office of the Commissioner of Police. He later returned to the CID.

He was subsequently joined by a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke and a legal practitioner, Edmund Biriomoni.

Fadahunsi was later released, but told journalists that he honoured the police invitation and clarified what he described as a statement that had been ‘manipulated’ in its interpretation.

He said: ‘I came here to honour the police invitation. We have met and I told them what I said, not the one manipulated by the mischievous interpreters of the Yoruba language.

‘I am a Yoruba man. If a Hausa or Igbo person is interpreting, it may not be correct. Yoruba means a lot of things. What I said was that between now and Saturday, we will kill them with our votes.’

The senator also alleged that the security situation in Osun East was deteriorating, accusing the state government of turning the senatorial district into a battleground.

He, however, expressed confidence that APC supporters would turn out in large numbers to vote for the party’s governorship candidate, Oyebamiji, despite what he described as intimidation by political thugs.

Amnesty Int’l demands accountability; Obi seeks retraction

Amnesty International has condemned the senator’s comments, describing them as alleged incitement to violence ahead of the election.

The organisation said Fadahunsi should be held accountable over what it described as ‘reckless’ remarks.

Amnesty said the authorities had an obligation to act against statements capable of inciting hostility, discrimination or violence, and urged them to urgently denounce inflammatory comments made online, at campaign events or through other platforms.

The organisation also called for accountability for anyone whose actions or statements could threaten the peaceful conduct of the election.

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, also expressed concern over what he described as the inflammatory remarks attributed to Fadahunsi.

Obi called for an immediate retraction and urged stakeholders to allow the people of Osun to freely determine who governs them.

In a statement posted on his X handle, the former Anambra State governor said it was ‘alarming and unacceptable’ for a senior lawmaker to make comments capable of heightening tension and potentially inciting electoral violence.

He urged security agencies to closely monitor inflammatory statements and ensure equal protection for voters, election officials and other citizens before, during and after the election.

Accord seeks EU’s intervention

The Accord Party has also written to the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, expressing concern over what it described as the deteriorating political and security situation in Osun.

In the letter, the party alleged widespread political violence, intimidation, arrests and harassment, as well as the alleged deployment of state institutions and security agencies in a manner it said had heightened tension.

The party claimed that at least 29 people had reportedly lost their lives in incidents connected with the political environment in the state, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.

It also alleged that more than 60 of its members and supporters were arrested and detained in Abuja and Nasarawa State, calling for independent scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the arrests.

Accord urged the European Union to encourage the federal government, security agencies and other public institutions to maintain political neutrality throughout the electoral process.

It also called on INEC to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities independently, impartially and transparently.

With the election only hours away, the competing allegations have further raised concerns about the ability of political parties and security agencies to maintain peace and ensure that voters can freely exercise their franchise on Saturday.